Learning to live again.

ComebackKid

New member
Hello all,
I came here today, the day before my birthday, to say that I have finally had enough. While not skinny in high school I was in decent shape. I was defensive line on my school's football team and threw shot-put and discus on track. I ate like any teenager, pizza...burgers...etc., but I did not eat to much. Then came college.

I went away to culinary school and grabbed a job working full time as a line cook at a local hotel. Between the massive days (up by 5:30 for the commute to school, work by 3 pm which got out at 11:30) and the absolute abundance of any food you can possibly imagine I started to put on the pounds. I was tired, lived for my job and school, and ended up falling into a steep depression. I had ballooned from 190 lbs to 250 in around 3 years. I had 2 girlfriends leave me (not that I blame them) which furthered the cycle of self abuse through food (a.k.a emotional eating) and working more hours.

After college I took a job as a sous chef and after a couple of years of that I became a corporate chef contracted out to a private college. I lived for my work, 80 our weeks and lots of rich foods. At my yearly physical my doctor told me that if I did not cut way back on my stress levels, the rich foods, and start getting some exercise I was cruising swiftly towards type 2 diabetes. I am not sure why but something in my snapped. I immediatley went out and quit my job.

I am currently hovering just above 300 lbs and work a 40 hour week M-F in a cushy little insurance gig. We have a fully equipped company gym and nutritionist on call. In a few months I am moving to Phoenix, AZ and I am starting my life fresh. I want to drop the weight and feel good about myself again....where do i go from here?

Thanks for your time,
The Comeback Kid
 
Wow, amazing story you have there. Weight seems so easy not to keep track of when it's going up. There are so many things you can do to get you in the right direction. I'll name a few.

1) Use fitday or alike program to track your calorie intake
2) Talk to that nutritionist and develop a plan
3) Make healthy lifestyle decisions Ones that you'll never stop doing
4) Get that exercise in for sure, A more active lifestyle

I let jobs get in the way of my health as well. Got up to 350+ before I realized what was going on. I'm down to 272 now, it all came off pretty fast. I found that keeping weight off and being healthy isn't about following some fad-diet. It's about making the right decisions every day. A few big ones for me: To drink water instead of all the soda and other drinks I used to, focus on whole-grain or whole-wheat carbs, and getting back into the gym was a huge one for me. It was actually pretty easy for me, after giving myself guidelines for a few weeks I got into the groove of things and after 3-4 weeks you just get in the habit of making healthy decisions.

I wish you the best man!
 
Your story is a lot like mine. I wasnt skinny in high school, but played basketball year round and did shot and disc year round. The week I moved to where I go to school I was in a car accident that completely whacked my back out. Now, two years later, I have put on over 100 lbs. and it has gotten to the point where I am depressed all the time and hardly ever happy. It has put a strain on my relationship with my boyfriend of 3 years and I'm hoping that I can start to change that now. My advice is just to start off slow. Walking is wonderful exercise and it is a peaceful way to connect with yourself. Of course starting to eat better is another key, but dont try to put yourself on an unrealistic diet because those just never work. Instead of a burger from Wendy's, for example, get a salad. You have an advantage in that (from what I have gathered) you know how to cook it all so use that to help yourself eat healthier. I hope this helped a little and hang in there!
 
Ooooo, I bet with the cullinary experience you should be able to come up with all kind of tasty, low fat & low calorie healthy things to eat. There's always a need for that in the world.

Welcome to the forum!
 
:iagree:

Those above me pretty much summed it up. You are here, which shows you are ready to make a change. I can't recommend enough that you take FULL ADVANTAGE of that free gym. After a few weeks you will be addicted to it ;)
Best wishes and hope to read more about your journey!!!
 
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