I miss the fitness threads and the fitness Doms!

[BiBunny]

As bad as I hate to admit it, I've nearly hit the point of no return. I keep slowly putting on more and more weight, and I'm getting old enough that it's starting to tell on me.

I have not been kind to my body over the years. I was very athletic when I was younger, but I never got proper treatment for any of my injuries, so those are all coming back to haunt me now. There's nothing I can do about the aging part, but I suppose if those joints didn't have to haul so much lard around all the time, they'd probably be a little more forgiving.

I'm 5'10" (178 cm if Google's correct). Until I went on Depo my sophomore year in college, I never weighed more than 180 pounds (82 kg) on a large-boned frame. I refuse to write how much I weigh now because it embarrasses me, but I wear a US size 22 pants and even larger shirts (because of that whole giant tits thing), so you can probably guess how terrible it is at this point.

Seems like I post in this thread every year about how I'm really gonna lose weight this year, but over the years, I've just crept up and up and up. Too many broken promises to myself, I guess. There's no guarantee I won't do the same thing this year, too.

But there is something sobering about realizing your body is literally breaking down under your own weight. I was never thin, but up until a few years ago, I've always been strong. I don't even have that to cling to anymore.

I've done so much work mental health-wise over the last couple of years that it seems silly to neglect physical health at this point. What's the point of being relatively mentally healthy if you're too fat and worn-out to enjoy it?

So, anyway..."My name is Bunny, and I'm a fat ass."

 

[Keroin]

For those who've resolved to lose weight/get healthier in 2013, the single best piece of advice I can offer is to take it slow. Focus on making one small, positive change at a time, not trying to overhaul your whole life at once. And instead of thinking of what you can't have or what you shouldn't do, think about what you can "add" to your life, your fitness routine, your diet to make it better.

OK, maybe that's two pieces of advice, lol.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

As bad as I hate to admit it, I've nearly hit the point of no return. I keep slowly putting on more and more weight, and I'm getting old enough that it's starting to tell on me.

I have not been kind to my body over the years. I was very athletic when I was younger, but I never got proper treatment for any of my injuries, so those are all coming back to haunt me now. There's nothing I can do about the aging part, but I suppose if those joints didn't have to haul so much lard around all the time, they'd probably be a little more forgiving.

I'm 5'10" (178 cm if Google's correct). Until I went on Depo my sophomore year in college, I never weighed more than 180 pounds (82 kg) on a large-boned frame. I refuse to write how much I weigh now because it embarrasses me, but I wear a US size 22 pants and even larger shirts (because of that whole giant tits thing), so you can probably guess how terrible it is at this point.

Seems like I post in this thread every year about how I'm really gonna lose weight this year, but over the years, I've just crept up and up and up. Too many broken promises to myself, I guess. There's no guarantee I won't do the same thing this year, too.

But there is something sobering about realizing your body is literally breaking down under your own weight. I was never thin, but up until a few years ago, I've always been strong. I don't even have that to cling to anymore.

I've done so much work mental health-wise over the last couple of years that it seems silly to neglect physical health at this point. What's the point of being relatively mentally healthy if you're too fat and worn-out to enjoy it?

So, anyway..."My name is Bunny, and I'm a fat ass."

Bun, never give up. I'm not saying this as a platitude. I have a good friend (not my age; she has teenagers) who has worked SO HARD to lose weight (and she started pretty hefty). As she was in a similar situation where she was physically worn out to the point where sufficient exercise was difficult (in addition to hormonal factors), she went to a quality physician and had one of the temporary-type procedures for decreasing your stomach size (I don't know which one).

It wasn't fun for her, but her hard work and dedication is paying off day by day, pound by pound. She's not doing any single thing more than I think anyone is capable of doing...she's not being Exceptional. She's just doing it. and she's DOING IT.

This is just the most extreme example I can think of out of the people that I personally know. There are plenty of other people out there that are no more exceptional than any one of us. So...I guess my point is that you shouldn't give up on yourself. If you're happy the way you are, that's fine but if you're not, it is NOT too late for you to accomplish your goals!

Man...now I'm all amped up...and totally regretting these fatty potato skins I'm eating... >_>

 

[BiBunny]

For those who've resolved to lose weight/get healthier in 2013, the single best piece of advice I can offer is to take it slow. Focus on making one small, positive change at a time, not trying to overhaul your whole life at once. And instead of thinking of what you can't have or what you shouldn't do, think about what you can "add" to your life, your fitness routine, your diet to make it better.

OK, maybe that's two pieces of advice, lol.

However many pieces it is, it's good advice and not just for losing weight.

Bun, never give up. I'm not saying this as a platitude. I have a good friend (not my age; she has teenagers) who has worked SO HARD to lose weight (and she started pretty hefty). As she was in a similar situation where she was physically worn out to the point where sufficient exercise was difficult (in addition to hormonal factors), she went to a quality physician and had one of the temporary-type procedures for decreasing your stomach size (I don't know which one).

It wasn't fun for her, but her hard work and dedication is paying off day by day, pound by pound. She's not doing any single thing more than I think anyone is capable of doing...she's not being Exceptional. She's just doing it. and she's DOING IT.

This is just the most extreme example I can think of out of the people that I personally know. There are plenty of other people out there that are no more exceptional than any one of us. So...I guess my point is that you shouldn't give up on yourself. If you're happy the way you are, that's fine but if you're not, it is NOT too late for you to accomplish your goals!

Man...now I'm all amped up...and totally regretting these fatty potato skins I'm eating... >_>

Thank you, BBE.

I can still do things, but I just suffer for it later. On the other hand, I know if I keep letting myself go, I'll get to the point that I can't do them at all. I don't want to go that far over the edge, so I'm going to try to do...something.

Oh, and just consider those potato skins fuel for all that exercising you're going to be doing this week.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Oh, and just consider those potato skins fuel for all that exercising you're going to be doing this week.

Lol, unlikely. My left foot is busted up and my shoulder joints are hurting today so I'll probably take some days off. I'm not too bent out of shape about it. I have kind of a "two steps forward one step back" pattern to my weight loss progress. I keep moving forward and that's what matters, right?

 

[BiBunny]

Lol, unlikely. My left foot is busted up and my shoulder joints are hurting today so I'll probably take some days off. I'm not too bent out of shape about it. I have kind of a "two steps forward one step back" pattern to my weight loss progress. I keep moving forward and that's what matters, right?

Right.

I'm sorry about your aches and pains, though. Come to think of it, I've never known anybody who rode/worked with horses regularly who didn't have wonky shoulders. Job hazard?

Anyway, feel better soon!

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Right.

I'm sorry about your aches and pains, though. Come to think of it, I've never known anybody who rode/worked with horses regularly who didn't have wonky shoulders. Job hazard?

Anyway, feel better soon!

I never really noticed/thought about it...my shoulders have always been shit, though. 'course, I've ridden from a fairly young age, too. *Shrug* who knows.

 

[JamieJ424]

First of all, there is no point of no return.

Second of all I think part of it is the societal view that exercise is work, and unless you're sweating and miserable in clothes that make you self conscious, and wake up the next day unable to move comfortably, you aren't accomplishing anything. That is horse hockey.

I have worked with people who decide they are going to 'join a gym and get healthy,' and in spite of a true desire to improve the quality of their lives, they almost always stop showing up, stop answering the phone when I call. I think the way to start is to keep it simple with little changes.

Park at the far end of the lot whenever you go to work or shopping. Take the stairs instead of the elevator if its just a couple of flights...I know a guy who did these just two things and lost 20 lbs in three months. Once you see that glimmer of improvement, it gets easier to commit more time and energy to being healthy.

J

As bad as I hate to admit it, I've nearly hit the point of no return.

 

[intothewoods]

The thing is that everyone has a slightly different formula for weight loss success, and you have to figure out your formula. I mean, it's not rocket science and it's not going to be wildly different from the basics -- calories in, calories out, limit "bad carbs" and all that -- but some people need to be really strict and go gangbusters for a period of time and some people feel defeated by that and want built in cheats and all that. If you're a foodie, frozen lean cuisines ain't gonna cut it. So, look at your past "failures" as information. Use it all to your advantage. But do take this shit seriously in terms of your health. Be committed for the long haul because it's your life and it's your health.

 

[BiBunny]

First of all, there is no point of no return.

But there kind of is.

For extremely large people, there comes a point where exercise speeds the destruction of the joints simply because our joints weren't built to hold that kind of weight. That's how you get 700-pound people who can't move at all. People say, "Oh, they didn't get like that overnight," and, sure, they didn't. But once they topped that hill, there wasn't a whole lot they could do anymore.

I am not quite there yet, but I have an ankle that I destroyed when I was 14 years old that gives way on me a lot more than it used to. I'm developing plantar fasciitis in my feet. If I continue down this road, I will get to the point where I cannot walk at all. That's what I'm hoping to avoid.

As BBE mentioned, there are medical interventions that can help, so theoretically, I suppose anyone can be helped at any stage. But I don't have health insurance, so that rules out most anything my doctor could do for me, simply because I can't pay for it. This is on me, and I have to do it now before I get to the point where I can't do it at all.

 

[ViviLeigh]

I caught this, http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/50333293/ns/today-books/t/-hour-diet-watch-clock-lose-weight/#.UOTMzRxuhZc on the Today Show this morning and thought it was interesting. Basically you have eight hours of the day to eat and sixteen hours to fast each day.

I have an account on Weight Watchers online that I use and out of curiosity I tried this "8 hour diet" today. I ate without "counting points" for the day only restricting the time of day I could eat. After the eight hours was up I calculated my points consumed for the day and to my disbelief I was within my healthy range.
Honestly it seems like another fad diet, but I'm a sucker for those.

 

[jen_litgirl]

I saw this online and thought that it needed to be here with literary lovers.

 

[Bandit58]

My gym was closed for several days due to renovations, Christmas, New Year etc. I noticed myself becoming down, depressed and anxious. Dealing with Sir's health and dialysis every 2nd day seemed to be a huge effort. And being away from family at Christmas wasn't helping.

Back to normal gym hours and new machines and more classes so I am able to get there for my average 3x a week and I'm feeling much better. A boxing class last Thursday morning helped me so much - I boxed and kicked with the instructor so I didn't hold anything back

I'm much more relaxed and feel able to cope again. Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[bhndblueyes88]

A good work out often makes me feel better about life


Aside: You know you're sick when you're eating terribly and actually drop a couple pounds instead of gain it -___-

 

[Homburg]

Bunny! Bill Starr said it best when he said, "Where there's movement, there's improvement." In other words, if you can move, do so. If you do it even vaguely right, you will profit.

That said, and we've discussed this before, find a pool. Ankle injuries SUCK. I've been through more than a few, but hitting the pool with allow you to get some work on without stressing the ankle or the foot. Simply slogging your way across the pool by walking will burn some serious calories. Biking is also a good choice, as is rowing. Both support much of your body's weight on the apparatus.

Personally, I found that increasing strength took the heat off my joints. Stronger muscles allow the muscles themselves to absorb shock, and thus not counting on the joint so much. Glucosamine and fish oil help significantly too.

 

[BiBunny]

Bunny! Bill Starr said it best when he said, "Where there's movement, there's improvement." In other words, if you can move, do so. If you do it even vaguely right, you will profit.

That said, and we've discussed this before, find a pool. Ankle injuries SUCK. I've been through more than a few, but hitting the pool with allow you to get some work on without stressing the ankle or the foot. Simply slogging your way across the pool by walking will burn some serious calories. Biking is also a good choice, as is rowing. Both support much of your body's weight on the apparatus.

Personally, I found that increasing strength took the heat off my joints. Stronger muscles allow the muscles themselves to absorb shock, and thus not counting on the joint so much. Glucosamine and fish oil help significantly too.

Can you just, like, move here and be my coach?

I twisted my ankle in the parking lot yesterday, so I'm even more determined not to end up crippled because it's a pain in the ass to hobble around. My busted up shoulder makes swimming difficult, so I reckon I'm going to have to get myself a bicycle.

ETA: Going to try fish oil. It supposed to be good for mental health, too, so if I can two-bird something, then why not? I also think I've got some glucosamine around here somewhere.

 

[Homburg]

I take 1500-3000mg of glucosamine per day depending on how I feel. I was at 5g of fish oil, but went with the handful method. Seems to be having an effect, and, in worst case, it's fish oil. It's not like it's bad for you.

If normal swimming bothers the shoulder, do water walking like I said. Water aerobics too. Water anything so long as it is more vigorous than floating.

As to bikes, well, you won't want to hear this, but a walmart bike is a bad idea, especially for bigger folks. You'll wear out the cassette, bottom bracket, etc. See if you can find a used trek, specialized, garry fisher, etc. Something with a good name. I gave away an older steel-frame trek last year. You can find them cheap if you look.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

*dusts self off and puts ice on bruises* *looks at wagon* *promptly lies back down and goes back to sleep*

I think I'm going to give myself a break until, oh, February when my clinic work isn't trying to kill me. -___-

 

[Homburg]

After a month and a half of lay-off from lifting (not racquetball), I hit the gym tonight to start an entirely new program. This year's goal is to work the oly lifts, so snatch, clean and jerk, and the support lifts for these movement.

Wow, SUCK. Front squats are the debil.

My ego hurts worse than any muscle on my body right now.

 

[Ahlam]

Recently I learned that I may have six months to lose the rest of the baby weight and get myself in good enough condition to possibly run around with a bunch of smelly nineteen year-old knuckleheads while carrying 50 pounds of gear. I guess it's the soundtrack to Rocky IV and spandex from here on out.

 

[FurryFury]

Super bad sinus infection, not working out but eating and drinking well.

Just read, Eat This Not That by David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding. Very interesting but I do wonder how much they weigh cost vrs fat / sugar / sodium vrs chemicals used instead of those three things?

Has anyone else read this and if so what do you think?

FF

 

[lostandfound197]

I saw this online and thought that it needed to be here with literary lovers.

Funny! Now I just have to find a book. For some reason I've lost my love of reading...guess I'm too restless to focus. Kind of sad actually. Maybe this would be fun.

For now..I'm going to go justify my $14.99 deal on the jogging stroller and take lil miss for a good ol run again.

 

[lostandfound197]

Super bad sinus infection, not working out but eating and drinking well.

Just read, Eat This Not That by David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding. Very interesting but I do wonder how much they weigh cost vrs fat / sugar / sodium vrs chemicals used instead of those three things?

Has anyone else read this and if so what do you think?

FF

Furry...I haven't read it but never got into that whole eat this instead thing. If you want something..enjoy it..just not ALL of it. I knew I was in trouble this morning when all I could find to eat was a salad. Imagine ranch dressing at 8 a.m. Something really weird about that but I did it. Better than going for the chocolate I really wanted.

 

[FurryFury]

I've always felt the same way. I've been debunking a lot of the book but it is interesting. If something that is actually less fatty can taste as good or good enough to enjoy, why not?

FF

Furry...I haven't read it but never got into that whole eat this instead thing. If you want something..enjoy it..just not ALL of it. I knew I was in trouble this morning when all I could find to eat was a salad. Imagine ranch dressing at 8 a.m. Something really weird about that but I did it. Better than going for the chocolate I really wanted.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

The orthopedist PooPoo'd me, but luckily agreed to at least more imaging (MRI). I want to run. I do not want to turn into a dumpling. but my foot won't let me. WHY WON'T YOU BELIEVE ME.