Getting Started

bokaba
bokaba Posts: 171 Member
in Introduce Yourself
I suppose I should go ahead and introduce myself. Over the past six months, my weight peaked to 300 lbs (6ft tall). While my abilities to conduct my day to day activities have not been compromised, I had a bad bout of irritable bowel syndrome lasting several months (I've had IBS since birth and is incurable, but I believe my weight gain has aggravated it), diverticulosis, kidney stones, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, and had surgery to remove an infected pilonidal abscess. I believe my weight has made these conditions worse. While my diet with exception of some junk food once and while was never particularly bad, I recently decided that I needed to make some serious changes. While none of the health conditions I experienced are life-threatening, they seriously affected quality of life. Most of these problems have cleared up at this point, but they could return. On a positive note, my blood pressure and cholesterol are very good and am otherwise healthy.

Back tracking, I have been obese for at least 15 years coming close to an acceptable weight a few times when I was particularly active. I put on 30-40 pounds since starting law school a year and a half ago...possibly from stress.

Over the past two weeks, I've cut my portion sizes and am exercising at least 30 minutes twice a day and have lost 15 lbs. I am eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, a variety of whole grains, healthy fats, and lean meats and diary. I hope to make permanent changes and lose 1-2 pounds a week until I meet my first goal that will stick for the rest of my life rather than crash dieting that cannot be maintained. I have a long way to go, but I am confident I can make the needed changes in the coming year or so.

Replies

  • hearthwood
    hearthwood Posts: 794 Member
    Welcome and good luck to you, it sounds like you're on a great start!
  • bokaba
    bokaba Posts: 171 Member
    Thanks. I am feeling much better.
  • bokaba
    bokaba Posts: 171 Member
    Well, I'm down 17 pounds in less than a month (probably about 3 weeks really). My clothes are starting to fit better and mt large abdomen is shrinking. Eating less has alleviated some of my GERD symptoms, but I am still having bouts of nausea and vomiting, so I am going to see a GI specialist in the next couple of weeks.

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