Illness turning into horrible eating

collegegirl713

I am feeling so crappy about myself. I have lost 60 pounds and felt like I finally found a workout regimen that I actually enjoyed. Now, I have pneumonia (AGAIN) and I am on so many meds to try to figure out why I am getting sick and why I have shortness of breath while working out. The #1 theory is reactive airway disease where I have stomach acid come up and I inhale it into my lungs, which of course causes damage, which leads to infection. With all of this, I suddenly have lost my motivation. I know I don't what to go back and lose all that I have worked hard for. AND NOW I should have an impeccable diet since I can't really workout, but I am so upset about being sick all the time and starting to get a little better and then I get sick again. This has been going on since November (first round of pneumonia).

I know there are people out there who have to deal with much more than this and do great! Does anybody have any words of wisdom or motivation?

Saratini76

I can certainly empathize. I have fibro and a knee injury that keeps me from the activity level I was at when losing a pound or more a week. When my knee was first injured, I gained back nearly 20 pounds just from stress eating.

My advice is to just keep logging regardless of how you are eating and do whatever small activity you can. Maybe try yoga? Resistance band exercises? (There's a great chair video on youtube by sparkpeople)

Whatever you do, don't give up. This is a journey, and some people's journey takes longer than others. Just accept that, and remember that a little progress is better than back-sliding.

Good luck and I hope they find out how to treat your illness so that's less of a problem for you! :flowerforyou:

4legsRbetterthan2

It sounds like you are going through a tough time and I am sorry for that. It might be worth setting your calories at maintenance for the time being until your can figure everything out. That way you do not lose any progress but hopefully it will be easier on your mind and body until you can get healthy again.

~Best wishes

ChristinWrites

That's awful. I've had pneumonia a couple of times before and it's not fun. I do run with asthma - something I put a mental barrier in front of for a long time. If it's something you enjoy doing, get back into it gradually.

My mother has a similar issue to you, a hernia pushes the acid up and causes damage to the esophagus. She let it go on too long and now has Barret's syndrome and has to have surgery. She's inhaled stomach acid before and coughed for days on end. She's was also overweight, still is and has more to go, but losing the weight has helped her condition tremendously even before surgery. She plans to lose the rest after recovery. That stomach acid is no joke, it can cause a lot of damage, so I do feel for you.

If you can't find the motivation because you feel bad - find the motivation because you don't want to feel worse! Clear that pneumonia up and get back to it and find that motivation again. You found it once - it's in there.

TavistockToad

you dont need an 'impeccable diet' just a small calorie deficit...

editorgrrl

You lose weight by eating at a deficit. No exercise required. Your diet shouldn't be "impeccable"—deprivation only leads to bingeing. Fit yummy, portion-controlled treats into your calorie goal.

Open your diary for personal advice, but the #1 thing is to log everything you eat & drink accurately & honestly. Logging works. Get a digital food scale and weigh everything you eat—even packaged foods.

For more basic advice, read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

MinnieInMaine

you dont need an 'impeccable diet' just a small calorie deficit...

I agree. Make sure you're set to 1/2 a pound per week, if not maintenance right now. Your body needs the energy to fight off the infection so you don't want to be depriving it of the nutrients it desparately needs. You definitely should not exercise until you're fully healed. And even then, make sure you gradually increase your activity.

Yes it sucks but you can't let it get you down. Look at how far you've come! You know you don't want to back track so don't allow yourself too. Plan your meals really well, keep healthy snacks on hand at all times and just say no to those little voices in your head trying to tempt you with goodies just because you're bummed. You can do this!

oedipa_maas

I get ill a lot due to various health problems and it definitely can be demoralizing. I have severe asthma too, so I have some idea what you're going through breathing wise. It's really hard!

One of the things that has humbled me is that sometimes the body needs a certain kind of care and attention that needs to be balanced with my fitness goals. I'm not saying at all that you just abandon your diet/physical aspirations. But we need to respect when the body talks to us and make sensible decisions about the recovery/healing process. "Just do it" works in a lot of situations, but you can't buckle down if you can't breathe.

It can be very frustrating when your body won't do all the things you want it to. But I've discovered that if I intelligently and diligently deal with my illnesses, and slow things down a little while I'm going through a particularly rough spot, eventually I have fewer limits and even pride.

Only you and your doctors can figure out the sweet spot, so to speak, where you can still make some progress on your health goals while not harming yourself with ill advised boot strapping. It make take a while to get back to where you were, but it's still progress! I think my illnesses have taught me a lot about resilience, listening to my body, and adjusting things as I need to. We all face limits, and our reaction to them shows what we're made of. Very best to you!

ETA: I like what other commenters are saying specifically about your eating. I just wanted to address the general issues with illness.