Being Overweight

[Jimmy1]

You know I have been getting pretty sick and tired of being overweight. I have done the whole diet and exercise thing over and over and over and my MD has finally pinned it down to one medication, although nearly every medication I am on has ' Weight Gain' written on it as a side effect.

The best condition I have been in since discharging from the military was when i was an avid 'Pot' user, I didn't take any other medication, but I must admit, the cardio I did was heaps more too, but that was before my back was fused.

So what else have I tried. I have done every diet from weight watchers, Jenny Craig, you name it. Some of them worked, but were not manageable over a long time.

Right now I must admit I have fallen off the wagon with regards to what food I eat, but generally I only eat whole foods, naturally grown, no junk food, no deserts. I don't have sugar in my coffee and don't generally drink soft drink.

Suffering from depression does not help either. I remember about 10 months ago I went on a 12 week program set up by a fitness nut. I stuck to everything on the diet and did what I could in the gym. Cardio wise I did an hour in the morning of brisk walking up and down hills and then another 30 min at night. I did not weigh myself the whole time and was excited to see the difference. I had toned up a bit and muscle is heavier than fat, but what a let down when I found I had lost 500 grams.

So, now that my weight is affecting my past surgery, being back, knee's and abdominal wall, the recommendation is for a gastric band. Very few side affects and it can be reversed. Quite a few veterans who I know that have pretty similar injuries and psych conditions and are on pretty much the same medication have had a huge success with it. Their only comment is that they only eat kiddies meals now, but apart from that they can eat whatever they like. So I am going for it.

So my mother sent me this picture so I did not feel bad about weighing 120 kg.

 

[JarHed]

Hey Jimmy

It's extremely difficult to loose weight when you're on a med that has a side effect of 'weight gain'. You mentioned weight watchers and that you found it 'unmanageable over time'. Personally, I find it to be a good program. I've been on it for about 2months and have lost a bit more than 20lbs. I find that I've learned to eat differently but I'm never hungry. I don't take a med as you do that has weight gain as a side effect. I got involved for a couple of reasons. I was starting to creep up a few pounds at a time and I was having more and more problems with my joints in my lower body and back. Joint pain is gone and my energy level has never been better. Still fighting the depression myself so I know that's a factor as well. Changing one's lifestyle is a tough thing and I think that's what's required. Like all things it ain't easy but the benefits are worth it.

For me I like and need structure and goals. Both thinking about and watching what I eat fall into those categories. I still have a cheese steak or nice meal at a restaurant from time to time just not all the time. And yes, exercise is both necessary and important. Give it another thought or let me know what you think or how I might help.

Jar

 

[Chin Strapped]

Can you get a gastric band easily then mate?

I've been looking at this (for about 3 years!)

Link Removed

I know a guy who did it after he actually managed to put weight on during a tour (bastion RLC driver), good bloke, so I won't get all bitter. Holy shit did he loose some weight.

I'm gonna have a pop soon when I sort my meds out.

 

[Barberian]

My wife and several people we know have had one of the several gastric bypass or band surgeries. All of them have regained the weight except my wife. My wife did regain some weight, but not much, especially compared to the other people we know. My wife had the gastric bypass, and now has some health issues because she doesn't absorb nutrients and minerals very well. She is always anemic (low iron) and has to take multi-vitamins to make up for what she misses because of the first section of the intestines that were bypassed and absorb a lot of that stuff.

After the surgery they give you these protein bars to eat. If you get those protein bars and eat them as if you had the surgery in the amount the recommend, you will safely lose the weight without the surgery. It will be difficult, have no doubt about it, but it will be much safer (and cheaper).

It's a lifestyle change to have the surgery. you can do the same lifestyle change without the surgery. If you don't change your lifestyle, the weight will come back. That is where most people fail, and regain the weight after surgery.

Personally, if I ate like I wanted to, I'd have to be moved around by crane and forklift. The way I keep from gaining weight is to have a moderate breakfast (occasionally, I usually end up missing breakfast), a large lunch, and a small dinner at least four hours before bed. I go to bed with an empty stomach so it doesn't just sit there and be absorbed/turned into fat. I can't eat a big breakfast like they say because of upset stomach in the morning from stress and a bad night's sleep usually.

After I retired, I drove an 18 wheeler for almost 3 years. At my heaviest, I was almost 300 lbs. Eating at fast food joints and truck stops was killing me with the weight gain. I started eating the smaller meals with the small sides (fries and soda), and started to lose weight. Just because I had access to the food didn't mean I had to eat it. What I'm trying to say is portion and timing control. I'm down to around a healthy 230 lbs. I'm 6'3" and moderately muscled, a bit of a "beer belly" but I carry my weight well now.

I'm not currently on a med that causes weight gain, but I have been in the past. The way I eat worked for me then as well, but I had to cut back on soda and snacks.

I know each person's metabolism is different, and meds can make a huge difference. Personally I am against the surgery option, but I know it's not an option for some. I hope I haven't offended you, and wish you the best of luck on whichever path you choose.

 

[Jimmy1]

Big difference between bypass and band. The bypass they alter your whole stomach size. The gastric band is an adjustable band that has subcutaneous port which leads directly to the band. The MD adjusts it till it is right for that person by injecting or removing saline.
You see, apparently, as soon as something encloses around your stomach you lose that always hungry feeling that a lot of meds give you.

A point to note, there is no use getting it done unless you are serious. I know of some people over here who had it done because they were told they needed it because of their health, and it was just like a smoker having to give up smoking, it didn't work. Why, because you can still have all the liquids you want, so ice cream, coke, stuff like that will put on weight.

To get it done here you need to be classed as morbidly obese according to your BMI and have two weight related illnesses. With me, I am about 5 kg shy but my MD reckons because of my psych probs, my back, my knees etc, I fit the criteria.

Diet wise, well it's a matter of eating sensibly. You can't eat anything like bread or shitty take away like the skin on KFC or Mc Donalds which I won't anyway, and you have to chew your food very small, not scoff it down like I do now.

Worst comes to the worst, you can remove all the saline and go back to normal, or, you can have it removed. It's all keyhole surgery.

Can you get a gastric band easily then mate?

.

Mate, it's almost considered cosmetic surgery now.

 

[reddevil1111]

Jimmy,
Your not alone mate. There is an aussie who did a movie called fat sick and nearly dead. He talks about juicing to get better and drop weight. I plan to do the juicing soon as my last ditch effort before I do the band as well. I just lost all activity and need to drop the weight. You might look into the movie its on netflicks. There is a web site as well. The movie has convinced me to try it.

 

[Anglesachse]

I started Weightwatchers because the misses was doing it, and it isn`t so much a diet program but a rethinking about how you eat, We still stick to it most days, and I have kept my weight now for allmost 1 year, I still need a couple of Kgs gone, but with sensible eating and sport or exercise you will have the best results.

But at the end of the day you have to want it for anything to happen.

 

[JarHed]

I started Weightwatchers because the misses was doing it, and it isn`t so much a diet program but a rethinking about how you eat, We still stick to it most days, and I have kept my weight now for allmost 1 year, I still need a couple of Kgs gone, but with sensible eating and sport or exercise you will have the best results.

But at the end of the day you have to want it for anything to happen.

Exactly.

 

[Jimmy1]

That is the whole disheartening thing. I am the chief cook here and I used to drive everyone crazy with what I could eat and couldn't.
The same with all the other diets. They get take away, I don't. They have home made pizza, I wouldn't, but nothing works bar starving myself and that is not sustainable. It's so defeating. It's like my metabolism has shut down completely. I even went to a chinese herbalist.

I see a lot of my mates with this huge gut and I don't get it, besides, I can't afford to.

 

[Bernard003]

Obesity is a big health problem that cause various health complications specially heart problems, diabetes, and many other health complications. The main factors that contribute to the weight gain and obesity are the unhealthy diet, more usage of the fast and fried foods, lack of the exercises and physical activities and more usage of the alcohol and soda drinks. Avoid all of these factors to control your weight and maintain your fitness level.

 

[Chin Strapped]

Easy as that.

 

[JarHed]

We're overfed and undernourished. And as always what I have to say is only my opinion and truly unimportant.

Many things can be said about 'wanting' to loose weight. It all gets in the way of actually loosing weight.

It takes two major things in my book. Discipline and a change of lifestyle. How, what and when you eat is key. If you're ex-military you already understand what discipline is and how to apply it. Changing your lifestyle can be extremely tough but with the first part the second one is possible.

Fad diets don't work and an operation may force you for a time to toe the mark but if you don't do the two things above you will ultimately fail. I've had a great deal of health problems since I returned from 'Nam. They always got worse when I got heavier. At one point I was more than 60lbs. heavier than I am now. It was terrible. I'm finally at a weight that's good for my health and my body framework. I eat real food, in case there's any question about that.

The thought of having surgery of any kind scares the shit out of me so having it to loose weigh for most seem more than a bit extreme, to me. You can do it without that if you're desire is strong enough. I'll leave this thread now because I find it disturbing what people will do sometimes. Again, only my bullshit opinions.