Checking In.....
Tatonka_usn
Posts: 433 Member
Greetings everyone!
My name is Alan and, having recently joined this site, I figured I’d drop in to say hi and introduce myself. I joined up for a couple reasons, to include minor weight loss, portion control while eating, focus on tangible exercise/dietary goals, and cutting out unnecessary food from my diet (to eat a bit healthier). In order for this to make a bit more sense, I think a brief (abridged) run down of my recent medical history might provide a bit more insight.
Most importantly, in 2007 (while in the Navy) I badly herniated the L5-S1 spinal disc (the very bottom). While I’d hoped conservative treatment would suffice, the Navy doctors ultimately forced me to have back surgery to remove the disc fragment. Unfortunately, while I remain “functional”, things never really returned anywhere close to 100%. This ultimately manifested itself in a nearly 40lb weight gain, as (being a grazer) I continually ate as a result of stress and depression. By the time I left the Navy in early 2010, I’d ballooned to 225….well higher than I’d ever been. So I began walking on the treadmill, using the elliptical machine and eating a bit better, which (between 2010 and 2012) enabled me to pare off a bit more than 25 pounds. That said, I “plateaued” just-under 200, and couldn’t seem to get any lower.
Fast forward to early 2012, when I developed gastro-intestinal issues eventually diagnosed as a form of microscopic colitis. Given the fact that food really wasn’t staying in me long, I began gradually losing weight, whether I needed to or not. Unfortunately, the doctors don’t really have an idea of what causes this malady, as there are numerous theories….none of which is conclusive. One of the thoughts is that an allergy to lactose or gluten might exacerbate the problem, so I’ve recently begun working at ridding myself of excess wheat products, carbs, processed sugar, “regular” milk, and anything else which might cause me issues. While it hasn’t facilitated a noticeable GI improvement, using the food diary on this site has enabled me to be MUCH more cognizant of what I’m eating, as well as shedding an additional five to eight pounds . Optimally, I’d love to get back down to my pre-surgery weight of 185, and maintain things there (which would be beneficial for my back), but this journey has always been about eating better and getting my stomach under control. As such, the tangible reminder provided by the diary has really gone a long way to getting me back on track.
I very much hope this is just a beginning, as the past five years have been some of the most challenging of my life. Additionally, I certainly look forward to getting to know everyone on here, as time permits.
Best regards!
Alan
My name is Alan and, having recently joined this site, I figured I’d drop in to say hi and introduce myself. I joined up for a couple reasons, to include minor weight loss, portion control while eating, focus on tangible exercise/dietary goals, and cutting out unnecessary food from my diet (to eat a bit healthier). In order for this to make a bit more sense, I think a brief (abridged) run down of my recent medical history might provide a bit more insight.
Most importantly, in 2007 (while in the Navy) I badly herniated the L5-S1 spinal disc (the very bottom). While I’d hoped conservative treatment would suffice, the Navy doctors ultimately forced me to have back surgery to remove the disc fragment. Unfortunately, while I remain “functional”, things never really returned anywhere close to 100%. This ultimately manifested itself in a nearly 40lb weight gain, as (being a grazer) I continually ate as a result of stress and depression. By the time I left the Navy in early 2010, I’d ballooned to 225….well higher than I’d ever been. So I began walking on the treadmill, using the elliptical machine and eating a bit better, which (between 2010 and 2012) enabled me to pare off a bit more than 25 pounds. That said, I “plateaued” just-under 200, and couldn’t seem to get any lower.
Fast forward to early 2012, when I developed gastro-intestinal issues eventually diagnosed as a form of microscopic colitis. Given the fact that food really wasn’t staying in me long, I began gradually losing weight, whether I needed to or not. Unfortunately, the doctors don’t really have an idea of what causes this malady, as there are numerous theories….none of which is conclusive. One of the thoughts is that an allergy to lactose or gluten might exacerbate the problem, so I’ve recently begun working at ridding myself of excess wheat products, carbs, processed sugar, “regular” milk, and anything else which might cause me issues. While it hasn’t facilitated a noticeable GI improvement, using the food diary on this site has enabled me to be MUCH more cognizant of what I’m eating, as well as shedding an additional five to eight pounds . Optimally, I’d love to get back down to my pre-surgery weight of 185, and maintain things there (which would be beneficial for my back), but this journey has always been about eating better and getting my stomach under control. As such, the tangible reminder provided by the diary has really gone a long way to getting me back on track.
I very much hope this is just a beginning, as the past five years have been some of the most challenging of my life. Additionally, I certainly look forward to getting to know everyone on here, as time permits.
Best regards!
Alan
0
Replies
-
Welcome, Alan! I have found this site to be extremely informative! Good luck!!
0 -
Hi Alan, and welcome to MFP. Sorry to hear of your health issues, but it sounds like you're on the right track. Good luck with your goals, and feel free to add me a friend. :flowerforyou:0
-
Welcome aboard.0
-
Thanks! Everyone here really seems warm and supportive! Looking forward getting to know "the gang" ;-)0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 394K Introduce Yourself
- 43.9K Getting Started
- 260.3K Health and Weight Loss
- 176K Food and Nutrition
- 47.5K Recipes
- 232.6K Fitness and Exercise
- 431 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.6K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153.1K Motivation and Support
- 8.1K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.9K MyFitnessPal Information
- 15 News and Announcements
- 1.2K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.7K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions