RIP Jared Lorenzen

[Starman]

Ex-Giants QB Jared Lorenzen dies after battling kidney disease and heart issues

 

[typefitter]

Tommy Tomlinson's epic story on him is now especially heartbreaking.

Inside Jared Lorenzen's lifelong weight battle

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Tommy was the first person I thought of when I first read the news.

RIP, Jared. Keep fighting the good fight, Tommy.

 

[swingline]

God damn, Tomlinson is so ****ing good.

 

[UNCGrad]

If you haven't already, please do yourself a favor and pick up Tommy's "The Elephant in the Room." Amazon product ASIN 1501111612

 

[jlee]

Got to see him in 2004 at Florida. He was a joy to watch on the field even before his weight made his talent seem impossible.

 

[britwrit]

As an overweight guy who binge eats, binge eating is a ****-poor way to go.

I am completely sympathetic to this guy, I'm not condemning him (...and ok, maybe I'm projecting a little bit.) At the same time, so young and such a ridiculous way to step out.

 

[wicked]

Wow. I knew about his issues and shouldn’t be surprised, but wow.

 

[WriteThinking]

I would love to see/suggest a sort of personal follow-up to Lorenzen's death by Tomlinson, giving the latter's thoughts on the former, especially in light of and in connection with Tomlinson's own weight struggles and whatever updated progress (or lack thereof) has been going on in his case.

Weight loss is so hard to do and to maintain, and I have actually thought of Tomlinson several times in recent months, wondering how he's doing, since I read his book.

 

[wicked]

FWIW:

 

[WriteThinking]

Tommy Tomlinson's epic story on him is now especially heartbreaking.

Inside Jared Lorenzen's lifelong weight battle

The best line in that story, at least with regard to weight loss, is this: But it's like football. You can't just know the plays. You have to execute.

So, so true, and so difficult.

 

[Neutral Corner]

My wife is morbidly obese. She needs a total knee replacement in both legs, and the surgeons wouldn't touch her with her BMI as high as it was. The thing is that her knees, the left in particular, are so bad that it is virtually impossible for her to exercise. She's down from 306 to about 245 and still needs to take off another 15 to 20 pounds minimum to make the surgeon happy. She's done it by cutting out 90% of her carbs and eating high protein, fresh veg and fruit. At least one, sometimes two of her "meals" are some variety of a nutritional/protein drink, and she drinks a couple of gallons of water a day. She's done it largely on sheer willpower, because she *has* to get her knees done. They hurt her so badly that the surgery is simply a must, so she's doing what is required.

She took a spill last night when her left knee collapsed when she was standing up from a recliner. Doc may just have to suck it up and deal with the extra fifteen pounds.

She's executed like a boss, bless her.

 

[jr/shotglass]

I just posted that there was one quote that, as someone who's been overweight pretty much his entire life, has always stuck with me and chilled me to the bone. And I thought I didn't remember who said it or wrote it.

"I'm 50, and I might feel it more deeply than he does. Nobody who's 65 looks like we do."

It was Tommy Tomlinson.

I'm 61, and I'm just a little more scared tonight.

RIP, Jared. I hope you find some peace you didn't have before.

 

[wicked]

I’ve pretty much been the extra-70-pounds type. I shrugged it off as just genetics.

A few years ago I was put on a medication for a different issue that had a risk of me becoming a diabetic. Guess where the A1C was next time I went to the doc?

It’s been a struggle for me, even with the diabetic diagnosis. Metformin is probably saving my life now, but that also has complications. I really need to take better care of myself. Jared Lorenzen’s death is a bit of a wake up call.

 

[swingline]

Keto works. Between my wife and me, we’ve lost a 9-year-old.

 

[Stoney]

The best line in that story, at least with regard to weight loss, is this: But it's like football. You can't just know the plays. You have to execute.

So, so true, and so difficult.

Well, you know, it didn't used to be considered "so difficult." Avoiding obesity-related diseases was once the least of our health concerns, as we had far scarier and less preventable ailments to concern us back then.

And it still on the surface appears as easily solvable as ever: just don't overeat, try to avoid crappy junk food, spend at least one hour per day working yourself into a serious sweat with physical exercise, and limit the time you spend sitting on your ass in front of a screen (whether it be TV or computer). Amazing what a difference such simple steps make.

But today most of us are conditioned not to view it that way. We live the wrong way until we're messed up enough to get put on medication for diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, or some other obesity related condition ...and then we can scapegoat it as a medical rather than lifestyle condition.

 

[WriteThinking]

Well, you know, it didn't used to be considered "so difficult." Avoiding obesity-related diseases was once the least of our health concerns, as we had far scarier and less preventable ailments to concern us back then.

And it still on the surface appears as easily solvable as ever: just don't overeat, try to avoid crappy junk food, spend at least one hour per day working yourself into a serious sweat with physical exercise, and limit the time you spend sitting on your ass in front of a screen (whether it be TV or computer). Amazing what a difference such simple steps make.

But today most of us are conditioned not to view it that way. We live the wrong way until we're messed up enough to get put on medication for diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, or some other obesity related condition ...and then we can scapegoat it as a medical rather than lifestyle condition.

I understand and agree with your point -- up to a point, because appearances, as they say, are deceiving.

There is a difference between simple changes, and easy ones. Once you've crossed that bridge -- and many have, due to their own poor choices and/or society's generally more sedentary ways these days -- such changes are not easy. Anyone who thinks they are has not had to try to make them to the extent that someone who suffers from morbid obesity has to do.

I've said it before, but losing 30 pounds is not quite the same thing as having to lose 130. Or 230, or more. And in such cases, there are usually components to weight issues that go beyond just someone's lifestyle.

 

[Slacker]

Ditch as much sugar, wheat and other bad carbs as you can. In a week, you won't miss them much, and your body will have to burn off more fat because of those missing carbs.

But RIP to the Hefty Lefty. He was fun to watch.

 

[X-Hack]

Ditch as much sugar, wheat and other bad carbs as you can. In a week, you won't miss them much, and your body will have to burn off more fat because of those missing carbs.

But RIP to the Hefty Lefty. He was fun to watch.

You WILL miss them. I let myself go in my early 30s and lost 20 lbs at 35 doing pretty much that (plus exercise). I’ve by and large stuck with that and kept it off for 13 years now but you never stop craving carbs and sugar. Key is moderation so you don’t get overwhelmed by the cravings - but you do have to cut it all out for a while before you’re in a position to moderate. The one thing I’ve never gone back to is soda, sport drinks and fruit juice. I cut that out entirely and don’t miss it.

 

[lakefront]

You WILL miss them. I let myself go in my early 30s and lost 20 lbs at 35 doing pretty much that (plus exercise). I’ve by and large stuck with that and kept it off for 13 years now but you never stop craving carbs and sugar. Key is moderation so you don’t get overwhelmed by the cravings - but you do have to cut it all out for a while before you’re in a position to moderate. The one thing I’ve never gone back to is soda, sport drinks and fruit juice. I cut that out entirely and don’t miss it.

I hate to continue the diet talk on this thread and cause it to go on. If the diet thread shows up I will delete and put this there.

One very helpful step is to account for what you are eating. The program myplate lets you track what you eat. Not the M. Obama myplate but this is associated with the livestrong web site.
It is super easy, you just put in what you eat and a list comes up and you narrow it down to the specific food and amount. It has entries for just about everything, brand names, restaurants, etc. It will give you a good visual of just how much you are eating in a day. Including sodium, protein, fat, etc. You can input your info and how much you want to weigh and it will tell you how many calories you can have. I prefer to calorie count because that way I can eat what I want, just in moderation. I don't think depriving yourself of certain groups of food works very well in the long run.
Definitely do a "fat day" where you can at anything. I find I am anxious to get back to eating right after that. It reminds me of how lousy I feel when I overeat.
And the move more part is half of the process. Why deny yourself all that extra food if you are not getting the most out of it. Exercise is a must. It can be as easy as taking a walk every day.
So, I strongly suggest people track what they eat to get a real honest picture of what they are eating every day.