Big H needs your help (non boxing related)

This may bore you, but for those who can be bothered to read it - thanks

I have suffered with weight gain and an ability to eat a normal diet for the best part of 18 years. In July 2006 having reached 22 stone 8 pounds (316 pounds) and after trying every diet under the sun I decided to do a very drastic low calorie diet (520 calories per day) called The Cambridge Diet. This basically consists of 4 milkshakes a day and nothing else but water (at least 6 litres per day) After 3 weeks you can substitute 1 shake for a nutrition bar. Anyway in 14 weeks I lost over 100 pounds. After finishing the plan, I managed to adjust to a new healthy balanced eating plan and sustained my weight for about 3 months, but then xmas came and I went off the ropes and never recovered, ballooning back up to 19 stone 3 pounds (269 Pounds) Again I tried all the diets, tried herbal remedies and even prescription diet pills. I then did Paul McKenna’s I can make you thin programme and finally resorted to hypnosis and had 5 sessions with a hypnotist who specialises in Weight Management and curing eating disorders. None of this worked, so out of desperation I went back to The Cambridge Diet. After 4 weeks I had lost 30 pounds and the through healthy eating over the next few weeks I lost another 24 pounds, taking me back to 215 pounds (which for my frame is a pretty good weight) Again I managed to sustain for approx 3 months and then again xmas came and history repeated itself. So now in March 2008 I’m back to 240 Pounds and spiralling completely out of control. I don’t exaggerate when I say I just cannot stop eating. It is actually quite a frightening compulsion I have and I just cannot seem to beat it. I know I need to lose this ‘Diet’ mentality and just eat a normal balanced diet, but I just cannot do it. Through all of this I have exercised massively and still go to the gym 5 teams a week. I would say I am pretty fit (running 4 miles in 34 minutes currently – which for a 17 stone guy aint bad) but I am just way too heavy. I need to get down to 195 pounds and stay there.

So my plea, can anybody give me some advice on how to change my ways long term and beat this addiction?

Cheers

H

How old are you?

How much of your weight is fat and how much is muscle?

How tall are you?

How often do you eat?

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Originally Posted by Ghost

How old are you?

How much of your weight is fat and how much is muscle?

How tall are you?

How often do you eat?

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31

30% Body fat

5 ft 11

Very rarely stop!!

Hey Big H, I just wrote a huge reply to this, but it didn't post for some reason. I'll try to remember it all here. Hopefully this helps, even a little (even though you made me change my avatar :p j/k).
I had to deal with my own addictions in the past, and shaking them is not an easy thing to do. I know, for myself, it took a ton of effort and no one was able to help me or do it for me. My family spent literally tens of thousands of dollars trying to get me help, but nothing changed until I was able to take responsibility for my actions and stop blaming everyone and everything but myself (not saying you are doing this, its just how it was for me). Addictions, and the quitting of said addictions, are, in my experience, a very personal thing. What works for one person may not work for the next.
Perhaps in your case seeking professional help might not be a bad idea. I know in my experience, I was very hesitant and embarrassed to seek help, but once I did, in retrospect, even though it did not result in the end of my addiction, it helped me a great deal, particularily in the early stages of quitting. There's certainlly no shame in getting help if you need it, but in my mind there is a shit load of shame in knowing you need help and not getting it.
One thing that really helped me was taking responsibility for my own actions. Not to be overly critical, but by saying things like you "can't stop eating", you take responsibility out of your own hands. In fact, you've demonstrated in the past that you can in fact quit, as evidenced by all the diets etc. you've attempted and been successful at. I do know, however, that the longer this goes on, and the more times you relapse (for lack of a better word), the harder it gets.
I'm going to break this into 2 posts so I don't have to re-write it all again.

You ever think of developing a drug habit? A couple of lines of coke or a few bowls of glass will kill your hunger pretty quick.

I had a friend who was by all apperances a completely hopeless drug addict, destined for an early grave. He found that by going to N/A support meetings and by seeking help that he was able to stop using, and he's now a successful actor (and a real dickhead, but that's irrelevant).
One thing you need to know, as I'm sure you already do, is that this is a potentially (fuck potentially, its certainly) a fatal issue, one that if you do not get control of it, it will end your life. Again, I found that recognising this, and taking responsibility for the actions that brought me to the point I was at helped me immesurably.
You should also know that you can stop and reverse this process. Many, many people have done it, so there is no reason you cannot. A professional could help you recognise what starts your eating binges etc and help you identify what "triggers" set you off. Support meetings also help a great number of people quit their addictions.
I know in my case, I often (and at times unnecessarily) felt sorry for myself and hard done by, going to meetings and interacting with others who share you problem, often to a much worse degree, can be a huge benefit.
Again, I know for myself, ending my addiction was a very personal thing that I had to do on my own, but I seem to be in the minority in this sense. Most people who have cured thier addictions seem to have sought help.
Sorry, but I can only remember about half of what I wrote the first time, but if you want to PM me or something I'd be happy to share my experiences with you. Good luck man, you can do it. Try anything you can to stop, its that important, you do not want to die for it.

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

You ever think of developing a drug habit? A couple of lines of coke or a few bowls of glass will kill your hunger pretty quick.

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Been there done that ;)

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Originally Posted by CFH

I had a friend who was by all apperances a completely hopeless drug addict, destined for an early grave. He found that by going to N/A support meetings and by seeking help that he was able to stop using, and he's now a successful actor (and a real dickhead, but that's irrelevant).
One thing you need to know, as I'm sure you already do, is that this is a potentially (fuck potentially, its certainly) a fatal issue, one that if you do not get control of it, it will end your life. Again, I found that recognising this, and taking responsibility for the actions that brought me to the point I was at helped me immesurably.
You should also know that you can stop and reverse this process. Many, many people have done it, so there is no reason you cannot. A professional could help you recognise what starts your eating binges etc and help you identify what "triggers" set you off. Support meetings also help a great number of people quit their addictions.
I know in my case, I often (and at times unnecessarily) felt sorry for myself and hard done by, going to meetings and interacting with others who share you problem, often to a much worse degree, can be a huge benefit.
Again, I know for myself, ending my addiction was a very personal thing that I had to do on my own, but I seem to be in the minority in this sense. Most people who have cured thier addictions seem to have sought help.
Sorry, but I can only remember about half of what I wrote the first time, but if you want to PM me or something I'd be happy to share my experiences with you. Good luck man, you can do it. Try anything you can to stop, its that important, you do not want to die for it.

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Really appreciate your advice mate - I think seeking help is the next step

You know there are many people unhappy with their body's state. Some feel they are too heavy, some too thin, others too scrawny. The body is judged by the mind, but silmeltaneously controlled by the mind. The mind dislikes the bodies appearence yet prevents and significant progress being made to alter the body. Why is this....

Well, there are those who believe that any form of addiction is supressed depression. Those who drink excessively, smoke excessively, eat excessively, even have sex excessively are using their addiction as a crutch to attempt to hold in their own ill feelings. Depression is treatable when identified, not medically, it may be treatable simply by identifying the problem and altering that part of your life. Dep[ression is also commonly misunderstood, people assume it is triggered by people who have had significant troubles or losses in their pasts, when in reality nearly everyone in the human population has to deal with it at some stage in their lives.

Kicking the addiction will be easy once you identify the reason for the addiction.

As regards to the weight loss, it can be done.
Start a log today, record your weight. No goals just your current weight.
In this log record the physical exertions you undergo, the sacrifices you make daily and the effort you put in.
In one month, look back over the summation of your efforts and bask in the feeling of achievement. Then reflect on next month, how can you improve? Are there any details you need to include exclude, can you sacrifice a little more???
Trust me this will help....

The best of luck with thus man, I truely hope you can find a way to,achieve happiness

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

You know there are many people unhappy with their body's state. Some feel they are too heavy, some too thin, others too scrawny. The body is judged by the mind, but silmeltaneously controlled by the mind. The mind dislikes the bodies appearence yet prevents and significant progress being made to alter the body. Why is this....

Well, there are those who believe that any form of addiction is supressed depression. Those who drink excessively, smoke excessively, eat excessively, even have sex excessively are using their addiction as a crutch to attempt to hold in their own ill feelings. Depression is treatable when identified, not medically, it may be treatable simply by identifying the problem and altering that part of your life. Dep[ression is also commonly misunderstood, people assume it is triggered by people who have had significant troubles or losses in their pasts, when in reality nearly everyone in the human population has to deal with it at some stage in their lives.

Kicking the addiction will be easy once you identify the reason for the addiction.

As regards to the weight loss, it can be done.
Start a log today, record your weight. No goals just your current weight.
In this log record the physical exertions you undergo, the sacrifices you make daily and the effort you put in.
In one month, look back over the summation of your efforts and bask in the feeling of achievement. Then reflect on next month, how can you improve? Are there any details you need to include exclude, can you sacrifice a little more???
Trust me this will help....

The best of luck with thus man, I truely hope you can find a way to,achieve happiness

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Appreciate your advice mate ;)

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Originally Posted by BIG H

Appreciate your advice mate ;)

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Well, it may be worth very little, but if I can help in any tiny way, lemme know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BIG H

31

30% Body fat

5 ft 11

Very rarely stop!!

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Hmmmm, Do you do alot of drinking?

You don't need a diet, what you need is too change what you eat (type of food) and when you eat it (set times during the day) and how much. ( 1 Wooper in stead of 3)

I will be 50 in a few months, used to weight around 215 to 220 last year, currently weight around 190. Went from eating 2 meals a day to 3 meals a day with snacks and went down to about 180. Been cheating lately, thats why the weight has gone back up on me. Also do not exercise as much as the doctors want me to.

6' ft

Not sure of the body fat ( mostly in the mid section) Never been toned. (Six-Pack)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ghost

Hmmmm, Do you do alot of drinking?

You don't need a diet, what you need is too change what you eat (type of food) and when you eat it (set times during the day) and how much. ( 1 Wooper in stead of 3)

I will be 50 in a few months, used to weight around 215 to 220 last year, currently weight around 190. Went from eating 2 meals a day to 3 meals a day with snacks and went down to about 180. Been cheating lately, thats why the weight has gone back up on me. Also do not exercise as much as the doctors want me to.

6' ft

Not sure of the body fat ( mostly in the mid section) Never been toned. (Six-Pack)

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Cheers mate - I know what I need to know I just can't do it! Sounds like a cop out, but it's very real.

Well done on your weight loss though fella.

Been to the doc today and getting referred, so hopefully I can get something sorted

As regards mentality, It's tough to get motivated to completely abandon all luxury, good food and drink, but if you give yourself legitimate encouragement you should be able. Is there anyone apart from yourself, you'd like to lose the weight for?

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Originally Posted by BIG H

This may bore you, but for those who can be bothered to read it - thanks

I have suffered with weight gain and an ability to eat a normal diet for the best part of 18 years. In July 2006 having reached 22 stone 8 pounds (316 pounds) and after trying every diet under the sun I decided to do a very drastic low calorie diet (520 calories per day) called The Cambridge Diet. This basically consists of 4 milkshakes a day and nothing else but water (at least 6 litres per day) After 3 weeks you can substitute 1 shake for a nutrition bar. Anyway in 14 weeks I lost over 100 pounds. After finishing the plan, I managed to adjust to a new healthy balanced eating plan and sustained my weight for about 3 months, but then xmas came and I went off the ropes and never recovered, ballooning back up to 19 stone 3 pounds (269 Pounds) Again I tried all the diets, tried herbal remedies and even prescription diet pills. I then did Paul McKenna’s I can make you thin programme and finally resorted to hypnosis and had 5 sessions with a hypnotist who specialises in Weight Management and curing eating disorders. None of this worked, so out of desperation I went back to The Cambridge Diet. After 4 weeks I had lost 30 pounds and the through healthy eating over the next few weeks I lost another 24 pounds, taking me back to 215 pounds (which for my frame is a pretty good weight) Again I managed to sustain for approx 3 months and then again xmas came and history repeated itself. So now in March 2008 I’m back to 240 Pounds and spiralling completely out of control. I don’t exaggerate when I say I just cannot stop eating. It is actually quite a frightening compulsion I have and I just cannot seem to beat it. I know I need to lose this ‘Diet’ mentality and just eat a normal balanced diet, but I just cannot do it. Through all of this I have exercised massively and still go to the gym 5 teams a week. I would say I am pretty fit (running 4 miles in 34 minutes currently – which for a 17 stone guy aint bad) but I am just way too heavy. I need to get down to 195 pounds and stay there.

So my plea, can anybody give me some advice on how to change my ways long term and beat this addiction?

Cheers

H

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Hi just thought i would give some support in a way i kanda know what you are going through my best freind has suffered this problem for years, i think the positive with you and yes there is one she has never attempted to diet. I may be able to put her into perspective because i have known her for years and know nothing about you. she has had 3 children this is when the weight piled on her husband works long hard hours and she is left alone for most of time now the kids are gone. She tells me she is bored but is to big to do anything else but eat she started to walk the dog every morning that only lasted 1 week because she had no one to walk with, she was out of breath and her blood preasure was through the roof. i am rambling a bit but what i am trying to say you are really trying to beat this i think with some good advsie from a proffesional you will get through it. Please get help as soon as possible my friend is haveing surgery next month to staple her stomache and to be honest i do not think it will work as she has reached the point of no return very sad situation, the doctors told her she must be on a liquid diet for 3 months after the surgery i asked her to start with this diet now to get her in the swing she did it for 2 days then went back to eating enormous amounts of food she gained 3 kilos in the period over christmas. hope this helps and i know reading about you, you can do it.

^
I often put on 3 kilos in a day:-X

if you don't have a medical reason why you're so big e.g low testosterone/thyroid, my money is on what Donny was saying. Look at why you're overeating. Has it developed due to habit? In which case it needs to be tackled the same as any other unhealthy habit, smoking/drinking etc.

We all enjoy our food but why do some people stop and others keep filling their pie hole?

Forget the idea of a diet. You need to change the way you eat/exercise forever. Do you expect to eat slimfast for the rest of your life, eating less and les as your body adapts?

re:surgery, I know someone who had their jaw wired to stop them eating. It didn't they just put mars bars & milk in the blender and drunk it through a straw:D:rolleyes:

You have to consider, how important is it for you to lose weight? You know what to do so why aren't you doing it? If you never consider it to be important enough you never will.

So what it's to be?

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Originally Posted by chip

Hi just thought i would give some support in a way i kanda know what you are going through my best freind has suffered this problem for years, i think the positive with you and yes there is one she has never attempted to diet. I may be able to put her into perspective because i have known her for years and know nothing about you. she has had 3 children this is when the weight piled on her husband works long hard hours and she is left alone for most of time now the kids are gone. She tells me she is bored but is to big to do anything else but eat she started to walk the dog every morning that only lasted 1 week because she had no one to walk with, she was out of breath and her blood preasure was through the roof. i am rambling a bit but what i am trying to say you are really trying to beat this i think with some good advsie from a proffesional you will get through it. Please get help as soon as possible my friend is haveing surgery next month to staple her stomache and to be honest i do not think it will work as she has reached the point of no return very sad situation, the doctors told her she must be on a liquid diet for 3 months after the surgery i asked her to start with this diet now to get her in the swing she did it for 2 days then went back to eating enormous amounts of food she gained 3 kilos in the period over christmas. hope this helps and i know reading about you, you can do it.

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Cheers mate - I wish your friend all the best

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Originally Posted by Missy

if you don't have a medical reason why you're so big e.g low testosterone/thyroid, my money is on what Donny was saying. Look at why you're overeating. Has it developed due to habit? In which case it needs to be tackled the same as any other unhealthy habit, smoking/drinking etc.

We all enjoy our food but why do some people stop and others keep filling their pie hole?

Forget the idea of a diet. You need to change the way you eat/exercise forever. Do you expect to eat slimfast for the rest of your life, eating less and les as your body adapts?

re:surgery, I know someone who had their jaw wired to stop them eating. It didn't they just put mars bars & milk in the blender and drunk it through a straw:D:rolleyes:

You have to consider, how important is it for you to lose weight? You know what to do so why aren't you doing it? If you never consider it to be important enough you never will.

So what it's to be?

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Good advice that M :)

...and Lol and your mate ;D

thanks, I'm not just full of bile, hate with an outstanding rack you know.:cool:

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Originally Posted by Missy

thanks, I'm not just full of bile, hate with an outstanding rack you know.:cool:

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...;D...

H,

All I can say is you need to have defined goals and desires written down and remind yourself of them everyday.... Strip down to your drawers and take a front and rear shot put the date on it and tape it to your bathroom mirror as a reminder of your progress as well as motivation.. You need to search yourself for the proper motivation, Do you want to be healthier? Do you want to pump hotter chics? Do you want to look good at the beach? Whatever the hell your motivation is establish it..

the trick to proper portion size is the palm of your hand.. a piece of meat a baked potato and a serving of vegetables should all be the size of your palm or closed fist.. Lay off the sugar bars and sugar drinks and fatty snacks.. lean meats and complex carbs as well as vegetables are the way to go, 6 small meals a day and a gallon of water is textbook eating.

Do cardio 3 mornings a week on empty stomach for about a half hour to start and then pick a body part each day and do three sets of three exersice's and pyramid the reps.

A GREAT book I recommend is "Body For Life" by Bill Phillips I swear when you read this book you feel like he is talking directly to you a really good practical way to get in shape mind in body

Most importantly stay positive and keep pushing forward;)

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Originally Posted by JT Rock

H,

All I can say is you need to have defined goals and desires written down and remind yourself of them everyday.... Strip down to your drawers and take a front and rear shot put the date on it and tape it to your bathroom mirror as a reminder of your progress as well as motivation.. You need to search yourself for the proper motivation, Do you want to be healthier? Do you want to pump hotter chics? Do you want to look good at the beach? Whatever the hell your motivation is establish it..

the trick to proper portion size is the palm of your hand.. a piece of meat a baked potato and a serving of vegetables should all be the size of your palm or closed fist.. Lay off the sugar bars and sugar drinks and fatty snacks.. lean meats and complex carbs as well as vegetables are the way to go, 6 small meals a day and a gallon of water is textbook eating.

Do cardio 3 mornings a week on empty stomach for about a half hour to start and then pick a body part each day and do three sets of three exersice's and pyramid the reps.

A GREAT book I recommend is "Body For Life" by Bill Phillips I swear when you read this book you feel like he is talking directly to you a really good practical way to get in shape mind in body

Most importantly stay positive and keep pushing forward;)

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Cheers JT

A lot of it H is when to eat and what time

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Originally Posted by Scrap

A lot of it H is when to eat and what time

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Problem is Scrap, I know everything there is to know about what I should be doing, it's putting into practice that I just cannot do :-\

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Originally Posted by BIG H

Cheers JT

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Hey man heres to hoping you have a long healthy productive life :beerchug:

Same here H;D ;D

Hey Big H,

Not got any useful advice to offer to be honest with you, but good luck nonetheless, it's probably a matter of just trying different diets that you can stick to which are also low calorie enough for you to maintain your weight.

If you succeed in this, tell me how.

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Originally Posted by BIG H

Problem is Scrap, I know everything there is to know about what I should be doing, it's putting into practice that I just cannot do :-\

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which is why you need to identify what will motivate you to change your behaviour.;) Good luck though.

Missy's right H.

I don't want to harp on and annoy you mate but sometimes finding what motivates you outside of yourself is what will get the job done.

I'll give a persoanl example.
This past boxing seaon my motivation has changed. I've become obsessed with the feedback I'll get after I'm done. I get so paranoid that in ten years someone will say to my daughter "your Dad was just wasting his time boxing." I want that to change to "Your Dad was a great Boxer, a really hard trainer and nice to everyone." I wanted my girlfriend and family to know that I always try to make them proud....
It worked....
I know it's only the amateurs but this year I'm
10-0-1 with 6 Stoppages and having never actually lost a round.
The draw is currently being contested (by the local boxing authority, not me!)

To be honest I can't give you much advice on diet because I kind of had the opposite problem to you. I have always found it really hard to gain weight. Before I was boxing, while I was boxing, after I stopped. No matter what diet I had I could not gain more than 4 or 5 pounds.

Generally addictions are a sympton of something else in your life that you feel is out of your control. It sounds corny but maybe joining a group of people with the same addiction might help. It will give you support and let you know that you are not the only one going through this.

Which ever road you take I hope things work out well for you fella !

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Originally Posted by hitmandonny

Missy's right H.

I don't want to harp on and annoy you mate but sometimes finding what motivates you outside of yourself is what will get the job done.

I'll give a persoanl example.
This past boxing seaon my motivation has changed. I've become obsessed with the feedback I'll get after I'm done. I get so paranoid that in ten years someone will say to my daughter "your Dad was just wasting his time boxing." I want that to change to "Your Dad was a great Boxer, a really hard trainer and nice to everyone." I wanted my girlfriend and family to know that I always try to make them proud....
It worked....
I know it's only the amateurs but this year I'm
10-0-1 with 6 Stoppages and having never actually lost a round.
The draw is currently being contested (by the local boxing authority, not me!)

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Well done mate - keep it up ;)

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Originally Posted by Shamrock

To be honest I can't give you much advice on diet because I kind of had the opposite problem to you. I have always found it really hard to gain weight. Before I was boxing, while I was boxing, after I stopped. No matter what diet I had I could not gain more than 4 or 5 pounds.

Generally addictions are a sympton of something else in your life that you feel is out of your control. It sounds corny but maybe joining a group of people with the same addiction might help. It will give you support and let you know that you are not the only one going through this.

Which ever road you take I hope things work out well for you fella !

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Thanks mate

yeah what he's saying there H is join a fat man group:-\

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Originally Posted by Missy

yeah what he's saying there H is join a fat man group:-\

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Lol - wouldn't be a bad idea (although I aint fat - just a binger ;))

Completely reevaluated everything over the last couple of days and taken on board a lot of what everbody has said. So a complete new approach has begun - keeping up the gym as always but now eating 3 balanced meals a day with nothing in between except fruit. Also eating slowly and drinkin loads of water - so far so good - I feel revitalised already.

I am also avoiding the scales from now on and just accepting that if I keep on doing things right, that slowly and safely I will get down to the correct weight for my body.

So just gotta hope I can keep this momentum up, but I have a feeling that this time I will

So thanks a again peeps

Good luck H. Echoing what the other guys are saying it's best to change the lifesyle rather than going on diets for small periods of time. I used to weigh 260 but now never over 210, I use my boxing as a motivation but what changed most was changing my eating habits. Used to be a sugar/fat junky, but acquired a taste for healthier foods by eating them when I was really hungry after a good workout, I actually look forward to eating some fruits and vegetables I would never have touched before.

I haven't gone a health fanatic either, I allow some chocoalte and that, but only in small amounts, if you quit competely you'll get the urge to binge. Anyway, keep at it.

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Originally Posted by Bomp

Good luck H. Echoing what the other guys are saying it's best to change the lifesyle rather than going on diets for small periods of time. I used to weigh 260 but now never over 210, I use my boxing as a motivation but what changed most was changing my eating habits. Used to be a sugar/fat junky, but acquired a taste for healthier foods by eating them when I was really hungry after a good workout, I actually look forward to eating some fruits and vegetables I would never have touched before.

I haven't gone a health fanatic either, I allow some chocoalte and that, but only in small amounts, if you quit competely you'll get the urge to binge. Anyway, keep at it.

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Totally agree mate - hope I can keep it up

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Originally Posted by BIG H

So now in March 2008 I’m back to 240 Pounds and spiralling completely out of control. I don’t exaggerate when I say I just cannot stop eating.

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James Toney is a member here at Saddo's?

(Just kidding... good luck)

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Originally Posted by Missy

yeah what he's saying there H is join a fat man group:-\

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;D Seriously though it helps when you know you're not the only person with a problem....and other people can help motivate you.

Glad to see things are on the up H ;)

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Originally Posted by Shamrock

;D Seriously though it helps when you know you're not the only person with a problem....and other people can help motivate you.

Glad to see things are on the up H ;)

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Maybe we can photoshop a picture to show Big H standing between me and James Toney....that'll make him feel better bout things! ;)