Hello, about me:

[BigGuy]

Hello everyone, this will be a kind of long post, since I want to get as much information in it as possible.

I am a large guy, hence my name. As all large men and women do, there is that one number that we all tell ourselves that we will never ever get to. We will never let ourselves get that out of hand. We make jokes about it, but then, when you dont change anything, it always comes. 300 This week I finally hit the 300lb mark, and I've decided thats enough. I am going to make a chance in my lifestyle and stick with it. So, I was searching for answers and stumbled across this website. I have always been interested in martial arts, and found that part most interesting. Then I found this particular forum, and decided that I'd register and see what you guys thought about my situation. Basically, what I'm hoping to do is lose about 100lbs, become more flexible, and stronger. I'm 6' and 300lbs as I said earlier. I'm also 19 years old. I will try and give as much information as possible here since I saw in all the other posts similar to mine that you all wanted more info. About a year ago I actually did Jenny Craig and got down to 220, but I couldn't lose anymore and ran out of money for the diet (its expensive)

Me:
6' tall
300 lbs.
19 y/o

My diet:
My Diet has consisted of anything that I can get out of the freezer and put in the Microwave. Things like, hot pockets, frozen burritos, taquitos, chips and a good amount of fast food.

My limitations:
I dont have endless funds
I dont have a car (Cant get a gym membership)
I cant run, because I have leg problems I need low impact

My equipment
Flat Benchpress bench w/bar and about 200lbs of weights
20lb dumbells
One regular bar for other exercises
Pilates tapes
One of those water filled punching bags
(Going to buy an exercise bike for cardio)

My plan: (Feel free to suggest anything)
I'm going to get an exersize bike and start my cardio
I'm going to lift weights
I'm going to do pilates and stretch everyday
I'm going to change my diet, here's what I plan to eat. I'm going to try for 5-6 meals a day, and tons of water.

• Chicken
• Sushi
• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Eggs

Tips I need
I dont know any lower body exercises that I can do with a bar (Cant do squats)

I need suggestions for my diet

ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS PLEASE HELP!

MY GOAL:
Lose 100lbs.
Become more flexible
Increase strength
Maybe learn some basic martial arts moves (Point me in the right direction?)

[blitz]

Hey,
I'm going to give you some tips that I'm sure you'll get help from.
1. NEVER start lifting heavy weights when your that overweight, It'll give you stretch marks and beleive me you don't want those, its like whip marks all over your body.
2.Chicken breast only, don't eat other parts, they are too greasy and don't contain the protiens you need.
3. Drink lots of water and 1 glass of milk at least daily.
4. Eat the white of the eggs only dont eat the yellow part. And boil your eggs.
5. Eat whole wheat bread ( I think thats its name) the brown bread that dosen't contain high carbs.
6. Follow a scheduele, at least keep 2-2.5 hours between each meal.
7. Never train exactly after you eat, give it an hour difference.
8. Focus on cardio and stretching, your body is probably very inflexible.
9. Don't put lots of salt on your food. It keeps the water in your muscle places and also increases stretch marks. But lots of water takes out the excess salts.
10. Don't repeat the muscle groups alot.
11. At first only stretch and do cardio + move your muscles a little (lift very little weights).
12. Leg excersizes can be hindu squats or squats holding something to keep you balanced, always remember not to bend your knees quickly so you wont injure your knees. If you have problems don't go down the whole way. For calf excersizes you can just stand up straight in this way / with your arms resting on the wall and raise your whole body with your foot or toes, youll feel the pain after 20+ reps.
13. Never increase your weights over 80 lbs until you have lost enough fat. Increase reps.

I know what I said is quite hard but you wont regret it. Don't do the same muscle groups everyday, at 1st you can do circulation excersizes which is very low weights such as 40 lbs on bench press. About 10-15 for any dumbell excersizes. Stretch alot, don't rest alot between excersizes and do LOTS of cardio, you can also do a military press with your bench but I can't think of lots of excersizes. You need more equipment. If you lift high weights later, your body will be unproportional.

Hope this helped.
Train hard

[shadowkiller]

I have some experience on this subject, maybe not as much as some other people here, but here's my 2 cents.

I have always struggled with a belly, most I have ever weighed was 200 which wasn't a lot more then a natural weight for me but I still had some chubb to get rid of. I am naturally built with wide shoulders and a wide ribcage but still had trouble overeating and getting the last few pounds off.

Anyway, for your legs you said you have a pilates video right. I wouldn't necessarily suggest trying to convert your fat into muscle. Being 300 pounds you probably have a bit of muscle mass under the fat. Pilates is a great workout for your entire body, it will help give you leaner more toned muscle mass and will give you much better flexibility. I do a 20 min tape every morning and it has done wonders for my flexibility, you will notice a drastic change within a week or two tops.

A low impact cardio excercise would be best as well, a bike is a good idea, also a good idea for your leg workout. But try not to limit yourself to it, go for more walks. Say in the morning after breakfast if you have time, go for a 20-30 minute walk about half hour after you eat. It will get your metabolism working early and get you more energized for the day.

Your meal plan is the most important thing though, as you said try eating more regularly. Like every 2 or 3 hours, eat less sugar and try to stay away from potatoes and white rice. Everything in moderation as the old saying goes. Fruits are great and will fill you up, drink plenty of water as well cause you will need it, if you are seriously determined to lose weight.

Just try to change your daily routine, example instead of just sitting and watching tv, add the bike into the equation.

I had the benefit of the gym to go to everyday, but you don't need that to lose weight. I am sure there are more knowledgeable people on here to give you info but I hope this helps you.

[BigGuy]

Thanks for the tips guys, and anyone else who feels they could help me out, please post as well.

[blitz]

Yeah just stay away from carbs and fats. A little carb is needed, but don't take any fat at all. Ofcourse a little here and there dosen't hurt. But keep doing this and your stomach is gonna become smaller, you will get full much faster and you wont struggle.
Your struggle is gonna be for the 1st 1-2 weeks. Then it becomes much easier

[medic06]

Originally Posted by BigGuy

Thanks for the tips guys, and anyone else who feels they could help me out, please post as well.

Just stick with it and don't give up, even if you backslide. Persistence is more important than intensity

[Tom Yum]

Hey Bigguy, you were serious enough to write down your goals and make a plan. You just have to follow through.

Not sure how long it will take you to reach your goal, but keep working and don't give up.

[Wolverine]

I think one of the keys to being successful is not to overwhelm yourself. If you stick with these ideas given you will lose weight! So, at first just try and do something....maybe start with the Pilates? If you can stay consistent on one thing for a week or so, then add something else to the equation until you've got a good complete routine going. Just don't overwhelm your self with all these new exercises and new eating habits! You can do this!
And one more thing.....Keep posting here on your progress (even if you don't think your making any) You've opened up to us and we should all be there to support you.

Also, maybe someone can recommend some beginner Kata's for you to work on? The martial arts are great motivation for all aspects of life....