Pictures don't directly show up in forum posts, but if you post links it should work.
Muscle is denser (I think that's right? Not heavier, as such, but still a lot healthier) than fat. From your pictures, you are glowing, and I would think you may have built up a fair bit of muscle rather than killing your metabolism with the exercise you've listed.
How much do you eat a day, if I may ask? From the undereating your drug habit brought on, you might still be with a slow metabolism. Generally, the cure for that is to eat a higher amount of calories than usual for a while until your metabolism kicks into gear, and then lower it gradually.
I used to do drugs as well, though I didn't take Cocaine, I used to do E a lot but it made me gain a lot of weight. since I've quit I've lost some weight from it, mostly because when I was high I would just eant and eat, and not very healthy things either. The highest I ever got was 160 (But I'm also probably smaller than you are as well), and I was never happy.
I quit cold turkey around Christmas last year, and I'm still struggling, and I'm just HOPING I can go two years sober as well. You keep going strong! As long as you focus on keeping your body healthy and strong you should be fine.
For fat loss, try upping a bit of cardio, that's all I can really suggest, but your weight gai ncould be mostly from the amount of muscle you packed on through exercise, and with all that muscle, your metabolism is probably returned back to normal. That's just what I'm thinking though.
Congrats and Keep on being strong! :)
Before Meth: 130
During Meth: 110
After Meth: 150
Currently, after 9 years sober: 165, and I've actually lost 4 lbs. since I started CC just over a week ago.
I TOTALLY feel your pain. I've been doing a TON of walking and swimming and that seems to be helping.
How many calories per day are you taking in?
Hey there!
Add another one! Yup, I gained 20 lbs. after I stopped using. My DOC was in the pain pill family-opiates. At my lowest, I was 115, went up to almost 140, and now I am back somewhere between 125-130. NOW, at some points in my life-because I've also had an eating disorder-those numbers would have killed me. Now, I am almost satisfied with where I am weight-wise. I do eat healthy-and exercise around 3-5x a week. I do cardio and weights, and most w/o's last between 90 minutes to two hours.
ALSO, and this is a big one for me, I'm going to be 54 next month. When I was a teenager I was 115 and looked fine. At this age I looked sickly and horrible.
I got clean-again-in September. I've had a couple slips since then, and am preparing to go into rehab in September or October, when there is a space.
As far as the weight thing goes, it came on so fast! Like all the others here who have posted-and we are a great bunch, aren't we-that number rusing up on the scale-never mind creeping up is shocking! Don't lose faith. Keep on keeping on. The weight will drop. Probably not as fast as you'd like, right? Important thing is you're healthy, and probably look fabulous. You do from your picture. I don't know if you have any more on your profile, but I'll check after.
To all my mates - to another 24!
Ugh.... I've seen lots of my friends on seroquil and they gained outrageous amounts of weight.
As far as your wieght goes, I'd be willing to bet you'll be able to lose it, no problem. Just be sure you're eating the right amount of calories (not too few, but not too many either) and stay active.
It's a crappy habit, both to have and to kick because either way it's rough on your body, but you can do it! We all can!
Ugh... I can't imagine giving up bread and butter!!! I'm a carb FREAK! Just everything in moderation.
I couldn't give up my beer and wine either. I just count my calories and leave room for a beer or two in the evening. Even so, I went out drinking last weekend and I didn't get all bloated or anything. Normally I would gain a couple of lbs. but I guess I've been active enough to keep those carbs at bay.
As far as 1 calorie beer.... maybe Michelob Ultra? That stuff tastes like carbonated water. Totally not worth it.
As far as any other habits you have, I still smoke.... so I'm not exactly being healthy there. I just figure once I get into the routine of exercising I'll be able to quit without putting on too much weight.
They do heal, which is a good thing. I just need to get to a comfortable spot in my exercise routine to quit and cross my fingers that I keep losing weight and don't plateau or gain.
FIrst of all, I am so happy that you have the terribily self-destructive habit behind you. There is a lot of drug use in my family, so I know how hard it is.
I also want to remind you that "skinny" does not equal beautiful or happy. People would much rather hang out with (or date, or marry) someone who is comfortable with themselves and not strung out on something. Some of the most beautiful people I know don't come in size 4 packages.
So, if you just want to impress people on the street, skinny might work. But otherwise, I might work on cultivating a different kind of beauty while getting healthier.
