Astrocloud

I woke up today and realized that I am fat. I am not talking about gaining 50+ lbs overnight. I am talking about a slow process which ends up with the realization that I am out of shape and overweight.

This is not the first time that I've realized this. Several years ago -I managed to become a gym rat and lose some body fat. This time, I have some extra health problems to boot which are contributing to my weight gain. Namely a case of Planar Fasciitis which makes running painful.

I think that my problem with my weight started when I was 28. I have always been an eater but around 28 -my metabolism slowed and the food caught up to me. I gained a little belly -and quite honestly I didn't mind.

You see up to that point I have always been skinny. In fact when I was 20, I had problem GAINING weight. My belly meant that this issue of gaining weight was forever gone. So for whatever reason -at 28 I didn't do much about my weight gain.

Then a few years ago -when I was laid off from work and depressed -I decided to start working out. I got into pretty good shape but more on the burly side of things... (I think the skinny me is gone forever).

Anyways, I've had a pretty crappy life for the past few years. I haven't had the time or money to take care of myself. Last night I went dancing with my hot wife and I glanced in the mirror.

Man, I am fat.

Charlatan

Hey astro, I too know the pain of middle aged spread.

I was about 28 or 29 when it really started to hit me. I was never what you could call an active person. I wasn't into sports or exercise and never really paid any attention to what I ate. Growing up I was never fat or skinny but as I slouched into my 30s I started to get softer.

I am about 5'10" and I was starting to push 200lbs. Not super-sized but definitely in the overweight side of the Body Mass Index. My doctor suggested I needed to lose weight.

I would occasionally through my early 30s go to the gym and get some exercise but I wouldn't say I was hard-core by any stretch. I was just getting exercise. I would lose a bit but I would still hover in the 185 to 195 range and continued to do so until 6 months ago.

Six months ago I started eating less. I stopped drinking as much alcohol. And most importantly, I stopped eating junk food. I also started doing some yoga. I don't go to the gym at all.

I lost 35 pounds.

I am convinced that it is all about the food. Eat less and eat better.

I am not talking about a fad diet either, just making sure that you are eating good, fresh (not processed) food and eating smaller portions.

Exercise is always good too, but it's just not my thing.

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Daniel_

Five words.

"Eat less, move about more".

Now all I ned is to have someone help me focussed on doing it.

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Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
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ubertuber

Sorry to cherry pick a small portion of your post, but I had plantar fascitis pretty bad about 9 years ago. I went to a podiatrist and got some fitted orthotics and they quite literally changed my life. That was the best $300 I've ever spent. Even if you aren't going to become a runner, you might want to check this out.

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Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam

raeanna74

I gotta comment on the plantar fascitis too.

When I broke my foot I developed plantar fascitis in the other foot because of how I was using it and the strain I put on it. I ended up going to therapy to help it. What really did the trick for me was a combination of stretches, strengthening exercises, and plenty of anti-inflammatories. Every morning before I stepped out of bed I would pull my toes back with my hands and firmly massage my foot. Gently stretching the muscles and tendons before you step on them prevents reinjuring those muscles and tearing them when you suddenly put a lot of weight on them. Taking ibuprohen helps prevent swelling and the development of scar tissue dur to inflammation during the night. Icing my foot seemed to relieve any pain and help it heal too. Also the exercises I did were balancing ones to help strengthen the other muscles in the foot too. It helped support my foot so that I wasn't injuring the plantar facia again and again.

Good luck - just the plantar fascitis is a pain. I'm working on that middle age spread too - sucks to be us.

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Astrocloud

Yeah, started a new thread on the Foot issue. My health insurance kicks in April -so then I will see a doctor!

Right this moment, it isn't hurting 1/2 as much as it was in let's say August -when I was working a car lot.

The foot issue is related to the weight issue in two ways. Number 1: I believe that my weight contributes to my foot pain. Number 2: My primary weight losing exercise has always been jogging.

So gotta find some alternative exercise.

ubertuber

Well, if you like jogging, you'd probably enjoy the elliptical machine (if you can get access to one). They're surprisingly comfortable - I remember the first few times I used one I felt strange because I associated exercise with pain from the impact of running. It just wasn't there...

Your weight probably does contribute to your foot pain, but either way, a podiatrist may be able to make you more comfortable. On the other hand, I'm not sure orthotics are always covered by insurance. I know mine weren't, but they were so worth it!

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Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam