500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

[RubenO]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Ruben and I am 35 Years old. Up until is was 17, I always been in decent shape. I use to go to the Gym and walk around with friends allot due to not having a car. During this time I was living with my mother and we moved far away out in the woods. After we moved, I was stuck in the House with no car and no friends in the middle of no-where and that is when the weight started to pack on.

Right now I am 496 lbs. & 6' 2" Tall. I am a pretty active person at this weight, I do a bit of construction work and go out daily. But my main job requires me to sit behind a computer (at home) for most of the Day.

I use to sleep till 2 pm and go to bed at 5am. I did this for many years until recently. I now go to bed around 12am - 1am and get up around 9am.

I use to drink allot of soda as well, but I stopped soda about 2 years ago and started drinking Spring Water. I thought the Stopping of Soda and consumption of spring water would help take weight off, but it didn't.

I also Stopped eating McDonalds, Domino's and other Fast Food for a couple years too and that didn't help me lose weight.

Right Now my daily Menu is Raisen Bran Cereal with Low Fat Milk for Breakfast. A low Fat Yougart for Lunch, and usually 12 oz. Steak or Half Chicken and Shrimp Cocktail for Dinner. We usually eat out every night for dinner. For Snacks, I usually eat the Low Carb Russel Stovers Chocolates.

At this point in my life, I don't know what to do. I really want to do allot in life and being 500 lbs. stops most of it. I have set a goal for myself to help me lose this weight. That goal is to be able to ride a rollercoaster one day at Disney which is always something I wanted to do and can't due to the size of me and the size of the seats.

I am looking for any help possible. Being that I am a big guy, I realise my Intake of food might have to be different then a person that is 50 lbs overweight. I am willing to do anything to make this happen.

Thank You for taking your time to This.
Ruben

[cleochatra]

Re: 500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

Hi, Ruben! It is so nice to meet you. I know that I did the whole gamut of dieting, but the only way I am satisfied with what I am eating is on Atkins. Granted, it's not for everyone, but I was tired of being hungry, and tired of starving myself all the time to lose little or no weight. I took the phen-fen. I did Weight Watchers. I was even considering weight loss surgery. I decided I'd give Atkins one last shot. I lost 100 pounds in 7 months. We've had people lose even faster than that. If you're already active, you'll do better than someone who decides exercise is exercising their right to not exercise. I think you would be a great candidate for eating a diet which stabilizes your blood sugars, increases your enegry and makes you lose weight without hunger.

If you don't already have the 2002 version of the Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution, I highly recommend getting ahold of it. Ask a lot of questions. And know we're a support board. We're here to educate you, help you, and give you positive support in order that you can lose thw weight and maintain this way of eating for the rest of your life. And why wouldn't you want to feel great for the rest of your life? We spend too many years doing what we did because we always did it. Time for a paradigm shift towards that man who's going to ride the roller coaster at Disneyland!

Welcome to ADBB.

[angelsfort]

Re: 500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

I don't have any advice for you Ruben, but I do know that you have come to the right place for encouragement!

Have you gotten the "Atkins New Diet Revolution" book? If not, I think you should go pick it up (you can also order in online, I'd try Amazon first - you can usually get books at a great price from them)

There's another thread in here somewhere that has an "acceptable food" list on it... maybe someone can post the link in here for you...

There's also another one that has links to the different restaurants - you can check out their low carb items before you go...

I eat out alot also - ever since my husband passed away, it's just me and my toddler and sometimes I just don't want to cook for just us (since she usually eats something different than me) And it's helped me considerably to look at the menu's at home before I go and make the best low-carb choice...

I know that I didn't give you any info that could help you right away, but hopefully you'll be able to find the forums with the info that I mentioned (I'd put a link to them in here, but I don't know how to do that!! Sorry!)

I wish you the best of luck! Keep coming here and I'm sure that you'll get tons of help from lots of people!

Dianna

[Suzanne_H]

Re: 500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

First, Ruben, I just want to encourage you that you CAN do this! I'm 5'6" and weighed 265 at my heaviest and now weigh 223. I've been steady sticking to this way of life since September 4, 2005 but struggled to get steady for several years. The key to my staying with it this time has been exercise. I joined the YMCA and have been faithful to go to the gym at least 4 times a week. I started slow, though. On a visit to the gym I would work out on say six machines, one set of ten exercises each. I'd do 30 minutes of cardio, but break it up... say 15 minutes on the cycle and 15 minutes on the treadmill. It took about a month before I really started to see results, but now 3 months later the results are dramatic. Today I do strength training on all the machines, probably 16 types of exercises if memory serves me right... 4 sets of 10 each except abs, do 100 reps on the abs, plus 30 minutes of cardio on the track. Yesterday I ran two of my normally walked laps of the track. I have never run without being chased in my life!

I've learned through fora like this one how to order in restaurants to stay to the way of eating. Start with the lists of acceptable foods posted in the fora and stick to the list. Read through the fora for meal ideas and learn how to stay with it. You may feel weird at first, may even feel a little sick with flu-like symptoms the first couple days off the carbs, but that's just your body adjusting. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and exercise and it'll helpl. Eventually the cravings will go away, or at least they did for me after about a week on this way of eating.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

[Labarum]

Re: 500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

Welcome Ruben.

You have had some good advice already.
Read the book, follow the rules and it will work.

I am about the same height as you and look at my pics.

Kent is a little taller, but was nearer your weight at start - and look at him.

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/member.php?userid=11331

Higgies is another good example of a fairly hefty guy who made it work.

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.com/forums/member.php?userid=14158

It can work for you.

Look at the pics

[dreamof145]

Re: 500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

Hello Ruben! Glad to see you join us. Cleo already gave you some fantastic information about the Atkins Way of Life and the ADBB support board. I'd just like to tell you that you can do it. I was very negative when I first started and now I've changed my whole life around since I've started doing this Way of Eating. You can too.

You will get the support, encouragment and motivation you need to succeed here. Everyone is making it happen one day at a time. I look forward to hearing about your success and getting to know you better! Check out all the forums that the ADBB has to offer. We have forums on health, success stories (like the Loser's Lounge), challenges, chit-chat and many other issues that will be of interest to you!! WELCOME

[RubenO]

Re: 500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

Wow that was fast! Thanks for all the Warm and encouraging welcomes.

Does anyone have a link to the foods I should start with?
Should I follow the plan on the Atkins Homepage?
Is there a newbie routine to follow?

Thanks
Ruben

[cleochatra]

Re: 500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

The atkins website isn't what it used to be. It crossed over to the dark side and now looks like the poster child site for eating processed foods and wearing Eddie Bauer (not that there's anything wrong with Eddie Bauer).

This will get you started (Tammy made this--print it out), but buy the book. It is your lifeline and your most important piece of equipment.



Newbie routine is drink your minimum of 64 ounces of water a day, take supplements, exercise, ask questions and keep us posted. We care about how you are doing.

No processed low-carb foods. Pre-plan. Know you'll get induction flu most likely (a side effeect the first few days that leaves you feeling under the weather while your body switches from burning carbs to burning fat for fuel). Don't stop, you'll feel better after you de-tox.

Also read this forum and the FAQ's forum above it.

Keep the faith! In 14 days you'll be a believer.

[Labarum]

Re: 500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

Explicitly

See

Induction Rules

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=6782

and

Induction Foods

http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=6781

But as has already been said, there is no susbstitute for reading and re-reading the book.

You have already found folk here will be very supportive. Some folk are extremely knowlegeable and very experienced. Some will tip-toe round an issue, not wanting to hurt your feelings, and others will tell it to you straight if you are not sticking to the rules.

Do this by the book, stick to the letter of the law, and it will work.

Drinking the water is important - lots and lots - keep as large glass on the go the whole time. Excercise as much as you are able.

And above all enjoy the food!

[atkinsagain]

Re: 500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

Hi Ruben and welcome. I see you've received a lot of good advice, especially about buying the book. I think that is a must do. I just wanted to offer some encouragement and support. There is an abundance of good advice on these boards and I know reading through the site will help you along the way. I've been on every diet imaginable too and this is by far the best one I've ever been on! I look forward to watching your progress. You can do this!

[Jasmain]

Re: 500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

Ruben, hello and Welcome! The road to Disneyland is paved with a lot of bumps, but you have definitely come to the right place! You will find so many wonderful people, as I'm sure you can tell from all of the wonderful advice and support you've seen already (which I can't top). I rely on them to keep me going daily with words of encouragement, and the information I need to keep trudging down my own road. Believe in yourself, and there is nothing you can't do. The one thing that can't be stressed enough is to plan ahead! Take that induction food list and get your kitchen ready! There is nothing worse than waking up and not knowing if you have something legal to eat in the house, then having to browse through all the bad stuff trying to find something! Read read read! Find your niche and stick with it. Move and then move again! And as always, may the Atkins be with you, wherever you find yourself during each day. Kricket and I (see pictures in signature) are sending nice warm, carb free thoughts and hugs your way today, and I will keep you in my thoughts.

[mjett37]

Re: 500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

Hi Rueban, and welcome to ADBB, I am sure that you will find a bunch of nice people here always ready and willing to answer your questions about anything, once again welcome.

[2big4mysize]

Re: 500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

welcome to ADBB and to Atkins. Jump right in and checkout our many places for help doing Atkins correctly. the Century club is full of formewr superheavyweights and many still in the shrinking proicess folk who understand what you will be facing.

Journals is a good place to make friends and be acountable and the 14 day induction forum is just what you need it you are serious about doing Atkins right.

We have a cyber boot camp sign up ends to night so if you want to try to get in hurry. and fill out your applecation

The ADBB Boot Camp is now accepting applications on a first come, first serve basis. Camp will fill up quickly and applications for the limited number of spots will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
. Clean Induction will be required from DEC 5 to DEC 19
Please follow the instructions as written for submission of applications to Boot Camp.

Applications must be sent by Private Message (PM) to Username: BCCommand. Do not send your application to a moderator. They may not be accepted.

Use the copy and paste function and paste your application to a PM and send it to BCCommand.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Boot Camp Enrollment Request:

Your ADBB User Name: __________________

If in the U.S., the State in which you live: _______________________

If not in the U.S., the Country in which you live: __________________

Boot Camp is to support Clean Inductions. This means following the Acceptable Food List for Induction, no bars or shakes or other low carb prepared foods. If it isn't listed on the Acceptable Food List for Induction, you can't eat it. Are you in agreement that you can maintain this standard?
Yes _____
No _____

Boot Camp requires checking in with your drill sergeant Monday through Friday, each day for the entirety of Boot Camp. While Clean Induction is required throughout the Boot Camp, weekends do not require check in, although support will be provided by a DI who will review the Boards on weekends if you need support! Are you in agreement that you can maintain this standard?
Yes _____
No _____

Boot Camp takes a Team approach requiring a supportive environment for the balance of your team. It requires respect, honesty with team members and with drill instructors. Are you in agreement that you can maintain this standard?
Yes _____
No _____

Boot Camp will require your attention for a two and one-half week period including check-ins, working the plan, assignments, posting. Boot Camp requires a daily commitment of your time and energy. Are you in agreement that you can maintain this schedule and standard?
Yes _____
No _____

Boot Camp standards will be evaluated by the Drill Instructors, Moderators and Administrators. Failure to meet the standards may result in a recruits termination from Boot Camp. Are you in agreement that you will meet all standards for Boot Camp?
Yes _____
No _____

All recruits to Boot Camp must be posting/contributing members to the ADBB. Have you posted a minimum of ten posts in the public forums on the ADBB and are your currently a posting/contributing member? In which forums do you normally post?
Yes _____
No _____

If accepted to Boot Camp, what personal goal(s) to you hope to achieve in addition to a clean induction?

Space in Boot Camp may be limited. If it is not possible for you to secure a slot in Boot Camp immediately, describe what steps can you take to maintain a clean induction without Boot Camp.
__________________________________________________ _____
__________________________________________________ _____
__________________________________________________ _____
__________________________________________________ _____

Send your copy and pasted completed application as a Private Message to the following Username: BCCommand.

This is a special account Username set up for receipt of all applications. Do not send applications directly to Mods or Drill Sergeants. Please be sure to read and answer all questions. Think about the committment. If you talk to any of the boot camp graduates, they will tell you there is work involved and accountability is expected

[softnred]

Re: 500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

Hi Ruben~

You've already gotten some wonderful advice, so follow it!!! Welcome to the ADBB family...

JoAnne

[Sheshy]

Re: 500 Lb. Man Needs Help to Lose Weight

Hi Ruben and welcome to !

You've received a lot of good information to get yourself started! I highly recommend Boot Camp, it's an awesome way to learn how to eat the Atkins way correctly!

I wish you all the best and can't wait to share in your adventure in weight loss and to Disneyland! whoohoo!

And if you're interested here are a couple of links to the Journal Chat...
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....isplay.php?f=31

and Journal Stat...
http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard....isplay.php?f=94

Hope to see you around!