New here, and in big trouble...
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A couple psychological things I immediately thought of reading your post.
As a firefighter, you had a routine. Every day you were required to do your Fitness Program, right? And every day you had jobs to do around the fire house regardless of your calls, right?
Maybe set yourself a schedule like the one you had at work. Exercise, chores, chat with friends, give back to the community.
Find a rec center and join. You'll get exercise and fellowship. Then volunteer somewhere. You are still useful, and people still need you.0 -
I'd say try and get back into doing some of the physical fitness stuff you used to do as a firefighter,
See if your old buddies will let you join them for some training. that will give you a great kick start.
Make sure to watch your sodium and Sugar intakes on here, and try to cut out some of the high fat high calorie foods you may be eating and replace them with leaner meats and veggies.
Start small, baby steps. You didn't get this way in a day, and its not gonna come off in a day. But first of all.. get that keester moving!
Good luck!
^^ This!
Wow, sorry to hear all of the rough news from the doctor. I hope you get your health on the right track soon!! Good luck here on MFP!0 -
The best thing you can do is just START. If you mess up, forget it and just carry on. It's a daunting prospect having so much work to do so don't think of it like that. Think of it as starting a new phase in your life, a healthier phase. You want to change what you've been doing because what you've been doing has got you where you don't want to be.
Have a read of the boards, ask for advice, help, motivation. Log what you're doing now (food, drink and exercise) so you can see where the changes need to be made.
And always remember, this isn't a quick fix, there aren't any that are permanent. These are changes for life that you need to make for a healthier future.0 -
I just want to say your situation sounds tough. That is a lot of bad news. Diet and exercise would help you a lot... But, I think you need to take it slow. Personally, I eat mostly fruits and vegetables. That is how I've gotten my weight back on track. Also, I have started to really work out three times at the gym per week, and the rest of the time walk and do yoga at home. I feel a lot better, and for me it has been almost two months. I know you can do it too. Do you live in an area where you can walk? Do you have access to getting a good supply of fruit and vegetables? Try using mfp to meal plan what you are going to eat the day before, and to make a plan for exercise. If you try to make a plan for what you do, you'll feel like you've acomplished something. It will take a while to lose the weight, but I know you can do it!0
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You can do it! Take it one day at a time and make conscious decisions - for me, joining MFP was the first step in a HUGE lifestyle change.0
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Baby steps! Drink lots of water, gradual amounts of exercise (walking) and log EVERYTHING that you eat. You tons of support here on these boards and tons of people, just like you, who have been there done that!!! :-)
YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!! One day at a time!0 -
Hey there I sent you a friend request. My advice for you: start small. Go out for a brisk walk in the mornings, start to cut out junk food from your diet and replace them with more fruit, veggies, lean meats, and nuts. Another thing: drink lots of water! I shoot for 64 oz a day. Just by drinking more water, people have kickstarted their weight loss and shed a few pounds.Realize that losing weight is a lifestyle change, and that you can't go back to your unhealthy eating and exercise habits!
Getting used to eating healthier is the hardest part, but once you get back in the swing of things you'll notice how much better your body feels just by feeding it with good, healthy food and staying hydrated. Possibly the most important thing is to LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR BODY IS SAYING. If you're hungry, eat. If you're tired, go to bed. If you're really sore, don't exercise. Just try to make the best choices you can 0 -
I applaud your honesty and thank you for years as a fireman. You're right though, you're in big trouble but hope is not lost. If you don't want your stomach stapled, you're going to have to get really serious about your diet. Exercise is so minimal as far as weight loss goes, its 80% diet 20% exercise so never use the fact you cant go running as an excuse. I would get cleared by your doctor what exercise you can do with your current health problems. I assume itll be walking or light water aerobics for now.
With that out of the way, the focus needs to be on what you're eating. If youre serious about getting healthy, there will be some great changes but you can do it! Nothing that is not a whole food should pass your lips. You should follow The Eat Clean diet by Tosca Reno. Make sure your diet consists of non starchy vegetables, fruit, WHOLE grains which means quinoa, buckwheat, sweet potatoes, sprouted grains, lean cuts of meat (organic if possible), and nuts and seeds. Whole wheat bread is not whole grain by the way. I'd recommend a nutritionist to be your cheerleader and give you advice if you can afford one as well.
I've lost 20 lbs and conquered an eating disorder, so I know A LOT about dieting and how to do this right if you ever want to message me with questions.
Good luck!!!!0 -
Hi, everyone. I'm a 53-year old retired firefighter who has let himself go to hell in the food department. I'm six feet tall and went from 229 lbs. on the job, and inflated to 360 lbs. after only 21/2 years of retirement!!! My doctor has me on all kinds of medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, gout, anxiety, and diabetes. He had sent me to have a sonigram to check for a possible fatty liver.
Yesterday, the doctor not only found a fatty liver, but also an aortic anyeurism, which, in time, could burst and - poof! - gone in an instant! I'm trying to lose weight on my own, but it's tougher than any fire I've ever faced! The doc wantrs me to have my stomach stapled, but I have no faith in that. (My 50-year old uncle had it done and died two years later...didn't do HIM any good, did it?)
Please help me. I want to see my grandchildren someday.
Did he tell you what the dangers of exercise were with the AA? Are there any? Seems like getting your heart rate up too high could cause it to rupture, but I'm not a medical professional, so...
It's going to be tough, but I would suggest:
1. Cut out anything that's boxed, bagged, or canned, as well as all fast food. The first three days are the worst because your body will begin going through withdrawal from all the chemicals and sugars found in processed foods.
2. Also, watch your sodium, and increase your water consumption. Buy a 32oz. sport bottle and keep refilling it through out the day.
3. When you go grocery shopping, avoid the center aisles unless there is something specific you need (i.e. whole grain cereal, raw almonds, etc...).
4. Some frozen veggies are okay, but avoid the ones with sauces and such (stick to the plain veggies) and buy fresh when possible.
5. Get rid of red meat and stick to lean poultry and fish.
6. Also eliminate all oils except for olive oil, flax oil, and other sources of omega 3's (this will help increase your good cholesterol and reduce your bad cholesterol).
7. Limit your dairy and buy lowfat or fat free.
I am 35 years old and have had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, fatty liver, and a host of other ailments since I was in my early to mid twenties. I've found that following these guidelines has helped me tremendously in my effort to regain my health. My doctor was astounded at the progress I had made in only three months by doing these things. Feel free to send me a friend request.0 -
Hello & welcome!
You've made your first huge step by joining this forum! So much helpful advice & support from so many people (with a similar goal). After clearing it with your doctors, I would try to start a walking routine, treadmill or wherever works for you.
Log your food religiously and visit these message boards often for motivation and support!
The best of luck to you! 0 -
I use to weigh 333 pounds, I have lost almost 150 and I did it with gastric bypass surgery - but IT IS NOT for everyone.
1 - Start moving, even if it is just a 15 minute walk around the block, or parking your car a few spaces further from the store than you normally do.
2 - Go see a therapist/counselor/etc. If there is not a physical reason why you are where you are then their is a mental reason. Some people turn to alcohol, some to drugs, some of us to food. The key here is to find out why and fix it.
3 - Try to loose the weight on your own through increased exercise and a good diet. You have not been overweight for long and have probably not gotten into a habit of yo-yo dieting. Give it time. I know it is cliche but, "Nothing tastes as good as being healthly feels".
4 - After 6 months or so of the above see where you are, re-consult with your primary care provider. But, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT have gastric bypass surgery if you have not faced the realities as why you are where you are. GBS patients who do not succeed fail because they have skipped this step. Or, they keep the weight off but become addicted to something else.
Everyone I know who has been successful with weight loss surgery has done so because they followed these steps. I am 8 1/2 years post op and stil have the weight off. But, do not be sucked into the mantra that WLS is the easy way out because it isn't. You have a modified diet for the rest of your life. WLS only helps you loose 60-70% of the weight you need to loose. It is a constant battle whether you have WLS or not so you must be of the right mindset to succeed no matter which way you go with your weight loss journey.
Good luck! If you have questions please don't hesitate to send me a message.0 -
Been in your shoes. I just sent you a friend request and will be happy to help. It all seems daunting, but it is not that hard to change things, and not too late. The first steps are the hardest. - I'll help.0
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We are all here for you. I know how hard loosing weight can be. Especially when you have a sedatery lifestyle. I played every sport under the sun while I was in school and now as a busy working adult with a desk job I find it so hard to stay fit. I balloned from 135 to 211 pounds on my small 5"4 phrame in 6 years. I hate the way I look and know that If I keep this weight on I will be risking my health. My mother died at just 60. I want to be here to raise my daughter and her future children. We can do it!! Let's stay focused. We have to make weigh loss our #1 priority. Walk twice a day for just 15 min a day. If that's hard on your knees try an eliptical. They have zero impact but burn those calories fast! :flowerforyou: I will keep cheering you on! Stay focused my friend! 0
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You will do just fine! Losing weight with the help from those around you (including help on here) is SOO very beneficial.
My weight loss tips:
WHITE & PUFFY make you FLUFFY (stay away from sugars, starches, etc)
Limit your favorite fatty foods, but don't cut them completely. The mind ALWAYS wants what it can't have. Moderation, moderation, moderation.
When in doubt - get off your butt!
Keep us posted! :flowerforyou:
Nicole0 -
Please read! I am 55 and have a close friend exactly same problem. I was so worried and did research. You VERY likely have low testosterone! Everything you describe my friend had -note- HAD is a condition called Metabolic Syndrome, caused by low T. He is SO improved and no longer at such a high risk for cardiovascular disease. Good news is, it can be treated SO easily. T therapy can come with testosterone patch, cream or injection. Bad news-well not bad but kind of embarrasing for some men, is it is a treatment for Erectile Dysfunction-you didnt mention it but I am guessing that is also a symptom. RUN do not walk to your Dr. and ask for a testosterone test. Metabolic Syndome was discovered during worlwide clinical trials for erectile dysfunction meds like Viagra and Cialis. If you have tried these meds and they didnt work so well, its because of low T. Look up on inet using keywords diabetes and testosterone. I found many studies with question, what is link between Testosterone and diabetes. Studies are very medical, just look up the medical terms. Also my sisters husband had it, his (50 plus) railroad buddies started getting it and most are on T therapy also with Amazing reversal of all symptoms. See your doc, and please friend me I want to know how it goes for you!0
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Wow, Dancemom just told my story! I was super skinny my whole life because of a high metabolism and then in my 40s everything changed and went south (way south). I am tired of being tired and feeling like crap. I quit our company's Emergency Response Team because I could no longer climb stairs in bunker gear and SCBA ---- I have to stop after every flight even when I'm only carrying my briefcase. The doctor has ruled out a lot of causes [he just keeps coming up with consequences] and it's leaving me with no where to turn but lifestyle changes. I don't know how to do this! There is no pleasure in exercise for me --- it just hurts. I don't have friends I can exercise with and my dancer daughter is so far beyond my abilities that it's depressing rather than helpful. I don't eat a lot of junk food --- just home cooked meals that are apparently high-calorie. I am getting so close to the 200 pound line that I am scared and motivated.
Everybody says "eat fruits and veggies" --- but I don't like fruits and veggies! I dislike the taste and texture of most vegetables and don't see much appealing in fruits. I tried to leave the tomato on a turkey sandwich last week and only made it half-way through before I pulled it off. I eat fresh-spinach in salads and sandwiches, corn in just about any form, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots on occasion, peas, beans of any kind (not really veggies after all)........but I can't stand zuccini, squash, tomatos, okra, cucumbers, all the "fun" stuff at the farmer's market. I will eat potatoes (both white and sweet) but that's not good lol. How do I learn how to eat veggies and enjoy it? without dipping them in chocolate first???
I have to admit that the calorie countdown has me a little freaked out --- it's estimating for 1340 per day and my doctor said 1800 so I don't have to feel too guilty when I "go over" the 1340, but I am begrudging every bite I put in my mouth [I've got 350 left for the day so I guess it's water and tictacs until breakfast lol]. But since 250 of that is beverage related, I have no body to blame but myself and could have planned a pleasant dinner if I'd just had black coffee with breakfast. I will try to do better tomorrow.
By the way, does anybody know how many calories are burned by "kicking and screaming" my way into health 0 -
My cholesterol is 150 and triglycerides is 96 but my health hasn't always been this good.
There's a movie available on Netflix, Hulu etc called Sick, Fat and Nearly Dead and I do believe you would get a lot out of watching it. It's a really well done documentary and it also happens to also be entertaining.
One of the BEST gadgets I bought for my family is a juicer. I am 44 years old and have been juicing since December 2010. I can toss in just about anything and grind it down to a liquid. I had very little success getting my children to consume fruits and vegetables (corn and french fries don't count). When I started to experimenting with the juicer it opened up a whole new world of options. Not every concoction is a winner but the kids are open minded about letting me try things. It's the texture of the vegetables they didn't like. We all like V8 but it has a lot of sodium. I don't juice every day but you certainly could. For examples: I make fruit smoothies and add protein powders. I juice baby spinach and then use the vitamin loaded spinach juice and swap it out for water in recipes. I have juiced strawberries and pineapple and made homemade freeze pops. I make vegetable soup in large batches and freeze portions to take with me to work.
IF you decide you might be open to this idea ask around and check which juicers allow you to keep pulp in or out (depending on your preferences). I bought a Jack LeLane juicer. It's not my favorite because I like the pulp and this extracts the pulp from the juice.
I don't live and die by my juicer...it's just one tool I have been using that has brought me some success.
I am obese but in pretty good health otherwise. My cholesterol is good, glucose is good, thyroid is normal. However, I lost my gall bladder in my early 20's so I have to be careful of kidney stones. And while everything else is good -- i have very low vitamin D and B12 (not anemic but enough to make me feel tired and fatigued) so I have started to add back vitamins supplements to keep nutrition better balanced.
send me a friend request if you need/want support! I'm happy to help in an honest and encouraging way. I'm a work in progress too. My journey isn't going to be finished for a while...I've got 85 pounds to lose
Welcome and best of luck0 -
It's one day at a time. This program makes you aware of what you put in your mouth. My husband and I are in our 60s. It all began with a smart phone and a son who found this program. Don claims it's not a diet but a tracking program. When we reach our calorie limit, we stop eating or go for a walk so we can justify more food. In a little over a month, Don has lost 12lbs and is now under 300 lbs. He is 6'4 and still has a long way to go but he now weighs less than he has in over 20 years. I am 5'3" and I have lost 9. The program does make us more aware of what we eat. I find myself cooking and shopping smarter but not really on a particular diet so no dramatic changes. I love my icecream so save enough calories so I can have my treat in the evening.
Don has had his blood pressure medication reduced already but we still have a long way to go.
I think depression comes from inactivity and the less you do the less you feel like doing. I too tend towards depression so when I planned retirement I made sure I had lots planned. For me that meant a flock of sheep and a Border Collie. No matter how I feel the animals have to be fed so I have to move and there is nothing like a dog to nag at you to get you moving and once up I just keep going.0 -
Welcome. Member since June and having good results. I've read all of the posts to your introduction and am adding you as a friend to cheer you on and see your cuccess.....you will have lots of mfp friends pulling for you. Listen to all of the advice given from these people.....some have been on this site a long time and have lost many pounds. The post that made a lot of sense was to put your self on a routine....with doctors approval and stick with it0
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