Reason for losing weight

[frenchman96]

Hi There

It is now 5 weeks since my HA, angiogram, and 1 stent, and am doing well, in fact, back to normal.

I am still tweaking my diet to make sure my intake is healthy and I only have one query.

I have lost about 5lbs in weight, and I put this down to a couple of things, right or wrongly.

I have removed fat from most things, Vitalife in place of butter, skimmed instead of the semi, no-fat yoghurt, and 50% less fat cheese. PLUS, I am opening my bowels (normally) 3 times a day and I am wondering if either the Vitalife (made with Rapeseed) or the meds are making me go.

[Hidden]

Well done losing the weight and changing your diet. It's not easy to lose weight and changing eating habits.

4 years ago I had jaundice caused by 2 tablets I was taking for neurological condition. 5 months of not being able to do anything gave me a lot of time to think. As no one was dependent on me anymore .

( Husband died in 2004 aged 47, dad 3 years later,mother in law 2015 and my mom 2017)

I only wanted 3 things move house , lose weight and get fitter.

Moved over 100 miles to live closer to my children 2 years ago , lost 7 st was a 32 now a 16 still want to lose 1.5 st and go to active ageing exercise classes.

You mentioned your bowels when I was over 19st was either constipated or very loose. After I lost a couple of stone my bowels became normal. And continue to be so.

Funny enough losing the weight has given me more confidence. Plus I found out last year I was born with a heart defect and was diagnosed with PAF in September. So more determined than ever to lose the last bit. As it will help my heart.

I cut out foods I have no control over if I don't buy it I can't eat it my danger foods are chocolate ,biscuits ,bread products,ice cream and cheese.

Because of live alone it's easier for me. I weigh everything and count calories. My meals will seem boring to some people but I don't always feel well so they work for me and always have a meal in the fridge to heat up.

Breakfast porridge made with coconut milk that way don't need any honey.

Lunch my whatever homemade soup . I use my largest saucepan 5 veg oxo, 150g red lentils and lots of veg whatever I have either fresh or frozen. Makes enough for 6 lunches.

Dinner is a stew if it's meat either 2 pork steaks or 3 chicken thighs on the bone not skin plus 150g pearl barley ,5 oxos and lots of veg in my largest saucepan or slow cooker. That does for 6 dinners

I alternate it with Quorn either 300g of mince,chicken pieces or 8 sausages which I lighting fry in little oil to brown and cut each on into 8. Cooked in my largest saucepan either with pasta or tin of beans plus 5 oxos and lots of veg again lasts 6 meals.

Sometimes make a lasagna with Quorn mince plenty of veg . Low cal white sauce with 50g cheese. Only buy amount of cheese I need.

Sorry to ramble on but this is what works for me. With weight loss everyone has there own way which works for them. You just have to find it.

Good luck to you and everyone else wanting to lose weight and remember it's a marathon and not a sprint. If you have a bad day don't give up . I did that for decades but not for the last 4 years losing weight for life. 😊

[frenchman96 in reply to Hidden]

Wow, thanks for the reply, a lot to digest, but I applaud you, you certainly have "had the tea shirt" as the expression goes. You must have some stamina and fighting spirit to get over all that has happened. Just one point to clear, I am/was not trying to lose weight, it just happened, I am curious why, but a good friend thinks it may be the sudden lift in my statins from 10mg to 80mg, seeing GP soon so will check.

[Hidden in reply to frenchman96]

Sorry I misunderstood. That seems a big jump up in your statins . Hopefully your GP will get your cholesterol checked. And get you on the right dose.

[Larivee]

I have started a vegetarian diet except I eat fish. I have anklosing spondylitis as well as heart muscle issues. Started taking Entresto. But I think the AS and heart issues might be fromauto inflammatory problems. I am feeling better by not eating animal fat and using a plant based diet. Time will tell although my wife is not a fan of my new diet lifestyle 🥴

[Heartinthehills]

Hi Frenchman96. Your weight change reminds me of my experiences immediately after my incident and starting to take medication 8 years ago. I was on 80mg Atorvastatin plus other medication immediately after discharge and moved to a less fat and low salt diet. I also found I initially needed the toilet after every meal . I lost 10 lbs or more in the first year and now have a healthy BMI of 20. I have exercised very regularly since my incident and feel a lot fitter for it. My cholesterol dropped to around 3 after a year and has stayed there and still on 80mg Atorvastatin which is the likely reason. I wouldn't worry too much about the weight loss (good) and toilet visits (a nuisance). My bowels reverted to less active after a while but never returned to my normal just once every morning which I put down to the heavy medication. I was prescribed and still take Lansoprazole 20 minutes before breakfast which seems to promote a fairly prompt visit to the loo. Good luck with your settling in period and keep exercising.