Getting into shape.

[pencil_puller]

I don't normally ask, as it pains me to do so, but I could really use any help you folks could offer. I would really like to not have diabetes and, at the very least, being under 300 pounds would at least allow me to not be at an immediate -2/10 if I ever start dating. Plus if I ever have sex having my tits bounce less than hers would be good too.

This really pulls at my heart strings brother. Weight has always been an issue for me. I was 246 lbs and now fluctuate between 186-200. I fluctuate when I fall off the wagon and get back on again. I have read a lot of literature on health and diets. Some of my research has shown that fitness trainers 100 years ago were still arguing the same points as trainers today about diet and exercise.

All of my research has taught me that you have to address the root cause to your weight gain. It could stem from psychological, disciplinary, educational, motivational, or medical issues. The weight will come off if you address one or more of those issues.

The key is to think small (smaller than you just thought)...and you will conquer the world. Examples: Start with changing just one meal a day (or a week at first). Start with doing just one pushup a day. Little steps and build on it each day.

I would love to know a typical days menu for you. Also...what is your activity level on a daily basis? Any current health problems?

 

[Dontrike]

All of my research has taught me that you have to address the root cause to your weight gain. It could stem from psychological, disciplinary, educational, motivational, or medical issues. The weight will come off if you address one or more of those issues.

Probably would be discipline, and not having a great reason to get skinny. In the past it was a girlfriend, but without that there isn't much of a reason.

The key is to think small (smaller than you just thought)...and you will conquer the world. Examples: Start with changing just one meal a day (or a week at first). Start with doing just one pushup a day. Little steps and build on it each day.

I would love to know a typical days menu for you. Also...what is your activity level on a daily basis? Any current health problems?

I'm starting to do better with the food in the past week. Going back to more of my normal food, but I'm still having issues on that.

My normal was something like this.

Breakfast - Cereal, 1 or 2 pieces of fruit
Lunch - Egg wrap, 1 or 2 pieces of fruit, peanut butter toast
Dinner - Salad, sandwich, 1 or 2 pieces of fruit

There is some special cases. I was making some sort of pasta every week that would last a couple days for me and another person. Depending on what type I would add vegetables and chicken to it. I would also make rice and add the two I mentioned before. There is also the week I would make chicken and just have chicken wraps and salad.

Lately though there has been a lot more microwaved stuff. I work a third shift and do something for about 4 hours before some of those work days, as I need something quick before work. There have been many meals where something was microwaved, like pizza rolls or chicken nuggets, and there has been more pizza as of late.


No real health problems, besides what I was worried about in that quote. I have been noticing that my right foot and my sack has been vibrating for some reason. Just pulses vibration for about a second, stops a second, and does it again, and my foot is colder than the other one during this time. Not real sure what that has been about. After that there is nothing that I know of.

 

[Dontrike]

Forgot to mention my activities.

Unfortunately I am not doing much besides what I do at work, which is cleaning so there is a lot of walking around involved. Not much else I am afraid, still going through the last stretch of my physical therapy from when I was hit by a car in July.

Before that I was lifting weights mostly. When Spring/Summer comes back around I will be getting a new bike and start cycling again. I did not enjoy missing out on a good summer of that.

 

[pencil_puller]

Probably would be discipline, and not having a great reason to get skinny. In the past it was a girlfriend, but without that there isn't much of a reason.

Discipline can be tough to apply on a daily basis. The discipline to work out everyday is nothing more than making it a habit. Like heading straight to the gym after work everday or not sitting on the couch until you do 30 minutes of cardio.

The reason to get skinny has to come from inside you...not an external source. Like "I want to be skinny to avoid diabetes (keeping my sight and lower limbs) and prolong my life." You won't stick with it if you do it for someone other than yourself.

My normal was something like this.

Breakfast - Cereal, 1 or 2 pieces of fruit
Lunch - Egg wrap, 1 or 2 pieces of fruit, peanut butter toast
Dinner - Salad, sandwich, 1 or 2 pieces of fruit

I don't think carbs (like fruit) are bad, but I will tell you what works for me. I try to choose foods low on the glycemic index. I mostly stick to vegetables that grow above ground and a meat source with some fat (dark meat turkey, duck). One thing to watch is the added sugar in a lot of foods (like peanut butter) and limit fruit to one serving per meal.

and my foot is colder than the other one during this time.

I am not trying to scare you. That issue could be caused by a lot of things. Like the accident. Have you been checked for type 2 diabetes?

 

[Dontrike]

Discipline can be tough to apply on a daily basis. The discipline to work out everyday is nothing more than making it a habit. Like heading straight to the gym after work everday or not sitting on the couch until you do 30 minutes of cardio.

I meant the discipline for nutrition is where I have problems, mostly because I have zero idea of what is good or bad, past the basics like don't eat candy all day. Getting the habit for working out is something I am much more capable of doing and keeping up with.

The reason to get skinny has to come from inside you...not an external source. Like "I want to be skinny to avoid diabetes (keeping my sight and lower limbs) and prolong my life." You won't stick with it if you do it for someone other than yourself.

I hear this a lot, but I don't think that is necessarily true. Seems I hear a lot of stories that go "I wanted to lose weight for my family/kids". The first couple of times I tried working out it was for my first girlfriend, so that way my tits didn't bounce more than hers, but the time before my accident I think I was doing it just to do it. Sure losing weight was the goal, but it didn't really feel like it did when doing it for someone else.

Personally I am one to believe that I am not worth the effort, so having someone else to do it for usually picks up the slack.

Only reason I stopped this past time was because of the accident.

I don't think carbs (like fruit) are bad, but I will tell you what works for me. I try to choose foods low on the glycemic index. I mostly stick to vegetables that grow above ground and a meat source with some fat (dark meat turkey, duck). One thing to watch is the added sugar in a lot of foods (like peanut butter) and limit fruit to one serving per meal.

I am very stupid when it comes to things like nutrition and dieting. I didn't even know carbs were in fruit and have no clue what "glycemic index" means.

I am not trying to scare you. That issue could be caused by a lot of things. Like the accident. Have you been checked for type 2 diabetes?

I definitely don't have diabetes, although there was a curiosity about my liver at one point, but I never did the test for lack of transportation.

What I believe it was had to be similar to this mild carpal tunnel I have. I probably had some inflammation from being on my feet so much. I did pick up some new souls for my work shoes so that might help and the medication for the carpal tunnel seems to be helping my foot as well.

 

[pencil_puller]

I meant the discipline for nutrition is where I have problems, mostly because I have zero idea of what is good or bad

Okay. My mistake. It seems like nutrition is where you need the most help. Can you afford to see a nutritionist in your area? I couldn't afford one myself, so I spent a lot of my time reading books. I could give you some tips, but keep in mind I am not a nutritionist.

Try to get your hands on a copy of "Eat, Move and Be Healthy!" by Paul Chek. (No affiliation on my part.) A lot of good basic info in that book. Don't get too caught up in his sales pitch for his diet methods. It helps you figure out what kind of fuel to feed your body.

Foods that were bad for my body type just happen to be high on the glycemic index. I indirectly figured it out since he does not mention it in the book. Do a Google search for "What is the Glycemic Index? - For Dummies" and it will give you some basic info.

 

[Toadstool]

Also keep in mind, Dontrike, that you're surrounded by certified nutritionists and personal trainers on this very site who are more than willing to help you out.
Me being one of them.

Your problem is that you don't REALLY want to change.

 

[Qandisa]

I find I'm most successful when I actually make use of tools like MyFitnessPal.

They've just done their list of "101 health + fitness resolutions that rock"

101 Health + Fitness Resolutions That Rock ? Hello Healthy

 

[Dontrike]

Okay. My mistake. It seems like nutrition is where you need the most help. Can you afford to see a nutritionist in your area? I couldn't afford one myself, so I spent a lot of my time reading books. I could give you some tips, but keep in mind I am not a nutritionist.

I have looked them up, but for some reason Google only gives me results in a different state, which is odd as I know I have seen a couple places that are not all that far. Looked them up as dietician, nutritionist, and other versions of the title and wasn't getting much luck. When I see things like "weight clinic" I am not exactly sure if that is what I need, as it more sounds like those that are in dire need.

Also keep in mind, Dontrike, that you're surrounded by certified nutritionists and personal trainers on this very site who are more than willing to help you out.
Me being one of them.

Your problem is that you don't REALLY want to change.

This is most likely true. I don't believe I am worth the effort and I have no real reason to lose the weight. Then if I do lose the weight I think about it and I think "Then what?" What would I use that for?

I find I'm most successful when I actually make use of tools like MyFitnessPal.

They've just done their list of "101 health + fitness resolutions that rock"

101 Health + Fitness Resolutions That Rock ? Hello Healthy

I shall try and give that a look by tomorrow.

 

[Toadstool]

This is most likely true. I don't believe I am worth the effort and I have no real reason to lose the weight. Then if I do lose the weight I think about it and I think "Then what?" What would I use that for?

Believe me, I can tell. And have been able to for some time. This is a much deeper issue.

I hope you're able to look at that and explore deeper into it.

 

[Dontrike]

Right now I am more content with understanding I have these problems and living with them. It has been easier lately than trying to constantly think of new ways to beat them. I know that solution won't work forever, but I think I have found a nice place to relax with them. It is kind of like sitting on a porch and seeing that dead tree you need to take off your property, right now it isn't hurting anything, but you know it will have to come down at some point, either in a controlled manor or it will topple down and take down some electrical wires.

If I had to choose one to focus on first though is coming up with a reason to lose weight, maybe coming up with a "then what?" type of reason as well.

 

[Toadstool]

I see. So you have a mess on your front yard and you think, "ehhh, I'll get to it later." That later might come tomorrow, next month, or in a few years, but unless you can figure out a good reason to clean up your yard, it's gonna stay a total mess.

So, why exercise at all? Why don't you just quit? It's like you take time each and every day to go up and pick up debris of that fallen tree, with no real intention to get rid of the tree that causes the debris in the first place.

 

[akaTrex]

Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them.

Henry Ford



When everything seems to be going against you...
Remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.

Henry Ford

 

[Toadstool]

Life is either a daring adventure,
Or it is nothing at all.

Helen Keller

 

[closed224]

Right now I am more content with understanding I have these problems and living with them. It has been easier lately than trying to constantly think of new ways to beat them. I know that solution won't work forever, but I think I have found a nice place to relax with them. It is kind of like sitting on a porch and seeing that dead tree you need to take off your property, right now it isn't hurting anything, but you know it will have to come down at some point, either in a controlled manor or it will topple down and take down some electrical wires.

If I had to choose one to focus on first though is coming up with a reason to lose weight, maybe coming up with a "then what?" type of reason as well.

I am pretty sure you need to explore the idea that you are not worth losing weight for your self. You definitely need to love your self. I Dont know all your circumstances, but I do know saying that and feeling that leads to nothing good for you.
You are special, and wonderful. If to no one else then to me. As a member of this Gym I value you highly. If you find 1/10 of the value in yourself that I find in you then by God it will be worth doing good things for yourself. YOU ARE WONDERFUL.

 

[Toadstool]

I am pretty sure you need to explore the idea that you are not worth losing weight for your self.

You can replace "lose weight" with anything you might want in life and encounter the exact same block. Losing weight, moving out on your own, finding a fantastic relationship, making new friends, going into business for yourself, cutting off certain ties to people, managing staff....

If you can't see that you are worth it, and deserve it, then you'll never move forward. I'd advocate you take the time you use to exercise and work on your own personal development, if for no other reason than to explore new perspectives and try them on for a time.

 

[Dontrike]

I see. So you have a mess on your front yard and you think, "ehhh, I'll get to it later." That later might come tomorrow, next month, or in a few years, but unless you can figure out a good reason to clean up your yard, it's gonna stay a total mess.

Guess I could have been more clear with that metaphor. I more meant that the tree is all that is left of it, so all you have is just a tower of wood. On the outside it looks okay-ish, but you know that on the inside.....who knows. Sure bark can fall off, but for the most part there isn't as much mess, but more something sitting there reminding you.

To be more precise about me being okay with the current depression and negativity it isn't exactly "I will get to it later", but that after many attempts to fix that have not gone right, feeling worse for not succeeding, and worrying about how to come up with ways to "fix" me it has been a breathe of fresh air to think of it differently and accept it like how one would deal with lactose intolerance. Sure you could look at it like me not wanting to get better, but I think this is a bigger step in fixing it.

I know at some point it will probably bite me in the ass, but I am certainly a lot happier now than when I was trying to fix it. For now I think it is what I need, but I will agree that it can't stay like that forever, probably not even for too long.

So, why exercise at all? Why don't you just quit? It's like you take time each and every day to go up and pick up debris of that fallen tree, with no real intention to get rid of the tree that causes the debris in the first place.

In the past 3 times I have done the whole work out thing the reasons for doing them was.

1. Started to do a 45 mile bike ride for my own sanity. Stopped because my girlfriend broke up with me, which is who I was doing it for.

2. Started again to get her back, didn't work out that way, soon I had a mental breakdown and tried to kill myself. (The break up was part of why I was going to.)

3. Started just to do it really. Stopped because I got hit by a car this past July.

The first two times I had external sources, although the 1st one was more of a mix. The 3rd one though I didn't really have a goal, sure losing weight was part of it, but I didn't have much of a finish line planned out nor a reason past "just so people don't think I am doing absolutely nothing". Now I am not sure why I didn't quit with the 3rd one, perhaps nothing major happened in my life to put me down or it became so much of a habit that I didn't think about it anymore. Not sure.

Without making this response too long. I think I have always wanted to be that me that I always imagine me being. No matter what I always envision me just being skinny and I must remind myself that reality is about 150 pounds off, but then I have to ask "If I am not going to use it, why get it?" What would I use being skinny for?

I am pretty sure you need to explore the idea that you are not worth losing weight for your self. You definitely need to love your self.

Thank you for the kind words.

I have tried a few times to look into these things. I did seem to have some success back in 2013, but the person I was seeing stopped practicing to go back to school and I followed with trying pills, but it didn't really work for me, at least it didn't feel like it, after about two months, plus I am not a fan of those types of pills.

 

[Dontrike]

Found out that a new gym opened up about a mile from me, so once winter ends I think I might join it even if I don't entirely like how Planet Fitness is run.

In injury news my shoulder rarely hurts anymore and my knee is slightly better, but it is still annoying on occasion.

 

[Jaw Breaker]

Found out that a new gym opened up about a mile from me, so once winter ends I think I might join it even if I don't entirely like how Planet Fitness is run.

Planet Fitness is a garbage gym. Their DBs go up to 65-75 depending on the gym, the one near me you're not allowed to bench more than 100, there's pretty much only machines, no squat racks, and you're not allowed to grunt or exhale loudly or someone sets off the "lunk alarm"...

The CEO himself said he banks on people NOT going to the gym ... because it's so cheap, people are less likely to cancel their memberships even if they're not going. Just the idea of having one keeps them paying. They have pizza days and bagel days ... they have tootsie rolls on the front counter ... and they banned personal trainers several years ago. In fact, if you get caught training someone one on one, they'll ask you to leave.

I wouldn't support that company based on principal. They claim to be a "judgement free" zone and yet they judge anyone that's even remotely close to reaching ... or have reached their goals.

However, I must say ... they have an ungodly amount of treadmills ... so if running is your thing, it's perfect. I can't, in good faith, support them with my wallet, though.

 

[Dontrike]

I have certainly heard a lot of not so great things about Planet Fitness as well, but I figure they may have plenty of stationary bikes, which would allow me to train for any cycling I want to do.

Gyms are usually a huge scam, pretty easy to make money when over half of your costumers just give you money without wanting anything in return.