Is it too late?
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I had the same thoughts when I started 70 days ago ," Is it too late" ( Im 43). That's just fear talking!! I have seen so many success stories on here, woman and men, older then me that are LIVING their lives, looking fantastic and living healthy.
LOG IN EVERYDAY
LOG EVERYTHING
Read Success Stories ( very inspirational, and motivating!)
READ THIS!!!! - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k130 -
I just recently saw a DVD which might help you start your weightloss journey in a positive manner. It is called Obegone fitness ,excuses be done by a Physical Therapist seems motivational . Logging food here along with this DVD for atleast 3 months can set you on the right path if you do not want surgery.0
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Though the 2 lbs rule is a good one, in your case the benefits of losing faster may outweigh the risks. You must talk to a Dr. about this to be sure. Any aggressive weight loss attempt should be monitored closely by a physician.0
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Lucky you. You've reached your low point at 30 years of age. I didn't reach my low until 37. Man ol man, would I love to have those years back feeling like I do now. I've been where you are now. Feeling hopeless, worthless, angry, alone. I felt all those emotions every day.. He'll, I used to get angry when I woke up. Not because I wanted to sleep more but because I didn't die in my sleep.
At my highest, I weighed 555 pounds. Down a little, I was 523 pounds on May 28. 2013, my 37th birthday. I felt like I was down to my final options. Suicide by cheeseburger was taking to long. I was either going to finish the job or give it one last serious shot at getting fit. Today, I'm really happy with the choice I made.
I won't tell you that it will be easy. Breaking habits isn't an easy thing to do. But you can do it. The bad habits that got you where you are can be replaced by good habits that will get you where you want to be. If you're anything like me you'll surprise yourself at how quick that change will happen.
Matt
503 days in, 167 pounds down, no surgery
WOW! Talk about staying the course. Every time I moan about how LONG it's taking to lose weight, I'm going to remember you and that it's not about the time it takes, but how our lives improve each and every day along the way.
You're my hero!!0 -
Definitely not too late! You can change your health. You've gotten great advice already. Start with logging everything. Small changes and small goals will add up. And have patience you can do this!0
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Lot's of good people saying good things for this guy.
Keep is simple bro... each day do more activity, and take in fewer calories. Track it so it becomes real, get a fitbit or something to help....
You're here so your life is valuable. You're needed here or you wouldn't be. It's not all about you in the big picture, you're here for others...
The fact that you posted means you know this, reaching out is the first step. Now get to it. :glasses:0 -
There is nothing wrong with being honest and you are NOT breaking any rules.
It's very hard to be honest with yourself and write on this board. You did that.
I'd like to offer a few thoughts if you're willing to hear them. I am NOT an expert. I'm a real person who is REALLY overweight and I have started and stopped many times. But I have something to share that might help...
Don't look so far in the future. When I try to even calculate how much I have to lose and how long it will take (yes, years), it is too depressing. I can't get my head around all that. All I can do is focus on today. TODAY I will eat better. Not perfect. Not a "one dry chicken breast and a vegetable". Just better. Today I will only eat 1 dessert at 1 meal. Today I will walk more. I work from home and my mailbox is down a long driveway. I will walk all the way to the mailbox and back today.
DO give yourself credit for doing 1 good thing today. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Please add me as a friend. And just focus on today.
Hug!
Donna0 -
Get up and do it! Start today! Be honest with yourself... tweek your diet be as active as you can. So what if you will be still around 400lbs next year... that sure as hell isn't 550!! No excuses no complaining just DO IT0
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It is not too late, my goodness you are only 30! Lets say you only lose 1 lb per week, you will still be at a healthy weight way before you are 40, and there are many people who start caring for their health at a much greater age.
Still, if you start this, you will lose much more than 1 lbs per week. Your weight loss could be pretty rapid initially, then when it drops to 2 lbs a week, you will be wondering what you are doing "wrong".
Just give it a try--you don't even have to try to lose initially, just log what you eat so you can see how much you are taking in (you really have to eat quite a bit to maintain at your weight). Then think -- are you eating because you are hungry, or are you eating just because that is what you are used to doing?
Find something to do that keeps you busy and happy that doesn't involve eating, even if it is just for a few minutes a day. Start moving more--you burn a ton of calories just walking! You will slowly start to feel better as you get more conditioned.
Keep coming back at least!0 -
You need to read this mans story.....if he can do it, you can too! It is never too late!
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1103164-3-yrs-312lbs-lost-1yr-from-bodylift-and-maintenance
www.gettingfit4life.com
You can do this, we all believe in you
This is Ed Davenport's story. He is amazing and is out hanging Xmas tree lights today. If he can do it, so can you. Just remember, it's a life style change, not a diet.0 -
Baby steps!!!
Everyone has to start somewhere and you're NEVER too late to start!
1st Month - Cut out Soda's and drink water. Water ONLY
2nd Month- Cut out any fast food and teach yourself healthy food shopping habits.
3rd Month- Start walking. Even if its just 300ft... WALK... Walk as far as you can then realize that if you want to eat you're going to have to walk back!! Gradually increase your distance.
Take it slowly! Your weight will LITERALLY melt away!!
I started out at nearly 300 lbs. I was losing nearly 20lbs a month for the first 2 months then slowed down but has never stopped!
You can do it!!!0 -
Ditto on what everyone else is saying. Also, when I started on my journey to health, my doc told me to shoot for 10% weightloss at a time. As I met that goal, then I'd set the next 10% goal. This makes it much easier to breakdown your goals and to reward yourself (not with food!) when you attain them.
At 550 pounds, your first goal would be to lose 55 lbs, then 50 llbs, then 45 lbs and so on.
You can do this, but only if you really WANT to. Get rid of all excuses (I'm too big, I can't move, I like the foods I'm eating...), own your choices, and get yourself healthy. Just imagine, by this time next year you could be down 100+ pounds. That's freakin' awesome!!!
Good luck!0 -
Step One: LOG EVERYTHING
When you start logging what you eat, you will quickly see places where you can easily cut back. When you log everything, you will start to see little victories.
Have 6 ounces instead of 8 ounces.
Eat 2 slices instead of 3 slices.
Drink 3 cans instead of 4.
Step Two: WATCH YOUR MACRONUTRIENTS
Pay attention to your fats, proteins and carbohdrates. Pay attention to your total calories. Pay attention to your sugar and your fiber. MFP will give you reasonable targets, and you can see how close you are. If you are getting too much of something and not enough of something else, look back at your log and see what you can trade: a little less of this, a little more of that, and your macros will line up.
Step Three: WALK
Even if you just walk to the car and back, walk one flight of stairs, walk to the corner and back, walk around the outside of the house, walk anywhere. Just walk somewhere. Every step counts.
After a couple of weeks, walk just a little father. Walk to the car and back twice. Walk to the corner, and then to the next corner. You don't need to jog for an hour. You just need to walk a little bit. Then a little bit more.
In a couple of years, we will all be posting URLs here that tell YOUR success story. Just imagine that. In a few years, you will be an inspiration to someone else in the same boat. You'll be the beacon of inspiration that says if you did it, then someone else can do it too.
You made a great start: You came to MFP and you posted your situation.
Take the next step. Literally. Take the next step. (Stop reading and take the next step!)
All of this! The only thing I would add is that you need to also talk to a physician. Morbidly obese wrecks havoc on your health and while you can make changes in your diet, you need to talk about what your physical abilities are and make sure it's safe. If your knees can't handle walking, (and I know how cheesy this sounds) but I've heard of things like Richard Simmons sweatin to the oldies being done while in a chair. Just move your arms and legs to start with.0 -
Well, I'm proud of you for wanting to do something. That's a very important part of weight loss-wanting to actually do something. The only advice that I can offer (since I'm not a doctor) is for you to stick around the site for support and to get checked out by a doctor before starting a diet. Good luck. :flowerforyou:0
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You can change your life around. It's a big task, but you can do it. How do you walk 100,000 miles? One step at a time. That's how you conquer this. Stay strong man.0
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You already made the first step.. you got this0
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Welcome to MFP!
You can do this....take the advice.
Follow the links provided, etc.
Wish you all the best brother!:flowerforyou:0 -
I started out at 490lbs back in February of 2010. Through watching my calorie intake and working out, I got down to 235 by May of 2012. I have been maintaining and even putting on some muscle since. When I was at my heaviest, I just started in the morning before work. It hurt like hell, and I don't think I made it made it much more than a mile. I stuck with it though, even with the blisters and the pain. Within 3-4 months I was walking 3-4 miles without a problem, and then my wife got a me gym membership. I started lifting and doing non-impact cardio, and built myself up to working out 2 hours a day, 5 days a week.
For me it was all about fixing my relationship with food, and finally paying attention to what I was eating. My mantra is now food is fuel. Food doesn't make me happy, it doesn't make me sad, it just fuels my body. I was 38 when I started, and I had been heavy all my life. I didn't have surgery, I didn't take drugs. I just worked out a lot more, and ate a lot fewer calories. It won't happen over night, and will take 2+ years most likely, but let me tell you, the change is more than worth the effort.
If you want this, and stick with it, you can do it!
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I started out at 490lbs back in February of 2010. Through watching my calorie intake and working out, I got down to 235 by May of 2012. I have been maintaining and even putting on some muscle since. When I was at my heaviest, I just started in the morning before work. It hurt like hell, and I don't think I made it made it much more than a mile. I stuck with it though, even with the blisters and the pain. Within 3-4 months I was walking 3-4 miles without a problem, and then my wife got a me gym membership. I started lifting and doing non-impact cardio, and built myself up to working out 2 hours a day, 5 days a week.
For me it was all about fixing my relationship with food, and finally paying attention to what I was eating. My mantra is now food is fuel. Food doesn't make me happy, it doesn't make me sad, it just fuels my body. I was 38 when I started, and I had been heavy all my life. I didn't have surgery, I didn't take drugs. I just worked out a lot more, and ate a lot fewer calories. It won't happen over night, and will take 2+ years most likely, but let me tell you, the change is more than worth the effort.
If you want this, and stick with it, you can do it!
WOW!!!! ::::Standing Ovation::::: You are such an inspiration.0 -
Your body can do it, there's no concern there, but your body won't get healthy until your mind does.
You apologized 3 times in your post, and you don't have anything at all to apologize for. You said "-I mean that I try to academically or intellectually look at my life and wonder if I wouldn't be better off dead so I won't have to try and fail"
There's nothing academic or intellectual about that - that's pretty much just emotion. Do not fool yourself that you're hiding behind your intellect. You CAN do this, but you need to get the right tools first. Please get help.0 -
If you are still alive, then it isn't too late. You have to try. Many people on this site have been in the same boat, and you will find a great deal of support here.0
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It's never too late to make changes. And if you do lose 2 lbs a weeks (which I think at first you will lose a lot more than that), yeah you'll be around 400, but if you don't lose any weight, where would your weight be in a year?
There's a lot of great people on this website that can support and motivate you along the way. Why not give it a try - what do you have to lose?0 -
It's never too late to start.
There's some dude on http://reddit.com/r/keto that was like 700lbs or something and is steadily losing.0 -
Baby steps!!!
Everyone has to start somewhere and you're NEVER too late to start!
1st Month - Cut out Soda's and drink water. Water ONLY
2nd Month- Cut out any fast food and teach yourself healthy food shopping habits.
3rd Month- Start walking. Even if its just 300ft... WALK... Walk as far as you can then realize that if you want to eat you're going to have to walk back!! Gradually increase your distance.
Take it slowly! Your weight will LITERALLY melt away!!
I started out at nearly 300 lbs. I was losing nearly 20lbs a month for the first 2 months then slowed down but has never stopped!
You can do it!!!
This sounds like a pretty kickass start.0 -
I can't add much more to what others are saying but please don't just give up.
I would like to wish you good luck and to say it is possible and any change is better than none.0 -
No, it's never too late. Never, ever. My advice, just start logging. Don't even worry about your calorie goal (ha, easier said than done) that much just start tracking your food intake. Best of luck to you!0
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I appreciate your logical personality and I understand that you're not depressed. So I will just put in my two cents: your body can take a hell of a lot more than you think. You're at least partially assuming, which is not logical or statistic-based, that you will die within the next year. This isn't fair to you or your body. Every pound counts. Statistically, you are safer to assume that you will make it to a much older age before your body gives out, even at your current weight, and there are thousands of medical cases to prove this. Give yourself a chance.0
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You can do it! Richard Simmons has helped many people your weight and higher lose the weight and get healthy. (and without surgery) If those people can do it, you certainly can! You just need to take it step by step, and one day at a time. And don't overdo it, because that could be harmful to your body.
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I don't know if anyone has said this yet, but if you DON'T start today, in a year you will still be 550 lbs, or more. A year and a half ago, I was 350, and at 5'3", that's not pretty! I lost 50 lbs after surgery and managed to maintain that for a year before I started exercising and watching what I eat. It's not been easy, but I have lost a further 50 lbs (almost). I still have over 100 to go and each day takes me a few ounces closer. Six months ago, I could hardly walk for 15 minutes three times a week, not helped by osteoarthritis in my knee. Today I can do 75 minutes (broken up between treadmill, bike, and elliptical because it's easier on my knee) three times a week. Doesn't mean I like it, but I can do it! One day I want to walk a 5K (I will never be able to run it) and as times goes by, I begin to believe I just may be able to. But if I didn't start 6 months ago...0
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I'll join the chorus: It's never too late.
I got an epiphany that I was a fatass. The elevator was out at work and I was breathing like a beached pilot whale from climbing three flights of stairs. I remember thinking, "Is THIS what you've become? Is THIS the best you can be?"
I took a long hard, and truthful look at myself. I'd ballooned up to two hundred thirty pounds. My BMI was 34.5, and I was a mere fifteen pounds from being classified as 'morbidly obese'. I was tired all of the time. I didn't really do anything that involved being physical. I'd stopped working in the wood shop I have. Yard work requiring more than me pushing a self-propelled mower didn't get done.
I started walking. It wasn't much at first, a half-mile or less, then 3/4. I was slow. When I started the "long walk" of a mile and a half it'd take me fifty minutes for a blistering pace of 1.8 miles an hour.
Long story shorter, 18 months later it adds up like this:
Weight: down from 230 lbs to 160
BMI: down from 35.4 to 25.1
Body fat (guess from pictures): 40%+ to ~22%
Waist: down from 40 to 33
Endurance: up from "Couldn't get up three flights of stairs" to "a short walk is 3 miles."
Bench press up from 60 lbs to 140
Squats up from 65 lbs to 160.
Deadlifts from 100 lbs to 230.
Bent-over row: 40 lbs to 125.
OHP: 35 lbs to 85.
I'm forty-six years old.
This is literally the first time in my adult life where I'm not overweight or obese by any meaningful measure.0
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