My Journey

Shawn2

Shawn2

New member
Hi Everyone. I am a new on here and wanted to share my story. I was 420lbs on June 3/16. I stopped drinking pop and eating sweets and I started losing weight. Over the months I never exercised and I was feeling better but I noticed that my legs, back and other muscles were really limiting me of what I could do. I had spent close to 10 years sitting at my computer and I also was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritus which added to me sitting everyday. The reason I started losing the weight was for my girlfriend who was scared for my health. On Oct 12th she left me and I was lost, I spent days depressed and then just like a switch I wanted to do it for myself. I went down and joined Goodlife and as of today I am at 357lbs. I still have a long way to go but I will do it. I do have a few issues though. One is my leg and back muscles have been buring a lot lately. I know I have spent years not using these like I should but after 2 weeks should the burning feeling not be getting less when I walk or work out? I also have what is called Dowagers Hump from spending years slumped at the computer. I cannot walk now without looking at the ground, when I try to raise my head as I walk it is very uncomfortable. I would appreciate any suggestions or advice.
 
Hi, Shawn & welcome to the forum. Firstly, huge congratulations for going from 420lbs to 357 since June.
Shawn said:
and then just like a switch I wanted to do it for myself.
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Doing this for yourself is the best reason! You deserve to be fit & healthy.
Is there a pool nearby that you could exercise in? Are you able to see a Physio who might be able to give you specific exercises to help straighten your spine? Your doctor may be able to point you in the right direction there. Meanwhile, I would take things slowly & continue doing what you are doing to lose weight. Walking often but not quickly should gradually improve your leg muscle strength.
Well done on making positive changes to improve your health & once again a big welcome. Cheers, Cate
 
Hi. Thank you Cate. I know It's going to take time but I am just thankful I have good friends and family that support me in this. I spent over 10 years sitting at my computer from the time I got up to the time I went to bed and I cannot believe how much weight I gained. I am very thankful that I am one of those people that can lose it quickly. I signed up for Goodlife and I go 6 days a week for almost 2hrs a day. I have a trainer that has been working with me and giving me a diet to follow, He has setup a goal for me to hit 200lbs by Nov 2017. I am not sure if that is possible but I am 100% commited to it. I will never again let myself become like this again. I spent 16 years in a relationship where she did everything for me and I got lazy and in the end I am the one paying for it. When I started just walking to my truck I would be out of breath and going into a grocery store and walk around was something I couldn't do without severe heavy breathing and my lower back burning so bad I was ready to keel over. Now 5 months later I am going to the grocery stores, I can stand and talk to people, I am able to walk to my truck with no issue. I am slowly getting there and as I lose the weight it will get easier on my body. I am really working on my legs and lower back to strengthen them, I have a dr appointment on Monday to get my neck looked at as I cannot walk now unless my head is looking down at the ground, It is so uncomfortable to look straight. I am hoping that they can get me into phsyio or chiropractor to help with it.
 
Welcome to the forum, Shawn! Cate, as usual, said everything I came here to say, but I would like to repeat the physio suggestion. Most chiropractors are about quick, external fixes while what you need is a small set of exercises that will help your muscles adjust to your new posture/lifestyle.
Best of luck on your journey, we´ll be here to cheer you on.
LaMa.
 
Shawn said:
Thank You, I am glad to be here. It's nice to have places like this to share our struggle and achievments.
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That's very true :) how are you feeling about the weekend coming up? My good choices always go to shit over the weekend!!
 
Sunflower_ said:
That's very true :) how are you feeling about the weekend coming up? My good choices always go to shit over the weekend!!
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I usually go to the gym on the weekends but also spend time with my son. Most of the time things go according to plan but not always.lol
 
Well its been a week and I am now down another 10lbs, thats a total of 73lbs since June 3rd/16, I am putting 2hrs a night in at the gym. I still have a ways to go but I will make it.
 
10 pounds in a week :eek: Did you cut off any bodyparts for that?! 2 hours every night is huge, I take my hat off for that. Does your son's presence during the weekend keep you from making bad food choices or does he facilitate them?
 
I really don't have any secret to eating, I stay under 2000 Calories a day and drink just water & gatorade, I have gotten use to eating twice a day since june. My major weight gain came from sitting at my computer from morning to night while drinking a 2L of Sprite a day on top of junkfood and take out. When I stopped all that the weight just started coming off. My son is only 6 but he gives me the strength to keep going as I want to be there for him as he grows. When I started at the gym I was hardly able to do anything as I spent so many years sitting that my body was not used to it. I still have a ways to go but I am doing great, I have an amazing trainer who pushes me every step of the way. Just last night I was at the gym and a random stranger walked up to me and said I was an inspiration to him and that he sees me in there every night pushing myself and that he has talked to several people in the gym about me and that it gives him the encourgement to keep going. It is moments like this that makes me feel proud of myself and knowing that I am not just changing my life but others around me.
 
Hi Shawn,

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have been doing exactly what you need to do and you are reaping the results. Fantastic job! It is always nice when strangers come up and tell you that you are inspiring them. You have come a long way. You SHOULD be proud of yourself!
 
Thank you everyone for the support and encouragement. I have always been a private person and kept things bottled up and hidden inside. Sometimes in life you are faced with challenges and obsticles and how you overcome them can have a drastic impact on your life. My big life change came when my relationship of 16 years ended and I was left alone and unsure of what the future had instore for me. This was a turning point for me and I choose to not let it consume me or control how I felt or lived, I started focusing on myself and my son and it has made me stronger and more confident in myself. I am so glad I took the time to share my story with everyone, as it gives not just me a chance to share but to meet other people that have had similar journeys and are able to see that anything is possible if you believe in yourself.
 
Shawn said:
I am so glad I took the time to share my story with everyone, as it gives not just me a chance to share but to meet other people that have had similar journeys and are able to see that anything is possible if you believe in yourself.
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& I think that is what this forum is really good for. By sharing our stories & our feelings in here, we soon find that we are among similar minded people. Wea re not alone & we have more in common with others than we may have thought before. You are doing really well Shawn & will be a fine example for your son. How rewarding to be getting such positive feedback at the gym. Well done!
 
Shawn said:
Just last night I was at the gym and a random stranger walked up to me and said I was an inspiration to him and that he sees me in there every night pushing myself and that he has talked to several people in the gym about me and that it gives him the encourgement to keep going. It is moments like this that makes me feel proud of myself and knowing that I am not just changing my life but others around me.
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Dude, that's awesome. That had to make you feel pretty good about yourself. Good for you, man.
 
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