New to site, Female, 52, no kids, short

chaos416

Hello everyone,

I'm going on 53, 5 ft tall, medically disabled since 1996 and haven't worked outside the home since 2005. I'm married--37 years and we have no children; fertility issues for both of us.

Due to Crohn's disease, I haven't had a weight issue since my 20's and I dealt with the extra pounds then lickety-split in a few months.

Then menopause happened.

I've watched that number on the scale crawl up since late 2009 and this year it hit 140. I had tried increasing my activity level several different times in the past few years to no avail--I'm very sedentary. I just don't have the stamina and can't seem to build any endurance whatsoever.

Recently I had been thinking about tracking calories like I did during my 20's and stumbled onto this site last Sunday night when looking for a calorie counter. I joined and started logging my food--immediately adjusting my food intake. Must have been just the right planetary alignment or hit my obsessive button or whatever. I finally saw that hated dial on the scale move down!!!:bigsmile:

I have a lot to learn about nutrition beyond calories. I've been reading like mad on this site and others and am beginning to think I may have not been eating near enough protein the the past several years. Probably lost a lot of precious muscle as well as gaining fat. I've never had a doctor refer me to a dietician or counsel about protein despite several times that Crohns flares dropped me underweight in years past.

I don't have a complicated plan except to meticulously log my food and continue to learn more about juggling carbs and proteins. I did buy a bottle of multi vitamins this week although I had never put much stock in them in the past. I also broke down pretty quickly and bought a digital food scale--measuring cups only go so far. It's true that I should probably see my doctor about hanging around 1000~1100 calories, but I don't think that will be a problem if I can nail down the nutrition. ...and, I'm kinda tired of doctors these days. It is disappointing that the site will not calculate projected weight loss under 1000 calories. Looks like they could go ahead and do that in addition to the red alarm warning.

I'd love to hear from folks who relate to these or similar issues as well as old-timers to the site who can help me utilize the site better. I've been plinking around but don't think I figured out all the features yet...not even sure how to format a board post such as this. (Isn't there a spell checker????) Throw me a comment or send a friend request.

PS: Besides being a natural night owl, I've developed a screwy sleep pattern, so you may find me online practically any time and especially in the wee hours of the morning. (Eastern Time Zone)

DeNecie94

Hello
My name is Denecie, I'm new to this site, trying to figure my way around. I just had the Gastric sleeve on 4/9/2014, and I'm in great need of a support group. I'm finding it difficult to stay on the right eating path. Somedays I don't eat or take any medications and on other days I don't eat the right foods, and I end up paying with stomach pains. My hope is that I can get some ideas, tips, suggestions, and support from people who has had experience with this kind of surgery.
Thank you

chaos416

Hi Denecie,
I haven't quite figured out the 'groups' feature of the site, but I would think that there is a special section somewhere on this site for folks using surgical devices/procedures. I'm quite sure that you do need the support and motivation offered by others in your special situation and who are familiar with or have been counseled on your particular needs.

Congratulations on making that huge decision to have the surgery and wishing you all the best for increasingly good health.

Basilin

Hi chaos416, I'm also trying to figure out how groups and stuff work on this site. I've had a few friends with Crohn's disease and read a few articles about gut bacteria's role in it that are really interesting (http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/03/12/289041150/mix-of-gut-microbes-may-play-role-in-crohns-disease).

Perhaps we could be friends on MFP? I am 28, but also concentrating a bit more on diet right now and getting used to logging/keeping a diary. Perhaps we can support one another. I like your profile picture, haha!

chaos416

Hi Basilin!
I guess I should have conceded that I have not been on any treatment for my Crohn's disease since 2010. I don't seem to respond well to medications in general some of the ones I used through the years (dx'd 1989) have been too expensive or too risky--just my opinion there--to use as a maintenance drug without seeing noticeable results. I just accept it and have only seen a doctor a few times since my 2nd re-section in 2009. I did see a few items about probiotics that I probably should follow up on. It interesting that those probiotics could play a role obesity as well. Thanks for bringing it to my attention again!

Sending a friend request now.

You saw the whole pic under profile? LOL I like frogs as well, but may be more partial to turtles as they move consistently slower :laugh:

Basilin

Accepted!

I didn't mean to suggest treatments (it's not my place!). I just thought it was neat that they are figuring this stuff out; maybe there will be much better treatments soon. I am a microbiologist so I'm into this kind of stuff. :glasses:

What kind of food considerations are you going to make while you try to modify your diet to be more nutritious? It sounds like it will be tricky, especially if your calorie intake is so low right now (though if you don't move around much right now, and depending on your metabolism, 1000 doesn't seem bad).

Yes I looked at your entire picture and had a laugh. Turtles (and tortoises!) are endearing. The froggy was in my backyard which is why he made it into my pictures (sitting on a tupperware lid oh so natural). I know a good tortoise I could photograph, though...

chaos416

Still looking for a few friends who can relate to any of my issues (age, no kids, short or little exercise) or anything I mentioned in my original post. Please send a message with friend request.

Thanks!