I'm killing myself with food

[bengraven]

I can't handle this shit anymore. It's time for a Livejournal-age thread. I'm 30 years old and very heavy - 275 pounds/5'11". I've tried workout routines but when I lose any of it, even 5-10 pounds it comes right back. The scary part is: I was tested and have very high cholesterol (350 when it should be 150-200), my family has a history of heart disease and I've been having chest pains for the last month or so (the doctors say these are likely not related however, as I likely pulled a muscle in my pectoral).

The First Problem: I don't work out. I am at an office job where I sit in front of a PC from 2 in the afternoon until 11pm at night. I get home and I'm tired (not "exhausted" from physical exertion, but because it's midnight). I am woke up at anywhere from 7-9 by my 1 year old son and usually let him watch his shows and play games or check the nets.

The Second Problem: My diet is shit. While my wife keeps trying to shove healthy foods down my throat, I buy snacks at work or at gas stations on the way to work. Sometimes idiotic amounts of high cholestorol/fat/calorie foods like Krispy Kremes and Tornadoes.

Part of me? Thinks I'm addicted. Part of me? Thinks that's a bullshit excuse. All of me is scared, but I CAN'T GET MYSELF TO JUST FUCKING DO IT.

I'll troll myself here: this is not only irresponsible, but an unhealthy example for my 1 year old son and if I die of heart disease, I leave him and my 23 year old wife alone. Fuck me, I suck. And fuck food. And I want to humiliate myself on NeoGAF by making an ass out of myself.

TL;DR VERSION: I can't stop eating shitty foods and I'm bi-polar about it.

 

[poweld]

Honestly, if you can find 20 minutes a day (maybe after you've digested your breakfast) to go for a jog, I think all of the problems will fix themselves.

Exercise fixed all the problems you listed for me in the past- you feel great mentally, will have less desire to eat crap food, and will begin to lose weight.

I know you've probably heard it all before, but really, it's not so bad once you get started. The first few weeks are by far the hardest part. Then you will feel weird not getting in your bit of exercise.

 

[Cheech]

1. Go to a doctor and get on cholesterol medication. You are pretty much going to be dead by 50 at the absolute latest with that number.
2. Go see a psychologist. Your need for crap food is an addiction, and isn't going to be broken by sheer will alone.

In other words, you need the pros on this one. Sorry man.

 

[quickwhips]

dude do it for your son if nothing else. My boss passed away a 1.5 years ago. he was over weight and 37 coolest guy i knew. He didn't eat right or take the pills he needed to take for his heart. He had a 7 year old daughter who was in my wedding. It sucks to think she won't grow up knowning how cool he was. I know it sucks but buckle down and do the right thing for your kid.

 

[JavyOO7]

Well, if you try going all out with a brand spanking new diet I reckon you would fail really quick, right. Its only normal. You are putting too much on your place.

Take baby steps. Maybe take off something you normally eat out of the list and go from there. Once you have will power to do that, you'll have will power to do more things.

 

[Kastro]

willpower

get some

 

[SapientWolf]

Take baby steps. Park farther away from your office, for example. Get a resistance band and use it in your office chair. Replace soda with water when you get fast food. Continue to make small but permanent changes towards your goal and you'll eventually get there.

 

[ToxicAdam]

My theory is that many people overeat because they are depressed and stressed. Then they get fat, then get more depressed and stressed, then they eat more.


So, you have to stop the cycle at some point. Either with meds (to treat your depression) or through a major lifestyle overhaul (work a new job with better hours or HIRE A TRAINER). Or do all the above.

You need a self-intervention or you are going to keep spiraling out of control.

 

[Hilbert]

Can you bike to work?

 

[bengraven]

1. Go to a doctor and get on cholesterol medication. You are pretty much going to be dead by 50 at the absolute latest with that number.
2. Go see a psychologist. Your need for crap food is an addiction, and isn't going to be broken by sheer will alone.

In other words, you need the pros on this one. Sorry man.

I completely agree and actually have done both. Which is why I'm so frustrated. My psychiatrist believes I'm just lazy. My doctor has brought up cholesterol meds, but she's waiting for the medical records from the previous doctor who informed me of the high cholesterol.

 

[captive]

I think taxing soda will help you curb your habits.

 

[RiskyChris]

You need to condition yourself to loathe unhealthy foods as well as large portions. When I'm being good, a krispy kreme donut would make me feel ill just looking at it.

2. Go see a psychologist. Your need for crap food is an addiction, and isn't going to be broken b sheer will alone.

Please. It is definitely a super ingrained addiction, but there's no reason you can't overcome it.

 

[JavyOO7]

My theory is that many people overeat because they are depressed and stressed. Then they get fat, then get more depressed and stressed, then they eat more.

I agree with this. Funny, because a year prior to ballooning more quicker than Kirby could, I had lost 50 pounds in my Senior year in High School. Then, entering college, I got stressed out rather easily and gained back my weight and then some. This is what I'm combating now, unfortunately...

 

[Ikuu]

Start by cutting back on the shit you eat, have some fruit/nuts as a snack if you need to rather than sweats, and start by adding some exercise in the morning (start off with just walking) and after a few weeks try something like this http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

 

[SmokyDave]

1; Eat Less.
2; Move More.

 

[Lagspike_exe]

Walk instead of using vehicle transport, even if it means 30+ minute walks.

Eat fruit instead of buying sweets (I know this is very hard).

Drink water instead of soda (if you don't like water, get the water with aroma).

 

[valparaiso]

oh, come on. what's the point of this thread.

if you want to keep on living the way you are, do it. otherwise, you know what to do to fix things.

 

[soul creator]

EA Sports Active

 

[bengraven]

Can you bike to work?

Unfortunately no, I live an hour from work along some busy highways. And it's Florida and I'm a pale Yankee. :lol

Honestly, if you can find 20 minutes a day (maybe after you've digested your breakfast) to go for a jog, I think all of the problems will fix themselves.

Exercise fixed all the problems you listed for me in the past- you feel great mentally, will have less desire to eat crap food, and will begin to lose weight.

I know you've probably heard it all before, but really, it's not so bad once you get started. The first few weeks are by far the hardest part. Then you will feel weird not getting in your bit of exercise.

I'm going to try. My son and I are alone until about 11am when my wife gets up. I might take that time to walk with him, though honestly, this is where my frustration began:

I don't really feel much different when I walk. I used to walk all the time and was still really heavy. I suppose I counter-acted my exercise with food, but still.

dude do it for your son if nothing else. My boss passed away a 1.5 years ago. he was over weight and 37 coolest guy i knew. He didn't eat right or take the pills he needed to take for his heart. He had a 7 year old daughter who was in my wedding. It sucks to think she won't grow up knowning how cool he was. I know it sucks but buckle down and do the right thing for your kid.

That's what breaks my heart. I break down thinking about him being without me. He's the center of my life, that's what frustrates me the most - I can't bash myself in the head enough to get it through my skull that I NEED to do this. NEED. For him more than even me.

My theory is that many people overeat because they are depressed and stressed. Then they get fat, then get more depressed and stressed, then they eat more.


So, you have to stop the cycle at some point. Either with meds (to treat your depression) or through a major lifestyle overhaul (work a new job with better hours or HIRE A TRAINER). Or do all the above.

You need a self-intervention or you are going to keep spiraling out of control.

I'm trying to get this intervention. I agree that I'm depressed, very much so, even though I have a great life. My doctor is adamant that it's a chemical issue. So I keep going to him until either we can get the proper meds to fix the mental issues or until I finally get that slap in the face.

 

[surrogate]

Haven't you heard, nearly all unhealthy food is literally drenched in dog semen. Just think about it every time you want to eat.

 

[Ikuu]

Go cycling with your son, or do some other form of exercise with him.

 

[bengraven]

I think taxing soda will help you curb your habits.

I actually only drink diet soda, ironically enough. I have for the last ten years.

Back in 1998, I lost over 100 pounds drinking diet soda and eating one meal a day. Very unhealthy and when I gained the weight back, I think I fucked up my metabolism. To this day, however, I can't drink regular soda. I hate the taste now.

 

[Darklord]

Eat things high in protein. It makes you more full so you'll eat less. Try different healthy foods, strange things or different things you don't normally eat. You might find there are some really tasty things around that aren't fried in fat with a bucket of mars bars melted over it with bacon. Hell, I even found a recipe for a low(er?) fat burger, and damn that things delicious.

Also, some people will tell you "Stop eating fatty foods forever!". No, there wrong. Limit it to once a week so if you want that snack have it once and that's it.

Check with your doctor as well for medication to lower your cholesterol and get a list of foods that can help control it.

 

[joelseph]

Eat 3 meals a day and reduce snacking to afternoon and evening. Try to eat as many vegetables as possible, your lunch and dinner should be loaded with them. For snacks I recommend stuff like toasted english muffin and honey or baby carrots and peanut butter, cereal can be a good snack also, anything that is still "hearty" without the loaded calories and junk.

Excersize is super important too but getting your eating habits under control is #1. Not only will you start to lose weight but you will feel better, sleep better, shit better. Vegetables are the key.

 

[Ben Pierce]

Eat so much of 1 thing (In your case, a certain junk food) until you get absolutely sick of it and can't bear to look at another one of them again. It worked for me. You'll never want that taste in your mouth.

Then again, I'm not really addicted to junk food, so I'm not sure if that would actually help you.

 

[jmdajr]

Exercise a little and don't eat so god damn much. Portions man, start by controlling your portions and don't always eat until your full. For the love of God please give up donuts.

 

[bengraven]

All these responses like "just don't do that anymore" remind me that I have a serious fucking mental condition.

 

[Anerythristic]

You NEED to exercise. I lost 80 pounds by simply eating healthier, cut out fried foods, carbs after 3pm (this advice is from a body builder but it worked) and sugar.

My advice get a stationary bike and put it infront of your TV I was doing a few miles a night on the bike just because it was infront of a TV.

 

[aznpxdd]

Same here, I eat like shit. At least I lift weights every other day so I'm in pretty decent shape. I'm too young to give up good food!

 

[RiskyChris]

All these responses like "just don't do that anymore" remind me that I have a serious fucking mental condition.

If you can't stop your hand from going to your mouth, then go see a professional.

Good luck, I know it feels hopeless and completely unattainable, but you can do it.

 

[entremet]

I actually only drink diet soda, ironically enough. I have for the last ten years.

Back in 1998, I lost over 100 pounds drinking diet soda and eating one meal a day. Very unhealthy and when I gained the weight back, I think I fucked up my metabolism. To this day, however, I can't drink regular soda. I hate the taste now.

Cut starchy vegetables, white bread, white pasta, sugar and focus on healthy fats, meat, fowl, fish, fresh fruits and veggies.

Research has shown that big guys tend to benefit immensely from weight training. Do worry about long, boring cardio for now.

I would join a gym as well. Your environment matters.

 

[BronzeWolf]

Don't even drink diet soda.

Drink water

Water is awesome

 

[Cloudy]

Get a dog. You HAVE to walk it and that should help with excercise..

 

[Gospel]

Don't keep spare change around, avoid areas of temptation, there's a multitude of things you can do.

Of course if the problem is laziness, then maybe you should make a schedule of things for your day. Try having your wife wake you up at a certain time everyday to eat start your day right and continue on with the schedule you planned.

 

[JustHadToJoin]

haha I had two friends like that, they're both dead now.

 

[sk3]

I would suggest buying an expensive piece of exercise equipment. You will use it out of spite because you spent so much money on it and want to get your money's worth. Though if you are not responsible with your money either, you might not care.

I bought a $2000 elliptical and have used it every single day for 18 months. I had not exercised at any time in my life before that (I am 26, then 24).

Being fit feels good, man. Someone can poke you and its just tight muscle instead of chubby lumps, it's awesome.

 

[Magik]

Definitely consider getting a trainer and talk to your doctor.

Besides that, start by replacing all the shitty foods with a healthier alternative. Instead of Pop, replace it with water or fresh juice. Also try to replace all the junk food with fruits and try to walk a bit more. They are small things but its better than doing nothing.

Good luck.

 

[jmdajr]

Same here, I eat like shit. At least I lift weights every other day so I'm in pretty decent shape. I'm too young to give up good food!

Healthy food can taste good too you know. Actually after awhile you start to realize junk food actually tastes pretty damn disgusting. Like cake. I can't stand cake.

Spoiler

still LOVE ice cream though...at least it has some protein and calcium

 

[bengraven]

You NEED to exercise. I lost 80 pounds by simply eating healthier, cut out fried foods, carbs after 3pm (this advice is from a body builder but it worked) and sugar.

My advice get a stationary bike and put it infront of your TV I was doing a few miles a night on the bike just because it was infront of a TV.

That's actually an awesome idea. My wife is insistant I can lose the weight by walking and eating right, but I have to try and convince her to let me get a bike.

If you can't stop your hand from going to your mouth, then go see a professional.

Good luck, I know it feels hopeless and completely unattainable, but you can do it.

Think of it like Fight Club, only "Jack" never eats during the day and starts slowly getting fat.

 

[joelseph]

Get a dog. You HAVE to walk it and that should help with excercise..

"I am woke up at anywhere from 7-9 by my 1 year old son and usually let him watch his shows and play games or check the nets."


I don't know if that would be a good idea or not.

 

[Count Dookkake]

What do you want on your Tombstone?

 

[MoxManiac]

The biggest enemy to weight loss is time. Not only do you have to develop a strict regimen, but you have to stick to it a long ass time.

 

[RiskyChris]

The biggest enemy to weight loss is time. Not only do you have to develop a strict regimen, but you have to stick to it a long ass time.

The worst part is how little time it takes to fuck it all up...

 

[Undeux]

You need to just go cold turkey. I know that sounds really hard, but once you've done it you'll be surprised at how easy it was. If you can't do extensive exercise, try to walk a lot more often - simple things like taking the stairs instead of an elevator, parking far away from your destination, etc. Walk on your lunch breaks. Once you start losing weight and go a week without eating junk food, you'll want to respect that progress by keeping it going: it's a cycle that feeds itself. Read a bit about nutrition and just force yourself to be more active, no matter how tired you are. If you didn't have a kid it would be one thing, but since you do you have an even greater responsibility to make this happen.

The biggest enemy to weight loss is time. Not only do you have to develop a strict regimen, but you have to stick to it a long ass time.

This is one of the traps people fall into, I think. It doesn't have to be a strict regimen or something that takes a ton of time. It's just a matter of changing the way you eat and making small lifestyle changes. At the OP's weight level, small changes will likely make a huge difference. Those small changes won't be enough for weight loss at a certain point, but that's a bridge to cross later.

 

[Fragamemnon]

My wife and I generally hate exercise but have no problems sticking to a stationary bike schedule provided that she has her DVDs and I have my youtube'd starcraft. :lol

Seems like it works for some other people. Might be worth trying, just be warned that it is something that you have to stick with.

 

[Quake1028]

Fuck you must eat really badly. I'm heavier than you (losing weight though, almost 60 pounds so far) and my cholesterol is over 150 points lower than yours. Good luck in your journey. It can be done. It's hard work, but it can be done.

 

[JBuccCP]

The first time I tried to lose weight about two months in I broke my foot while running. My advice is don't break your foot.

 

[beelzebozo]

The worst part is how little time it takes to fuck it all up...

think so? i haven't found that at all. once you get to your goal weight, typically you've developed such good dietary and fitness habits that a few bumps in the road aren't going to destroy your physical health. on the contrary, these bumps are often signs of over training, under eating, and a way that your body tells you that you need to just sit down for a while.

maybe i've had an experience that is unlike others' here, but the entire operation seems fairly self-sustaining to some degree. you lost weight with a system, and whatever hitches may occur in your system down the road, the good habits of that system will nonetheless be the status quo and help you maintain good health.

The first time I tried to lost weight about two months in I broke my foot while running. My advice is don't break your foot.

i pulled my hamstring several months ago and had to take up cardio boxing in the interim. it forced me to be more adaptable in my routine. now, sometimes my hamstring hurts, so i box; sometimes my shoulders are sore from boxing, so i run or use the elliptical. diversifying your routine is healthy and necessary.

 

[turnbuckle]

Would a tax on this unhealthy food help you at all?

I agree that you may want to see professional help on this, but there are some basic things you can do to improve your odds. The first and foremost thing you should do is to just not buy the junk in the first place. This may seem like an either obvious or an eyeroll worthy answer, but the biggest problem from my experience of unhealthy eating comes from the access to unhealthy food.

As for working out, it's kind of a momentum thing you have to work on. Getting started is always the most difficult. I don't mean working on day 1, but being able to work out through day 20. The first week or two of an honest workout program will make your body sore and you likely won't see the results you want immediately. But if you can press through the initial growing pains and internalize a daily routine that includes going to the gym, after a month or so working out will start to feel as part of your daily schedule as brushing your teeth. Well...maybe not quite as much, but you get my drift.

I guess I don't really have any novel advice, but those were and are the things I've used to get out of the random slumps I've been through in life. Just stay away from diet pills and fad diets and don't try starving yourself. Your progress has to be gradual so your body is able to adjust to your new level of activity and calorie intake. It also needs to adapt to liking other foods that might not be as craveable as sweets and other fatty foods. Lots of healthy and tasty food out there.

Good luck

 

[Manmademan]

get your ass to the gym.

There are more and more gyms with "daycare" options for tots and young kids while you work out- my gym in philly has one, not that I need to use it.

find one of those, put your kid in there for an hour, get your exercise on. book it. done.