I weigh 350 lbs and am 5' 6'', what can I do?

[eroberts]

I weigh 350 lbs and am 5' 6'', what can I do?

[Memy]

You've already started if you're looking at fitbit! Start researching High fat/low carb diets, Paleo and especially Primal Blueprint. I went Primal a few months back and I couldn't be happier. I've lost weight, improved my good cholesterol, have mega energy. Best of all, I'm not hungry all the time. Also read Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis.

I spent two years and an almost vegan vegetarian and gained 60 lbs. Grains, wheat especially, are not my friend.

If you doubt the validity of the paleo eating plan, take note that last year, after studying 16,000 diet plans for obese people, Sweden's Government strongly advocated a high fat/ low carb diet plan. Seriously, google sweden and high fat and low carb diets and start learning why america is getting fatter and fatter. Also look up why the food pyramid is wrong. The scientists who originally developed the food pyramid were over-ruled by business. The lady doctor who headed the scientists wrote a book about her experiences.

I hope this helps you.

Hugs, Memy

[Memy]

Hi there,

There is an odd misconception that the Paleo diet is no veg, just meat. This simply isn't true. A paleo diet plate is about half low cab veg, like salad, mushrooms, asparagus, brocolli, cauliflower,artichoke, green beans, bok choy,cabbage,celery, carrot,squash, peppers,onion,eggplant,rutabaga, turnip, tomatos, cucumber and spinach. The other half of the plate is high quality, grass fed beef,poutry,lamb,pork or wild caught fish and fats like coconut oil. Your body switches from carb burning to fat burning within just a few weeks. Please read about the Paleo diet. After studying 16,000 diets, Sweden's Government officially came out and advocated the high fat/low carb diet as a way to fight obesity. This is not an odd fad diet. It's a scientifically sound eating plan.

[gerrymcd]

Perhaps I am just getting cynical in my old age.....  but I am always skeptical about books that offer 'remarkable' solutions, and demonize one food group as being the cause of most health problems.  I think at the root of all low fat...low carb....high protein... no dairy....lots of dairy.....diets there is a nugget of truth, plus for many people their particular anatomy and biochemistry makes them more suited to one of the above eating scheme.  That said, over the years people have made a lot of money by pointing to one food  or food group and saying its horrifically bad, or amazingly good for you.  Which is partly why I'm skeptical now.  

I like the approach - nothing is bad for you, as long as you don't eat too much of it, or too often.  A big mac  is ok, once in a while.  Fruit is good for us, but not if thats all we eat.    I think a lot of people find success on diets like 'wheat belly' not just because they are eliminating wheat, but they tend to be eliminating a lot of other stuff present in highly processed food (salt, sugar, more salt, corn, bad fats, etc.) and switching their diet to a much less highly processed one.  

[Gershon]

There have been many cases of people in your situation recovering complete health and a normal weight, so don't give up.

You will have to be cautious and get a medical examination before beginning an exercise program. If you are on medication, you are going to have to be cautious about coming off medication.

In my opinion, you need some legitimate medical assistance, but unfortunately, most doctors aren't trained in nutrition. 

Dr. Ornish has been studying this problem for many years. This is his website: http://www.ornishspectrum.com/. I'd suggest calling them and asking for advice.

[MovementMatters]

Movement Matters , so keep moving in whatever way feels good for you. The important thing to know is to just keep moving, do the best you can, and before you know it, you'll be doing great. I began moving that mattered to me, and today, I am able to take as many as 30,000 steps in a day, if I so choose. That is a big accomplishment for someone who was barely active. It all begins with that one step in the right direction. Toward what feels right for you. Turn up the volume, dance, wiggle, walk, enjoy the movement ♥ Keep stepping ♥ You Matter, and Movement of any kind matters too ♥

[6kr]

Just get up and go. Take baby steps soon you will be losing reshaping and
ready to go run.

[Dale-Jr]

So I started at 320 at 6' 2" and a big hairy audacious goal - run the 2013 Detroit Marathon. It started with a decision. The decision to change my life for myself and none other. I joined a group fitness / weight loss class, utilized MyFitnessPal, and started to move. I am 14 1/2 months into my journey and have eliminated 75 pounds from my body.

So make a decision, commit to 3,000 calories a day and 7,000 steps a day. Weigh yourself daily, get a food scale, and get started.

[Inga]

Dale, Good for you, What a great example you are!

[180des]

1) Start with eatting 2 cups of veggies with lunch and dinner being careful how much butter or dressing you put on. These are the non-starchy veggies like broccolie, green beans, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, pea pods, cellery. Try to make sure at least half are cooked to prevent tummy problems.

2)The second thing is eat breakfast. 

3) Try to walk everyday as fast and as far as you can. The minimum  that the CDC (Center for Disease Control) 150 minutes/week. That would be 20 min/day or 30 min 5 times per week. 

This is a good place to start. The other thing is to start counting your calories. Fitbit food record is about the easies thing I have found to count calories. A good book to get is Calorie King book it can be found at Walmart or Target and many other stores.

In conclution just keep trying

.

[MemyAmethyst]

Don't eat out. Prepare your own meals and control what goes into each recipe. Know which aisles to avoid in the grocery store and just don't go down them. Shop when you are feeling strong and full. Shopping when you are hungry, have had bad news, had a fight or are sad might make it seem okay to buy that family sized bag of crisps or gallon of ice cream. If you don't bring it home, it won't be there every time you get the munchies.

Walk as much as you can but don't over do it at first. If you can walk one block this week, aim for a block and a half next week. Don't think that you have to be doing a 10K by June. 

Pay attention to where your advice is coming from. A 350 pound 50 year old should not be getting advice from someone who has no clue what that means. At 250 pounds, I can't do some of the things that a 150 pound person can. I will get there but I'm not there yet. Be patient with yourself. The weight didn't happen over a few months and it won't go away over a few months. Never stop knowing that in the long run, it will all be worth it. If you slip up once, take yourself in hand and say "Okay, I did that. Now I'm back on track!" and move forward with your true goals. Don't let that slip up become a spiral.

Love yourself everyday regardless of the numbers.

[Dominique]

You are reviving a topic that was started in December 2013, more than two years ago. It would be interested to hear what the topic starter, @eroberts, ended up doing, if he’s still in the Fitbit community. 

[MemyAmethyst]

Hi Dom, Yes, I can see that. It showed up as a question in my inbox this morning. Rather odd.

Like you, I think it would be interesting to knnow what worked or didn't work for eroberts. Cheers!

[Maura-CA]

I love Weight Watchers - it feels so good to eat healthy while the pounds melt away.  The time goes by anyway- so the sooner you start the better.  I go to meetings, but you can do it online too which is less expensive.  Fitbit challenges really keep me motivated too.  Seeing how well everyone else is doing on a particular day really inspires me.  Add me on fitbit.  maurark@sbcglobal.net

[SandySunshine91]

How long did it take you to lose that much weight?