[Sydney]

I usually post on the chronic pain, Fibromyalgia, etc. forums. However, this seems like such a friendly, compassionate group of people I thought I might join this forum as well.
I do have a serious weight problem in the past 2-3 years. Went from a small petite to a women's size. Gained 70 pounds and about 6 clothes sizes. Very depressing. This all occured as a result of a chronic painful medical condition which has made me disabled. I can only walk from the car to a store and then use a driving cart inside. No walking whatsoever - FM, meralgia paresthetica and RSD. Three painful conditions which have affect my ability to walk since 2001 - especially the MP in my legs.
I eat VERY little and have been watching what I eat for many months now and there is absolutely no weight loss. I admit depression and some over eating did contribute to the weight gain as well. However, I have tried several times to be really strict and nothing works - I just give up.
Any ideas? Oh - I aldso have a problem chewing and cannot eat anything like apples, nuts, beef, etc. Mostly only soft foods - unfortunately they have the highest calories and carbs.
I know you are all so supportive on this forum.
Thanks,
Sydney

[Curious]

howdy howdy howdy sydney!! welcome!!!

if you aren't eating enough...your body is going to store everything you do eat. make sure you are eating enough.

getting your body and metabolsm going first thing is important too. breaskfast. applesauce...yogurt..scrambled eggs...those are soft and full of protien. try using 1 egg and a couple of egg whites to lower fat.


just joining us here is good for the soul. we are a fun, support...and down right silly group sometimes. hope you like to laugh. burn those calores that way!!

((((sydney)))) i'm happy you found us. i'm sure the rest will be chiming in here too.

[bizi]

welcome!!!!
cottage cheese, eggs are great and I like to add some brocolli to give it osme color and added nutritional value.
tofu spiced up a bit cause it is bland by itself...I like it in hot and sour soup!...
peanut butter...tuna fish, high fiber foods like kashi cereal, high fiber tortillas and bread, strawberries, help to feel more full. I lost over 50 pounds over a 2 year period of time... just by increasing the fiber and protein in my diet and by cutting out white flour and potatoes, sugar and rice. I think Dr. Gott calls it the stay away from white stuff diet....
lol
anyway
we are here to encourage you
bizi

[Fancylady_2006]

I know this is an oldie, but do you measure the the amount you eat? I can remember when I didn't and it is important. I try to stay in a good mood. If I am sad, I turn on the radio or put in tapes. You will soon learn what puts you in a good mood. Find something you enjoy and first thing you know the depression leaves. You are doing something instead of thinking about it.

You may think I don't understand, but I lost my husband to cancer this past summer, then had two surgeries. One a big surgery to my back. Then I painted & washed the house down. Next I sold my farm ground, Found a place to buy & had to wash it down. Then I just sold my farm house tonight. Now I am getting ready to have an auction sale. I can't walk very far either and have knee problems. I just keep on going. having company tomorrow and having my husbands family for Thanksgiving. Life is great and God is good. You will find what is right for you, keep seeking. We will help you. All the foods are soft and good ideas. At one point, I gained fast too, like you. many years ago, I quit smoking and my appitite bloomed. I gained five pounds a week and was it ever hard to get any off again. I think you know what I am saying.

A friend on the forum wanted to me help her start the forum up. At first I thought, me loose weight! Well I lost 34 pounds over a period of time. I want to wish you the best of luck Sydney. We will be talking again.
Blessings,
Billie

[janster]

Sydney~

Glad to have you here! You've officially been adopted! *DOINK* (That was me hitting your head with an adopting wand-like thinggy.) OK, so we don't have one, but maybe we should.....

Crimeny, I'm 50 years old and I just realized that I've never written, let alone spoken the word *DOINK* before. Well, it might be in some dictionary someplace....

Big hug for ya Sydney! A lot of us here are in chronic pain also, so we feel your pain. We may not have your exact conditions honey, but pain just sucks!

I also know it hurts like he!! to walk, or exercise, but do what you can. I also have Fibro with a host of other crap, so we're rowing the same boat there. We need to keep what muscles we have moving so they don't atrophy. As you know, once they do that, they're gone.

What we do as a group, when we exercise is do what we can. Some of us take a virtual walk at noon Eastern, putting on lipstick so we can be BABES. We imagine the group walking anywhere we want that day.(Wally's World, the beach etc.) We walk as long as we can--some 30 minutes, some 5 minutes. Some do water exercising, chair exercising, or arm exercising. Whatever YOU can do.

The other gals gave you some good advice and tips for foods. I would also add trying a blender for some low cal foods. Let the blender do your chewing--as fine as need be.

Anyway, I'm glad you're here and I look forward to learning more about you! There is a sticky where you could tell us a little about you, if/when you feel comfortable. Take care, and we'll be talking!
Hugs,
LS (Little Sister to BS-aka nancy-h--on here--she's older than me )

[Mari]

Dear Sydney,
I keep applesauce in the house because I don't like to chew. I add cinnamon to it becuase cinnamon is supposed to keep the blood sugar from spiking and I like cinnamon anyway. Also almond butter and macademia nut butter.....mushy pasta with lots of tomato sauce...

I have issues with my teeth. I buy stuff like broccoli soup or squash soup. Also, I used to throw some things in the blender. For a while I was eating blended chicken and rice. (teeth/jaw have improved since then)

Getting the right foods into our bodies feels like a process. It is a trip that we travel every day. Some days we get it closer. But every day is the journey.

I am learning that deep breathing and meditation can help the body function better. Maybe it can raise metabolism a little?????!!!!

I wonder what evercises you can do. Have you tried chair yoga? (helps a lot with depression)
Or exercises using your arms?

You are not alone.
Mari

[Sydney]

Wow! I must say I was so impessed with all the replies I received from my posts. You each gave me so many good ideas and plan on trying them ASAP. What a wonderful supportive group of people you are. This is a difficult situation for me because of being in chronic pain and overweight. Also, I forgot to mention the meds I have been taking over the past few years are partially responsible for the weight gain. That neurontin put 0ver 30 pounds on me and I was hardly eating anything. Same goes for other meds -like elavil. I post on the pain meds forum and most people complain about the weight gain from the drugs.
I will also take the advice from Curious - I think she mentioned I may not be eating enough. That could be true.
Nevertheless, thanks ever so much for your caring and kindness. I sincerely appreciate it.
So glad I found this group.
Sydney

[janster]

Originally Posted by Sydney

Also, I forgot to mention the meds I have been taking over the past few years are partially responsible for the weight gain. That neurontin put 0ver 30 pounds on me and I was hardly eating anything. Same goes for other meds -like elavil.Sydney

Hi Syd~
I'm glad you found us too! I'm on a lot of meds too--Elavil one of them. Neurontin packed 20-25 pounds on me before I knew what was happening! It was terrible!

I asked my Neuro if there was anything else I could try because I had a weight problem the way it was. She said we could try Topamax, which, one side effect was weight loss, so I jumped at the chance.

Other than messing with my mind and making me blonder than I already am, Topamas (Dopamax) has gotten rid of the Neurontin weight and 20 more pounds. (at least helped) I still need to lose at least 25 more though.

I'm on at least one other med that has a side effect of weight gain--I think there's only one more.....maybe two, not sure. You're right though, it's tough enough to lose weight, but then the added burden of the meds.

I'm glad I found all these great friends/family too. The support, information and tips are invaluable, as I consider them.

Hugs,
LS

[Fancylady_2006]

Sydney~ I took Neurontin and I gained about 30 pounds in a year. The nurse said that it wouldn't do that to me, but I know it did. If not that, then it made me hungry and in return, that made me gain. I was starving while I took it. I now take Cymbalta and it don't do that. I have read that other's gained on it too. It is hard to loose. I thought I had gained here lately but only 2 pounds. Thats not bad considering I was even on ice cream, working helped keep my weight down.

It is ruff when you don't feel good too. I can sympathize with you on that. just don't give up, if you really want to take it off.
Billie