Well it's not as bad as you may think, but it's VERY annoying.

Basically I get a lot of little colds. My throat gets scratchy a lot and I find myself sucking on HALLS a lot to sooth my throat. I'm also tired a lot.

Since getting married I've gained 60 pounds and I have high blood pressure.

So, I'm going to start doing things different. They are:

1. Take a multi-vitamin every morning.
2. Cut milk and soda's and drink water. Only drinking soda if I eat out.
3. Excercise

The worst part is I have no energy with my kids, etc and I always feel like laying down and being lazy and I really hate that.

I've gotten to where I'm at because I eat fast food at least 5 days a week because I've been to lazy to cook. I sit behind a computer all day, etc.

And I have to admit, the fast food is almost like an addiction. I get headaches and really crave Wendy's burgers and Big Macs almost everyday LOL. But at 27, and at the rate my health has declined in the last 5 years, I'm beginning to get worried.

I've realized that you can be successful in a lot of areas, but if you're not successful with your health, NOTHING matters.

I really want to build my immune system up and get my life back.

Does anyone care to share things that have helped their health and have allowed them to live more healthy lives and have a lot of energy?

I've read a few books, etc and been to some classes but it never works out for me. I've bought gym memberships and personal training sessions but I honestly HATE going to the gym.

There has to be something out there for someone like me. I don't mind walking but I may have to suck it up and MAKE myself go to the gym.

Let me have it...

Why not try jogging or running?

Since you're still just 27, it shouldn't be much of a problem for you.

It won't be easy getting started, but you can jog in short bursts everyday, increase the distance as you go, and after a few days you'll get accustomed to it.

Of course, all this is easier said than done but you have to start somewhere, right?

Hope this helps.

Wow, Ricky. If you're already feeling this bad at 27...

(okay... now I feel old)

Seriously, though, you're not alone in what you're going through. As far as the weight gain, I think that's something you have in common with a lot of married folks. If you'll take a look at most people's pre-wedding pictures, and then look at where they're at today, you'll notice that the majority have put on a few pounds.

As for the lack of energy, I can completely sympathize with you. I spent the majority of my youth in and out of hospitals, and sick in bed. As an adult, I often find it difficult to keep my energy levels up at a point where I can function well enough to work (not good if you're trying to work 60 hours a week).

My breakthrough came when I visited with a holistic practitioner who recommended a series of supplements such as garlic, vitamin c, and vitamin b, just to name a few. And while I haven't been able to give up my daily coffee, I did replace any sodas I may have drank with several cups of green tea each day.

I actually think the green tea did more for my energy levels than the supplements did; but hey, I'm certainly not complaining, no matter which is helping the most.

A great majority of your lack of energy may be coming from the fact that you are a self-proclaimed fast food junkie. Try talking with a nutritionist so that you can get a healthier grasp on what types of foods (and in what quantities) you should be eating each day.

Simply telling Wendy and the King to take a hike will probably make a drastic change in and of itself.

And if you've got kids, there's no reason to spend your money on a gym. As the mother of three boys, I can say with utter certainty that you've got all the exercise equipment you need just with a kid or two to play with.

Think of it this way, you can get a workout and quality time in all in one shot

I've got to repeat, if you're feeling this bad as young as you are, you need to make a drastic change in your habits now before you find yourself twenty years older and in much more dire straits.

hi Ricky,
Trying to deprive yourself isn't going to improve your health. But your body is telling you to treat it differently. I have the dry scratchy throat thing to . With me it is from being in low humidity environments . I Sleep with a air filter next to my bed . Otherwise i end up stuffed up all the time.

Sleep and when you wake up is very important to your energy level . Moving is to. I Work hard. I tend not to have energy to do my job . Until i am moving. Because we are so busy right now. I have to eat a lot. fast food every day. but No fries the salt and saturated fat that makes them taste so good . Makes the belly grow fast .

ken

Ricky,

I think just by giving up soda and fast food most of the time you'll notice a huge difference. Unless you can go down the all or nothing route and drastically change everything at once (not for the faint hearted!) I suggest making small changes, slowly.

For me personally, exercise is what keeps me on track and eating healthier. After I go to the gym or run I'm less likely to eat unhealthy foods because I don't want to undo all my hard work.

If you don't like the gym just walk or walk/run if you can. I don't see why you have to force yourself to the gym if you don't like it. I lost my pregnancy weight by just walking. The cool thing is you can load your ipod with marketing audios and stuff. It's also a great time for thinking, planning and coming up with new ideas.

Some people can make very drastic changes all at once and for others small changes and taking things one day at a time works best. You'll know which is best for you. Just acknowledging that you want to be healthier and knowing you need to change things is a positive step... now just keep going.

Forget the gym until you are getting adequate nutrition. You must go beyond a simple multi-vitamin. If you are serious about wanting to get your life back, if you really, really want to make a commitment to change your life, then I suggest hallelujah acres dot com (I'm still too new -- the board won't let me post links yet.)

If you feed your body low-grade fuel, don't be surprised when it stalls-out on you!

Hope this helps.

OK, my evil twin brother is taking over for me right now, so take this with tongue in cheek...

I just read an online article from Newsweek that got my attention. Maybe this can help.

Here's what the product looks like:



Yes it's Holy Water you can now buy in a bottle!

What the... ??!!

Ricky

I think we all have been fast food junkies at some point in our lives.

Here are a few simple meals that will flush your system and clean out some of the toxins and believe it or not, after a few weeks you will crave these foods once you get off the daily intake of fast foods.

Try this for a week and see how you feel:

Waken up - 1 cup of coffee
8AM - 1 fruit yogurt
10AM - shredded wheat with fiber one topped with a fresh banana or other fruit and soy milk (eat as much of this as you want)
2PM - Turkey or chicken sandwich with whole wheat bread and an apple
6PM - Grilled salmon with steam mixed veggies and baked potato (and butter)
2 glasses of wine (or more)

Try these foods for a week and I'll guarantee you will feel much better, have more energy and determination to try your own group of foods that work for you.

If you can, walk 2 - 3 miles a day. Good luck Ricky and hope you feel better.

PS - I am a sugar junkie (still) and sugar is sweet death. Eliminate as much of the refined as you can and replace it, when you absolutely have to have something sweet, with honey.

I have found the source of your problem Rick... GET A DIVORCE! lol

I am soooooooooo kidding. (sorta)

You have answered what you need to do. Your lifestyle sucks.

You need to work out, but not some pathetic walk. 20 minutes of weight training every other day and cardio training on your off days will boost you up.

37 will not be so kind

Ricky,

You asked for it

Stop eating fast food. Stop drinking soda (anywhere).

You're feeding your body (*&%... That's why it feels like *&^&*%

Most people take better care of their cars than they do their own
body.

If you need some motivation, do some research and get the list of
ingredients that you're pumping into your system.

That should scare the (*&$ out of almost anyone.

Then start looking at the ingredients for everything you put into
your body. If high fructose corn syrup or anything else you
can't pronounce is listed there, chances are you don't want to
eat it.

Here are some resources you might take a look at:

-Fish oils: Read Dr. Barry Gordon's stuff. Look at his book on
Amazon... Amazon.com: The OMEGA-3 Miracle: The Icelandic Longevity Secret that Offers Super Protection Against Heart Disease, Cancer, Diabetes, Arthritis, Premature Aging, and Deadly Inflammati: Books: Garry, M.D. Gordon,Herb Joiner-Bey

-Go to http://www.mercola.com and start reading...

-The chiropractor. Been going for years. My kids don't get
sick. I don't get sick. My wife doesn't get sick. The chiro is our "doctor." He doesn't treat symptoms, he treats the cause of your problem.

-Get Matt Furey's combat conditioning book. It'll give you pain
in places you never knew existed And you don't have to leave your house to do it.

There's a ton of other stuff. But you'll discover it all on your
own once you start.

My winter regimen includes eating a head (that's not a clove,
that's A LOT of cloves) of garlic every few days or even
everyday. Just throw it in your oven... when it comes out,
spread it with some butter on some whole grain bread.

It's like feeding your immune system steroids (healthy steroids


And it's the best garlic bread you've ever had.

You've got way too much to offer to keep going down the path
you're on. You can start today.