Forums | MacLife

KeilwerthSX90 · 2007-09-21 5:03 am

Hey all, been a while. I've got a little question, couldn't find an answer online, figured I'd ask humans.

In the last eight months, I've been losing weight. I changed my whole lifestyle, so I'm in the best shape of my life. I still smoke a pack or so a day, though.

I went from 308 lbs to, as of yesterday, 218. I got pants yesterday for the first time since I started taking weight off (here in the central San Joaquin valley, we have a long shorts season), and I've gone from a 44/30 to a 36/30. They look like kids' pants to me.

So yeah, to make a long story interminable, I've lost 30% of my body mass in eight months. I went to an orthopedist because I hurt my wrist, and when my blood pressure was taken, I was 91 over 50, and my resting pulse is 63 BPM, which my metronome deems larghetto. Thats the very bottom of what's considered the healthy blood pressure range.

I've noticed lately when I stand up quickly, I get really dizzy. I almost fell over at the library yesterday, and could barely see for about eight seconds. I was fearful that I was becoming anemic, since I rarely eat meat now, and I don't take any iron supplements. Now I'm pretty that it's orthostatic hypotension, since a tiny drop in my blood pressure makes it way too low.

My question is, is this low blood pressure a transitional thing from losing so much weight in a short amount of time? Once my body adjusts to itself, will this go away? If not, should I worry about this?

Just to rule it out, I didn't do anything crazy to lose this weight, but when you have class 2 obesity, living healthily makes the weight drop off fairly quickly, and I figure that my weight was more of a health risk than taking it off more quickly than the conventional wisdom recommends.

I just cut processed food products, like enriched flour, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, sodas, etc., out of my regular diet, and I cook for myself. Generally, I avoid products with more than five ingredients, or anything that my great-grandparents would not recognize as food. I also reduced my meat consumption to an occasional thing, msybe twice a week. I eat plenty of fish, dairy, and eggs for my protein, plus soy protein products here and there. I stay physically active as well.

I'm rarely eat less than 1800 calories a day, so I'm not starving. I drink more than a half gallon of water a day, so I'm not dehydrated.

I do drink about two and a half cups of French-pressed coffee a day, but if anything that should give me heightened blood pressure, right? I sort of need the coffee, since it helps with my attention-deficit disorder and mood problems, and I hate taking the pills for those. Plus it's chock-full of antioxidants and speeds up my metabolism!

Other weight-loss things:

Will this loose skin on my stomach and elbows go away? I'm only 24. Anything I can do to help that?

BMI is total bullsmurf. To be normal weight, it says I'd have to be 183. But one 6' guy is different from the next. I'm 6', but my inseam is only thirty inches, and my wrist circumference is eight inches. BMI doesn't take that into account. I'm going to aim for 195, and I don't think I would be overweight at that point.

Has anyone else experienced a sort of resentment from some other people over your weight loss? It's like they're pissed I made myself healthier.

Wow, I wrote a lot. Sorry for the rambling post. I'm tired.

Last edited by KeilwerthSX90 (2007-09-21 5:09 am)

Alien · 2007-09-21 6:01 am

KeilwerthSX90 wrote:
Has anyone else experienced a sort of resentment from some other people over your weight loss?

Yes. Especially from women.

,xtG
.tsooJ

Daddyo · 2007-09-21 6:28 am

Congratulations are in order. I could stand to loose some of myself. It's good to hear stuff like this.

jeff-o · 2007-09-21 7:23 am

I think questions like yours are best answered by a doctor! Continuing to eat healthy certainly won't hurt, though. Congrats on your weight loss and lifestyle changes, and don't let anyone bring you down over your remarkable achievement. Jealousy does strange things to people.

keprydak · 2007-09-21 7:49 am

I'm no doctor, but you could be naturally low on the blood pressure range. I am at the bottom healthy range for blood pressure (like, you, if it drops, I'm in big trouble) and every morning I know to get out of bed slowly, take my time, and keep my eyes closed and breath deeply. Same thing if I stand up too fast, bend over to touch my toes - etc. etc. - and I am in good shape (well, not athletically, but I am thin). I find being tired makes it worse, so I'm pretty good about getting all the sleep I need. However, for you, since you have been doing better, you have a low heart rate, which means the muscle is much stronger and your body probably doesn't have to keep a high blood pressure because your heart doesn't have to work as hard to get all the blood moving through your body. I wouldn't be too worried about it, but I would still ask your doctor smile

Congrats on the weight loss! I wish you luck.

doc-robc · 2007-09-21 9:07 am

I'm a doctor so I'll take a stab, but seriously, you should talk to your doctor. In person.

You could still be dehydrated even with the amount of water you say you are drinking. As you metabolize your extra fat for energy (since you're not eating enough calories to maintain your weight) ketones are generated as waste products. These ketones are excreted in your urine and basically your kidneys have to excrete more water along with them. Also caffeine is a diuretic and tends to dehydrate you. An easy way to judge your hydration status is to check the color of your urine. It should be clear enough to read through, just barely tinted yellow or even clear.

Anemia by itself shouldn't cause orthostasis. It's volume loss that causes that usually. Problems with your autonomic nervous system can cause it too, but at your age that would be pretty darn rare, unless you're diabetic.

Last edited by doc-robc (2007-09-21 9:07 am)

justine · 2007-09-21 9:13 am

Good to see you posting again!

I second seeing your doctor about this.

More than likely, that loose skin will not go away without cosmetic surgery. That's a problem people that get gastric bypass face after surgery. They need more surgery after to remove the skin.

bedstuy · 2007-09-21 12:01 pm

jeff-o wrote:
I think questions like yours are best answered by a doctor!

Silly boy. A diagnosis from idiots on web forum is so much better when it's a potentially life threatening medical situation. It's called "living on the edge."

KeilwerthSX90 · 2007-09-21 12:14 pm

bedstuy wrote:
jeff-o wrote:
I think questions like yours are best answered by a doctor!
Silly boy. A diagnosis from idiots on web forum is so much better when it's a potentially life threatening medical situation. It's called "living on the edge."

Well, yes, I'm going to go to a doctor. But I figured that asking other people about their personal experiences wouldn't hurt.

Not everyone can afford to go to the doctor all the time. If I'm experiencing something that's very common and nothing to worry about, I'll avoid it. How many times have you paid a $50 deductible for the privilege of sitting in a doctor's office for an hour with nothing to read but Us and Highlights for Children, only to have the doctor see you for five minutes and tell you take some Aleve? I've had it happen more than once.

Last edited by KeilwerthSX90 (2007-09-21 12:15 pm)

bedstuy · 2007-09-21 12:41 pm

KeilwerthSX90 wrote:
bedstuy wrote:
jeff-o wrote:
I think questions like yours are best answered by a doctor!
Silly boy. A diagnosis from idiots on web forum is so much better when it's a potentially life threatening medical situation. It's called "living on the edge."
Well, yes, I'm going to go to a doctor. But I figured that asking other people about their personal experiences wouldn't hurt.

Not everyone can afford to go to the doctor all the time. If I'm experiencing something that's very common and nothing to worry about, I'll avoid it. How many times have you paid a $50 deductible for the privilege of sitting in a doctor's office for an hour with nothing to read but Us and Highlights for Children, only to have the doctor see you for five minutes and tell you take some Aleve? I've had it happen more than once.

It was really just a little web forum humor. Seriously though, losing 100 lbs in 8 months should ALWAYS be monitored by a doctor, as it's a strain on your heart.

Now, how much meth have we been doing to shed all that blubber sweetie?

bedstuy · 2007-09-21 12:44 pm

btw: the meth line was a joke

go to the doctor

user · 2007-09-21 12:49 pm

100 lbs in only 8 months does seem like a lot of weight to lose through adopting a healthier diet alone.

LLEVIATHANN · 2007-09-21 1:07 pm

keprydak wrote:
I'm no doctor, but you could be naturally low on the blood pressure range. I am at the bottom healthy range for blood pressure (like, you, if it drops, I'm in big trouble) and every morning I know to get out of bed slowly, take my time, and keep my eyes closed and breath deeply. Same thing if I stand up too fast, bend over to touch my toes - etc. etc. - and I am in good shape (well, not athletically, but I am thin). I find being tired makes it worse, so I'm pretty good about getting all the sleep I need. However, for you, since you have been doing better, you have a low heart rate, which means the muscle is much stronger and your body probably doesn't have to keep a high blood pressure because your heart doesn't have to work as hard to get all the blood moving through your body. I wouldn't be too worried about it, but I would still ask your doctor

Congrats on the weight loss! I wish you luck.

+1

My last check up the nurse gasped and ran out of the room leaving me there in my skivies wondering what the hell just happened. Scared the smurf out of me. Doc comes in looks at my charts and says "yeah he always runs that low". PHEW!

KeilwerthSX90 · 2007-09-21 1:07 pm

user wrote:
100 lbs in only 8 months does seem like a lot of weight to lose through adopting a healthier diet alone.

It's more like ninety. It'll probably take two more months to lose ten more pounds. I lost the first 50 or so in the first three months, then it slowed down.

It's not just a healthier diet, I'm more active, too, but you'd really be amazed at how fast you drop weight by eating natural food.

Alien · 2007-09-21 2:41 pm

user wrote:
100 lbs in only 8 months does seem like a lot of weight to lose through adopting a healthier diet alone.

Werd. I lost fifty in one month just by quitting booze.

,xtG
.tsooJ

user · 2007-09-21 3:03 pm

Guess I'm basing it on the fact that I actually gained weight after I became a vegetarian.

justine · 2007-09-21 3:18 pm

My friend lost 94 pounds in 3 months after gastric bypass.

Robert B. · 2007-09-21 3:47 pm

Alien wrote:
Werd. I lost fifty in one month just by quitting booze.

,xtG
.tsooJ

You quit booze?

IS THERE NO GOD!!!???

Alien · 2007-09-21 4:56 pm

Only for a little over a year. Don't worry, the sky hasn't fallen.

,xtG
.tsooJ

dhack21 · 2007-09-21 7:01 pm

I used to stand up quickly and get light headed as well, back when i was abnormally skinny. During the past year i've laid off my bad habits i've once had and while i've gained nearly 100lbs i no longer experience this. I could stand to loose some weight though i should probably follow in suit to alien and lay off the beer.

jeff-o · 2007-09-24 8:47 am

KeilwerthSX90 wrote:
How many times have you paid a $50 deductible for the privilege of sitting in a doctor's office for an hour with nothing to read but Us and Highlights for Children, only to have the doctor see you for five minutes and tell you take some Aleve? I've had it happen more than once.

Never - I live in Canada, doctor's visits are free. wink

Denali · 2007-09-24 9:37 am

This isn't a good comparison as my grandfather is turning 87 and just went through hip surgery, but his blood pressure is on the low end of healthy. He is suppose to get up and walk around the house every hour. We have to really watch him because if he gets up too quickly he too gets light headed and has to sit back down. The nurse said that is normal with the low blood pressure he has, but we are trying to get it back up.

Just a side note, if you want a great way to get energy without drinking coffee PM me and I can tell you about it.

Congrads on the weight loss. Just take it slow from now on and see if you can't improve your blood pressure. Work with a doctor, or at least visit one. Good luck

user · 2007-09-24 9:48 am

jeff-o wrote:
KeilwerthSX90 wrote:
How many times have you paid a $50 deductible for the privilege of sitting in a doctor's office for an hour with nothing to read but Us and Highlights for Children, only to have the doctor see you for five minutes and tell you take some Aleve? I've had it happen more than once.
Never - I live in Canada, doctor's visits are free.

Just rub it in, why don't you? tongue

jeff-o · 2007-09-24 10:07 am

user wrote:
jeff-o wrote:
KeilwerthSX90 wrote:
How many times have you paid a $50 deductible for the privilege of sitting in a doctor's office for an hour with nothing to read but Us and Highlights for Children, only to have the doctor see you for five minutes and tell you take some Aleve? I've had it happen more than once.
Never - I live in Canada, doctor's visits are free.
Just rub it in, why don't you?

I'm not rubbing it in, just showing you guys what you're missing... wink

sturner · 2007-09-24 11:10 am

Denali wrote:
This isn't a good comparison as my grandfather is turning 87 and just went through hip surgery, but his blood pressure is on the low end of healthy. He is suppose to get up and walk around the house every hour. We have to really watch him because if he gets up too quickly he too gets light headed and has to sit back down. The nurse said that is normal with the low blood pressure he has, but we are trying to get it back up.

Just a side note, if you want a great way to get energy without drinking coffee PM me and I can tell you about it.

Congrads on the weight loss. Just take it slow from now on and see if you can't improve your blood pressure. Work with a doctor, or at least visit one. Good luck

Did they tell him to eat more salt?

Forums | MacLife

#1 2007-09-21 5:03 am

Weight Loss Problems

#2 2007-09-21 6:01 am

Re: Weight Loss Problems

KeilwerthSX90 wrote:

#3 2007-09-21 6:28 am

Re: Weight Loss Problems

#4 2007-09-21 7:23 am

Re: Weight Loss Problems

#5 2007-09-21 7:49 am

Re: Weight Loss Problems

#6 2007-09-21 9:07 am

Re: Weight Loss Problems

#7 2007-09-21 9:13 am

Re: Weight Loss Problems

#8 2007-09-21 12:01 pm

Re: Weight Loss Problems

jeff-o wrote:

#9 2007-09-21 12:14 pm

Re: Weight Loss Problems

bedstuy wrote:

jeff-o wrote:

#10 2007-09-21 12:41 pm

Re: Weight Loss Problems

KeilwerthSX90 wrote:

bedstuy wrote:

jeff-o wrote:

#11 2007-09-21 12:44 pm

Re: Weight Loss Problems

#12 2007-09-21 12:49 pm

Re: Weight Loss Problems

#13 2007-09-21 1:07 pm

Re: Weight Loss Problems

keprydak wrote:

#14 2007-09-21 1:07 pm

Re: Weight Loss Problems

user wrote:

#15 2007-09-21 2:41 pm

Re: Weight Loss Problems

user wrote:

#16 2007-09-21 3:03 pm

Re: Weight Loss Problems

#17 2007-09-21 3:18 pm

Re: Weight Loss Problems

#18 2007-09-21 3:47 pm

Re: Weight Loss Problems

Alien wrote:

#19 2007-09-21 4:56 pm

Re: Weight Loss Problems

#20 2007-09-21 7:01 pm

Re: Weight Loss Problems

#21 2007-09-24 8:47 am

Re: Weight Loss Problems

KeilwerthSX90 wrote:

#22 2007-09-24 9:37 am

Re: Weight Loss Problems

#23 2007-09-24 9:48 am

Re: Weight Loss Problems

jeff-o wrote:

KeilwerthSX90 wrote:

#24 2007-09-24 10:07 am

Re: Weight Loss Problems

user wrote:

jeff-o wrote:

KeilwerthSX90 wrote:

#25 2007-09-24 11:10 am

Re: Weight Loss Problems

Denali wrote:

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