Fibromyalgia

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AshAlvarezz
AshAlvarezz Posts: 113 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm having a hard time losing weight due to my chronic illnesses & chronic pain, I also can't work out because of this so of course that makes it a bit harder.
Due to these issues & some of the medication I take, a lot of foods bother my stomach. It's tricky because something that bothers me today I could totally be fine eating tomorrow, I never know when my body will hate me for what I'm eating; yesterday it was salad, which was surprising.
So I'm looking for others that are maybe going through the same struggle or have gone through it & succeeded in losing weight.

Replies

  • Getmehealthy101
    Getmehealthy101 Posts: 17 Member
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    My mum is going through something similar. My advice to you is take it day by day. She personally is following a subtle low carb diet. Nothing too drastic but a diet where you can deffo see results. I would also advise some moderate exercise e.g. Something in a swimming pool as it relaxes joints, small walks. You'll deffo get through it. Sending ❤️ your way
  • GirlPanda03
    GirlPanda03 Posts: 44 Member
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    I too have Fibromyalgia as well as M.E. and some other conditions. I struggle with preparing food due to exhaustion etc, making pre-packaged food much easier for me to eat although it's unhealthier. I'm trying to change that when I'm able to, but I think the really important thing is to just take it as it comes. It's always more difficult when you have to work around unpredictable difficulties like these. Like you, I can't work out and really wish I could as I know it would help with weight loss, strengthening muscles, and toning up. I miss sports and the gym! I'm focusing on little bits of movement when able, with the focus being to stay mobile and prevent muscle wastage; even if you can't work out, any movement you can manage will be better than none. It's a difficult balance for us because of things like delayed exhaustion and pain (and resulting 'crashes'), as we have to take that into account when doing anything; it's so easy to 'overdo' it, even with basic day-to-day things. I do think we can lose weight though and improve our health, mainly by being gentle with ourselves and accepting how the conditions affect us. If your body keeps changing the foods it will accept, could you keep a bigger range of food in the house and 'test' something a while before you plan on eating it to see if it's okay for you that day?
  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,754 Member
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    GirlPanda03 wrote: »
    I too have Fibromyalgia as well as M.E. and some other conditions. I struggle with preparing food due to exhaustion etc, making pre-packaged food much easier for me to eat although it's unhealthier. I'm trying to change that when I'm able to, but I think the really important thing is to just take it as it comes. It's always more difficult when you have to work around unpredictable difficulties like these. Like you, I can't work out and really wish I could as I know it would help with weight loss, strengthening muscles, and toning up. I miss sports and the gym! I'm focusing on little bits of movement when able, with the focus being to stay mobile and prevent muscle wastage; even if you can't work out, any movement you can manage will be better than none. It's a difficult balance for us because of things like delayed exhaustion and pain (and resulting 'crashes'), as we have to take that into account when doing anything; it's so easy to 'overdo' it, even with basic day-to-day things. I do think we can lose weight though and improve our health, mainly by being gentle with ourselves and accepting how the conditions affect us. If your body keeps changing the foods it will accept, could you keep a bigger range of food in the house and 'test' something a while before you plan on eating it to see if it's okay for you that day?

    Everything you said was perfect except for the pre-packaged foods. Ain't nothing wrong with these foods. I have rheumatoid arthritis and use pre-packaged foods all the time. Fatigue is a huge issue.with RA. Sometimes I am so wiped out, I use the easy button.
  • happyauntie2015
    happyauntie2015 Posts: 282 Member
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    I have fibromyalgia as well. I won't say it has been easy staying active because it hasn't but I take it day by day hour by hour. I am now doing some light weight training as well. It's hurts like crazy when I'm moving and this may sound crazy but the relief of pain I feel when I'm done is amazing! I have both rhuematoid and osteo arthritis as well. I have gone in with my cane and hobbled over to the bike. Sure there are days or weeks at a time I miss but I keep on trying. I have noticed staying away from processed food for the most part helps how I feel as well and I'm very lucky to have the support and help of my hubby and family. What's important is we try to stay active and yes convenience food definitely helps on the bad days that's for sure! You can do this it's just going to take patience :) listen to your body and don't overdo ease into it but you can do it!

  • GirlPanda03
    GirlPanda03 Posts: 44 Member
    edited April 2017
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    Tiny_Dancer_in_Pink wrote: »
    GirlPanda03 wrote: »
    I too have Fibromyalgia as well as M.E. and some other conditions. I struggle with preparing food due to exhaustion etc, making pre-packaged food much easier for me to eat although it's unhealthier. I'm trying to change that when I'm able to, but I think the really important thing is to just take it as it comes. It's always more difficult when you have to work around unpredictable difficulties like these. Like you, I can't work out and really wish I could as I know it would help with weight loss, strengthening muscles, and toning up. I miss sports and the gym! I'm focusing on little bits of movement when able, with the focus being to stay mobile and prevent muscle wastage; even if you can't work out, any movement you can manage will be better than none. It's a difficult balance for us because of things like delayed exhaustion and pain (and resulting 'crashes'), as we have to take that into account when doing anything; it's so easy to 'overdo' it, even with basic day-to-day things. I do think we can lose weight though and improve our health, mainly by being gentle with ourselves and accepting how the conditions affect us. If your body keeps changing the foods it will accept, could you keep a bigger range of food in the house and 'test' something a while before you plan on eating it to see if it's okay for you that day?

    Everything you said was perfect except for the pre-packaged foods. Ain't nothing wrong with these foods. I have rheumatoid arthritis and use pre-packaged foods all the time. Fatigue is a huge issue.with RA. Sometimes I am so wiped out, I use the easy button.

    The pre-packaged stuff (ie ready made) tends to have a lot of stuff added to it that I'd prefer not to eat. All kinds of things to 'flavour' it. :/ Maybe processed is the word I should have used.
  • leanjogreen18
    leanjogreen18 Posts: 2,492 Member
    edited April 2017
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    I've been diagnosed with Fibro as well...

    I've lost weight with no issues as long as I stay in a calorie deficit. I was prescribed Savella which actually supressed my appetite ( I didn't stay on it).

    As a side note I walk only for exercise and just losing 10 lbs and walking regularly decreased the pain so much!

    I ate/eat package processed foods, really all foods I ate when not "dieting" and weight loss itself helped with pain. I do tend to eat more whole foods but I always have.

    I still have bouts of pain sorta like "flares" but nothing has hindered my weight loss.

    This is just my experience, hope that helps!
  • bizgirl26
    bizgirl26 Posts: 1,808 Member
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    I have fibro as well. I was spiraling out of control with pain and fatigue and didn't want to take any drugs. At first I could only walk 5 minutes and I cried it hurt so bad. I added a bit more very week and now I can do cardio for 20 minutes and lift heavy. I have lost over 50 pounds. Don't give up. Just ease into it. I can't tell u how good I feel now. Gluten free helped me too
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    edited April 2017
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    bizgirl26 wrote: »
    I have fibro as well. I was spiraling out of control with pain and fatigue and didn't want to take any drugs. At first I could only walk 5 minutes and I cried it hurt so bad. I added a bit more very week and now I can do cardio for 20 minutes and lift heavy. I have lost over 50 pounds. Don't give up. Just ease into it. I can't tell u how good I feel now. Gluten free helped me too

    This is me, minus dietary changes. Eating all nutritious vs mostly nutritious made absolutely no difference for me. I'm not sure how eradicating gluten, a protien, can help. I also track my vitamins and minerals on cron-o-meter. Easing into it helped. I've had flare up during exercise (once during squats!). I still get intense pain but am medicated for it.

    I can also walk for at least 2 hours now.
  • CoachJen71
    CoachJen71 Posts: 1,200 Member
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    Oh, yes. I know just what you mean! It can be so hard to live with chronic pain like fibro and arthritis, and my colitis makes every meal a crapshoot.

    I hope you find a sweet spot where you can live a healthy life as comfortably as possible. *hugs*

    ____________________________________________

    Down 140lbs: My story.
  • carleen01
    carleen01 Posts: 10 Member
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    I also have Fibromyalgia, low Thyroid, Chronic pain and fatigue , Gluten allergy and MGUS. With all of this I've had a very hard time loosing weight! Recently I found a good diet and have lost about 24 lbs, it's called Ketogenic diet, just google it, nothing to buy just a different way of eating, has made me feel tons better. I just recently started exercising but I still lost weight before, I now have a little bit of energy to exercise. I highly recommend it, read up on it and you may find it works for you.
  • harraquelxo
    harraquelxo Posts: 18 Member
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    I have had fibro for about 10 years now, since I was about 14. I dont take prescription medication, I use cannabis. I am around 246 from my sw 255. I still have about 110 pounds to go. The best advice I can give is to eat only meat, veggies, a low amount of fruit, and a low amount of dairy. Drink only water with lemon or lime for flavor. Take your time with excersise. I started by just moving around more and less sitting around. I go weeks were I walk to work every day 45mins.. Then I have weeks where I can barely move but I push myself to clean, cut the grass ect. You have to keep moving as painful as it is, its way better for you in the long run. But that doesnt mean you should never rest, just make small changes at first and constantly built it up. Eventually you will start to enjoy walks and staying active.
  • dondotwinks
    dondotwinks Posts: 93 Member
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    I've had Fibro for almost 18 years. At the beginning i just wanted to not do anything because of the pain.I also suffered depression. The turning point for me was after about 8 years i wanted to start walking, but the back of my calves hurt like hell! So i went Dr's and talked to her and she sent me to a gym that had specialist trainers that dealt with people that had difficulties. I wasn't dieting at this point but i started to notice i was toning up :smile: and that spurred me on to loose weight.In all i had 32 sessions through the specialist gym and i had started walking more.Over the years i have walked further and further and now somedays dog walk's are at least 5-6 miles a day! Coupled with this i now do a active and physical job 3 days a week ( sometimes 5). I am exhausted , my hands are horrendous most days and so is the brain fog. But as i know someday the fibro will literally completely overtake me, Until that day i will just soldier on and stay as active as i physically can. Since 2008 i have lost just over 4 stone from 14stone 7lbs to 10 stone 2lbs as i am now and never completely gained it back. I just keep going up by a few lbs and drop down again, in all honesty i havent been trying very hard lately because of the exhaustion.
    My motto is keep moving honestly over time you will feel better. It's determination and mindset. Small steps lead to bigger ones :smile:
  • newheavensearth
    newheavensearth Posts: 870 Member
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    Fibro here as well. Patience and listening to my body is key. When I have energy and no aches I take advantage of those days and kick up the intensity with heavy lifting, hiit, etc. When my moods are depressed or apathetic and body feels achy, I cut back to maintenance, which is just my 10,000 steps and maybe some yoga or light weights. I don't take meds. I try to stay active every day, because it does help with my moods and my joint aches.

    I try to get as many fruits and veggies as possible, and I seem to feel better when I eat a lot of whole grains, seafood and fish, and small amounts of chicken. I recently cut back on protein supplements and I noticed that the scale moved down and I feel better as well. 71 lbs lost, 14 to go, but I'll see when I get there
  • Mouse_Potato
    Mouse_Potato Posts: 1,495 Member
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    Fibromyalgia here as well. For me, exercise is vital. If I take too many rest days, the pain just gets worse and worse. As long as I stay active, my flareups stay under control, only showing up when my stress level gets too high. Dietary changes made no difference for me. I do not take medicine.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
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    No need to make things more complicated than they already are.

    Eat what makes you satisfied within your calorie limit.

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