Lose weight or your discharged!!!

[Suzieblue]

Just thought I would write a quick note regarding my last consultation with Cardiology. I was told he would not treat me unless I lost weight, he wanted to discharge me from NHS care for my AF I was in tears I have been attending ABL classes and have lost 5% of weight and put it back.i have struggled for 23 yes to get this weight off.He said if I agreed to try 5/2 fast diet by Michael Mossley he would see me in February. So I had a fast day on Monday and I am doing another today but since he weighed me last week on Thursday I have dropped 2.2kg I know some will be water but onwards we go. Here's hoping we can stick to this. Anyone tried this diet or should I say way of life!!!

[BobD Volunteer]

Not needed to myself and "only" about one over the critical BMI of 25. I do know that weight loss is one of the most important things with AF for some people so please try. Many find that their AF burden reduces to a level that ablation is not needed. Good luck.

[10gingercats]

I have not heard of this re Cardiology but I have known two men who refused to stop smoking and were refused treatment for emphasemia.With the NHS tightening their budget we may begin to hear more of this.

[Hidden]

Write to your MP - some of these consultants can be right arrogant so and so's.

[davebakerpurton in reply to Hidden]

Why should they waste money if it wont work, its better to help those who help themselves

[Hidden in reply to davebakerpurton]

Sorry, Dave but I don't agree. You don't just abandoned someone to their fate. The NHS is there to help people and if they don't have support mechanisms in place then they should have support mechanisms in place.

[Suzieblue in reply to davebakerpurton]

I have tried to lose weight for years ,trying various diets without much success. I need support not stabbing in the back

[rosyG]

look on this as tough love- he knows you won't improve if you don't lose the weight!

I am constantly battling with mine so do understand!!

[Suzieblue in reply to rosyG]

Second fast day today OK got a bit grouchy late on wanting food after evening weight class. Since consultant weighed me dropped 4.3kg I know some is water but I need to push on.

[rosyG in reply to Suzieblue]

That’s fantastic. Large per cent of our weight is water. Keep going!!!

[Hidden in reply to Suzieblue]

Well done Suzieblue ...I have just dusted off my copy of the 5:2 diet !!

[Jefferson57 in reply to Suzieblue]

Delighted to read this. Sometimes it takes a shock to get a result. You are doing fantastically well and for a great reason! Don't stop.

[jedimasterlincoln]

I am probably the heaviest I've been at the moment since my AF has been present for a lot of this year and has made it very hard to exercise, plus I've barely been at work. Couple that with my osteoarthritis problems caused by not being able to take anti-inflammatory meds and I've ballooned.

If my AF was stable, I'd be more confident going out and about and be able to be on stronger pain medications, which would mean I could exercise more effectively, which would help reduce my weight, which would improve my AF and general health hopefully leading to some stability, which would mean I could go out and about and do more, have my pain controlled by decent medications, which would further encourage me to exercise and reduce my weight which would then make it easier to exercise because everything is stable and pain is controlled......... you get the idea!!

[CaroleF]

Tough love like this is hard to accept, I know, but you are clearly trying - so good for you! I know roughly what the 5/2 diet entails but haven't tried it myself. It would also be worthwhile trying to increase the exercise you do though, as jedimasterlincoln has indicated, AF and medications (+the osteoarthritis in his case) may make this hard to do.

The most success I have had (before AF diagnosis) was a result of attending Rosemary Conley classes and I lost 2 stone over a period of several months. I think part of the success is because, unlike programmes like Slimmers World, the Rosemary Conley classes involve an exercise class too. I didn't think of this as 'dieting' but as a lifestyle change - and I think that may be 'the trick' that leads to success. We're all different of course, but I find it helps my motivation doing things in a group.

Best of luck and I do hope you achieve what the consultant wants.

[Suzieblue in reply to CaroleF]

I lost ar Rosemary C.class but managed to regain it after class was disbanded.Good luck

[Mickey16]

I had Bradycardia and was exercising - still put on weight - because I was not fainting and"too young" I was told they would not do anything (Local Hospital). I went into Atrial Flutter and went into rapid decline.

During this time a GP accused me of not doing enough to control my weight - I was doing 7km 2 x a day on an exercise bike. Plus a strict diet. I felt desolate.

When I saw specialist hospital they told me I was doing the wrong thing for my heart.....

I lost weight rapidly in the first 6 - 8 months when I had my pacemaker but as a result of not having treatment earlier have other arrhythmia and health issues. Sometimes, dealing with the issues more proactively, very probably, will/would save the NHS in the long run.

As long as you are able to prove you are/have been living as healthy a life as you can (keep a diary, it will help you monitor yourself and show the Drs what you are doing and it will give you confidence to discuss the matter through) Just my opinion from what I experienced .....

Kind regards.

[Sam72-]

Hi there , sorry to here your cardiologist said this to you . I think that it’s very hard to loose weight with AF for some people as medication and lack of exercise because in some people like me exercise will induce palps . Sounds very harsh to be honest, have you had all the usual tests done for thyroid and hormones? Because these issues can put weight on you . Is this diet come from a dietitian ? And is it ok to do with your AF ?

[Suzieblue in reply to Sam72-]

Dr Michael Mossley has done alot of research into it and seems to work so my husband and I are attempting this life style change. Hoping to see less of me soon.

[Sam72- in reply to Suzieblue]

That’s good news 👍🏼😊 I was thinking about meds as another person mentioned on here as I am on warfarin so it probably would not be a good idea for me to try this . But good luck and hopefully you will reach your goals 💯💪🏼

[Fastbeat]

Hi Suzieblue, yes I lost just under 4 stone on the diet you are talking about 3years ago ,no one made me I just decided it was time so I was in the right frame of mind when I started it, also my husband said he would join me, and he lost 1 stone he wasn't really over weight.Once I got over the first couple of weeks I found it much easier, it took me 1 year to lose the 4 stone and now 3years later have settled at a weight of about 7lbs above. My 2 fast days were Monday and Friday.,and one of the best things I learnt was portion control.I still try to observe the fast days with sensible eating all other days but now do enjoy all the things I want but in moderation.Dont look to far ahead just take it day by day and if you mess up put it behind you and carry on the good work the next dayWishing you well you can do it, but don't make yourself miserable over it,day at a time,good luck

[Bagrat]

I looked at this diet but thought being on warfarin it might not be the best idea as a stable diet ( not hay and oats though!!) Is recommended. Has anyone any thoughts because I'd be open to suggestion. Would love to lose a stone or so

[Sam72- in reply to Bagrat]

I was thinking same thing about warfarin? 😬

[Suzieblue in reply to Sam72-]

Think it says might affect you on wafrin I'm on dabigatrin.

[danagreen in reply to Bagrat]

Also on Warfarin but have lost 3 stone with 'intermittent fasting' which is eating in a 8-10 hour 'window'. So no breakfast but lunch and supper. The 'fast' is 8 p.m.until midday. As this is everyday the warfarin is unaffected. This also includes low carbohydrates and sugars with plenty of vegetables and real food. Interesting that my lifelong sweet tooth disappeared as well - thankfully.

[Bagrat in reply to danagreen]

Thanks danagreen

[Polski]

I take a cinnamon tablet every day, which helps to even out my blood sugar levels, so I'm not reaching for the biscuit tin at odd times. Always eating a small amount of protein (eg half a dozen walnuts) along with carbohydrates, has a similar effect. It is then much easier to cut down on coffee and anything containing sugar, all of which makes weightloss easier. Replacing white anything with brown, or better still, 'wholemeal' also helps ie fill up on things with plenty of fibre eg fruit and veg, and eat fruit rather than drink lots of fruit juice for the same reason.

There is no simple solution, and the diet you have been given is currently considered the best from a scientific point of view. I confess to being too chicken to try it - So well done, and let us know how you progress. It will be worth it!

[maryjc]

I too had a weight problem and tried many diets and classes. I at last found for me that Paul Mckenna 's book on weight loss and self hypnosis enabled me to change my life style and get rid of childhood messages, leave food on my plate etc. I have had hip problems since birth so exercise was not the way for me. My weight has stayed off for at least 7 years so something must be working even if I still have permanent AF! Everyone is different and as with drugs one size does not fit all! Use your justified anger at your Consultant as a spur to show him .

[WendyWu20]

I can empathise, having had issues with over-eating all my life. One of the most positive things for me, since my AF has become really bad this year, is that I have 'had a word with myself' and began a healthy eating regime. I have now lost two dress sizes and aim to lose three more.

Strangely though, not one medical person I've seen this year, has told me to lose weight.

I refuse to 'go on a diet'. The concept seems so negative. My healthy eating regime is now a way of loving and honouring myself. I gave up most carbohydrates and discovered that my 'arthritis' was actually a gluten sensitivity (I'm now trotting up and down stairs instead of crawling!). I gave up processed sugars and feel so much better :o)

I have a massive fresh salad for lunch each day, with a homemade dressing of olive oil, lemon and honey. I have homemade veggie soup for tea most days. And when I'm not in AF, I walk twice a day.

And goodness me, what a difference all this healthy eating has made!!! As well as feeling so much happier and having much more energy, the AF episodes are actually reducing instead of getting worse.

So good luck to you! If I can maintain a healthy eating regime - anyone can :o)

[Zabadak]

I am very lucky. NHS lothian take a holistic approach, and as my eating was a bit disorganised, I got a12 week group programme with dietician and psychologist leading, then another 12 group sessions on practical steps with dietician. Alongside this a 12 week exercise circuit with a physiotherapist. After that, some people go forward to be considered for surgery but I chose not. So I got a low price swim centre pass and was signposted to gentle exercise classes in my area. I have my tools, so am on my own now for a year. They will check up with me then. The first phase was not about losing weight, but getting organised, eating mindfully, thinking of goals. My weight stabilised, and I now eat much healthier. My mobility has improved 50% but that’s from zero so still not too mobile. Now feel much more ready and weight going down about 1lb per week, which is what they advised. Nothing is forbidden, I just eat carefully. If I have a Chinese, it’s something simple with boiled rice, and an occasional treat, not three times a week!

[Nanabrodie]

I actually did the 5:2 diet and lost exactly 10% of my starting weight and so did my husband and this is exactly what is supposed to happen. Neither of us could lose anymore by staying on the diet. I have since had two ablations within three months this year and have put the 10llbs I lost back on so just trying the diet again now that I’m three months post ablation. Hopefully it will work as well as it did last time .

[Joynjoy]

I don't have anything encouraging to say! Years of different eating methods have led me to the 20st I am now and it's awful. I did the 5:2 , successfully for a while, as usual, but then , while still following the rules, the pounds returned with interest. I also tried alternating fast days. Had a lot of success with the keto regime for a year but even that failed me. I haven't been able to get my headset right to try again for the past few months so now on top of grumbling arthritis, AF, fibromyalgia, my knees are going! My niece, who has a similar loss failure history, has undergone the full surgery and after initial dramatic loss her weight is returning!!!! She can eat no more than a couple of teaspoons of anything without being sick and can't handle veggies at all, even pulped! It makes no sense at all. And the next person to tell me to just eat sensibly or try harder might get one between the eyes👊

Sorry folks, rant over.

I wish you well in your efforts.

And I wish obesity on all those heartless consultants, sorry the rant wasn't quite over!!!!!!!

[Suzieblue in reply to Joynjoy]

I have been slimming for my entire life from about 12yrs I hope this works. My weight bounces higher each time.

[Joynjoy]

I remember going without sugar in my tea when I was 11yrs old and eating my mum's Energen rolls, lousy things they were, like dried up cotton wool.😫

[Hidden in reply to Joynjoy]

Just seen your post ....haha! I remember Energen rolls ... only really edible with plenty of butter ! And the size of the box.....