Severely Obese

Hello Everyone,

I discovered this site today and have spent a considerable amount of time discovering all the tools available.  I am very impressed and anxious to continue on.  Hopefully with the tools here I will make it happen.

I have allowed myself to become severely obese.  At 57 years old, it is just incredible to me I am so overweight.  I tend to think of myself as a strapping fit and athletic guy, but one view in the mirror takes care of that. 

As of today I am 330 pounds.  I started at 357 about a year and a half ago.  Every pound loss is a chore and an accomplishment.  I am walking two or three times a day for 15 minutes each time.

Nonetheless, weight loss is a very hard thing for me to do.  I quit smoking over 15 years ago and this weight loss battle is much harder.  I have been up and down and up and down and so on.

I just wanted sound off to say here I am and I am trying to do it again.  This time I will make it.

Welcome glennzol!  You and I share a similar starting point.  I started a few weeks ago at 332.  I've already lost about 10 pounds, so I'm pretty excited.  

Weight loss is so incredibly difficult, but the tools here are very helpful!  I've found the people on the forums to be so supportive, and they have lots of valuable advice to share too. 

I'm sure you're going to do great.  Sounds like you're already on your way to a terrific start.   Congratulations on your weight loss so far!  Keep it up!  ^_^

hey glen, i just wanted to pat you on the back for your proactive approach...this site is quite amazing and if used right the results you can experience are terrific...but the best thing is all the people who go out of there way to be friendly and supportive...you can make it my friend, just stay at it!! good luck to you sir!!

Glen,

First of all...good for you!!  The only time you really fail is if you give up.  Don't give up.  Just keep plugging forward.  It's great that you're walking several times a day.  When that is not a challenge you will want to add time.  I walk twice a day and started at 20 minutes a time.  Then after awhile I tried to make sure I got farther in my 20 minutes than I did before.  Eventually I added another 10 minutes to the walk...then tried to speed up, etc.  You get it...you're building your cardio endurance. 

I would also like to encourage you to start doing some strength training.  Get some hand weights and start there.  Do squats without weights if you can.  Pushups - against the wall to start, etc.  Something to build your muscles back up.  As you well know it's the muscles that burn the fat even when we're resting.

I'm proud of you.  It's NEVER too late to start.  You are going to find out just how wonderfully our body responds to your efforts.  I'm amazed every day at how much stronger and fit I am getting.  Faster than I thought I would...my body just continues to surprise me.  Yours will too!

Congrats so far!  27lbs is a great start and the tools and motivation online should help make the road just a bit easier from now on.  Try and push yourself everyday, and if you need any help/tips/ideas, come here and there are always lots of people willing to offer a though, lend a hand or kick you into gear.

Hope to see you around!

Well, congrats on starting and the lbs you've lost already.  There is a post you might be interested to join.  It's the To members who are or were 300+ lbs ....  And it's full of people in all stages of weightloss that started over 300 lbs.  There is definitely a difference going the long haul compared to those only needing to lose 10 lbs (and I say only in comparision here, lol).  So, check it out, see if it's right for you.

Good luck!

I just wanted to say a big CONGRATS on what you have achieved so far, I admire your strength and perseverance! Best of luck with what's to come!

Hello Glenn

Firstly I'd like to say congratulations for what you have acheived so far! I completely understand how smoking and eating are linked- well done for quitting!

I second Topeze's post above about the 300+ group, it is wonderful for support. I started my journey in March 2007 at 330 pounds (as a 6 foot female) and have managed to lose 114 pounds so far. These things take a lot of time and effort but I dont think I could have done it without the support of this site and forums.

Best of luck- you can do it!

You have made the first huge step. Realizing you need to do something and making the commitment to do so. Good for you and it can be done. Slow and steady is the key. I have seen a lot of people want to drop it all quickly. There is not magic pill, magic answer. It is about will power, commitment, clean/balanced eating and exercise. That's it. Start by making slow changes you can live with. Lookup clean/balanced eating on the net and educate yourself about food and what it can do for your body and how eating the right foods can have a very positive impact not only on your weight but over all health. I think many people make the mistake of only calorie counting. They eat pretty much anything but just stay under a certain limit. That may help you loose but not be healthy. Why bother?

Drink plenty of water. Ton's! everyday all day. Choose fresh, whole, unprocessed foods whenever possible. Complex carbs, lean meats, protein, good fats, fresh fruit and veggies, whole grain products. Don't be afraid of fat and carbs. Must have them, they are good for you, just choose the right kind.

Stay away from most simple carbs, fast foods, fried foods, junk foods, diet and fat free foods. ARTIFICIAL sweeteners. Pure crap!

Workout 5-6 days a week. Weight train/lift 3 days (not consecutive) the more muscle you have the more fat you will loose and the faster your metabolism will be.

Good luck!

Thanks for the support.  It is a rough row to hoe.  The goods news is using the tools here I monitoring what I eat and exercise.  I jump on the scale this morning and dropped 4 pounds.  I realize this amount of weight loss cannot be sustained safely day after day and this is only as I get back into the weight loss and exercise program.  But nonetheless, encouraging.  I joined the 300+ group for all to see how I am doing.  It is encouraging to see others doing the same.

You're doing great and you're definitely in the right place!  The tools alone are wonderful and with the support of the community, it's a win-win situation!  If you have any questions or problems there's always someone around who can help you!  It's a tough job losing a lot of weight especially when you reach a certain age.  I'm going to be 50 in August and it's a struggle for every pound. Anyway keep up the good work and hope to see you around CC!

You're welcome and good for you. Keep it up.