CHRONIC PAIN - Weight loss

[MedusasBadHairDay]

I thought this thread might be an idea, because there are considerations that we have to make, that someone without pain doesn't.

For example, increasing exercise is difficult if not impossible, especially if you struggle to do every day chores etc. You can't risk overdoing it.

Also, cooking. I have no doubt that cooking from scratch is healthier, but convenience did can be the difference between eating and not eating when you live with pain. Some days I'd rather not eat at all, rather than try to cook veg or stand and stir a pan of food. Plus sometimes comfort food is needed when you've had a tough day of it.

It's not surprising that so many disabled people tend to be larger, it is stacked against us. And doctors going on about it, or refusing to investigate or issues because they've decided they must be weight related doesn't help.

So here's a thread for us to discuss weight loss in a gentle, no pressure, no competition way.

Just wanted to have a little happy post, I've managed to lose 3lbs over the last 2 weeks by being a bit more mindful of what I'm eating. I'm hoping I can keep going with this as a lifestyle change rather than a diet.

I would like to get down to a size where doctors no longer prescribe weightloss every time I go to them for help.

Well done on the weight loss. I’m lucky in that DH always does the cooking as I can’t stand comfortably for more than 15 or so minutes but it does mean I’m subject to what he cooks for the family.

I really could do with doing some exercise but I’m struggling at the moment as I’m in so much pain. I used to have hydrotherapy once a week, which was bliss but obviously with the pandemic I haven’t been in nearly a year.

So any hints and tips are grateful. fully

Wow op I could have written your post word for word. I have chronic conditions and I have piled on the weight. My poor health and fatigue levels mean I'm always reaching for comfort foods. These leave me with clothes so tight that I certainly don't feel any comfort!

@ElGuardiandenoche

Well done on the weight loss. I’m lucky in that DH always does the cooking as I can’t stand comfortably for more than 15 or so minutes but it does mean I’m subject to what he cooks for the family.

I really could do with doing some exercise but I’m struggling at the moment as I’m in so much pain. I used to have hydrotherapy once a week, which was bliss but obviously with the pandemic I haven’t been in nearly a year.

So any hints and tips are grateful. fully

It's tough at the moment isn't it? Hydrotherapy sounds brilliant, I've never tried it but would like to. I briefly did aqua aerobics and found it so much easier on my joints.

@famousforwrongreason

Wow op I could have written your post word for word. I have chronic conditions and I have piled on the weight. My poor health and fatigue levels mean I'm always reaching for comfort foods. These leave me with clothes so tight that I certainly don't feel any comfort!

It becomes a bit of a vicious cycle doesn't it? It's also hard to care for your body when you have chronic conditions

I'd love to join. I've been meaning to start eating healthier to lose weight for probably a year. My pains been horrible the last few years since I got pregnant with our youngest. 3 boys all Autistic with high support needs. DH works and does very little else. I've been trying to get the boys to a point where they can cope without me here all the time so we can separate. We've just had a big set back with our youngest boy's health and our eldest is struggling mentally a lot, he feels like he doesn't fit in the world, which is heartbreaking. Feels like we'll never get there now. Between the strain of our broken marriage and all the pain I'm in I've been eating a lot of negative feelings. Exercise isn't an option currently, I'm struggling to be on my feet
As much as I have to be with all my boys appointments, so it's going to have to be eating less.

Really good idea!
Whenever I tried to exercise I injured myself! I had to stop completely, recover, then build up again. I've worked out what I can do, now.

If you are able to use it, a trampette/rebounder is cheap and very good. You don't ne3 to leave the house, so no temperature reactions, easy on the joints. I really missed my water exercise, but find I can use the trampette without ill effects. I gently bounce or walk, changing my gait a bit every minute or two. I've built up to a whole tv show now! I never jump- just step or bounce.

Also, slimming world ready meals from Iceland are good. They don't have nasties in, so taste like home made food. Lots of fresh veg.

Iceland also do a good range of pre prepared frozen veg (onions, peppers, stir fry as well as the more usual ones) and fruit- pineapple, cherries etc.

I've got a lot of weight to lose, but am getting there slowly.

Thanks for starting thread, I’ve nearly started one last few days myself. I need to lose a good 2 stone but I’d be over moon with 1. Been struggling over lockdown and have lost and put on same few pounds.

I have to have really low calories to lose anything and soon as I eat say 500 calories bang 3 pound straight on. I know it’s not supposed to be possible, it’s water blah blah but!

Can’t move much either so feels like losing battle.

Gratefully signing in! I was doing well last year but it’s all gone to shit lately

@ElGuardiandenoche

Well done on the weight loss. I’m lucky in that DH always does the cooking as I can’t stand comfortably for more than 15 or so minutes but it does mean I’m subject to what he cooks for the family.

I really could do with doing some exercise but I’m struggling at the moment as I’m in so much pain. I used to have hydrotherapy once a week, which was bliss but obviously with the pandemic I haven’t been in nearly a year.

So any hints and tips are grateful. fully

Find what you can do and start there. If you can walk twice around the room, try doing it 3 times once a day, if you can walk 5 minutes try doing 6 or 7 minutes. It may seem pointless but little steps up add up over time. When I first got really sick walking to the bathroom meant I had to sit down for 10 minutes before I could walk back. I had to use tiny steps, my first challenge was the letterbox, rest, then walk back to bed. I went from being unable to walk to the bathroom without being wiped out to being able to walk for an hour over the course of 3 years. Each little step up was something that challenged me a little, but wouldn't wipe me out. Can't imagine being able to do that again, but I want to get back there one day

@Akire

Thanks for starting thread, I’ve nearly started one last few days myself. I need to lose a good 2 stone but I’d be over moon with 1. Been struggling over lockdown and have lost and put on same few pounds.

I have to have really low calories to lose anything and soon as I eat say 500 calories bang 3 pound straight on. I know it’s not supposed to be possible, it’s water blah blah but!

Can’t move much either so feels like losing battle.

Technically my doctor wants me to lose 7 stone, but like fuck am I putting that pressure on myself. I'll be happy just to go back to a size 16-18 (currently size 22), if I can lose more that's good, but I'm not going to fuck up my mental health over it.

I used to have an eating disorder before I woke up one morning unable to move, and will always wonder if the stress I put my body under contributed to that.

If you can walk twice around the room, try doing it 3 times once a day, if you can walk 5 minutes try doing 6 or 7 minutes. It may seem pointless but little steps up add up over time.

That makes sense, but also we all need to remember that some days that won't be possible and it's still an achievement to recognise when it's a bad day and rest instead.

What are best food have found that doesn’t take a lot of prep but it’s junk? I’m all for buying fresh fruit and veg then I have bad day or two then by the time I’m
Up for using it it’s all gone past it’s best. So you go for junk stuff or take aways!!

@Akire

What are best food have found that doesn’t take a lot of prep but it’s junk? I’m all for buying fresh fruit and veg then I have bad day or two then by the time I’m Up for using it it’s all gone past it’s best. So you go for junk stuff or take aways!!

Yeah, that's a real problem for me too.

I'm finding that if I have a light lunch with minimal prep when it's just me on my own, then I don't put so much pressure on myself for dinner when I'm cooking for 4. So it doesn't matter so much if the dinner is less healthy.

Currently lunch is usually just cream crackers with a little bit of lettuce and tuna, it's nothing impressive but it's so easy, and luckily I've always been happy with a very repetitive lunch.

@Akire

What are best food have found that doesn’t take a lot of prep but it’s junk? I’m all for buying fresh fruit and veg then I have bad day or two then by the time I’m Up for using it it’s all gone past it’s best. So you go for junk stuff or take aways!!

Frozen prepped fruit and veg from Iceland. Tip into a bowl and nibble when it's defrosted. Pre cooked meat like ham and chicken chunks. Cheese.

Cheese and pineapple, mmm.

Things that cook in the oven all in one go.
So chicken, jacket potatoes, roast carrots. Probably put the carrots in halfway through, if it's a whole chicken, or the jackets have a burst in the microwave first if it's pieces.

How many are you cooking for Akire?

It’s just me, freezer space only one draw. Half hoping it will die and can get a bigger one! Isn’t frozen fruit slimy?

I can’t cook mess from scratch much because of pain and fatigue. Goes off look at cost of fridge freezers now..

No, it's blooming lovely. Strawberries are only good for cooking with, but cherries, pineapple, blackberries, all hold up well. I rely heavily on my freezer. Chopped onions, peppers etc. Also, fewer trips to the shops.

Oh sounds good I do like cherries and pineapple but can’t chop pineapple up and tiny tubs can be mushy and cost a bomb.

Morning everyone, hope you're all OK.

Has a pleasant surprise this morning, managed to lose 5lb this week. I weighed myself 3 times because I didn't believe it. 😂

Wow that’s amazing. Did you work hard or mysterious surprise ?

Mysterious surprise 😂 I suspect it's a fluke and I'll go back to slow and steady next week

Tbf I don't want to lose too quickly, worried about loose skin if I drop too fast

I’m trying again but seem lose and gain some half a stone. Particular when I’ve had awful few days. You crave something naughty not salad.

@Akire

I’m trying again but seem lose and gain some half a stone. Particular when I’ve had awful few days. You crave something naughty not salad.

That's the problem, I'm struggling today and just craving biscuits and chocolate. I know I won't actually feel any better for it though, so trying to ignore the cravings.

Have you tried things like fibreone popcorn bars? Or skinny whips? skinny crunch etc?

They are light, but taste like a proper treat.

Not been feeling the best so hard get motivated with good food this week. It really is battle on lots of fronts. I’d eat healthy if someone else planned Cooked bought it and tidied up!