not sure what to say

Hi I'm 35 male live in Dublin and am abouit 400lb, im not entirely sure as i dont have any scales that weight that much. I want to get down to below 200lb, i dont do much exersice bout we have just got a dog so will be doing walking once im up 4 it. i was thinking of going on a diet that was about 1400 calories a day. just not sure just want to be health and live ilonger for my 2 kids and fiance.

You don't need to go as drastic as 1,400 calories per day. enter your stats into a BMI calculator like this one

http://www.webmd.com/diet/calc-bmi-plus

you didn't mention how tall you were, but a 5' 9" inch male at 400 pounds needs around 4,000 calories per day to maintain that weight. so eating 3,000 calories per day you are going to lose weight. but use the calculator for a better idea of what you need. Walking is great exercise, don't worry about how much you can do at first. you will get better at it over time, congrats on deciding to get healthy for your family and your future, and good luck !

1400 kcal would be WAY too little. You don't give your height but a 35y M at 5'9" and 400 lbs would have a BMR* of maybe 2745 (numbers are very, very unreliable at the extremes) and would use maybe about 3300 kcal/day (without any dog walking).

I would guess that the MINIMUM you should eat would be AT LEAST 2100/2200 kcal and more likely your BMR (double the 1400 you were talking about). However, I really think you should check first with your doctor (all the standard calculations are based on a range around the 'norm' - the central part of the bell-curve distribution that covers all of human kind, while you are very much out in one of the two tails - there's one either side of the central range, one for the massively underweight and another for the massively overweight). 

BMR is what the body needs to keep going without doing anything. Even sitting on the couch watching TV, still more eating, whacks that up (usually) by 20%, hence the RMR estimate of 3300.

PS. Don't forget that Guinness (Beamish or Murphy's, if you prefer) is less than 200 kcal/pint. 

Hello Thanks for the info, I'm 5'8.

Just really scared as i've been overweight since i was 14 and cant imagine myself slim and healthy. I know i will be healthier and stuff just in my mind i cant see it. I always remember i was told if i lost weight i wouldnt be me. My son drew a picture of me and i looked like Mr Greedy from the Mr Men, hes only 6 and it was like a knife to my heart. I guess i'm lucky i dont have and diabetis, blood pressure chlosterol problems. my knees are my one big problem there sick of carring this weight around, there again so am i. I know if i was living in England i would have the option of a gastric bypass but i'm not and i know i gotta do it. at the end of the day, my life depends on it.

You have come to the right place!  There are many many people here who have lost 100-200 or more lbs.  YOU CAN DO IT!!

Please do not allow anyones comments get in your way.  People do not like change but you can not do this for anyone but yourself.  You can not stay heavy for others either.  You are NOT your weight. 

One day at a time please!  Check into CC often and keep reminding yourself that you can do whatever you set your mind to.

This forum is fantastic for advice and encouragement; keep focused and you'll do great!

Also, walking your dog is a good way to exercise - gradually increase it to half an hour a day, then an hour a day, and you'll see a difference just from that.  It doesn't matter what exercise you do to lose weight, as long as you're moving - and it helps if you enjoy the exercise you choose.

You may not be interested in it right now, but perhaps in the future you could look into joining an exercise class of some sort?  I've been taking karate for six years, and while the classes can be really rough, I've watched heavier people gradually slim down from doing an hour-and-a-half three times a week, plus it's fun!  Tai chi is great for starting out, it goes slowly but works all the muscles.

And if a martial art doesn't appeal to you there are so many other options - spinning classes, yoga, dancing, even getting a few exercise videos (turbo jam is great, and p90x is fantastic for the masochist in us) would be a good way to get yourself motivated. 

I also suggest weight lifting to everyone; it burns calories and helps you gain muscle (if you're eating enough calories of course) - the downside is that for the first little while during muscle gain, you'll look a bit bulkier, but then the muscle burns calories at a more rapid rate and you'll lose inches.  Just invest in a couple of heavy weights.  :)

And I know I'm going on and on, but to keep yourself encouraged, get a measuring tape so you can measure your losses, since the loss of inches doesn't always show on the scale. 

More importantly try and enjoy the process; some people treat weight loss as a form of torment and it shouldn't be - be kind to yourself, lose gradually, eat well, move around, and you'll see a change. 

Original Post by incrediblebulk:

Hello Thanks for the info, I'm 5'8.

Just really scared as i've been overweight since i was 14 and cant imagine myself slim and healthy. I know i will be healthier and stuff just in my mind i cant see it. I always remember i was told if i lost weight i wouldnt be me. My son drew a picture of me and i looked like Mr Greedy from the Mr Men, hes only 6 and it was like a knife to my heart. I guess i'm lucky i dont have and diabetis, blood pressure chlosterol problems. my knees are my one big problem there sick of carring this weight around, there again so am i. I know if i was living in England i would have the option of a gastric bypass but i'm not and i know i gotta do it. at the end of the day, my life depends on it.

If you have access to a swimming pool, walking in the pool would be easier on your knees.  Also walking in water (not on water) has more resistance than regular walking and burns more calories.

Check out these sites for your target goals: Men's Nutrition

Phord's Calorie Math

Good luck on your journey for lifestyle change!

Welcome to CC.  You have started your journey in the right place, and you will receive tonnes of great advise here.  Set up your profile, and log your food and exercise daily to get an idea of what you need to be doing to achieve your goal.

Because you are a fellow Dub - I'll share a few tips I've learned along the way:

It's a new lifestyle - and one that we aren't great at embracing in Ireland - just look at the state of the man who's running the country (not to mention our minister for health)!  Done right, it's not temporary and it's not quick.

Weekly or monthly weigh ins are a frightening proposition, but they help to track your progress and show where we are going right and where we are going wrong

If you learn to love to cook - you will enjoy cooking healthy dishes that are packed with nutrition, and I'll bet that your kids will too. It's very important that your family are on board with you for this

Portion control can be key - so even a healthy dinner can be unhealthy if there's too much of it.  It's worth investing in a little small kitchen scales and weighing your portions - I find weighing carbs and fats especially key to keeping calories in check

Ditch the booze - I'm sorry to say, but our national pastime is killing us as a nation.  If you regularly spend evenings at the pub, start to truthfully log the number of pints you drink - you will be appalled at the wasted calories. Losing the gargle will speed your weight loss hugely

I find that it's hard to find a good variety of good quality fresh fruit and veg in Dublin at a reasonable price.  A weekly trip to moore st though should help you stock up on the veggies and some great fish too.

Gyms can expensive in Dublin, but you don't have to join one - the Phoenix Park is 5 miles from parkgate st to castleknock gate and back again....your dog will love you.  And if your knees aren't up to that yet - some of the council pools are great value, and I'm told that the Markewicz council gym is great value all around.

Good luck, and keep posting,

Ax

I think gyms are more hassle than they're worth, not to mention the cost. What with the time spent getting to and from, plus changing time and often waiting time for a piece of equipment.

There are plenty of aerobic/cardio things you can do at home, without any equipment and with much less problem for the knees than running or jogging or even walking. A great one that I just came across today is shadow boxing. Dunno why I never thought of that before - you only have to look at how knackered most boxers are after a few 3-minute rounds. I'll be using it myself as of tomorrow (it's important to have some different ones in order to ring the changes).

If that one appeals, there are some guidance videos for beginners on YouTube.

My own cardio favourites are Wii Fit step aerobics and Wii sports tenpin bowling.

Well sweetie...

None of us can truly see ourselves thinner.. and I guess it's good that it's a slow change.. So, as the weight comes off pound by pound.. You have adjustment time..  I read your comment that said your were told "you just wouldn't be you" well as someones who has been told the same . .. That's soooo much a load of self sabotaging crap.. That's negative brain washing that will keep you fat, and unhealthy.. Ive heard it also.. and to tell you the truth.. It's that brain washing is harder to shake then the 200lbs you want to lose.

People who say that.. are insecure and want you to say the way you are for their own insecure purpose's..

If you get told that comment again.. Tell them "when i die young from being over weight and unhealthy.. I won't be the same person either"

sorry to be soo blunt..  But ive been there...

as for exercise.. just walk right now.. dont worry and dont let people make you think you have to do more then that right now.. At your weight a good walk is a very good aerobic workout.. as the weight comes off.. then look into other options.. I suggest buying a good heart rate monitor.. the type that straps around your chest.. and the monitor sits on your wrist.. A good one will give you calories burned at end of workout.. I think you will be surprised at how much you will burn at first..

Good luck mate.. You can do it

Rainy

Hello

great to see you logged in and making that first big step. you may find logging your calories addictive .... who knows!!!

so, to business ...firstly, 1400 is way to little -  i am only five foot tall and i have 1400 calories. you need a lot more than me!!!! as the fellow posters have mentioned before me, a doctors trip might be in order?? small changes will reap big benefits, no need to go drastic on restricting calories.

secondly- and a big secondly- the gastric band you mention that you could get in england but not in dublin .... the gastric band is not freely available to all who want it. as i understand it, you would have to undertake a certain amount of weightloss , as well as prove a track record that you have been doing all you can to get the weight off. try not to see it as a failed option, but as not an option at all, even if it were magically available in dublin.

on the same note - just as life threatening as you weight is the risk involved in major surgery. surely a diet is much safer, and healthier for you and your family?

food is not our enemy, we don't need to be stapled to stop eating, and by working hard now, you will in turn help your little boy have a healthy relationship with food too. 

blimy, rant or what!! i think you get the gist of my train of thought!!  basically, you are being positive by getting on this site, you are doing it for the right reasons, you are thinking about exericse and calorie expenditure, you are doing so well already.  stick with it, and off load as much as you like on these forums ... its the only place some of us can obsess about our eating plans and not look like lunitics to others. we'd welcome one more.

good luck dude and all the best XX

LOL @ Demerara re: our minister for health!!

Walking your dog is a great way of gently upping your exercise. I'm not a fan of gyms myself, I prefer to save my cash and improvise my exercise- preferably doing it for free! Walking is great as it allows YOU to build up your speeds/stamina (not a fit gym instrutor who's never been overweight/unfit in their lives!) and the fact you'll have your dog as an 'excuse' means your manly image is safe (thats just me kidding with you- picture the walking ladies from Killinaskully!! LOL!)

Most supermarkets have a great 'budget' range of fruits & veg- but I find Aldi/Lidl the cheapest, and they have more of a variety of 'weird' fruit & veg (what the deli's on Grafton St would call 'exotic'!

 I agree with the others that your intake target is way too low. You don't want to place any more strain on your body than you aready are (I don't mean that in a nasty way?) You  WILL need a certain amount of calories to make sure your insides stay healthy. Use the logging tools on here to log your meals- you'll probably find the foods a bit hard to find, but if you're eating mainly fresh unprocessed food like you should then it'll be easier. Wee tricks like eating off a smaller plate (& not piling it high!) and drinking a pint of water if you feel peckish really do make a difference?

I too wanted to lose weight to be around for my kids growing up. I hadn't as much to lose as you, but I'm nearly at target and feel 150% better knowing that I've greatly increased the odds because I got off my backside and did something about it. At the end of the day- it'll be up to you. I'm sure your Fiancee will be as supportive as possible (I hope?) and not try to lead you astray with the odd chinese/six-pack.
Try it for a month and see how you get on. If you make it that long, then you'll be into the swing of it, and hopefully make it to your goal?

Good luck!