Massively obese and clueless

MattRiddle

MattRiddle

New member
This is my first post here. The only reason I am posting is because I absolutely need help with my weight.

I am 22 years old, and currently weigh 370 pounds.

I've been really lucky so far, with little to no problems so far. I had heart surgery when I was 13, but that was just to remove a birth defect. Other than that, I've been perfectly fine when it comes to things like diabetes, etc.

I've tried to lose weight my whole life. When I was in high school, I tried going to the gym multiple times, but never really ended up going consistently. Since I've been in college, it hasn't been any easier. My mom was able to acquire me a used treadmill, which I walked on for a while, and lost 15 pounds, but sooner or later got tired of it and gained back about 10 pounds. I am pretty good with maintaining my weight, but I know that maintaining is not the right direction. I need to lose the weight, and lose it before it kills me.

Me and my mom are relatively poor. My mom is the type of person that buys what she wants to eat, and tries to treat me to food that she thinks I want to eat, and we end up with a refrigerator filled with microwavable meals and desserts. There is no way to argue with her, and she will never change how she shops.

I don't eat that much. I usually have a very small breakfast, with basic breakfast things like cereal. For lunch, I usually eat a few sandwiches (2) and a small snack like a jello fruit cup. For dinner, I usually eat a microwavable meal. I usually have a snack later in the night before I go to bed because I usually get hungry after 4-6 hours.

I don't think my diet is a huge problem. I don't eat that much really. I feel my shortcomings is in the exercise area.

Like I said, I have a treadmill, but it's a pain to use. I had foot surgery a year after I had heart surgery, and my left foot is in bad shape. It's hard to walk for any amount of time, but in the past I've been able to pull off an hour walk going around 2.5 miles per hour (on average). But it's so boring, and there isn't a way to spice it up. it's impossible for me to do this consistently, and I really don't see it helping that much. The treadmill says I only lose around 70 calories for walking for an hour, but then a microwavable meal packs 300+ calories, and it's like the whole hour of walking was wasted.

So I've come here, looking for any answers. I don't know what I can do, but I know I would drop everything in my life (other than my family and friends) if I could lose the weight and be normal for once in my life. I haven't had a single chance to experience the normal things in life, and I want to experience those things.

Any advice would be great.
 
You want honesty? when it comes to losing weight - Diet is the lions share of it... you don't think your diet is a huge problem? you wouldn't be 370lbs if that were the case...

My starting weight was higher than that and until I sat down and recorded what I was eating (and I would have sworn on astack of bibles I ate healthily) I didn't know how many calories I was taking in - Once I got my diet under control and started weighing/measuring and recoding what I was eating... the weight started coming off.

Start by getting an account at .. and keeping track of you calories.

Start by reading the stickied threads in the nutrition forum and figure out a good calorie range for yourself (news flash - it's not going to be 1200-1500 calories as usually reported by the media :)
Start by giving up sugary drinks etc - and drink water...

One of my favorite quotes that I use here quite frequently, is that a waterfall begins with aasingle drop of water -and look what it becomes - Starting somewhere is your drop of water and build one change at a time and you will have that waterfall.
 
MattRiddle said:
It's hard to walk for any amount of time, but in the past I've been able to pull off an hour walk going around 2.5 miles per hour (on average). But it's so boring, and there isn't a way to spice it up. it's impossible for me to do this consistently, and I really don't see it helping that much. The treadmill says I only lose around 70 calories for walking for an hour, but then a microwavable meal packs 300+ calories, and it's like the whole hour of walking was wasted.
Click to expand...
Your treadmill isn't telling yuo the truth as regards to calorie burnage.. ;

while nothing is going to be precise


will give you a better estimation

60 minutes at 2.5mph at your current weight

You walked 3.00 miles, and burned 505 calories...

That might be a little high, but you've burned far more than 70.

It's the consistency that you really want to focus on.

60 minutes might be tough to do - but what about 25 minutes every day and then build up from there...
 
I do drink only water. I never eat chips, cookies, ice cream, candy, etc, etc. I rarely eat fast food, maybe once or twice a month. I normally eat regular food like meats, breads, salads, and cheeses. I'm not trying to say my diet is great, or even good, but it isn't the diet you would expect of a 370 pound person. Or at least I wouldn't.

I wouldn't say my diet got me where I am. Being bed ridden for two straight years (heart surgery back to back with food surgery) helped a bit. Majoring in digital media and sitting behind a computer for who knows how long each day helps a bit. Again, my diet isn't the best, or even good, but my diet isn't the whole reason I am my size.

Consistency is hard. My current walking regime is never fun, never exciting, and never entices me to do it again.

I walked an hour a day for like 3-4 good months and only lost 15 pounds. I want to lose 100+ pounds. How can I do that? I know it will take time, but the treadmill can only do so much.
 
it's taken me 20 months to lose almost 200lbs -and I'm close to twice your age...

for the first 8 -10 months, walking was my primary form of exercise...


It takes consistency with exercise and with your food intake...

Get an account at and keep track of your calories. I too never ate fast food, rarely ate junk food, never drank sugary sodas or juice, and thought my diet wasn't a problem... Until you start keeping track and knowing what you're putting in your mouth - you don't know that for certain.

Do you know how many calories you're eatiing in a day

Have you been cleared by a doctor to exercise?

It sounds like you're eating a lot of processed foods, which are high in sodium and can lead to water retention... You'd probably save a bit of money as well by eating fresher foods and giving up the processed varieties...
 
Hi Matt,

first of all, I am sorry to hear about your operations, it sounds like youve been through a lot.

second of all, weight loss is maths. if what you are putting into your body exceeds what you are putting out (exercise), you will gain weight.

I have a close friend who has always been obese, and she said the same thing to me as you have said. We had both joined weight watchers and she lost a lot of weight, however she didnt understand how she had got so fat in the first place as she believed her diet was pretty good. She believed she was just "born fat". As I pointed out to her, if you really were eating as well as you thought, then why did you successfully lose when you dieted?

You absolutely need to move away from processed food. It is full of sodium, fat and sugar. Low cal frozen meals ARE NOT a good option, and will leave you feeling empty and unsatisfied.

The benefit of being so big (yes there is one!) is that you will lose weight quickly when you start monitoring your diet and increasing exercise.

I find it difficult to fit exercise into my day as I am a single mum with a career, however I have realised that you have to make it a priority in your life. Get up early in the morning if you have to (I get up at 5.45 so I can fit in 30 mins on my treadmill before work).

I know its hard when you are overweight but you can do it! If you just persist for a month, you will create a habit and you will realise how bad you feel when you dont eat well and exercise.
 
Anyone have any ideas on the exercise end of this?

When I lost 15 pounds, many months ago, I didn't change my diet one bit. It was just me exercising everyday.

I've always felt that if I lived in another environment that supported me getting more exercise, that I'd lose the weight quickly. But I can't change my environment, and I have to make due with what I have.
 
Check the stickied threads in the exercise forum -there's some good exercise tips there...

but honestly walking is your best form of exercise at your current weight... Challenge yourself to walk faster - at an incline..

In all honesty, it sounds like you've got a lot of excuses - but you don't quite have the real desire yet to make the dietary changes you need to make...
 
A little bit of tough love, given with the greatest of intentions.

Hi Matt,
Welcome to the forum.
I know you may not like what you are being told right now, but we all have your best interests at heart; and know exactly how unhappy and overwhelmed you are feeling with your situation. We've all been there.
I can hear myself in you.
I used to say, "I don't eat much." It wasn't how much I ate, but what I ate.
I would not eat breakfast...you at least do..well done.
I ate a sandwhich at lunch...nothing awful...
I ate a smallish dinner...fabulous...
I ate either chocolate or biscuits or crisps for supper. Not alot, but enough, that with habitual inactivity, saw my weight skyrocket to 286lbs...not very attractive on anyone, let alone someone 5'2.

You say consistency is hard. I agree, it is. Having said that; please look in the mirror...take a looooooooooong hard look. Look deep into your heart, and see which is harder; a little effort / consistency, or waking up and looking at yourself at this weight forever...
Exercise is definitely something we need to tailor to our likes and capabilities.
You obviously don't like the treadmill; but could you do it if watching tv or listening to music? Would you prefer to put on a music channel or music DVD / CD and just bop around the room. Find what interests you and find a way to incorperate it into your daily exercise. For instance, if you liked museums, you could go to one, and spend the time walking around looking at the exhibits...you have expended some energy without thinking about it! Just an idea, but I'm sure you see what I'm getting at...Any movement is better than none. Eventually, once you have lost some weight, you will feel less cumbersome and more inclined to do other activities to help you lose weight.
I agree with mal...go start a diary. He has given you a great site; you may be suprised at what you are putting into your mouth.
I also agree with tiredaussiemum; try and stay away from the packet items with their excessive salt and sugar. Talk to your Mum and ask her to help you lose weight. If she is not prepared to completely change, she may at least occasionally prepare some fresher / healthier options; but please make her understand you are really serious about improving your health, which in turn will improve your quality of life.

I know these posts may seem harsh, but we want the best for you. Please read the before and after stories, etc. See for yourself the highs and lows you will possibly endure on this journey; but know we are here to help you through. Know you are capable of getting to the other side of this, a much stronger, healthier, and happier person.

Best wishes, Matt.
Elizabeth-Rose
 
I, like you, using walking as a primary form of exercise. I've been doing it for roughly two months and love it! Here's what I do to spice it up.

- Music! Get lost in your favorite beats, buy a cheap, 2nd hand iPod shuffle, rip your fav CDs onto your computer and get 'em on there. You'll be surprised at how lost you can get in the music, time flies.

- I don't use a treadmill, because I find the scene boring. Find a nice route that you enjoy walking (it doesn't necessarily need to be the botanical gardens of Hawaii with the rare butterflies of Indochina, I just walk down to my nearest shopping centre for example).

- Treat yourself for the walk. Note: don't treat yourself in food/drink form! Use something material! For example, every day for my walk, I rent a film at the Blockbuster store, or I buy a iTunes card to download more music for my walks. Sometimes I get something cheap from the guitar shop, some extra pics for my guitar, a new guitar strap, just something to make those boring days less boring!

- Take water, take sips whenever you feel thirsty, it'll keep you hydrated. The last thing you want is to be thirsty as hell just waiting for your walk to end, enjoy the damn thing! If you enjoy it, it's more likely that you'll do it again.

- Wear some nice, comfy sports clothes. Trust me, the last thing you want is a recreation of the London fires between your thighs if they rub, get something loose fitting and soft, use baby powder if necessary.


Hope those tips help, have fun. :party:
 
I know how boring exercise is. As I said, I have a treadmill. Thats boring. I used to be a gym junkie. That used to bore me. I read magazines which dont bore me, while I do it! Another trick to keep your mind occupied is to challenge yourself. I find the treadmill great for that, eg, I will run for a minute. I will run for 2 minutes etc. working out the challenges in your head takes up a certain amount of boredom time too!

It sounds like you are just plodding along feeling like you are being punished. I dont know anything about where you live, but I used to go to a gym and do all sorts of different classes to stay motivated. Matt has given some great advice too :):)

Basically anything that gets your ass off the sofa, is good. What do you do all day? If you study, can you park your car further away so you are forced to walk to class? Throw away your remote and change tv channels the old fashioned way. Go the long way whenever you have to walk anywhere and never use lifts or elevators. It all adds up.

Also, what ever you do, make sure you do weights. this is the true key to weight loss. The more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism. Once you start toning up, your body starts burning fat more quickly, and you have more energy.:party:
 
Everyone is telling you the truth. Walking together with taking careful control of my food and eating healthily is the reason for my weight loss.

I do not have a treadmill. I wear a pedometer all day long and go out for a walk every day. The pedometer challenges me to do more steps.

A lot of experts say that we would be healthier if we all did 10,000 steps every day. It was frightening how many less than that I used to do - and I wondered why I was so big!!!

I never eat microwave package dinners now. I eat proper meals that I cook. There are lots of things that are easy to cook and you can pile your plate really high. I eat lots of vegetables and lose weight while probably eating just as much as I ever used to eat - just it is the right stuff now.

Making changes is never easy - but it is well worth the effort when you see yourself change shape.

Best wishes
Margaret
 
Welcome to the boards.

As far as excersise w/o going to the gym, I do a lot of that. I would never go to the gym so I don't have a membership. But I do a lot at home. I walk outdoors using HIIT. Even in the cold weather. I do that about 45 minutes. On other days when it is snowing or something I have a collection of videos (tae bo, belly dance, kickboxing). On the other days I have a set of free weights (dumbells) and I use those and I have a barbell (which I don't use right now).

As far as the food, I would dump all that processed crap. Frozen dinners may be convienent, but they are so bad for you. And they are expensive. So if you are low on funds it would actually benefit you and your mother if she shopped differently. I know you said she probably won't change but it is worth mentioning it.

You said you are 22 years old. Do you work or are you a student? If you work, perhaps you can buy your own food?
 
Hi again,
The pedometer suggestion is fantastic; and if you could buy your own food, that would be great. If you don't work though, perhaps you could suggest to your Mum that you buy fresh ingredients, and spend a day cooking a selection of meals. You can then pop them in the freezer, and just pull one out and bung it in the oven or microwave...healthy convenience food. I do it occasionally, and make up huge pots of a variety of vegetables, cook a few meats / casseroles, and then alternate the items into foil containers, and freeze them. I have been sick for the past three years, and in a lot of pain, and I can't tell you how big a sanity saver it is when you don't feel up to cooking. Hey, and by doing that, your mum would in all probability, save money.
If she doesn't want to do the cooking, you could. It doesn't have to be gourmet; just healthy.
Food for thought...
Best wishes,
Elizabeth-Rose
 
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Hi Matt,
You have me worried. I hope you are still with us. I know this seems insurmountable, but it isn't. 1 pound at a time, sweetheart, is all it takes.
Please let us know how you are going, and we will help and support you all the way. Don't give up on you...we sure won't.

All the best,
Elizabeth-Rose
 
I am surprised at how many replies this thread has gotten. There must be a lot of people out there that is going through the same stuff I am going through.

I wonder why the world doesn't try to fix obesity before it happens instead of trying to clear it up after it happens? That's me though, taking a microscope to everything.

Uhh, more information? Okay..

I live in a development, where there is a lot of crime. Right off the bat, it shows that me and my mom are relatively poor. Not too bad since my mom got her new job, but still relatively poor. I wouldn't walk around outside my house if you paid me to (actually, I might if you paid me).

I don't have a car, and my mom works everyday from 8am-5pm. I go to school at a community college in my area. My major is digital media, which means I sit behind a computer for 8 hours each day and go home, sit behind my own computer, and then go to bed only to do the same thing everyday. I understand that I am getting no exercise at all, and I guess looking back at that, I'm kind of lucky that I haven't gained another thousand pounds since I've been going to college. I go to school Monday-Friday, and I have to be at school everyday from 8am-5pm, because my mom has to be at work on time and she takes me there and picks me up each day.

Walking on the treadmill isn't hard. I've done harder things. Walking up stairs is hard. That is my kryptonite. I walk up one flight of stairs and it's like I've just fought off a pack of lions, tigers, and bears (oh my). I'm a professional at going down the stairs though. Walking on the treadmill is just boring. I've tried the iPod thing. It helped a little. I've tried the TV thing. It didn't help one bit. I don't like to walk when my mom is home because I get kind of embarrassed to have her watch when I exercise. Not because of how I look, but of how I exercise, I guess. I don't know. I just don't feel comfortable around her when I am exercising. I am fine around total strangers though. Weird, I guess.

So, I don't do that much walking anymore. Since I'm at school all day, and when I get home, my mom is around, yeah. I think the reason I feel uncomfortable around my mom is that she automatically jumps to conclusions. I feel that when I get on the treadmill, she assumes that I am going to lose weight and feel better, but I am more skeptical, and don't really believe that all my walking is really helping me. I can understand the logic that if you burn more than you take in, you will lose, but when you've been overweight since you were 10 years old, you kind of lose track of losing weight since you are so used to just gaining it.

I like to cook, well, I can't say I've cooked that much, but I've dipped into it before, and I like to make stuff. If my mom ever bought the right ingredients, I would love to cook food for the both of us. It's just buying the ingredients that is the hard part. My mom loves desserts and she buys them all the time. When she gets home from the grocery store, she usually gets the standards like bread and peanut butter, some kind of cereal, some deli meat for sandwiches, and then she buys desserts. I personally don't like all the desserts. I've much rather eat real food. But she just keeps buying it and putting it on every plate of food she fixes me. And then she acts weird when i tell her I don't like it. She smokes and I feel she takes all her problems out on cigarettes and desserts. And thus passes those tendencies towards me too. Thankfully, I don't drink, smoke, or do drugs of any kind or I would be in a worse situation.

Anyone have any links to good places to get recipes that are good for you?

Elizabeth-Rose - I appreciate the concern, but there is no need to worry. I might give up on this every now and then, but I end up coming back to this all the time. I don't see myself totally giving up, and the only being that could stop be from going all the way in this is god himself. So if you don't hear back from me, don't worry, I probably have strep throat or something like that, or am caught up in my final project for my major, or am just watching tv or something.
 
I might give up on this every now and then
Click to expand...
Consistency is what gets results - so giving up every now and then hurts you long term.

Figure out a plan that you can stick with forever and you don't have to "give up" Lifestyle change -NOT DIET...

You're not a child anymore - Have an adult conversation with your mother about eating habits and what you do and don't want to eat, or even better, volunteer to do the grocery shopping... and the cooking... I'm sure she'd appreciate the help - or at least some assistance in that area...
 
Hi Matt!!

how are you?

are you eating fruits and veggies? I knew this guy at work who just added fruits and veggies to his diet and lost all this weight! since your mom likes to buy what you like, ask her to get you some! :biggrinjester:

do you walk to your college? thats exercise!

I signed up the fitday, too.. Im finding I eat alot of salt (and i never would have guessed it cause I dont even BUY salt, nor add it to anything EVER) but theres salt in everything, and Im a a huge water retainer....

I read somewhere that your body cant burn fat with a bunch of excess fluid in your body...gotta get rid of the fluid first...

Im gonna try it myself! well see what happens, good luck to you, whatever you decide to do, but it has to be what YOU decide, then go for it!!!
 
I love fruit. Besides meat, fruit is the best food in the world. I usually don't care for raw veggies though, but cooked into something and they are fine. My mom occasionally buys bananas, apples and oranges, which I love. She buys potatoes, carrots, and usually keeps bags of salad in the refrigerator. I like all that kind of stuff, really. I eat some strawberry yogurt here and there, and I guess that is it on the healthy side of things.
 
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