Hi, I have severe COPD but am badly overweight. I am trying to lose weight but find it difficult to exercise. As newly diagnosed I am in a hamster wheel, depressed and trying to come to terms with it all but so aware that I have to lose weight. Can anyone offer any tips short of living on water for a week?
Thanks
Annie
You are not alone, Annie. I have the same problem and would be interested in any replies. xx
Lose weight? Eat the same food as you normally do but do not use the same dish you normally do use a child's one so you cut down on the amount you eat walking is also good even getting up and down in your chair like 10 times slow not fast as you will not be in a race even go to the bottom of your stairs and Use the first step or the second step and keep going up and down about 10 times what you got to remember is any litte bite of exercise do not mater how small is good for you 99 per cent of the time I am in a wheelchair and I still exercise do not try and lose weight quickly as it will not work it will come back and even more good luck
Thank you David, yes I do try to exercise as much as possible and I still manage to retain my independence (Housework, washing, little bit in the garden etc). I live alone and have no help other than transport as I can only walk about 50 yards. As far as the plate size goes, I will try this. Emotional eating is not an easy things to overcome unless of course the source of the problem is tackled.
I know the answers to the questions, its just getting it to become a way of life.
Thanks again
Annie
Morning Annie - it is such a difficult diagnosis to come to terms with. It is made more difficult for you because you of your weight. It is a vicious circle because sometimes the eating comes from not being able to do anything else! I care for my husband who has severe COPD - he finds that he has to eat little and often rather than three meals a day which can be difficult to control! The idea of using smaller portions is a very good one. What hit home with me was to think about everything we ate and make a conscious decision as to whether it was food that would actually help my husband feel better. For me, that struck a chord and made me more aware!
We dont have any biscuits or crisps or chocolate in the house - never mind my husband I would eat them in a flash so I dont buy them! I can appreciate that it is difficult to exercise but I try to encourage my husband to get up and move around for a few minutes every half an hour. Any little bit of exercise is better than nothing! You would try using google or your tube to find exercises to do in your chair - that might help. Try drinking water - I try to drink hot water rather than a cup of tea every time!
Good Luck! You will feel so much better when you are in control. Lots of love TAD xxx
Thank you TAD that is real common sense approach.
I have noted and will try this.
Regards
Annie
Good Morning Annie
I can totally understand the whirlwind of emotions you are going through being newly diagnosed and that being compounded by your weight worry.
Firstly congratulations on accepting something has to change this, to me, is the first step to addressing the issue.
As you can see you will get a lot of common sense suggestions and advice from people who have been where you are now.
So far people have said up your mobility by little and often increments, smaller plates - portion control, drinking more water and getting rid of the treats (biscuits & crisps) if you adopted all or just one or two of these will make a difference. I love my homemade soups (plenty of fresh veg and a cup of lentils cooked up and blitzed).
You mentioned 'emotional' eating - I understand you live alone so maybe getting out to class will help? Ask your GP if there are any over 50s classes in your area - from the feedback I hear these are very social events. What about pulmonary rehab exercises or is there a course running in your area?
You mentioned no transport? In our area we have a little mini bus service (ring a ride) where they pick you up and take you to events (like lunch club or knit n natter or over 60s exercise class - anywhere a group of people meet up).
My best advice would be to get out of the house if you can and mix with others - having a cup of tea and a chat is one of the most enjoyable things for me but then I will chat to anyone! Does your GP practice have a healthy eating club? Before embarking on any weight loss or exercise regime I think a visit to your GP or Practice nurse would be a starting point - I am sure they will be able to give you lots of hints, tips and support - you may even meet other people in a similar situation - remember you are not alone.
Kindest regards
First sorry about your condition
I dont know your eating habits and i know diets dont work so my advice is to write everthing n down , eat your food slowly put smaller amount on your fork and chew it 20 times before swallowing then pause for 20 seconds before 2nd bite make your meal last over 20min this over time will reduce your intake of food and help you to loose weight,this is not a diet but a change of eating habits it will work if you stay with it.
good luck
Hi Sokrackers,
thank you for you most helpful suggestions. Many of the things you mention are great but this assumes that I am a sociable person, in fact I am a bit of a loner and do not find it easy to keep talking about my illness face to face, this forum is much better for me.
Living remote and rural has many drawbacks and NHS shortage of funds and staff affect the services greatly here, so much of what you mention just does not happen. However thank you so much for the most helpful email.
BTW are you a health worker or a fellow sufferer?
Annie
Hi did you know you can join weightwatchers online? There is also an NHS online site for losing weight. That might help you. x
You have to remember one thing. You didn't develop COPD overnight and you didn't put on weight overnight....so don't expect to loose it. Exercise is as important as diet and exercise is where we have the problem. Loads on BLF web site about home and chair based exercise and also on You Tube. Have a look. You don't say what degree of COPD you are at but I've had a mobility scooter for sometime just to get out of the house and break the cabin fever. However, I realised it wasn't doing me any good....in fact it was making me lazy. So now I have reverted to my previous choice....an electric bike. I can pedal it or pedal it with the motor helping or if I am worn out, just open the throttle and go home. Even just sitting there turning the pedals, is exercise. The other thing is if I get off and walk along the canal tow path, I always have something to lean on to get my breath back. I don't feel so stupid either...after all, what's wrong with a fella leaning on his bike, taking in the view. At home, if the weather is against me, I use the Wii fit. Play tennis, ten pin bowling, sword fencing, anything to use muscles and keep the blood and oxygen flowing. If you feel good about yourself, you don't pick at food or raid the fridge all the time. If you want to stop yourself nibbling biscuits and chocolate, simply don't buy any.
I think I'll get a Wii fit, I'll google it, used to beat my grandchildren at ten pin bowling on their Wii fi, thanks for the tip x
Thanks for this.
All would be well if the breathlessness was in hand. Am changing things slowly and have started pulmonary rehab.
Regards
Annie
Hi sorry r u on portable oxygenot could u use e bike if u was thanks
Luckily I'm not on oxygen but I think that as long as you had a back bottle carrier and the bottle couldn't move around, you would be fine. I would suggest going for a small wheeled bike though. Why not find a local dealer and give one a road test.....you don't have to buy from them.
It's brilliant for getting moving and if you wear yourself out, you just pause it, sit down, have a cuppa and continue when you are ready. The cycling wears me out.
Hi Annie, I know what you mean. I too have put on a lot of weight during the last 12 months and I cannot shift it. I saw on the Lorraine show this morning that there is a new injection which is available on the NHS which helps obese patients lose weight. Maybe I will go and ask for this as all else is failing. (I am not saying you are obese by the way, I just know I am). Take care and good luck. Maximonkey
Thank you Maxi
I too have seen this injection, but I am not sure.
However, I am taking in the advice given and have started to drink plenty of water and stop buying rubbish. Have invested in a nutrabullit and an now enjoying liquid fruit and veg, much cheaper and better tAnniehan shop bought juices and smoothies!
I have COPD and lower back problems so I go to the local pool twice a week and do aqua fit I find it far less painful exercising in water
My simple ones are to cut out butter - seems weird at first but after awhile you do not even notice it - also no sugar in hot drinks again tastes funny at first but you get used to it and use semi skimmed milk, not full fat (totally skimmed I find a bit too watery) - obviously balanced diet necessary but the above are simple and can make quite a difference. Also lots of calories in booze - so if you do drink just cut down - hope all that helps a bit - good luck - I'm in the process of trying to lose some too but not dieting as such just following my own advice as above and doing it slowly and being aware of what I eat, no need to be drastic better to slowly get into good habits and then any loses will hopefully stay off for good. I put my weight on after giving up smoking. Good luck xx
Hi Annie,
I was told to that I was OBESE thats the word the Doctor used. I stopped smoking last year and put on another stone so now I'm more Obese. I have decided to join a slimming group near by to see how to lose weight, although I am sure I could most likely do it on mine own. I can't really afford it but if it helps then I know I have to do it. I will keep you posted. I know that exercise can be difficult but I am sure just a little would help.
Sorry if this is a late reply but I have only just seen your post.
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