Getting back up

R

rgrove0172

New member
I was overweight for most of my adult life, not morbidly obese but pretty darn heavy (6'0" guy and 260 lbs)

Finally at age 48 I just got sick of it and coupled with the death of a few friends close to my age found the determination to change. I lost 60 lbs in 6 months, found a six pack for the first time in my life and was working out 2+ hours a day, running half marathons and about to try my first triatholon. It was an incredible and exciting 2 years.

Strangely my personal success didnt not translate to all parts of my life. My new lifestyle was frowned on by my family (a wonderful group of people but typically overwieght and inactive) and brought me a complaints (about my attitude) and criticism (on my apparent self centeredness). It also reflected negatively on my career where I was seen as inflexible and extreme and intimidating by some (costing me a promotion I had worked 5 years to recieve). In all, I was pretty torn as to if it was all worth it but when out on the road, working that fit body, it was awesome. Fitting into clothes, getting an appreciative glance now and then were perks I had never experienced before in my life.

Then disaster struck. My knees started going - then I blew out my right bicep and shoulder in the gym. After surgery on the shoulder I had the knees scoped and discovered heavy arthritic damage and multiple tears and scarred tissue in both. The knees were never the same after the surgeries. 2 years later and I havent been able to walk comfortably, much less run or ride a bike. After 2 more surgeries the doctors gave up and I recieved a full knee replacement (Im only 50 by the way) and am not struggling to rehab it and will probably follow up with the other knee afterward.

In the 2+ year process Ive gained almost all of the weight back. Gone is that fit body and its replaced with one more fat than ever before. I was a chunky but muscular guy for most of my life but now I look and feel like crap. Strangely enough my family is now supportive rather than critical. "Settle down" they tell me, "Your 50 years old, relax". "See where all that exercise got you, it went straight to your head and now your paying for it".

I want to try and lose this weight but with the limitations of the broken down legs I dont know how. I was burning 1200 calories a day in cardio back then. Im lucky if I can manage 300 now on a stationary bike or eliptical and Im warned to not to overdo it by my doc or Ill wear this new knee out. My family cringes when I even mention trying to lose the weight and I get barraged with criticism to just accept who I am.

Im on blood pressure medication again, wearing a XX shirt and 40" waist pants and I hate it, hate it all. I dont know what to do.

help?
 
You still have lots of options to be physically active. It might take you a little out of your comfort zone but it could be worth it. Ask your doctor about water workouts. There are shallow and deep. The deep ones are zero impact and could work for you. Shallow water workouts might also be an option. You can get an awesome workout in the water. You can do a class or do them on your own. Our gym has a bike that is pedalled with your hands. Also a great workout and a lot more intense than I thought. If you can get a good and certified personal trainer they are really worth the investment and make sure that you do what works for you with your individual needs so you don't get hurt or frustrated.
 
rgrove0172 said:
I was overweight for most of my adult life, not morbidly obese but pretty darn heavy (6'0" guy and 260 lbs)

Finally at age 48 I just got sick of it and coupled with the death of a few friends close to my age found the determination to change. I lost 60 lbs in 6 months, found a six pack for the first time in my life and was working out 2+ hours a day, running half marathons and about to try my first triatholon. It was an incredible and exciting 2 years.

Strangely my personal success didnt not translate to all parts of my life. My new lifestyle was frowned on by my family (a wonderful group of people but typically overwieght and inactive) and brought me a complaints (about my attitude) and criticism (on my apparent self centeredness). It also reflected negatively on my career where I was seen as inflexible and extreme and intimidating by some (costing me a promotion I had worked 5 years to recieve). In all, I was pretty torn as to if it was all worth it but when out on the road, working that fit body, it was awesome. Fitting into clothes, getting an appreciative glance now and then were perks I had never experienced before in my life.

Then disaster struck. My knees started going - then I blew out my right bicep and shoulder in the gym. After surgery on the shoulder I had the knees scoped and discovered heavy arthritic damage and multiple tears and scarred tissue in both. The knees were never the same after the surgeries. 2 years later and I havent been able to walk comfortably, much less run or ride a bike. After 2 more surgeries the doctors gave up and I recieved a full knee replacement (Im only 50 by the way) and am not struggling to rehab it and will probably follow up with the other knee afterward.

In the 2+ year process Ive gained almost all of the weight back. Gone is that fit body and its replaced with one more fat than ever before. I was a chunky but muscular guy for most of my life but now I look and feel like crap. Strangely enough my family is now supportive rather than critical. "Settle down" they tell me, "Your 50 years old, relax". "See where all that exercise got you, it went straight to your head and now your paying for it".

I want to try and lose this weight but with the limitations of the broken down legs I dont know how. I was burning 1200 calories a day in cardio back then. Im lucky if I can manage 300 now on a stationary bike or eliptical and Im warned to not to overdo it by my doc or Ill wear this new knee out. My family cringes when I even mention trying to lose the weight and I get barraged with criticism to just accept who I am.

Im on blood pressure medication again, wearing a XX shirt and 40" waist pants and I hate it, hate it all. I dont know what to do.

help?
Click to expand...


First of all you need to stay POSITIVE. 8 years ago I had a femur replaced and numerous complications with the donor bone initially rejected by my body. There's several feet of steel holding my femur together and I had my knee cut in half to allow for my legs to still be in line enabling movement. It was a long 8 years before I found the right program for me, one that I can adapt and do to the ability I am able to achieve. Within 4 weeks of starting I was pushing onto more difficult exercises on the DVD. There's full body and then concentrated sessions that last less than half an hour so I'm able to get this done quickly. I've also CHANGED my diet versus dieting. So I'm still getting my calories, but have found good substitutes for the crap I was eating everyday. If you're interested we can chat about your habits, sessions today and then I can potentially help you find something that works.

Just gotta fight it, don't give up. I was at death's door with cancer taking over at the age of 30 and I got back on the bike and fought for my life. Now you need to do the same and find people that will support you all the way. Drop me a reply and I'll check in over the next few days, perhaps we can chat on the phone about what I do today and whether there's any shared interest.
 
Thanks for the support. The toughest thing Im encountering is accepting the new ME. I think about trying to get back into shape and remember how hard it was the first time, when I was HEALTHY. NOW? Nothing but a massive decrease in calories and crazy exercise routine worked then, and Im 4 years older now. What chance does cutting a few calories and moderate exercise have.

Yeah, yeah, I know - thats defeatism but thats my first hurdle. Believing it can be done.
 
You already have a great start because you are talking about it and not just thinking about it. Start with something that you can do. Be honest with yourself. Often people start off too big and fail. You want to make changes that become part of your life and not just something you do for a min. Think about what kinds of changes you want. For example for me I gave up most forms of meat. I did not do it because it was the thing to do. I did it because it worked for me. I also eat mostly raw food however that does not work for everyone. I have been working with exercise that I like. For example I like Kettlbelling, TRK and tolerate cardio. Now the good thing is Kettlebelling has a lot of cardio. Just be honest about what works for you. You can do this.
 
Wow - what a fantastic and honest post. I can understand your frustration having an ankle rebuilt after a horror break. Like you, I pled on the pounds while I couldn't really exercise. I am much better now, but initially I lacked motivation to do anything.
This is as much about mind as it is about body, so I tried to focus on my goal. What's critical here is to focus on the right goal. It needs to be stated in the positive and soemthing you can really connect with.
If you just state your goal as something like lose weight, it is negative by definition as it has the word "lose" in it! So I focussed on something very different. In my case it was to complete a charity hike up a mountain by a set date. Loads of positive juice to keep me motivated.
Hope this helps
 
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