Physical Help Needed

[Follarch 326]

Hello,

 

This has been a serious bummer for me for the past 9 years and since SimTrop has such a huge community, some of you must be knowledgeable in Health and PhysEd. I'm asking for honest help, and trust me, I know full well about trying to just plain work out but years of Physical Education and some time having a manual labor job hasn't shown progress. So I'm coming to you guys for advice, suggestions, anything that can help.

 

I'm Male, 21, 6'1" and I'm over 300lbs. My worry though isn't about my gut right now. It's the fatty breast tissue. I have a 54in. chest where it really should be somewhere in the 40s by what I imagine is normal for my build. Years of daily physical education didn't curb my breast fat and having this job where I work part time and full time hours in the sun lifting and moving anywhere from 5lbs up to 200lbs hasn't shown me progress. I just need some alternative to removing this breast fat so I don't have to be so self conscious when I wear loose, thin fabric clothing. I don't care nearly as much about my gut than I do about getting my chest down.

 

And if you're going to suggest just working out and exercising, I'll note that I have allergy asthma that gets really bad from prolonged exercise.

 

Is there anyone that has any advice for this? Natural supplements? Medical treatment? Alternate physical activities?

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Sounds like low testosterone.  Maybe you should go see an endocrinologist.  How's your six-pack?  From what you say, it should be like a wash board.

[mrbisonm 1,620]

Only one thing that will surely work. It is as hard and difficult as smoking, and you are the only one that will be able to do this. Don't wait for help from others, because you'll be waiting for your lifetime.......

 

Stop eating all that garbage you eat (...and don't dare tell me you don't, that is what makes you so big) and eat better (more natural) things if you get stomach acid problems. It's all up to you, you still have all your life ahead and believe me young fellow, you won't regret that one decision. I've done it, also with asthma and even with a heart desease on top and diabetes TypeA at the time.

 

Controlling the quantity what you eat and also the quality, amking small steps every day or weeks, taking measure to only make small exercises in the beginning while taking care of your asthma, something like a daily walk down to the next street and back, will help a lot. Little things here and there do big things in the longrun. Never hope to get rid of all that excess within a few hours or days. If it takes a year or two, so what???? It'll be worth it. And don't stop, make it a daily concern. If you don't start it today, it will get worse later.......!....and of course it will become harder to stop.

 

Today (and since 30 years) I'm 6'1", 240 to 250 Lbs, 62 years old. Very little Astma, Heartdesease, slightly worn hip and diabetes type 2 now (less dangerous).

I was 340 lbs at age 32, took me a little over two years to get me to better life standards and lower weight. It was worth it. At that time my cardiologue told me that I would have about five more years to go. I made my decision. And hey.....I also stopped smoking at that time on top of that.

 

So, If I can do it.....why can't you? What's holding you up, man?

 

No one is that weak not to do take care of his being, unless he is suicidal, right? Let me know how it goes, fellow. Good luck!

 

mrb

[Benedict 3,119]

Also consider finding a sympathetic physician who will help you evaluate all the alternatives. If you have exercise-induced asthma symptoms then maybe pretreating with inhaler prior to that can help in some situations. Sounds like you do a lot of lifting, but maybe not so much cardio? Definitely seek expert help in this area. You may need a nutritionist as well as a physician's guidance, and maybe a very good trainer (not just some meathead who doesn't understand physiology or physiology of exercise).

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

And, I've been there and done that.  I lost about 50 pounds when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes simply by changing my diet.  You really don't have the problems I have, and I am 75 and not doing badly.  I have at least four other chronic conditions, all under control.

 

Unfortunately, I am locked out of anaerobic exercise because I am too crippled up with arthritis, but I still do what I can.  I've been on asthma medication since sometime in the 1980s and NSAIDs before that.  If you slim down, your asthma may "go away", and the rest will result in a more active life style. 

 

You don't want to join my fraternity which comes with a zipper down the centre of your chest.

[Ocram's Razr 964]

I will try my best to help you but I must tell you that I yo-yo 30 pounds between 255 lb and 225lb and I have a bad back where I should be 6'3" but usually measure as shorter. I have, however, seen nutritionists and personal trainers.

Here is the limited knowledge I learned:

1. Depending on physical exercise and age (I am 21), to maintain borderline obesity, one should consume roughly 2500 Calories and to lose weight, one should consume 1500-2000 calories with EACH of your meals and snacks consisting of fruits and vegetables. Ideally, 1/3 of your diet should be unprocessed fruits and 1/3 to 1/2 minimally processed vegetables. The rest of your diet should be whole grains, lean meat (fish and chicken especially), and nuts/seeds, and healthy condiments. Avoid soy-fed beef, non-organic soy products, starch and sugar (all your sugar should come from fruits).

2. If you are unable to exercise because of your ill health, you should steadily decrease your calorie consumption down to 1500 calories. In order to feel full, consume tons of vegetables. I used to have asthma myself; now I can jog (usually on an elliptical machine) at 3mph for up to 45min.

3. Try not to eat out. You will save money and calories even if you don't save time.

4. If you are more concerned about your breasts then your gut, try to do some chest exercises.

--Ocram

I understand that unhealthy food tastes good and vegetables can be nasty but you can get down to a healthy weight if you try. Also, you cannot naturally reduce your male breast size without losing weight, which will also help you lose your gut. I have been bullied because of my weight but with the Affordable Healthcare Act, us obese people will be facing high expenses, either in the form of expensive health insurance or the "tax" for not being insured.

[Superbacon 380]

Anyone can workout for an hour, but controlling what goes on your plate the other 23 is the real challenge. 

 

They key to losing weight is cardio and the correct diet. 

Moderate your saturated fat and regular fat intake. No fried foods. Focus on foods that contain higher levels of protein and essential vitamins and nutrients. 

For basic stuff; oatmeal, eggs, steak, chicken. Carbs are important, too. But you cannot have too many of them either. Avoid sweets and sugars. Get your fruit on.

 

Slimming down will certainly cause your asthma to have less impact when it happens. But you NEED cardio. If you're 6'1" then you should be around 190 lbs. 

There are many things you can do. But I recommend you start off with just walking. You'll need to start conditioning your body to running. Cycling and swimming would help, too. If you can swim. Waddling to and fro in the shallow end to start with.

 

Some weight training will help with all that. But you need to consult a professional to figure out the right exercises. 

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

Ultimately I dropped about 10lbs by a reduction in diet alone. Being at home more often means I can prepare healthier meals for myself instead of snacks or take out. I didn't change by exercise, but it certainly helps.

Btw, 6"6 and 195lbs.

[Jasoncw 11,843]

Go to your doctor and explain it.  He'll be able to tell whether your fat is just distributed in a way you wouldn't expect, or if it's something else.  Like A Nonny Moose said, out of whack testosterone and some other stuff can cause that to happen.

 

Something else you should do, and this depends on if you have the money etc., is you should see a dietitian or some kind of weight loss specialist.  It goes without saying that you've been trying to loose weight but it also sounds like it hasn't been working the way you'd like it to.  But they deal with this stuff professionally and can tell you explicitly what you need to do to accomplish your goals.  It also makes things less stressful because you don't have to wonder if what you're doing is enough or if it will work or anything like that.  All you have to do is follow their instructions and you can be confident that it will work.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

There is no question that your physician is your first stop.  After that, it may or may not be wise to seek a weight loss or fitness outfit.  If you continue to do nothing, nothing will happen.

[Ocram's Razr 964]

Something I forgot to mention, give up Soda-Pop, that should be a given but also give up artificial sweeteners like Aspartame, which ruin your metabolism. Since you are 21, you should be mindful and give up alcohol as well.

 

--Ocram

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Nothing in excess!  But "take a little wine for your stomach's sake".  It was good enough for St. Paul, so you should probably follow his advice. 

 

Remember, nothing is black and white, and diet is a four letter word. 

 

Beware of dieticians for they are uniformly anorexic.

[MrCinatit 30]

Cut out fried food, cut out milk products, cut out junk food, cut out read meats, cut out all soft drinks and energy drinks. Introduce nuts, fresh fruit and veggies, chicken and fish, water and tea, and more whole foods into your diet. 

After you have lost some of the weight, jog. A little bit at a time will be very good, but as time goes on and your body becomes more and more used to it, you will run even more. And as you run more, your want for a better diet increases. The better your diet it, the more you will be able to run. It is a great upward spiral. 

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Cut out fried food, cut out milk products, cut out junk food, cut out read meats, cut out all soft drinks and energy drinks. Introduce nuts, fresh fruit and veggies, chicken and fish, water and tea, and more whole foods into your diet. 

After you have lost some of the weight, jog. A little bit at a time will be very good, but as time goes on and your body becomes more and more used to it, you will run even more. And as you run more, your want for a better diet increases. The better your diet it, the more you will be able to run. It is a great upward spiral. 

A voice long unheard:  Welcome back!

 

I disagree on milk products.  Cheeses are great sources of protein taken in moderation.  Generally I agree with the rest, but I think you must have meant 'red meats'.  There is no doubt that the fat and purine content of red meats is generally bad for you, and so are nasty little bundles like Chicken McNuggets.

 

Jogging is generally bad.  Walk, walk fast or run slowly -- heel and toe.  Jogging raises hell with your knee joints.  Exercise is important but avoiding impact injuries is also a point. 

 

Start by walking a fixed distance every day for a week, then slowly increase the distance and speed.  Never run flat out unless you are being chased by someone with a weapon.  Keep your breathing under control, breath deeply from your diaphragm, and don't be afraid to mouth breathe as needed. 

 

Try running your heart rate up, but slowly.  Your final goal at a full run should be around 180, but don't push it.  If you don't break a sweat, you are not doing enough.  And don't quit suddenly, just slow down to a normal walk, and cool out. 

 

You may want to rotate your ankles a few times before you start to loosen up.

 

And yes, I've been through a full cardio/pulmonary resuscitation program to try and get better results with my rheumatoid arthritis.  Put me in better shape than I've ever been in.