I need advice to change my life for the better!

[drhillman123]

I am a 34 year old male who weighs 350lbs. I have 2 herniated discs L5 and L4 with S1 and S2 pinched nerves and legs go numb. I want to lift weights and lose weight I could really use some advise because I do not want to injure myself any further! My doctor said that lifting weights will injure me further because of my current weight. Please help Mark!

[Mark Rippetoe]

Lose weight first, then lift weights. I'm sure your doctor would approve.

[Giri Kotte]

Lose weight first, then lift weights. I'm sure your doctor would approve.

The answer used to be, "get strong first of all".

[Mark Rippetoe]

That's not what he wants to hear. I am trying to be accommodating.

[Splat]

That's not what he wants to hear. I am trying to be accommodating.

I am usually pretty bad at interpreting short interweb posts so I may be misinterpreting the question and answer, but is that what he wanted to hear? Sounds to me more like he wanted you to talk him down from an anxiety high.

This may be a good place ; how much of coaching is talking people down when they start freaking out? The best example is when Brian Jones started freaking out on the platform at the thought of doing power cleans. Unfortunately, I can't find Brian's article to confirm I am remembering that example correctly.

[drhillman123]

I want to hear the truth about what you really think Marky Mark without all that noise from the funky bunch! But seriously what is your real recommendation because I have two brothers that swear by your advice and they have been helping me out, but now I am turning to you for some advice because of what my doctor said!

[Tiburon]

That's not what he wants to hear. I am trying to be accommodating.

Getting in that Christmas spirit?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Be honest, doc: how many Cokes did you drink yesterday?

[dmworking]

...Marky Mark without all that noise from the funky bunch!

I'll be back in a few minutes. This made me snort coffee up my nose, so I have to go get cleaned up now.

[crookedfinger]

Step 1. Get your diet in check and buy SSBT
Step 2. While continuing to keep your diet in check, learn the lifts, get coaching if necessary
Step 3. While continuing to keep your diet in check, do the lifts, slowly adding weight and ensuring your form is correct
Step 4. Repeat step 3