Joined the YMCA

[eastont]

Since I injured my back in 2000 I've done nothing but get fat. I've put on over 40 lbs and have tried all kinds of diets to see if I could start losing, but nothing has worked. I went to the doctor's before Christmas and asked him for his opinion.

I have 3 damaged discs and on top of that I had quadruple bypass surgery 2 years ago, and I've been fighting with my blood pressure and other issues with both my back and heart meds. But after telling him that all his advice about portions and healthy food choices just ain't working, he agreed that I need to both lose some weight and get my body back into some type of healthy condition.
Before the heart surgery I smoked almost 2 packs a day and had a lot of energy and stamina.
Running up the 62 stairs where my boat was docked was no problem, but since quitting smoking and the surgery I can hardly do anything physical before I'm winded and need to sit. The 62 stairs were a 3 stage process. I have a treadmill at home but for some reason that isn't enough to do what I need, so I joined the YMCA.

I went yesterday just to get an idea of what equipment they have and I was surprised at how much is there. They have everything for a good cardio and all kinds of weight lifting things....free and fixed. I have an appointment with a trainer on Tuesday so that I can get on a program to get me going.

My goal is to get to the 192 lbs I was before my back injury, and I want to be able to walk up the stairs like I used to.
I am 236 today, so I'll see how it goes.

 

[eavega]

Re: Joined the YMCA

Congratulations on making the decision to get healthy. Regular exercise is a great addition to a healthy lifestyle plan. Just remember to keep your goals realistic but still challenging. Lifestyle improvement is a somewhat gradual process, so you need to see some improvement on a regular basis to stay motivated. To re-state what Bubba1235 says in a somewhat different way; diet AND exercise are part of any healthy lifestyle. Rarely can you do just one or the other and expect to lose weight in a long-term sustainable way. Stick with the portion control and healthy food choices your doctor recommends. These are good ideas for healthy, sustainable weight loss. As to the gym, concentrate more on doing some kind of cardio work (treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike, swimming if you can manage it) to improve your cardiovascular health. A strong CV goes a long way towards making you a healthy individual. You need to get your heart rate up, and keep it there for a while (20-40 min). Don't neglect resistance training; more muscle mass helps your body become more efficient at using the nutrients you ingest, not to mention muscle will help stabilize skeletal weaknesses (i.e. back problems).
Less than 50 Lbs to lose is a reasonable goal. Don't agonize over the scale, though. At the Y, the trainers there can do caliper skinfold tests for body fat. If you have this done periodically (every 3 months or so) it will give you a better indication as to whether you are getting healthier or not. Note that if you are losing fat but gaining muscle, the scale may not move as quickly as you think it would. It can be discouraging if you don't realise that while you may not be losing weight, you are definitely making progress.
Good luck, and hang in there. You'll be taking the stairs two at a time before the end of summer!

Rgds

 

[eaglejim]

Re: Joined the YMCA

I started my quest when I hit 230 I am now sitting at 168+/-(on a 5'11 frame) like others have said diet and exercise are the key, start small on goals then as you hit them increase them good luck keep us updated

 

[tswiczko]

Re: Joined the YMCA

Hi Eastont'

I have the same problem. I was in an auto accident in 2006 that left 10 screws a plate and 2 rods in my spine and had 5 vertebrae fused as well.

I have been well over 200 even before the accident (248 at the time of the accident)

So after 2 years of surgeries and Physical therapy I tried going to a gym it didn't go so well. I could have re-injured my self badly( I had to get the rods straightened) ouch.

so I got with a coach and worked out a light routine and core exercises like pillates and now I'm down to 209 I haven't weighed under 220 since I got out of the military in mid 80's.

Good luck and be careful and if you can find a trainer with some experience in physical rehabilitation.

Hi Eagle Jim how ya been.