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Fitness, Nutrition, and Progress thread

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PrinceOfFreaks

Well-Known Member
I intend for this to be a place to log my own progress, but I hope for the main purpose to become as an example or template to help teach others. Please chime in: there are no questions too simple or too private, no stories too mundane!

Ive had a long journey with nutrition and fitness. I was borderline disabled from back pain at only age 18 after a car accident. Cut to three years later, i figured out strengthening and balancing the muscles for posture was what I needed, and I brought my 8/10 chronic back pain down to a 1-3/10. (And was deadlifting over 2x body weight)

Ive learned a lot since, and i would love to teach. Nutrition and fitness aren't as complex and overwhelming as "diet" fads make them seem. It can be explained to a 10 year old, it can be explained to you! And for a few hours a week, you can transform your mental and physical health. It doesnt have to be all denial and asceticism... you can bulk heavy on pizza and ice cream, when the time comes. I dont personally eat meat, but i do eat 3000 calories a day, just to maintain, and still ~2700 calories per day to lose weight, which is a lot, just because of my level of movement and muscle mass. I'm not surviving on salad over here.

Pic #1 is after a little depression break in lifting, not a true "before", but as close as I have

Pic #2 -3 after ~6 months of consistent effort (regaining muscle is much, much faster than gaining it in the first place)

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I will say: though it hurts like heck at first, if you can persevere through the standard discomfort that is change in general, but *especially* changing the "set point" of physical homeostasis in your body, you will be rewarded. You will feel better, you will process better mentally, and you will live longer, and with better quality.

Even if you arent trying to get shredded and have a 6 pack, or get massive and squat 7 plates, this will benefit you. Knowing when your body needs protein versus carbs will benefit anyone and everyone. Getting increased circulation and cardiac health is better for everyone. Higher bone density is in particular important for older people, and *incredibly* important for women of all ages! Increased insulin sensitivity, lower systemtic inflammation... the list of benefits is almost literally endless. This is a panacea. Dont sell yourself short on life, cultivate yourself!



Not to mention, it is the "stim" of stims, and i say this as someone who has experienced some incredibly alluring ones: interpersonal, chemical, spiritual, and otherwise. Nothing anchors me, resets me better, not even sleep or intimacy.
 
Lol it seems like you've got that gym high and you're trying to persuade people to exercise. I know that feeling.

I think the biggest problem is that people don't know how to approach training, especially older people when it comes to chronic pain.
 
fattymeatysardine said:
Lol it seems like you've got that gym high and you're trying to persuade people to exercise. I know that feeling.

I think the biggest problem is that people don't know how to approach training, especially older people when it comes to chronic pain.
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Sure do, and trust me, I've been high on *everything* else life has to offer... this is as good as it gets, in terms of long term return, except for maybe love

I'm also well aware of my privilege. I'm not expecting a 70 year old to push it like I do, but I do expect them to challenge themselves physically if they want to live a fulfilling life, even if there are disabilities or not.

To steal an old classic: "Im not saying it'll be easy, I'm saying it'll be worth it."

Everyone can improve, even if you're literally paraplegic, or a multiple amputee 600lb diabetic. And I'm not talking about inspirational posts for social media, I'm talking real emotional and physical wellbeing. I would love to play any role i can in facilitating that self cultivation in as many people as i can.

First steps are hard... I always recommend:

1) start reading labels of what you eat. Dont even track, just become aware of how many calories and carbs/protein/fat are in any given food item
( Example: I was shocked to learn a whole pack of sugar-on-sugar Gushers has the same calorie content as a single slice of cheese [~80calories])

2) move more. You've heard it before, but start with a 30 min walk, as consistently as you can - ideal bare minimum being every other day, ideal being 6 day/week.
 
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velociraptor said:
I appreciate this, thank you. Don't expect to make similar gains, but it helps with motivation to pull the resistance bands off the rack.
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This has been a 15 year journey, and let me tell you, most of it i looked nothing like i do now either. But it always helped me heal, and always helped me grow. Hope it does the same for you!
 
there was an obesity crisis in 2011,i would end up getting involved through a farmer's market,sometime afterwards,my old high-school teacher would end up calling me a health-nut afterwards 👍.
 
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