Two heads better than one...

[StormSeeker]

I have not posted in a while... but I need some help if anyone is willing... its time for me to get serious about changing my health and my body- I thought this would be the place to come back to.

I am hoping that some of you might have been where I am now and have some suggestions.

I am going to be 34 in June this year. I am 6 ft tall and holding steady at just under 250 lb. My waist size is about 44 or so. The scale says I am low 30's BF. All this weight has been gradual gains. For the last ten years I have worked in IT so my job obviously is not good for my health- I am doing what I can to make this year the last year in IT.

For the last couple of years I have been had a severe energy problem and I sometimes wake up in the morning feeling near paralysed. I have been told I have Chronic Fatigue and I have antibodies from Mono and Epstien Barr virus. The morning thing is a little better since taking an iodine supplement- the brain fog is gone- but the lack of energy and just waking up is still an issue. It also helped get rid of my asthma (thank God)- the iodine supp also let's me actually tan without burning... anyways-

I want to lose weight and build muscle- I have the genetics I think for building descent muscle. I have started back to the gym and I am making gains. I have done some diets in the past most were not good for lifestyle changes. I have tried South Beach- the first time I did it I dropped 25 pounds in a few weeks and hit the wall where I couldn't drop anymore wieght even if I was stricter or moved into phase 2. South Beach makes sense to me- but I still had problems with continued weight loss and getting my energy back.

The calorie cutting diets did nothing for hunger pangs or energy. They wiped me out in fact- sometimes with headaches and other symptoms. Even the South Beach diet did not satisfy my hunger despite eating 5 times a day.

In the past I also used Thermrexin with Neurogenex with some great results in energy and clarity of mind. A few months again I used Thermrexin and Neurogenex again to get going and I felt absolutely nothing in my bike rides. And doing Atkins-like dieting hasn't made a dent in my weight. I have also noticed my recovery time is not what it used to be. A few years ago I could do a cleansing fast an entire week with just water and drop 10 pounds- the last time I did that- I don't think I even dropped 3 pounds.

I have had blood tests that show low testosterone- but my sex drive doesn't show it. I did HR therapy which made me feel good in the day- but I was still without energy and no appreciable weight loss with walking and bike riding. I have been giving myself B complex shots which help with my sleep- but thats all I have noticed.

I feel stuck because the conventinal wisdoms, various diets, and supps don't seem to be making a difference. A few months back I tried sesapure and that didn't do a thing either., I know the stuff they sell at AF is good- but what is my deal. I used to enjoy soft drinks- I cut them out for 2006 and gained weight instead of losing it.

Anyways- I could go on and on with this post. I am at a fork in the road- I have to turn this around before I hit my 40's and weight more than I do now which is unimagineable.

Any suggestions or related experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[StormSeeker]

Bump... maybe I gave to much information... Are there any recommendations to shock the body into beginning to lose some weight without losing energy and feeling hungry?

 

[palehorse51]

Damn i just typed a whole page of info ,then hit the esc button !@#$%.
Well bro, you need a total overhaul. you are definately on the right track. working out is what will give you REAL energy, not empty stimulant energy that just leaves you drained. need a good multivitamin/multimineral. fish oil. blender shakes to replace some meals. no carbs late at night. more water.need to have a nutritionist set up a personalized plan for your diet. you were on the right track with cuttin out soda. cut it out or switch to diet caffiene free. HRT is for you. since you did it in the past, you need to get back on it or you will never feel the same. this will help with your recovery time and keep you motivated to train because you will see quick results and feel good. some will tell you not to take AAS or HRT....if it makes you feel better and keeps you in the gym then the positive effects on your health will out weigh any negatives.you have a perfect job for working out!! train your ass off in the morning for the great endorphin rush, then chill at work to recover!! To be honest, you need to get control of your mind. you need to finish things you start and get some discipline. there is no easy way out. step up and get control of your life! you can do it! these changes have to be permanent this time! stick with the hrt, diet, and training. good luck bro!

 

[StormSeeker]

Damn i just typed a whole page of info ,then hit the esc button !@#$%.
Well bro, you need a total overhaul. you are definately on the right track. working out is what will give you REAL energy, not empty stimulant energy that just leaves you drained. need a good multivitamin/multimineral. fish oil. blender shakes to replace some meals. no carbs late at night. more water.need to have a nutritionist set up a personalized plan for your diet. you were on the right track with cuttin out soda. cut it out or switch to diet caffiene free. HRT is for you. since you did it in the past, you need to get back on it or you will never feel the same. this will help with your recovery time and keep you motivated to train because you will see quick results and feel good. some will tell you not to take AAS or HRT....if it makes you feel better and keeps you in the gym then the positive effects on your health will out weigh any negatives.you have a perfect job for working out!! train your ass off in the morning for the great endorphin rush, then chill at work to recover!! To be honest, you need to get control of your mind. you need to finish things you start and get some discipline. there is no easy way out. step up and get control of your life! you can do it! these changes have to be permanent this time! stick with the hrt, diet, and training. good luck bro!

Thanks for your thoughts- I am sorry you lost the page you wrote out- I would have liked to have read it.

My biggest problem area is discipline. Probably more because the chronic fatigue at times sucks the life out of me. So far I have been good to go to the gym even when not feeling well or energetic. I hope this passes soon.

I want to take a shot at body building with diet and working out and see if I can naturally boost the test- I really don't want to do HRT for the rest of my life- and I think AAS is out for me. That remains to be seen.

A friend of mine suggested that instead of cutting back my calories to up the calories and be sure to eat clean food only with a 40-40-20 split. The previous 2 diets I have attempted in the last 6 months both cut my calories down to 1200 to 1300 a day and I could not function. South Beach was okay- but it seemed to only be getting the water off...

Anyone care to post their thoughts about what kind of split one should have with carbs vs protein. I am of the mind that less carbs are better- or carbs with a low GI is even better. One of the diets I was on just limited my calories- and didn't really cut on carbs and sugars- so long as I stayed with in the calorie count.

I remember on South Beach there was no calorie counting- just mainly keeping with foods with low GI and avoiding certain food combinations and sugars. Is there any diet recommendations that don't require calorie counting?