HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Gaining weight

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/28/2009 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
I am just posting to see if anyone has had the same problem as me.  For the first time in 39 years, I am gaining weight (excluding pregnancy of course).  For the past 8 months or so, my weight has slowly been increasing and I can find no cause of it.  I even went to the doctor so she could check my thyroid and that came out normal.  But for the longest time I haven't been able to get past 115lbs (I'm 5'6" btw) and now I weigh 138lbs.  For as long as I can remember, even before the weight gain, I would eat a couple pieces of peanut butter toast in the morning (it's the only thing my gut can handle in the mornings), usually no lunch because I am just not hungry and then dinner.  I may have a couple of snacks in between but nothing that could be causing this weight gain.  I am also very active.  I don't excersize but I don't sit on my butt all day either.  I'm always cleaning or doing something.  I just find it very odd that all of sudden I am gaining this weight.  I brought it up to my GI and he thinks maybe my metabolism is slowing down as I age, which I guess could be the cause.  But the thing is, is that I am NOT slowing down.  The weight gain is slowly creeping up and I don't see it stopping anytime soon.  And the kicker is, is that my food intake is not matching with the weight gain.  Has anyone else had this happen to them without the help of steroids?  I haven't been on steroids in a long time. Do you think it COULD be age related?
Posted 1/28/2009 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Oh heck yes! Getting older can sure play havoc with your system. I'm back on Weight Watchers again; if I don't stay with the point system I gain weight so fast...the older I get the worse it is. I excercise very hard, but each year it gets a bit tougher keeping the weight off. The other thing is if you are on anti-depressants it might help you to gain weight. I know my cube mate takes an anti-depressant plus the hormonal changes and she says its hard to lose. This probably didn't make you feel any better **chuckle** but what I really want to say is I understand. I battle this darned weight all the time. I envy those of you that haven't had to. My Mom has always been this tiny petite woman...not sure why I didn't get her genes. :-)

Posted 1/28/2009 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
the joke in my family was always if I look at a piece of cake I gain 5 pounds.  My weight gain has nothing to do with what I eat.  I just have a horrible metabolism.  I exercise all the time, eat healthy etc.  and I will still gain if I don't stick to a rigid diet of about 1000 to 1200 calories a day.  I even went to an endocronologist to have it checked out and he said he could give me something to kick start my metabolism but that it has a side effect of diarhea.  yeah - just what I need in my life! :)  It could very well be your age.  Everything starts slowing down as you age.  I would tell you to try to start exercising a little bit each day.  It doesn't take much to make a difference.  Or - are you feeling better UC wise?  Maybe your body is just digesting the food better so it is sticking to you instead of running straight out.  As for me - I'm prepping today for a colonoscopy tomorrow and I'm looking forward to a 4-5 lb weight loss!  (there is always a silver lining somewhere, right?)
Posted 1/28/2009 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Are you doing any weight training? I'm 38 and after I hit 35 I found that I really had to increase my weight bearing workouts to keep the weight off. More muscle=a higher metabolism which will burn fast and give you a nice, lean shape. It will NOT make you all big and bodybuilder looking so dont be afraid of that. Its also good for your bones. Now my fibro diagnosis last yr put a lot of that on hold but I'm going to be starting a slow candence/physical therapy based workout once a week to build the muscle I've lost from inactivity. I also find that I can't get away with eating some of the yummy (junkie) stuff I used to as I've gotten older.

Excessive exercise may upset your stomach so find a nice moderate cardio workout you can do along with weight training. The fact that you're not eating lunch is probably slowing your metabolism as well. Can you bring yourself to eat a little something (maybe a smoothie)? Eating every 3-4 hours helps keep your blood sugar stable and helps your metabolism.

Posted 1/28/2009 4:06 PM (GMT 0)

Perhaps this is a sign you've healed your gut to the extent you're now able to absorbe and utilize your food better than you have in the past... that would be good news!

But yes, the first thing that came to mind for me is the natural slowing down of your metabolism that comes with age. Hormonal fluctuations that come with premenopause can also play a big role. Are you experiencing any symptoms? Have you had your hormone levels tested?

I'd encourage you to start a regular exercise plan that includes both cardio and weight training that will provide you with plenty of health benefits in addition to weight control. We naturally gain fat and lose muscle as we age, so eventually regular workouts become a necessity if we want to improve our body composition or even just maintain it.

Posted 1/28/2009 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
I actually have a DVD on order called Flirty Girl Fitness LOL It's a DVD that mixes dance moves with a cardio workout and is supposed to tone the abdomen and tush. I plan on starting that as soon as it arrives. But other then that, I have always avoided working out because it would make me lose weight too fast. Now I look at it as I may have to start and I just groan at the thought! lol I hate hate hate exercisizing.

But Uc wise, I am still in that weird holding pattern. 1-5 bms a day, from solid to D, no blood. I feel ok - just tired alot. I do feel as if I am healed in there though so maybe that could be it too. As for menopause - umm not sure really. I had an endo ablation over a year ago, haven't had a period since and I'm not sure that can bring on early menopause - but according my GYN, it doesn't. So who knows......

As for weight training, I can try but I can't hold anything in my hands because of arthritis in my fingers. My right hand, I can't even close my fingers into a fist without being in pain.
Posted 1/28/2009 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
Sherry...could it be from the 6-MP?

I agree with the cardio exercises to be added in.

Curious..what's your height? and is 138 in the normal range for your bone size?

The other thing..sometimes the body will gain weight if the input isn't enough, slowing down the metabolism...maybe you could consider to add some more protein, etc to your intake?

You should get the doc to check if your FSH levels are in the range of perimenopause..could be one aspect connected.

quincy
Posted 1/28/2009 4:53 PM (GMT 0)

Red_34 said...
I actually have a DVD on order called Flirty Girl Fitness LOL It's a DVD that mixes dance moves with a cardio workout and is supposed to tone the abdomen and tush. I plan on starting that as soon as it arrives. But other then that, I have always avoided working out because it would make me lose weight too fast. Now I look at it as I may have to start and I just groan at the thought! lol I hate hate hate exercisizing.

But Uc wise, I am still in that weird holding pattern. 1-5 bms a day, from solid to D, no blood. I feel ok - just tired alot. I do feel as if I am healed in there though so maybe that could be it too. As for menopause - umm not sure really. I had an endo ablation over a year ago, haven't had a period since and I'm not sure that can bring on early menopause - but according my GYN, it doesn't. So who knows......

As for weight training, I can try but I can't hold anything in my hands because of arthritis in my fingers. My right hand, I can't even close my fingers into a fist without being in pain.

Sounds like a great start. The key, as you know, is finding something you'll enjoy so you'll want to keep doing it. I have some salsa and bellydancing DVDs I enjoy, as well as step aerobics and kickboxing. Mixing things up keeps it interesting. I'm not a fan of jogging or cycling endlessly. Step and dance routines are alot more fun and keep your mind engaged. And the results you'll start to see are very motivating. I'm in better shape now than I ever was in my younger non-exercising days.

A weight training program using machines and/or cables might be an option if grasping dumbbells and barbell are physically difficult. And weight training will help you put on healthy weight... cardio for fat loss and weight training for muscle gain together should help normalize your weight.

Posted 1/28/2009 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Heather, I am 5'6" and thin boned. I am not sure what my ideal weight is but I believe it's around 130-135lbs. Most of the weight I am gaining is going to my stomach and butt - why can't weight ever increase the bust size for me???? lol I feel as if I am getting out of portion - you know the Yogi Bear look! It's not that bad really and I don't look overweight or anything like that but I just never had gained this much weight before without being pregnant. It's just odd. I don't know anyone else that has a fast metabolism to compare notes with so that I why I thought I would bring my question on here. As for the 6mp, I doubt it's from that. I have been on 6mp for 2 1/2 years and this weight gain is fairly recent.

Princesa, my daughter does kickboxing and she loves it! I go to her classes with her and umm no, that would not be ideal for me! lol Too physical :) Oh, I just had a thought about weight lifting. They still make those dumbells that have handles like where you can just slip your hand into them right? I might be able to do those. This arthritis in my hand is fairly new and I am still coming to terms of what I can do and can't do - learning my limitations.
Posted 1/28/2009 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
Sherry...........ah the joys of aging even though I don't feel that you nor I nor many of us will allow ourselves to EVER be old!  Your weight gain can be from so many things......what about your mom......did her weight increase w/ age?  Our metabolism does change - it's frustrating, but we minus well be thankful for each day we have!  What I love about aging?  My sagging chin, grrrr.

Oh well, sounds like your on the right track!

Gigi1227

Posted 1/28/2009 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Gigi, I am not sure about my mother. She died when I was 10 but she was morbidly obese with CD. I do know that she was always overweight even as a child. I have always been thin like my father and the only weight he ever gained was from his beer.

Lol I am having trouble with this whole age deal. I know I am still fairly young (39) but what really got to me is when I found my first gray hair last year. Now they are sprouting up all over the place on my head!
Posted 1/28/2009 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
It most definitely can be tied to age and a slowing of the metabolism. Even though you aren't physically slowing down, your internal metabolim is. You can offset it by eating less and exercising more. I know that arthritis is problemmatic for you so you might look at things like water aerobics. It's a great work out but not hard on the bones. Top water aerobics off in the steam room, dry sauna, or jacuzzi and you could get additional pain relief.
Most YMCAs offer water aerobics and their fees are quite reasonable. Another area to look is adult ed classes. They often offer exercise classes for people with arthritis.

Sue
Posted 1/28/2009 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
Sherry, first of all I am sorry you lost your mom at such a young age. I mentioned her because many times we take after our mothers. You are like my sister, she takes after my father (weight wise) and I am like my mother/medium sized. Now, as I age, I hope I don't get as tiny as mom is now - she's 77 soon to be 78 and weighs 96 lbs.

Now, don't worry about the gray hairs - your just becoming more distinctive! I am 51 and dearly love Ms. Clairol! And hey - I can still do a summersault and touch my toes to the back of my head while laying down! Now tell me, what more could I want! Just wait for the hot flashes - but just remember when that happens they are power surges!

Gigi1227
Posted 1/28/2009 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sherry!
I would have to agree with the others...age and slowing metabolism. You and I are around the same age and I know exactly what you are going through. I must say, though 5' 6" and 138 is not too bad! It's tough to go from being in a flare, not able to eat, to then being on pred and want to eat everything you can get your hands on, then try to scale back to eating normally! I haven't been on pred in a long time either, but being in remission makes me want to make up for what I couldn't eat during a flare! LOL . I have always walked for exercise (like 3-4 miles each day) which I really enjoy. If it is nice outside I walk around my neighborhood, if not I go to the gym. Not only is it good exercise, but it is good for the mind too!
Posted 1/28/2009 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sherry,

Changing hormones, pregnancy, medications, medical problems, and menopause can all cause weight gain.

You mentioned having gotten an endo ablation. Could the lack of periods result in weight gain?

I have an issue with people always assuming that things are due to age though. I told the last doctor I saw that I had a urinary tract infection a couple of months prior and that I might still have one, because I'm waking up in the middle of the night to pee. He asked me if I had any pain or bleeding. I said no. He said that my having to get up in the middle of the night to pee was probably due to age, but he would test my urine just in case. Sure enough, I had a urinary tract infection.

Guess what. I no longer get up in the middle of the night to pee.

about gray hairs, my daughter got her first white hair in elementary school. She loved the movie Bai Fa Mo Nu (White Hair Witch) when she was in middle school. It's a famous Chinese movie about a witch whose black hair turns all white.
Posted 1/28/2009 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Aging!  Too bad we all have to do it.

During my 20's and 30's I was always on the skinny side.  Ate whatever I wanted and never gained anything.  I did not weigh over 100 lbs until about thirty.   

I am now in my later 40's and I have put on atleast 10 pounds in the last few years. Every one of those pounds came uninvited and each, I am certain, have no intention of ever leaving.  Meanwhile, I don't overeat (I don't skip eating, but I don't have huge portions).   I exercise and I am very active.  In fact I was sick last winter and hardly ate for four days and lost only 1 measly pound.  

For me,  I am convinced it is aging.  Maybe some hormone is released as our change of life nears that changes our metabolism?  Further proof that nature has little respect for the mature women. eyes

One good thing about carrying around a few extra pounds is that pads our faces a little bit and hides the saggy, wrinkly, thing that gets going around the midforties.

Posted 1/28/2009 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, aging is all a state of mind...but the body sometimes has a different take on that! I'm nearing the age of 50 and my goal is to be in the best shape I ever have been...hey, I have to keep up with all the "kids" in my office, lol. Actually, having my body in the best shape possible and eating the best foods makes me feel good mentally and physically. Sherry, your tape sounds like great fun! Can you get FIT TV where you are? They seem to have a lot of really good exercise programs including yoga and stretching. Also, my boyfriend had shoulder surgery and uses bands to help him regain the strength in his shoulder area. I use freeweights, trampoline, and a pair of good walking shoes.
Posted 1/28/2009 7:07 PM (GMT 0)

Red_34 said...
Princesa, my daughter does kickboxing and she loves it! I go to her classes with her and umm no, that would not be ideal for me! lol Too physical :) Oh, I just had a thought about weight lifting. They still make those dumbells that have handles like where you can just slip your hand into them right? I might be able to do those. This arthritis in my hand is fairly new and I am still coming to terms of what I can do and can't do - learning my limitations.

Yes, they're called "heavy hands." Here's a link:

http://bigfitness.com/hehast.html

You can also get wrist and ankle weights that strap on and even weight vests that you wear and can add weight plates in pockets. You may want to invest in a couple of sessions at your local gym with a personal trainer who could develop a program that works within your limitations.

Posted 1/28/2009 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Don't fret Sherry...the extra weight will keep your bum nice and padded...I've got little left on mine and sitting on certain surfaces can be quite uncomfortable. Maybe you are in full remission now hence the weight gain?
Posted 1/28/2009 8:23 PM (GMT 0)

Red_34 said...
As for weight training, I can try but I can't hold anything in my hands because of arthritis in my fingers. My right hand, I can't even close my fingers into a fist without being in pain.

Someone already mentioned water aerobics but there are also water/weight training workout programs. There are a number of personal fitness trainers that specialize in Aerobic Personal Training. This may help you too. They use foam and other items in the water as weights. You may be able to use some of this equipment. Good Luck!
Posted 1/28/2009 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
You mean no one has found that fountain of youth yet??? I reaaaaallly need someone to find it for me! ;0)

Thanks for the tips about the water aerobics and such. That is not a bad idea really. I think I may check out the local fitness centers and see if they have a class.
Posted 1/28/2009 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hmm... I haven't gained any weight over the years from aging. But then I've always been active. I have a ton of energy (when I'm not anemic that is). It runs in the family.
Posted 1/28/2009 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Yes i too seem to be gaining weight for no reason and have not changed my eating habbits am fairly active dont drive so have to walk or bus to places but am in mid 40's so that might be it but those pounds do keep creeping on so when you do find that fountain pass it on lol.
Posted 1/28/2009 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Weight gain with age, it's so unfair. But I just don't worry about it, it happens to all of us to some extent. It's been especially startling to me at how the weight has shifted, with a butt that has become stupid-flat and my slim waist suddenly thickening. Sucks. At least the exercise keeps my arms from going slack.
I can't imagine how bad it would be if I didn't exercise. Oh, yes I can, I look at my older sisters!

I read that people with celiac tend to be heavier. That might be part of my problem.

BTW, Target carries colorful little padded barbells from 1 lb on up. Our 95 year old grandmother exercises with the ones I gave her, every day.
And, BTW, the 40s are great...
Posted 1/29/2009 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
You guys are scaring me know. My only consolation is that my mom lost weight from her mid 40's to mid 70's. She's more active now than she was in her 40's. Her second husband is more than 10 years younger than her; so I guess that's why she tries to keep young.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12