Exercise for the Morbidly Obese

Sep 1, 2008 9:18 PM

Guest :

Thank you for mentioning that obese people don't necessairly eat too much. I don't think that I do, but I know I do eat the wrong things. This article was a helpful start to my research on how to lose the weight.

Oct 3, 2008 2:53 PM

lemming4life :

Many people who have never had a weight problem think that if you are overweight you are lazy or stupid or greedy. Many think why don’t you just stop eating? Lets face it if someone was an alcoholic or a drug user you would say don’t drink alcohol or take drugs again avoid the alcohol & drugs right, yes it takes will power but they do not need alcohol or drugs to live! Someone with a food addiction has to face food on a daily basis. Being overweight is not as simple as just don’t eat, not eating can cause more problems and ultimately leads to a greater weight gain. So many people do not realise that emotions are also involved with weight gain. Feelings of guilt rejection self-loathing are just to name a few. It is hard to eat sensibly, exercise, and loose weight when you feel so many negative emotions. If someone wants to loose weight yes they need to exercise and eat a healthy balanced diet, but they also need to explore the way they feel, the way they respond or react to every day situations such as loneliness, hurt, anger, boredom and more. It is easy to do something when you are happy and motivated. How easy is it to do that same thing when you are sad and depressed? Over eating can also be a reward. I feel good today, I have had a good day at work, my favourite TV program is on etc. Let’s treat myself! Once the treats are gone then come the self loathing and hate that traps the overweight into the vicious cycle of weight gain. Some times it is best not to judge, but to listen.

Oct 22, 2008 9:55 AM

Guest :

I have been slowly gaining weight over the last 15 years.
I went from 150 to 320.
I also went from an Active job to a Sitdown at my desk job.
I didn't get nearly enough exercise, though I didn't change my eating habits, so I packed on 10-15lbs a year.
and before I knew it I was obese.
Now I have heart problems that make excersing a problem.
Breathing is extremely difficult, I would love to find an excercize routine for the Morbid obese.

Dec 11, 2008 5:32 PM

Guest :

im 5'6 and 325lbs. im FAT. i have started to eat salads a lot, every time i go to a restaurant with friends i will order a Greek salad with grill chicken. so the past week i have been eating nothing but salads with sometimes beef on it or chicken ( never fried always grill ) i got more hungry so i started to eat those healthy rice cakes about 40 calories. i have been drinking lots of water. my exercise is work paint a lot up and down on ladders sometimes and i move heavy things. after that i got home and make a salad than later on a rice cake no more eating past 7pm. i have a treadmill witch i am gonna start using LOL. im also thinking about buying a StairMaster and a rowing machine. my idea is to do 15 min on each machine maybe more on the treadmill than i will 30 min each after time. Now i need help by you reading this , does this sound good am I doing the right thing? any advise will help a lot. thank you

Dec 13, 2008 10:00 AM

Guest :

Your diet plan sounds a lot similar to mine...
How much have you lost so far?

Dec 26, 2008 8:53 PM

Guest :

"toxins" do not make you fat. excess calories make you fat. i don't use my weight as an excuse not to move. i know i need to move. i don't need to make any excuses. there are water aerobics and chair exercises that are low impact and will work for those with painful joints. is a salad better for your health than a cheeseburger? of course. but ultimately, if you choose the cheeseburger and deduct those calories from your allotted amount for the day, you will still lose weight. diet soda is no different from water, by the way. it's nothing but water with some carbonation and non-calorie sweetener. your body doesn't treat it any differently.

yes, the basics always work. less calories, more movement. but so many of these "expert" articles are written by people who have no idea what it is like walking around with an extra 100 or more pounds on your body. you have no idea how physically painful and exhausting the things you take for granted can be for someone who is morbidly obese.

did the fat person make themselves fat? are they responsible for their own physical health and weight loss? yes. there is more to it than just being some lazy retard who sticks a fridge in their mouth, though.

there are psychological and emotional issues underlying every inch of an obese person's body. many have been overweight since infancy. it's not like we all start out as thin people and then just let ourselves go. there are patterns and issues going back to our early childhoods that ingrain these destructive behaviors in us.

and as for exercise being necessary, many doctors want their patients to lose some pounds first before starting the physical side because it can be dangerous.


toxins...pffft. whatever. arsenic and cyanide are toxins, not artificial sweeteners or colors.

Dec 30, 2008 5:48 PM

Guest :

300+
I always get amused and sometimes mad when I read or hear a thin person trying to explain why a fat person is fat. I have been fat all of my life (since 3rd grade). I was an active youth. I played outside all the time, basketball, hiking and on a softball team. We didn't eat out growing up, maybe once every 6 months. When I got older and worked desk jobs, I gained, so I did aerobics, and lost. I stopped aerobics, and gained. I did Weight Watchers and lost, I got pregnant, and gained. Yo Yo all of my life. The last time I did Weight Watchers, I lost 20 lbs. and plateued for a year, so I quit. I went to Curves. The first 3 months I gained weight! Lost a ton of inches, but your docter never asks how many inches you lose, now does he?! The 4th month I lost 6 lbs, didn't make up for the 9 I had already gained. I don't overinduldge much, binge only occasionally when really depressed such as gaining 9 pounds after doing curves religiously for 3 months! Losing weight has always been very, very, very hard for me. I weighed 305 lbs at last weigh in and am 5'7" tall. While I am not super active, I am not a complete couch potato either. I quit my doctor because I couldn't go there without him pushing gasteric bypass surgery. I'm not ready for that and am not impressed with the results. I have had 3 friends get it and none of them ever got "skinny". One has gained all of her weight back after 15 years plus some. Even at my most active, I was never at my "ideal" weight. I think eventually someone will realize that everyone is not supposed to weigh the same, just like we're not all going to be models, rembrants, or Bill Gates. Everyone has their own God given talent, style and features. Maybe I'm not supposed to be as big as I am, but after 30 plus years of trying to be thin, I still look and am shaped like all the old black and white pictures of my grandmothers, great-grandmothers, my mother and my sister. Imagine that! Heridity does play a certain part, otherwise we all would look alike either. However, I am still trying to battle the bulge or at least get a little more active. Would love to find a sensible plan that works for me, still looking though. I don't eat sword fish, tofu, garbonzo beans or any other weird stuff like that!

Jan 1, 2009 4:10 PM

Guest :

To the guest who wrote on Dec 26, 2008 8:53 PM...You made many points, some incorrect.

You stated "it's not like we all start out as thin people and then just let ourselves go. there are patterns and issues going back to our early childhoods that ingrain these destructive behaviors in us."

Not always. I was thin almost all of my life. Then I fell in love with a man who had emotional problems. He had affairs on me. This is when my weight started to spiral out of control. Yes it is my fault that I let it do that to me but easier said than done. I am the woman who was thin all my life and then one day let myself go.

Jan 2, 2009 12:22 PM

Guest :

I am 380lbs and I am so tired of it! I have 3 beautiful children who would love me to be more active in their lives, but I can barely walk from my room to the living room without getting winded. I have tons of thin friends who think they have the answer to my problem, and have suggested everything from surgery to going running. Yeah, me.....run? lol! I think I would maybe get 10 feet, then drop. I have not always been this huge. I used to be very active, even going from 365 to 260 in 7 months, just to gain it back again in 3 months after I injured my hip and knee. Now I have horrible pain in my back, and normal household chores like vacuuming and washing dishes, are extremely taxing. I have sat down and wrote out tons of diet plans, none of them worked. Now it is January 02, 2009. It is a new year, and I figure, I got nothing to lose, but this fat, I am going to get aggressive. I figure, if I can at least lose the weight, it will make me able to be active, so I can keep the weight off. My main focus, though, is losing this weight. So I am starting a slim fast only diet. Where I will drink slim fast shakes, 1 for breakfast, 1 for lunch, and 1 for dinner. I will drink 15-20 cups of water a day(I love water)and take a multivitamin, and Japanese Linghzi to help me lose this weight. I figure I can sacrifice eating solid foods for 6 months or more, because isn't that what I would have to do if I got my stomach stapled anyway? So, I am not going to eat another piece of solid food from January 6, 2009 until I drop every single ounce of this weight. I will be starting a myspace page to keep track of my progress, and I hope to actually be successful. Anyone who wants to check up on me, or encourage me(which is desperately needed) please feel free to check out my myspace page at www.myspace.com/imperialbeachgirl or send me an email at kristinabarker@yahoo.com. God bless you all and I hope you all reach your weightloss goals. Happy New Year!

Jan 24, 2009 6:19 PM

Guest :

I'm an emotional eater. I've lost and gained so much weight over the years it's not funny. In my last relationship, my boyfriend was constantly taking me out to eat, so I packed on almost 100 lbs. I lost 70 after I broke up with him. I later met my husband and 2 kids later, have put it all back on, plus a little. I don't have many friends where I live, in fact I have none. I'm isolated and no one ever comes way out in the boonies to see us. I have a 3 year old and a 8 month old. Taking them out anywhere is a challenge. My 3 year old is over energetic, God love him, I hope he hangs on to it. I'm worn down and exhausted every day. My last doctor visit showed I weighed 304 lbs and I'm 5'7". I'm so uncomfortable in my own skin it's horrible. My husband knows I'm unhappy and I'm trying to change, but he still like his sweets and I've asked him not to keep them in the house because of the temptation for me. I just wanted to find an sensible exercise program I can do that's not so jarring to my system, I'm too sore to pick up my children. I want to change, but I'm not sure where to start. My doctor owns a gym and has never mentioned surgery, I wouldn't get it if he did. I'm not comfortable going to a gym. I feel embarrassed to go much of any place. I'm becoming a bit scared by how reclusive I'm beginning to feel. I don't want anyone to see me like this, even though I've been like this my whole life. I'm only 50 lbs heavier than I was my junior year of high school. I don't know what else to do and could really use some support. My email is mormongal29@gmail.com. I would appreciate any ideas anyone might have. I'm aware I need to diet and exercise, so please don't send me a message telling me what I already know. I need support, thanks.

Feb 12, 2009 12:15 PM

Guest :

I recently had two knee replacements and was recommended by the doctor at the hospital to have band surgery for weight loss.I have no experience with this but have looked it up on the computer.I would much rather walk more and eat less in a effort to lose weight.It is never that simple as there are emotional elements involved.All I know for sure is it is scary to weigh this much and feel like I don't know where to start.I wanted to reach out to you all.

Feb 26, 2009 9:00 PM

Guest :

Hi.My name is Lisa and I don't even know how much I weigh. I don;t want to know, I would guess it's over 300. When I became pregnant at 18, I weighed 118 lbs. and wore a size 5.Now I am 40,17 years into my second marriage,I have 4 children and 3 grandchildren and am so FAT that I can't even play with these beautiful children.It is so discouraging to not be able to lose this weight.My problem was putting on 80 lbs every time I got pregnant and then never quite losing it all,and then doing it all again.I want very much to try power 90 but would like to hear from someone who actually did it first.

Mar 15, 2009 10:44 PM

Guest :

I cried as I read everyone's comments. Strange as it is, I didn't think that there were people that really understood. My friends have always been uber thin and beautiful, and we never really talked about my weight. Truth is, I have always been overweight, even as a child. When I was in grade 3, I had my tonsils removed, and i guess whatever the diet was that followed allowed me to shed those pounds. My father had been away, living in Mexico, he returned to see his little girl 15lbs lighter. his comment, "Wow, now if only you lose a few more pounds and keep it off, you'll be beautiful just like everyone else." And so commenced my years of yoyo dieting... 9 years old and i was dieting. No matter what i ate in solid food, i continued to gain weight, by the time I was in grade 8, I was my heaviest at a size 26, weighing a little over 300, when a professor told me that I was morbidly obese, and that i should try and weigh 170. High school rolled around, and I had stopped eating almost completely, because of my gym class I began to lose weight. I shrunk down to a size 15, but was still not satisfied, in fact at that point in my life I was convinced I was still that size 26. I joined a bunch of sports teams under the coaching of a concerned professor. I finally gave into depression, and ate a little more here and there. I went to my doctor about a year ago, as I was desperate not to reach size 26 again, and wanted him to see if it was something physically wrong with me, like my thyroid. I figured he would call me fat, most do. What did he do? after coming prepared with an 800 calorie a day journal that I had been keeping for months, he put me on a 600 calorie diet, told me that i was a really big girl, and that I was like my mother, if i looked at food, it ended up on my hips. 600 was just too little, and here I am a year later, and still slowly gaining weight, im confused, terrified and don;t know where to turn. I started plus size pilates a few months ago, its wonderful, but i don't really feel like its doing much, and I still eat 800 calories a day. I guess what this massive comment is trying to get across is, that I'm glad that there are people that understand, but what happens when the above doesn't seem to be working either? I just turned 23, and I don't want to spend "the best years of my life" avoiding public places because I can't stand to hear the comments, even at work, people don't take me seriously because of my weight. good luck everyone. <3

Mar 23, 2009 12:26 PM

Guest :

I have always been overweight....
I believe that I was a normal size up to grade 1....then I started to balloon....
I totally loath who I am...I suffer from depression, and no I am not using that as a crutch it is the truth when I am depressed I binge...I hate the comments I get when I am going into a store..."whoa look at her, holy I have never seen anyone so fat..."
Or the whole "holy earthquake..."
Highschool was hell for me...constantly being made fun of I have tried several things to loose weight even the not good things like not eating at all. I am 24 now and I believe I likely weigh over 400 pounds...I am really tall...over 6 feet...but it is hard I hate who I am I was working out at Curves and felt so much better about myself and then got into a car accident and screwing up my back...I can't even walk now since the car accident without it hurting and feeling like my legs are numb...so working out is hard...I can't really.
So all the progress I made is gone....I just feel hopeless...here I am on a Monday afternoon looking on the net for the best ways to loose weight...I hate who I am.
I hate that I can't be normal, all my friends don't understand me...they are all thin and have never struggled with their weight.
They all have suggestions and ideas on how to loose the weight but it isn't that easy.
I am currently going to a dietitian and she is nice, however it is hard to follow this meal plan when I get really depressed and it is like I can't control myself and binge...
I really wish I was thin...a healthy weight because then maybe my dad would actually care...maybe he would think I was worth something...instead of just a waste of space....
I totally feel alone all the time. I had so many dreams even when I was a teenager....I just wish I could follow them, I have no ambition.... I know if I was to loose the weight I would feel alot better....It is very hard, my doctor wants me to have Gastric Bypass...but I know people who have had it and they have told me the horror stories...I don't know good luck to all of you, I wanted to let you know that I am just one more person who is in the same situation and I can totally understand how you all feel.
?

Mar 29, 2009 11:07 AM

Guest :

I have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I try to explain this to doctors all the time to let them know how painful it really is, but they just tell me it's all because I'm fat. One doctor actually told me to "put down the fork and you'll be fine." I was humiliated. People just can't look past weight problems. I'm in pain because I'm fat, and I'm fat because I'm in pain.
Jamie

Apr 23, 2009 9:07 AM

Guest :

well honestly i was odese and now that i exercised and eat healthy im not im very average and look great. i have an obese step mom, she doesnt do anything to help her self and it discusts me when i see over weight peopel complaining and not doing anything about it. sorry. just my opinion.

May 2, 2009 1:25 AM

Guest :

To the person who said she was "odese" and now she isn't, and that these people discust her - grow up, get a life! You'd be happier and less judgemental if you did!

May 2, 2009 1:28 AM

Guest :

Great article! I'm obese and miserable! I'm at my highest weight now. I'm only 5'3", and have had a sudden weight gain (20 pounds in a couple weeks!), went from an already high weight to 326 pounds. If anyone would be interested in having a "fitness buddy" to email or myspace and share the struggles along the way, email me. anewme2008@gmail.com

May 9, 2009 12:10 AM

Guest :

I would love to lose weight. I do not eat huge amounts of food, but I eat once per day and go to bed I am so exhausted from work. Yes, I have a desk job. I have always been heavy, then obese, but I became morbidly obese after suffering through years of stress at work. I had a whacko boss, I did not sleep for years. I threw up every day all day. I was a nervous wreck. I talked to my doctor about cortisol as a possible reason for the large amounts of belly fat I have gained during this time. But he blew me off. I have one question - why are so many pilates and other workout equipment usually only supportup to 300 lbs?
This is a major issue if you are suffering from mobility issues.

May 9, 2009 8:19 PM

Guest :

I have found in my struggle in weightloss that it is about the mindset you have. You have to want to change, and you have to begin where you are most comfortable. Find something you enjoy doing and you will most likely stick to it. Anyone wanting an fitness buddy, encouragement, or to share stories, feel free to email me at: divinest_sense@yahoo.com

May 30, 2009 5:48 PM

Guest :

Hello and you can call me 400 plus.that's how i feel everyday and that who i am. My name is nikki and i have struggled with weight since 5th grade. I can remember being sick all the time and not having a enough energy to do anything. I'm a chronic ashmatic and have allergies to a few things.I was in class in grammar school on this particular day my button popped off my jeans. My teacher asked if she can help so i let her, After that she made a rude remark saying that if i continue to get fat everyone would make fun of me and call me fat.So about 6thgrade i started trying to eat less,however my mom lost her job and all we had was a toaster and bread and butter.
So you can tell what happened next,by the time i was in highschool i was over 3001bs. and i cried everyday i was teasesd people through things at me. For about the first 2 years then after that i prayed and asked god to forgive those kids who did not understand and also i prayed that god give me the strengh to overcome every rhing that was going wrong in my life. God and the support of my family has brought me along way.I believe in myself more now than i ever did and i also believe that God will not put more on us than he put within us.So no i have not lost the weight yet but i'm going continue to try and do what ever i can. Sometimes i feel as if i am wearing a fat suit and some people see me for who i'm and some people don not. I would like to unzip the fat suit and walk out the way God wants to be. I hope that all the people on here gets their miracle too. If you want talk or be buddies <nbworld2@hotmail.com>

Jun 13, 2009 8:59 PM

Guest :

I am 5'6" tall and weigh 463 lbs. I don't know what to do. I have tried them all and then some. Atkins works short term but who can eat only meat forever. Low fat gives me hypoglycemia. I tried one well balanced meal a day and gained weight on it. I went on a water fast for three days and still didn't lose any body weight. I have tried all the pills, some legal and some not, no results. I hired a personal trainer who took a grand from me, worked me until near death just to have me go up a pants size. I can't commit suicide because of my religion. I have given up.

Jun 15, 2009 8:42 PM

Guest :

300+...
I hurt.....physically. Even when i dont move....I lost 100lbs almost 2 years ago but was hit by a drunk driver and gained it all back with all the problems im having....i know its no excuse.... I have a problem with food I love to eat and cant seem to stop...can anyone give me some advice?

Jun 23, 2009 10:53 PM

Guest :

I am a lot like the march 15 guest. Im only 23 and I have been over weight all my life. There was never a time as a small child that I was thin. It also didnt help that as I got older I was taller than most kids in my grade, so being big and tall was grounds for teasing. The teasing didnt stop until high school, but recently some of my friends went to the beach for Spring Break and a random car passed by and someone yelled "I love you shamu". I froze, no one had ever made me feel so horrible. I was with my friends whom are all skinny. No one said anything. Its not like i didnt try to lose weight because I have always loved swimming and have since I was young. I hit a triple digit when I hit high school and got to 300lbs. I joined color guard and swimming and lost about 30lbs. I was still big and I never noticed the weight dropping because i was so big. It never stopped me from being a normal girl, just made me feel that there was more for me to experience. I got into swimming and maintained my weight, untill i graduated and gained 50lbs in college. Now im 330+lbs last time I went to the Dr. This was a shock to me and no one knows this(till now). I havent been back in a long time, so I dont know if its changed. Im trying now to exercise a lot this summer because im not working or going to school. I have been doing pretty good with dancing or boxing outside for about an hour, I just know I need to do more. I have so much to lose I feel sometimes that I cant do this on my own. I realize this is the summer I'm going to change my life and find my happiness, eventually. I want a better life and I wish for support from anyone who reads this to give me it and ill give it back, email me at strangeone18@aol.com. Thanks and good luck to all.

Jun 30, 2009 2:35 AM

Guest :

Hiring a compassionate knowledgeable Personal Trainer would be a great start on your quest for a healthier lifestyle. If you can not afford to join a gym or hire a PT, invest in some light dumbbells or exercise bands and begin a strength training program. I am a Certified PT and NPC Competitor with over 27 years of experience. I work with people who are very overweight. We work on strength training and cardio conditioning as well as nutrition. Eating once a day will only slow down your metabolism. Eating 5 or 6 small meals will rev up your metabolism and keep your blood sugar stable. iamgymrat@yahoo.com(Sheri)

Jul 11, 2009 10:36 PM

Guest :

Almost 300...
I feel the same as so many of the people here that have posted. Often, I don't want to go out into public because I don't want people to see me the way I am. The thought of being a crazy old fat recluse really scares me, which is why I force myself to go out.

It also doesn't help that the people where I work (yup - another office "sit on my rear all day" job here too) try to be so very "helpful" all the time. My boss is the worst. Other than this one topic, he's a generally great guy to work for. Then once in a while he goes on these health nut kicks where he "hints" at everyone getting healthy. I always feel like the whole thing is directed at me and came about simply because I'm there... This last time he implemented lunch time pilates... Yeah, because exercising with a bunch of skinny women who are judgemental and dislike me anyway is exactly what I want to do to feel better about myself - right? Not only that, but the very idea of opening myself up to playing 20-questions any time I don't have time or just don't want to go to the class is simply unbearable. Nope, instead I just got to deal with a different representative from the boss every day for the first 2 weeks after the program started asking my "gee - why aren't you in the class?" One person actually said "out of everyone here I thought for sure that you would do the class... at least that you should anyway."

Nice.

I don't mind riding the bike my husband got for me, and I can "play through the pain" with that - especially when I just tune out everything & listen to some good music on my ipod. The problem is that pesky thing of not wanting people to see me out riding. (Especially in my own neighborhood where people I work with live.) Thanks to this great economy, I was able to find a nice empty housing subdivision I like to ride in - but since I live in Arizona (and it's summer now) I have to wait until like 9:00 at night before it is even slightly bearable... Then if I ride for an hour or longer, then load up the bike and drive home, and take a shower, that puts me in bed close to midnight and I have to get up way to early for that.

I've tried so many meal plans, and exercise plans, and I just don't know what to do anymore. I don't really eat terribly much, and I'm frankly afraid to try much else because if I gain more weight they'll have to lock my in th loony bin or or creamate the huge body left behind after I kill myself... (Just being honest here.)

Jul 12, 2009 7:43 PM

Guest :

I am sitting here at the computer reading everyone's comments and thinking "Wow!! Everyone is speaking my thoughts!" I have struggled with my weight for a long time. I was always bigger than my friends. Most of my weight was gained when I was pregnant 8 YEARS AGO!!! I gained 70 pounds and it keeps going up. I am in the 300+ group now and dread any time my daughter wants to go do something because I worry if I can fit in the chairs, if I can get the safety bar down on certain rides, if I can fit in a restaraunt booth that I have never been to, etc. Every choice I make is revolved around my weight somehow. I can't afford to hire a trainer or any other help for that matter. It's so frustrating. My child has to deal with a lot of disappointments because I physically can't join her in all she wants to do. And even if I can, I tire so easy that it doesn't last long. I know I need to get a move on my weight loss before I end up with serious health problems but I am clueless how to do it. I know the whole eat less, move more is the answer but I guess with so many diets and food options I just feel overwhelmed and don't know how or where to begin. AHH!!! What do I do? Any help would be appreciated. HIDHEIDSTER@CS.COM

Jul 14, 2009 2:12 PM

Guest :

I just got home from spending a month in the hospital, daily, watching my mother die. She started with blood clots in her lungs and legs (from sitting and not moving) and then after a nurse gave her Xanax, her lungs began to fail. Her heart went into Congestive Heart Failure. She was 393 on her last weigh in and was 5'6" tall. She was a wonderful woman and we miss her, but the saddest part is she taught me how to eat wrong. I am here to ask you ... to BEG you all who read these comments to rethink how you eat, if not for yourselves, then for your children. Mine are 26 and 18. They both fight tooth and nail to be thin. I am 400 lbs. I have suffered so greatly and at 44 years old, I can barely walk without pain, have a service dog to assist me for picking things up, and my spine and lower limbs are shot. It's not time to give up, however, it's just time to change things so I can be thin. Surgery is not an option for me at this time, but for some of you it is an immediate cure, covered by almost any insurance and is readily available. Other than that, there are plans for diets for morbidly obese individuals such as ourselves and they include a 1200 calorie intake (yes, obese patients need more caloric intake, because they become malnourished if they don't get it. Their bodies are differently wired, folks) and exercising 20 minutes, 3 times a day. ANY type of exercise you can do. Drop the sodas, drop the bread, see if you can drop some weight along the way. You gained this at 2 lbs a month, and now you can lose it just the same. Don't listen to the skinny idiots on here, let's all stick together. Email me at muffintop@softhome.net if you want to join my NOBESITY FORUM. :) We can all lose weight as a TEAM and we can all become happier and healthier along the way. If you can't FIND support, FORM IT! I can associate with each of you. I am so heavy I can't barely breathe at times, but it's not too late for me, and it's certainly not too late for you. Let's all join the forum and make changes that will change our lives. Right now, I'm toasting your life change with an un-sweetened apple juice. :) I miss my sodas, but you know what? It's not worth it. I saw my mom suffer SO seriously. I do not want to be like that in front of my children. You can all stop the weight issues. We can lose weight together. Learn together. Change together and become WHOLE together. Renee

Jul 15, 2009 10:34 AM

Guest :

I can't remember being a "normal" size, ever! I have always been overweight. I have lost massive amounts of weight and gained it back, but I have never been under a size 16W in my adult life. Personally, I am a little lazy, carrying around 340lbs is not an easy task for anyone. I used to be active, but since I now have a job that requires me to sit behind a desk all day, I am completely out of shape. Walking 2.3 miles around the block is horrible. I am going to pull through it and I am going to get healthy. I know that all of you are going through the same thing and I don't feel like the left out kid that is so abnormal and weird that no one wants to play with them. Obese people should band together to help each other. We relate to each other moreso than anyone else can relate to us. We should help each other and share our triumphs. We should do everything we can to enjoy life more. It is possible.

Jul 16, 2009 12:10 PM

Guest :

Obese and SwineFlu deadly combination

As it turns out, swine flu is a killer for obese people, 10 overweight people in michigan got the h1n1 virus and they all ended up on ventilators and had massive organ failures, 3 ended up dieing, being overweight is another risk factor for swine flu, just google overweight and swine flu and read the scary facts. This has made me cut back immediately, because if this swine flu gets worse, as it seems to be spreading rapidly, the fat ones won't survive.

Jul 23, 2009 10:16 PM

Guest :

I read all of the comments and I couldn't help but feel like i suddenly had friends who know exactly how I feel and who i am. I'm over 300lbs but to be honest i don't know how much over. I was really skinny until about age 7 but even then i was chubby but never heavy. I was skinner in high school when all i'd eat in a day was diet coke and an apple. I played tennis , rode my bike, but never really lost any weight. I've had to buy womens/plus clothes my whole adult life and originally my now husband said he wouldn't marry me if i didn't lose weight. I keep trying to do better, but I'm an emotional eater (not an excuse) and it's really hard for me to not eat when I'm unhappy- I was a cutter for a long time until i changed that out for eating. I was walking a lot and didn't lose any weight. I'm tired of worrying if I'll need the extender seatbelt on planes, or if i'll fit into a restuarant booth, or worrying if my husband is embarrassed to be seen in public with his fat a** wife. I'm tired of feeling like a 2nd class citizen and being criticized. my biggest thing is i don't know how to start. Where do i go from here?
goddessa12@aol.com

Aug 8, 2009 5:15 PM

Guest :

Well, this is a bit late, but 'ere goes.
Someone commented that 'it sure is scary being this weight.' Absolutely... I'm terrified too at 360lbs. I just can't seem to lose it. It wont go away. I cut my calories down to only 1600 a day and started biking to school, which is only 1/2 a mile away but it's certainly something. Not to mention walking up and down the stairs at school, I avoid elevators at all costs. I've been doing this all summer and last semester. My weight loss? A grand total of 15 pounds. I hate staying in, I don't watch TV because we can't afford cable (with the exception of a movie at night with my boyfriend), and my boyfriend is always getting me out of the house to do stuff.
I don't sit around smashing my face with food. I'm not sedentary. My knees don't hurt, my back doesn't hurt, my neck doesn't hurt... the only thing that hurts is the bottoms of my feet. (And my left elbow, but that's from falling off of a sailboat onto a peer and breaking the radial head in two spots)
Like another poster, I've done curves. I lost a (very) few inches but gained almost TEN POUNDS!
I'm only freakin' 26. Can someone tell me what to do here, because I've done every single thing my doctor's told me to do except stomach surgery. I just wont go THAT route.

Aug 10, 2009 7:06 PM

Guest :

I am super morbidly obese. I read a lot of the comments on here and we all know what it is like. It is along hard road to get through. I have tried diet after diet just to give up. I was once thin until I got pregnant and packed on the lbs. My relationships have not be helpful either at that, because it only made me eat more especially when my daughter's father was verbally abusive. Telling me such things as no one wanted to be with a fat you know what. Which only led me to believe it to be true. No one would ever ask me out or even look in my direction for any reason. I am now 34 and I have been doing only 900 something calories til my Dr. said to go only low as 1200 calories a day. I have been eating Special k and 2% milk for breakfast a mid- morning snack lunch lean cuisine then a mid after noon snack and dinner another lean cuisine. I have found it to pay off so far I have went from 475 to 396 in about just over a mo.. It is very hard not to plunder in the frig. for something to eat, because of out of boredom or seeing a commercial about food. You just have to stick to your guns and make yourself do so. It is okay to reward yourself least once a week on Friday just try not to over do it. I do very well know it is a struggle every day, but you have to keep trying. It is okay to slip up sometimes just have to get up the next day and get back on horse. I work out like 30 min. a day or every other day 10 min. on a dance it off video and the 20 min. in my apartment gym on a bike. We all should stick together on encouraging ourselves everyday. I hope that everyone finds their will power in themselves to make it happen and good luck on a long journey.

Aug 11, 2009 4:42 AM

Guest :

I am 29 about 375lbs. I was very active as a kid till I was about 19. I had a bad infection in my leg almost lost it completely. I was told I would never walk again, I wouldn't accept that so for about 18 months I couldn't walk more then a foot. I went from 200lbs about right with my frame and height, to about 500lbs I didn't eat healthy while I was laid up apt f ordering out fast food what have you. I am now diabetic , I get sick alot I've collapsed a lung twice. I started walkng as much as possible when I was finally able to walk. 10 year later I don't eat healthy and dcided today of all days to quit smoking start walking and stop drnkng 40 gallns of soda a day (2 2liters diet coke) which is stillnot good. As. Read everyones comments I feel all of your pain. It takes time and effort and the need to wanna change cause god knows we haft want it. I beleave everyone here can change and I hope all of you do for your on self. Me on the han I just want find a diet that works hahaha that word scares me. Zinfreak@gmail.com if ty have any good diabetic diets on hand and good luck to all of you. Big Dave

Aug 12, 2009 7:48 AM

Guest :

For any and all Facebook members, I have created a group "Stick Together for Change!" that is designed for the obese/morbidly obese to share their stories, get support, encouragement and share information. All members must be approved so that only members can real the wall postings and comment. I want to make this place safe.
My name is Darci and at 38 I am 5'6" and weigh 312lbs. A couple years ago I was at 340 and lost 120lbs only to gain it back again. My right knee is shot, I can't move much and the doctor says I am too young and too heavy for knee replacement. I have been informed that I should undergo bariatric surgery but I just can't bring myself to do it.
I am willing to do what it takes and have recently started juicing and eating 6 times a day (that's harder than it sounds) and I will prayerfully get most of this weight off.
If you are interested in joining this group please do so.
You can find the group by name "Stick Together for Change!" or find me Darci DeLair Weber on Facebook. With help, support, direction and ingenuity we CAN do this!!

Aug 16, 2009 10:12 AM

Guest :

For the idiot bashing on the mention of toxins and claiming diet soda is just as good as water. Diet soda CAN cause weight gainn because your brain percieves you ingesting sugar, causing the release of insulin into your body. When there is no sugar to actually digest you get urges to actually consume sugar.

In addition the toxins in diet soda have been linked with cancer and temporar paralysis. Best move is to stick to water, milk, etc.

Aug 18, 2009 5:14 PM

Guest :

I'm having a rough day. I just turned 37 a few days ago. I weigh 313 lbs. I am divorced again for the second time. I've been alone now for 14 months. My second husband, who vowed to love me no matter what, left me June 13, 2008. Just out of the blue. Came home from work, said he was leaving, packed a bag, and was gone in a grand total of 25 minutes. I thought he was the love of my life, so I thought. But looking back, something had to have been wrong. I gained 150 lbs. in our four years of marriage. I was actually anorexic in my teenage years and twenties. I'm 5'9" and at one time weighed 97 lbs. How did I get this way? I went from starving myself to deal with my emotions to drowning them in food. I don't work. I've been on disability now for almost 7 years for major depression. I've suffered much emotional, physical, and sexual abuse most of my life up until I met my second husband. I've been in therapy for most of my adult life, but now have been with the same therapist for 7 years. This is a very slow process. I'm learning to deal with my emotions but still struggling with the food issue. I have however lost 50 lbs. in the last year. (No one can tell though.)It's been such a hard struggle. I've had ups and downs, and way, way downs but somehow I climb back up. Today I'm having a really rough day. I am all alone except for my 12 year old son. He means everything to me, and I am trying so hard to improve my life for him AND me. I know this is supposed to be about weight but I honestly believe that food is just a replacement for emotions that a person can't deal with. Just like drugs, alcohol or any other addiction. When I was thin, I admit it. I hated fat people. I thought, "Just stop eating". I guess I'm getting my pay back. I am now the one getting made fun of by the high school boys in the grocery store parking lot. It hurts. Terribly. Oh, yeah. Those famous, "You have such a pretty face" comments. It just makes me want to disappear. So, anyway, I just wanted to say something about me, for anyone else who's having a bad day. Tomorrow will be another day, I'll count my calories, probably screw up, but keep going. I'm not giving up. I can't. For all of those who feel like it will never get any better, maybe it won't. But you will never have a chance to know if you don't keep trying.

Sep 6, 2009 2:39 PM

Guest :

I am 345 lbs and very obese, however luckily I am young enough (21) and healthy enough to still move around and excersize. I have just recently decided to get rid of the weight as it has held me back all my life. I haver made a goal to excersize for 20 mins everyday,and I drink nothing but water (and sometimes milk). I dont eat any more processed foods, so no fast food or canned food for that matter. My goal is to eat all natural organic foods. Most dont know this but obese people are malnurished most of the times simply because we fill up on empty calories such as white bread, pizza, and other yummy food lol. The day I decided to change my life was the day I decided to stop making excuses and start doing something, and like any other addict I fell down a couple times, and Im sure I will in the future, but I always get back up when I fall and that is going to make the biggest difference in the long run. Losing the weight isnt hard as long as you realize it is a game with your mind. To anyone making the same goals of weight loss, remember that the first few days are always the hardest, but keep in mind why you are doing it. My health and my fitness are more important to me now than to risk have one slice of pizza turn into the whole box, so I scip the slice.... good luck all

Sep 9, 2009 6:39 PM

Guest :

Everyone's story is different. Some might be lazy, others depressed.

I know I'm probably stating the obvious, but for someone who has been obese most of their adult life, I can only offer insight from my own point of view.

My mother died from cancer when I was 14 after battling the disease for over a decade. It severely crippled me emotionally and physically. The events that took place on the day she passed are forever etched into my mind and to think back on it causes me great feelings of sadness. I used food and other distractions as a means to ignore and/or not even acknowledge it.

Food was pleasure. It made me feel like everything was fine. It was a warm feeling or reassurance that nothing bad will happen again and, if it did, food would be there to help. It was one of the few things I looked forward to.

But, like a drug, it was only a temporary high and, over time, it caused more harm than good. At my highest weight, I was nearing 400 pounds at the age of 26. I never left the house. I never attended any functions with relatives. I was the living dead to my family. I thought about suicide often.

The breaking point(s) for me came suddenly and unexpectedly.

The first being that I managed to reconnect with some old friends that I hadn't seen in years and saw how well some of their lives had become. Some had kids, others were married and the pics spoke for themselves: happiness. I felt completely ashamed at how I've been letting myself go with this self-destructive eating.

And the second thing was that I came across some old home movies of my mother. I thought I had lost these tapes forever, but seeing them was so emotional that I decided enough was enough. Instead of using the depressing events of my life as an excuse to fall deeper into depression, I would instead transform them into my reason for changing.

I know the life my mother would've wanted for me and this wasn't it.

I should also mention that I had been taking krill oil for the last few days prior to these events (which seemed to aid with lifting my depression). I've completely changed my diet and am exercising 7 days a week now (walking/jogging 2 miles a day), and when things started to feel overwhelming, I just think of my mother, my family, and my friends and it gives me the strength to keep going.

Some days are harder than others obviously, but like someone said previously, you will never have a chance to know how your life might be if you don't keep trying.

Good luck to all.

Sep 18, 2009 10:19 AM

Guest :

I've got a friend who weighs ~300lbs who wants to lose weight and try out for a football team. (He used to play when he was younger.) I'm trying to help him out as a personal trainer, though I don't have much experience. We've started walking together in the mornings. He get severely winded walking up a gentle hill. What other activities/exercises could he do to lose weight, gain strength, burn fat, etc?

He also wants to change his dietary habits to get away from fried foods. What should he eat that will not counteract our exercise program? Foods high in protein? Fiber? Low carbs? Low fats? I'm not a nutritionist either. :(

Many thanks!

Oct 20, 2009 6:23 PM

Guest :

Jamie- I read your comment, I can so relate! Please get in touch with me, I think we can be each others support system! wetzelhauling@bresnan.net