24 and trying.....

[brandonlee3]

Hello everyone! I just found this site, so I decided to take the plunge and register. I'm 24, have been married for 2 years, and I am about to take on the biggest challenge I have ever faced. I am 6'0", and at the present moment I weight about 361 pounds, way too much for my age and height. I've been heavy all of my life and this is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done. There are several reasons for me to lose weight ( improving my appearance, improving my sex life, etc.) but there are two major motivating factors that are more important to me than anything. For one, I have type II diabetes. I was diagnosed three years ago, and to be honest I am scared to death that I am cutting my life short every single day that I am overweight. I want to be able to reverse this disease and extend my life and not have to worry about complications from this disease. Second, and perhaps the most important - children. Me and my wife have been married for two years, and we have tried and tried and tried to get pregnant for about a year now. She was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome last year, and I'm sure that has alot to do with it, but I know that my diabetes and weight is also affecting us. Not only do I want to have kids, but I want to be around to see them grow up and have families of their own. I'm gonna need your help guys - my wife is a wonderful help, but there is also nothing like people and friends helping you. Thanks for being here to watch me start this journey and thanks for all the support in advance.....

 

[lerato]

hello and welcome,

sounds like you have some good reasons there for getting yourself healthy...i'm sure you'll be able to do it, with support from your family and also from this board. are you following any particular plan, or just healthy eating and exercise? also, remember drinking lots of water is actually really important and really does work!!

glad to have you on board so to speak lol!

 

[brandonlee3]

Heya Lerato!

Yeah, I'm seeing a doctor for my diabetes, and the nutritionist I met with while at his office wants me to do 1500 cals./day. My doctor wants me to lose 8 pounds by May 2nd, so I know I can do that and more! We got lucky and bought a Bowflex Sport and Selectech dumbells for 300 bucks from a lady my wife works with. I'm gonna start using those combined with bicycling to help me get to where I need to be.

 

[lerato]

sounds good to me! good to have your stuff with you instead of needing to go to the gym all the time, which is often quite a deterrent with the ongoing cost.
well, sounds like you are well prepared to start, so good luck!

 

[Tamschro]

Welcome!

One of the reasons I'm really motivated to lose weight is that my husband and I want to start trying for kids in the next few years.... and my biggest fear is not being able to have kids. I want a healthy pregnancy, and my weight scares me. My doctor also told me that I do have a high risk of diabetes, as it runs in my family, and I am over weight. I've just recently started making some life changes, and it's tough, but it's what I need to do.

I hope you find the encouragement you need on here (and from family, and doctor) to meet your goals. Congrats on getting started, you can do it!

Tams

 

[Fluff]

Hi ! Welcome to the board Brandonlee! Congrats on starting your weight loss journey. You have found a great place for advice, encouragement, and motivation. I would be lost without this forum!

Eight pounds by May 2 seems completely reasonable. I am sure you will be able to do it! I have been having a lot of luck with a 1500 calorie diet, and walking for exercise. I have a treadmill at home I use, which helps me because I am less likely to go to the gym than just exercise here at home. Dont forget to drink lots of water! I was a total water skeptic when I first started, now I am a big believer!

Keep faith about the pregnancy thing. I found out that I had wide spread endometriosis when I was 22, even lost an ovary. My doctor told me I had less than a 50 -50 chance of ever getting pregnant. Yet, here I am today with three children!!

Wish you all the best with your weight loss! Keep us updated on how you are doing!

 

[MissJellyBelly]

Hi Brandon! Welcome. You sound really motivated. I'm rooting for you to reach your goals and especially to become a daddy! You are off to a great start. Keep it going.