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Yes yes yes to PT (and not just physical therapist PT...more in a sec). I’m currently using PT after a meniscus tear surgery and, while I’m nearly already entirely recouped only 2wks out (something that would not be true if I hadn’t decided to lose weight, btw), I have hip joint issues due to congenital deformation. Even though I’ve used PT in the past for other operations, I was blown away by the amount of information and alternate exercises the current PT gave me and suggested to accommodate for my extreme hip pain in specific positions. I’m a week out from her reccs and the pain change has been extremely noticeable. I’ve had good PTs before, but having a great one, man, it can really be a game changer. If you have insurance that would cover it (or can afford it out of pocket, of course), I absolutely recommend seeing someone just for the referral to PT (and perhaps a specialist lymphedema clinic if you haven’t been to one already...they were a game changer for my dad).

And since you’re interested in exercise, I also cannot recommend a skilled personal trainer enough. I see a ‘master trainer’ at my local 24 Hour Fitness, and the depth and breadth of her knowledge is truly impressive. I’ve seen her work with normally able bodied folks, truly handicap people, and a few other semi-cripples like me, and the level of care and consideration she puts in to help them achieve their goals while taking consideration for their actual physical ability (or disability) is inspiring to see. I wouldn’t say just go with any ol’ personal trainer, but, again, if you can afford one, I’d ask around for recommendations and ask about each trainer’s history with training and their education. Many gyms will give you a first session free type of deal to see if you mesh with your trainer, too.

And as a PS to a couple other comments...
Someone recommended aqua aerobics/Zumba, and, depending on where you live, it may be worth checking with your local Y or gyms (if you decide to join one). I’m also seeing more and more gyms with a hand cycle at them, too, which might be good for days that cycling or elliptical-ing are too intense. And in regard to resistance bands, I cannot recommend those enough for someone trying to have more accessible fitness items at home. I have pull up assist bands (long loop), tubular resistance bands (open ended), and thick fabric thigh bands (loop). They all have great and different use, but if you can only pick one, I highly recommend the tubular resistance bands. You can do so much with them (I’d be happy to elaborate more if you like/need suggestions). I have this set which is currently unavailable (of course!), but there are many comparable sets available for under $20. If you go this route, I highly recommend looking for a set that has the little door mounting dongle included; being able to anchor them without needing another piece of equipment is a really indispensable trait of the set I have.

Those are such great benefits of your weight loss! Thanks for sharing them - it's very motivating to celebrate each other's victories together.

Boy, can I relate to the shaving one. My husband got me one of those suction cup shower foot rests for shaving, and every time I put my foot on it, it just came right off the wall. When I lost weight (and my belly) I could/can just rest my toes on the wall and there's no problem.

And I love that ability to just pop in to a store and grab an article of clothing. I LOVE sailing past the plus-size section and buying from the straight sizes, too.

I also remember when I could cross my legs comfortably. It feels poised and elegant. And now I catch myself sitting with my legs crossed and don't remember doing it!

Thanks for the congrats - I'm pretty proud of myself, even though I still have a ways to go. (I'll get back to you when I get there!)

I did a medically supervised liquid keto diet for about 9 months a few years back. I went from around 600 lbs to around 350 lbs in that time. I learned a lot from it, the results were great, but there are a lot of things that could have improved the experience. I got really sick from it, and learned a lot of lessons the hard way.

First, getting into keto sucks. There's a lot of BHB products out there that can help kick start keto. BHB ketones are one of the ones your body makes. If you drink some BHB, it helps tell your body "hey, it's time to use ketones", and can make the first 3 days a little easier.

The second big struggle I had was that I was having a lot of chocolate and dairy. I'd never had a problem in my life, but they ended up giving me a chronic acid reflux. My upper stomach valve basically stopped working, and I needed PPI antacids to stop the crazy pain. I just was leaky for months, so bending over to tie my shoes was a roller coaster every morning.

Third, be careful with your fiber! Ketochow has basically no fiber, and that can give you some serious bathroom problems. There's a difference between soluble and insoluble fiber, and the insoluble stuff helps the best for the bathroom. Try to keep daily fiber intake consistent.

Fourth, another huge reason to get some fiber still is for cholesterol. Keto foods often have a lot of cholesterol, but so do our fat stores! Cholesterol is a fatty molecule, and it's trapped inside the fat we store in our body. Lots of things are stored in our fat actually, like fat soluble vitamins too. When we lose a lot of weight fast, this comes back into our blood. Our liver takes this cholesterol and puts it into our gallbladder, so that we can excrete it the next time we have a fatty meal (because that fat will be able to absorb and carry the cholesterol). The problem about a no fiber keto diet is that your body will just re-absorb all this cholesterol, because it doesn't have any fiber to stick to. This ends up making your gallbladder full of cholesterol all the time, and leads to gallstones.

Note: Good places for fiber are avocados, nuts, leafy green veggies like kale and spinach, and some lower carb veggies like celery and asparagus.

Another important thing to know is that your body stores sugar for quick energy, in your liver and in your muscles. A normal person has about 1 lb of sugar stored with 10 lbs of water used to store it. This is a huge part of why starting keto, or eating back carbs, causes such amazing overnight weight changes. Don't get discouraged.

the tl:dr BHB can make starting keto easier. Get some fiber from avocados, nuts, and leafy green veggies like spinach / celery. Be careful if you're getting regular reflux from the whey / trigger foods like chocolate.

Personally, I think keto is a great way to keep your appetite suppressed while dieting. I feel like I was too low on carbs to function correctly though, and didn't tolerate it well long term. About a month or two in, I felt incredible though. About 4 or 5 months in I got brain fog, lethargy, GERD, etc. I wouldn't do it again, but it definitely works great for some people.

>I looked it up, it said the average household one can hold 250 to 350, but special ones can hold up to 500, if you know someone who can weld, they could probably reinforce it

There are "under desk" bike options: https://www.amazon.com/EXERPEUTIC-Bluetooth-Exercise-Extendable-Height/dp/B07PDHZDLK?ref_=ast_sto_dp

For bigger people, watching what we eat is way more important than exercising for weightloss. It's a lot easier to not eat 500 extra calories than it is to burn it off. Although exercising is great for your heart / cardiovascular fitness and mental health, so def. try to fit some in, but be kind to yourself.

I wear Keens exclusively for my job (a few pairs in 6 years) and well....when eve it’s warm enough in real life. I’m a preschool teacher so I’m on my feet A LOT. I like them bc they are light weight and breezy, don’t make my feet get got, and had zero break in time. They can be kinda pricey, but I think they’re worth it. I’m a female and really love the Whisper style as they are easy to throw in the wash when they get dirty. I wear an 11 abs have a wide-ish foot and find them true to size!

i have that exact topper and it is amazing. I'm at 330 lbs at 5'7 for reference. i got it because i got a new mattress that was very firm (need it to be or it would sag horribly under my weight) and it is a godsend. I am a side sleeper exclusively.

it isnt noticably warm to sleep on, although i have a waterproof cover over it (like a fitted sheet with a rubber layer) and then normal sheets. but i do not notice it being warmer than a typical mattress.

it is very plush and it has held up extremely well to weight and body heat in the 2 and a half years i have had it. (using it at minimum 6 nights a week, usually all 7). it is noticeably discolored from heat in the apot i sleep on, but it is just as plush as it was when i first got it (i know because the other half of the queen mattress is virtually unused and flipping the topper feels exactly the same). i do not know if it absorbs body oils, and if that would make it smell, because like i said i use a water proof sheet to avoid that.

it did smell a bit funky the first few days but after a week it went away, and it was unnoticeable under the sheets (i used it for a month before getting the waterproof sheet, so that observation is through one layer of cotton sheets).

i definitely recommend getting the topper!!!!!

edit: sorry i have the 2inch one!!
LUCID 2" Gel Infused Ventilated Memory Foam Mattress Topper, Queen https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PBIVWC6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_J3sjDbBG2KX9C

If a regular pillow isn't enough you can try a wedge pillow. They're firmer and kind of triangular shaped so it would probably do a better job of bending his body upward at the waist. I haven't tried it for this purpose, I only know about them because I use one for acid reflux (they help keep you up on an incline when you're sleeping which is good for reflux) although I think they make things like this specifically for sex too. This is the one I use which is cool because you can adjust it to a couple different heights.

I found that thick gel insoles with arch support make a bigger difference than any shoes. I use these. Need roomier shoes for them to fit though, since they add bulk.

My unethical life hack is to take painkillers. Ibuprofen works really well for dull aches and is also an anti-inflammatory. And it's pretty harmless if taken on a rare occasion so you can enjoy a special day.

I might suggest you check out the book Big Big Love. Lots of practical suggestions. That, plus open communication, should help you find a satisfying way to have a wonderful sex life, in whatever form that may take.

Big Big Love, Revised: A Sex and Relationships Guide for People of Size (and Those Who Love Them)

I am having sciatica pain too. It’s waking me up several times a night! Is it getting better for you? Have you found anything that helps?

I did find a good massager on Amazon that helps, if I remember to use it before my partner falls asleep.

Massager

No idea if you're under 400 pounds or not, but if you are I highly recommend this scale https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Bathroom-Changing-Display-Comparison/dp/B0745QFGVC . I don't have to fight with it to get it to weigh me like my scale before this one did, and it's very reliable.

I started where you're at (444 pounds). Below are my tips:

First place to start: https://www.reddit.com/r/loseit/wiki/quick_start_guide The /r/loseit guide really does work, it's how I lost over 250 pounds. Don't try to rush it, don't try to be smarter than the guide, just follow the guide as it's written.

• Stop trying harder. I always thought the reason I failed at losing weight was because I didn’t try hard enough. Each time I tried to lose weight, I tried harder, added more restrictions, more rules. Success finally came when I simplified things, eliminating rules and restrictions, following only the most basic principles of weight loss.
  
• Desperate times, do not call for desperate measures. Base your actions upon education, not desperation. We make foolish choices when we’re desperate, take a step back and act with reason.
  
• Each day is a new start. Don’t punish yourself today for a slip-up you had yesterday. Learning consistency is a skill that takes practice. Every day you get another chance to follow your plan.
  
• Over eating and under eating are both the same problem. They both originate from a mentality of extremes. “All or nothing” is a hard habit to break.
  
• "If you take care of the small things, the big things take care of themselves." - Emily Dickenson. Focus on your small daily goals, and the pounds will take care of themselves.
  
   
  
  When my belly says, “I’m full!” my brain says, “That’s a good start, keep going.”
  
   
  This post is for those who struggle with:
  
• Always being hungry.
  
• Binge eating.
  
• Stress eating.
  
• Always thinking about food.
  
• Emotional eating.
   
  The origin of hunger: The hypothalamus, sometimes called the “lizard brain” or “animal brain” or “lower brain”. The hypothalamus controls hunger (among other things). This is the greedy selfish part of the brain that wants you to over eat, it wants you to eat junk food, it wants you to binge eat, it wants instant gratification. If you’re someone who’s always hungry, even when you shouldn’t be, it’s your lizard brain telling the rest of your brain to put food in your mouth because the lizard brain loves it when you eat, and it hates discipline.
  
  The lizard brain will try to rationalize bad decisions. It will tell you things like: “You’ve been so good, you deserve a treat.” “Your day is already ruined, you may as well keep eating.” “You’re stressed out, your favorite food will make you happy.” “You can wait until Monday to start eating healthy again.” It’s your brain, it knows your weaknesses and will exploit them.
  
  Here’s the thing about the lizard brain, it can’t control motor movements on its own, it must convince the rest of your brain to do things for it. The lizard brain can’t make you pick up food and it can’t make you put food in your mouth, it has to convince the rest of your brain to do those things. Because the lizard brain can’t physically make you eat, it becomes very skilled at manipulating you into eating.
  
   
  So how do you stop the urge? How do you strip the hypothalamus of its control, and return control to the rational part of your brain?
  
   
  Step 1: Make sure it’s not true hunger. Don’t under eat! Under eating makes the urge to over eat much worse. Learning the difference between real hunger and fake hunger won’t be possible if you’re putting yourself in a constant state of real hunger. Read this post about why women should eat at least 1200 calories per day, and men should eat at least 1500 calories per day.
  
   
  Step 2: Recognize that your desire to binge is coming from the irrational part of your brain, and that part of your brain can not control motor functions. It can not make you walk to the fridge, it can not make you go through a drive thru, it can not put food in your mouth.
  
   
  Step 3: Choose to let the rational part of your brain say “No.” You get to choose which side wins this internal struggle. The rational part of your brain CAN override the lizard brain.
  
   
  
  -----------
  
  FAQ
   
  Q: I want to binge, AND I want to not binge at the same time. How can I want two opposite things at the same time? Am I broken?
  A: You are not broken, this is normal. Frustrating, but normal. The irrational part of your brain wants the binge, while the rational part of your brain knows it’s wrong.
  
   
  
  Q: I was always told that binge eating was a psychological problem that requires therapy. Are you saying I don’t need therapy?
  A: If you have problems that require therapy, get therapy! Not everyone who binge eats needs therapy, therapy isn’t useful for all binge eaters, and this method can be used in conjunction with therapy.
  
   
  Q: Are there any apps to help?
  A: I use Goal Tracker & Habit List for android. It has a calendar widget that lets you check off successful days. There are lots of goal tracking apps, find one that works for you.
  
   
  Q: Where can I read more about this method to stop bingeing?
  A:
  
  
• Taming the Feast Beast by Jack and Lois Trimpey. This book is derived from their “Rational Recovery” program, which is a popular alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
  
  
• Brain Over Binge by Kathryn Hansen. This book is based on the Trimpey “Rational Recovery” program, but is easier to read and tells the author’s personal struggle with binge eating.
  
   
  Q: Will I ever be able to eat my “trigger foods” again?
  A: Depends on the individual. With enough practice, you will probably be able to eat trigger foods in a responsible way. However, there’s a good chance you’ll lose interest in these foods all together because many of these foods won’t be a part of achieving your fitness goals. Trigger foods often lose their magical powers once you understand how to control your urges.

1. You may want to consider a recumbent or semi-recumbent bike. I have found regular exercise bikes can make your back sore. I have one like this that I like.
   
   Something like this:
   https://www.amazon.com/Exerpeutic-525XLR-Folding-Recumbent-Exercise/dp/B01MTUKQMU/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=foldable+recumbent+exercise+bike&psc=1&qid=1571793041&sr=8-4

I got a mini-exercise bike that you can use sitting down. I would listen to a podcast while I did it that matched how long I would work out. I started with 5 min at lowest setting. If it was easy I would do it 3 times a day and if that is easy I go to 10 min and repeat and if I can do it with no effort 3 times a day I would increase the time. Once I could do 30 min I would increase the resistance.

Also if I may - ditch everything you drink but water any maybe coffee, juice and soda not only add calories AND salt.


https://www.amazon.com/YOSUDA-Under-Desk-Pedal-Exerciser/dp/B07PM3J6X8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=CJBJEX0BRZXK&keywords=exercise+bike&qid=1567110991&refinements=p_n_feature_twenty_browse-bin%3A9729708011&rnid=9729707011&s=electronics&sprefix=exercise+%2Caps%2C139&sr=8-1

I bought this one and it's working well as far as I can tell. I've tested it with 10 lb weights and it's always been accurate, and I can step on the scale three times in a row and get the same weight.

https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Digital-Bathroom-Measure-Tempered/dp/B01HI1W1V4/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1541335163&sr=8-3&keywords=Etekcity+Digital+Bathroom+Body+Weight+Scale

This one looks pretty low tech and solves the problem of the weird pedal angle. It has a 4.2/5 stars rating with 688 reviews.

I bought one from Amazon that was supposedly usable from a sitting or standing position. I found that it was incredibly awkward to use while sitting (the foot pedals weren't angled at all, so my ankles were constantly bent weirdly when I tried to use it sitting down). I tried rigging it up with wedges and stuff to make it work, but nothing made it better... I ended up selling it on facebook marketplace a few months ago because I never used it.

Edit: this is the one I bought.