Anyone w/an illness fighting to lose weight?

[GeekChic]

Hi everybody...

I'm just wondering if anyone is suffering from a chronic illness and trying to drop extra weight.

I have Multiple Sclerosis, which makes it very hard to exercise, and on top of it, I have asthma, which makes aerobics impossible even if the MS didn't.

I have horrible balance, and use a forearm crutch, I have a hard time walking distances. I have chronic pain and most days am so exhausted it takes all I can do just to take care of my family (which my husband has to help a LOT with).

I really NEED to take off the weight I've gained because of prednisone induced hunger/eating. I am heavier now than I ever have been (almost 5'10" and 189 pounds last time I was weighed.)

This is complicated by the fact that I had an eating disorder when I was younger. From the age of 12-24 I starved myself to stay thin. I was underweight, told by doctors to gain, gained when I wanted to get pregnant, was a healthy weight after my divorce (which was a good thing) and now, thanks to many rounds of steroids in the past four years, I have ballooned and it's so depressing.

My doctor sent me a note saying my cholesterol is high now. Great! I was really good about sticking to low fat diet for a month, then we had the big black out and had to go into eating prepared foods, and there went the diet. A month later and I'm still trying to get back on.

Now we're going to WDW day after tomorrow...I want to eat better there and not wait to start my diet till we get back but I know I'll have to let myself have a few favorite things or I'll be really depressed.

I want to do the Dr. Phil plan (his "Get real challenge" plan did WONDERS for me a couple years back, I did it with a buddy.)

I feel like my health is my biggest thing to improve, but I don't know how much I can do with the MS always there. I know I need some exercise, doing gentle yoga (mostly seated poses) was great but I've allowed myself to not take the time to do it. It's hard to get 45 minutes in a quiet house with a family to care for!

I can't drive anymore, so leaving the house to go to yoga class is out, too

Are you depressed yet? LOL reading this back I don't know if anyone will get to the end of it!

Bottom line is, I know I need to lose at least 50 pounds, to get back to a healthy (not too skinny) weight. How to do it with the challenges I'm facing...that's the thing.

I know I CAN do it, I just have to figure out how. Hopefully Dr. Phil can help with that.

I'm wondering, anybody else out there battling weight AND health issues? Maybe we can cheer each other on.

Thanks for listening!
Ro

 

[tiggereyore]

Well... I guess the first place I'd start was with the dr. They have resources no one else has. A nutritionest would probably be another place to start. there my be home therapy (many ins cover this now) that can help get you started on some form of exercise. Swimming???is there an MS support group in your area many have vehicles that will pick you up and stuff.
What I have is not half as bad (pycos) but with an understanding ob/gyn she's put me on meds to help get things going. Now I just need to do more These have been a slow 12 lbs. Oh well 25 more to go.
Hang in there and keep reading and posting here.

 

[BabyTigger99]

I was recently diagnosed with Large B-cell Lymphoma. Luckily, I had lost about 34 pounds before my diagnosis, I am crutches now because my right leg is so weak, the doc does not want it breaking. If I had not lost the weight, it would be much harder for me. I would still like to lose about 25 more pounds, but right now, I am concentrating on eating well, and taking care of myself. I start my chemo in a week, and I am worried about what kind of toll that will take on my body. The thing that helps me the most is staying upbeat, because it makes me feel better about myself.

 

[GeekChic]

***Hug**** Thanks for replying ladies! Babytigger, I am proud of you for your weight loss and sorry to hear that you are struggling with lymphoma! You're doing the absolute right thing staying off that leg, and eating as best as you can, as healthy as possible. Do all you can to take the best care of yourself possible!

Big hugs, and please let us know how you're holding up with the chemo. My heart really goes out to you during this difficult time, and you're absolutely right, positive thinking IS very important, that is what my doctors have all told me about my illness, too.

*another hug*!
Ro

 

[nativetxn]

<b>GeekChic</b> Welcome to WISH!

Have you asked your physicians about what you <i>can</i> do for physical activity? Perhaps they would refer you to a physical therapist or trainer who could help design a work out specifically for you? Insurance might even cover them coming to your home.

I'm glad to see you here. Good luck with this. Let us know what happens.

BTW, my husband brought his lipids within normal limits following the Atkins plan. Worked for him

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

GeekChic and BabyTigger99 you both sound like incredibly strong women to be facing an illness and still have the drive to lose weight and get healthy and I applaud you both!! I did have one thought when reading your post is an infomercial I saw for a "BodyBar" by Greer Childers I think. Basically the bar allows you to do strength exercises from a seated position and you can adjust resistence, etc. I think she also has aerobic breathing which you may or may not be able to do with asthma.

Good luck to both of you!!

 

[wovenwonder]

{{{{HUGS}}}} to you Ro! I don't see a WISH clippie in your signature. Will you be 'officially' joining us in the challenge? I hope so.

My cousin has MS - in one of its worst forms so I can imagine a little bit of what you are going thru. When you go to the world be sure to stay out of the sun. Take along one of those portable mister fans to keep you cool in the parks. Also be sure to have an umbrella to hold to keep the sun off of you when you just cannot avoid sunny areas.

Maybe look for a 'chair aerobics' video. Or some sort of an excersize video where you can do arm weights, leg lifts, etc from a sitting position.

 

[disneygals]

Wow! Good for you both!! I was wondering how to respond as I'm not so great with words, but CrzyforPiglet really summed it up!


Good Luck!
Vivienne