Turning around my life - Fitness.
Turning around my life - Fitness.
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Discussion

Trevatanus

Original Poster:

11,349 posts

179 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
So, my Mrs of 11 years has gone, my choice, best thing I ever did.
Now need to put right the damage that she and I did to my body over our time together.
I have never been skinny, and am not the most motivated person when it comes to losing weight, but I am now around 23 stones in weight or there abouts, but have lost around 1 and a half stone since she left, just by eating better.
I have had heart issues in the past (Atrial Fibrillation) which I think was stress related, as she has left me in a bit of a mess financially.
I like the idea of being able to wear nicer clothes, so want to lose weight, but whats the best way?
Running is pretty much out of the question with me being at my current weight, but walking, a Gymn?
I think walking is my best solution, but how far, and how often? Daily, do I need to have rest days?



Pieman68

4,292 posts

263 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
Trevatanus said:
So, my Mrs of 11 years has gone, my choice, best thing I ever did.
Now need to put right the damage that she and I did to my body over our time together.
I have never been skinny, and am not the most motivated person when it comes to losing weight, but I am now around 23 stones in weight or there abouts, but have lost around 1 and a half stone since she left, just by eating better.
I have had heart issues in the past (Atrial Fibrillation) which I think was stress related, as she has left me in a bit of a mess financially.
I like the idea of being able to wear nicer clothes, so want to lose weight, but whats the best way?
Running is pretty much out of the question with me being at my current weight, but walking, a Gymn?
I think walking is my best solution, but how far, and how often? Daily, do I need to have rest days?
Sorry/not so sorry to hear the news. It may be your choice but still tough to deal with

I found myself in a very similar situation and had to make similar choices. I started at around 22 stone and decided to get back into playing rugby again - in order to get fitter for this I decided to sign up to run a 10k. Look at doing couth to 5k - free app that you can get on your phone and just work yourself up slowly

I cannot stress enough how important it is to get the right shoes - finances can be tight, and I have been there as well, but wearing the right shoes will make a massive difference

I am still carrying a bit extra but have just completed my second half marathon. Maybe worth looking at getting a decent bike

Walking/running is your best bet if finances are tight though. I only say this as it was something that I never thought that I would do from a similar place. Just signed up for another 10 mile run today without a charity associated - running 10 miles for fun!!

Trevatanus

Original Poster:

11,349 posts

179 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
Pieman68 said:
Trevatanus said:
So, my Mrs of 11 years has gone, my choice, best thing I ever did.
Now need to put right the damage that she and I did to my body over our time together.
I have never been skinny, and am not the most motivated person when it comes to losing weight, but I am now around 23 stones in weight or there abouts, but have lost around 1 and a half stone since she left, just by eating better.
I have had heart issues in the past (Atrial Fibrillation) which I think was stress related, as she has left me in a bit of a mess financially.
I like the idea of being able to wear nicer clothes, so want to lose weight, but whats the best way?
Running is pretty much out of the question with me being at my current weight, but walking, a Gymn?
I think walking is my best solution, but how far, and how often? Daily, do I need to have rest days?
Sorry/not so sorry to hear the news. It may be your choice but still tough to deal with

I found myself in a very similar situation and had to make similar choices. I started at around 22 stone and decided to get back into playing rugby again - in order to get fitter for this I decided to sign up to run a 10k. Look at doing couth to 5k - free app that you can get on your phone and just work yourself up slowly

I cannot stress enough how important it is to get the right shoes - finances can be tight, and I have been there as well, but wearing the right shoes will make a massive difference

I am still carrying a bit extra but have just completed my second half marathon. Maybe worth looking at getting a decent bike

Walking/running is your best bet if finances are tight though. I only say this as it was something that I never thought that I would do from a similar place. Just signed up for another 10 mile run today without a charity associated - running 10 miles for fun!!
Thanks for that, yes not an easy time, but hopefully the most difficult bit it behind me.
For shoes, do I just visit a sports shop and see what's comfortable, or do I need to visit some form of specialist shoe shop?

Hoofy

79,999 posts

311 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
Take it slowly, increase over time. Or go all in, injure yourself and never get fit.

Pieman68

4,292 posts

263 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
Trevatanus said:
Thanks for that, yes not an easy time, but hopefully the most difficult bit it behind me.
For shoes, do I just visit a sports shop and see what's comfortable, or do I need to visit some form of specialist shoe shop?
Get yourself to a proper running shop and get your gait analysed. I am a severe over-pronator and have to wear support trainers - before going there I had never even heard of it and had bad ankles. Shoes are MASSIVELY important

Get yourself some decent headphones (bone conductors are a great idea so you can hear traffic and get yourself out in the fresh air - you would be amazed how much your spirits will lift from the endorphins as well. Bite the bullet, take it nice and easy and just go - as I said use Couch to 5k to get you moving from a standing start

Foxtrot Oscar

285 posts

231 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
As previously mentioned, shoes. Invest in the best you can. It really is money well spent!

Slow and steady is the way to go, small changes make big differences.

Chin up and good luck.


Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

196 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
No big lifestyle changes
No big lifestyle changes
No big lifestyle changes
No big lifestyle changes

Got it?

Right. First, go to your GP. Take little steps, one goal at a time. 23 stone is a lot to loose, but don't loose it in a hurry or you will put it all and more back on. IIRC about a lb a month.

You will need to ultimately eat less and move more and will have to change your diet. Do it slowly so you don't notice the change and do it so you enjoy it rather than be a slave to it.

There are plenty of small things you can do like parking at the far end of the car park, you car is less likely to get dinged and you get a bit more of a walk. Always take the stairs instead of the lift, walk to the shops, that sort of thing.

As for sport, so what you like. I am in a great running club, we have a brilliant social scene and people go because we enjoy it and have a laugh doing it.


BoRED S2upid

21,035 posts

269 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
Start with walking everywhere walk to get a newspaper have a walk in the afternoon go out again in the evening you will soon rack up the miles and distance and burn calories also you don't need to get changed to go for a walk no shorts or sportswear required. Oh and sort out your diet obviously. Can you get a dog? That will motivate you to get out and walk.

grumbledoak

32,566 posts

262 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
Sorry about the circumstances. I hope it all works out for the best.

My view:

Starting at a fat 23 stone you should not even consider running for weight loss. Seriously. You'll just knacker your knees. Walking is fine. Swimming is better. You can do those daily.

But mostly, diet. You'll lose that weight in the kitchen, not pounding pavements or treadmills. Bin all alcohol and sugar. Learn to cook, and cook everything from scratch. You can lose a stone a month for six months. Then ramp up your exercise.

Onwards and upwards. thumbup

INWB

896 posts

136 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
Sorry to hear about the divorce/split

Now sod all the nice stuff.

You're morbidly obese and walking to the park and back isn't going to change that sunshine. You need to man up. Seriously. You're a walking heart attack with type 2 diabetes. So man up. Forget the pussies replying that you need to do zzzzzzzzzzz....sorry nodded off.

Okay so if you ever want to live and also potentially get laid you need to tackle the motivation issue. So get yourself to a gym and find a PT that can help you. Lay off the starch and the booze. Man up. Stop feeling sorry for yourself.

Pay for some sessions and in the meantime buy yourself a bike and go for some ries because frankly you will benefit from it. More exercise and less eating. Try the 5/2 diet and half EVERY single portion.

This may all sound harsh but I am the only one so far that actually will help you.

mcelliott

10,477 posts

210 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
As has been mentioned, at your weight, running will kill you knees and also your enthusiasm to get fit. It's slow and it's boring. Buy a cheap pushbike and remember to keep the cadence nice and high. You'll soon be whizzing along. Oh and of course, a nicely balanced diet. Good luck.

Trevatanus

Original Poster:

11,349 posts

179 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
Cheers guys, the Mrs was something of a "feeder", I didn't have to eat what she put in front of me, but I enjoy my food. I am now eating far healthier than before, much healthier stuff in the fridge. Granted, there's a few microwave meals in the fridge, but I'm having a stir fry tomorrow. As I mentioned above I've already list over a stone, but I want to the momentum going. I put on around 7 stone in the time I was with her, I'll be delighted when that's gone.
The walking will be a lot easier now the weather is turning. I'll try to keep this thread running with my progress.
Thanks all.

CinnamonFan

1,007 posts

225 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
Take a photo of yourself shirtless now. Then you can look back at it when the motivation starts to decrease. Good luck.

T.J.B

81 posts

136 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
Having been 19stone and lost 2.5 stone the last 10weeks I can confirm diet is key.

Find your TDEE and knock 500-1000 calories from this. Try and up the protein and good fats over carbs, I split my daily intake to 40%,40%,20% respectively.

Is there a parkrun nearby? Easier than running by yourself and you can see how times improve week on week. People walk the whole course so don't feel ashamed/embarrassed in doing this.


lost in espace

6,586 posts

236 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
If you find anyway to do it, get some weight training in. Buy some used old stuff. Google scooby and follow t-nation.

anonymous-user

83 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
You lose weight from eating less calories than you burn.

The gym and exercise will get you fit.

You need to do both but ultimately the weight loss will come from what you do in the kitchensmile

greygoose

9,661 posts

224 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
I would start with walking, but not just to the shop, walk everywhere, get a step logger for your phone and make sure you build up your steps everyday. Eat better food. I am not sure running at 23 stone is a good idea as your ankles and knees will take a battering.

numtumfutunch

5,172 posts

167 months

Tuesday 31st May 2016
quotequote all
mcelliott said:
As has been mentioned, at your weight, running will kill you knees and also your enthusiasm to get fit. It's slow and it's boring. Buy a cheap pushbike and remember to keep the cadence nice and high. You'll soon be whizzing along. Oh and of course, a nicely balanced diet. Good luck.
As another cycling zealot Id agree with this
Running will trash your knees if youre a big chap - be careful

Im not in the same league as you but found myself 15kg heavier than Id ever been a few years ago
It was a combination of crap food, too much beer and no exercise

Having always been a cyclist I just got back on my bike and also looked hard at what we were eating
It did help a lot having mates in the same position who were similarly motivated

The food was simple - stop eating ready meals and takeaways and make an effort to actually cook again

The bike hurt a lot to start with
Initially it was a painful 20-30 minute spin on Sunday mornings building up to an hour
Then as I got fitter I added an hour on Wednesday nights

The weight fell off

I now weigh the same as I did when I was a teenager and dont care what I eat
The bike has been a revelation and also helped me meet lots of new people as a bonus

Best of luck




DukeDickson

4,973 posts

242 months

Wednesday 1st June 2016
quotequote all
grumbledoak said:
Sorry about the circumstances. I hope it all works out for the best.

My view:

Starting at a fat 23 stone you should not even consider running for weight loss. Seriously. You'll just knacker your knees. Walking is fine. Swimming is better. You can do those daily.

But mostly, diet. You'll lose that weight in the kitchen, not pounding pavements or treadmills. Bin all alcohol and sugar. Learn to cook, and cook everything from scratch. You can lose a stone a month for six months. Then ramp up your exercise.

Onwards and upwards. thumbup
This is good advice. Your knees are already somewhere between stressed and pretty screwed as a result of hauling a whole heap of weight around without the muscle to aid/support, so running probably isn't a great idea.

Sort your diet, even if just getting under 2k per day by any reasonable means, plus swim a bit and walk 4-5 miles a day, every day, even if you do it in quite a few chunks. If you can also do some weights as well, better still.
Then, when you've lost some heft, add cycling and running, if it floats your boat. Increase the intensity as well.

Also, don't be disillusioned if it doesn't happen quickly, linearly and so on & don't forget to have the occasional day or two off the diet. It took time and a certain effort to put on & so the opposite generally follows, plus everyone needs a bit of a break now and again. Not everyone is the same either, all things considered.


Finally - good luck and stick with it, it will be worth it, especially if new you just happens to walk past your ex!


Edited by DukeDickson on Wednesday 1st June 00:06

Steve Campbell

2,391 posts

197 months

Wednesday 1st June 2016
quotequote all
Lots of good advice already. On the exercise front, also look for the little opportunities to up the calorie burn.

Examples
Go for a 30 minute walk every day (lunchtime ?)....make it a habit.....whatever the weather. You don't need to be pushing it at first, just getting out and about will increase your calorie output and you want to make a habit out if it, not crash the body weight only to find you haven't changed the habits that got it there in the first place.
If you have to go up or down in a building, use the stairs. Set a minimum number of floors until you take a lift. Eg I will always walk if it's <5 floors. Need to go to the 10th ? Get the lift to 5th floor.
If you have a sit down office job, make sure you get up every 50 mins and take a 10 min walk if you can. This is good for your concentration aswell.

Breaking habits is tough......good luck ..... And don't beat yourself up for small failings at the beginning, just reset and carry on.