Repeater-Now or Later

[SuperNova09]

Hey Guys,

So...I am a 21 year old college student who tips the scale at almost 350 lbs. I was on Atkins in high school where i went from 286 lbs to 220 in about six months. Then I went to college and the freshmen 15 hit me like no other. I was up to 300 by the summer and have gained every year since then. Now, I want to start again and lose the weight...My first goal being 300 lbs but my ultimate being 190, however long that might take. However, I have a problem. I just had surgery on my ankle and have to go in again for it. I have surgery in two weeks and then will be off my feet for a week and on crutches until September, not gaining all f my stregnth back until November. What should I do? I know I have to workout to lose the weight...But, I am tired of this and I dont want to balloon any more....Advice? Tips? Do I start now? or do I wait until November?

[Kansas Deb]

Start now.

[susan423]

I don't believe you have to work out to lose weight. Dieting will lose the weight. Working out will build muscle and help define your body. Start dieting now then start a workout program when you can.

[*Lisa*]

I agree, start now. There's nothing like putting of something tomorrow that you can do today. Induction is the hardest of all to get through and if you can get a hold of your cravings and control what goes in your body, your set for school and surgery.


And even though you won't be able to run marathons or go cross country skiing between now and then, you can exercise. Exercise is NON NEGOTIABLE with Atkins. It's a combination that is required. Does it mean you have to run that marathon or do something straneous? No, you don't.

What can exercise do for you? Strengthen you muscles, burn fat cells, increase brain cells, endorphins building, ward off depression, help with your skin as you decrease in weight, and build your stamina and endurance, oh, and you'll sleep really good!!!

You can work on your strength with the physcial therapy you will be doing with your ankels to get them back up to their ability. Ask you MD or PT what you can do at home and while you're at the PT. If you are not getting PT, ask for strength exercises that will help you at home. If you have the okay to do swimming, go do that.

There are a lot of things you CAN do in the dormroom, apartment, etc. that don't require you to go out and jog/run/etc. Think floor exercises: ab work outs, leg lifts, lifting bottles of laundry detergent, cans of soup, anything that you can build up from say 1 pound, 3 pounds, 5 pounds, 8 pounds, 10 pounds, etc. Start small, think big! Focus on what you can do now and put out a goal in front of you for later...and then go for that goal; may it be a marathon, doing the C25K, or something bigger.


Before, during, and after surgery you're going to run into "what do I eat?" issues. This is why you really might consider going on Induction now instead of later. You'll have more choices and ideas that you've planned around to help you get through it all if you've been going through the OWL rungs.

Gosh, I hope I've helped give you some ideas and help.

Take care and keep us posted!