Injured but still fighting the calories :)

ndev777

Hi I All

My name is Val. I'd just like to share my "work in progress" success here, purely due to the fact that I couldn't have done it without mfp! If hope my story can inspire anyone with an injury and wants to lose weight but thinks they can't, I'm here to tell you that you can and will do it! With the support of these wonderful members at myfitnesspal, counting the calories and moving about as best as you can to burn more energy, before you know it, you'll be posting your own success story!

At the age of 2, I fell through the balcony of our apartment building from the fourth floor. I was living in Romania, and being the communist country that it was, good medical help was hard to get... for one, it was the early seventies... and secondly, If you didn't pay a little extra under the table to the fine underpaid communist doctors, you'd be lucky to get off the surgery table with your limbs intact.

Four bad operations later, and a lot of sitting in bed immobilized due to having a cast on my leg, I've put the pounds on.
We then moved to the U.S. for further treatment on my leg, which resulted in two more operations, and of course, more pounds pilling on due to not being able to move.

After all the operations, I was left with a manageable limp, limitations to hip movements, but a happy go lucky 240lb overweight kid. (well, the teasing didn't help, but it made me who I am today )

Fast forward to the age of 37, now the weight is around 104kg, and no more cartilage where my hip bone is...leg is at least another 1 or 2 inches shorter and I'm in massive pain from time to time.

After all the yo-yo diets, starvation diets... I thought I'd do it right this time. Myfitnesspal has been nothing less for me then a perfect god send. Counting the calories has never ever been easier, managing how much I eat, what I eat and making inspirational/ motivational friends as I go along is the perfect combination for success!

As for my exercise, I walk (never jog, that would kill me) as much as I can... every little bit counts... If I couldn't walk, I'd swing my arms... what I am saying is, don't let yourself put up walls, try, think a little bit outside the box as to how you can be active without endangering your self.

Currently I am in Australia and awaiting a hip replacement, I say waiting because I am on a public health waiting list. I sometimes use a cane to walk, especially when transitioning from sitting to standing and then walking... not a good feeling, its it's bone on bone action

I hope I've not bored anyone to death God bless and believe and achieve! You WILL SUCCEED

personally, another 5-10kgs to go and I'm done with the new me I can't wait!!
Val

iWaffle

As for my exercise, I walk (never jog, that would kill me) as much as I can... every little bit counts... If I couldn't walk, I'd swing my arms... what I am saying is, don't let yourself put up walls, try, think a little bit outside the box as to how you can be active without endangering your self.

Seriously, one of the most inspiring things I've heard here. People like you are just amazing to be around. Never give up and never give in. You're a legend man.

I can only do 5 mph on the treadmill due to a knee injury but now I feel pathetic for even thinking it was a handicap at all. Keep looking at what you have, work with what you've got, and stay positive. Great message.

ndev777

Thank you so much! You have done extremely well to fight through pain yourself! You also have inspired me with your success! Thank you

niecyc23

What a great story now I know that I can do it just keep moving even just moving my arms:)

ALittleLikeHell

So inspirational, thank you :flowerforyou:

Witchmoo

Thanks for sharing, it puts trivial woes in perspective and gives hope and encouragement at the same time. As the man above said 'you're a legend'!

shgreenw

Very inspiring!

AmyLRed

very inspirational.

I cannot view your photos though. they wont load.

TourThePast

You're an inspiration, it just goes to show that EVERYONE can get fitter and slimmer if they have the commitment.

I had a dodgy knee for years that gave me all sorts of trouble, it's not that I used it as an excuse, I was genuinely scared of the damage that any exercise would do to it. The crazy thing is, now I'm exercising it's strengthened the whole joint and it's fine!

Wish someone had shown me the photos of Joshua Sundquist, he's also an inspiration - http://bodyforlife.com/news/bfl-champion-qa-joshua-sundquist

ndev777

being the couch potato that I was and feeling sorry for myself, that's how I started swinging those fat arms of mine in small rotations through a half hour show of friends sure gave me a sweat

What a great story now I know that I can do it just keep moving even just moving my arms:)

ndev777

it's my first post with an attempt with photos... I'm not sure what I've done wrong... If someone could point out a fix, I'd be very grateful . And thank you for the kind words... God bless.

very inspirational.

I cannot view your photos though. they wont load.

iWaffle

it's my first post with an attempt with photos... I'm not sure what I've done wrong... If someone could point out a fix, I'd be very grateful .

Switch to lower case letters in the image tags and it will work. Change the "IMG" to "img".

ndev777

Thank you very much

it's my first post with an attempt with photos... I'm not sure what I've done wrong... If someone could point out a fix, I'd be very grateful .

Switch to lower case letters in the image tags and it will work. Change the "IMG" to "img".

jenlarz

Wow! You look fantastic. Thank you for sharing your story. Very inspirational!

Heidihomelinda

Just what I needed today - your story! Thanks for inspiring!

ndev777

Wow, I'm speechless ... An inspiration indeed! My Goodness

You're an inspiration, it just goes to show that EVERYONE can get fitter and slimmer if they have the commitment.

I had a dodgy knee for years that gave me all sorts of trouble, it's not that I used it as an excuse, I was genuinely scared of the damage that any exercise would do to it. The crazy thing is, now I'm exercising it's strengthened the whole joint and it's fine!

Wish someone had shown me the photos of Joshua Sundquist, he's also an inspiration - http://bodyforlife.com/news/bfl-champion-qa-joshua-sundquist

wgn4166

Thank you for sharing this. It touched my heart!

ndev777

Thank you everybody for your kind words. I never cease to be inspired and motivated by all of you wonderful people. I owe all of my success to everyone here!

txcaveman

Thanks for sharing your story. It's very inspiring. Makes my hurdles in life seem much more manageable.

MzCongeniality70

Val!!! You are amazing!!!!!!! I know you have told me part of your story before, but I never knew it had been this horrific for you! You inspire me every day, and I am so lucky to have you as my friend!!!!!! :flowerforyou:

SusanFinck

Amazingly inspirational. Thank you for sharing your story.