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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8 hours ago
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Got a couple questions for you that are into exercise equipment. As most of you probably know, I am a big fat guy, and disabled. Over the past year, I have noticed my disability getting worse. Much of the problem is my weight issue that is not my disability, however does complicate it much more, and may very well be the reason my disability is getting worse. Some already know, some don't, but for the record, I am a former athlete (played football for many years 11 total from High School through my Air Force days). I used to not really be a health nut, but was very much into being in shape, and strong. I was 6'5" at 250/260 lbs in my prime. I am now 6'4" because I lost an inch from my injury years ago, arthritis, and of course my gravity problem. Now, I am 6'4" at nearly 600 lbs. Ruined lower back, and severe nerve damage in my right leg. This past winter was very hard on my bones and joints, and I now see myself being totally wheel chair dependent if I don't try to do something to get some of my mobility back real soon. I am thinking, and praying that I can reverse my problem some. I will always have limitations due to the injury, but I think I can reverse at least some of my problems. I am not going to go into my entire medical history, because it is lengthy. But, no, I can not exercise like I used to, and am very limited in what I can do, which is much of the reason I have gained so much and not been able to loose much significant weight. No, it's not because I am fat and lazy. Again, I am a former very active athlete, and would trade most anything to have that ability back. I have limitations, and even my doctor took me off physical therapy, because what it was doing to my blood pressure and vitals dealing with pain the way I do. I don't, and have never shown pain, and have always have a very high pain tolerence. I just dealt with it. And that was a problem, because your body will deal with it, if you do emotionally or not.
But anyway.. I am going to do something. I don't want to be totally wheelchair dependent. I don't even like the fact that I have one, and I damn sure not gonna spend the rest of my life in it. Against doctors orders, I am gonna come of the drugs dealing with it, and I am gonna suck up the pain, and do something. Over the past 6 months, I have been eating allot better than I have been the past few years. I eat a good hearty breakfast, and a good lunch (mostly healthy foods). For dinner, I only eat a small bowl of fresh fruits, and a few nuts. After 6 months of that so far, I feel like a million bucks, but still can't physically move. Now, I want to see what I can do on my own to get at least some mobility back. I can barely walk, BUT, I found a piece of equipment, that is low impact, that I think might work. It has been allot of years since my athlete days, and I really don't know allot about equipment. I used to work out with free weights, so just don't know allot about all the high tech crap that have out now, and if they are any good, or a gimmick. The one that stuck out with me though was the "BowFlex". It sort of does make sense to me. I been looking at some, but damn, they cost allot. I found a few used ones, but the cheapest I could find have been the standard machine for about $800 used. Yesterday, I found one just 11 miles from me. I thought too good to be true. It is a BowFlex Extreme, with a few upgrades on it. From doing some research, it retails for about $1300 for the machine, and the upgrades it has comes to about another $300 +/-. This guy wanted $500 for all of it. This is a depressed area that the bad economy hit very hard here in Michigan, and the guy ended up telling me if I was serious, he would bring it to me, and set it back up for $100 cheaper than he advertised. So, it cost me $400, delivered and set up at my home. Is that a pretty good deal? And am I on the right track for something I can use that is low impact, and that might be able to strengthen some of the areas that have been neglected without doing more damage to my back and leg..?
Any input, or advice, would be appreciated.
Tony Huguley
President PETA chapter.
(People for the Eating of Tasty Animals)
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Post #470609
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4 hours ago
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i would first invest in a heart rate monitor and then an elliptical machine. the bow flex is nice but at this point a cardio very low impact would suit you better.
something like this would work your cardio, allow you to maintain a certain heart rate and be low impact.
http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/ProForm-SpaceSaver-500-Elliptical-Trainer/3955073/product.html
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Post #470610
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8 hours ago
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My heart, really isn't the problem. Actually, my heart is, and has always been very strong. All my internal organs are actually very strong. The problem was, my blood pressure jetted to stroke level. Partially due to my morbid obeseity, but also due to the severe pain levels my body was experiencing due to my back, leg and arthritis. Like I said, my problem was, emotionally, and mentally, I block out pain and just don't complain, or show it, but it doesn't mean it isn't there, and you can not fool your body. Your body physically will deal with the pain, even if you don't mentally. Since I wasn't expressing or showing it, my trainer just didn't think there was a problem. I just did what I was told to do. I suddenly dropped, and that was when he checked and found I was suffering a mild stroke. When they connected a monitor to me, every time I started the workout my pain levels rose way up, and my blood pressure followed, even though I showed no physical indications. They would ask me, and all I would say is "yeah, it hurt, but I got to do this.."... They wern't used to, or set up to deal with someone that could block out the pain levels I deal with daily. My doctor pulled me off all physical therapy, and pretty much sat me in a wheelchair. I am at a place in my mind now, Im not ok with that. I am going to start a low impact, mobility regimin, and going to be monitoring my BP through it. If I tried cardio at this point, I would stroke. So, I have to keep my heart rate low to and learn to maintain my BP low while I endure the pain of the low impact workout. I am not trying to bulk up, I am first trying to get my flexibility up 1st, then work on stretching, and strenthining muscles that I can. Cardio is out for now. Maybe later as I gain flexibility, and mobility better I will start slowing into a cardio and progress while monitoring the BP... If that makes any sense.. I would make more sense if you knew what my doctor knows.. I am not bragging about my pain threshold. It is a blessing, but at the same time a curse. They connected probes on me a few years ago checking for nerve damage, and while in an MRI. They actually saw the pain I was dealing with in images, and I was interacting with them with a straight face. They told me from their indications, I should't even be talking coherantly seeing what my body was dealing with. They saw images like that, and the person couldn't speak, and rolling around screaming in pain, but yet, I was there, interacting and talking to them carrying on a conversation. They would ask "Are you in pain?" I would answer, "yeah, I guess so.."... The specialist would just shake their heads, and ask if I was some sort of naval seal or something, hahhah.. Dunno.. Don't know why that is. My dad was the same way.. I seen that man get nailed by a treated 4X4 that fell 8 feet right on the top of his head. That would have laid out a normal man, but my Old man just stumbled back, didn't even fall, and just went back to what he was doing, hahha.. I had to stop him, sit him down myself to treat him, hahah. Anyway.. The point is, I have to watch that carefully, because my who BP problem is my body dealing with pain, when my mind won't, and that is what causes a stroke level BP during my work outs.. So, the only way to do that, is low impact, NON cardio for now anway..
Tony Huguley
President PETA chapter.
(People for the Eating of Tasty Animals)
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Post #470611
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/2/2010 3:04:03 AM
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A lot of those shows that follow the lives of obese people show the routines they did to help them. Exercise for an average person and for an obese person is certainly going to be different, as it seems you already know. A Nintendo Wii is a great tool for any age/condition, IMO. If you do decide to get a machine, like the bowflex, check out craigslist or any other used classifieds as you can find it at half the cost of a new unit.
Not that it takes the place of exercise but it will certainly help, is it possible to get a lap band through your insurance? Food intake is a part of the solution. Make a list of what you are eating, count the calories.
Check out discovery health: http://health.discovery.com/
"Love us or hate us, there is no other place like us"
"Oh, you want sympathy. Well, you can find it in the dictionary between "shit" and "syphilis"."
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Post #470612
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4 hours ago
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the heart rate monitor is to keep you in the fat burning zone, with different heart rates you accomplish different tasks. like a very high heart rate is typically key for muscle building and weight gain. a lower heart rate is typically key for weight lose.
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Post #470613
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8 hours ago
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We have a Wii, and I do play that some... Its pretty fun actually. And, I have already got the machine. I just bought it today. The one I said I gave $400 for, which I thought was a steel. It is the Bowflex extreme, with about $300 worth of upgrades to it.
Yes, I will have to do much of my stuff modified, to work with the hugeness, and of the limitations of the disability. I so need to loose weight obviously, but I am working more on increasing my flexibility, and mobility first, and as that grows, I will be able to do even more, and work my way up to fat burning stuff. But at my current flexibility, I can not do much to burn fat. Its one of those catch 22 situations really. Sometimes it is hard to understand by people that don't deal with mornid obesity, and a disability. Not only do I have limited motion available to begin with, it is made worse by having an extra 350-400 lbs of weight to carry along with it, that I can not put down. Think of it this way, take 4 to 6 bags of sacrete, or sand and carry it around all day, and then excersise while carrying it. Dont put it down, all day long... That, on top of a damaged back and leg.. I guess you can hop around on one leg carrying it, just for a day.. It will give ya a different outlook, hahha. The point is, yeah, its much different than just working out.
Yes, I considered the lapband, and even gastric bypass. But I would rather try to do it on my own. That isn't a cure, only a tool and a starting point. My ins wont cover it, because other than my back and leg, I am a healthy person, so they won't ocver it. They said the only way they will cover it, is if I was diabetic. So, basically, they are waiting for me to develop diabities before they will cover the surgery. yeah, odd huh? But, that is what I deal with too. Its a 20K$ surgery, and I need the insurance to help with it. They wont.. Been through all that too.. So, Im gonna do this on my own.. I dont want to wait till I get totally wheelchair bound, OR become sick before I try and stop the spiral. So, Im gonna do this...
Tony Huguley
President PETA chapter.
(People for the Eating of Tasty Animals)
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Post #470614
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 hours ago
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6 meals a day, Small portions, Weight watchers will help you learn portion control. lowimpact, Start walking More activity you do the more Calories you will burn. I lost 40 pounds last summer and have lost 10 so far in my latest attempt. No real excercise regimen but more active the better
Jeepless in California
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Post #470615
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2 hours ago
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Count your calories.
By trying to keep your intake from 2000 to 2500 a day, plus any physical activity you can accomplish, you'll start shedding weight. Patience is virtue. Rather than eat, check out those Slim Fast shakes. 300 Cal each can, but you can have 1 for breakfast, have a fruit snack, another can for lunch, veggie snack, and then a good healthy dinner to finish off the day.
Become a fish fan too, Salmon is considered the best overall healthiest and lose weight food you can eat.
-Gary
Every problem has a simple solution; finding the simple solution is the difficult problem.
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Post #470616
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8 hours ago
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Love fish. I eat Salmon at least once a week. I haven't been really counting calories, but like I said about 6 months ago, started eating healthier. I eat my real meals earlier and lighter in the evenings. Don't eat anything past 6pm when activity level is most low. Most my food I eat now are much healthier and fresh. Very little to no processed crap. My wife has always been a health food freak, although I have corrupted her and she hasn't been really into that for the past 10 years, until I told her I am going to expect her to get back in it, and be my nurtritionist. She stepped up to the plate, and started back at it, and buying and preparing more healthy fresh meals. We season with better seasoning now, and less salt. That has resulted in my mind being clearer now, and having the desires to get more active now. I feel phyically great, but just don't have the ability to move like my mind wishes now. Very frustrating. My mind tells my leg to take a step, and sometimes, it just wont move. My wife was very happy to hear me want to change my eating, taking that first step. She was glad to do it, and it helps her too. Now, we just have to start out slow, with a range of motion therapy regimen. This is where I hope the bowflex helps some. As my range of motion increases, the more I will work on actual strenthening techniques, and then onto more cardio later. I got the food in order, now just need to get the physical movement in order. Gonna be a long process, and I am ready for it, and in it for the long haul. Not even worried about the weight loss at this point, just concerned with the actual motion and activity moving up. With that, the weight loss will follow.
The bad thing about this guys is this. I think I am more shameful than the average fat guy. Why? Because I know, and knew better. I was very active and if I say so myself, and awesome athlete, that KNEW how to keep my body strong. I do know nutrition, and do know how to build a workout regimen. But, I let all that go, and let myself give it all up, and this happen to myself. The accedent, I couldn't help. It happened, and could have happened to anybody. But There were things I could have done at that point to stop the downward spiral. I just didn't give a schit about it at that time, because I lost a part of myself, my game, and I gave up on all of it because my life changed. So, now, that at least my mind is back, now I need to suck it up, get over that part, that will never be the same, and do what I can to get back as much of it as I can. I want to see my grandkids grow up.. Thanks for the input.. Keep em coming, I will take and use what I can...
quote:
Originally posted by JakeOrion
Count your calories.
By trying to keep your intake from 2000 to 2500 a day, plus any physical activity you can accomplish, you'll start shedding weight. Patience is virtue. Rather than eat, check out those Slim Fast shakes. 300 Cal each can, but you can have 1 for breakfast, have a fruit snack, another can for lunch, veggie snack, and then a good healthy dinner to finish off the day.
Become a fish fan too, Salmon is considered the best overall healthiest and lose weight food you can eat.
Tony Huguley
President PETA chapter.
(People for the Eating of Tasty Animals)
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Post #470617
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/13/2010 11:36:14 AM
Posts: 3,842,
Visits: 6,350
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I'm going to second the weight watchers. My mum do that for a long time. She lost over 100 lbs. (it was actually kind of funny because her sister gained over 100 lbs; the going joke was the my mum lost the weight and her sister found it). Its a lot of work though. You open the fridge and everything is labeled with a 1, 2 or 5 and so on. But she found out that a lot of restaurants incorporated a weight watchers menu where it would give how many points each meal was. That and the weigh ins were a great confident booster. The meetings showed a lot of support for the people there.
You're on the right track though. A lot of people in your position would just throw in the towel and confine themselves to a bed for the rest of their lives. I give a lot of credit to those that make themselves aware that there is a problem and have the willpower to fix it.
I wish you the best. =]
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Post #470618
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