|
2004/04/03, 01:33 AM
In November of 2002 I weighed approximately 405 lbs. At 40 years of age I had, quite simply, hit bottom. I was certainly not suicidal but I can honestly say that I no longer cared if I were to wake up in the morning or not.
I had considered having gastric bypass surgery and did a little research on it but it just seemed so unhealthy and I immediately decided I was going to take a legitimate attempt at diet and exercise.
After some research I had decided to give low carb a try and a big reason for this is that I had never been able to stick to a low fat diet for more than a week. I decided I was going to follow the Atkins method (before it got so popular) and that I was going to follow it faithfully and in fact, if it worked, make it a way of eating for the rest of my life.
It has been 15 months now and in that time I have consumed no refined sugar and no white flour. Today I weigh 203 lbs and am very close to my self-declared goal of 199. I am only 5'8" and am aware that my "ideal weight" would actually be in the 165 lb area but my goal was simply to see that first number in my weight become a 1.
Exercise came slowly but I pushed myself until I made it an every day part of my life. Almost all my exercise to this point has been aerobic exercise (mostly walking). There were days where I would walk 26 miles. For a long stretch of time I was dedicated to walking 15 miles per day.
This of course was quite time consuming and eventually I started jogging. Today my routine is basically 5 miles of walking and 5 miles of jogging each day. Over the past week I have started adding 30 minutes of resistance training to my regimen using my crossbow which is similar to a bowflex.
I want to take the next step now and start building muscle and adjusting my diet to suit my new way of life. I will always eat low carb however and I shall never consume sugar or flour again. I hope there are folks here who will understand that and work with me with that understanding.
I have a lot of questions as my knowledge is limited. I would love for someone to look at my current typical meals and workouts and advise me as to their effectiveness and what needs to be changed (always keeping low carb in mind).
I look forward to your knowledge, experience, and advice.
|
|
|
|
2004/04/03, 08:41 AM
Wow! What a story! Congratulations on being so dedicated and determined - that will carry you on towards all of your future goals!
Many people here are lo-carb, most focus on healthy carbohydrates and avoid processed, refined foods.
Check out the grocery list for a bodybuilder post, it is a list of foods commonly recommended here.
I have many clients who started out their journey with Atkins. That was a good place to learn about carbs and to kick off their weight loss. What I have found is that as they get more into weight lifting, their bodies respond better by adding in some more complex carbohydrates. That is the hardest thing to believe, but once the weight starts going down again, they are convinced.
I won't argue Atkins with you, if you follow the plan, there are good carbs involved and a supplementation program is recommended. I think, done properly, it is an okay plan. It is the pepope who don't read the book and think it is bacon and sausage from here on out that worry me.
Welcome to FT! I wish you continued success in your journey!
--------------
If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
|
|
2004/04/03, 09:44 AM
Holy cow! Congrats on a superb job!
You will get all the support and motivation you need from this site.. in fact, I feel your story was inspirational and motivational!
Welcome to FT!
t
--------------
Tim
"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self."
Aristotle
TimDay@freetrainers.com
|
|
2004/04/03, 10:56 AM
Wow! That's wonderful. Congrats on losing so much weight.
I know how you feel about the scale, since at 250 I also decided I needed to see a 1 at the beginning of my weight. I've lost 56 lbs so far, and as a 5'3" female, that turned out to be alot of something. It took everyone around me telling me though for me to realize it. My goal is 150, and I know I'll reach it now, just like I know you'll reach yours. :)
--------------
Go to the library, check out a book. It keeps me in a job, and you might learn something new. :)
|
