Oafs in the gym

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We do get a fair few oly lifters at our gym, so I don't mind some weights dropping heavily...but they're pretty easy to spot as they're usually doing cleans and overhead presses so you can be warned. It's the ones who drop deadlifts and dumbbells that boil my blood.

I have once dropped a barbell part-way into a squat...but only because the bar rolled onto a nerve and it was drop it or collapse. I did shamefacedly apologise to everyone though!

HBS x

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Thanks everyone...haven't been ignoring you, I've been away for a couple of days.

I'll try and cover everything, sorry about the huge amount of wibble. Feel free to advise/criticise.


I'm morbidly obese. Well, about two pounds off merely obese now. I'm on chemo type drugs for rheumatoid arthritis as well as steroids and I have rather battered myself over the years, falling off bikes, kickboxing, climbing, various dislocations, etc, which, along with EDS III/hypermobility syndrome means I have a tendency to self destruct. I'm a frequent flyer in physio and I know full well what plantar fasciitis, shin splints and rotator cuff tears feel like.

Anyhow, rheumatology said disease activity is quite low now, so if I'm going to do something now would be the time to. But to remember every word I've ever been told in physio, as nobody can patch up a dislocated neck and they're sick of seeing me with a different nasty injury everytime I go back. (did I mention that I love my consultant's bedside manner?)

The GP tried to find something wrong with me. The best she could come up with is that it wouldn't hurt to reduce my overall cholesterol level whilst keeping the same ratios. But, according to her, the nhs doesn't offer help so I had 12 weeks after which she expects me to go onto statins for a normal cholesterol level. She also didn't think that there was anything special in going down a weight band - the only one that counts is the normal BMI range.


I definitely go to the gym three days a week. I'll warm up either on the rower for 30 mins/ 2500m or on the treadmill for 45 mins, 2% on a zombie c25k program. You wouldn't get me on the thing for more than five minutes without the undead behind me I have two pairs of running shoes, one motion control and one stability with a higher side support, both recommended by a specialist shop. I don't do more than few seconds jogging so far, it's pretty much all walking, I do 3.5k in about 35 mins. I know that's rubbish. I'll be fairly low on HR because I don't want to hurt anything by not being strong enough. If I jog (which is rare at this stage), ill go up to 80% HRM but it goes back down easily enough.

I always cool down for five mins, then I'll go onto the weights machines. My joints are still too unstable to cope with the different planes of motions on free weights, so it's all about creating stability and a normal range of motion. It's definitely feeling more secure, but not enough yet. I'll then finish with half an hour on the recumbent bike at 60% HRM. If I'm too tired, I'll stop after 15.

I've tried a couple of classes. The first wasn't suitable; she told the class they'd have to try and keep up, as she couldn't stop to check anybody's form. A proper Pilates class seems more promising. I didn't fall over or die, for a start. Anyhow, that's two days where it's a core strength class or swimming.

And two days off minimum. I'll take longer if I need to.


At the same time, I'm keeping roughly to 1200 kcals/day. Mostly lean meat, fish, vegetables, complex carbs plus dairy and eggs. But I have logged one bacon and egg mcmuffin, one cheeseburger meal and a reasonable number of nights out. All within the daily totals, albeit sometimes allowing extra due to exercise.

Today was an eating well day - skinless duck breast, grapefruit, baby leeks on watercress, olive bread roll with tiny bit of goats cheese, couple of slices of ham, coleslaw, fruit, jacket potato and lots of salad over the course of the day, together with lots of water.

Other days are veggie. Some include pasta or pulses. I love fish, lean meat, eggs, veg, that kind of thing. Most days I'll have at least one salad and probably nearer 10 a day veg/fruit.


Other days the meds mean I can't get anywhere near 1200.


Two days are guaranteed rest. I know not to overdo it. And I don't want to restrict too much and hurl myself head first into a bucket of ice cream.


Any recommendations to reduce the duration of being a ugly fat pig?

warehouse

OP, it's bullying pure and simple. You need to report it and with luck the to**ers will be removed.

Very well done so far, keep up the good work.

[Deleted User]

I would definitely say something to gym manager/staff.

I'm really shocked that any adult would do that in any situation.

They clearly don't have any sense between them.

Hope it doesn't put you off enjoying the gym.

MasterPoo

CONGRATULATIONS for starting and sticking to your gym/fitness regime.

I would complain to management, you are not there to be judged! They're IDIOTS, make my blood boil!

As for reducing "duration" I'd personally say, it's not a race, stay consistent and give yourself time, maybe a 2 year plan to get you to goal weight, or is that far too long for you?

I've given myself 2 years to achieve my goal, I'm 14 months in, for me it's a LIFESTYLE CHANGE!

Jox

Sorry for the health issues jojo, it sounds like you are doing the best you can and probably an awful lot more than someone else might do when faced with what you're going through.

You're not a fat ugly pig. You are a beautiful person who is eating well, exercising, looking after your body and working towards a goal of self-improvement.

Stuff anyone who makes you feel otherwise.

Just_a_Girl_2

If you're morbidly obese JoJo you should be eating WAY more than 1200 calories. That's starvation for most people

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Jojo, I think you're awesome - you're a great person and you always give fantastic advice and opinions on here! Being intelligent beats being skinny any day!

Agree with JaG - you're not eating enough. If your meds mean you can't stomach a lot of food, try smoothies, whey protein shakes, and dried fruit instead of large meals. Biltong and jerky would also be good (I LOVE biltong!)

Your workouts sound fine taking into account your medical issues. Personally, I'd wean you off the weights machines and into free weights ASAP even if it's only the little tiny ones - you'll notice the difference pretty fast, and it feels nicer to lift a free weight than be surrounded by a machine

Pilates and swimming are good too. Do you ever go in the sauna or steam room? My mum has RA and used to swear by a good sauna after a swim.

Good luck and if you need more rambling advice I will try and give it. *hugs*

HBS x

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Thank you!

Just as an aside, as of today, I'm not morbidly obese. I'm obese instead.



The sauna is a reward for the Pilates. Pilates is the only thing that's given me doms so far.

I've had two days off, so I'm back at the gym this afternoon. The person I visited really noticed the difference once he gave me a hug, as he put his arm round my back and there wasn't anything there where he expected there to be.

I think I must have put on a fair bit of muscle, but it's just not visible yet.

[moves arm and catches sight of biceps insertion point]

Oh. It is actually visible. It's just well hidden most the time.

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The weight's still comming off then, huzzah!

I try not to go on weight, I'm a size 12-14 and well into obese if not morbidly so *chuckles* However I'm healthy and the nurse at my docs surgery is happy

Enjoy the gym!

HBS x