I can no longer participate! Yay! 197lbs TODAY!
Dumpy
New member
Hello from England.
Not sure if this is the right forum for my husband and I, but hope so as you seem such a friendly bunch.
We gave up smoking in 2005 and gained a massive 6 stones (14lbs=1 stone) We are both grossly overweight and since the death of our daughter in 2010 she was 32 and we had been her carers for all that time, instead of out and about hill walking, or working in the garden, we have just sat.
We moved house in February, and its a case of new house new life style. We can hardly get upstairs our knees are so painful. We want to enjoy our retirement so have been to our doctor for help he has told us to just eat sensibly and take gentle walks to start off. Not to jump on and off the scales, but to look at the gradual loss as all part of our new lifestyle We've done all the quick-fix diets in the past, but always put the weight back on. Next month, I am 63 and hubby 65 so its no longer a vanity thing, its now loosing weight for our health. We have to aim to drop 2lbs a week, so this will be a slow old job and we will need a lot of help.
Not sure if this is the right forum for my husband and I, but hope so as you seem such a friendly bunch.
We gave up smoking in 2005 and gained a massive 6 stones (14lbs=1 stone) We are both grossly overweight and since the death of our daughter in 2010 she was 32 and we had been her carers for all that time, instead of out and about hill walking, or working in the garden, we have just sat.
We moved house in February, and its a case of new house new life style. We can hardly get upstairs our knees are so painful. We want to enjoy our retirement so have been to our doctor for help he has told us to just eat sensibly and take gentle walks to start off. Not to jump on and off the scales, but to look at the gradual loss as all part of our new lifestyle We've done all the quick-fix diets in the past, but always put the weight back on. Next month, I am 63 and hubby 65 so its no longer a vanity thing, its now loosing weight for our health. We have to aim to drop 2lbs a week, so this will be a slow old job and we will need a lot of help.
Omega
Moderator
Dumpy - Welcome to the forum.
I am so sorry to learn of the death of your daughter. It is great that you have now got to the stage where you are ready to move forward to looking after yourselves and your health.
Your doctor has given great advice. Gentle walks and healthy eating will help you to bring your weight down to a healthy level. Embracing a new healthy lifestyle really can have better results than those horrendous diets that are so hard to stick to. I know because I spent most of my adult life at 21 stone before I did a big weight loss project a few years back and took my weight down to 9 stone... LOL I gained over the last 2 years which is why I am 11 stone and back at the forum...
My best advice is to start now - going out for a walk every day and to try to eat more healthily. If you have a bad day - forgive yourself immediately and get back on track. I naughty meal or day does not signify the end of a diet. I went out for a curry with friends last night. Just try not to do it too often and remember that a lapse does not mean that you have failed at the new lifestyle.
Buy a pedometer and see if it can challenge you to walk more every day.
Brilliant first food steps are
- try to drink more water. If you can manage to drink 1 ounce of water for every 2 pounds that you weigh - that would be great. That works out as about 3 litres for people that weigh 200 pounds... Most people struggle at that. You do not need to expect yourself to manage it all - just drinking more than you do can have a good effect.
- try to eat more fruit and veg. Most of us have heard about having 5 a day.
- try to cook in a healthy way - maybe use fry light and less high calorie sauces
- try to opt for lean cuts of meat.
- use low calorie alternatives like skimmed milk and ganulated sweetener.
Good luck.
PS - where in England are you? I am in Newcastle - but I spend a long time living down south.
I am so sorry to learn of the death of your daughter. It is great that you have now got to the stage where you are ready to move forward to looking after yourselves and your health.
Your doctor has given great advice. Gentle walks and healthy eating will help you to bring your weight down to a healthy level. Embracing a new healthy lifestyle really can have better results than those horrendous diets that are so hard to stick to. I know because I spent most of my adult life at 21 stone before I did a big weight loss project a few years back and took my weight down to 9 stone... LOL I gained over the last 2 years which is why I am 11 stone and back at the forum...
My best advice is to start now - going out for a walk every day and to try to eat more healthily. If you have a bad day - forgive yourself immediately and get back on track. I naughty meal or day does not signify the end of a diet. I went out for a curry with friends last night. Just try not to do it too often and remember that a lapse does not mean that you have failed at the new lifestyle.
Buy a pedometer and see if it can challenge you to walk more every day.
Brilliant first food steps are
- try to drink more water. If you can manage to drink 1 ounce of water for every 2 pounds that you weigh - that would be great. That works out as about 3 litres for people that weigh 200 pounds... Most people struggle at that. You do not need to expect yourself to manage it all - just drinking more than you do can have a good effect.
- try to eat more fruit and veg. Most of us have heard about having 5 a day.
- try to cook in a healthy way - maybe use fry light and less high calorie sauces
- try to opt for lean cuts of meat.
- use low calorie alternatives like skimmed milk and ganulated sweetener.
Good luck.
PS - where in England are you? I am in Newcastle - but I spend a long time living down south.
blues
New member
Greetings, everyone! I thought I'd say hello - I'll still be in club 200 even at my target weight (6'2 male) but still have a way to go. Started at 297lbs on April 2nd 2013 and yesterday weighed in at 281.4lbs, so a loss of 15+ lbs in the first 25 days. Aiming to get to 218lbs by the end of the year (it was going to be 210lbs my doctor actually advised to stay above that because of my frame and muscle mass), and then decide if it's sensible to keep losing weight at that stage.
Dumpy
New member
I'm on the Welsh Borders, quite a way from you. My husband knows Newcastle, well... 40 years ago he did! When he was in the merchant navy. Hey! Look at you! All that weight lost you are an inspiration. I've cut and pasted your advice. You are so right about the water. We don't drink enough at all. My knees and joints are dreadful. I'm sure once the weight starts to go, I',, feel an improvement. Take care and thanks for your advice. I'm going to start a diary later on today.
Omega
Moderator
Water is so good for us in a million different ways... It is a key thing to work on.
A lot of people feel that water helps to fill them up before a meal - so that they eat less in the meal but there is a lot more to it than that...
A lot of people mistake feelings of thirst and hunger so they are thirsty because they are not drinking enough water... they think that they are hungry and eat more... the feeling is not satisfied so they keep on eating...
We need water for our kidneys and liver to work right... Basically they work sorting out the good bits from the bad bits in what we eat and drink and from our bodies generally... If the kidneys cannot work properly - the liver takes up the slack so it is not dealing with the food as efficiently as we would like...
As I understand it - this has a few knock-on effects... The kidneys need water and if there is any indication that there may be a shortage coming it will hold onto water so we will feel all bloated all over (and see the scales go up because of the extra water)... the kidneys will also be working with dirty water so it will not run a efficiently... the liver will help out so will not be working as hard on the food so it may delay us losing weight...
On top of everything else - not having enough water can make us constipated.
It all gets solved if we can just bring ourselves to drink enough water... It can be a real struggle as it often makes us need to go to the toilet a lot more often - so is inconvenient...
The thing that a lot of people do not realise is that we need more water - the bigger that we are... Our skinny friend may be having enough - but we need to have more than them... Kidney stones are incredibly painful. My husband was in agony when he developed them. Skinny people are able to have them shattered with sound waves but my husband (who was over 29 stone) was told that he was too heavy and that they needed to operate... He developed very large stones in both kidneys and the first that he knew about it was when one of the kidneys was fully blocked...
The series of operations that he needed were incredibly stressful for us both (there are dangers involved in any operations at that size). He was told that it was all due to him not having been drinking enough water for his size and being inactive. That is why I believe that the two key things for us all to try to address is drinking more and walking.
A lot of people feel that water helps to fill them up before a meal - so that they eat less in the meal but there is a lot more to it than that...
A lot of people mistake feelings of thirst and hunger so they are thirsty because they are not drinking enough water... they think that they are hungry and eat more... the feeling is not satisfied so they keep on eating...
We need water for our kidneys and liver to work right... Basically they work sorting out the good bits from the bad bits in what we eat and drink and from our bodies generally... If the kidneys cannot work properly - the liver takes up the slack so it is not dealing with the food as efficiently as we would like...
As I understand it - this has a few knock-on effects... The kidneys need water and if there is any indication that there may be a shortage coming it will hold onto water so we will feel all bloated all over (and see the scales go up because of the extra water)... the kidneys will also be working with dirty water so it will not run a efficiently... the liver will help out so will not be working as hard on the food so it may delay us losing weight...
On top of everything else - not having enough water can make us constipated.
It all gets solved if we can just bring ourselves to drink enough water... It can be a real struggle as it often makes us need to go to the toilet a lot more often - so is inconvenient...
The thing that a lot of people do not realise is that we need more water - the bigger that we are... Our skinny friend may be having enough - but we need to have more than them... Kidney stones are incredibly painful. My husband was in agony when he developed them. Skinny people are able to have them shattered with sound waves but my husband (who was over 29 stone) was told that he was too heavy and that they needed to operate... He developed very large stones in both kidneys and the first that he knew about it was when one of the kidneys was fully blocked...
The series of operations that he needed were incredibly stressful for us both (there are dangers involved in any operations at that size). He was told that it was all due to him not having been drinking enough water for his size and being inactive. That is why I believe that the two key things for us all to try to address is drinking more and walking.
Guideon
New member
Guideon
New member
pfft, tough week...
wasn't feeling very motivated to do the workouts, but managed to keep it interesting by subbing out some workouts with a few nice bikerides.
Managed to lose 1 pound which is great, creeping ever closer to another club, 10 pounds to go now.
This is the last week of my first round of Insanity, which has been great for me. Lost 10 pounds since starting Insanity, and, even better, I feel and notice that I'm getter in much better shape. Even that stubborn belly fat is starting to lose the fight with my determination
wasn't feeling very motivated to do the workouts, but managed to keep it interesting by subbing out some workouts with a few nice bikerides.
Managed to lose 1 pound which is great, creeping ever closer to another club, 10 pounds to go now.
This is the last week of my first round of Insanity, which has been great for me. Lost 10 pounds since starting Insanity, and, even better, I feel and notice that I'm getter in much better shape. Even that stubborn belly fat is starting to lose the fight with my determination
MsWant2BHealthy
New member
Another member for the 200+ club; I'm currently 240. My weigh ins will be on Mondays, I'm trying to keep myself focused on weekends and if I weigh in on Friday I'll be more likely to give in to temptation on the weekend (when the urge to snack is the strongest). I love the idea of a 200 club very neat. Good luck, everyone!
very neat. Good luck, everyone!
MsWant2BHealthy
New member
Oh wow, that is really scary to think about. I cannot imagine how painful those kidney stones must have been, it sounds horrible. How long was the recovery time after his surgery? I hope he's getting enough water and walking in now, can't imagine he isn't after what he had to go through.
Thankfully, I drink ample water (2-3 liters daily) and my minimum exercise still involves at least 20 minutes of walking each day. Still, it's good to keep reminding ourselves of the very real danger of not taking care of our bodies. Something as simple as not getting enough water and we may need surgery, yikes!
Omega
Moderator
Rod was in absolute agony with the kidney stones. There was absolutely no alternative but to operate.
It was so scary... His BMI was over 62 and he needed a consultant anaesthetist and consultant surgeon for all his operations... He needed five operations in total - and it made a really horrible year.
Each operation meant that he was off work for at least three weeks to recover. He hardly got back to work before it was time for the next operation in the series.
It pretty much monopolised the whole of 2011. Thankfully, the knowledge that there was another operation coming meant that he was good with his eating and lost some weight - but I have to admit that he no longer has that focus and his weight is now stuck with a BMI about 48. I have to say that a BMI of about 48 is not nearly as scary as 62 for either of us - and we both think that he looks quite slender (in our terms) these days...
He is now much more active than he ever used to be. He is also much better about drinking water. I have to say that it would be great if he could eat less naughty things - but he has cut out some things and eats better when it comes to his main meals.
The stress of it all didn't help my weight. I then followed it up by a pretty stressful 2012 which involved us relocating 300 miles and moving back in with my parents who are now both in their 90s... It is at times of great stress that even the most controlled of us are apt to revert to type - and I certainly did!!! I gained weight and that is why I came back to the forum...
Still every cloud has a silver lining - it means that I am back here telling everyone to feel like they have had a successful positive day if they have drank plenty of water and been out for a walk - even if they went on to slip up at dinner or not do as much exercise as they had intended.
It was so scary... His BMI was over 62 and he needed a consultant anaesthetist and consultant surgeon for all his operations... He needed five operations in total - and it made a really horrible year.
Each operation meant that he was off work for at least three weeks to recover. He hardly got back to work before it was time for the next operation in the series.
It pretty much monopolised the whole of 2011. Thankfully, the knowledge that there was another operation coming meant that he was good with his eating and lost some weight - but I have to admit that he no longer has that focus and his weight is now stuck with a BMI about 48. I have to say that a BMI of about 48 is not nearly as scary as 62 for either of us - and we both think that he looks quite slender (in our terms) these days...
He is now much more active than he ever used to be. He is also much better about drinking water. I have to say that it would be great if he could eat less naughty things - but he has cut out some things and eats better when it comes to his main meals.
The stress of it all didn't help my weight. I then followed it up by a pretty stressful 2012 which involved us relocating 300 miles and moving back in with my parents who are now both in their 90s... It is at times of great stress that even the most controlled of us are apt to revert to type - and I certainly did!!! I gained weight and that is why I came back to the forum...
Still every cloud has a silver lining - it means that I am back here telling everyone to feel like they have had a successful positive day if they have drank plenty of water and been out for a walk - even if they went on to slip up at dinner or not do as much exercise as they had intended.
Guideon
New member
Must have been hell, good to hear you two pulled through that.
I know I need to be more aware of the water I drink everyday. I always think I'm good with the fluids in my morning coffee and the water I drink during the rest of the day, but I am not sure, simply because I am not "counting it".
Well no better time than the present to start.
Thanks Omega for a good remainder!
I know I need to be more aware of the water I drink everyday. I always think I'm good with the fluids in my morning coffee and the water I drink during the rest of the day, but I am not sure, simply because I am not "counting it".
Well no better time than the present to start.
Thanks Omega for a good remainder!
MsWant2BHealthy
New member
To go from a bmi of 62 to 48 is an amazing leap and even if he isn't at his goal he should be proud of himself for that. It's a big deal. Glad to hear he is drinking more water and much more active than he used to be; changing habits to something healthier is never a bad thing, even if it required a lot of stress and a scary situation to get there. At least it's over and done with, and you've come out the other side.
Reverting under stress is human, we go to what we know, where we're most comfortable. It's tough to stick to it when the pressure is on. It's how we deal with the aftermath that's important and I think you coming here to tell his story is a great benefit to those of us here. In fact, I told your husband's story to my husband, I'm hoping it will help him start drinking more water (he usually only drinks a liter per day and it's far too little, that's including coffee). Fingers crossed.
Thanks for sharing
Reverting under stress is human, we go to what we know, where we're most comfortable. It's tough to stick to it when the pressure is on. It's how we deal with the aftermath that's important and I think you coming here to tell his story is a great benefit to those of us here. In fact, I told your husband's story to my husband, I'm hoping it will help him start drinking more water (he usually only drinks a liter per day and it's far too little, that's including coffee). Fingers crossed.
Thanks for sharing
Guideon
New member
Finished my first round of Insanity last saturday, and today I took my "after" pictures, and compared them to the before pictures.
I must admit, when starting Insanity I was sceptical; How could a 60 day fitness program produce big results?
I dropped weight during the 60 days, but it is a not very impressive 10 pounds (allthough I'm glad with those 10 lbs, don't get me wrong.
But when comparing the before and after pictures I saw a difference.
My face is thinner (and, I might add, better looking because of it
), and I also noticed a good change in my core. Not "the before and after change" you see on tv, you know, from beerbelly to supertight abs in a few weeks, but more a from beerbelly to a slighter less beerbelly, and shrinking lovehandles. Also my back appears to be less burdened by fat, it's tighter.
This week I 'm doing a "recovery week", which consists mostly of long light and intermediate cardio training. The "light" training being the 25 mile walk last sunday (light referring to my average heartrate of 99 during the walk), the rest is mostly streching and bikerides.
Next week I'm starting the P90X-Insanity hybrid program.
I'm also gonna make some changes to my diet, cutting the pasta for a great deal from my diet ( I used to eat on average two pasta meals a week, about 2,5 oz of pasta per meal) and switching to a low carb bread, which I found recently in my local supermarket. Also found some good snack alternatives in light muesli bars and dried fruit bars (love those, and they're only 65 cal per bar).
Off course keep a sharp eye on my water intake, one of the things I learned since joining the forum.
Come to think of it, I'd better start a Food journal (again).
I must admit, when starting Insanity I was sceptical; How could a 60 day fitness program produce big results?
I dropped weight during the 60 days, but it is a not very impressive 10 pounds (allthough I'm glad with those 10 lbs, don't get me wrong
. But when comparing the before and after pictures I saw a difference.
My face is thinner (and, I might add, better looking because of it
), and I also noticed a good change in my core. Not "the before and after change" you see on tv, you know, from beerbelly to supertight abs in a few weeks, but more a from beerbelly to a slighter less beerbelly, and shrinking lovehandles. Also my back appears to be less burdened by fat, it's tighter. This week I 'm doing a "recovery week", which consists mostly of long light and intermediate cardio training. The "light" training being the 25 mile walk last sunday (light referring to my average heartrate of 99 during the walk), the rest is mostly streching and bikerides.
Next week I'm starting the P90X-Insanity hybrid program.
I'm also gonna make some changes to my diet, cutting the pasta for a great deal from my diet ( I used to eat on average two pasta meals a week, about 2,5 oz of pasta per meal) and switching to a low carb bread, which I found recently in my local supermarket. Also found some good snack alternatives in light muesli bars and dried fruit bars (love those, and they're only 65 cal per bar).
Off course keep a sharp eye on my water intake, one of the things I learned since joining the forum.
Come to think of it, I'd better start a Food journal (again).
Omega
Moderator
congratulations!!!Non scale victory: bought new jeans today, size 34 for the first time since freshman year in college
I sometimes think that the non scale victories are better than those at the scales...