Hello...I am so lost and scared

Hi Michael, I'm 50 and was just about the same weight as you 3 years ago. I'm now approaching my goal weight of 250. The first sign for me that something was wrong was I couldn't walk to the mail box and back without being short of breath, burning chest pain, etc, etc.

The best advice from me as someone with a similar age and starting weight... is to just get up and walk. I couldn't walk for more than 1-3 minutes at a time at first. Perhaps with you, you're only able to walk a few steps. That's ok!!! Take it one day at a time!!

Seriously Michael, you can do this, but it has to come from YOU! Start small....set goals..that you can MEET!!!!! Walk maybe a few seconds each day, then maybe 1-2 minutes. Try to get to at least 5 mins at a time, then 10, then 15, then 20, then 25, and then 30!! Once you're at 30, stick with it!!

Message me all you want to, this CAN be done!!!!!

Michael,
You have to take it ONE DAY AT A TIME. Being on this site will help. Make sure you log everything you eat. Every step you take counts. You will make lots of friends here.

And by the way, Michael, rockin' beard!

Hi, because English is not my first language I have to ask what un responsive thyroid means? If it means that it´s not functioning as it should, you need medication for it. Google hypothyroid and check symptoms, do they apply to you?

Start small. You can do this, even if its just talking small walks to the end of your driveway. We all believe in you

I completely understand what you are going through and feeling. I am an emotional eater as well. Feel free to add me as a friend bro, I'm always willing to lend whatever support I can.

I'm 71 and I found walking made my back hurt and it was too HOT in Florida. My son reminded me that you have to work through the pain - it does go away. I walk inside, in place, for as long as I want. Check this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df2gn6-w0dE (or search for exercise video). You can do it; it just starts with a decision and you've done that already.

Posting is the first step. Changes like this take baby steps. I would suggest getting in to a physician if you can, as you shouldn't make drastic changes to your life without physician advice. That said, being here will help a lot too.

My ideas for easy to manage first steps:
1. Buy a digital food scale (amazon delivers if you can't get out to get one, and you can get them reasonably inexpensively).
2. Weigh and measure everything, and I mean everything, you put in your mouth. Log it all here.
3. Make #2 a requirement and a habit. It will take a bit of time at first, then you'll get used to it.
4. Pick 1 goal - for example, if you drink soda, a goal could be to reduce it but not cut it out, or replace a high calorie food you graze on with something like celery.
5. Pick 1 small exercise goal - don't overdo it, especially with what you've told us. Nothing is too small, btw. If it's just to get up every hour and walk down a hallway and back, then awesome. Don't compare yourself to someone else who can do more. You do what you can, and do it regularly.
6. As you get used to #4 and 5, look at other small changes you can make.

BTW, don't freak out about having to cut everything out. Fats aren't evil; the body needs them. Figure out how many calories you tend to eat daily now and just reduce that slowly without giving up things you like, incorporate in some fresh fruits and vegetables too, and voila, you'll be making progress. My biggest failures are always related to me trying to do too much too soon, having some short-term success, stalling out, and eating myself bigger in frustration. Now - I'm not giving anything up. I have my calorie goals and I just have whatever I want within them (what I want is healthier for the most part, but if I want pizza, I have it...I just eat 2 slices instead of the whole pizza, or I work out more so I can have more). You will get to the point that you can increase exercise and incorporate better habits all the time, but for now...baby steps, get yourself used to it! Welcome to MFP, you can do this

My heart goes out to you Michael. It absolutely seems like your situation is dire. I will not give you any input about exercise, diet or health. Your condition seems to need some serious, SERIOUS professional intervention.

This. Also, is that a cigarette in your mouth in your pic? Quit smoking as part of your new lifestyle too!!!

Hi MIchael.

I would like to give you a big hug on reaching out for advice. You have actually takes the first step. Just like the other MFPals have suggested take it one day at a time, LOG, and as far as exercise even if you cant move too far, do arm exercises as well. They burn calories or sit and move your legs back and forth. see how long you can do this. Chair exercises are a way to burn as well. Good Luck! :flowerforyou:

Prayer helps too. I don't what you believe in, or if you believe in science. But believing in yourself, helps. Prayer is not only talking to your higher power whatever that maybe, envisioning, what you need/ want, and faith that it can happen.

Hi Michael,

First off, Congratulations! You have made a decision to change your life for the better. That is the hardest thing to do but always remember "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step".

When I first started my journey, I weighed 325 and was morbidly obese. My doctors read me the riot act and were close to putting me on Metformin for diabetes and medication for high blood pressure. Those were dark days in my life. I know weigh about 225 and run half marathons... took time, but it can be done!

My advice to you is as follows;

1. Seek medical advice from a specialist on the subject. No lying, you are what you are, but to get where you need to be, you will need help and sound medical advice is the best place to start.

2. Ask yourself why you eat and analyze what cravings you have and why\when you eat. Sometimes knowing why you eat is as important as knowing what you eat. Do you crave crunchy foods? What healthy alternative can you replace them with? Do you crave something sweet? Do you eat when you are bored? What can you do to prevent the boredom?

3. Baby steps... remember that it took you years to gain the weight. Set small goals and treat yourself with non-food rewards. Rome wasn't built in a day and you won't see the weight dissappear all at once either. A healthy weight loss for most people is 1-2 pounds per week.

4. Move it to lose it. Weight loss is often seen as 80% diet, 20% exercise. Find low impact exercises that you can do that will get your blood circulating... even if this means in short increments. Any exercise is good exercise. Even doing arm curls with a couple of cans of soup will help.

5. Log everything that goes into your mouth and look closely at labels. Opt for whole healthy foods over processed foods. Try to eat a balance of fruits and vegetables (I often advocate 5:30 -> Five servings of fruits and veggies a day, and 30 minutes of exercise per day)

Feel free to add me as a friend. I know what it feels like to be "that guy" and would be happy to help where I can.

Cheers!

The fact that you have posted this and joined MFP shows your sincerity in helping yourself. This is the first step Michael. You can do this. It will not be easy always but right now you just need to set small goals so you don't get overwhelmed. The best thing I have learned after joining MFP is your body burns calories at rest so you don't have to starve yourself to lose weight even if you are unactive . What you need to do now is focus more on logging your food intake and staying under your calories. I have problems with my joints so i was unable to exercise when I first started and I am still limited to my exercise , but I feel so much better after only 16 lbs gone. You have to start small and stay focused. Stay motivated and find support. You have great support on here. I started out with 150 lbs to lose and I am down 16 so I still have a way to go. Feel free to message me if you need to ... I'm on mostly during the day during the week. Good luck in your journey and I am sending you a friends request. I would really like to support you and see your progress. I see an awesome testimonial in your future Michael!!!

Michael,

Are you getting the sleep apnea treated? That's very important, while you start working on your other goals.

Best of luck. You have friends here.

Weight loss is done in the kitchen. You are going to need something else to do when you get bored or lonely. Trolling on the main message boards seems to be a popular choice here.

Exercise is done for fitness. This article might give you some perspective on how easy your initial steps can be to start incorporating a routine in your day.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-6802/5-Exercises-You-Can-Do-While-Stuck-in-Bed.html

Congratulations on taking a step today and reaching out. Sometimes the first steps can be the hardest. I have nothing to add that hasn't already been said, but I wanted to say good luck to you.