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Author: Betty
Date: 10-10-01 18:53
Hi,
I am a 46 year old female who has been fat all my life, except for 2 wonderful years about 10 year ago when I did my own crash version of WW and lost 117lbs. in less than a year. Yes, it has all come back.
Since my WW trek, a birth defect and genetic collagen disorder has rendered me disabled, in that I have to wear leg braces, and can only stand or walk for limited amounts of time, my shoulders occasionally dislocate, I have arthritis, and am in pain most of the time.
I am on a lot of medication, 2 for high bp, 1 allergy, 1 potassium, 1 to prevent ulcer from returning, 2 for depression, 1 tranq. for anxiety, and pain meds as needed.
Nothing I do or try makes any of the weight come off. I am 5' 4" and weigh about 260. My doctor says it is because I can't move enough. My ex-husband told my latest ortho surgeon that I am anorexic but my body just doesn't know it. I eat well under 1000 calories a day, none of which is junk, sweets, etc. Yet it is mainly late afternoon or evening as I don't get hungry before then, and somedays don't eat as I don't get hungry at all. Some days I use food against myself and wait until I have such a headache and my stomach is burning before I will eat, and then it is only a couple of slics or cheese or a slice of bread to eleviate the discomfort.
My psychiatrist, knowing the weight is part of my depression issues, recently tried me on a prescription of Dexedrine, I could take it and an hour or two later take a nap. I have a blood pressure/pulse monitor and my bp and pulse didn't go up a beat. One of my bp meds keeps my pulse at around 60-65 bpm. When I went back to her, she gave me a high daily dose of ritalin to try. Same results, no effect at all.
My insurance will not cover anything weight loss related, however they will cover the stroke I'd have from being overweight (editorial comment).
My GP does the basic Thyroid check and it comes out normal. My gyn is finally admitting that I could possibly have polycystic ovarian syndrome which has been suspected for over 20 years, buit since I never want children, no doctor would ever confirm a diagnosis. When I was 31 I had to have 1 2/3 ovaries removed for embedded cysts, and have most of the other symptoms. I don't hink I have the Type II diabetes, although I've only ever had 1 regular fasting blood test for diabetes. Never had a fasting glucose test though.
Anyway, sorry to go on, but I am in such pain, I feel like such a freak that I won't leave the house unless I have to, and just want to be as close to normal as I can be.
Any ideas?
Betty
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Author: Ann
Date: 10-11-01 07:03
Start eating 5-6 small healthy meals a day (lots of protein and vegetables, limit your carbohydrates to whole grain products and drink lots of H2O). Because you are practically starving yourself, everytime you do eat your body takes that food and stores it as fat for use as energy later. You have to EAT to get your metabolism going again to be able to lose weight. Try to eat about 1,200 a day. You also are not able to lose any weight because you have lost a lot of muscle mass by starving yourself. You need to have muscle to be able to burn fat.
Could some of the medications you take have anything to do with your not being able to lose weight? Do research on your medications to see what kind of side effects they might have.
Talk to your doctor and ask him for help in finding a plan to eat right and for finding ways to dosome kind of exercise to start building muscle back up that you have lost.
I wish you lots of luck.
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Author: Sarah
Date: 10-11-01 08:04
Hi,
If 1000 calories is enough and you are not hungry, i think just stick to 1000. But don't go below. I also think you should divide the food you eat into 6 small meals. Because every time you eat, the body needs to burn some caloris to burn the food so if you eat 6 times it will have to do it 6 times. When you eat lots of food at the same time, the body uses some but everything else it doesn't need will be turned into fat. This can happen within an hour you eat. But if you eat small meals but frequently you give your body time to burn. Also, I think try to force yourself to eat more during the day instead of nights. I have problems with eating late at night too, but i have made a rule, no more eating after 8pm, whatever i want to eat before is fine. Don't eat high fat, don't eat Carbs, lots of veggies with lean meat. Lots of water. Also, exercise, is there anyting you can find to do, anything counts? Like some weight lifting, biking? Buy a stationary bike and watch TV while you are biking.
I truly believe that anything is possible, but it's in your mind and if you believe in it and take action you can do it.
I hope this helps.
Maria
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Author: Ann
Date: 10-11-01 09:02
FAT is stored energy. You actually NEED FAT TO LOSE FAT. What makes you fat is CARBS. Except for fiber, all carbohydrates turn directly into sugar in the bloodstream. If you diet without exercising, your body goes into CATABOLISM (loss of muscle). This is why you have to eat more protein (muscle).
If you don’t eat every four hours, your body tends to store whatever food that hasn’t been used for energy now as energy for emergencies (which is body fat). Your body is sacrificing brain tissue, internal organs, skin and muscle mass to supply you with the energy that you need to get through your day. You will find that once you increase your protein intake, you will sleep better, recover faster and have so much more energy.
5 Things to Remember…
1. Avoid & Forgive all negative people, places or things.
2. Don’t let your body go H.A.L.T (Hungry Angry Lonely Tired).
3. Ignore F.E.A.R (False Expectations Acting Real).
4. Love yourself. (Your subconscious mind accepts whatever you
choose to believe about yourself.
5. Focus on the 3 P’s: Patience, Priorities and Purpose.
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Author: Ann
Date: 10-11-01 09:07
The following is quoted from 101weightlossideas.com:
FAT is stored energy. You actually NEED FAT TO LOSE FAT. What makes you fat is CARBS. Except for fiber, all carbohydrates turn directly into sugar in the bloodstream. If you diet without exercising, your body goes into CATABOLISM (loss of muscle). This is why you have to eat more protein (muscle).
If you don’t eat every four hours, your body tends to store whatever food that hasn’t been used for energy now as energy for emergencies (which is body fat). Your body is sacrificing brain tissue, internal organs, skin and muscle mass to supply you with the energy that you need to get through your day. You will find that once you increase your protein intake, you will sleep better, recover faster and have so much more energy.
5 Things to Remember…
1. Avoid & Forgive all negative people, places or things.
2. Don’t let your body go H.A.L.T (Hungry Angry Lonely Tired).
3. Ignore F.E.A.R (False Expectations Acting Real).
4. Love yourself. (Your subconscious mind accepts whatever you choose to believe about yourself.
5. Focus on the 3 P’s: Patience, Priorities and Purpose.
I hope that this helps.
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Author: Melanie
Date: 10-11-01 10:40
> You actually NEED FAT TO LOSE FAT.
> What makes you fat is CARBS.
I would actually disagree on that... from my personal experience, low-fat/high-carb diet can be effective.
Here's a copy of my earlier post about my experience:
I lost 18 lbs (going from 140 to 122) on low-fat/low-calorie diet... I'm 5'5", and I have a small frame... I know 140 lbs does not sound like that much, but on me (because of the way my body is built) it looked like a lot - my ideal weight is 116 lbs...
It was not a formal diet, I just avoided fast-food restaurants, ate mostly home-cooked meals (boiled and baked instead of fried, or fried on a non-stick frying pan with almost no butter), ate smaller portions, and drank water instead of soft drinks. When I have to eat out for lunch, I go to Subway and get one of their subs under 7 grams of fat. I do eat desserts and other high fat foods occasionally, but in moderation.
I do eat a lot of carbohydrates like white rice, potatoes, bread, fruit, etc, I never tried to limit their intake... I just try to limit FAT in what I eat, and make the overall portion smaller. And I learned to stop eating when I'm FULL, not STUFFED.
It took about 8 months to lose the weight, and I kept it off for the past 4 months... I still watch what I eat though... But I don't really feel like I'm on a very restrictive diet - I just learned to cook low fat, so it does not taste like the low-fat stereotype (bland) - my husband eats everything I cook and enjoys it :-)
Melanie
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Author: Betty
Date: 10-11-01 12:42
I thought it easier to reply to all the wonderful replies so far in one post (or at least try :)
As far as eating in the fast couple of years, I have tried 3 different plans, each for at least 6 months to give them a chance, and failed on all 3. I did Atkins, lost a few pounds initially and then stayed the same despite trying the various methids of trying to jump start, and staying on the intial plan and not going to the second level. I went Vegetarian (Eat Right for Your Blood Type) as I am Type A, bought only whole grains from health food stores, etc. The last one was a just plain old low fat and low calorie basic eating plan.
Each of these made me drop a few pounds the first week, then nothing.
I eat mainly at night as my roommate (ex-husband going to become a woman) works second shift and somehow I have adapted to her schedule even though we do not sleep together. I usually go to bed around 5-6AM and get up around 11-noon. I have never, even as a child wanted to eat until after being up several hours. In fact, I don't eat for a while before bed as I have found that if I eat close to going to sleep, I am hungry when I wake up in the morning. If I don't, then I am not hungry.
I also have a problem sometimes that when I take even a bite of something the first time of the day, I get so sleepy that it is hard to keep from just dozing off regardless of what I am doing. It does seem to be worse if that first bite is a slice of bread.
I fully admit to hating water, and drinking diet mountain dew and coffee all day. I know it doesn't make sense, but water makes gives me nausea, and makes me feel hungry. Plus I just don't like it. I had hoped that a natural water they sell at Wal-mart would be an acceptable source, as it has 0 sodium and calories, and is naturally carbonated with natural fruit flavor. However I was told no, it had to be plain water.
I have almost become food phobic. There are times I look at it and my stomach rolls thinking about having to eat it.
As far as the exercise, stationary bikes and similar are out, as my leg braces prevent my ankles from moving, and one of them prevents my knee from bending. No weights, as my shoulders dislocate. I even bought one of the chair dancing videos and was very limited on what I could do in it. I am a fidgeter though as I basically live on nerves. No water aerobics either due to the way the water moves against the foot that has had fusion surgery.
It is possible some of my meds are slowing my metabolism, as the side effects on most of them includes drowsiness. However I should be able to overcome it. I just don't know how.
I had thought about trying to get a loan for bariatric surgery, but after reading about it, the main purpose is to limit how much you eat. Overeating is not my problem.
If I were to try and pinpoint an eating habit which may be affecting me right now, it may be that I've "forgotten" how to eat. I have been not eating and blackmailing myself with food for so long, I can't really remember the last time I ate a regular meal. I know I am not eating fruit, I have a salad once in a while, but mainly curb my appetite with a few slices of cheese and perhaps a slice of bread to help as a filler. My main staple besides that is plain popcorn which I would have to say is my alltime favorite food.
Sometimes I regret getting rid of my .357!!
Again thank you all for your wonderful responses and suggestions.
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Author: chia
Date: 03-14-02 16:15
...I would like to make my suggestion....
WATCH CALORIE INTAKE - YOUR BODY NEEDS CONSISTANCY!!!
that means not overeating OR undereating....this will wreck havic on your blood sugar level, heart, BP; thyroid, your mood; etc...Im not just blowing smoke here.
I have a sister who is diabetic since age 10; has open ulcerations on her legs (they want to amputate now); has had several skin graphs to try to save them; has an enlarged heart (resting pulse is over 100!); is going blind; has hypo-thyroidism; high BP; necrobiosis on her ankles (looks like the flesh-eating bacteria); colagineous colitis (these injections are $1500.00 each!)has severe neuropathy (neuro disease affecting the nervous system all over her body).....please understand I am not trying to be a downer, just want to prove a point....even with all these problems (cannot remember them all she has been battling most of them 40 years!) she gets up everyday & KNOWS in her heart that TODAY IS A NEW DAY! Some days she feels better than others...but shes A-L-I-V-E! She is very greatful for that.
She is heavy too & it bothers her....but ya know...compared to these other issues its just a small thing! You gotta pick your battles; take charge of 1 thing @ a time...not all @ once....
1 very important life lesson I have learned from watching her my whole life? If you WANT something bad enough you WILL find a way to achieve it!
Good luck to you.............. :)
chia
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