help to lose weight for a fatty CDer

If you find a good diet, let me know.  I am also overweight and find it hard to lose it.  I have some joint pain every now and then and also have low energy.  All the foods that are "good for you" are in reality bad for me.  I have asked my doc about it and thier office push the no carb diets (any no type of food diet is bad for you).

I can't afford a nutritionist and I can't find one that would specialize in CD.  Needless to say I am at a lose.  I hope you feel better and find something that works.  If you do, let me know.  I would love to hear about a safe diet for CD that works.

I'm like you, I can't eat any fruit or veg. Carbs are my best friend. A few years ago I was put on Topamax for migraines. It helps a lot, but has the side effect of decreasing my appetite, to the point that I could go all day and not eat. I had an appointment with my Endocrinologist soon afterward and she said that she sometimes puts her patients,who need to loose weight and can't, on Topamax BECAUSE of that side effect. I don't know how you and/or your doctor feel about a medically helped weight loss, but I know it has kept the prednisone weight off me.

PB4 beat me to it, but I was going to suggest the stationary bike too. That will not only help the knee pain, but help you to do some cardio too. Good luck!

I don't think yu have to be able to swim to do aquasizing, I think they do it in shallow enough water for those that don't swim. Be worth looking into...I find my eliptical easy on my legs (knees and all).

:)

I've found that recumbent stationary bikes put the least amount of stress on my joints.

Hey, everyone...I am (was) a bit overweight Crohnie too. I hear what you are all saying about the exercise and joint thing!

Last fall I was also diagnosed with Diabetes. In a way it was a blessing because it made me go to yet another nutritionist! Actually, I had been to 6 nuritionist but nobody really helped. You can ask your G.I. or regular M.D. to refer you to a nutritionist and the insurance company should cover it...more than likely. Ask them to cover more than one time! Some insurance company will cover gym time if your Nutritionist can work it out!  Be DIRECT and tell them what you want! Don't go to a nutritionist that doesn't understand what your going through. Ask for another one! Your trying to be PREVENTIVE and they are their to help!

The nutritionist had her work cut out for her with me because what was is good for Crohns (carbs) isn't good for Diabetes (veges and fiber) ...and vis versa. She was a young girl who really gave a crap! FINALLy! It was a challenge for her and she really wanted to help! I really cried the first week trying to figure out how to eat! Taking my blood every day made me accountable though and watching my numbers fall was incentive. Going back to see her ...she did more homework and we've just been working together.

Anyway, I can't exercise much either because of all the joint stuff and back surgery when I was younger. I try to walk though. Honestly, there are days I don't feel like moving a muscle and the thought of even getting out...exhausts me. Most important..you gotta get back up and keep trying...

Bottom line...move as much as possible! Mostly, had to cut back on food portion size.  Putting veges back into my diet has been difficult to digest however..But I found if I cook them down it helps and I think before I was always eating toooo much at one time. Just habit and comfort thing.

I have 45-55 grams of carbs per meal : break, lunch, dinner. Don't skip carbs or go super drastic because you really NEED them.... if you can't do this right away..work toward it.

Then snack 10 a.m., 3 in the afternoon , right before bed...I have 15 grams of carbs. Haven't really counted much else ..like fat, protein..a little to overwhelming. With these carbs I usually mix whatever. It's remarkable how it just drips off you! Not super fast...but pretty fast.  I'm not hungry and actually feel alittle like I eat ALL the time. You can't skip snacks or meals..during the holidays it was a challenge but now, back on schedule and feeling good. Swelling in my fingers and joints go down right away. I try to avoid wheat..not because of an allergy (don't know whether or not I'm allergic)...just a sucky way to use my carbs. It's all about balance. Mostly, what everybody's been screaming for years. Once you get into the groove and find food that work..it's soooo easy.

 

Habs, I do the Wii Fit, too, there I use the Yoga part, on the first training CD. Have you seen it? the thing with those Yoga exercises is that they are not hard on the knee joints. I also am using the Wii Fits muscle training programs to build stronger knees, back and hips. Using both these will make you burn more because you'll get more muscles.

I have been reading flowerys suggestions and I do agree with her, but would like to add something due to carbs: the wheat flour carbs (bread, cakes, pasta, potatoes, makaronies and so on) are "unhealthy" carbs. (specially if you want to loose weight) Vegetables and fruits, (vegetables: cooked to death, fruits peeled and those you can have), yogurt and walnuts are good snacks in between the main meals. Do eat 6 to 7 times a day, every meal has to contain a almost half of the plate of proteins (poultry, meat, fish), more than 1/3 of carbs (vegetables/fruits), just a handful rice or potatoes, and a little fat. Instead of rice you could use bulgor now and then. I have used this diet and made all things from scratch, the meat has to be fresh as do the poultry or the fish, so you have to make most of this at home. Last year I lost 25 stone by doing this and using my Wii Fit. When you eat a fruit, always combine it with some almonds/walnuts (5-6), because you then choose a balance between protein/carbs/fat. When eating a yogurt, do the same, some walnuts or macadamian nuts will increase the fat burning. This diet is called the Glucemic Index diet. GI, I am sure you know it. It's super because you are eating all day, and loosing at the same time. You actually HAVE to eat 6- 7 meals a day, to succeed, cause eating a fists size 7 times a day increases the fat burn, due to insuline reactions/other natural bodily reactions.Good luck! /Bee

Hey Habs you are not alone. I managed to double body weight with crohns. I just wish I could exercise without so much pain that I cannot sleep.

Just fyi since I do not know what your weight is, but I do like HMR (health management resources) shakes, and phentrimine for app suppressant (but if you have heart problems it is a no go),

Hey everyone...thanks for the thoughts....I am very frustrated that I have such negative replies to so many good ideas. I just have horrible knee and back issues. The Wii yoga is helping, but you are right some are tough on the knees....I actually find the hula hoop and boxing the best for me so far

Heatmiser...I would be glad to be your support group in this effort. Post any time you want to for me and we can share. My husband would think it is hilarious as we give cards to each other signed heatmiser-him, snow miser-me. I have cut back portions more and started doing exercises during every day things...i.e. while drying my hair I do stomach muscle tension or steps. Now I just have to survive a cruise diet at the end of this month.

Navy..I will look into the shakes. Are they a suppressant or just a supplement to make you feel full? I can't do the app suppressment meds as I do have a family history of CHF/high BP/MI and I have been having stress heart flutters the last year.

Keep at it folks....I have set a small goal of -10 pounds in 6 months. Bye Bye ice cream :-(

Habs,
I use a weight management/baratric doc, because my BMI is about 42. I use the HMR shakes as meal replacements, and phentrimine as an appitite suppressent. Since I have been dx, I have been hungry all the time. It wakes me up in the morning, and I have had the hardest time with the hunger issue.
Navy

Thanks lilcrohnie -

I might check into the replacement drinks. Just tired of my family acting like I don't eat anything because of my weight...

I have always struggled with my weight as well and steroids certainly make it even harder!  I have lost 87 lbs with weight watchers, you can eat what ever type of foods work best for your system (I avoid most veggies and fruits).  Walking is great!  You can take it slow and easy until you get stronger.  I found as the weight came off, the arthritis improved along the way.  It has been a win ~ win diet for me!!  Good luck!!