Real Weight loss?

[GoodOlBoy]

OK I admit it. I am one of the ones touting my gut as a real mans physique for several years. However it has gone above and beyond out of control. Last time I had to drag a deer 100 yards my chest very nearly exploded. Saying I am way overweight is an understatement. So much so that I have problems trying to excercise. I have never been this large before in my whole life. Think 5' 11" and 310+ lbs. I fear summer in Texas. Not because of a bathing suit, I am a man = I have no shame, but because when it hits 100+ out there my internal temp is going to be around boiling.

I have a good deal of muscle, but I just cant move around much anymore and that has GOT to stop. I work behind a desk all day. I drive an hour each way to work, and I have VERY little time to excercise like I should have done to prevent this in the first place.

I have found the following answers so far.

#1 Weight loss Supplements only remove weight from your wallet.
#2 The only thing a situp seems to do is test the ability of my couch to hold my feet down (Months I have been doing this).
#3 I don't have the time, or the money for gyms, health clubs, etc and even if I did there are not any within 100 miles of me.
#4 Telling somebody to walk is great. Now with one bad leg and about 100 pounds of excess fat YOU show me how to do it effectively. With 50lbs I could do it, but not with 100.

Alright all that aside, and keeping in mind I eat small reasonable meals and try to stick to the Omega diet the Doctor put me on two years ago I need major help here. I need to loose enough weight that I can move around enough to loose weight. . . . talk about a catch 22. Anybody have any ideas about indoor excercises, that will help, that don't involve the purchase of equipment, with limited space to move about in the house?

Keep in mind I am not lazy. I WANT to move around and get excercise. On the weekends I work in the yard, I hunt and fish, etc. But I have to find a way to drop this weight and the faster the better. Once I have dropped about 50lbs and can actually move around, and work out on machinery, etc then I can go back to using my lunch hour to work out at the company wellness center (Which I was doing last year) However I tried not long ago and I am too big for most of the machinery, two short legged for the excercise bikes (And I mean it sheesh you cant set the thing to where I can use them, I think they ordered them for somebody with legs like a spider monkey) and baring those things there aint a whole lot you can do in there but stare at the people working out.

Anyway. Any ideas for getting fat off quickly at home? I tried to get my wife to buy me a wet dray vac (After all I own several good skinning knives) but she nixed that idea.

Thanks.

GoodOlBoy (Who wants to be 2/3 of the man he is)

[Rocky Raab]

My very good friend, if any of us had the answer to quick and permanent weight loss, we'd be bazillionaires.

The only way (and I'm sure your doctor would confirm this) is to lose a little at a time - for a long time.

I'm 5-9ish and 185 (oh OK, 190) and even I feel a bit gutty. So I'm in the same boat. Which means the damn thing is in danger of sinking!

[GoodOlBoy]

I know Rocky, but I aint asking for a miracle, just for some advice. I know that walking will strip it off faster than anything else. Howsomever with my weight it is hard to walk when it is as hot as it is even now, and the treadmills at the company wellness center have a 225lb limit. . . . . .

Any ideas? I have been trying to do knee bends/squats (Ever heard a knee crack like a gunshot? Thats my timer for how many I can do) I have tried working on Tai Chi (Yes I took a class on traditional Tai Chi in College, it works when you stick with it which I didn't unfortunantly) but again so much weight I cannot really get the range of movement required to do any good. Setups, yet again, only seem to test how far I can lift my 40+ yeard old cast iron and oak couch with the hide-a-bed in it with my feet (approx 8 inches btw) Stationary bikes at the wellness center are mostly the kind with the peddles in front of you, which is great so long as you don't have a big belly. . . . . and are not short legged. . . . . The rest of them are set for somebody approximately 7' 9" and also have a 225lb weight limit. I can lift free weights, but there are only two benches and they are usually in use.

I vow here and now that if I can find a way to do so I will loose at least 70lbs by Christmas!

GoodOlBoy

[Rocky Raab]

Yeah, I know. I wasn't being a smartneck. I DO sympathize.

I think the best thing would be to walk as far as you can. Sweat is heavy, and every little bit helps! As you lose a little, go a little farther. Start with 20 minutes or so: ten minutes down the road and then turn back. Soon you'll be going farther and for longer time.

I know that you know not to lose too much too fast. That's dangerous. A pound a week or so is about right. And keep checking with that doctor.

I hesitate to even bring it up, but they do advertise stuff that's only for the very overweight. Supposedly helps. But ask the Doc about that, not me.

[DogYeller]

GOB, I'm a big boy to, Nov. of last year I was 5'10", 300lb. Now I'm down to about 260. The only way to permanently loose weight, is loose it the opposite way you gained it. You will have to make some drastic changes in your life style. Things that cause you to gain fat are no longer in your diet. That doesn't mean you can't have a good meal. As far as exercise, do some research and find a form of exercise that gets your heart rate up and holds your interest. Try to use the biggest mussels (legs) for as long as you can, when they get tired switch to another set (arms or back). Don't expect to get rid of something, that's been with you most of your life, over night. Mussel burns energy. Fat is energy your body has stored. Starvation diets cause your body to go into a protective mode and it will actually burn mussel before it will deplete the fat supply Bodybuilders call this a “sticking point”. You always need an alternate plan different exercise, different food.

I was a power-lifter for almost 30 years and when I crushed my ankle and could no longer exercise the way I normally did I went from 245 to 300. I was eating healthy food, just too much of it and not exercising much at all.

The only fool proof method for loosing weight is, "eat less, move more".

[Tater]

The fitness guru here on base put me on an exercise program that starts out alternating between running and walking. Each week I run more and walk less leading up to running for 30 minutes straight. You could probably change this to alternating between a slower walk and a brisk walk. I know about bad knees because I'm having the same problem. If this sounds like something that might work for you let me know and I'll email it to you. FWIW. Good luck.

[Montana Cowboy]

Howdy GoodOLBoy
I have to agree with DogYeller. I'm 5' 9" and weigh 185lbs. A little over two years ago I weighed 225. Tried the Atkins diet and it worked for me. I changed my eating habits then and have stuck to it. I do not deprive myself of the foods I like I just don't take a second helping and eat till I'm stuffed. Cut out a lot of the pie, cookies, cake. Ate too much of that stuff. Used to have more than just a serving, now I have a serving and that is it for the day.
Exercise is important. No matter what you do for exercise is better than doing nothing at all. Walking is very good. In short moderation is important. I wish you the best. MC

[GoodOlBoy]

I have been on a decent diet for a couple of years now, and I have really cut out the sodas the last few months and gone to water or tea. However my problem boils down to excercise and I know it. I am at a desk for 8 hours a day. Behind the wheel another 2-2.5 hours, and when I get home I am usually wiped out already.

Yes I know loosing to much to fast can be very dangerous. One of the problems that caused my wife and I to have to go on the omega diet in the first place is that we discovered I was allergic to soy. Try looking at your labels in your pantry sometimes and you will get an idea of what all you can't eat if you have a soy allergy. I never cared much for sweets, and have not been a heavy eater since I was a teenager. Alot of what did it besides the lack of excercise was the sodas. While working on computers and servers I got to where I always had an open soda with me. I figure in a given day I was drinking around 15 cans, and maybe 8 20oz bottles of soda a day, not counting the glasses of soda at lunch at the resturant, etc. I predominantly try to drink water now, although sometimes I do backslide to a root beer/coke/mountain dew. Thankfully I am loosing the taste for them though.

Anyway I will keep the suggestions in mind and keep you guys up to date. I HAVE to do this, I don't have any choice anymore.

GoodOlBoy

[Classicvette63]

GoodOlBoy, If your joints hurt from walking, try swimming. It's easier on the joints and you get to use your upper and lower body at the same time. And there are usually girls with bikinis on at the pool. You seen some of those bikinis nowadays?

Seriously, to me, swimming seems the least like work. It feels more relaxing than running, walking etc., but you still get a good workout.

[Montana Cowboy]

GoodOLBoy
You sound very determined and I comend your for that. It is so easy to gain weight and a bugger to shed it. That is a lot of soda to drink in a day. I never drank much soda and mostly drink water. Folks here have given you some good sugestions. Ya have to keep in mind that what works for one person may not work for you.
On the exercise don't over do it and hurt yourself. Start out with a 10-15 minute walk every day at lunch time and then when you get comfortable with that increase your time by just a few minutes until you work up to where you can walk for a half hour with no problem. Talk to your Doc he will have some good suggestions. Loosing a lot of weight right away is probably not a good thing. If you loose an ounce or two a day I think you are more likely to keep it off. It dosen't sound like much but thats close to a pound a week. Keep us posted on your progress and don't give up. MC

[Wahnie]

I'd definately have to reccomend the Atkins diet. My mother and sister both lost about 50lb on it and my dad lost a good 30. Exercise helps for sure, but remember, small steps. Never push yourself too hard. I learned that one the hard way.

My weight has yo-yoed since I was a child. I am just under 5'10" without shoes and I've gained 35lb since I lost 80lb between June '04 and Feb. '05 (some of you know this story). This summer I am going to try the Atkins diet myself and I'm starting to get back into motorcross, which has helped me lose weight and just overall improve my health in the past.

I know that doesn't really help much, but I will send some G-mail for ya every night.

Good luck!

[GoodOlBoy]

Thanks guys. Wahnie everything helps. I know it has to come off, and I know I have to do it.

Yup Montana I talked to the Doctor, his solution is a prescription way out, which I really don't want. I would rather loose it naturally. I have seen to many people take Phen-phen (my self included years back) and shed the pounds overnight only to have that and more back when the prescription ran out.

It will happen, it has to.

GoodOlBoy

[wrenchman]

I am 5'9" i have been up to 300lbs my suger spiked real bad to 390 so i went on a diabetes diet the first 3 months i droped 60 pounds i have had a hard time sense looseing.
I am at 228lbs i keep going back and forth frome 220 and 228
i cant drop below 200lbs.
Like you i do sit ups every nite and i like to ride my bike every chance i can get i have gone frome a size 44 to a 36 waist .

[Hawkeye6]

GOB,

I'm probably not the right person to preach on weight loss, but let me pass on a few thoughts to you.

First, exercise, or lack thereof is probably NOT the real problem, nor is it the real solution. Its part of it, but not the whole thing. Lfestyle in general is going to be clprit and habits in particular.

If i remember my facts correctly, an hour of reasonable exercise is going to burn ~700-800 calories. There are ~3500 calories in a poun of fat. Do the math and you'll see that it takes something like 4 to 5 hours of reasonable exercise to burn off one pound of fat. I may not be precisely correct on these numbers but I am certain that I'm in the ball park.

You do need to start to get more exercise. That will help, but it will not be the panacea. I'd start with a farily simple goal. Get yourself a reliable pedometer and set a goal or wokring up to 10,000 steps a day. That is ~5 miles and its harder than you think to get that much walking a day in, especially for the desk-bound like you and me. And you with a long commute, too! But it can come in bite-sized increments. park your car farther away from the door. Take a short break in the morning and afernoon and walk around the office, if possible, for 15 minutes. Walk at lunch, or before you go home at night for 30 minutes.

The biggest thing is that you will need to watch what you eat and how much you eat. I can pass some thoughts along to you if you are interested.

Hawkeye

[GoodOlBoy]

I am alway interested.

GoodOlBoy