Hello,

I found Scott on the Podcast and am hooked.  He has really reached me as I think he has with many others. 

I’m a 32 year old from Portland, Ore.
I’ve been over weight all my life, maxing out at ~420 pounds at age 16, it hard to know exactly when the scale goes around that many times.

At age 17 I got into working out and eventually bodybuilding getting down to my lowest weight of 190 at age 18-19. Unfortunately, Real life struck college, jobs, injury, and family. I’ve continued to workout and eat right, usually, for all those years, but am still at 270. I’ve learned to let my weight not bother me, going more on how I look and feel. Lately I’ve been trying to get a measure of my body fat and BMR as a bench mark.

This week I went to a dietitian to discuss this and see where I’m at. I’ve kept a food journal fairly rigidly since my heaviest years and she found little to change in the way of eating. My main reason to visit was the fact that during some workouts, usually weights, usually leg training, my blood sugar would drop (I’ve assumed it was blood sugar, since a sugar drink brings me back) and I’d be light headed and sick to my stomach.  The other main issue was that I had a friend to workout with, but at home, my wife doesn’t seem to support my nutrition efforts.  She does not eat healthy, consistently and does not exercise.  From what I’ve heard, this is not limited to me.  It was suggested I find a network or group to join and discuss my struggles, motivations, and succeses.  Here I am!

The dietition gave me other things to try, some diet changes, a book that discusses positive thinking, and moving every day(no days off!).  I’ll be checking in with her at the end of March and letting the community know as well.

Hi Davis,

Welcome to MTM!  You’ll find the people here are really supportive, and generally have good advice.

It seems to me that for the most part, you know what to do but are having trouble doing it.  Have you spoken to your wife about food?  It might be that she wants to help but doesn’t know how.  If your dietician gave you good recipes to use, why not consult your wife and see if she wants to try them.  And if, in the end, she’s happy eating deep-fried chicken every day… do your own cooking!  It’s not that hard.

In terms of feeling ill while you exercise: talk to your doctor!  I’m serious!  Unless you’re pushing yourself much too hard, this is not normal.  You should check to make sure nothing is wrong before you keep doing the same exercises.  Once you’ve figured out what the problem is, you’ll be good to go!

Once again, welcome!

Julie

Thank you Julie,

I have tried speaking to my wife about the food and what became of it is we do cook and eat separately, which works, but not ideal. 

I have spoken to both the doctor and dietitian and the consensus is hypoglycemia.  The solution is eating or drinking a sports drink before/during my workouts that seem to cause this.  We’ll get it working right.  Thank you again

Hey Craig -

Good for you - I’m glad you’re here.

When I first read you post I kind of figured you were on top of things already.  And the funny thing about expecting support from others is that it doesn’t always work out the way you expect.  That includes spouses. 

Listen to your dietition and do that best you can to begin to get on track.  Notice I didn’t say stay on track.  Baby steps… sometimes forward, sometimes backward.  Just keep looking for the little successes along the way until you get comfortable with your new direction. 

And by the way about that Hypoglycemia - it’s real common among folks.  Gotta love that Gatoraide!

Again welcome - we’re glad to have you.

Hi Davis,

Ouch about the hypoglycemia!  A friend of mine has that and it’s not pretty.  I’m glad you’ve got everything in hand!  Once again, welcome!

Julie