Food, glorious food, our favorite diet....

airwave
airwave Member Posts: 579
edited 13. Aug 2010, 11:14 in Living with Arthritis archive
I have always thought that my diet is very good but having been declared obese and having a high blood pressure I took my doctors diagnosis with a pinch of salt, obese? or has someone moved the lines again?

Anyrate, I would rather do something for myself than have more pills or have some teenager tell me whats good to eat, but I got sent to a firm that does 'lifestyle coaching' who promptly declared my diet and lifestyle good and sent a letter back to my GP!

In the meantime, I had put myself on a diet, no bread, smaller portions and because of the heat of the summer I have been drinking more water, just coming up to 5 weeks and lost 3/4 stone, still got my usual aches and pains but not quite so intense. So, is it due to smaller diet, water or weather? Answers on a postcard please!!!
8) Its a grin, honest!

P.S. I have seen the report about high BP caused by intake of calcium causing hardened arteries, which I do for osteoporosis.

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I lost over three stone once but pain levels did not dwindle to match - they stayed the same. Everyone is different, yes, there are things one can do to maximise one's health and keep off the weight, but it doesn't mean it's going to work! I have at least seven portions of fruit and veg per day, I do drink water (at least three pints daily), I do not eat much red meat, preferring chicken and fish, but I am overweight (thanks prednisalone) and I do have high blood pressure (thanks humira). I am off to see the doc soon about the BP, which I know means more pills (why I don't know: it's a side effect for crying out loud) and I will be invited to join their dieters club. Fab. Find some meds that bloody work for PA and then I might take some notice. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,981
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well done you Airwave

    You should be proud of yourself :)

    My sis lost 6 and half stone and she reckons a lopt of her aches and pains (OA) are better.

    Some though (ankles) have remained.

    Despite the aches and pains you are doing yourself good.

    Love

    Toni xx

    Ps still grinning on a diet? Amazing :wink:
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Even if pain levels do not reduce if one loses excess weight, surely it must be better for all the internal organs, and one may be less inclined to develop other diseases. One may also be able to do some kind of exercising more easily. It must be more comfortable in the hot weather to be carrying less around too. You have done well, keep up the good work. :)

    As my gran always said "everything in moderation"!

    Look after yourself,

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • airwave
    airwave Member Posts: 579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I can see that I am a touch too big round my tummy, but obese? Anyrate, it was the high BP that made me do something. I do love my food, just smaller portions seems to be doing the trick, and no bread.

    Trouble is that the GP's way of sending you off somewhere doesn't give any credence to the intelligence I was born with, why wouldn't anyone want to do something about high BP themselves? Still I have now ticked my socialist boxes and can hold a certain amount of fingers in the air!:mrgreen: Grrrrrrrrr, another rant coming on!

    8) and yes I can still grin, honest!
  • jackie1955
    jackie1955 Member Posts: 632
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    [quote="airwave"...........I took my doctors diagnosis with a pinch of salt.........[/quote]

    :shock: Salt? Did you say salt..... defo no good for high bp! :wink:
  • tarasmygirl
    tarasmygirl Member Posts: 70
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've lost about half a stone in last 6 weeks - have been trying to lose weight as I know I am well overweight and had lost about 10lbs from Feb just through cutting down a bit - after all it took years to go on - so I can't expect it to come off in a couple of months. Anyway I've now lost a total of 1 stone 4 pounds. I reckon I still have 4-5 stone to go but I am determined to do it so that I can keep mobile for longer and hopefully avoid having to keep adding to the drugs tally. Being on MTX has made me feel seedy and this has helped as I can only face small portions. So arfer has been good for something.
    Cath
  • rachelj
    rachelj Member Posts: 121
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I felt a need to add my t'pence to the ongoing weight debate, although firstly want to congratulate all of you on loosing weight. Aching limbs and joints and fatigue don't lend themselves to spending time preparing proper balanced meals and keeping active so a round of applause to all of you. :D

    As for this whole, "loose some weight, you will feel better" I have had a similar experience. I get the impression its some miracle cure all, my GP has told me if i don't loose some weight their is a chance the rheumatologist won't begin treatment until I get my BMI down. I am no stick insect but don't think anyone would call me huge think I am about 6lbs over my "ideal weight". Is that much weight enough to worry about?

    Rach
  • airwave
    airwave Member Posts: 579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think you will find that the gp's get paid more to refer 'fat and obese' patients to these services, thats why even the borderline (they've most likely moved the lines) get referred.

    My OH says I'm not cynical, I'm bl**dy cynical!

    8) Its a grin, honest!
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well done Airwave on loosing some weight. I agree with the "in moderation" theory. The term obese is banded about very freely these days.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,981
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    jackie1955 wrote:
    [quote="airwave"...........I took my doctors diagnosis with a pinch of salt.........

    :shock: Salt? Did you say salt..... defo no good for high bp! :wink:[/quote]

    Nice one Jack :lol:
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,981
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    speedalong wrote:
    Well done Airwave on loosing some weight. I agree with the "in moderation" theory. The term obese is banded about very freely these days.

    Speedy

    It IS Speedy

    My ex (6'2" and muscle) counted as obese too :lol::lol:

    My sis was always told loose weight and this that the other will be ok. She proved right though as her ankles are still giving her gyp.

    Keep it up thiose of you who are winning - It is nOT esay.

    Love

    Toni xx
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Airwave just wanted to say congratulations! As we all know, losing weight is hard enough when you are otherwise healthy, without having to contend with horrible meds and mobility difficulites.

    Congratulations too to all the others on the thread who have posted to say they are fighting the battle!

    I have been following a different way of eating for a month now, for other reasons than weight loss, but I do feel that eating more healthily will do me good in the long term. It's very hard though someitmes isn't it?

    Re the calcium and heart risk study you mentioned Airwave, apparently these were people taking only pure calcium, rather than the calcium/vit supplements which are normally prescribed for osteoporosis prevention.

    Love Tilly x

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