Weight Loss

ALander

Hi,

Has anyone been successful in losing weight and has this reduced you osteoarthritis pain, in particular hips and knees?

Thanks

Anne

Rina

Hi @ALander, I’ve never been able to lose weight by dieting ( absolutely no willpower whatsoever!) but I find that if I keep moving I keep the weight off. I try to walk about two miles each day round my local park, sometimes briskly, sometimes just a gentle stroll. When I don’t do it for a few days, I do notice that I start to put on weight.

Rina 😊

Rina

I forgot to add that moving certainly helps with my arthritis pain, and I always feel better when I’ve been out for a walk.

TiaElastica

I was very shocked to gain weight after years of no change. None of my clothes are comfortable but I am far too much of a cheapskate to buy new ones. It feels shameful (to me) to be carrying excess kilos just when I want to self-manage and not put any additional pressure on my joints. Losing it is proving more difficult than I expected. Two things are making it seem more challenging to reduce calories - the first is taking amitriptyline and the other is the winter dark and cold. I know about nutrition, calories, balanced diet, exercise, etc; but awareness is not stopping me from overeating. Writing about it helps, today is a new day and I will try again to eat what I need not what I want. Seasonal gatherings did make things worse - I cannot resist free food or leftovers in the January sale. Good luck to all of us wanting to lose the podge.

ChrisCamb

Yes. I have arthritis in my knee. Since June, through a combination of healthy eating and going to the gym three times a week I have lost nearly four stone, decreased body fat % and increased muscle mass. My BMI has gone from obese to healthy.

I am now more mobile and pain and inflammation free than I have been for several years.

My only regret is that I hadn't done it sooner.

Woofy

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/717168#Comment_717168

Hi. It’s blooming hard isn’t it. I sometimes comfort eat because of the pain, but I do try to snack on nuts fruit, and rice cakes.

I have always been very active, so this RA diagnosis has been hard. I still walk my elderly dog everyday even if the pain is bad. I am hoping that the hospital will get me on the right meds eventually, and I will be more able, and get back to long walks and other stuff.

Hairobsessed123

For every pound u lose it equals to 4 pounds of pressure of your joints !!

so losing weight deffo helps x

jen333

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/717216#Comment_717216

Thats amazing - well done!!!!!!

rebelruthy

hi I’m new here but I have a question . I've been waiting over 2 years for knee replacement surgery. The surgeon is adamant I must get my bmi down to 35, ( it’s 37 now). I gained 2 stone during covid and it’s so hard to lose. I never could keep weight down but I’m doing my utmost to lose the 2 stone I need.
I want to ask if anyone knows what happens if I can’t do it ? Will I end up unable to walk as the knee is dreadfully painful now. I’m a full time carer for my bedridden daughter and we’re both scared about the future if I can’t get better.thanks

chrisb

Hi @rebelruthy

Welcome to the versus arthritis forum.

I'm not able to provide you with a direct answer to your question but hopefully other forum members will be able to.

In the interim, these links to our website may be useful:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/september/top-tips-to-manage-your-weight/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/knee-replacement-surgery/

I hope you receive some helpful feedback.

Best wishes

ChrisB(Moderator)