I am going to keep this as short as possible but still give you a good overall picture of who I am. I really need help to make sure I'm heading in the right direction.
Ok, so I have always been overweight. I am pretty sure I was conceived by a chubby sperm... not really sure how that chubby bastard beat the other little swimmers to moms ovaries but hey, here I am. I have never worked out or done any gym related activities. (I did run for a bit when I was in 20's but even then was always still chubby)
I worked in construction for many years and had the "typical" construction workers body. I was fat but health wise was in great shape. doctor used to always tell me that everything was great as far as heart, blood pressure, cholesterol and everything but that "the larger the belt the shorter the life".... I loved the way doctor would put things. That being said, it got worse.
About 5 years or so ago I started having these REALLY bad panic attacks. They would basically leave me debilitated for a few hours after they diminished. These went on for a very long time, longer then necessary because I'm a country boy from Missouri who kept telling himself to "man-up" and that I was fine. Well, they got so bad that I ended up quitting job and laying in bed all day for around a year or longer. I literally couldn't leave the house as the moment I would even think about it vision would get blurry, heart would start pounding and I could feel the familiar wave coming on...
ok ok... I'm long winded. So fast forward to today. Now I'm fat as shit. I'm 5'8" and was nearing 300. first day at the gym I was 290. So as of 2 months ago I started hitting the gym. I started slow... well... I had to. the first day I tried the elliptical and at 5 minutes thought I was going to die. For that first month I was going every other day *cough* usually. For the past month though I have started going 5 days a week, M-F pretty damn faithfully and tbh, I'm proud of myself for it.
The only thing I do however is the elliptical. I do a fat burner routine at a level 5 and currently am going for 42 minutes. I'm working on getting up to 45 but can't quite hit it yet.... but I WILL for sure.
What I need/want to know is should I go shorter on the elliptical and do other stuff as well? Strength is not thing right now until I lose weight. I am a wide guy with broad shoulders and thick legs. I don't ever figure on being below 200 pounds but would like to get close to that number. I plan on weight training at some point but thought I should get stamina up and lose weight first. I am watching what I eat now and keeping it to reasonable portions while only eating at appropriate times rather then when shit smells good lol.
Can somebody please help and lead me in the right direction?
45yo needs your input/help please
Moderators: Boss Man, cassiegose
-
Shortfatguy
- STARTING OUT
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 7:43 am
-
Shortfatguy
- STARTING OUT
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2016 7:43 am
Re: 45yo needs your input/help please
I am sorry but I wanted to add that I do have an extremely sedentary life style as I work at a desk all day then sit and play computer games all night.... I know people will say to get off and do something active instead of computer games but "mental health" is still not where it was back in the day and I just can't. Something changed in me when I went through issues and now I just have ZERO desire to go out and do anything. I literally get angry with the thought. I used to always go out and fish and hunt, go to the bar, go to friends... whatever. now....it's just NO. That is not going to change as I have tried over and over to force myself into changing. I just deal now
Re: 45yo needs your input/help please
Hi Sfg, good to speak to you.
Firstly I'd say incorporate weights, as 1lb of added muscle burns an extra 45-50 calories per day, so it's beneficial for people as long as they do it properly
We can assist you with that if you need a bit of help with the approach of doing it.
Secondly, play the computers games, as it's useful for reactions and hand eye coordination and it may help you to stay calm and relaxed and if you're active anyway, which you are, then it's not an issue as far as I'm concerned.
Firstly I'd say incorporate weights, as 1lb of added muscle burns an extra 45-50 calories per day, so it's beneficial for people as long as they do it properly
We can assist you with that if you need a bit of help with the approach of doing it.
Secondly, play the computers games, as it's useful for reactions and hand eye coordination and it may help you to stay calm and relaxed and if you're active anyway, which you are, then it's not an issue as far as I'm concerned.
-
Fitafter50
- REGULAR
- Posts: 785
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2015 12:40 pm
Re: 45yo needs your input/help please
Hi, sfg, first of all, good for you for making the effort to get to the gym and to eat more healthfully. 
I have a few thoughts. First of all, as you probably suspect, working at a computer and then being on the computer at night is too much sitting. I'd suggest that you set a timer for every hour or two, and when it goes off, get up and do a little something--it can be as easy as 10 bodyweight squats or a few push-ups, a one minute wall sit, a walk to the bathroom or water fountain. Just get your body moving. Another thing I'd suggest is cutting your elliptical time back to 30 min. (add some intervals if you'd like to give yourself more bang for that buck) and spend the other 15 min. in the weight room. And if I were your health coach, the last assignment I'd give you from our first meeting would be to stop referring to (or even thinking of) yourself as fat. Your body is listening and taking its cues from your words. "I am getting stronger and leaner every day," is a much more helpful thought. I know it probably sounds goofy and woo woo to a guy from the Show Me State, but I promise it makes a big difference.
I have a few thoughts. First of all, as you probably suspect, working at a computer and then being on the computer at night is too much sitting. I'd suggest that you set a timer for every hour or two, and when it goes off, get up and do a little something--it can be as easy as 10 bodyweight squats or a few push-ups, a one minute wall sit, a walk to the bathroom or water fountain. Just get your body moving. Another thing I'd suggest is cutting your elliptical time back to 30 min. (add some intervals if you'd like to give yourself more bang for that buck) and spend the other 15 min. in the weight room. And if I were your health coach, the last assignment I'd give you from our first meeting would be to stop referring to (or even thinking of) yourself as fat. Your body is listening and taking its cues from your words. "I am getting stronger and leaner every day," is a much more helpful thought. I know it probably sounds goofy and woo woo to a guy from the Show Me State, but I promise it makes a big difference.