I need ideas

[faustina]

....please. ds2 is 20 and has been told to lose weight for health reasons: he suddenly developed arthritis a few months ago, and now a bad back.Both of these are conditions he's been told weight loss could help with recovery, or a lessening of symptoms at least.

He isn't huge. I don't think he knows exactly how heavy he is, but he takes 34" waist in jeans and is about five eleven-ish. He has always had a big build, and a big personality. He can do weights, but am not sure how much other exercise he can realistically do right now as the arthritis affects his feet (hands too) - sometimes he finds it really hard to walk

He is meant to be living at home (uni holidays) but spends most time at his girlfriend's, however, I would like to help him kick start his diet - that's always the hardest bit - and he has promised me ten days of his delightful company beginning on August first. He is the most disorganised person in the universe, and I think the best thing I can do for him during that time is make sure there's a: nothing in the fridge that he can break his resolve with, and b: everything in the fridge that he will need to follow a weight loss plan.

The thing I need ideas about is how to do it. when I want to lose weight I just stop eating (I know this is really unhealthy). I want him to see results, so as to give him that boost - so he'll hopefully have the resolve to continue when he returns to student life. I don't want to pass my own rubbish diet obsessions on - have worked really hard since my ds were babies to do this.

I think the simpler the better - for him. His uni is a bit of a pressure house, and it isn't realistic to expect him to follow something complicated. I would like to do more for him than just give him smaller portions of normal food.

Any ideas? Anything that's worked? Nothing involving groups - I think he would rather have his fingernails pulled out than attend a group.

I'd be v v grateful for any hints and tips

I'm guessing here, but I'd imagine for a bloke, especially of his age, one of two diets would work best.

The first is a low fat diet. So teach him how to replace a fry-up of fried egg, bacon, bread and sausage, with poached egg, grilled bacon, toast, grilled tomatoes and beans. Encourage him to choose baked potato with no butter, with beans or chilli rather than with butter, cheese and coleslaw if he's having fast food.

If he cooks for himself, suggest oven chips cooked without fat instead of takeaway fish and chips.

The other thing that might work is carb-free, as men seem to love their protein. But it's very expensive for a student, so he might be better off having carbs but reducing fat.

Tell him to carry fruit around as a snack and to drink 2-3 litres of water daily.

5'11 and 34" waist certainly doesn't sound massive.

It would be really good if he could get more active though. Swimming might be good for arthritic people as the pressure of weight is taken off the joints. Can the doctor help with more specific advice?

thanks racingheart. I was thinking perhaps to try something carb-free for the ten days he's at home. Do you know a good link for an easy plan - things I can have ready and waiting, preferably in the fridge, as he keeps dossy hours currently (up all night and then asleep half the day)?

When he's at uni the kitchens are pathetic and he tends to eat in hall, or he lives off toast and marmite. Swimming a very good idea - have tried to suggest before and been rebuffed, but it might work this time.

all i know about what the doctor said is to avoid red meat with arthritis. It's his uni doctor. I don't think ds wants a big fuss made, and contacting the doctor again would constitute a big fuss in his eyes. I am so thrilled he's finally agreed to do this thing, i don't want to jeopardise things

Faustina, check out the Bootcamp threads and the Bootcamp Recipe thread for some great ideas.

Arthritis can often be linked with gluten intolerance to cutting carbs and avoiding gluten (which is easier low carbing) could make a huge difference to him. Eating gelatine rich foods can really help with joint support too.

ok will do, thanks Whipoorwhill. He certainly overdoes bread right now. Will google gelatine rich foods too - can only think of jelly off the top of my head!

Another thing is homemade stock made with bones. www.traditional-foods.com/bone-broth/

There are meat in aspic things as well but they give me the shivers so I'm not thinking too hard about those. :)

I know you say no groups but would he consider an on-line group such as My Fitness Pal? If he has a smart phone he can download the app, having friends on it is optional and if he does want friends for support they can just be randoms that he has picked up on the site. Many of the forums and groups on the site are good such as Eat More to Weigh Less. I've found on the whole the site/forum leans more heavily towards weight bearing exercise and eating enough to support this rather than starvation diets and hours of cardio.

oh yes - meat in aspic isn't something I want to think about either!

I just downloaded my fitness pal this afternoon, and that might help for finding out the calorific values of things - I like that. I don't think he will want friends of any kind to even know he's doing it - he's quite embarrassed at the idea of dieting, though I know he's dying to lose weight. Will look at the weight bearing exercise suggestions too.

it's v kind of you all to help. I haven't got a clue and I really don't want to screw it up

One thing that makes a massive difference is alcohol - and I suspect that as a student he may get through a fair amount? So maybe NOT having any in the house while he's home might help.

he says he doesn't drink that much - it was something I asked, and since he is rattling with the amount of pills they're giving him - really heavy duty painkillers and anti-inflammtories, I don't think he is. I don't really drink at all at the moment, so that shouldn't be a problem

He might like this. robbwolf.com/2012/05/07/medically-confirmed-rheumatoid-arthritis-remission/

Robb Wolf's book is very good too. Easy to read and quite male orientated.

I've bookmarked that link Whipoor - thanks. Will investigate it.

I agree about cutting back on bread. A friend of mine lost two stone since Christmas just by cutting out bread and flour based foods. He's not on a diet at all, but the weight just fell off. And I've noticed when I try low carbing that cutting out bread really reduces your appetite as it seems to be bread that triggers cravings.

the trouble with bread is it's just so EASY. Especially nice bread - even without anything on it. I have seen him get through four pieces of toast and marmite in one go. I will definitely be banishing bread altogether

Can you book him into a private dietitian on his first day with you?

Ask him to keep a food diary for a week prior to the visit.
The dietitian should be able to help both with the weight loss but also with food that don't trigger his arthritis.
Maybe also get him into a physio so they can prescribe him some exersize. The right kind of exersize will really help both his back and arthritis as well as his weight loss.

I also think he should go gluten free - most people with an immunological disease feel a lot better when they stop eating the stuff. Personally I think it's scandalous that a gluten free diet isn't the first thing that doctors suggest for treatment of immune related disease.

If he's eating toast then what does he put on it? I love mine smothered in butter. That's loads of calories to start with.
Try and think about portion (plate) size. Steamed veg and fish. Grilled chicken and salad. Fruit prepared in fridge for a snack. I wash and stone cherries and wash strawberries etc. Ready made snack!
Cucumber strips and carrots?
Lots of water. Lots of veg and fruit. Won't feel starving
FWiW. Don't think of dieting but changing your diets. I've lost 3 and a half stone so far doing that. Good luck.
Exercise? Cycle? Walk?

thanks so much - some really helpful suggestions. am def going tp ban bread. Also portion size will be looked at - he does eat LOADS if he likes something.

I think a dietician and/or physio might be a step too far for him right now. It's a bit of a tightrope and I'm just so pleased he's agreed to come home and let me help him kick start things. We have had months of "yes, I'll do it" and nothing actually happening

cycling and walking, which he used to do a lot of is probably too painful for him most of the time, but he is going to try weights if his hands aren't too bad

Toast, butter, marmite, sometimes cheese. Comfort food!

He needs a nutritious, sustainable diet that will help him lose the weight. If he DOES have arthritis and a bad back, losing weight will do him a world of good. An easy weight loss plan [http://www.dukandiet.com/The-Dukan-Diet] is one that includes less carbs and more proteins. Introduce meat, chicken, fish and eggs along with healthy vegetables like aubergine, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, spinach, celery, lettuce, mushrooms, pumpkin, peppers, sprouts etc. Swimming is a good idea for those suffering from joint pains. An hour of swimming along with this diet should help him lose weight.