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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 5/24/2010 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hiya everyone, I gained over 40 pounds with my fibro. I can't lose it no matter what I do. I don't over eat and didn't over eat while I gained either. Not looking for a quick fix but I would like to shed some of this extra baggage as I think it exacerbates the symptoms, especially the breathlessness and leg pain after walking I have. I can't do aerobics so what do I do. Right now all I can see is a pure carrot diet which although I love carrots I dont wanna be orange lol. I typed in my figures on a bmi chart and it came up severely overweight. Anyone with any tips I would appreciate knowing some. Thanks all in advance xxxx
Posted 5/24/2010 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
I am in the same boat. I read somewhere that inorder to lose weight you should take in 1200 to 1500 calories a day. Starting today I am gonna write down every calories I eat and also I bought some sugarfree gum to chew on when I want to snack.
Posted 5/24/2010 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have had fibro for at least 25 years and never had a problem with weight gain until I went on Lexapro for the pain.  I gained 22 pounds in 8 months and have been off the drug since October...still cannot get it off.  Maybe it's the fibro drugs we take ...I don't know.  SSRI's/SNRI's are notorious for weight gain.  Also, from what I understand, Fibromites have low seratonin levels and crave comfort food for the 'boost'.  I know I do.  How to get if off?  Wish I knew!

Chocolate...I have been know to get in the car at midnight and drive to a gas station for a Hershey's Dark Chocolate candy bar!

Donna

Posted 5/24/2010 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Diets don't work.  Throw that idea out the window.  I've been on every imaginable diet and they don't work.  But yet, I've lost 85 pounds and kept it off for five years.  How?  First, I walk.  Before breakfast, I walk 1-1 1/2 miles.  I do a lot of walking during the day throught the house, shopping, etc.  I have a walking in place video that is great.  It's by Leslie Sansone.  I think it's called the 1,2,3 mile fat burner or something like that.  I only do it for one mile.  It takes only 15 minutes and that's great for me because I hate to exercise.  But this kicked in my metabolism.  I also watched the carbohydrates I ate.  I pulled way back on them.  I still eat them but not like I was.  I also became an avid label reader.  All of these helped me lose weight and now I know what I can eat and keep it off. 

 

By the way, for holidays and anytime I go out to eat with friends, I cast my fate to the wind and eat what I want.  I get back on counting carbs the next day.

 

Sherrine

Posted 5/24/2010 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
I've been losing wieight without too much effort. One thing I have done is cut back on the
salt, which means I don't eat potato chips hardly ever. I have also cut back on the sugar,
but not completely. I still love my chocolate but when I do eat it, it is with a glass of slim milk.

Cutting back on the carbs and increasing my protein helps. I do get my share of veggies
and fruit, but I'm not eating as many donuts like I once did. Instead of drinking diet
sodas during the day, i will drink a glass of slim milk. I allow myself no more than one glass
of soda if I do drink any at all. I do drink alot of water during the day also.

Exercise is important for fibro and also keeping the metabolism moving, so I walk daily.

I agree diets do not work, common sense does. I don't deny myself a food but losing weight
is also about portion control. I also agree that some of our meds might alter our weight
and so I weigh myself once in awhile. My waistband is still the best indicator if I'm losing
or not or the size of my breasts lol.

hugs, Robin
Posted 5/24/2010 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
If you can walk about 45 mintues to 1 hour 5 or 6 times a week, I think that would help. I know some can't walk.

Kim
Posted 5/25/2010 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck to you. I think our meds have a lot to do with it, and of course, the inability to really exercise.

High protein, low carb. And think of it as a lifestyle change, not a diet. And get what exercise that you can. my rheumy says only low impact, stretching exercises. In the summer I exercise in the pool. In the winter I do some in the hot tub, but I am limited in the wintertime due to cold.
Posted 5/25/2010 7:30 AM (GMT 0)
I put on a heap of weight and after a talk to my doc we did a record of what I ate in a week. Well her words to me where don't go on a diet it will only slow your metabolism down just start walking furter each day start by going a extra few mins and build up from there. I was also carrying a lot of fluid but in a few weeks the weight had started to fall off. Until I reached my goal weight. It has slipped but as soon as I can get back into exercising I will just so I can fit into those lovley smaller clothes. I lost 70 pounds

Kathy
Posted 5/25/2010 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
I just started counting points (Weight watchers) a week ago and it is really helping. I think I took in a lot more calories than I realized. I walk almost every day, both a long evening walk and some walking during the day, and it's all the exercise I can handle. I have tried some lights weights and things, but I end up feeling crappier. lol. I have lost 2.5 lbs this week, so I'm hoping this will help. I need to lose 20 at this point just to be able to wear my summer clothes.

I tried the South Beach diet several years ago, and did great. I was back to fighting trim in about 3 months (it's always those 20 lbs. lol) but then I got sick and just can't plan ahead like that... and here I am again. :)
Posted 5/25/2010 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ohsofibro. Walk, walk, walk. I am someone who always liked to exercise but some days I feel so rotten that it is hard to get going. But, I make myself walk. Having a dog that wants to walk also helps. I limp along for the first 10 minutes but then I do start feeling better. I also swear by my elliptical machine. It is easy on my arthritic joints. When I first started using one many years ago I could only use for a few minutes. Now I workout on ours at least 30 minutes a day. I feel so much better. I did notice a weight gain when I started on Elavil to help me sleep. I cut back on all junk food and increased veggies and fruit. This has helped me. I also do biking on some days and yoga almost everyday to stretch. Good luck!
Posted 5/25/2010 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
I am a new diagnosis of fibro..I have gained around 20 pounds since i first started with this "problem" I try to walk my dog every day but most days im exhausted from the minute I get our of bed. My husband bought me a Wii fit. It helps with the stretching and also you can run or walk using the wii fit. (I love the hula hoop exercise!) I am not good at balancing such as the stretches that require you to stand on one leg and stretch the other leg...because of the bursitis in the hip and the general pain, my husband stands by my side so i dont nose dive! I burned a whole 46 calories in 30 minutes this morning and will pay for it later with pain but I know I have to do it and keep these muscles moving! Good luck all!
Posted 5/25/2010 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all !!! Gentle hugs all round. I can't walk far at the moment. Baby step stage I think. I am down to see someone regarding help I dont know if they will offer me graded exercise therapy or not but we will see. I am just starting to be able to do things around the house again which I am thankful for. :) I was confined to bed last year with chronic fatigue so I am trying to be positive and tell myself I am gradually getting there. I bought a pilates kit which I am going to open soon lol only had it for four months but I am full of good intentions. I have a lot of lower back pain and need to do my back exercises too. Once I get a little fitter I will walk some. Thanks all you all rock !!
Posted 5/25/2010 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Ohsofibro, I totally understand where you are coming from. I have gained about 30 lbs since last fall. I was so tired when I would come home from work that I would pass out soon after dinner. That's not a smart thing to do. :) I have been trying to eat smaller meals in the evening and have lost a few pounds. In my case, I LOVE ice cream, so instead of buying larger containers, I have been buying smaller individual cups. That way I can (hopefully) limit my intake. Good luck!
Posted 5/25/2010 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on gabapentin for a year now..gained almost 50 pounds!I was a trainer,and always did my home crunches and watched what I ate.But it didnt matter.The gaba kills you metabolism as well as you nerves.Now they said its lupus,not fibro,and am weaning off it.Hopefully the weight will go too!any weaner-offers?
Posted 5/25/2010 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Stop drinking sodas (even diet) on a regular basis and starting drinking lots and lots of water. The other easy way to lose weight over time is to increase your fiber intake. Fiber slows your digestion and makes you full for longer. I eat an apple in the morning and wash it down with a tall glass of water and that's good enough for me.
Posted 5/25/2010 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Ya,I know all about water,and fiber*trained for 16 years*.But the gabapentin just does a number on your metabolism.I also have hypothyroidism which doesnt help,but I was wondering if anyone was on gaba or lyrica and lost the weight they gained...
Posted 5/25/2010 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
oh,ya.I dont drink soda or diet as the aspartame causes brain tumors.
Posted 5/25/2010 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not trying to be annoying, but the National Cancer Institute busted the myth that aspartame increases the rick of cancer in any way. The reason I said not to drink diet soda is because it's sweet taste can lead to bad dietary decisions such as indulging in junk foods more often.
Posted 5/25/2010 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
I dont know that I believe that.Would be nice if they told us the real truth for a change..
Posted 5/25/2010 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
all I drink is water,,and a decafe once in a while.But my metabolism is probably shoty,,and to boost it,my body cant take it anymore.I do walk,but the sun and the heat exaust me.
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