How I got here

redsousa11 I wish you all the best in your journey. Stay strong and keep going. You'll get there.

redsousa11 wrote: »

My name’s Aaron. I’m writing this to you all at 3:30 am from Atlanta Ga.. I’m up because I have obesity Hypoventilation syndrome (causes insomnia and sleep apnea). Meaning I’m so overweight (500.2 lbs) I can’t feel the sensation of breathing which is playing mind games with me. Also, there’s possibly too much CO2 in my bloodstream but when I went to the ER for my breathing last night they told me other than being over weight I’m healthy. No diabetes, or hypertension. No vital issues.
Nah. I’m unhealthy. And it’s time to drop this weight and get healthy. But I’ve already been humbled because I’m 3 days into my new lifestyle and I’m extremely uncomfortable in my skin. And unless I lose 20lbs by 5 am, I ain’t sleeping tonight. Huge wake up call and rough start but I know I can do this. I’m 24 but I’ve lived a full life if you can believe me. I’m ready for a new lease on life. I’m pretty sociable, I love to talk and meet new people. Mainly, I’m looking companionship. I don’t anyone else that’s 500 lbs and in their 20s that’s as fed up with being fat as I am. If you can relate to any part of that, holla at me. Y’all be blessed.

Hi Arron! My name is Dalon. I went through one #ell of a trip myself, the journey still continues, to where I am now. I was 400+lbs ( not sure how much, the scale stopped at 400 )I started this journey 2 1/2 years ago. I am now 180 lbs fighting to rebuild myself and maintain. I have some advice, if you want it that is, that I wish I knew when I started. First, do not fall for guru's that are selling ideas. Read and listen to scientific research that has to do with weight loss. Go to Youtube and listen to the likes of Lyle McDonald, James Kreiger, Alan Aragon, Ed Helms, Layne Norton. They know their business in my opinion. Take your time. This is not a race. You are fairly young. I was 33 when I started, so it is going to be harder for me to maintain. My hormones went crazy, Blood sugars fall out, and had some depression issues through my first stage of my journey. I thought when I started, it was all or nothing. I ate too little and exercised too hard. Weight came off, but I lost loads of lean mass that I am now trying to get back! Learn to weigh, measure, and track calories and macros. Start preparing for maintenance while you are losing. Understand, that as you lose weight, your body will change. There is this theory of Body fat set point. your body will always have a comfortable range of BF it likes to be at. I can state that in my experience, it is real. I have noticed, that most people who keep weight loss off tend to be 25 and younger, so you have a good fighting chance. No food is good or bad, calories are what matter. Protein is your friend. You can lose weight without exercise, but it helps. Lift weights! Lifting helps maintain lean mass! If you can't run, walk, if you can't walk, peddle slowly on a bike! I started just being able to walk 1/4 of a mile. I now walk 7+ miles a day on average. I hope the best for you. You will have many bumps, just keep fighting. Use Kevin Halls Body Weight tracker ( Be honest with it ) to get an idea of what calories you need to maintain. Best of luck to you. Feel free to add me to your friends list. I will answer anything I can.