2025 Health Changes

[ebinmaine 69,748]

This is a long post that's mostly for my own notes and thoughts, shared publicly. I'm known for long posts. This one's a book.  

 

I very much welcome your own thoughts comments questions suggestions. And I also encourage you to join.  

 

******************

 

I've been a fair amount larger than most folks for nearly all my life. As I age and watching my immediate family and friends have health issues I know I just can't stay this way and remain mobile and happy.  

 

 

I've tried several times in several years to get a real world handle on my physical health. 

 

I've been fighting unknown body pains for over 9 years now. Fibromyalgia. In other words, we don't know the cause. 

I've seen at least a half dozen doctors and NPs. 

I've been tested Every Which Way but Loose (catch that?)  for diseases and syndromes. 

I've learned over the 9 years that my pain tolerance is extremely low.  That by itself is certainly a serious issue. 

I've tried at least a half dozen meds. All meds failed. Some miserably. 

NO MORE meds. 

Because of those medicinal failures I've failed to improve my health for several years now as well. The after effects have been horrific. Reduced energy. Increasing chronic pain and fatigue. 

I haven't taken a prescription pain med for awhile now. 1.5 or 2.5 years??

Interestingly,  this is the first year I've been able to move a little more when I get home from work since 2017. 

 

 

 

My biggest issue THIS year is going to be literally -  all in my head. 

 

I am Neurodiverse.

 

What we used to call ADD or ADHD depending on symptoms or even depending on the day. 

My conscious mind and thinking patterns are not properly recognized - or even connected to - my subconscious. We literally are missing some or all of the nerve pathways to accomplish proper connection. 

It's EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to form a habit and I can drop one instantly without even realizing it. 

It's also subconsciously gratifying to have habits that satisfy a very short term/time increase in dopamine. 

YouTube Shorts and videos less than 10 minutes. Crunchy foods. Sometimes sugary foods but not always. Texting. Reading short stories or emails. Changing subject matter often. Start a project and only work on it rarely afterwards.  

All short. All quick. All very satisfying. 

 

Forming and changing Life Habits on a large long term scale is VERY DIFFICULT.  

Having this type of thought pattern is a HUGE challenge for losing weight. 

 

On another side, we neurodivergent have the ability to hyperfocus on things. This obviously has its ups n downs depending on subject matter or mood. 

 

Also, my short term memory is extremely insufficient. Digital calendar and notepads are a necessity. 

 

I've tried MANY ways to deal with it including several meds, both prescription and natural remedies. I've learned over the years to be flexible about having a plan or desire to get a certain thing done but I now understand that my thought process just is NOT like most folks. I head to the workshop or outside and let my disconnected subconscious drive what I can do for the day.  

I keep a task in mind and understand that it may or may not be accomplished on that day, but will later.  Odds are very high that I'll see a thing I've "been meaning to do" or remember that something else should be done first. (Remember, terrible short term memory).

 

 

 

So.... back to my physical health...

 

Goal #1. Begin with reasonable consistent weight loss. 

16 weeks @ 1.5 lbs/week loss is 24 lbs. 

272.6 lbs starting January 31st. 

248 lbs by Memorial Day.

 

Friday January 31st.  9 days ago.  I was 272.6

This morning 270.9

 

I'll take it. 

 

 

 

Goal #2.   Begin to increase stamina and strength. 

We went to the gym again yesterday morning. 

Treadmill to start. I gradually go to the steepest setting while increasing to 3 mph. 

Using my own home scale, I checked the scaled weight of ONLY my hands while in push-up position. 185 or so. I've read that I should be able to bench press about 70%-90% of that number. 
After warming up I did a couple reps at 145 lbs. Nearly 80%.
I could've done more but don't want to push too hard yet. I'm pretty happy with that.  

 

 

After Memorial Day I'll continue with the changes. 

I'm not sure I have a realistic future goal weight. My oversized frame is off the scales of the Medical folks.  I'll aim for around 220 lbs and see how that looks and feels.  That'll be over a 70 lb loss.  

 

One thing I've never done is bench press my body weight. Always wanted to. 

Reduce me from 272 to 220. 

Increase weights from 145 to 220. 

Doable? Yes. 

Realistic?...... maybe. 

 

There are optimists.

There are pessimists. 

I'm a Realist.

I know that increasing my bench press weight to that point is a VERY lofty goal.

Will I do it? I don't know. That's 2 or 3 years away if at all possible.  

 

 

I'll try to remember to keep this thread updated....

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 26,599]

Good luck!!! 

 

Sounds like a "Colossal" undertaking, but certainly well planned out!!! 

[Pullstart 63,579]

Chit chatting with you EB is always great!  When you mentioned bench pressing the 70-90% of upper body weight, I instantly thought “That’s an easy goal, I’ve totally got this!”  I’ve been hovering around 180 total weight, and found my push up weight at 142 the other day, for a 70-90% goal of 100-130, roughly.  I pretty much figured that 150 would be an obtainable goal.  Sure, why not?  It’s only been over 20 years (23?) since I regularly lifted weights in a gym!  Gym class in high school was more than half my life ago, but I’m fairly fit still.  150?  Psh.  Easy.

 

“Reality to Pullstart!  Reality to Pullstart!” Is currently blaring over my P.A. System.  Rylee has a weight bench in her room.  With the amount of concrete vs. steel weights she has, we managed to fit 120 on the bar.  I did it.  But it was not easy.  I did my 5 reps and called it a day.  Wow, I was shocked!  
 

Hindsight, I began my intermittent fasting over two years ago now.  I still don’t regret it.  I FEEL great.  There are times (vacation, travel, etc. where I’ll gain weight.  I gained 10-18 lbs during a last summer into fall, traveling what seemed to be more than being home, and burned it right back off in a couple weeks.  What I wonder though, is how much muscle mass I’ve given up along with the fat?  
 

EB.  You totally got this!  Also, squirrel!  

Edited February 9 by Pullstart

[ebinmaine 69,748]

22 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

a "Colossal" undertaking

 

 

That's... pretty accurate!!

 

[ebinmaine 69,748]

16 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

What I wonder though, is how much muscle mass I’ve given up along with the fat?  

 

There's always a concession when losing weight as a whole system. 

There's also more truth than we realize or readily admit to: 

Use it or lose it. 

Especially with muscle tissue. 

It really is true in the most literal form. 

If you haven't lifted 100 lbs in 20 years then your body will maintain exactly what you need to function day to day. 

 

[ri702bill 8,761]

I too have had some "Health Changes" and weight loss around the Holidays.

I spent 8 days in the hospital Cardiac Unit for Congestive Heart Failure & Afib. Along with what I call the "Double Diuretic Diet". My weight when admitted was 275, came home at 245. Currently on a lower dose - I weigh 232. I have not seen 232 in about 10 years.

Had a procedure Friday to zap the Afib away - so far, so good. Trying to avoid getting a Pacemaker, the last resort. It would END my days of doing any form of Electric Welding.

Best of luck to you  Eric.

Bill

 

Edited February 9 by ri702bill

[ebinmaine 69,748]

16 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Best of luck to you  Eric

 

 

You as well Bill!!

[Handy Don 13,087]

3 hours ago, Pullstart said:

 I gained ..., and burned it right back off in a couple weeks.

Just an FYI (echoing Reality ). As one's metabolism inevitably changes with age, the gaining is easier and the burning off harder.

[Darb1964 1,086]

I didn't see if any of the doctors mentioned depression? And I only ask because I know or suspect that I myself have had some problems with it. I have trouble admitting it because I've always been very happy person that looked forward to the future. Now that I'm for the most part completely disabled with lots of time on my hands to think about things and really not much of a future to look forward too I've had some signs of depression. I spend much of my time alone because my wife is still working and we don't have children so even though I've always been a loner it can get old. I'm blessed with a great wife, friends and wonderful siblings that check in often and has made the difference and keeps me getting up each day. Good luck and keep trying that's all you can do.

[ebinmaine 69,748]

6 minutes ago, Darb1964 said:

depression

Yessir.  That occasionally goes hand in hand with the physical pain I've been fighting. 

Meds for that possibility were also parts of the failures.  

 

[peter lena 8,978]

@ebinmaine  can relate , with body pain ,  my recent  operations  have made me  more active  and above all , paying attention  to what works / doesn't . typically  you are going after  something that has been part of you for years , and you have  comfortably  enhanced it . would look up  related , possible  can do  exercises . be real about it , a lot will probably  be just to get moving  in beneficial ways , just my regular walks / stretching / related , have really helped .  initially  could barely move . then added stone wall , leg stretching , stair climbing  , make up your own , comfortable  daily  do it , used cold gel packs , for pain areas , as stated , watch for what works / doesn't , my parking lot / store  walk arounds , carts , let me start moving , look up what evever  you are dealing with , on line reference , that helped me out a lot , for direction  / related how to . creaky pete    

[953 nut 56,785]

10 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

If you haven't lifted 100 lbs in 20 years then your body will maintain exactly what you need to function day to day. 

Truer words were never spoken.

Your job keeps you in a seated position the majority of the day and like @Handy Don mentioned, we ain't gettin any younger and the metabolism that we enjoyed before just seems to have disappeared.

You and BBT do quite a bit of hiking and that is more than a lot of people do.        

You have already taken the first step by sharing your goals and concerns. Do what you can to incorporate exercise into your work hours. If you have a load that isn't ready and you have some weights in the cab of the truck you can pump some iron. Get a pair of ankle weights and put then on while working around the shop.

Following my stroke I lost so much muscle mass that I wasn't able to walk very far with a walker. I had been in a hospital bed or in a chair or wheelchair 24 hours a day for several weeks. Nearly a year of PT brought me back to better conditioning than I had seen in several years. Though I have substantial balance issues and will need a walker the rest of my life from the stroke I weigh about ten pounds less and have more energy than before. When I go shopping I hang a cloth shopping bag over each side of the walker and avoid using the battery powered shopping carts unless I'm buying something quit heavy. Walking is a pleasure now.

Looking forward to progress reports, once you make your health a priority you will see good things coming your way.

[ebinmaine 69,748]

9 hours ago, 953 nut said:

Your job keeps you in a seated position the majority of the day

 

As trucking jobs go I'm lucky to have one that has some people movement. Some. 

I drive less and move more than anything over the road or even most regional work. 

That said, I've noticed a decline in my ability to stand all day in the warehouse without pain.  

I've also noticed the above mentioned decrease in strengths that aren't needed daily. 

That's a big "driver" here...

 

9 hours ago, 953 nut said:

You and BBT do quite a bit of hiking and that is more than a lot of people do.

 

We'll be doing more of that this year than the past several. 

As much as we love helping other folks, building two tractors for our friends and my parents has been occupying a LOT of our needed home shop time along with recreational time.  

This year we'll be focusing on getting both of us in better physical condition.  

 

 

[ebinmaine 69,748]

Saturday morning weigh in. 2 weeks.

 

269.8 lbs. 

2.8 lbs down. 

 

On track.  

[Pete D 159]

I read your original post, but not the replies...  Sorry .  I can relate, a bit.

 

I was diagnosed as "hyperactive" in '66.  My parents tried me on Ritalin but "didn't see enough improvement to warrant messing with that stuff."

When I was 27, I was diagnosed with ADHD.  Decades of med management before my docs found a useful & effective cocktail, including dexadrine.  I stop the dexadrine when I retired in 2019.

Now I have to tell my wife to make sure I'm looking at her when she talks or I won't remember the conversation.  I use Google calendar and written notes to remember what I need to, with spousal assistance.  Focus is either 800% or zero.  Again, what you wrote sounds familiar.

Several years ago I tore my right rotator cuff while on crutches from knee surgery.  After shoulder repair, I re-tore the rotator cuff. 

While waiting on the shoulder, I had my knee replaced, and 3 months later, the shoulder fixed.  Two days after surgery I fell, and re-tore the rotator cuff.

After a 6 month wait, I had if fixed, followed by months of PT.  About 6 months later I slipped on clothes on the stairs, fell down the stairs, and tore the other side, days before I completed PT for the right shoulder.

Surgery, and 6 months of PT for the left, and all was good!  Until I fell off a 12' ladder 2 days later.  That was November, my right wrirst is still healing.

So I put on a fair amount of weight during the past few years while I've been broken.  Dieting wasn't helping, exercise was not an option, so last June I started semaglutide injections at 214.5 pounds.  Yesterday I was 163.  My goal is 154.5.

You sound far more intact & motivated than I am.  There's no doubt that you'll achieve your goals, naturally, no less.  More power to you!

[ebinmaine 69,748]

8 minutes ago, Pete D said:

You sound far more intact & motivated than I am.  There's no doubt that you'll achieve your goals, naturally, no less.

 

Intact physically  - maybe. 

Intact mentally  - maybe not. 

 

My motivation is the best and worst part. 

One day I'm guns out n blazin'....

Next..... nutthhiinn....

All part of the mind connection that doesn't exist.  

 

 

 

[2drxploder 123]

this is a quick one for  @ebinmaine's encouragement:

my goals:

get healthier

continue to not smoke cigs (dec 30  2024 1 p.m. last one) and not get overwieght, eating has become 2nd nature

maintain anger/anxiety-more to come

get health insurance: start a new job march 3 (i am SO nervous, read the line above,) but i start with 80% company paid health day #1

better oral health/ maintenance progress so far 3 teeth removed, several small fillings done/ongoing lack of insurance and procrastination got me in this boat.

more details and progress to come.

[ebinmaine 69,748]

7 hours ago, 2drxploder said:

procrastination got me in this boat

 

And patience will get you OUT 

 

I've been in a very similar position. Remember it took you quite a while to become where you are right now and it's perfectly okay if it takes some time to get you back where you really want to be.

 

 

[Beap52 1,041]

If a fellow doesn't take care of himself, no one else will do it for him.  Pam and I have been conscious eating better and haven't had any soda pop in the house for several months.  When we do eat out and drink is provided, soda pop, that we used to really enjoy, is about like drinking cough syrup.

 

When mom got out of nursing home a year ago, she was using a walker.  When she transferred back to assisted living, I suggested she get away from the walker.   She is so happy she didn't become dependent upon the walker like 95% of the residents. 

 

I believe that a lot of health issues we are seeing are related to what we put in our mouths. Processed food ain't good.

[rmaynard 15,806]

I just came back from my pulmonologist this morning. Along with my high blood pressure, high cholesterol, borderline pre-diabetic, and Afib, I have mild sleep apnea. All of the aforementioned maladies, other than the apnea, are being treated by my GP and cardiologist with prescription meds. Every time I go, and my BP is up, and my LDL is too high, my meds get increased. This has lead to increased weight gain. I am tired and feel like crap most of the time. So today, my pulmonologist suggested a new approach. A program called CoreLife. They do a comprehensive evaluation of why you are overweight, then provide evidence-based treatment which is drug-free. Going to start the program soon and will provide feedback. I'm told that Medicare pays for it. 

[ebinmaine 69,748]

@rmaynard

 

 I'm sure you're well aware ALL of those maladies can be cross-contaminated back to one another and it may have started with the lack of sleep in the first place. That's what my father is fairly sure gave him diabetes....

 

 And I believe it's what causes a large part of my own weight issues.  

 

 

[ebinmaine 69,748]

2 hours ago, Beap52 said:

 

I believe that a lot of health issues we are seeing are related to what we put in our mouths. Processed food ain't good.

 

It's an honest realistic possibility that 95 - 99% of the health issues in the world ARE caused by poor food intake.  

 

 

[stvski80085 67]

It's for sure food.  I have learned to cut out a lot of junk and dropped 40lbs in short order.  Coffee in the morning a water all day.  No sugar drinks.  Even the sugar free causes you to want sugar more.  It's gotten easier and easier and I don't really think about food.  I stay busy and nibble instead.  My sleep apnea is going to be gone if I lose a few more pounds.

 

Edited Tuesday at 06:31 PM by stvski80085

[ebinmaine 69,748]

1 minute ago, stvski80085 said:

It's gotten easier and easier and I don't really think about food

 

That's something I wish I could do. One of the issues with being neurodiverse is my mind doesn't work that way.

[stvski80085 67]

1 minute ago, ebinmaine said:

 

That's something I wish I could do. One of the issues with being neurodiverse is my mind doesn't work that way.

My wife hates it because I don't really sit down and eat with her much.  I just keep moving.