Weightloss, muscle building, and neuromuscular disease

EmmaCat013
EmmaCat013 Posts: 25 Member
Its been nearly 10yrs since i started trying to lose weight. Its been hard and often discouraging. No matter what i did, i gained fat and lost muscle. I hired personal trainers and nutritionists, i took a nutrition certification, i tried every type of diet out there, and i did serial dexa scans. Despite all my effort, i was tired all the time, and i couldn’t build muscle or burn fat. My dexa scans proved this. Visceral fat was increasing and muscle mass was decreasing.
Just this august i was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis and began treatment. Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disease characterized by severe fatigue and progressive weakness. There is no known cure, but thanks to treatment I am finally feeling consistently strong. I go to the gym 5-6days a week. I take fitness classes everyday. I wrote my own meal plan last week. I lost a pound this week and i’m starting to look strong and lean.
My point is, it may take you months or even ten years to find your weightloss answers, but never give up. Try and fail but never quit.

Replies

  • ginnytez
    ginnytez Posts: 1,404 Member
    Have a friend who was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in her late teen. It was indeed a struggle for her. Hopefully you have a good medical group up on latest treatments. At least now you know what you are dealing with. Good start. And you are right--we should never give up.
  • EmmaCat013
    EmmaCat013 Posts: 25 Member
    It must have been difficult for her being so young with such a serious condition!

    I’m lucky enough to have a background in medicine and was able to identify my condition much earlier than most, which i think gives me a better prognosis.

    Its definitely taught me to put myself first no matter what. And its taught me to take risks. Nothing rubs your mortality in your face like thought that one day you might suddenly never walk again. And thats why reaching my fitness goals have become top priority!
  • ginnytez
    ginnytez Posts: 1,404 Member
    Great attitude and I agree. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer 23 years ago (it is persistent and last August I had another small tumor removed). It makes you appreciate every day more. When I stay focused, I can stay in shape and meet goals.
  • EmmaCat013
    EmmaCat013 Posts: 25 Member
    Thats a long time! Why not just do a thyroidectomy?
  • ginnytez
    ginnytez Posts: 1,404 Member
    Oh--I had my thyroid removed in 1996 @EmmaCat013! It's been an interesting journey, but there are much worse things in life. Gave me a great excuse for not losing weight for a long time--but that's all it was, and excuse, not a reason.
  • EmmaCat013
    EmmaCat013 Posts: 25 Member
    Adapt and overcome is my new motto. Sounds like its something you might also live by. I admire that!
  • ginnytez
    ginnytez Posts: 1,404 Member
    I like the adapt and overcome. Life i about how we choose to react to the situations and stuff. We can't control what we have to deal with, but we do have choice over our reactions.
  • EmmaCat013
    EmmaCat013 Posts: 25 Member
    Agreed!!