trajanAz Member

I weight train three days a week (with some cardio mixed in) and do straight cardio the other four days. I used to work in rest days but after awhile I was fine. I probably should just up my cardio intensity instead, but it's a nice rhythm for me. Today was my 116th straight day.

For as long as I can remember my life has been on hold because of my weight. That's what happens when you let your weight get over 600lbs. I've got over half the weight off my doctor wants me to lose now, so it's getting better and I'm starting to get out more, but a lot of the best stuff in life like travel, dating and…

I used to think I was addicted to sweets (chocolate especially), but as I've worked my food around and am better fed I find I can control eating just about anything a lot better. :) I cruise right by all the easter candy in the grocery store now without a second thought.

I don't think it's healthy to play armchair therapist generally, and certainly not for people you've never met or interacted with. You've been given a small peek into the lives of some very sick, troubled people. Maybe judge them a little less and have a little compassion for their plight regardless of how they got there.

I don't find it entertaining, but I do find it useful. I was 600lbs before I sought help, and hearing the kind of excuses and rationalizations I might use come out of someone else's mouth when they're so patently false helps me avoid the same traps. It also helps to see what the body is capable of, even though I haven't…

My diary's public. I log everything except fluid intake (I only drink water and I drink tons), and my exercise is logged automatically. I'm down 103lbs since the end of August, which seems crazy, but once you get locked in it just starts falling off.

I understand feeling sad, but you should know that where you're at isn't somewhere you have to stay. Things can get better, and the fact that you're here is indicative that you're ready to make a change. Start by forgiving yourself--beating yourself up is just going to hold you back. No matter where you're at today…

I can relate to a lot of what you've written. I got myself into an even deeper hole before I started digging myself out, I'm happy for you that you're making a change and seem to have a great attitude about it. Those are the kinds of changes that stick. The relationship between psychological issues and weight seems…

Letting go of the hate is the first step. Lots of people struggle with this stuff, Shelly. It's not a unique failing or a condemnation of your character. I don't know if this is your experience, but often when I would have those false starts I would try to do everything as perfect as I could--then when I'd mess up even a…

I hope she's still reading even if she's deactivated. Come back, Marie. Let's all do this together!

Marie, I think you're a heck of a lot stronger than you may give yourself credit for. You're facing a lot right now and are still going to school, handling some truly difficult responsibilities, completing an externship and are determined to work full time. I think that's impressive. Genuinely. I've been over 600lbs myself…

Hi Tina. I know exactly how you feel. When I started I had 330lbs to lose, but you know what? Once I established a routine and got into healthy habits the weight just started falling off. That's the "good" thing about needing to lose a bunch of weight, when you get on track things really move quickly. I've only been dialed…

That's a lot of hard work for such a beautiful and selfless act. None of us are perfect, but you've done an amazing thing for yourself and your father. I hope things go well for you and him, and that in time you learn to be happier with yourself. You're a hell of an inspiration.

I'd love to meet people on a long-term, triple digit journey. I'm probably on one of the longest journeys around here. When I started I had over 300lbs (really!) to lose, and it seemed a little impossible. I'm working with a dietitian, therapist and bariatric doctor to reshape how I look at food and approach life. So far…

Lots of good advice in here, but I'd also add the sooner you can add strength training to the mix the better. I don't feel qualified to give specific advice because I leave the details to my trainer, but adding lifting has been vital for me and I had more to lose than you weigh when I first went to the gym. So believe me…

You might have hit the site at an off time. There are weird ebbs and flows to this forum. :) Welcome and good luck. Sent you a friend request, hopefully the first of many you get.

Click on their profile picture or name, that will bring up their profile. Once in their profile you'll see a green button that says add as friend.

Some of the new ones employ more sensors to try to better model what goes on during weight training (MS Band reads heart rate, skin temperature, motion, acceleration, perspiration and other data points), but it's still early days.

If you want to log calories burned during strength training you'll need a heart rate monitor that does estimation and syncs with MFP. There are a few on the market and more on the way, but the estimates tend to be optimistic anyways.

Hitting an EXACT calorie target (neither above nor below) is very challenging, are you sure you didn't by any chance misunderstand your doctor in some way? I'm sure as long as you're around 1500 every day you're fine. If you're in doubt it doesn't hurt to put a call in to your doctor for clarification.

Scottsdale, AZ, which seems very bland compared to a lot of the interesting places I've read in here. :)

Sent friend requests to anyone who didn't beat me to it. Appreciate it, guys. I don't know anybody on this site yet. Dawn: I know what you mean at least a little bit. The tough thing is getting the mental in line with the physical, but there are no easy answers there. Ultimately I decided integrating therapy was necessary…