Have I run too far to get home?

miracleboy

miracleboy

miracleboy

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31 Oct 2002
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I am 42, eat poorly, drink too much, smoke, probably alcohol dependent, borderline painkiller addiction. But I want to change. I feel ill most of the time, and self medicate to try and make myself feel better. I know it's my own fault, no-one else to blame. But I feel time is right to try and make a change, but am worried it's too late but more importantly that I don't have the courage required to do it.

I want to feel fit, to have a healthy body and mind and to feel in control which I certainly don't at the moment.

I know there is no magic pill I can take to sort this out, that it needs to come from within but need support, from those with more control, from those who know, and from those who care.

I suppose I feel it easier to admit my weaknesses to people I don't personally know, as I don't have the courage to do so to those I know and love.

I just need to know it's possible and how to take that first step.
 
Congratulations on talking yourself through this - I cannot imagine it is remotely easy.

This place is very friendly and unless you do Crossfit we have a fair amount of experience here, too.

And just so you know, it is never too late - the human body and spirit are remarkable things. ;)
 
Of course its not too late - 42 is hardly very old!

Only advice I would give you is to make small changes at first, and find exercise that you genuinely enjoy. Too many people fail by going hell for leather for a few months, and doing things they hate, then give up. If you find something that you love to do and it keeps you active, then the change will be effortless.
 
You have plenty of courage, that much is evident from the fact that you're being honest with yourself, and even more so for posting on here about it.

I have an on-off relationship with my attitude to health/fitness, so I can appreciate some of the things you're saying. My advice would be to commit to one small change, and be absolutely ruthless about it. When you have realised that you have the power to change things, you pick another change, maybe small, maybe larger, and you continue this way forever. Try to make these changes sustainable, as if they're a bit over the top it will be much harder to stick to them. It's absolutely not too late, you have most of your life ahead of you! Make it count!
 
You've never run too far.

You've taken the first massive step in admitting to yourself and us that you have a problem that needs fixing, start small and just make little positive changes every now and again when you feel ready.
 
You can find exercise routines and diets on the forum, there's also threads about drinking and smoking too but that's the easy part, the hardest part is will power to it keep going.

So you already have your goals, my advice would be to create a routine for EVERYTHING, giving your self a choice will always end badly.

Exercise
Eat healthy
Stop smoking
Stop drinking
Stop the meds

If you're dependent on any of those as you say, I'd seek medical advice first, going cold turkey may not be healthy.

Don't get disheartened too quickly, the first few weeks of change will be the hardest, you're body will slowly adapt and it will get easier.

The sooner you start the shorter the distance back :)

Good luck !
 
Well done as the first thing is to acknowledge you have an issue first, and As others have said Miracleboy it is never to late but I wish you luck with your change
 
Too old rubbish..I'm 48, and run a few times a week.. gym 4 - 5 times.. Criky, there are guys 15 years older than me that can easily beat me.. Get into a habit, make no excuses and soon it becomes part of your lifestyle, like eating, drinking and sleeping :)

Do you have a local park run? That's normally a good place to start because the motivation of other will get you going. :)

Good luck
 
My neighbour is nearly 60, to my 34, and can destroy me on a bike ride if he puts his mind to it. You're not too old.

Probably worth getting medical help or counselling or something for the drink and meds.
 
i started going to the gym 2 to 3 months ago, i feel so much better i have asthma but feel i dont use it anymore, lost a stone and starting to build muscles. you can do it! the change in yourself is fantastic and confidence will be soaring
 
Small change is important, as said above so many people want to make a change and do it drastically like extreme diets, 5 days at the gym + no coffee and hate it after 2 weeks.

You've made an honest step with yourself and identified what you want to change, so don't rush, take it steady, start with substituting the drinking with drinking more water or finding a way to cut down on smoking.

Those steps will slowly get you into a position where you're ticking them off every so often and seeing positive progress and feeling better every day.

Best of luck, 42 is far from too old to do anything. :)
 
Thank you all so much for your kind and encouraging words, it means more than you'll ever know.

I still took painkillers today, because I feel awful if I don't. And still had a drink tonight for the same reason.

But one small step, I went to the local vape shop today and have been trying out new apple flavour - no cigarettes today for the first time in two years.

A very small step, but feels great to have the support of people I have never met but clearly care. So thank you all :)
 
Can anyone run too far with a name like yours? Small steps mate. If you use a bus to go anywhere get off at the stop before and walk the rest of the way. Fancy a Chinese take away get boil rice instead of chips. Things like that can add up quickly.

A friend of mine picked up two very serious injuries that meant he went from a wheelchair to plaster and then back to a wheelchair. His first run was to the first lamp post and back and he was blowing after it. The next night he went to the second lamp post and so on. If you hang in there you'll do it.
 
Not young at all in my opinion, but as previously said I think completely eradicating everything is going to be a pitfall, but rather decrease the proportions of things and then you'll eventually reach a point where you feel 'happy' again.

All the best!
 
If you are alcohol dependent you may need some help, there are groups etc. I've seen some of my friends go through similar downs and then ups but it did take help. 42 is a great age btw...I'm 42 I go to the gym, climb and have just taken up paddle boarding.
 
I can't speak from experience of the problems you list, but admitting them to yourself and wanting change is likely the hardest part - the mental acceptance of what you need to now achieve is harder than the physical process you will go through to get fit and healthy.

I played in 2 squash leagues...and there were men and women in their 60s who could still get around the court fine. 42 isn't old to get fit and healthy.

Only advice i'd personally give is that it's a lifestyle - not just something you do to reach a set goal. Make it a constant, lifestyle change for the remainder of your life - you don't need to go excessive with it...just a general healthy and fit lifestyle.

Making it social is often a good way to do it as well. Take up some outdoor hobbies with friends/family. That's what I prefer - the gym isn't for me at all but i'll happily get together with others for sports, outdoor activities or just a night in cooking something nice and having a chat, gaming or something.
 
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