Concerned about your weight?

[gillypom]

Wow, what a fantastic forum.

Not only are you all helping me cope with my Sjogrens, you are encouraging me to stick to my diet.  I started the Weight Watchers diet two weeks ago so it is still early days but I am determined to lose weight.

All I can say is thank you

[ProudAuntieNWash]

Egads, do I know about the "presnisone weight". I just can't seem to lose any weight what with being on a high dose of it right now. Last year I had a knee replacement because of "dead bones" I need to have my other leg done but I can't right now because of the SJ flare up. I laughed when my surgeon told me I needed to lose weight.

If any of you out there know how to lose weight while on huge amounts of prednisone, I could use the help!!!!!!!!!!

You would think that with all the nausea and the hard time swallowing that I would lose weight. NO. I even chocked on watermellon yesterday. Watermelon causing me to gain weight. Sheeez

Denise

[amk922]

I'm on board with the Weight Watchers crew.  I'm actually a life-time member.  I went on WW the first time right after I was dx'ed with SS.  I had gained about 10 lbs from anti-anxiety medicine and another 15 from prednisone while they were trying to diagnose me.  I lost 30lbs on WW over about 5-6 months.  I did gain some back when I stopped going to meetings.  My husband and I both go now and I'm just a couple lbs away from my original goal weight.  I have some really helpful tips:
- Stock up on Veggies and learn to cook new ones.  I found that I love cooking with Zucchini, Spaghetti Squash, and now I'm using turnips in soups.
- Pre-portion your foods.  When you get home from the grocery, go ahead and put snack foods in baggies with the serving size amount you want.  This makes it easier to not over-indulge. 
-Make Soup.  It easy to make a big pot of healthy soup with veggies, then put it in individual containers to grab and heat up all week. 
- If following a plan like WW, let yourself splurge once a week.  My husband and I try very hard not to go over our daily allowance of points all week and then after each weigh-in, we go out to dinner and eat whatever we want.   

My latest soup recipe:
1) Olive Oil Spray
2) 1 TBS minced garlic
3) half-bag of pre-shredded coleslaw cabbage.
4) 1-2 cups shredded, diced, or thinly sliced carrots.
5) 1-2 cups shredded, diced, or thinly sliced turnips.
6) 1 lg. can crushed tomatoes.
7) 4+ cups Low Sodium/FF Chicken broth.
8) 1-2 Bouillon cubes (if you can have the salt)
9) 1lb ground Turkey (99% FF)

Instructions: Spray bottom of large pot with Olive Oil spray.  Add Ingredients 2-5.  Let these soften and stir often.  Add Tomatoes and Chicken Broth, and bouillon cubes.  Cook Turkey in separate pot/skillet and add to soup.  Simmer for at least one hour.  Add more Chicken broth if needed if liquids have cooked out.  Turnips should be cooked through enough that they are no longer solid white. 

Enjoy!

[DonnaW321]

I guess I am lucky. (for once!)

Prednisone hasn't increased my appetite...if anything, I have eaten less since I've been on it. I haven't lost any weight (could stand to lose 20-30 pounds) but I've also stopped all the exercising that I was doing because of breathing issues.  I am happy that I am at least not gaining weight.

The pain and weakness is much better on prednisone, if I could breathe I'd be back to all the walking  I was doing!

Donna

[beverley]

Does anyone else find they put weight on during a flare?  I have been flaring on and off since January and I just seem to swell up.  I am 55 and I know that weight can be a problem at this age, but I seem to have no control at all at the moment.

Beverley

[Pooh]

Hi Everyone,
Steve, I checked in my Drug reference book and there was no mention of weight gain for the Cellcept. 

I have a question for all you over the age of menopause ladies.  Do any of you find that you still get that once a month, a week before your period (if you were still getting it) craving?  Also do any of you find that your cravings increase around the time of a full moon. 

Okay, okay, I know it sounds nuts but I had to ask.  I haven't had my period since '87 but I can tell when I should be getting it, if I still did.  I crave chocolate so bad I can hardly stand it.  And around the time of a full moon, oh boy, even the woodwork isn't safe from me munching. 

Right now I am doing fine with my weight plan.  I've lost 51 lbs this past year, but right now am at a stand still due to the fact that my Rheumy put me back on PREDNISONE again!!!!!  I haven't gained anything, but the scale refuses to move in the downward direction no matter what I eat or don't eat. 

Take care and keep up the great work, all of you are doing great?

Hugs, Pooh

[JannaLee]

Pooh,

I'm afraid I will bust with pride over your weight loss!  You are an inspiration on so many things!


Steve,

I think you are right that flares cause weight gain!  I tend to munch to settle my stomach and also before meds especially advil etc and also to settle down and rest after a long day not feeling well!...and I am sedentary because everything hurts more....and more depressed (which I SWEAR makes some chemical change that causes weight gain!)

[Tamik]

WOW POOH!!! WAY TO GO!!!  

I am commiting to a triathlon next year.  1/4 mile swim, 8 mile bike ride, and 2 mile run.  I can do this!!   Anyone want to train virtually with me?  I walked/ran 2 miles on the treadmill today...

Considering I could not move my right side a year ago, I am really excited!  My dystonia has not returned since starting my B12 shots! I am fully functional!! YIPPEEEEE!!!  I CAN DO THIS!
Tami K

[Pooh]

GO TAMIK!!! You can do it!!

My neuro wanted me to go to PT for my neuropathy (Fred) and I didn't want to.  I've seen and heard of the torture they put you through and I wanted to try something on my own first.  He wanted mainly to get my left shoulder moving and build up the strentgh in my arms and legs.  So I talked my friend Carolyn into going to Curves with me.  I went and tried it for a week.  I didn't move to quick from machine to machine so the owner allowed me to hold on to the next machine while doing a little movement on the pads between. 

I made it through the first week, felt great (a little stiff) and was sleeping really good.  So I joined and continued the following week.  On Monday of last week something snapped in my left shoulder.  No pain, just the snap.  Monday night it hurt like crazy.  Hubby rubbed it with Myoflex and I used my Rice bag on it.  Tuesday I went back and worked it some more.  I'm happy to say I can now lift that left arm up over my head for the first time in over 5 yrs.  I evidently broke the calcium deposit lose that had froze it up. 

Anyway, I'm not trying to brag, I just wanted to let you all know, that if this old girl can do it, you can to.  I haven't worked this hard and had this much fun in ages.  Of course, after taking 2 pain pills before I leave and 2 when I get home, helps a lot.  I am also doing 5 miles every 3rd day on our Exercycle at home. 

Now if I could just get that scale to start going down again, I would be a very happy person.

Thanks for the congrats, but you too can do it, if you just do what Pud says, "Don't let this disease rule your life"  take charge and fight back. 

I also wanted to say, please check with your doctor before doing any type of exercising to make sure you physically able and won't be damaging a joint or muscle, PLEASE.

Hugs, Pooh

[beverley]

Pooh you are an inspiration!  I don't horseride anymore (not being able to get off at the end proved a bit of an obstacle) but my husband and I are hoping to get a Canadian canoe and take up kayaking together.  I have wanted to for some time and I really feel the need to do something physical.  I still garden but I feel ashamed that I don't do anything like running or walking or cycling.   Note to self - MUST DO BETTER.  After this flare is over I am definitely going to do something.  As for TAMIK - I am just in awe of your positive attitude.  Well done you!

Beverley

[JannaLee]

Good on ya's!!  Tamik and Pooh!

Please brag away, you are earning it!

Janna

[Tamik]

Pooh,
I to find it better when I go to the gym!  I FEEL ALIVE and somewhat in control of my body!  Even in a flare, I go - just walk a little slower and not as far and I cannot lift as much or do as many reps on the weights -but I am doing it and feel better for it!   I remember being told by a doc to limit my activity because of sjogrens - I tried that and was deteriorating.  If you do not use the muscles they will waste away and that happens even faster over 40!  I am trying a new approach and loving the results...  the scale still says the same thing, but I FEEL BETTER!  Are you aware of any research involving excercise and sjogrens?  I encourage everyone to start walking - even if it is only to the mailbox and back to start!!!!   That was were I started - even with my right side with limited mobility...    The best part is that I m only taking vitamins now -and an antinflamatory every once in a while...  I do have issues with my ligaments in my neck still -working on those though!   Loving life, Tami K

[Billydude]

Thanks Pooh.   My cloths are fitting a bit tighter.  I think that its just this summer of not feeling well and getting absolutely no excercise. I've got the classic middle aged beer belly and I don't even drink beer!!!!
For some of us...like me....food is a comfort.   I remember as a little boy when I didn't feel good or was crying my mother would give me a cookie to feel better.     Is there a cookie big enough now?
Steve

[pudmott]

Steve,
The world is your cookie. You just gotta choose how to eat it!!!!!

Im watching the wait cause the pred munchies are hitting hard. As soon as the powers that be figure out what is going on in my body im at the gym doin a walk on the treadmill. I lost 5kg while i've been sick but the pred munchies are pputting it back on again. I am coming in to summer so im going to use the opportunity to try and drop some more weight. I've got plenty to spare if anyone needs some!!!!!


Congrats to those who are making inroads. To those that are struggling hang in there, your turn will come.

Pud

[Tamik]

Hey! I forgot to mention on this thread -I had food allergy testing (blood test) and found out Iam allergic to milk, eggs ,halibut, pork, and turkey...  I have  been complaining of being bloated for years and now that I am avioding those foods, I am not bloated!!    I also feel better!  I had no clue - milk and eggs are in all the good things!  Cakes, cookies, browinies - ICE CREAM..  it was tough changing the first few days, but now it is easy because of how I feel and not being bloated! People keep asking me if I lost a lot of weight and I only lost a pound!  Tami K

It was definitely worth getting done!