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[M1chl]

Given that my insomnia is probably going to be end of me, I want to put on the paper some current racing thoughts which I have.

As I've wrote here before I am survivor of massive alcohol addiction which resulted in liver transplant. It all seemed fine, that I will live healthy and active life, however then Covid came and I got delta one, which forced me to stay month in hospital, then 2 weeks in another hospital and it was a mess. Since then I got random issues with various stuff on my body, however most importantly having that dreaded long covid, made me very passive, out of energy. So I gained weight, then I got the news that I have type II diabetes (it was coming 99% of liver transplants results in diabetes, I got lucky that it was type II, type I is a death sentence), which resulted with additional medication, diet and so on. However it just seemed that despite everything even me starting working out, I was gaining weight (fat) like crazy. Obviously given that with obesity everything is worse, I started to turn to gym membership and over the counter food supplements like Berberine, later Orlistat (Orlistat - Wikipedia) which helped a little, but it had terrible side effect that you basically shit oil and you have to eat very strictly if you don't want to shit yourself. So this went like that for 2 years, however i could not stop gaining weight. For diabetes I had Sitagliptin + Metformin in a one pill, sugar was OK, but the fat surrounding my body made that I've had massive insulin resistance, thus yes managed to keep glucose on the normal edge, however intermittent fasting, daily 10k steps, 3x week gym, sticking to low carb diet later, nothing has helped climbing my weight. All with hunger, which I wouldn't wish to my worse enemy. I was eating below basal (which was set by health professional at around 2 250kcal, so I was eating ~2k kcal) and I've lost with this regime maybe 5kgs, however any disease which puts me into bed for few days, made the weight loss back + some more. It was exhausting, made me depressed and basically made my life very bad.

Then I got appointment from diabetic specialist, where I was on waiting list for 2 fucking years, she was pretty ruthless, but after some tests and trials, she said that only medication which make sense is Semaglutide, so I got a pen, it was pretty expensive, in a country where I got most meds for free it cost like 100EUR. I was skeptical, that it will work, but nonetheless I got that shit in my veins and went to sleep, because whole thing was tiring that day. Woke up, no hunger, no desire to eat. So I didn't, only some small meal in the evening, because my brain was still in that "eat or die" mindset. And basically since then, I am just consuming protein shake, some fruits, salad and that's it for the day. I am doing strength training with trainer-ness 4 time a week, because it was "prescribed" to me by that diabetes specialist. I am not complaining my kgs are dropping and thus, everything is much easier. Pain in the knees is disappearing, I can now walk to gym instead of taking a ride or driving there. My head is much clearer and most importantly (for me anyway), is that anxiety dropped massively, when my brain isn't constantly stressing due to hunger.

I know Semaglutide has its side effects, every drug has. However when people on the internet is discussing this drug, they hang up onto those side effects without considering what kind of side effects obesity has, which are much more severe. Its not perfect, in perfect world, brain would just want to eat what body needs and not a kcal above, but that's not what is happening.

In 9 weeks, I've lost 14kg, from 130 (300lbs) to 116kgs (255lbs), while 191cm/6f3 in height, male, 35. Which is significant, my target weight is around 90kgs, so long way to go, but now I at least have some hope that I will achieve and more importantly stay on that weight (hopefully for life).

I purposefully opted to not say the brand of medication, just the active ingredient, I feel like in countries where you can't get medication for free (after you pay all the taxes of course), it would feel like an ad. Which I don't want to make. But all in all you know what it is.

If anyone is in same situation as me previously, check your blood sugar, it should be free of charge in every pharmacy, maybe its not you, maybe you are doing things right. Maybe its broken system inside you and now there is a hope. And in any case, if you have elevated blood sugar, you won't notice it on your own, but if you ignore it the repercussions can be severe, including blindness, stroke, heart problems and so on. So get checked, don't be scared that you will ended up with needles and insulin, that is past technology and mainly nowadays destined to those unfortunate which has diabetes type I, which is much more deadly and complicated disease.

stay healthy

 

[MrMephistoX]

Given that my insomnia is probably going to be end of me, I want to put on the paper some current racing thoughts which I have.

As I've wrote here before I am survivor of massive alcohol addiction which resulted in liver transplant. It all seemed fine, that I will live healthy and active life, however then Covid came and I got delta one, which forced me to stay month in hospital, then 2 weeks in another hospital and it was a mess. Since then I got random issues with various stuff on my body, however most importantly having that dreaded long covid, made me very passive, out of energy. So I gained weight, then I got the news that I have type II diabetes (it was coming 99% of liver transplants results in diabetes, I got lucky that it was type II, type I is a death sentence), which resulted with additional medication, diet and so on. However it just seemed that despite everything even me starting working out, I was gaining weight (fat) like crazy. Obviously given that with obesity everything is worse, I started to turn to gym membership and over the counter food supplements like Berberine, later Orlistat (Orlistat - Wikipedia) which helped a little, but it had terrible side effect that you basically shit oil and you have to eat very strictly if you don't want to shit yourself. So this went like that for 2 years, however i could not stop gaining weight. For diabetes I had Sitagliptin + Metformin in a one pill, sugar was OK, but the fat surrounding my body made that I've had massive insulin resistance, thus yes managed to keep glucose on the normal edge, however intermittent fasting, daily 10k steps, 3x week gym, sticking to low carb diet later, nothing has helped climbing my weight. All with hunger, which I wouldn't wish to my worse enemy. I was eating below basal (which was set by health professional at around 2 250kcal, so I was eating ~2k kcal) and I've lost with this regime maybe 5kgs, however any disease which puts me into bed for few days, made the weight loss back + some more. It was exhausting, made me depressed and basically made my life very bad.

Then I got appointment from diabetic specialist, where I was on waiting list for 2 fucking years, she was pretty ruthless, but after some tests and trials, she said that only medication which make sense is Semaglutide, so I got a pen, it was pretty expensive, in a country where I got most meds for free it cost like 100EUR. I was skeptical, that it will work, but nonetheless I got that shit in my veins and went to sleep, because whole thing was tiring that day. Woke up, no hunger, no desire to eat. So I didn't, only some small meal in the evening, because my brain was still in that "eat or die" mindset. And basically since then, I am just consuming protein shake, some fruits, salad and that's it for the day. I am doing strength training with trainer-ness 4 time a week, because it was "prescribed" to me by that diabetes specialist. I am not complaining my kgs are dropping and thus, everything is much easier. Pain in the knees is disappearing, I can now walk to gym instead of taking a ride or driving there. My head is much clearer and most importantly (for me anyway), is that anxiety dropped massively, when my brain isn't constantly stressing due to hunger.

I know Semaglutide has its side effects, every drug has. However when people on the internet is discussing this drug, they hang up onto those side effects without considering what kind of side effects obesity has, which are much more severe. Its not perfect, in perfect world, brain would just want to eat what body needs and not a kcal above, but that's not what is happening.

In 9 weeks, I've lost 14kg, from 130 (300lbs) to 116kgs (255lbs), while 191cm/6f3 in height, male, 35. Which is significant, my target weight is around 90kgs, so long way to go, but now I at least have some hope that I will achieve and more importantly stay on that weight (hopefully for life).

I purposefully opted to not say the brand of medication, just the active ingredient, I feel like in countries where you can't get medication for free (after you pay all the taxes of course), it would feel like an ad. Which I don't want to make. But all in all you know what it is.

If anyone is in same situation as me previously, check your blood sugar, it should be free of charge in every pharmacy, maybe its not you, maybe you are doing things right. Maybe its broken system inside you and now there is a hope. And in any case, if you have elevated blood sugar, you won't notice it on your own, but if you ignore it the repercussions can be severe, including blindness, stroke, heart problems and so on. So get checked, don't be scared that you will ended up with needles and insulin, that is past technology and mainly nowadays destined to those unfortunate which has diabetes type I, which is much more deadly and complicated disease.

stay healthy

Was in a similar boat due to alcoholism although I caught it early enough to avoid lasting damage other than diabetes. Fortunately or unfortunately that diagnosis plus insurance opens up a lot of possibilities for weight loss from insurance companies in my case they not only covered Ozempic but also gastric sleeve surgery 100% whereas without a certain high BMI and diabetes I probably wouldn’t have been covered. At the end of day these are just tools you really do have to commit to healthier eating habits like no high calorie drinks including Soda and alcohol and cutting out added sugar and processed carbs to keep it off but medical intervention will give you a much faster head start to avoid lasting damage.

 

[jshackles]

Glad you were able to find something that works for you!

I had a similar visit to the doctor last year where he suggested a similar type of very popular medication that helped with hunger. Like you, I was worried about the side effects, and decided to try just being hungry while eating very little and working out as much as possible. I figured if I couldn't get it done on my own, I'd come back for the meds in a few months times.

The result for me has been pretty similar, but harder. This isn't a "no pain, no gain" or "I did it better than you" brag by any means, btw. I dropped my calorie intake to around 1200kcal/day, no meat - which was about 1,000 calories less than was recommended as "healthy" for my size. After doing this a few weeks, I added in some light exercise. Once the exercise got easier with time and weight loss, I started adding more. I've now dropped from my 345lb starting weight to 265lbs in about six months.

Like you, my joints feel amazing, and I find I can do a lot more than I previously thought would be possible. In April, I ran a half-marathon. I just got back from a trip to Japan where I walked a total of 155 miles in 15 days! Also like you, I still have a ways to go - another 45lbs to reach "overweight" instead of "obese", and another 75lbs to reach "normal weight" by BMI.

One thing I've learned from this is the phrase "you can't outrun the fork" is absolutely true. If you're not eating healthy, no amount of exercise will make you lose weight. It can help you tone and sculpt, it can help you control your appetite to an extent, it can increase your stamina and endurance, but there is no way to eat a whole large pizza and just "work it off at the gym". Another thing I've learned is that starting this journey in such poor health felt like a Herculean effort - and I think that's where these drugs will help people the most. As you said, the more weight you lost the better you felt which enabled you to eat better and work out more to kick-start that snowball effect. Sticking with it is easy when you're seeing results.

I have a marathon scheduled for August (never ran one) and now that I'm back from my vacation my training for that has started in full - a few hours a day. Personally I'm hoping to drop another 20lbs or so by then to improve my time and reduce the strain on my body.

 

[M1chl]

Glad you were able to find something that works for you!

I had a similar visit to the doctor last year where he suggested a similar type of very popular medication that helped with hunger. Like you, I was worried about the side effects, and decided to try just being hungry while eating very little and working out as much as possible. I figured if I couldn't get it done on my own, I'd come back for the meds in a few months times.

The result for me has been pretty similar, but harder. This isn't a "no pain, no gain" or "I did it better than you" brag by any means, btw. I dropped my calorie intake to around 1200kcal/day, no meat - which was about 1,000 calories less than was recommended as "healthy" for my size. After doing this a few weeks, I added in some light exercise. Once the exercise got easier with time and weight loss, I started adding more. I've now dropped from my 345lb starting weight to 265lbs in about six months.

Like you, my joints feel amazing, and I find I can do a lot more than I previously thought would be possible. In April, I ran a half-marathon. I just got back from a trip to Japan where I walked a total of 155 miles in 15 days! Also like you, I still have a ways to go - another 45lbs to reach "overweight" instead of "obese", and another 75lbs to reach "normal weight" by BMI.

One thing I've learned from this is the phrase "you can't outrun the fork" is absolutely true. If you're not eating healthy, no amount of exercise will make you lose weight. It can help you tone and sculpt, it can help you control your appetite to an extent, it can increase your stamina and endurance, but there is no way to eat a whole large pizza and just "work it off at the gym". Another thing I've learned is that starting this journey in such poor health felt like a Herculean effort - and I think that's where these drugs will help people the most. As you said, the more weight you lost the better you felt which enabled you to eat better and work out more to kick-start that snowball effect. Sticking with it is easy when you're seeing results.

I have a marathon scheduled for August (never ran one) and now that I'm back from my vacation my training for that has started in full - a few hours a day. Personally I'm hoping to drop another 20lbs or so by then to improve my time and reduce the strain on my body.

Congrats, that seems like a success story in making. I've never run much, but I like to speed walk, currently my record is 80km, which is like 45 miles or so. I couldn't do it for a long time, even small walk, few kms, made my feet hurt so bad, that my body sort of refused to do another step. I think what generally missing from those "lose weight" conversations is how hard it is to lose weight when you are reaching some form of obesity. Every steps takes an effort, its not easy as if you would be just overweight.

What I also found to be pretty good at not eating, is to make sparkling water at home, in one of those soda machines, it fills up your stomach and it enables you to not eat for longer.

However there is many methods, however more you weight, less methods will work, they will be harder and most often than not you will fail without those medical tools, which thankfully now exists. People just need to use them and not abuse them. Also if you are healthy and just overweight, please let this medicine be, if you are not diabetic.

 

[MrMephistoX]

Glad you were able to find something that works for you!

I had a similar visit to the doctor last year where he suggested a similar type of very popular medication that helped with hunger. Like you, I was worried about the side effects, and decided to try just being hungry while eating very little and working out as much as possible. I figured if I couldn't get it done on my own, I'd come back for the meds in a few months times.

The result for me has been pretty similar, but harder. This isn't a "no pain, no gain" or "I did it better than you" brag by any means, btw. I dropped my calorie intake to around 1200kcal/day, no meat - which was about 1,000 calories less than was recommended as "healthy" for my size. After doing this a few weeks, I added in some light exercise. Once the exercise got easier with time and weight loss, I started adding more. I've now dropped from my 345lb starting weight to 265lbs in about six months.

Like you, my joints feel amazing, and I find I can do a lot more than I previously thought would be possible. In April, I ran a half-marathon. I just got back from a trip to Japan where I walked a total of 155 miles in 15 days! Also like you, I still have a ways to go - another 45lbs to reach "overweight" instead of "obese", and another 75lbs to reach "normal weight" by BMI.

One thing I've learned from this is the phrase "you can't outrun the fork" is absolutely true. If you're not eating healthy, no amount of exercise will make you lose weight. It can help you tone and sculpt, it can help you control your appetite to an extent, it can increase your stamina and endurance, but there is no way to eat a whole large pizza and just "work it off at the gym". Another thing I've learned is that starting this journey in such poor health felt like a Herculean effort - and I think that's where these drugs will help people the most. As you said, the more weight you lost the better you felt which enabled you to eat better and work out more to kick-start that snowball effect. Sticking with it is easy when you're seeing results.

I have a marathon scheduled for August (never ran one) and now that I'm back from my vacation my training for that has started in full - a few hours a day. Personally I'm hoping to drop another 20lbs or so by then to improve my time and reduce the strain on my body.

Excellent point it’s all about portion control and eating the right things most of the time. I actually do still eat pizza but I limit myself to a single slice and mostly salad instead of a whole pie like I used to. There are certain things I just don’t eat or drink though like anything with added sugar unless it’s a special occasion where I’ll allow myself to have like a sliver of birthday cake not a quarter of cake sized slice.

 

[Dacvak]

I really need to stop drinking. I feel like I’m on the path of OP. Ever since the pandemic, I’ve gone from being super fit to gaining like 50 pounds. And that whole time period taught me to deal with my stress with alcohol, and now it’s too difficult to stop.

I’ve become super depressed because of it, which makes it even harder to get a hold of things. The spiral is real and it sucks.

I’m extra disappointed in myself because I beat fucking bone cancer (with only a 20% survival outcome) and opioid addiction, yet I can’t seem to get control of this shit. I don’t think I’m at the point of permanent damage (well, maybe?), but I still don’t see a way out.

I need the wake-up call, but until my life is on the line, I feel like I won’t get it.

 

[SoloCamo]

It's weird how many of us on this site suffer the same. I'm currently on a path to improve my life as well due to a health scare that is haunting me every moment I take a breath thinking it will happen again. A little under three weeks ago I quit alcohol, caffeine and junk foods completely cold turkey. It's been very rough because it's been many, many years of trashing my body with heavy use of each daily and like they say, you reap what you sow. The road to recovery in health is long but worth it. It took years to do all this damage to your body, it's going to take the same time to get it where you need to be long term.

 

[Cohetedor]

Just started Semaglutide 2 weeks ago for type 2 as well. Mine is pill form not injection though, so doesn't work as fast. Hoping it helps me lose weight like you, I'm in almost exactly the same place you were, 6'5" 300.

 

[Chittagong]

very happy to hear both about your success with alcoholism and now the weight loss and activity. I was interested to know

1 - For alcoholism, what kinds of numbers are we talking about? I could do a bottle of wine in an evening, with a beer or two, and a whisky shot three four times a week. It's way above the recommendation, I know.

2 - For the semaglutide, my fear is that it will make me nauseous, or unable to enjoy things. Because I like the culinary thing - tastes and smells.

My neighbour got on the shot and has absolutely shrunk down. I am vary because of the pancreatitis, tumours and hating-food scares. But on the other hand, my family has T2, which is also bad.

 

[Laptop1991]

I'm a type 2 diabetic and yeah you need to keep the weight down and well done for doing so, i work out a lot to deal with it, i'm lucky my medication is free also, i've basically given having a drink up and i was never a big drinker anyway, but i'm bad for 2 days after having just a few drinks now, it's not worth it anymore, i don;'t always stick to a strict diet though, but that's why i do exercise, so i can bend the rules a little, it isn't much fun though, but keep at it.

 

[M1chl]

very happy to hear both about your success with alcoholism and now the weight loss and activity. I was interested to know

1 - For alcoholism, what kinds of numbers are we talking about? I could do a bottle of wine in an evening, with a beer or two, and a whisky shot three four times a week. It's way above the recommendation, I know.

2 - For the semaglutide, my fear is that it will make me nauseous, or unable to enjoy things. Because I like the culinary thing - tastes and smells.

My neighbour got on the shot and has absolutely shrunk down. I am vary because of the pancreatitis, tumours and hating-food scares. But on the other hand, my family has T2, which is also bad.

1 - I was 4 years in hardcore alcoholism, lets say bottle of 40% per day, then later (lets say for 6 months) I stopped eating and just drank around 1.5l of 40(or more)% alcohol. Don't worry I don't think that wine will do this.
2 - For me, currently on 1mg pen, where I probably stays. I am normally hungry and since I know that my body will just want a little, I am actually treat myself with good (expensive) small meals, the taste if you will is still there and in my case its probably stronger, and I am picky, which I wasn't before. Also I didn't got any side effect, but if you over eat, you will feel it in your gut, like that there is a food inside you for hours and hours. You need to test your capacity.

 

[Chittagong]

1 - I was 4 years in hardcore alcoholism, lets say bottle of 40% per day, then later (lets say for 6 months) I stopped eating and just drank around 1.5l of 40(or more)% alcohol. Don't worry I don't think that wine will do this.
2 - For me, currently on 1mg pen, where I probably stays. I am normally hungry and since I know that my body will just want a little, I am actually treat myself with good (expensive) small meals, the taste if you will is still there and in my case its probably stronger, and I am picky, which I wasn't before. Also I didn't got any side effect, but if you over eat, you will feel it in your gut, like that there is a food inside you for hours and hours. You need to test your capacity.

Thanks, really appreciate the insight into this. And very happy to hear so many are finding a solution timo weight issues.

I am considering going on the shot next year when I return to London for the spring season. In case there are any complications the best healthcare is available there as I have insurance.

 

[M1chl]

Thanks, really appreciate the insight into this. And very happy to hear so many are finding a solution timo weight issues.

I am considering going on the shot next year when I return to London for the spring season. In case there are any complications the best healthcare is available there as I have insurance.

If things stays like they are, unless you will be in the system as a diabetic, you will have to pay, lets say 80GBP. I am currently in pursuit with insurance firm, so I can be as a diabetic in their evidence, then it will be free for me as well.

 

[SlimySnake]

I am 39 165 pounds, and have a beer gut. I was able to drop 20 pounds and went down to 140 using the intermittent fasting diet but as soon as i stopped that, i gained all that weight back pver the course of the last two years. Absolutely infuriating but it was either that or skip dinners which i cant do anymore. I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic a couple of years ago but cutting sugar brought my blood sugar down to normal levels.

Asked my doctor about ozympic and hes like nah, just go to the gym. Ive tried and while it helps, i have to go religiously and cant do that with kids and responsibilities. I dont eat much and it sucks that i have to resort to skipping dinners to lose weight. i dont have breakfast so it feels like a shit fucking life to basically have food once a day or twice a day with no snacks.

 

[M1chl]

I am 39 165 pounds, and have a beer gut. I was able to drop 20 pounds and went down to 140 using the intermittent fasting diet but as soon as i stopped that, i gained all that weight back pver the course of the last two years. Absolutely infuriating but it was either that or skip dinners which i cant do anymore. I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic a couple of years ago but cutting sugar brought my blood sugar down to normal levels.

Asked my doctor about ozympic and hes like nah, just go to the gym. Ive tried and while it helps, i have to go religiously and cant do that with kids and responsibilities. I dont eat much and it sucks that i have to resort to skipping dinners to lose weight. i dont have breakfast so it feels like a shit fucking life to basically have food once a day or twice a day with no snacks.

Well I think that if you were pre-diabetic, its very hard to escape it, even with strict regime. Especially if you have other responsibilities and stuff like that, you can't be in the gym most of the time. I think that doctor should be more responsible and put you on at least low dose, to keep that hunger away and low dose won't do anything to your sugar (well outside the fact that you will have to eat something obviously). If you have an option to go to different doctor or to straight up diabetolog, I think its worth it. Because generally if you were pre-diabetic once, it can happened again or you straight up get type II diabetes. I think that this is very under reported especially in fat countries, where I am sure all obese or even overweight people have it. And what sucks is that you have medicine ready to be served, it has very little effect overall on your life to get treated and live longer, etc.

 

[SlimySnake]

Well I think that if you were pre-diabetic, its very hard to escape it, even with strict regime. Especially if you have other responsibilities and stuff like that, you can't be in the gym most of the time. I think that doctor should be more responsible and put you on at least low dose, to keep that hunger away and low dose won't do anything to your sugar (well outside the fact that you will have to eat something obviously). If you have an option to go to different doctor or to straight up diabetolog, I think its worth it. Because generally if you were pre-diabetic once, it can happened again or you straight up get type II diabetes. I think that this is very under reported especially in fat countries, where I am sure all obese or even overweight people have it. And what sucks is that you have medicine ready to be served, it has very little effect overall on your life to get treated and live longer, etc.

in his defense, i just switched to him after my doctor of 15 years switched practice and he did schedule a six month follow up. i had him check for blood sugar and A1C levels and he said they are normal so im not pre-diabetic anymore.

But yeah, next month i will tell him that i worked out and watched my diet for 6 months and still gained 5 pounds. lets see what he says.

 

[rm082e]

Asked my doctor about ozympic and hes like nah, just go to the gym. Ive tried and while it helps, i have to go religiously and cant do that with kids and responsibilities. I dont eat much and it sucks that i have to resort to skipping dinners to lose weight. i dont have breakfast so it feels like a shit fucking life to basically have food once a day or twice a day with no snacks.

"Just go to the gym" is terrible advice. Yes, you should be active for overall health, but being more active doesn't result in meaningful long term weight reduction for most people if they aren't controlling their diet.

I've been lifting weights, doing cardio, and following a meal plan on and off for almost 15 years. The only time I lose fat is when I treat the diet part like a hardcore religion, abstain from all processed foods, plan out my calories, weigh myself daily to keep myself honest, etc. I have to live in a food prison to lose fat and keep it off. I can allow myself one small cheat meal every 2 weeks, but that's it. If I slip into a cheat meal once a week, it immediately starts coming back. And that's completely independent of how many hours a week I'm exercising.

About 7 years ago, I got really intense about it and dropped 60 pounds over 9 months. I was keeping a food journal and doing meal prep sessions twice a week. I kept that weight off for a year by leveling out my intake, but sticking to the routine. I eventually got the flu and had some other life events that put me in a "fuck it" mindset and I gained 40 pounds back in 5 months. The worst part is I wasn't even binge eating. I just allowed myself to eat until I felt satisfied 3 times a day, and the result was terrible.

I refuse to take any drugs to help with this one, so I'm just shackling myself to this food prison lifestyle and going down with the ship. It sucks, but it's the only thing that works.

(for reference, I'm 44yo male, 6'2" white guy, and straight edge for 20+ years)

 

[John Marston]

I need the wake-up call, but until my life is on the line, I feel like I won’t get it.

My rock bottom was exactly that.
At the hospital with my life on the line.
Then it just clicked. The will to live & love myself. That's how stupid I am

Dude, you beat cancer & that opioid shit, you got this

 

[SlimySnake]

"Just go to the gym" is terrible advice. Yes, you should be active for overall health, but being more active doesn't result in meaningful long term weight reduction for most people if they aren't controlling their diet.

I've been lifting weights, doing cardio, and following a meal plan on and off for almost 15 years. The only time I lose fat is when I treat the diet part like a hardcore religion, abstain from all processed foods, plan out my calories, weigh myself daily to keep myself honest, etc. I have to live in a food prison to lose fat and keep it off. I can allow myself one small cheat meal every 2 weeks, but that's it. If I slip into a cheat meal once a week, it immediately starts coming back. And that's completely independent of how many hours a week I'm exercising.

About 7 years ago, I got really intense about it and dropped 60 pounds over 9 months. I was keeping a food journal and doing meal prep sessions twice a week. I kept that weight off for a year by leveling out my intake, but sticking to the routine. I eventually got the flu and had some other life events that put me in a "fuck it" mindset and I gained 40 pounds back in 5 months. The worst part is I wasn't even binge eating. I just allowed myself to eat until I felt satisfied 3 times a day, and the result was terrible.

I refuse to take any drugs to help with this one, so I'm just shackling myself to this food prison lifestyle and going down with the ship. It sucks, but it's the only thing that works.

(for reference, I'm 44yo male, 6'2" white guy, and straight edge for 20+ years)

Yeah, thats basically been me ever since i graduated college. I gain weight, drop 30 pounds, gain it all back. have done this 3 times over the last 15 years and am frankly sick of it. Aside from maybe 2 times a week, i dont eat fast food. I dont go for seconds ever. i have maybe one slice of cake or cookie or frappacuno drink a week. sometimes two and it starts showing immediately.

i dont believe in drugs but after the pre-diabetic diagnosis, i saw the insane results from cutting carbs and doing intermittent fasting it became obvious to me that my body has an insulin problem. i cant live my life abstaining from food. i already abstain from drugs, alcohol, soda, and ice cream. but i need food.

 

[JimmyRustler]

very happy to hear both about your success with alcoholism and now the weight loss and activity. I was interested to know

1 - For alcoholism, what kinds of numbers are we talking about? I could do a bottle of wine in an evening, with a beer or two, and a whisky shot three four times a week. It's way above the recommendation, I know.

I drink a shot of whiskey or rum every night after dinner because it helps me calm down and sleep afterwards. Tried to stop and insomnia came right back.

Funny thing is that I have no intention or desire whatsoever to drink anything aside from that shot in the evening.

I’m starting to think that my body is somehow totally off. Alcoholism seems so weird to me.

It’s kinda rough on the social end but I guess I am kinda lucky.

 

[M1chl]

I drink a shot of whiskey or rum every night after dinner because it helps me calm down and sleep afterwards. Tried to stop and insomnia came right back.

Funny thing is that I have no intention or desire whatsoever to drink anything aside from that shot in the evening.

I’m starting to think that my body is somehow totally off. Alcoholism seems so weird to me.

It’s kinda rough on the social end but I guess I am kinda lucky.

Yeah, because before you know it you have it and you try its hardest to deny it. I mean not you but in general. I think good definition of alcoholism is that without your fix, you don't feel normal. Despite probably not being dangerous, I think this routine, could be considered mild alcoholism, but obviously as someone who went further than at least 90% of alcoholics, I can't only shut up. I am not here to school anyone...

 

[Liljagare]

Ozempic so far, cousin got it for weight loss in January, shutdown all bowel movement. Brother got it in February, for diabetes. Shut down his bowel movements too.

Seems, there is a poop issue with this crap, cousin is just getting back to normal, after going septic, brother, looks like surgery is required. o_0.

For diabetes I get it, but just reinforced my thoughts about weight loss, there are no quick fixes, and there probably never will be any safe ones, apart from what we all know that works... :/

So glad I started walking 15 years ago, 1 h everyday, no matter the weather. I am addicted to it now, if I can't do my fast walk, I feel like crap mentally, I *need* to get out everyday now. It's like being a smoker and not having your cigarette (used to be one).

 

[AeonGaidenRaiden]

New South Park episode addresses this perfectly lol.

if you want to lose weight you excercise. All this ozempic crap and others, there is no such thing as a mirracle drug. For that money you might as well get a personal trainer and someone that will advise you on your diet.

 

[diffusionx]

I've kind of changed my mind on ozempic. OP is right in that the side effects of obesity are far far far worse than the side effects from ozempic. There aren't many fat old people for a reason. I don't need it, but I get why people would go down that road.

 

[AeonGaidenRaiden]

"Just go to the gym" is terrible advice. Yes, you should be active for overall health, but being more active doesn't result in meaningful long term weight reduction for most people if they aren't controlling their diet.

I've been lifting weights, doing cardio, and following a meal plan on and off for almost 15 years. The only time I lose fat is when I treat the diet part like a hardcore religion, abstain from all processed foods, plan out my calories, weigh myself daily to keep myself honest, etc. I have to live in a food prison to lose fat and keep it off. I can allow myself one small cheat meal every 2 weeks, but that's it. If I slip into a cheat meal once a week, it immediately starts coming back. And that's completely independent of how many hours a week I'm exercising.

About 7 years ago, I got really intense about it and dropped 60 pounds over 9 months. I was keeping a food journal and doing meal prep sessions twice a week. I kept that weight off for a year by leveling out my intake, but sticking to the routine. I eventually got the flu and had some other life events that put me in a "fuck it" mindset and I gained 40 pounds back in 5 months. The worst part is I wasn't even binge eating. I just allowed myself to eat until I felt satisfied 3 times a day, and the result was terrible.

I refuse to take any drugs to help with this one, so I'm just shackling myself to this food prison lifestyle and going down with the ship. It sucks, but it's the only thing that works.

(for reference, I'm 44yo male, 6'2" white guy, and straight edge for 20+ years)

Well I think by now people are educated enough to know 60-70% of your perfect body comes from a proper diet, not just workouts. You have to be daft that you can have a killer 2hr sweaty workout and then takeout McDonalds. Congrats, you just took yourself 3 days backwards. Its not the gym's fault, its not McDonald's fault, its yours that you dont have self control. First fix your mental status then you can workout on better results.

 

[AeonGaidenRaiden]

I've kind of changed my mind on ozempic. OP is right in that the side effects of obesity are far far far worse than the side effects from ozempic. There aren't many fat old people for a reason. I don't need it, but I get why people would go down that road.

Maybe in Asia, tell that to Americans lol. Every 5th person is overweight.

 

[diffusionx]

Maybe in Asia, tell that to Americans lol. Every 5th person is overweight.

I said "fat old people", not just fat people

And it's more like every 3rd or even every other person, sadly.

 

[AeonGaidenRaiden]

I said "fat old people", not just fat people

And it's more like every 3rd or even every other person, sadly.

Well the answer to your question is because they are dead by 50. Look at all the recent popular "proud of my body" fat influencers. Just this year alone 4 of them died at like age of 30. In general nobody is saying you should strive for a model body but at the end of the day we only got one body and it should be common sense we take care of it. Once you get to the point of obesity, I dont understand how they dont understand it has nothing to do what other people think of them but them literally killing themselves.

 

[jufonuk]

Speaking of dieting.

Eggs. Yea or no ? Are they the devils food or angels delight ?

Because

I usually do two a day for breakfast either omelette sunny side up.
Salt pepper chives I try to not add some cheese but if I’m feeling extra I’ll add some (real cheese Gouda or emmental)
With brown bread and no butter, if I have tomato slice It up and put it in the toast

But sometimes. I cook some tomatoes in a frying pan. With a drizzle of olive oil then I proceed to make a version of shakshouka
Some toast to mop up the sauce and yolks.

Recently I’ve been making savoury oats.
Porridge with salt and pepper. Let soften in hot water. Add some sunny side up eggs then some sriracha maybe.
Sesame seeds maybe carrot le on the mixture for crunch

If I feel extra hungry add some honey to the porridge maybe a teaspoon of PB mix it then add the eggs etc.

But I need to eat more satiating meals.

 

[jufonuk]

in his defense, i just switched to him after my doctor of 15 years switched practice and he did schedule a six month follow up. i had him check for blood sugar and A1C levels and he said they are normal so im not pre-diabetic anymore.

But yeah, next month i will tell him that i worked out and watched my diet for 6 months and still gained 5 pounds. lets see what he says.

That five pounds could be muscle don’t go by your weight go by your waistline. If you losing waistline but not weight and you workout it’s muscle.

 

[rm082e]

Speaking of dieting.

Eggs. Yea or no ? Are they the devils food or angels delight ?

Because

I usually do two a day for breakfast either omelette sunny side up.
Salt pepper chives I try to not add some cheese but if I’m feeling extra I’ll add some (real cheese Gouda or emmental)
With brown bread and no butter, if I have tomato slice It up and put it in the toast

But sometimes. I cook some tomatoes in a frying pan. With a drizzle of olive oil then I proceed to make a version of shakshouka
Some toast to mop up the sauce and yolks.

Recently I’ve been making savoury oats.
Porridge with salt and pepper. Let soften in hot water. Add some sunny side up eggs then some sriracha maybe.
Sesame seeds maybe carrot le on the mixture for crunch

If I feel extra hungry add some honey to the porridge maybe a teaspoon of PB mix it then add the eggs etc.

But I need to eat more satiating meals.

Eggs are great. People who hate on them are usually scared of fat or cholesterol, but they shouldn't be.

Stick to a diet of single ingredient foods, make sure to get enough protein, and control your calories. If you can do those three things, 99.9% of people will be just fine and have no digestion issues. A tiny number of people are allergic to some single ingredient foods, in which case they can just avoid them.

From there, all you have to do is create and maintain a 10-15% calorie deficit to force your body to make up the difference by pulling from fat stores.

 

[M1chl]

Speaking of dieting.

Eggs. Yea or no ? Are they the devils food or angels delight ?

Because

I usually do two a day for breakfast either omelette sunny side up.
Salt pepper chives I try to not add some cheese but if I’m feeling extra I’ll add some (real cheese Gouda or emmental)
With brown bread and no butter, if I have tomato slice It up and put it in the toast

But sometimes. I cook some tomatoes in a frying pan. With a drizzle of olive oil then I proceed to make a version of shakshouka
Some toast to mop up the sauce and yolks.

Recently I’ve been making savoury oats.
Porridge with salt and pepper. Let soften in hot water. Add some sunny side up eggs then some sriracha maybe.
Sesame seeds maybe carrot le on the mixture for crunch

If I feel extra hungry add some honey to the porridge maybe a teaspoon of PB mix it then add the eggs etc.

But I need to eat more satiating meals.

I am unsure if this is question for diabetes or just dieting, however if you have diabetes fatty foods are essential, so absolutely yes.

Eggs, bacon, oil in salad, etc is absolutely necessary

 

[SoloCamo]

Eggs are great. People who hate on them are usually scared of fat or cholesterol, but they shouldn't be.

Stick to a diet of single ingredient foods, make sure to get enough protein, and control your calories. If you can do those three things, 99.9% of people will be just fine and have no digestion issues. A tiny number of people are allergic to some single ingredient foods, in which case they can just avoid them.

From there, all you have to do is create and maintain a 10-15% calorie deficit to force your body to make up the difference by pulling from fat stores.

Eggxactly (sorry I had to). Eggs got a bad rep and it's all lies based on pseudoscience. Eggs are by far one of the healthiest and most nutrient dense fuels you can feed your body, and eating the yolk is a big part of that. If you are overweight with diabetes, eating a combo of eggs, lean meats (red meats are ideal for nutrients despite the bad rep yet again) and incorporating low carb vegetables will set you right. If you want a quick on the go snack steam eggs (don't boil) - they are absolutely delicious.

Also, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and I don't mean the plastic can stuff, get quality glass container from a single country source. I take 2 tablespoons a day and feel amazing. It has many health benefits and assists in weight loss - again, if you get the proper stuff. I've recently bought the below and while pricey, it's delicious and will last me a very long time.

Amazon.com

I've been doing keto and intermittent fasting and in less than the three weeks (which included no more alcohol, caffeine nor crappy food) I've lost 15lbs and that's with a very sedentary lifestyle aside from very light resistance training (deadlifting only 100lbs) and less than 4,000 steps a day. Make sure to take your vitamins and make sure you are getting enough electrolytes. Oh and at absolute minimum 64oz of water a day.

Every person is different but I used to be in pretty great shape before I trashed my body like an arse and this type of food combo and excercise has always done wonders for me.

 

[GigaBowser]

300 pounds

 

[RaduN]

I am 39 165 pounds, and have a beer gut. I was able to drop 20 pounds and went down to 140 using the intermittent fasting diet but as soon as i stopped that, i gained all that weight back pver the course of the last two years. Absolutely infuriating but it was either that or skip dinners which i cant do anymore. I was diagnosed as pre-diabetic a couple of years ago but cutting sugar brought my blood sugar down to normal levels.

Asked my doctor about ozympic and hes like nah, just go to the gym. Ive tried and while it helps, i have to go religiously and cant do that with kids and responsibilities. I dont eat much and it sucks that i have to resort to skipping dinners to lose weight. i dont have breakfast so it feels like a shit fucking life to basically have food once a day or twice a day with no snacks.

Yes you can. It's your damn life you are talking about.

As a fitness instructor for more than 15 years, i can assure you that everyone uses this exact same excuse that you do, and in the end everyone actually has time to go to the gym 4 hours a week, because you don't need a second more with a smart workout plan.

Pit your priorities in order buddy.

 

[Meicyn]

Eggs. Yea or no ? Are they the devils food or angels delight ?

Eggs are amazing. If you want to take your boiled eggs to the next level, pressure cook them for two hours. The egg whites will get a grey/brown color and will have a nutty flavor profile.

Asked my doctor about ozympic and hes like nah, just go to the gym. Ive tried and while it helps, i have to go religiously and cant do that with kids and responsibilities.

On exercise, what I did to make an easy habit is do one set of exercise every time I use the bathroom. Push-ups, pull-ups, pistol squats, hand stand, whatever it is, I do something for 60 seconds. This allows me to break up my exercise into bite size chunks spread throughout the day in my own home rather than trying to fit in a 30 minute session + travel time to the gym.

 

[SlimySnake]

Yes you can. It's your damn life you are talking about.

As a fitness instructor for more than 15 years, i can assure you that everyone uses this exact same excuse that you do, and in the end everyone actually has time to go to the gym 4 hours a week, because you don't need a second more with a smart workout plan.

Pit your priorities in order buddy.

you're right. im being lazy. but when im done with the kids and work at 8-9PM, some days i just dont want to go for a walk, let alone drag my fat ass to the gym.

weekends is where i should be getting in a couple of hours but my wife fills in my weekends, and again, it feels like a full day of work. kids drain me mentally and physically.

 

[Eiknarf]

Better off getting AIDS than Type 2 Diabetes

“While this might sound shocking or surprising, the facts speak for themselves: the prognosis for those with type 2 diabetes is much worse than for those with AIDS. The risk of stroke in newly treated type 2 diabetes is more than double that of the general population”

As a doctor, I’d rather have HIV than diabetes

‘There is now a deadly virus, which anyone can catch from sex with an infected person. If we’re not careful, the people who’ve died so far, will be just the tip of the iceberg… If you ignore Aids, it could be the death of you.’ It has been hailed as one of the most memorable

www.spectator.co.uk

The life expectancy for someone with AIDS is now the exact same as you and I without AIDS. It’s all because of modern medicine. You could have AIDS and not even spread it anymore if you take the monthly pill or bi-yearly injection or whatever

 

[jufonuk]

I lost some weight so that’s good I’m close to get lower.

 

[M1chl]

Better off getting AIDS than Type 2 Diabetes

“While this might sound shocking or surprising, the facts speak for themselves: the prognosis for those with type 2 diabetes is much worse than for those with AIDS. The risk of stroke in newly treated type 2 diabetes is more than double that of the general population”

As a doctor, I’d rather have HIV than diabetes

‘There is now a deadly virus, which anyone can catch from sex with an infected person. If we’re not careful, the people who’ve died so far, will be just the tip of the iceberg… If you ignore Aids, it could be the death of you.’ It has been hailed as one of the most memorable

www.spectator.co.uk

The life expectancy for someone with AIDS is now the exact same as you and I without AIDS. It’s all because of modern medicine. You could have AIDS and not even spread it anymore if you take the monthly pill or bi-yearly injection or whatever

So what are you suggesting, outside of posting 9 year old article? What kind of post is this

 

[Madserb2023]

The good thing about Type 2 is that it can be controlled to an extent. Unlike Type 1, you can lose weight and more or less nullify it. The hard thing is losing the weight. I was 20 stone and now I am about 12 stone and have rid myself of the diabetes. My blood sugar levels are actually a little low now if anything. I always get asked how I did I do it and to be honest I just went to the gym every so often and eat less. Nothing too extreme. That was it. Took about 2 years. However unlike many I don't judge those who do find it difficult because we aren't all built the same. Yes, it is ultimately down to will power but some people just have more will power than others.

 

[M1chl]

The good thing about Type 2 is that it can be controlled to an extent. Unlike Type 1, you can lose weight and more or less nullify it. The hard thing is losing the weight. I was 20 stone and now I am about 12 stone and have rid myself of the diabetes. My blood sugar levels are actually a little low now if anything. I always get asked how I did I do it and to be honest I just went to the gym every so often and eat less. Nothing too extreme. That was it. Took about 2 years. However unlike many I don't judge those who do find it difficult because we aren't all built the same. Yes, it is ultimately down to will power but some people just have more will power than others.

Funnily enough that's something I deal with currently (should I say already), granted that might be a bad thing, given what type 1 does and I am still not out of the danger of escaping it.

However its unlikely, I was told.

Also man, low blood sugar feels terrible, you can have 25 high sugar and you feel nothing and it dips at 4-3.9 and you feel like the end is near.

My Type 2 and weight gain was mainly caused by getting a shitton of Prednisone, so the liver would stay in place while getting my Covid treated. Even taking that shit on Ozempic, its directly on that pamflet written, that it lower the ability to do its job. Such a shitty steroid.

 

[jufonuk]

The good thing about Type 2 is that it can be controlled to an extent. Unlike Type 1, you can lose weight and more or less nullify it. The hard thing is losing the weight. I was 20 stone and now I am about 12 stone and have rid myself of the diabetes. My blood sugar levels are actually a little low now if anything. I always get asked how I did I do it and to be honest I just went to the gym every so often and eat less. Nothing too extreme. That was it. Took about 2 years. However unlike many I don't judge those who do find it difficult because we aren't all built the same. Yes, it is ultimately down to will power but some people just have more will power than others.

I did similar but then I stopped and it crept back on. Now I’m doing it again. But I’m older so weight doesn’t fly off. I’m really going for a better diet angle. Then any exercise on top is a bonus. (Walking also).

But the weight loss definitely changes things I had a blood test before and levels were messed up lost weight and it was normal.

 

[Insane Metal]

To each and everyone of you who is going through a tough moment in life and posting in this thread, I sincerely hope you find a way to get better. I've been there myself too and it sucks, but don't ever lose hope. Sending you love from here. If I could I'd meet everyone face to face to shake your hands.

BTW M1chl you're one of my fav posters in Neogaf. I hope you keep on track of your goals. Stay well my friend.

 

[FunkMiller]

The good thing about Type 2 is that it can be controlled to an extent. Unlike Type 1, you can lose weight and more or less nullify it. The hard thing is losing the weight. I was 20 stone and now I am about 12 stone and have rid myself of the diabetes. My blood sugar levels are actually a little low now if anything. I always get asked how I did I do it and to be honest I just went to the gym every so often and eat less. Nothing too extreme. That was it. Took about 2 years. However unlike many I don't judge those who do find it difficult because we aren't all built the same. Yes, it is ultimately down to will power but some people just have more will power than others.

There's the kicker. People always want to see results way too fast, and give up. There's no such thing as a successful diet, only a successful lifestyle.

 

[Madserb2023]

I tried lots of diets over the years and pretty much all of them ended with me just putting the weight back on. However, my brother one day said to me if it took you 10 years to put on the weight why do you think you can lose it in 3 months and it clicked. I still had a McDonald's but just not every couple of days, instead twice a month. It takes a lot longer to lose weight this way but at least you don't put the weight back as soon as you start eating fast food again because you never actually stopped in the first place. As you said, you also can't lose weight as fast like you can when you are younger so they just don't work. The difficult bit is changing your habits and sustaining it for years, but it was exactly that process that make you put the weight on in the first place so it makes sense to do it in reverse.

 

[Daneel Elijah]

To each and everyone of you who is going through a tough moment in life and posting in this thread, I sincerely hope you find a way to get better. I've been there myself too and it sucks, but don't ever lose hope. Sending you love from here. If I could I'd meet everyone face to face to shake your hands.

BTW M1chl you're one of my fav posters in Neogaf. I hope you keep on track of your goals. Stay well my friend.

I would like to say the same, and hope for all of you to get better.

 

[jshackles]

There's the kicker. People always want to see results way too fast, and give up. There's no such thing as a successful diet, only a successful lifestyle.

I always think about how long the weight took to put on. If it took years to put on, don't be upset when it doesn't come off in a month.

 

[SoloCamo]

I always think about how long the weight took to put on. If it took years to put on, don't be upset when it doesn't come off in a month.

Correct, and the biggest hurdle for many is the fast initial weight loss (when they really go strict) in the first few weeks. After that you have to be persistent and keep it up despite the numbers not falling off like they were. Consistency is key.

I lost a lot of weight in my early 20's and was in pretty great shape telling myself I'll never gain weight like that again but as I aged and got into a sedentary life I not only gained it back but was heavier than ever (a 10 hour shift sitting down with 2 hours commute each day didn't help). Now that I'm older it's a lot more work to lose it.

 

[jufonuk]

Just had a blood test for my levels hope im not too fucked.