Getting in Shape

Medical Conditions Holding Me Back

Hey gals (and guys)! I was hoping someone might be able to give me a few suggestions. I am on the edge of obesity. I really need to lose between 40-50 pounds. I have a little less than two years to do so, so I think it's very possible.

However, it seems that an accumulation of medical conditions keeps me from getting the job done, and I'm at my wit's end of what to do. I have severe asthma, fibro myalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (and just bad GI stuff happening to me all the time!) and severe menstrual cramps (I've been known to pass out and vomit from the pain). It seems that if it's not one thing, it's another. I'm on medication for nearly all of these conditions, except the IBS. And, I will soon be talking to my doctor about changing my meds for the cramps.

It just seems that every day to every other day if it's not one thing, it's another. I can't jog on tuesday because I had an asthma attack earlier in the day. I can't do my yoga on Wednesday because the bending will further irritate the IBS I'm currently having that day. Etc, Etc, Etc.

I think it's because of some of these medical conditions that I've gained the weight. They have gotten a lot worse the past year, and that's when I gained about 30 pounds. I just really don't know what to do! I can't afford a personal trainer, and my gym membership will be up in December. I can hardly afford to see the doctor once a year to renew the meds that I do have.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Re: Medical Conditions Holding Me Back

  • I suffer from IBS as well and I will say this, since being on a low carb, low fat diet it has gotten extraordinarily better.  I am on Nutrisystem (and I'm not plugging that specifically) but since being on it I have not had a single issue with my IBS (Again not the norm from what I read).  But perhaps the IBS can be controlled and will actually get better if you try a better - clean eating diet.  I wish you luck.  I know it's frustrating when medical issues seem to thwart what you are trying to do.
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  • I have Fibro and IBS too.  They discoverd that I don't have enough "good" bacteria in my gut so they have me on Activia or a supplement.  I find that just walking can help the Fibro.  In fact on some of my worst Fibro days I would just walk around inside my house for like half an hour or more.  And apparently Fibro and IBS often occur together and bad menstral cramps can go with Fibro as well. 

    I've been doing about a billion times better since I left a very stressful job.
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  • I too left a very stressful job back in November. It wasn't uncommon for me to leave at the end of the day crying no less than once a week. I stuck it out there for two years because of the pay and I just couldn't take it anymore. But, I think it was the high stress that helped me keep the weight off! I've gained most of the above mentioned 30 pounds since last November. It seems very odd to me, but hey!

    I will try Activia, thanks! I do eat regular yogurt daily (I have one for lunch or breakfast). I get the plain 'I am yogurt' and mix in fruit to make little smoothies for myself. It helps with my sweet tooth a lot!
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  • Gee, if we lived in the same state I'd think that we had been at the same job.  Only mine made be gain weight (I'm a stress eater).  Another thing I found that helped with my IBS was when I would cut back on the meat and increase the whole grains, veggies, and legumes. 
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  • I have been there, I have Crohn's Disease and it has been really out of control over the past year. I have gained about 20 pounds in this time due to the different medications (mostly steroids) that I have been needing to take to keep it in check. When you take this stuff it is next to impossible to even maintain weight, let alone lose it. I exercise when I can, but like you I deal with fatigue from my illness and it just doesn't happen most days. I am not even working full time right now because of this, it's just too exhausting. My advice is to talk to your Dr about medication side effects and also what foods work FOR YOU in terms of healthy eating (obviously what is good for me might be horrible for your situation). After that, try to at least walk a little everyday, even if you are only starting out with ten minutes. Being healthy is the #1 priority, and that was really hard to get through my head. Of course I want my old body back that was almost effortlessly skinny, but if these meds do help me then 15-20 extra pounds is a small price to pay for good health and staying out of the hospital. Keeping yourself healthy is the most important thing so do what you can but don't let it depress you if it's harder than it should be.
  • I have fibromyalgia too and all the meds I was on for a few years and being bed bound caused me to lose my slim figure.  I have been going to Curves for almost 5 months and I have lost a few pounds and quite a few inches.  I do find that the pounds don't come off as easy as I thought they would but any little bit is great.
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