Wow, just you and I?

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New thread I guess. Honestly, I am looking for better ways to help motivate my wife of almost 15 years to live a healthier life. She was diagnosed about 4+ years ago. I have had wonderful success with this website, losing over 50 pounds fom February 2011-September 2011, then got away from logging my food on here and put ten pounds back on. For me, and for most I would imagine, the exercise is great and all, but the essential part is putting good fuel into your body, whether you exercise 90 minutes a day or 20 minutes per week doesn't matter as much over the long term. My wife eats unhelathy and is a smoker and I'm looking for the best way to motivate her to make a change for herself. MS has eroded her ability to do many physical things, which in turn has eroded er self confidence and feeling of self worth. I want her to feel good emotionally again and having a better self image would, I think, go a long way. I hope you are doing well.

Replies

  • oregonbowgirl
    oregonbowgirl Posts: 20 Member
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    Yes new thread & just us for now (:. So far I have been very fortunate, still have the bad and good days...
    I was diagnosed over a year ago November 21st 2010 to be exact. I went through a serious down point & alot of booze & realized almost a year after being diagnosed I didn't want to be that woman with the cane or in the "power scooter" that I have seen in so many group meetings and seminars.
    I have been on Fitness Pal for over 6 months and have been working with a trainer over a month 2 times a week learning proper exercise & diet. So far so good, I have to say though my attitude has changed big time with eating clean and exercise.
    It sounds like you have done well and are going in the right direction. Do you think your wife would be interested in going on fitness pal and chatting?
    Thanks for joining!!!!
  • pvaness17
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    Maybe. I need to dance around that reuest a little so she understands I'm not grandstanding, rather just trying to give her different ideas on how to help herself. I can't change her (took me 15 years to figure that out) but I want to support what ever decision and route she wants to take to get back to being happy. I can't push too hard (she's Polish/Czech, that doesn't work) or she'll resist. I don't know how to make the conversation safe at this point.
  • oregonbowgirl
    oregonbowgirl Posts: 20 Member
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    Just be patient, its a tuff subject.
    You have done great for yourself I know quitting tabacco can be a CHALLENGE its been a year for my husband & I. Keep up the good work all of your healthy efforts are bound to pay off!!!
  • MollyBK87
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    I'm hereeeee!

    Hi!
    I'm 24 years old, just recently diagnosed with MS (And have a slue of other diagnosises but thats besides the point!)
    I have been incredibly negative about this whole situation, but am beyond ecstatic to finally understand why I sleep 20 hours a day for a week almost monthly, and why my legs are numb and blah blah blah.

    I've been on here only a week, have almost no movement currently, as I am dealing with a flair-up, BUT I have lost some weight right away.

    One thing I struggle with, when I'm not able to control my legs, I'm not able to get out of bed and make myself food. So, on my flair-up/hurting days I'm lucky if I eat one meal when my husband gets home from work, usually dinner. And I'm eating only 500-600 calories. Do you have any suggestions as to how to eat more, but eat right? (If thats an issue you struggle with at all!)

    I'm glad I found this group! yay!
  • rossi02
    rossi02 Posts: 549 Member
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    Hello.. I hope you all don't mind me joining this group. I do not have MS, but my mother does. She seems to have a case that has really advanced over the last 6 years after being diagnosed. She went from walking with a limp, to walking with a cane.. to now being wheelchair bound. The past 3 years, she's broken 3 bones.. she is currently doing pt to try and regain the muscles in her legs and to hopefully someday be able to walk again. I want to help her so much, but I don't understand all she's going through. Which is part of why I would like to join this group.
  • 1981simm
    1981simm Posts: 123 Member
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    Hello... I hope that its alright that I join. My husband was diagnosed in may of last year and has battled weight issues his whole life... it worries me because he has no balance and falls a lot I was wondering if there are any ways of him losing weight without walking/running etc... he has arthritis really bad in legs also. He is now past the symptoms from starting rebif and has some of his energy back so he's not sleeping all the time. He works in a coal mine and walks quite a bit... should I just work on calories for him?
  • oregonbowgirl
    oregonbowgirl Posts: 20 Member
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    The one thing that has really helped me is making meals in advance. I have been following a diet from my trainer mainly meat and veggies so every sunday I am smoking or grilling 10 lbs of chicken breast (costco) and 10 lbs of turkey burger. The smoker is great because if I do not have the energy I can clean it later (ha ha). Then I bag all of the meat up in 3oz or 6 oz packages I have to eat 5 meals a day. That is the thing you have to MAKE yourself do it. A better diet is only going to help you in the long run.
  • oregonbowgirl
    oregonbowgirl Posts: 20 Member
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    I feel everyone is effected by MS, Yes we want you to be part of the group!! The more heads we can out together the better!!
  • oregonbowgirl
    oregonbowgirl Posts: 20 Member
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    The one thing that has really helped me is making meals in advance. I have been following a diet from my trainer mainly meat and veggies so every sunday I am smoking or grilling 10 lbs of chicken breast (costco) and 10 lbs of turkey burger. The smoker is great because if I do not have the energy I can clean it later (ha ha). Then I bag all of the meat up in 3oz or 6 oz packages I have to eat 5 meals a day. That is the thing you have to MAKE yourself do it. A better diet is only going to help you in the long run.
  • 1981simm
    1981simm Posts: 123 Member
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    Thanks!!!! We're working on no soda cut out caffine cause we are ttc but he goes through soda like no other and he's only home and awake for a few hrs a day are you on rebif or something like it?
  • oregonbowgirl
    oregonbowgirl Posts: 20 Member
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    Welcome! Here is some information off of the National MS Society, as I am not a dietician I cant really say but there is some info as well were you can get free books on lower calorie lower fat diets I will find that link and post it as soon as I do..

    Maintenance of general good health is very important for persons with MS or any chronic disorder. A well-balanced and carefully planned diet will help to achieve this goal. MS specialists recommend that people with MS adhere to the same low-fat, high fiber diet that is recommended for the general population.

    The Problem with Special Diets
    While many different diets have been proposed as a treatment, or even a cure, for the signs and symptoms of MS, evidence of effectiveness is very limited. There is some evidence that a diet low in saturated fats and supplemented by Omega 3 (from fatty fishes, cod-liver oil, or flaxseed oil) and Omega 6 (fatty acids from sunflower or safflower seed oil and possibly evening primrose oil) may have some benefit for people with MS.Most of the diets that have been touted as helping people with MS have not been subjected to rigorous, controlled studies, and the few that have been evaluated have produced mixed results. Most of the claims made for dietary treatments are based on personal accounts, and the reported benefits may have been spontaneous changes that would have happened without any treatment.

    Some Diets May Be Harmful; Others Are Fine
    Some special diets may be harmful because they include potentially toxic amounts of certain vitamins, or exclude important nutrients. Others conform to the low fat, high fiber diet recommendations of the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society for all Americans.
  • oregonbowgirl
    oregonbowgirl Posts: 20 Member
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    I have started Copaxone, I am unfortunatly getting some symptoms back my next appointment is at the end of the month so we will see then. You know how it is a BIG waiting game!
  • Lynna63385
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    Hi there!! I am excited to find this group! I am 52 and was diagnosed with MS a little over 21 years ago. I feel like I am an MS Veteran! Do I know everything about what is best for me?? No.....but I know a lot. Do I always do what is best for me?? I sure wish I did! However I don't! So with that being said...here I am. My biggest challenge with having MS is mobility, balance, strength and fatigue. All of these things can be helped with a healthy lifestyle. Back in 2007 I joined Weight Watchers and a gym. I lost a total of 125 pounds, dropped 9 clothing sizes. I felt so good about myself!! My mobility was better, balance was better and best of all I couldn't wait to put on stylish clothes and go places, which was not the case when I weighed 265 pounds!! I obviously still had MS, still used my cane and rollator (long distance walks), but I knew people weren't looking at me because I was heavy. I love talking to people and when I lost my weight, people went out of the way to talk to me. Conversations usually led to why did I have trouble walking, and 9 out of 10 times these people knew someone with MS, whether it be a family member or friend. I always shared my journey with them and it seemed to encourage those who had a dismall attitude toward MS. It always felt like I was put in the right place at the right time!!

    So......here I am. I can't believe I gained 50 pounds back!! Im feeling like people look at me thinking the reason I have trouble walking is because I'm overweight. I feel like crap quite honestly. My feet, legs and back ache again, which I was totally painfree when I kept the weight off (kept it off for 2 years). Trying to pick out what to wear due to what I can fit into, rather than what is cute. I have NO desire to see anyone that saw me when I was at my goal and healthy.

    I am on my 3rd day of healthy eating. I've not been back to the gym, but I will get there eventually. The healthy eating again was my first step. Someone on here asked about exercise when you have mobility issues. The only cardio I could physically do was an elipticle machine that locked my feet into place and had arms that moved. The first time I got on it when I was very heavy, I could only do it for 2 minutes. I worked myself up to 40 mins. It burned calories like crazy. It felt good to be able to get my heart rate up which I hadn't done in years!

    I apologize for such a long post! I think we "ms'rs" and familynof ms'rs have a lot in common. We can help each other in many ways.
  • oregonbowgirl
    oregonbowgirl Posts: 20 Member
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    What an AMAZING story you just shared!!!! You have gone so far and you know you can do it already the 50 pounds isn't going to be a problem for you!!!! And from reading your post you seem like such a positive person, I need the positive and the folks who understand because as you know its not always something you can just explain to someone, so thank you for joining our group!! I have tried networking at local seminars support groups ect... Honestly most folks have a real sorry for myself attitude with this disease and I am going to do my very best to stay up beat and positive!

    I myself just got home from the gym, and it was VERY difficult to go today but I know it will pay off!!! And when I was done I felt 100% better!!! The hardest part is the first two weeks you can get back into the groove!!! Share your feeling and thoughts anytime!!!
  • MollyBK87
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    There is no such thing as Too long of a post!

    Thank you all for sharing, I'm so grateful to have found so many people affected by MS, I never realized how connected people can be until I felt like "I'm the ONLY ONE" dealing with MS. It Sucks some days soooo bad. Its hard to be a young mother, stuck in bed, either cause the doctors are telling me to take it easy and sleep when I need it, or cause I'm just too tired to move, OR cause I keep having surgeries because the Muscles connected to my kidney and bladder are being affected so I'm unable to pee, and they keep doing trial surgeries, none of which have worked :(

    Anyways, On the plus side, I've lost 21 lbs in the (about) 6 weeks that I have been using MyFitnessPal. Yippeeeee!

    I hope to become more connected to you all on here, but I'm horrible about blogs and boards and blah blah blah... I just get sucked right into Facebook! lol

    Much love, and keep on truckin'
  • Gorger
    Gorger Posts: 100 Member
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    Hi there. Just joined your group.
    Just wondering if anyone has tried Curcumin? I am waiting to see a neurologist at the MS clinic for the first time and the wait is long to see the specialist. In the meantime I have been randomly taking it - and my balance is pretty much better and good now. It's probably a coincidence? It's just something I had in my cupboard and I thought I'd give it a try. I am having vision problems and was having balance issues. When I walk down the road sometimes I can't walk a straight line, feel like I'm on a boat. Is that how you feel? Also, do you increase your vitamin D at all?