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Posted 3/2/2010 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have a question.  I seem to be in a cycle...It looks like I am closer to a Fibro diagnosis.  (still mourning that part and a little in denial).  The drs said that I would feel better if I lost weight.  I am more than 80lbs overweight.  I cannot find the motivation to exercise but I know that I need to do it.  What do you do?  Any suggestions?  Today I got the kids dressed and out the door to school and when I had an appt at 9:15 I was ready to go back to bed.  I feel depressed and just want to  go sit here and veg out.

Sorry about the venting. 

Posted 3/2/2010 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Livenlaugh,

I just love your name. For me I started out slowly. Walking. Even if you just go for five minutes, it is a start. You feel better after walking because of the endorphines. I just came back from mine. The weather here is beautiful. Upper 30's. And the sun is out. So start slowly, maybe just walk around the block. This will give you more energy and gradually you can build up strength to go longer. Remember, don't push yourself too hard, start slowly and you will be off to the races. I hope that this helps some.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/2/2010 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Getting by~ What state are you from? You sound like you are in Mass.
Posted 3/2/2010 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
I lost 85 pounds about five years ago and have kept them off.  I counted carbs and I walked as my exercise.  I still do and I feel so much better after a walk.  When I couldn't walk outside, I used a walking in place video that really helped.  Mine is by Leslie Sansone. 

 

Once you get moving, you do have more energy and it will help with your depression, too.  I generally walk my dog for about one mile in the morning and then get busy with whatever my goal is for the day.  The movement/exercise does help.  I also consider house cleaning an exercise.

 

I became an avid label reader and watched how many carbohydrates I ate and kept them as low as possible.  I stuck with more veggies, meat, and fruits.  I used, and still do, a wheat bread that tastes like a white bread.  It's called White Wheat and there are only 17 net carbs in TWO slices.  That's about what is in one slice of regular bread.  It is very good, too.  That helped me at lunchtime.

 

I hope this helps you some.

 

Sherrine

Posted 3/2/2010 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
She is in Michigan and must be out of her mind if she thinks the 30s is beautiful weather. devil I am in Illinois and it is 39 and I'm still freezing my tush off.

 

I don't have the weight issue but I know I don't get enough exercise. I keep busy around the house trying to get stuff done but I need cardio and I'm sure not getting that. I will be glad when the weather REALLY gets nice so I can get out and walk my two little dogs again. Karen is right, we have to start off slow and work our way up or we will pay dearly.

 

Fibro isn't an easy dx to accept and it is common to go through a stage of depression before you learn how to live with it and accept that you have it. It took me a long time too, I couldn't believe I had something that there was no cure for. You will get there. Many of us are on anti-depressants cause we have low serontonin levels.

 

I'm sure there will be many with suggestions about diets for you.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 3/2/2010 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much! It is helping.
Posted 3/2/2010 9:29 PM (GMT 0)

Marlee2 said...
I am in Illinois and it is 39 and I'm still freezing my tush off.

Hee, hee! It's all relative!

I'm a Calfornia girl, born and raised, but I lived in Farmington New Mexico for a year, and it would get down to 20 below zero at night during the winter. Farmington is higher than Denver (on a high plateau in the Four Corners area). Anyway, because of the extreme cold, I remember that if the sun was out and it was over 15 degrees outside in the winter, we thought it was a heat wave and ran around outside in T-shirts!! :)
Posted 3/2/2010 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Sherrine,

You mentioned the bread for lunch. Just thought I'd recommend a low carb tortilla. They are VERY low in carbs, I think around 8 net carbs, very high in fiber and low in calories. I use them and put turkey breast on it along with mustard, lettuce, well whatever you want, and I roll it up! It's very filling because of the high fiber. Just thought I'd mention it to you!

Oh and Livenlaugh, whatever you decide to do for exercise, just do NOT overdo it. I have a tendency to do that. I use an elliptical and watch TV while on it and if there is something on that really is interesting, I get carried away and stay on too long, and then I pay for it for two days. It's really better to do less and do it every day. I fell into a very bad habit of a very sedentary lifestyle, because of the fibro, thinking I'll just give in to the pain and fatigue and just take it easy. All it did was cause significant weight gain, high blood pressure, borderline diabetes. So now, I am trying to get the weight off with counting calories and exercising every single day, even if it is only 15 minutes. I get on that elliptical! It's a promise I made to myself to regain my health. I know we can't make FM go away, but it's important to try to maintain our health. It's so easy to fall into the sedentary lifestyle and so bad for us.

be well

Miriam

Posted 3/3/2010 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
I'll check those out!  I'm going to the store tomorrow anyway.  Thanks, Miriam!

 

Sherrine

Posted 3/3/2010 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Not only am I having a hard time accepting my fibro dx which I just got 2 months ago but at times when I have had a few good days (I am never pain free, but get days with minor body aches and a mild headache) that I start to doubt the diagnosis. I just came off of 5 really good days and started thinking my doc had made a mistake when lo and behold I woke up yesterday to a pretty bad flare! :(  So I have decided to accept what it is and just be thankful for the good days. I have 5 wonderful children ages 6 to 19 and they are great! They all pitch in when Mom is not doing well and they are just great kids! I have so much to be thankful for I will not let fibro ruin my life. I visit this forum at least 3 to 4 times a day, I check this one, the chronic pain one and headaches. I don't post alot but I get so much relief reading what others have posted and knowing I am not alone in this. Everyone on this site is awesome too.

Shannon

Fibromyalgia, chronic daily headaches, migraine disorder, high blood pressure, gerd, depression and anxiety

Oxycontin, lopressor, lexapro, famotidine and promethazine as needed

Posted 3/3/2010 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Weight loss is at least 80% diet. You can lose weight without additional exercise if it hurts you too much. Additional activity increases weight loss and makes you healthier so you should work to slowly increase your activity. Some people find that additional activity revs up their appetite so they don't lose any weight by exercise alone.

Think of it this way. Most people, especially those with fibro, would have to work really hard to burn off 400 calories in an hour of exercise. However, you can eat or drink an extra 400 calories in about 5 minutes.

I've spent a lot of time over the last year around professional bodybuilders and fitness trainers and diet is the key.
Posted 3/3/2010 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
But exercise does get the metabolism going.  I didn't do anything strenuous at all....not with fibro.  But I kept moving and that kept my metabolism going. 

 

It is very important to have a good breakfast, too.  That kicks in the metabolism, too.  You don't want your body to go into starvation mode.  You'll never lose weight and keep it off that way. 

 

Sherrine

Posted 3/4/2010 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Try a little dancing around the house. I know it sounds strange, but it does help. I listen to music a lot. And I like to dance so that is another thing I do besides walk.

Best wishes to you. And yes, I am from Michigan.

Hugs All,

Karen
Posted 3/4/2010 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
And also you should know that thin or heavy, you will still have fibro. Doctors who tell you that weight loss will help are thinking of the stress on your joints that will eventually lead to arthritis. Losing weight alone will not make your fibro go away. It may help you to exercise more and have lots of health benefits but it won't cure your fibro.
Posted 3/4/2010 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
I can't help but laugh at the northerners and the different perception of "nice weather". I live in Louisiana and unless it hits mid 70s, we think its chilly. We just keep serving hot bowls of gumbo until it reaches the 80s ha! We fight high humidity, mold and mildew - pick your evil. Another great recipe for pain - did I mention lots of rain? I wish my doctor would prescribe something besides Neurontin for pain. Have asked and he won't. I just take a lot of Excedrin - Advil kills my ulcer to the point of doubling over and living in the bathroom. Excedrin (believe it or not) does not affect me like that.
Posted 3/4/2010 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Just thinking about the weather issues, my husband coaches college football and couldn't help for wishing for an offer from the University of Hawaii - ha! Although I would most definitely miss my Crawfish. You haven't lived until you meet up with friends and boil Crawfish - yum. Of course we do anything for a party. Go Saints - who dat!!!
Posted 3/4/2010 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
CCW, my doctor has me taking Prilosec to help protect my stomach because I take a lot of ibuprofen.  It is supposed to protect you 75% of the time.  I didn't know that before he told me so I wanted to pass that on to you, since you said you already have an ulcer.  I sure hope you can get that healed up.  Of course that Louisiana cuisine doesn't help one bit!  turn

 

Sherrine

Posted 3/4/2010 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hey, it is 45 out and I had to make a quick trip to Walmart and I didn't put a sweatshirt or fleece jacket under my coat, I didn't wear a scarf and gloves and I didn't warm up the car first and I froze. When it gets 65 or 70 I will try it with just a light jacket. smilewinkgrin

 

 

Hi College Coaches Wife and welcome to the family.

 

I have not slept well all winter, early morning waking, and I know the more sleep deprived I get the more I crave comfort foods, especially chocolate. For awhile I couldn't even stand the smell of chocolate but that was when my stomach was really messed up and now I can't get enough of it. I know it's my body needing sleep but since I'm not getting that it is saying, "feed me something that will give me energy". So if your trying to lose weight try to get enough sleep to help with the cravings. I know that is not easy for fibromites to do sometimes but it is so important.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

 

Posted 3/5/2010 11:58 AM (GMT 0)
I noticed a few of you all say watching carbs...I just started that and it works. I walk, do gentle stretchs, and have increased my fruits and veggies along with cutting back on breads/pastas/rice ect and I have already lost 6 pounds. 10 years ago, I would have lost that by running but can't run anymore. That would put me in bed for a week.
Posted 3/5/2010 12:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Tamz, and welcome!  Yes, counting carbs is how I lost 85 pounds and have kept it off for five years so far.  It's easy and becomes a way of life and you aren't really missing much at all.  I'm glad it's helping you, too.  Keep up the gentle exercises and stretching, too.  That keeps the metabolism going and have a good breakfast.  I never used to eat breakfast and I never lost weight.  Once I started eating breakfast, the weight started coming off.  It seems the body goes into starvation mode if you don't eat and slows down so it doesn't burn excess calories.  Amazing, huh?

 

Sherrine

Posted 4/15/2010 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I'll put my two cents in. I have tried all the diets and finally joined weight watchers. I love it. You can eat your foods but you count the points alotted to the food. Primarily, it is counting calories and fat and carbs, but you count the points given to you each day based on your lifestyle, your age and your weight. I love the program and have lost 16 pounds since Feb 20. I don't do well in the exercise area, but I am trying to move more, getting walking in when I can. The fibro affects my feet a lot, so it is hard to exercise, but my eating habits have changed and I am the better for it. I highly recommend it to anyone trying to lose weight.

Have a great day.

Lindaloo
Posted 4/17/2010 6:12 AM (GMT 0)
hi im also new to this fibro thing but as i already have TMJ and pelvic pain i have always walked everyday and done stretching exercises to help relax the muscles. why dont you buy one of those old fashion low impact areorbics dvds and just do five minutes at a time for a start and then build up to as much as you can handle. when i had heaps of pelvic pain (which is now better) i made myslef walk to the corner and back two times a day and then increased slowly to like half a block and full block etc now im walking 40 minutes a day....but i am tireddddddddddd! fibro does suck all your energy

oh as for diets my freind is losing heaps really easily by simply following this rule/diet..only eat carbs in the morning ie for breakfast so have your toast and cereal for breakfast then no carbs for the rest of the day so lots of fruit and vegies, dairy, protein etc...and also you get one day off a week where you can eat whatever you want!!!!!! carbs all day if you want ...my freind has saturday as her day off......she is losing heaps and is not feeling sacrificed as if she craves for something she waits until her day off....
Posted 4/17/2010 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
All of these sound like good ideas. I think thatI will try them!
Posted 4/17/2010 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Livenlaugh, I am in the same boat as you. I need to lose about 70lbs., weight that I packed on because I was in so much pain that it got hard to motivate myself to exercise. I was just recently diagnosed, and the doctor who diagnosed me referred me for water therapy. At first, I hated the idea. I didn't like wearing a swimsuit when I was thin, let alone when I'm this heavy. However, I bought the new suit, and decided to give it a try. After my first session, I found that I really liked. Our local hospital has a pool that is kept at a constant 92 degrees. There is also a large whirlpool in one corner that will seat several people. I completed a series of about 6 physical therapy sessions, and then purchased a membership. I normally try to go for at least an hour 3-4 times per week. The warm water feels good, and I also find that I can exercise for much longer in the water without feeling fatigued. I notice that there are some people who just get in the water and walk. On days when I am unable to go, I try to supplement by walking or doing stretches. I've not lost much weight yet, but I have lost in inches. The most important thing is that I do feel better!
Posted 4/17/2010 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
I just want to say that yes, getting down to a healthy weight is a good idea for anybody but, as Jeannie said, it won't get rid of the Fibro itself. I'm the same weight I've been for 30 years but I'm in chronic pain. I'm glad that a weight problem is one I don't have, but I do get tired of some people assuming that since I'm not overweight, I have nothing to complain about (I'm thinking of women in the therapy pool I used to go to, who would look at me with irritation and say, when I told them how bad I was feeling, "Why? You're skinny.") So what?? Actually I'm not skinny, my weight is normal. But I can't do situps, so I look like I could be 5 months pregnant. I have bad posture because it hurts to put my shoulders back, I wear baggy, shapeless clothes because anything else hurts, I'm always cold (so the therapy pool didn't work - too hard to get out of the water - made my muscles spasm. Can't wear most jewelry for the same reason.) I can't enjoy food that much because I get full so quickly...why, I don't know.

I guess we just always want what we don't have - when I was a teenager I did have to fight the weight fight and could eat like a horse - and now I wouldn't mind being more that way again! Thanks for letting me vent!
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