Hello Everyone

tonsoffun49

tonsoffun49

New member
Hi everyone. I am new to this forum and I am in desperate need for help. If you don't mind, I'd like to give you my story to help understand my journey to where I am now. My name is Randall (or Randy) and I have been a big kid my entire life. I was born 6 weeks pre mature at 4 lbs 6.5 oz. At circumcision I was diagnosed with Severe Hemophilia A (my blood does not clot which requires me to do self infusions at least 3 times a week or as need for issues). I was small for my age till about the summer before I stated kindergarten when I like doubled in size. Since then I have always been the big kid in class. I was teased through out elementary school and middle school. Because of my Hemophilia I was never really allowed to play sports growing up. I played little league baseball for 7 years which ended during middle school and played backyard football and basketball (which wasnt allowed) but I was always fat.

My first two years in high school I was big in lifting weights and doing light running with friends. I was 275 my freshman year and had gotten down to 258 by the end of my sophomore year. At the end of my sophomore year I started dating my now fiancé. This was the beginning to me skipping weight lifting and running with my friends. Then the beginning of my Junior year I got my drivers license and a car for my birthday. I rode my bike and/or walked everywhere till I got a car. Once this happened I slowly began to gain weight. I would plateau at a certain weight for about a year then gain a few pounds. Well, my fiancé and I have been together for almost 6 years now (engaged for 1.5 years, lived together for 5 years). I am at my heaviest now, 310-315. I am 50 lbs heavier then when we first got together and she is 40 lbs heavier. Our wedding is on June 17th 2012 which gives me a year and a half to get to my goal weight of 200 lbs. I know that is a lot of weight to lose, but I am sick of being like this. I am done.

My problem is I have a few issues. I am not a very big snacker, I don't like to many sweats but I am a chocolate fanatic (issue #1). I work retail which means 90% of my shifts are 2nd shift which means I get off between 9-11pm. When I get home I eat because I am usually hungry after a 8-10 hour shift (issue #3). Because of my hemophilia, I now have joint disease which means the majority of my joints are horrible which makes exercise extremely hard for me (issue #4). I am one of those people who love to be active. I love lifting weights and such, I just cant do it that much any more.

I am looking for any help possible with diet ideas and exercise that is low impact on my joints. My ankles, wrists, elbows and hands (very bad arthritis) are my main issues. I currently live with my dad and he has a pool in his backyard which is what I plan on doing this summer for exercise. My fiance and I have a 2 year old Boston Terrier that loves to play outside and go for walks which is another exercise I plan to do. Thanks for any help.

I'm done making excuses. I'm done being embarrassed of my body. I'm done being ok with how big I am.
 
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Wow, that has to be ruff giving your self blood every week! I love chocolate too, that is my down fall. But I also get migraine headaches, so I don't eat the chocolate that often. I have a big Chocolate Caramel bar in the freezer waiting until I reach my goal. "Shh...I hope no one is listening...don't tell on me TiK." My Ds is selling them for school, I can't seem to win for losing. But I am not giving in to that chocolate Caramel!:toetap05:

Sounds like you are in a lot of pain at times! I don't have a problem with my blood. But I do understand about arthritis! I can tell you what helped me when I was having problems with pain and not being able to walk good at times. I was told to force my exercises. But sounds like you have to watch the kinds of exercises you do, so walking would be a good thing if you can walk. I used a cane to help me walk!

When I got down I started out with stretches while lying in the bed, first thing in the morning before I got up. Then I would start out with light exercises in the floor. Swimming aerobics is good if you can find a class where you live. I go to water aerobics in the summer, very good exercise.

You have no reason to be embarrass about your body. You are in here, that is a start! You are trying to do something about it. My concern would be my health, and don't worry about what people think!

Good luck to you!!:seeya:
 
thanks for the support. I think the thing Ill really have a problem with is my chocolate binges and eating late at night. and to clarify, i dont give myself blood, i give myself a shot of clotting factor. sorry if i worded that weird
 
Welcome to the forum. I love making my own vegetable juice and I think its helping me to lose weight - low fat, healing, raw which is cool. Also start drinking water. Make water the thing you have the most of in the day - you've got to prime your body with healthy habits so you can burn fat.

The hardest part, having this huge challenge to meet all by yourself, gets better as you use your creativity, ingenuity, determination to get healthy and fit. You are lucky to be in love and engaged to be married!!

I hope you keep posting and find this forum useful for getting you established in your routine. On the juicing front I'd like to offer you this youtube video of the guy who turned me on to this healthy habit, just for the helluvit and I hope you like it. Move your body anyway you can. Remember its toughest and I mean toughest just getting started but you will build on your successes. Be patient and that's where the forum may assist you as you get to know people here. Enjoy!
 
Hiyas Radall,

Welcome to this site, and congrats for taking charge of your life. Since you have arthritis I would recommend you try exercising on an elliptical machine. It is very low impact on your joints, and as you get fitter you can increase the intensity to fit your needs. What kind of chocolate do you eat? If you are used to snacking on milk chocolate why not try eating dark chocolate instead? Dark chocolate does have some nutritional benefits and it is a better cheat treat than milk chocolate. If you have the time start taking your dog for hour long walks. Take your fiancé with you on those walks, and you both can spend quality time together while you exercise. The time will fly by. Working out in your dad's pool would be a great way to exercise. Your body is lighter in there so there is a lesser impact on your body. Do you keep a food diary? It is great way to really look at what you are eating and will help you make better choices. Happychubbette gave u great advice when she suggested you try juicing. It is a great way to pump healthy nutrients in your body. Start doing some light resistance training. Let your body start to adapt and then increase the weight as you get stronger. You have to really take inventory of what it is you are eating. Try to go for lean protein, healthy grains, cut out the refined carbs, watch your portions, and limit as much saturated fats as possible. I wish you the best of luck. :)

Stay motivated, and don't give up. You're worth it.
 
Thanks everyone for the kind words. Im really starting to notice how much junk I eat every week now. No wonder ive been this big for so long. What Im worried about is that if I start to eat a ton of veggies and fruits that I wont ever feel satisfied or full. I've never been too big on eating fruits and veggies tho. I think Im going to try juicing this next week.
 
veggies and fruit have a lot of fiber so you will definitely start to feel fuller. I can eat a couple of servings of pasta back to back but whenever I add a bunch of broccoli florets to it I feel full with the first serving. Try to eat healthy meals with a lot vegetables. Fruits can be a healthy snack or you can add it to a healthy protein shake for more fiber. You can also add cut up fruit to cereal, salads etc. On their own I don't know if they would be very filling for you, but as part of a healthy diet they will definitely fill you up.
 
Thanks Zera

Happychubette - Do you own that guys DVD? If so is it worth buying? Y fiancé and I were just going to buy a book. Also, that youtube video made it seem like all you do is drink juices, smoothies and eat salads every day. Is that healthy? Shouldn't there be meat somehwere?
 
The elliptical is a decent machine for the joints, as it's zero-impact. One of my favorites.

I, too, am a late-night eater (just based on when I get out of work); it's all about orchestrating a key eating schedule; time your hunger just right.

Best of luck to you; welcome to WLF :)
 
Well, I had a long heart to heart with my fiancé today. We both agreed that a strict diet is what we both need. We went to my work (Best Buy) and ordered a really nice juicer (income tax money) that will be here in 8 days. That gives us one more week of normal eating before we start. I feel really good about this.

Also, with this juicing diet, what else can we eat? Is it ok to drink crystal light?
 
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I am not so sure about suggesting an elliptical machine to somebody with arthritis. The movement carried out on an elliptical is unnatural, going against what your body would usually do. All your weight is in your lower body, resting on your knees and ankles, which then have to put up with the additional strain of getting the machine going. All counter-productive. No-impact doesn't mean much when it comes to arthritis and the problems related to it.

My mother is suffering from arthritis (she's 54), and while she was visiting me, she tried my elliptical machine. Within minutes she was in extreme pain (knees and ankles), and it took several days until the effects had fully worn off.

So I would be extremely careful with an elliptical. Swimming is your best bet, because it puts very little strain on your joints, and you can adjust to what your body can handle without pain.
 
Well my arthritis is mostly in my hands. Just normal joint pain everywhere else because of my bleeding disorder. I have used a elliptical before and love it. But I do now have access to one.
 
tonsoffun49 said:
Thanks Zera

Happychubette - Do you own that guys DVD? If so is it worth buying? Y fiancé and I were just going to buy a book. Also, that youtube video made it seem like all you do is drink juices, smoothies and eat salads every day. Is that healthy? Shouldn't there be meat somehwere?
Click to expand...

That sounds like more of a body cleanse to me than a diet, but if you are eating solid foods such as salads you are still digesting food so I guess its not a hardcore cleanse. Body cleanses are really good to help clean your body of all the toxic stuff in them. They are also really hard to stick to. I would suggest that you do a week trial first then take it from there. As long as you are getting enough calories and nutrients in your body you could always start out by having a healthy green juice for breakfast or dinner instead of an actual solid meal.
 
I mean i dont have access to an elliptical. And what we plan to do is make juices and smoothies for breakfast and either lunch or dinner and have the third meal be solids like whole grain rice and chicken breast or fish or other fresh meat. I cant go without meat. lol
 
Cleanses don't 'clean' your body of anything, the body does that perfectly on its own.

I find juices and meal replacements as part of weight loss quite dubious - are you going to replace two of your meals with that stuff for the rest of your life? Because if not, you're running a risk of putting the weight back on as soon as you stop the juices.

As an addition to your food, yes, that's ok. A vegetable juice has barely any calories (depending on the vegetable) and could give you the nutritional benefit of vegetables without having to 'eat' the vegetables (I do it sometimes because I simply don't like the taste of most vegetables, and the veggie shake goes down easier and quicker). But I would never suggest them as a replacement for any meal.
 
Then what would you suggest. I want to use these juices as more of a filler. I have no idea what I should be eating for all 3 meals to remain healthy through out the day.
 
Have a look around the board, especially the stickies. There is tons of information out there when it comes to what to eat, what's healthy etc.

Ultimately it is down to you though. You have to find something that you can sustain for pretty much the rest of your life, and which works for your lifestyle.

Breakfast could be anything really, as long as you make healthy choices. Trying to lose weight doesn't have to mean going without food, or depriving yourself of anything.

Like cereals for breakfast? Just find one with little sugar, and use skimmed milk instead of full fat with them. Add some fruit for variety. Or try porridge. Or have a sandwich. Or eggs, or a mix of all of the above. Try something like
FitDay - Free Weight Loss and Diet Journal, where you can log all the food you eat, and can see where you can make adjustments.

There are piles of recipes in the 'Recipe' section of this forum, and places like www.fitness.com have tons more, all tasty stuff and reasonably healthy. :)
 
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