Anyone else that with an illness trying to get this done?

amber_bamber09

I also have RA. Any tips on how to safely exercise without damaging already afflicted joints? My knees are the worst joints.

goldfinger88

Yes, it can happen that we actually do not eat enough. That puts weight on too.

kittyonthemoon_

I have ADHD abd some other stuff but nothing physical

goldfinger88

I also have RA. Any tips on how to safely exercise without damaging already afflicted joints? My knees are the worst joints.

For one thing, don't use the treadmill. That's hard on knees and hips. Also, you can do squats but only go down 90 degrees or less. Never more. Of course, there are lots of upper body exercises you can do. Moreover, isometrics are generally the safest exercise for everyone and have been used for centuries, long before weights. And, bodyweight exercises are generally safe --- such as the pushup or, in our case, modified pushup. A full pushup is hard on the knees.

Anything that puts stress on the knees should be avoided. Once your knees go out, you really lose all mobility. Like you, I have very bad knees and often have to wear braces on one or both. Also, as another tip, buy and always wear a good pair of shoes with lots of support. It makes a big difference.

FireRox21

Yep! I have severe Rheumatoid Arthritis going on 16 years now. My ankles, knees, spine, elbows and wrists are fused. I have two severely herniated discs in my neck and lower back. I also have pretty severe Bi-Polar disorder and anxiety disorder so bad that I am almost agorophobic some days. All of the years on RA meds have given me other disorders as well. I have PCOS and Cushing's Syndrome. I also have degenerative disc disease. My daily exercise consists of about 2 hours of hard swimming (college/elite) level workouts. However, I am having a super-hard time dropping weight. I have always convinced myself that I cannot do anything else other than swim because of my RA. However, I am starting to change that mindset. I recently purchased an Xbox with Kinect and spent three hours playing a dancing game and Rise of Nightmares (it requires you to run from zombies....a lot of running). I was not in pain the next day and my joints didn't really hurt!! So, I have decided that the excuses have to stop and I need to change my game plan for weight loss. And yes, my diet is atrocious, so that has to change too!!!

The hardest part of all of this is seeing other people here on MFP dropping 1-2 lbs a week just by following the plan, yet it takes me a month or two just to lose 1 lb. Those of us with auto-immune or chronic illness have to accept that our success will be slower, but it CAN be done!!!!

amber_bamber09

Thanks so much for all the tips. I've been told a stationary bike will help too. I'm always afraid that I will push it too much and end up on the couch for a few days or more and be set back. I'm working towards losing weight not injury haha. I'm sure you know the feeling though. Thanks again!

bestdaysahead

Got hypothyroidism and it is a daily struggle to try to even stay at your current weight, much less loose it. I am just taking it one day at a time!

shakybabe

I have a rare Neurological condition that has been progressing since my early thirties and spent the last 6years in a wheelchair.

I was born with under active thyroid but never had weight issues until the mobility problems started and had problems with my body converting my T4 meds into T3 (to feed cells etc).

I went up to 16 stone (I'm only 5ft 3 and half) as the Ataxia developed the weight did come off as it took me more energy to do things but still took a good few years to get down to 11st 7.. then I put a stone back on and got stuck at 12st 7 for a year finally this June I realised I had to do something.. I could barely sit for an hour the pain was constant and muscle spasms/involuntary twitches were at over 200a day. .. I either had to go on medication to control or try something else.. as I was desperate to lose weight and can gain weight from muscle relaxants I decided to go with intense Neurophysio every day for 6 months!

I literally had to learn to control my arms again as the dystonia element of my condition kicked in after I hit 40. Despite ll extra movements I wasn't dropping weight and couldn't understand why then found something about people with thyroid probs having probs also with nut and wheat allergies (I already have nut allergies). so I dropped wheat (around end august/beg sept) and instantly dropped half a stone!.. I've stayed off wheat since and lowered other carbs so may have potato once a week but most meals they are substituted with something else and bread is gluten free ( also limited to not more than twice a week) and dropped another 18lbs (i think) after doing this.. so 2 stone lost in total since June.

On the exercise front I can do more cardio (like boxercise/tennis games on Wii from sitting in chair) do some pilates floor exercises, some Wii Fit ones from either standing or sitting on the board and have got better voluntary control when trying to use arms and legs.

I've got a passive trainer bike too (like exercise pedals with motor) I can burn 500cals with half an hour on there. It's been a long battle for me (8years total since first started) but I finally feel more in control!

MummyOfSeven

I have depression, anxiety & bipolar. Some days it's so bad. I won't get out of bed.

I also have depression, bipolar (type 2) and anxiety disorder.
The medication that I was started on last year caused me to gain around 60 lb in under a year.
I was already 15-20 lb overweight. I am fighting hard to lose weight.
It's slow going, but at least it's in the right direction (most of the time!).

jojoof4

I can totally relate! I struggle with Multiple Sclerosis and Fibromyalgia. My weight seemed to balloon up shortly after I initially got sick and it's been a battle since. I've started and stopped and started and stopped, but I keep picking myself up and re-starting. I'm hoping this time is the one that sticks. I've been faithfully logging and exercising since Nov 5. Haven't lost a whole lot, but it's a step in the right direction. I have found amazing support on this site. The days that the pain is too much, I do just what I can and try to work harder the next time I feel up to it. Remember, the excess weight didn't happen overnight; it's gonna be a process to take it off. Soooo, to answer your question, YES, there are others fighting the same fight. Good luck on your journey!

Sue_Smiles

bump

Nette_54

I am an epileptic, I also have a genetic heart condition WPW syndrome, I also have arthritis in my right leg so my hip is bone on bone, 2 bulging discs, I also damaged my right leg in a fall. I am a walking pill bottle lol. I also have to use either a walking stick for short trips or a wheelie walker which I hate.

All that said I know there are so many people in the world with bigger problems than me so I keep smiling and laughing while trying to lose the weight the best way I can. I was also one of those people who under ate so gained more weight, now I am eating more I am starting to lose the weight

debs6

My chronic disease is Crohn's Disease and I also suffer from chronic Migraine - which is really the family curse as it runs strongly in my family. Crohn's is also considered an autoimmune disease with manifestations mainly in the gut - but also causes inflammation in many parts of the body causing arthritis, and a multitude of other symptoms. I have also run the steroid race - and am just thankful that I a am currently in remission brought about by medication. Migraine is a different story

4afitCarey

Thank you all so much for sharing your struggles. I think their is always great comfort and inspiration in knowing you are not alone when you struggle. Reading all of your posts have given me strength and determination to really dig in and continue this journey. I always welcome new friends and hope that I can help anyone who needs it. Good luck every one!

chevy88grl

I'm not sure we are dealing with the same things - but I have steel rods in my spine, degenerative disc disease and a bulging disc. So, I am in pain EVERYDAY (most of the pain is severe arthritis pain - but there is quite a bit of pain from the disc issue too). Some days are better than other days, but as a rule - everyday there is pain. Sometimes it is so incredibly difficult to get out of bed and go to work - let alone workout or care about what I'm eating.

It is a constant struggle and one that I wish I knew the answer on how to make it better. Just know you aren't alone.

gentlebreeze2

I wouldn't doubt I have many illnesses but i refused to seek medical advice lol, I would rather not know about such things or to be given more medication.. I've had Type 1 Diabetes since I was 8... That's enough for me Lol

I have avoided doctors for years, and just tried to take good care of myself. I've lost 59 pounds on mfp, but stalled several months ago. Diagnosed with a blood clot in August. They tried to do a biopsy on my in Oct., but my heart went into Afib. In Nov. I was diagnosed with cancer. I had surgery last week. I am determined to beat all this, jump back on the exercise/weight loss trail and continue my progress just as soon as I get the thumbs up from my doctor. I dont see this as a diet, but a pursuit of healthy living.

butterflimom

I struggle with depression, big time. I also have been diagnosed with bi-polar many years back, but take no medication for either. I suffer from chronic pains in my joints, back, and neck from a horrible car accident that happened to me in 1999. I was in a wheelchair for almost 6 months. I still don't walk or run correctly, nor can I sit or lay still for long periods of time. I have also been informally diagnosed this past May with PCOS by my doctor. I tried the medication for that at couldn't handle metformin. I recently went in for stomach issues, my doctor is thinking a stomach ulcer, but we're not sure what it is yet. There are days that my stomach kills me with pain and I am so sick and cannot eat much of anything...

Everyday is different for me and I never know if I will wake up in horrific pains or with depressive thoughts....My husband and kids are what keep me going. Losing weight, even though it has been a slow journey is helping me feel better mentally and emotionally.

scoutmom49

just trying to make light of things but I have a soon to be EX husband so I gues I am in recovery.

seanchai

Slight thread necromancy but this seemed a good thread to chip in on.

I have spastic diplegic cerebral palsy and severe rheumatoid arthritis. Weighed 99 lbs soaking wet (5'0" "unfolded', as compared to about 3'0" in my manual wheelchair ) till I went to college, and promptly put on a ridiculous amount of weight considering there's nowhere to put it! After leaving college for medical and accessibility reasons, I took about 2 years to get down to about 130, which I was fairly happy with. Ten years later, after about a year of dealing with insane levels of spasticity and joint pain, I got myself balanced on a scale and went "what the heck happened?!"

It's hard to know how much of my weight is *weight* because a lot of my meds cause me to retain a truly painful amount of fluid, but let's just say that even while taking (doctor prescribed) lasix, my weight is completely unacceptable... and I'm still trying to figure out exactly how I managed to put so much on so quickly - neither my activity level nor my eating habits have changed since I got back on track for the first round of weight loss. (Barring college, my eating habits have always been healthy anyway - thank you, mom, for telling me vegetables were just "special candy" when I was young and impressionable! Thanks to her, I don't tend to have the cravings others have, and am likelier to grab some raw broccoli or steam some spinach than to go for the junk food). I've had an incredibly stressful few years so some of it might just be all the cortisol my body's pumping out... and the meds, of course.... and generally aging with two conditions that beat the heck out of the body.

Regardless, I refuse to live the rest of my life at the level of mobility I've got right now - I was a huge wheelchair athlete from age 4 through high school, and while a combination of lack of any wheelchair sports teams and joint damage from RA has pretty much closed the door on that for me, I am still way too independent to be okay with this "I can't bend my leg to get my trousers on" and "I'm out of breath from crossing the room" business... I worked too hard to get those abilities in the first place, so I'm not giving them up. Might take me another two years to drop the weight again (I'm heavier now than I was in college, somehow), and of course, the rest of my life to maintain it, but I'm in for the long haul. Prednisone et al can kiss my butt.

spectralmoon

I have microcytic anemia that leaves me feeling weak, exhausted, and very prone to sun sickness (nausea, dizziness, fainting, and extreme fatigue). The majority of my workouts have to be indoors, either at home or at the gym, or outside in the evening when the sun is setting. I've been getting iron injections for the past 6 years, and all I want to do after the shots is sleep. :P

paulyarwooduk

I have rhuematoid arthritis and have had since I was 14.

My weight piled on once I left school and got a job. I went to WW and lost lots of weight but it didn't stay off. As I have got older the pains I suffer have worsened. The pains stop me from doing anything most days not even housework and this makes me sad which has lead to depression. Hence the cycle.

I started here on MFP and you guys are all so encouraging that I have managed to break that cycle. I exercise now which I have never done...ever...and yes it is hard and yes it hurts me so badly. I do Jillian Michael's 30 day shred which is a real killer but it allows me to do as much as I can cope with doing and in the comfort of my own living room.

I'm about half way to my goal now but already I can feel myself getting stronger and this lifts my spirit which helps to quash the depression. I do get regular 'flare-ups' where the pain is so incredible that I can do nothing but cry. The way I look at it is that even though what I have is really bad, there are so many others out there who are experiencing much worse than me, (like some I've read on this thread), but are accomplishing so much more. When I look at it like this how can I possibly find an excuse not exercise and lose weight?

Thank you for starting this thread it's actually so encouraging for me knowing that I'm not alone

Paul x

jrsb511

I Have Lyme Disease, which in turn killed my thyroid and also gave me Fibromyalgia. I too have alot of pain some dayswhich makes it hard to do anything.
I have started to do walking and some weigh training but it's extremely hard most days.
It's good to see others who have similar difficulties.

iana_cass

Type 1 Diabetes for over 20 years, Hypothyroidism for the same length of time.

I'm a mom of 4 and a homeschooler too, do those count? lol Seems like I never get out of the house for exercise but plan to start taking the kids for walks for PE!

Frannybobs

I have rhuematoid arthritis and have had since I was 14.

My weight piled on once I left school and got a job. I went to WW and lost lots of weight but it didn't stay off. As I have got older the pains I suffer have worsened. The pains stop me from doing anything most days not even housework and this makes me sad which has lead to depression. Hence the cycle.

I started here on MFP and you guys are all so encouraging that I have managed to break that cycle. I exercise now which I have never done...ever...and yes it is hard and yes it hurts me so badly. I do Jillian Michael's 30 day shred which is a real killer but it allows me to do as much as I can cope with doing and in the comfort of my own living room.

I'm about half way to my goal now but already I can feel myself getting stronger and this lifts my spirit which helps to quash the depression. I do get regular 'flare-ups' where the pain is so incredible that I can do nothing but cry. The way I look at it is that even though what I have is really bad, there are so many others out there who are experiencing much worse than me, (like some I've read on this thread), but are accomplishing so much more. When I look at it like this how can I possibly find an excuse not exercise and lose weight?

Thank you for starting this thread it's actually so encouraging for me knowing that I'm not alone

Paul x

I can't imagine being in that much pain, so it must be hard to have that and still exercise eating control. Are you able to exercise much? I can relate to the depression. I had lost 4 stones and was at my goal weight in 2005, then I got hit with severe depression out of the blue, and it all piled back on as I worked for 4 years getting back to strength. I am now through it for the most part, but when you're low everything seems like a chore so you'd go for the quickest option for food. I admire you for going on this journey. Use your mfp friends to be there for you when things get rough, PM me whenever

Fran

paulyarwooduk

I have rhuematoid arthritis and have had since I was 14.

My weight piled on once I left school and got a job. I went to WW and lost lots of weight but it didn't stay off. As I have got older the pains I suffer have worsened. The pains stop me from doing anything most days not even housework and this makes me sad which has lead to depression. Hence the cycle.

I started here on MFP and you guys are all so encouraging that I have managed to break that cycle. I exercise now which I have never done...ever...and yes it is hard and yes it hurts me so badly. I do Jillian Michael's 30 day shred which is a real killer but it allows me to do as much as I can cope with doing and in the comfort of my own living room.

I'm about half way to my goal now but already I can feel myself getting stronger and this lifts my spirit which helps to quash the depression. I do get regular 'flare-ups' where the pain is so incredible that I can do nothing but cry. The way I look at it is that even though what I have is really bad, there are so many others out there who are experiencing much worse than me, (like some I've read on this thread), but are accomplishing so much more. When I look at it like this how can I possibly find an excuse not exercise and lose weight?

Thank you for starting this thread it's actually so encouraging for me knowing that I'm not alone

Paul x

I can't imagine being in that much pain, so it must be hard to have that and still exercise eating control. Are you able to exercise much? I can relate to the depression. I had lost 4 stones and was at my goal weight in 2005, then I got hit with severe depression out of the blue, and it all piled back on as I worked for 4 years getting back to strength. I am now through it for the most part, but when you're low everything seems like a chore so you'd go for the quickest option for food. I admire you for going on this journey. Use your mfp friends to be there for you when things get rough, PM me whenever

Fran

Thanks Fran it's friends like you that help me to keep going :flowerforyou:

Paul x

blonde20fan

I have Pulmonary Hypertension. It's a chronic disease that is sometimes terminal. I have a central line in my chest that give me a medicine 24/7 called Flolan. I am losing weight so that when the time comes (this disease is progressive) I qualify for a double lung transplant.