Super morbidly obese. Any advice?

AnabolicKyle · January 2013

Eat as many carbs as you want as long as youre under your Cal goal
Eat as much protein as you want as long as youre under your Cal goal
Eat as much fat as you want as long as youre under your Cal goal

As other posters said why are you binge eating? why did u set 1600Cal as your goal?

it takes on average a deficit 3500Cal to lose a lb of fat so keep that in mind.

Good Luck nothing is going to happen overnight but in one year you can *easily lose a 100lbs

366to266 · January 2013

Wow I am just overwhelmed by all these replies. Hard to remember what everyone said now I finally followed all the links y'all posted and worked my way down this thread.

OK -- MANY THANKS for the support and encouragement. Now to answer some questions posted above, and other points.

Firstly, no point seeing my doctors. They are all hopeless. The chief of the surgery is over 280lb himself and has been for all the 20 yrs I've been on their books. None of the others can "cure" him. When I asked for help losing weight they gave me a govt booklet full of outdated advice - it tells me to eat sugar, chocolate, biscuits, pasta, wheat, jelly, rice and potatoes. The very foods that got me to 366 lbs <sigh>. I still have the booklet here in my drawer.

Second, i chose 1600 because Dan, the guy who wrote the Road Map post, told me to, once he knew my BMR and TDEE, etc. Others say 1750, 2000, even 2230. The way I see it, if I aim for 1600 and go a few hundred over that a few days each week, that is fine, isn't it?

Third, why am I in a hurry? Because I finally got utterly, completely annoyed, fed up and irritated to h3ll of being this obese. Life is passing me by and I am 54. Being 54 and morbidly obese and being nearly housebound makes you feel it's an emergency. It's NOT the same as being 25 and 50lbs overweight. I don't have time to take years over this. I just want it GONE.

I have set my goal as 100lb to lose, and I am prepared to dedicate the whole of 2013 to achieving it. I want to weigh 266 by 31st December. After that, even if I never lost another pound, life would be liveable again. At 266 I was going abroad and walking about all day sightseeing. At 266 I was playing badminton and table tennis! At 266 I was fitting into plane, theatre and cinema seats. So that is my goal.

Fourth, I am a little puzzled why a few on here are suggesting that I eat grains and fruit and potatoes. I went through h3ll to give up those trigger-foods and I will not return to them (not until I have lost 100lb at least). In fact, why bother at all? If they start me bingeing, then why not live without them forever? There is no nutrient in them that I cannot get from eating green veggies, tomatoes, meat, fish, cheese, eggs and cream. Maybe when I have lost a huge amount I might have a few raspberries or strawberries, but not if I am left with the whole punnet because I will not be able to stop myself from eating the lot in one go.

Vanguard -- Why do I binge? Because a bit of me MISSES that rubbish "carbage" that I was addicted to for so many years. A bit of me resents that I am not "allowed" to eat the things that everyone "out there" is indulging in. It's not because I'm hungry.

Bohemian, you said no one will notice? Well I stood naked in front of my lover on Sunday morning and turned around slowly. After having a good long look he is unable to see any difference, despite 16lb lost! You are right about logging food. That makes a HUGE difference to me. I like to input breakfast and lunch, then see how many calories/carbs I have left to "spend" on dinner. Once I have used up my allocation, if I am STILL hungry I will go upstairs, brush my teeth and get into bed, out of harm's way. I can still surf the net and watch diet videos on Youtube on my laptop, but I am "safe" up there.

As well as water aerobics I am going to do chair-obics 3 x a week with this amazingly motivating and fun man:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhkI62p9OLU&feature=share&list=PL5pY75MJz33liJEks7NCCTnpknyG3RYBu

Thanks again everyone.

figomezzo · January 2013

congrats on the steps you are taking! You sound like you are on your way to losing weight. So the only thing I can grasp that is hindering you so far...is your binge eating. you say you do this every few days or so? Most of what you said you binge on is sugar or carbs so like another poster said...if its every few days, it sort of has become part of your normal diet. That has got to be setting you back some. Is there anything you can do when you feel that urge to binge that will keep it at bay? Do you have to go out and get these binge foods or are they in your house/workplace already? I find that I cant keep certain foods in my house or I will just eat them and eat them all quickly!

eileenchristine · January 2013

You can do this. Just commit each day to logging your food. That's what started me. Friend got me to join to support him. I thought why not, it sounds easy and it is easy! I have learned a lot in the past 5 months and am making better choices and even started exercising! And I am older than you!

I understand the pain of moving around. Went on vacation with my girl and best friend and I was in pain daily due to being so out of shape. Doesn't help my best friend is a personal trainer. She had no issues with walking 3 to 5 miles a day. My knees were killing me. Was a real wake up call to me that I needed to stop the insanity of eating and sitting so much.

Now, I haven't lost much in 5 mo. only 25 lbs but I console myself that loose skin won't be an issue for me! And I feel so much better. My knees don't even notice when i walk 3 miles with the dog. I love it and I know its probably going to take me a year to lose the next 60 lbs but that's ok. I am learning to eat better and make better choices daily.

All I have to do is commit to today. If I look at the big picture and think, omg, I have only lost 25 lbs and I still need to lose at least 60 I will get discouraged. But today I will log my food and make good choices. That's it. That's all I have to focus on.

Be kind to yourself, it takes a lot of courage to be honest and keep going every day but you will get there!

mad417 · January 2013

Try using amino acid supplementation to stop sweet and starch cravings. L-glutamine 500 mg 1-3 capsules three times a day (don't take with food) will stop cravings. You can also open a capsule and put the powder under your tongue to stop a craving immediately. There are a lot of other amino acids and nutritional supplements you can take to help you.

terijoestoes · January 2013

From reading the foods you eat they look very high sodium. That can trigger hinges. Up your carbs and track really healthy protein. You really can do this. Water aerobics are great. I do that too but at home I do upper body calithrnics. These can be done sitting in a chair. Or standing later when your legs are stronger. I have really bad knees so no jumping jacks or treadmill for me. Fiber is your friend. Keeps you full and cuts cravings. If you don't like raw veggies (like me) cook them. Love cabbage soup but try changing it up with other veggies. I love carrots and white beans in mine. Don't treat yourself for awhile. Food is fuel to keep you from dying not entertainment or a reward. It takes 21 days to form a new habit. Do research and use what works for you.

concordancia · January 2013

Eliminating foods does not seem to be working for you. You need to find what works best for YOU!

My recommendations, many with scientific support, include:

-Tend towards clean eating: fresh fruits and veggies, cook your own meals. In this way, your diet will be full of nutrients, and your body will function at its best.

-Rather than low carb ( ie eliminating wheat and fruits), think about high protein. When you combine these first two, you can still include the occasional fruit and/or whole grains.

-Make sure you are eating enough, and enough healthy foods - some binges are triggered by genuine hunger or a lack of specific nutrients. Extremely low calorie diets are a trade off. You get rapid weight loss, but there are negative effects as well (ie, in some cases, liver damage), especially if you binge while on them. Since you are already healthy, you cannot weigh the pros and cons - there are only potential harmful effects without any compensating health benefits.

-Look into therapy - some binges are psychologically driven and you need to deal with the root issue

shellbatronic · January 2013

You really need to address why you're binge eating

This, this, a thousand times this. When it comes to weight loss, it doesn't matter very much if you keep your boat afloat for 3 days if you capsize it for the 2 after that. And that's what binging does, it picks you up and puts you right back where you started. Not even talking necessarily about the numbers of weight (although you will almost definitely "gain" water weight if you binge on chinese takeway and starch), but also in how your body is reacting to insulin. You need to think of it like almost detoxing, your brain needs time to step back and clear those pathways and let your hormones clear the air, when you binge on sugars (which starches and chinese food are totally riddled with), you're muddying the waters again and will crave it like crazy.

Have you considered seeing a therapist? The mind can play a huge role in this stuff, and you really can't gloss over the binges, because they can and will hold you back from your goals.

Kudos on the exercising, water aerobics is so great, when I started that and the recumbent bike was all I could manage. Since you have access to a pool, maybe you can "walk laps" in the water? That's a good way to get some resistance training without having so much pressure on your joints.

clhous03 · January 2013

Congratulations on taking these first steps! That's always the hardest part.

My own experience with a low carb diet was not positive, but I would never presume to tell someone else that it will be the same for them. I lost a lot of weight very, very fast with Atkins, but I stopped feeling good after awhile. After I had lost about 60 lbs in four months (too fast, too fast!) my hubby and I went on vacation and I was so excited to get our pictures from vacay back so I'd finally have pics of me closer to my goal weight. The pictures came back and it actually frightened me. I looked sickly and awful. Losing too fast made the skin just hang off my body, which wasn't my desired look, obviously. That's just one of the reasons why everyone here is telling you to take it slow, too. As soon as I ate the first thing that wasn't allowed on the diet, I lost my way completely and then gained the weight back plus quite a bit more. For me, low carb was not the way to go.

You're doing great! Stay motivated and just know that it will feel awesome when it comes. I may be 40 by the time I reach my goal (I'm 38 now) but I tell myself every day that I'm going to be 40 one way or another, and I'd rather be 40 and healthy than 40 and not!

Missanscott1 · January 2013

You have to remember, you didn't put this weight on overnight and you won't lose weight overnight....actually the slower you lose it and as long as your doing it the right ways you have more of a chance of keeping it off! I admire you motivation....just take your time and do it right! You got this!!!

lmc8774 · January 2013

From what you have written, it seems like you have figured out what you need to do. I'd stick with your plan for a period of weeks, or months and see how it goes. You can tweak it along the way if needed. As you get lighter you can incorporate more or different exercises. Some people have and will suggest eating more carbs, but if eliminating a lot of them has increased your chance of success, I would rather see you at 266 and lo-carb than 366 and still struggling. Maybe over time you can reintroduce some carbohydrates and eat them without feeling the need to binge as much.

My only advice to you is not to look at any food as "bad" or to feel guilty for eating a treat every once in awhile. You have enough calories available every day to have an occassional treat and working at modifying your binging by having an occassional treat might help with long term maintenance. I love chocolate and I have a piece every day!

Best of luck to you.

366to266 · February 2013

THANKS VERY MUCH to everyone for replying to my post .. :-)

Only one person asked a specfic question:

Do you have to go out and get these binge foods or are they in your house/workplace already? I find that I cant keep certain foods in my house or I will just eat them and eat them all quickly!

Goodness me, no, I would never dream of keeping binge junk in the house, that is just asking for trouble. No, the problem is, there are shops in my street, one of them just two doors away, that sell the junky binge food. I try never to enter these shops, or even walk past them. The danger comes when I am forced to go there to get something "legitimate", I see the chocolate and crisps and cakes and on impulse grab and buy, rush home and binge.

I haven't had a binge for at least a week now. I am finally realising that it's just not worth it!

AnabolicKyle · February 2013

Fourth, I am a little puzzled why a few on here are suggesting that I eat grains and fruit and potatoes. I went through h3ll to give up those trigger-foods and I will not return to them

anything that may "trigger" binging dont eat!!!

ThriftyChica12 · February 2013

things that have helped me, that may work for you too:

attending Overeaters Anonymous, a 12-step group for those of us who overeat, binge, etc.
free, open to all.
oa.org

eating a plant based vegan diet of whole, fresh foods, lots of fruits and veg.
many great books can guide you.

see Forks Over Knives, excellent documentary on health and plant based diet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=O7ijukNzlUg

LaLouve_RK · February 2013

Girl... why lose only 100lbs? Let's aim higher to work harder! Hopefully, by joining on here, your life will change!
Cabbage soup? By experience, do eat it, but not everyday like they say, you'll get so tired of it that the smell will make you wanna puke and you'll go and eat a pizza instead!
Sadly, if I can say, the secret is really to eat well balanced portions of low fat foods. I LOVE carbs as well.. pasta being my ultimate best... but I have almost cut it all out of my life to get to my goal.
With major changes, the weight will start to go off fast by itself (The "myth" if you lose to fast you gain it back fast, makes me laugh... isn't there new studies saying now that it is NOT a factor!?!), you body will have to adjust to all this new stuff as well!

Can't exercise? It's alright! For what I have learn/observed. morbidly obese fellows can't really exercise in the beginnings... start with moving on your couch: arms exercise, core exercise...

Super morbidly obese. Any advice?

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