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Welcome to the Group
1. History with weight loss:
2. History with Calorie Count:
3. Reason for joining this group:
4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests:
And now just go ahead and make that first post!
As far back as I can remember I/ve struggled with being overweight. I've lost 50 lbs before but always put it back on. I'm what you call an emotional eater- stress etc. will make me eat as well as medication(take your pick theres quite a few). I've been off and on here at ccount+ but now I have a broadband connection so I intend to use it more(it used to take forever to get logged on)
I joined this group because I now weigh 275 lbs and I am dealing with rhumatiod arthritis. Swelling in my hands, wrists, feet, and elbows- to name a few- keeps me pretty inactive. I have to lose about 50 lbs not just so I look better, but so I am not putting all that weight on my joints.
My family is great, my dog Bailey is the best pet ever, nothing too interesting there. Not many interests since I havent been able to work out much after learning of the RA. And oh ya my job stinks like most. I'm a barback which is not going to last to much longer if I cant get help getting some of the medicine I need for the RA. Thought maybe joining a group might help me deal with some frustrations. It seems like noone I know has RA and so its hard for people to understand why I dont go out much or drink like others. I'm constantly in pain, which makes normal very illusive.
Hello Everyone,
I had been under-weight for much of my life until I had our last son 13 years ago. I was 33 when he was born and found out I had Rheumatoid Arthritis when he was 7 or 8 years old. I am on a truck load of meds and still struggling with pain and flare ups. My mother and brother also have the disease. My mother passed away about 3 years ago due to an infection she contacted. I have about 60 pounds to lose. My brother and sister are both obese and my mother was until she became ill and then she lost about 100 pounds. I have 3 beautiful sons. The 2 oldest are at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. We have a 13 year old boy who can't wait to get into the Academy as well. My husband is a firefighter and a paramedic. I am a Title 1 Math Facilitator for 1st-4th graders. I have 2 adorable dogs named Sonnee and Shadee. I am starting to feel a little desperate, my oldest will graduate from the Academy in May and will be getting married in about a year to a wonderful young lady who also is a Cadet. I have plenty of motivation now I just have to do it. I have a treadmill in my basement and my family is sooooooo supportive. It is very important for me to lose the weight for the same reason as bubbaj60 it is destroying my joints even faster than this stupid disease is doing it for me. Thanks for listening and hopefully we can encourage one another.
I hope that people are still in this group. It's been a while since the last post.
Weight has a horrible effect on arthritis (no matter what type you have). I have osteoarthritis. After a series of "life" episodes I gained about 50 pounds. Joined CC 6 weeks ago and have lost 10. I already notice the difference in my knees. Yoga has helped too.
If anyone is still active here, let me know.
Hello jannid,
I am still here and still struggling!! I have lost no weight at all but I have also not changed my eating habits. I don't understand why this is so difficult for me. I have every motivation in the world yet I still struggle. I think that eating has always been entertainment for my family. It is a horrible cycle to break. Thanks for replying and for listening.
I'm a long time CC member, and all you need to know about me, and my weight loss journey, is in my profile.
Two years ago I was misdiagnosed for months by an orthopedist. Finally I was referred to a rheumatologist who confirmed that I do have some rheumatoid arthritis, but that most of the joint pain, all over my body, was caused by gout, of all things. There is nothing in my diet that would predispose me to gout, so as of now, it's assumed that the diuretics I have to take for congestive heart failure are causing it. It's well controlled with daily allopurinal.
In June of 2008, I had a serious flare up of irregular heart rythyms and it turned out to be from thyroiditis. My thyroid was so over active that it was killing me. That was treated with Tapazole, then that resulted in under active thyroid. Now I'm taking Synthroid and thats working out ok.
The big question on my mind is, are these things related? I just posted an article with a link to an interview. That is proving to be very interesting.
Does anyone here have any experience with the possible realtionship of these two conditions?
Hello threedmom and clairelaine!
I am glad there is life at this group. Arthritis make weight loss and exercise crucial and at the same time there is the semingly insurmountable barrier of constant or flare up pain and a host of other symptoms that make it difficult to start either.
ThreeD, I think you may have figured out how to break the cycle in your post! While a total family make over is not feesable, what constitutes entertainment or reward can change for you (and maybe someone would like to join you). What do you like to do that would be a "doing treat" rather than an "eating treat"?
Clairelaine, I have not had any related health problems either from my arthritis or my medicine (which is the first thing I'd suspect). But then, I have osteo not the more difficult rheumatoid. I do go to a rheumatologist though - he still swears that he does not know of any Bextra Black Market. Bextra worked, I was healthy, I did not gain weight, and of course we all know that the evil FDA decided that informed choice and doctor supervision was not in our future. Oddly enough my weight gain and Mobic coincided. So, I guess there is an arthritis med weight connection for me.
Hi, I'm new to CC. I've had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 20 years, I'm 44. Involvement in almost all joints, worse on the left side. I had a joint fusion in my left ankle about 10 years ago, and repairs to the tendons in my left hand about 8years ago. (Doc and I allowed that toxic fluid / swelling to stay in there too long and it ate my tendons) I have a great doctor nowadays, taking Enbrel, Methotrexate and the occasional course of prednisone but I hate the side effects so I have to be very, very desperate to take it.
Was going to the gym for about 5 months doing 30 mins eliptical or bike and 15 minutes or so of light/careful weights depending on what my joints told me was OK on a given day. Only lost 2 pounds in 5 months so I stopped going and promptly noticed that my R.A. went totally crazy and got noticably worse. Needless to say I'm back at the gym now no matter how nasty I might feel when I first wake up.
I also find that my 2 year habit of taking fish oil seems to help.
I'm looking forward to comparing notes with others dealing with the balancing act of don't do too much but move it or lose it.
Hi carribeth,
nice to meet you! You are exactly right when you describe life with arthritis as a "balancing act."
Good luck with your goals and see you in the threads and journals!
Hi! I joined CC yesterday. I have165 lbs to lose. I have severe arthritis in my right knee. Do any of you know of an exercise routine I can do to lose weight? I joined the group to get and give support for weight losss goals.
Hi blparrish,
I have the most success with yoga and walking. Yoga's attitude that you will do what is the best for you today is perfect. The rules change based upon your level of pain. If you can find a class near you that specializes in older or those with medical issues, that's the way to go. If not, there are books and videos for that which will show you modifications in basic postures so you can get comfortable doing them before joining a "beginners" classes which will help make sure your alignment is correct.
I particularly love a book I have that is for people 50+. The pictures of people that began yoga in their 50's, 60's, and 70's are truly inspiring. If they can overcome their variety of health issues and become healthy and fit, so can we. There are several similar books, I'll give you the name and author of the one I use after I get home from work.
A CC friend told me once that each pound of body weight exerts five pounds of pressure on the knee when doing things like going up and down stairs. Because of this, each pound lost makes a far larger difference for us than it does in those with normal joints. Small steps do more for us!
Enjoy getting to know CC.
ok, here ya go! These are my three guides for yoga:
1. The New Yoga for People Over 50: A comprehensive guide for midlife and older beginners, by Suza Francina an Iyengar teacher. Incredibly inspiring to see people that started late and with painful medical conditions become so healthy & adept in the practice that they teach while in their 70's and 80's. One lady used in illustration is 100.
2. Arthritis: the powerful program for greater flexibility, strength, and freedom by Alice Christensen who founded the American Yoga Association (this is one of their Wellness Guides). She's a tad loopey in my humble opinion so some of her digressions make me laugh quite a bit. But this book has some fabulous illustrations of modifications you don't see in the other two sources and she offers some good hints.
3. Yoga for Women: Complete Mind and Body Fitness, by Paddy O'Brien. This is the perfect book for someone that does not necessarily want to begin learning in a classroom as her descriptions of every aspect of the poses are superb. If you get one book, this would be great. I learned from this book and when I finally went to a class the teacher was amazed that I needed no corrections and had me give her the name of the book. One benefit to this book is that there is an actual basic routine in the order it should be done and a whole lot of "extras" you can add if you like. Poses are shown at different levels of ability.
See if any of these are available at places like abebooks.com as that is a wonderful cheap source of used books (I paid $2 for a copy of Paddy's book for my daughter). Paddy's book is only available used, but the others are more recent.
Namaste,
Thanks alot! I ordered those books and $6.47 was the most I paid for a book! I can't wait to read them! brenda
Hello, I am new to Calorie Count. I am hoping that this grows like the other diet program sites. I can see it is up to us who found it early to make this work.
I have had arthritis for as long as I can remember. I am 62 now and remember being in pain in my body since I was young. I have had many tests taken and I hear that I am borderline Rheumatoid, but mostly osterarthritis. But, no matter what the doctors want to call it, it affects my activity level and I am in pain all the time.
I have had a full right hip replacement and now need a full left knee replaced. I have learned to live with the pain, but folks have promised me that with the knee fixed, I will feel a lot better. I pray for that to happen.
I try to be as active as I can. However, at this time, every little exercise I do usually takes a day or two to recover from. I go to the pool and walk around or do some easy water aerobic moves. It makes me feel better. However, I miss working out on machine and on some of the aerobic machines.
Whining doesn't make things better. I am grateful that I can walk with a cane and I can do what I can do. I pray regularly and know that the Lord will strengthen me in His time.
Hi-just started this today. I'm 56 "nanna" of two girls-21/2 and 2 months. The stiffness and chronic pain really slow me down-it's osteo in hands, neck,hips, knees. Lost 50 pounds on weight watchers 5 years ago. Recently (holidays) gained about 7-8 but I'm 5'2" so I really feel it. Taking Advil and 2 prescription meds daily; seem to need them especially in AM. I realize that my Dr. is not a source of information or help. I'm a registered nurse and he seems me run around at work and doesn't realize that I fight chronic pain. He does not respond when I tell him how much I hurt (maybe he thinks I want drugs, but I don't) So, I want to research foods, herbs, excersize, etc. to help me. I do not eat meat or fish. So, any help or suggestions or support would be great
Hi sues125!
Too bad the doctor did not take advantage of his wealth of knowledge and offer suggestions instead of simply no response. I'm sure he could have had things to offer besides more meds. Maybe you could ask him specific questions - is there a certain type of exercise to help with pain in my (fill in the blank)? That sort of thing. It will help him to see that you are not just after more meds, although you know if the meds are needed they should be prescribed and taken.
For me, losing pounds and exercise is helping tremendously. I consider the yoga I do to be like a dose of marvelous medicine. I had to make many modifications of poses at first but am continually finding that I don't need them all the time. If you haven't tried yoga, give it a go.
I also do several types of strength building exercises (at home - prevention has some new core exercises at their website I really like them). They were hard at first, but as I get stronger, I find I can do more. I even opened a jar of garlic last night and did not use the little red plastic grabber thing!
The more exercise you do - of whatever type you choose - the better you will get.
Welcome!
edited for a typo! :P
Thanks. jannid. I did do yoga for quite a while then let "life" get in the way of my program. I get prevention magazine so will look closer at strength building. My gym has two free sessions with a trainer and strength training is a good starting place; really want to strengthen my neck. Thanks, again
Hi all I've had RA for about 11 years now, I was diagnosed when I was 11, I"m 22 now and on Enbrel and Methotrexate. Right now I am about 30 pounds overweight and the last 20 pounds just suddenly came on in the last two months. I don't know what changed except my stress levels, I've been eating healthy and working out when I don't have a flare up. I also have hip bursitis when the bursar sack in the hip swells and causes a lot of pain, ony thing for it is steriod shots which I refuse to do because of my already compromised imune system, PT which I can't afford or surgery which i can't do because of my compromised immune system, so I just fight through it, but I've found that my bursitis is whats holding me back the most, if I am up on my feet for to long it hurts to just move my hip a little bit let alone sit down or stand up. I've been with CC off and on for about a year I think, I haven't lost any weight but its helping me keep track on my diet :) I have three pets, two cats and a bunny, they are my world i love them so so so much! I love to do musical theater, I am a singer and dancer at heart, and dancing is about the only thing I can do that I can ignore the pain, but I tend to regret it afterwards. so Hi all!
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