This is my first post to this group, indeed, this website.
I have a lot to say, but I will try to make it succinct and thank you for taking the time to read this ........
First, a brief bio: I'm Male, 29 yrs old, and a newlywed of nearly 6months. I live in New York City and I have advanced medical training (though I'm not a physician) I currently work with computers.
I've tried in earnest to find a website devoted to obese men, chubby guys, etc. As I'm sure many of you have found, the internet search engines are 95% full of weght-loss scams and products that may work but not eithout much effort on your part and a whole lot of websites that are simply a waste of space.
I've been fat my whole life, although there was a time that I had lost all the weight and maintained a slim body type, though only for about 2 years. I gained it all back, with a vengence.
I'm a compulsive overeater. I was the type of person who'd stay up all night long (insomniac, too) watching TV, playing video games and overeating. I was rarely interested in WHAT I ate, so long as I could keep feeling "FULL" -- that was what kept me safe, kept me happy and kept me company.
I was also a social outcast for many years, and only (accidently) met my wife on the internet and lucked out and found a wonderful woman who loves me dearly and tries her best to support me in my trials and tribulations.
My main problem is staying in the right mindset and not drifting after a time from my predetermined course.
I would decide, "Now, its time to lose weight for real and do it right!!" So I'd exercise moderately (say walk for 20 mins a day) and try to eat normal-sized portions.
This would last 2 maybe 3 weeks, sometimes a whole month. Invariably, I'd return to my old ways, noshing a little of this, skimming off the top a little of that, and before I knew it, I've slipped back into my old ways.
Part of me knew what I was doing as I did it -- but I was (and often am) so consumed by my desire to eat and feel full (water never quite did it for me, it was the chewing and the swallowing that was pleasurable) that I didn't think of anything else but eating SOMETHING. And I've eaten some weird stuff in my time becuase I couldn't risk being found out about eating THIS or THAT.
It is embarassing to admit, but I've eaten all sorts of food in odd combinatinations, foods that should only be eaten on the side (i.e. condiments) in large quantities, simply because that's what I could get away with.
And now, since I've been married, it's been easier in that, I no longer need to feel the pressure of "try to lose so you can find a woman to love" -- now I have that, so in essense I can "go nuts!"
I do know better. My obesity (I believe I weigh about 350 or 400, not really sure) has impacted almost every facet of my life. It has reduced my energy levels so that I have the hardest time waking up in the morning, I suffer from insomnia at night and when I do sleep, I have sleep apnea and I doubt I get very much REM sleep since I could sleep for 12 hrs and I still feel tired.
I'm sure the story I'm telling is very similar to what many out there are going through and that is what I need to find.
I know how to lose weight, it isn't that hard to know WHAT to do, its doing it that's the problem.
I've thought about seeking professional help, perhaps a nutritionist to inspire me or perhaps even a therapist, but I think that speaking/writing to people who suffer like me and understand that our situation must be changed would be beneficial to me (and perhaps some of you as well?)
So I am less interested in HOW to lose weight (although tips are appreicated) but in how to stay motivated, how to GET motivated and how to actually take a proactive step in my life and keep walking down that path.
Regarding the subject of my post --- MEN.... I feel that women have different issues regarding weight loss, and perhaps here, I am wrong. But I think that the associated problems with obesity in men are different than that in women.
I find that mostly women try these types of soloutions (weight watchers or support groups) -- and while not completely true, I'm sure there are more women than men engaged in this type of activity.
I'm seeking good logic and supportive thoughts and ideas from anyone, but I am uniquiely interested in OTHER MEN and how THEY feel about their obesity, especially those who are husbands and fathers and professionals -- because I am a husband and a professional (not yet a father, some day)
And so, if you've actually spent the time to read all of my ramblings, I suppose YOU are the person I'd like to hear from, be you MALE or FEMALE -- but I suppose what I am looking for will pan out more specifically as this thread gets a bit longer.
I wish all of you well and I do look forward to some enlightening posts from some of you about some of what I've said here.
Again, I'm seeking thoughts on behavior modification and I seek ways of changing bad habits (like eating till the early morning) and perhaps replacing them with others....
THanks for your time ....