New Guy

Hey all.

I've been working on losing weight for almost a couple years now.  Off and on, really -- although more off.  I started out at 315lbs last January and am at 284 now.  Not the best progress, but at least I have kept from going all the way back up to where I was :P.

A little bit about me I suppose:  I'm 18 years old and live in North Dakota.  I want to lose weight because it is my sincerest desire to join the military.  I had been made fun of for the greater part of my youth, and I believe I am irrevocably scarred because of it,  I find more and more each day that I do not belong in this world  :P.  I have been pretty successful in eliminating pop from my diet, and I never eat fast food except Subway or Quiznos (I try to cut out sauces and other frivolous things that make the calories add up quick).

I feel like in due time I will reach my goals.  I just hope I don't have some underlying medical condition that will prevent me from joining the military or all of my weight loss would feel like it was for nothing (although I know this isn't necessarily true, it is my main motivator to get in shape).

I used to work out pretty much daily (lifting weights, 2-mile walks every-other-day), although I had the flu for a couple weeks and got out of the habit.  My main activity is work, I suppose (I work at Quiznos :P) so I burn a little working there compared to sitting at home.  I have a pretty high basal metabolic rate (according to the calculators, anyway), so I think those two factors will help me out while I am not exercising regularly.

I kind of debated whether or not to post an introductory thread, mostly because I don't think most people really care what my story is or what I think, so I keep things to myself in a neurotic fashion.  Alas I decided I may as well, because whether or not someone actually reads it and responds, it's a nice recap for myself of what my goals are anyway.

Hope I didn't come off as too much of a pessimist :P.  Society made me who I am.

Quick stats:
Age:  18
Height:  6'2"
Weight:  284
Body fat % - 33-34%

Hi, Reading your post, now you stop it right now. You made progress and will continue to do so. I have a son that was borderline learning disability going through school, and that never stopped him from doing what he wanted. He was determine to go to the college he wanted to graduate from and he to wanted to be a military officer, and he has done both. He is a little taller then you but never had a weight problem, but had to work hard to where he is at now.You keep up the good work. We will work through this together.

I have another son that was 80 plus pounds over weight. When he moved to Florida this past year started to watch his calories. Wouldn't go over 1000 calories and cut out the coke he drank. Then he started to exercise. With the job he has he exercises in the morning before he goes to work and then in the evening and its for only a hour.

So if you like I will help you on this journey. I might be alot older then you, but I need so much to lose the weight, to be healthier, so I do don't get to have alot of medical issues.

Okay well you have a good day! Watch the calorie intake, and stay strong!

Chubaka,

How nice to meet you.  I thought you had posted before, I don't know why  I guess it's your name is familiar.  You DO sound pessimistic.  I am hoping that as time goes by you will be able to find the positive side of things.  You are 18 and you have a lot of life ahead of you.

If your goal is to be in the military, then I hope you can make it.  In the meanwhile what will you do?  Time is going to pass while you are losing weight.  I know you work at Quizznos, but are you doing anything towards improving your future?  How about school?  If you will use the next couple of years while you lose weight to take some college courses you can go into the military in a better position to tell them what you'd like to do.

I know I'm sounding like someone's Mom.  I guess that's who I am.  I would like to see you get everything you deserve in life. 

If you need any help losing weight, give a holler.  We'll be here.

Mnawrot,

How nice to meet you. 

Society may have had a hand in making you who you are but you have choices and only you can make them, no one else can. You can beleive what others say about yourself or what you want to beleive about yourself. You sound like a nice guy with alot to offer and you will find alot of helpful people here. I think it is great to have a goal like the military and if you beleive you can acheive it and go after it you will get it. For me I used to beleive what others thought of me but now I beleive what Jesus says about me that I am wonderfully made. You are too. We are all unique that is how God made us, all with different fingerprints and each of us with something different to offer. So please don't close up I am interested in seeing what you have to offer. Thank you for opening up it took courage

Well, Billsaint, I actually don't care what others say about me.  Although arrogant, I look at people who put others down as inferior human beings.  Therefore, I don't let peoples' hateful comments bother me at all.

And you are right -- I decide who I am.  Unfortunately my mind is a bit of a battlefield, and I'm either so compassionate I can't bring myself to kill a lady bug, or I'm so enraged that I'd be capable of anything (or anywhere in between).  I really can't decide who is the real me :P.  I've kind of accepted that I don't have much of an identity, though.  Failed relationship after failed relationship have left me quite bitter in that regard.  I don't much enjoy socializing, and I tend to be extremely neurotic (unless I'm really moved by something).

I could write more, but then I would seem like I'm trying to garner everyone's pity or sympathy, which I am not.  I'm just trying to better explain why I said what I said :P.

I'm pretty surprised by the (albeit not overwhelming) several responses already.  This definitely seems like a nice place to talk about weight loss and find people who will help to hold yourself accountable, and not be judged in a negative fashion.

Chubaka -

You are WAY to young to sound so cynical! I didn't reply right away because I was unsure what to say to you. I remember being 18 (even though it was a few years ago) and struggling with the whole "who am I?" question. It can be a difficult road to discovery, but one worth traveling.

A piece of advice - wait until you have traveled enough of the road to have a better picture of your own identity (you have one - I promise) and an ability to accept that picture before you start your next relationship. It can only help build a better foundation for stability. That having been said - I too wear my heart on my sleeve and therefore get hurt perhaps more than others - but a part of my road has been to become really clear on this fact: I personally WOULD RATHER LOVE AND LOSE THAN TO NEVER HAVE LOVED AT ALL AND FEEL NOTHING!!!

Now back to the weight loss - please do not under estimate the 31 pounds that you have kept off over the last 2 years. That is 10% of your original body weight and it is a HUGE success!!! There are several posts around this group that talk about motivation and what to say to yourself when the negative thoughts start rearing their ugly head - try and take a look at some of those.

Good luck and best wishes and God bless you for wanting to serve your country. It is a goal worth achieving!!!

Sunni

chubaka, I am sorry for your pain it sounds deep. Sounds like rage at times. I have been there. Food is a comfort but doesn't satisfy. You are going to have to come to terms with the past and forgive those who have hurt you and even yourself if you have done any hurting. Forgiveness can go along way in healing the spirit. Good luck and God bless.

zomg!!!!! I had a bunch typed out and my stupid browser crashed. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

: /

Let me try and remember what all I typed in short version:

texmom <3 (group mom) had a good point about college, going in as an officer beats the hell out of just enlisting.

We aren't going to throw you a pity party here, we all have starting goals of 100+ pounds, 350,000 calories. That's why this group is great. We are very compassionate. We are all here for each other, meaning you can be here for us too. Same boat.

Have you spoken with a recruiter? The military does let people in that are over weight but that % overweight changes usually a few times within every administration, and I don't know what it is currently, but it IS much less than a year ago.

Use the food log, it's awesome - plus you can use the analysis also. Walking is good, but you can do more and you can do it almost every day.

I'll think of more later :)

Welcome!

Hey kdh1221 thanks for your reply.

I have spoken with National Guard & Army recruiters a few times.  I need to get down to 26% BF.  I guess really I just need to get down 9%, so that's not too bad!

I will definitely stick around these forums and offer whatever advise I can.  I have spent countless hours researching nutrition, body chemistry, strength training, dos-and-don'ts, etc...  Sadly I didn't put all of into use!  I will probably get back to the gym soon.  My step-mom is a nurse so gets a discount for our family to go to the YMCA, but I haven't gone in about a month so she said if I don't use it she is going to cancel it... so... I better use it!!

Bill:  I don't have any grudges against people from my past.  People have tormented me, and I have tormented myself, but I don't hold hatred for the bullies or the girls who didn't want to waste their time on me.  In fact, I would not change a SINGLE thing that has happened to me.  I love who I am.  However flawed or damaged, I know that I am ME, and I NEVER try to be someone I'm not.  I never stand down because my beliefs aren't popular.  I would rather die than let my principals fall to the wayside.

Bill (thanks for your posts as well):  I can't say that I eat to comfort myself.  I really gained the weight from poor diet in general and being a couch potato.  Racking up thousands of hours in World of Warcraft when I started High School didn't help my pre-existing flab either (I don't play anymore, though -- thankfully).  My pain is deep, to the point where I don't acknowledge it.  I don't have much surface-level sorrow these days, just lots of hurt that I have locked away.  I don't know that I'll ever be rid of it, but if not then that's fine too -- it makes me who I am.  It makes me more considerate of other peoples' feelings -- not to cause them the same torment that has been wrought upon me.

I am kind of torn on who I really am, as I said.  I have always been a really sensitive person, but as I said, **** relationships have caused me to really harden my heart. 

Hi Chubaka

Welcome to the group..You can tell from the title that everyone here has at least 100 pounds to loss..Some of us are just starting out..Some of us have been at it for a while and are nearing our goal..We all have different stories..Some of us were overweight our entire life and some of us gained as an adult..Some are young and some are older..But we all have one thing in common..We all desire to be thin and healthy.

This is your chance to get on track to reaching your goal..This site has wonderful tools for making yourself accountable to first and foremost - yourself.

The groups are people just like you..We have all had issues due with our weight..Unfortunately, society DOES judge on how we look...But more important is how we judge ourself..I think you are showing such charactor for having such a wonderful selfless goal..Our country would be proud to have a young man like yourself to represent us.

The other's who commented are right..You have already achieved a goal just by keeping lost weight off for so long.

I hope you stick with us..Give it a chance - use the tools and join us in the group discussions.

Hello,  I am so glad you made this post.  What an amazing reason to want to loose weight.  Military is a great honor and I wish you the best of luck and more over the strength you need.  You have a great start.  I wish I could say the same for myself or my husband for that matter who is (6'6" & 400).  I am cheering for you!!