In this week's instalment of our user stories, *Sally talks about her weight loss journey. Have you had to change your diet because of your condition? Let us know in the comments below:
"I am 70 years old but very active. I retired about 4 years ago after a career as a barrister specialising in public law childcare - very stressful. For about 20 years I have been taking medication for hypertension. I put on weight over the last few years due to work stress, lack of sleep, eating ready-made food and lack of exercise, not weighing myself and just accepting weight gain by buying larger clothes.
I was horrified to be told I was pre-diabetic and having researched the internet realised the horrible implications. Decided I had to do something and so found online the 8-week blood sugar diet and accompanying recipe book. Bought an exercise bike and upped walking to 10,000 steps a day. I have lost 9.5 kg to date and am in week 6 of the diet. I also swim for 30 mins daily.
I found the HealthUnlocked forum online and it is helpful to know there are other people out there with similar issues and worse and to be supportive to them and receive support in return. My condition does not affect my daily life (other than a restricted diet for the time being).
I think I was not really thinking when I allowed myself to put on weight - just part of growing old I thought. At one point my GP said that it was very hard to lose weight the older you got. Changing to a low carb diet has been the pivotal point for me. For years I thought I needed low fat to keep weight off. I no longer eat bread, potatoes, pasta, white rice, bananas or more than one piece of fruit a day. I think the weight loss forum is a valuable resource as it is quite lonely facing up to dieting on your own."
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*Sally has given us consent to share her story, under a pseudonym.
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Stories on HealthUnlocked have an incredible way of raising awareness around certain conditions, as well as inspiring people who might be in the same situation as you. Would you like to share your health journey? Email me at communications@healthunlocked.com to learn more.
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Leilah,
Marketing Lead at HealthUnlocked
Written by
MarketingHU
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Incredible story, it just shows how medical professionals can discourage people when they are struggling with weight gain. Always follow your heart. Thank you Sally for sharing your journey. xx
Could be me - at 71 and with a non alcoholic fatty liver I decided to try keto diet. I'm not strict enough to follow that blindly so I generally reduced carbs (including milk - lactose), avoid the things Sally mentioned and don't avoid fat. Plus changing sugar in hot drinks for stevia sweetener. My blood pressure has reduced to 127/71 whilst no longer taking the medication I was prescribed, I have lost half a stone, although that fluctuates, and feel as though my clothes fit so much better. Will blood test my liver later in the year but you don't have to gain weight as you age.
I buy my own blood tests so I don't have to listen to the refusals and rubbish that the GPs have been known to spout about anything new. I also supplement with vitamin D and co-factors, thanks to a knowledgeable FB group, since the majority of GPs don't realise what optimum levels need to be
At age 70, I had an ablation 13 months ago. My afib & paroxysmal tachycardia had gotten progressively worse following Lyme carditis. Finally, 10 months following the ablation, in April, the palpitations and tachycardia stopped. I had slowly stopped the Sotolol and Cardizem because it made my legs ache and feel sluggish. My walking had gone from 3-4 miles a day to less than a half mile. Also, it had caused my HDL to drop to nearly half and my LDLs & triglycerides to double. I started garlic oil capsules (5,000 to 6,000 mg daily) & Ginger Root capsules (between 1100 to 1650 mg daily) to lower my blood pressure to normal & finally stopped the Apixaban after palpitations stopped. Blood pressure is now about 122/72 usually. But, I knew weight loss was needed. Over three years ago, had gained a total of 35 pounds, or 2.5 stone due to Lyme disease & inactivity due to afib.
I tried various diets over the past 9 months with very little success. One month ago, I finally settled on the Keto diet leaving out carbs & sugar, but replacing it with a high fat - medium protein diet. At this point I have lost inches, but only a few pounds. I hope of that may be explained by new muscle gain in my legs from a stem cell infusion a few months ago. Since my legs are now not as fatigued, I hope to up my exercise as you have done, Megbird. Due to the higher cholesterol of the Keto diet, my lipids are more like they were before the afib and beta blockers - HDL of 81 instead of 50, and triglycerides of 110 instead of 200. The cholesterol level of 248/81 gives me a calculated low risk of heart disease, much better than levels last year.
So, good luck, Megbird, on your path to weight loss. I am striving to approach your activity level with a Wellness Center (gym) membership which is low cost due to a work benefit & only about 5 blocks from home.
I have stopped going to the Gym because of injuries 5 months ago. I was also away for 5 weeks and did not do much exercise. Only evening walks. I watched my diet though very closely.
Since i came back i have been working in the allotment a lot.
Started walking again on Saturday that was at least 5miles or more altogether. Thank you once again.
I have noticed that medical professional don't even tell people that they are overweight, I have to go to the hospital occasionally, the nurses are overweight, the hospital is huge so there is plenty of walking.
well done good lady. Over the last 4 years I have lost a total of 20 kilos (roughly 3 stone) I would still like to lose more and reach my recommended BMI but I am not strict about it just careful and will do this slowly. I also gave up bread, pasta, potatoes and rice to lose this weight. As other contributors have mentioned supplements can be very useful, I also take a vitamin D plus K spray and a multi vitamin tablet as my condition stops my body from storing certain vitamins. Lovely story, thank you for sharing, keep up the good work.
Great story and I too have found that drastically moderating my carb intake, though I love fruit and veg so haven't been keto, is better for me. Five years ago I lost nearly four stones by doing this but still have another two to go. However In the last two years ( I am now 75) I have had a broken wrist, ophthalmic shingles, heart attack (two stents now), ovarian cancer surgery, neutropaenic sepsis, gall bladder removal and a spigelian hernia fixed. I'm about to restart my cancer treatment. Concentrating on my eating and weight which seem to be the only things I can influence strikes me as very sensible!
Lot of current research advises diet can influence physiology, thus impact on health.....controlling diet for me seems the most important thing you can do.....keep up the good work, I wish you better health
Just shows us that weight gain,middle age spread call it what you like ..... It can effect us all ... Whether we are unable to work, do voluntary work or work in a professional capacity,it has no specifics!
"Sally" writes a valuable post,giving her account of weight gain. Thank you MarketingHU for sharing this with us. I vs no doubt that this will help many others in similar situations,to start thinking of their long term health issues.
My pleasure 😇 there is so much to learn from others experiences. Sally’s story even made me rethink my food choices, it’s so easy to fall into the microwave meal routine. If more people are willing, we hope to share more of these type of posts. Have a lovely weekend!
Thank you for your reply 💜 . I'm sorry I've got all muddled (my excuse is fog brain !!!) I realised you were using the name "Sally" but silly me thought you were talking about yourself!!!! 😲. So am I correct in thinking that you voice your opinions etc using other people's names,obviously who we never meet on here but it gives you the voice to speak up for others? Was that your garden photo of the lady of 70 years young you tell us about. So sorry,I just want to know if I'm direction g my post to you or to AN Other via yourself?
I will try to explain 😇 I’m Leilah - i work at HealthUnlocked. I’ve started a campaign of positivity, sharing user’s positive and inspiring stories. People can write to us if they would like their story to be shared under their real names or a fake name. Sally is the fake name of someone who wrote to me, her story is real but her name has been left out to respect her privacy and protect her identity. 💖
Now that is wonderful coz we can retain our identities whilst still able to read any replies.
Thank you for the explanation because today's "brain fog" is more like a blanket wrapped around me,lol!😲 Have to home about it or else I will overthink things and that starts a whole new lot of my anxieties and I don't need them raising their ugly heads just yet!!!
Thank you, I’m glad you think it is wonderful 😇 I hope Sally sees all these beautiful messages from everyone. And I hope that you’re feeling better and that it’s sunny where you are ✨
This is an inspiring story, and Congratulations to Sally on her weight loss achievements - it is great that she is enjoying life and feeling so much healthier and happier.
What a great effort you are making to change your lifestyle, and I wish, you all the best at keeping diabetes at bay.
The foods which you say you no longer eat are the exact foods I HAVE to eat as I'm currently following (on Drs orders) a low fodmap diet. As I'm currently under investigation for a stomach/bowel condition.
So my point is we are all individuals and have to do what is right for us by
remaining positive and trying to do the best for our own health and wellbeing.
I dropped 32 lbs in 3 months eating as much as I liked. I am 62 and now the same weight as when I was 25. The key in the above sentence is 'want'. When you cut out addictive foods you eat 3 square meals a day but no more. Mt diet was low simple carbs and mainly whole food plant based with some fish. So like the author of this post, pasta, bread, pizza all went. Sugar completely gone. Fruit replaced desserts. If it is not real food then I do not eat it. The diet and exercise industry will continue to lie to you maintain their profit streams. You do not need to count calories and you need only enough exercise to maintain health eg 10,000 steps
Previously fit and healthy I piled on weight due to the ill health/immobility and long term steroid use brought on by rheumatoid disease. Two and a half years later with no medical control of my RD in sight and my weight still ballooning I began to pay strict attention to my diet. I keep a diary of everything I eat in a day.
I eat all food groups, including carbs and fats. But, I do not use any sugar, and do not eat cakes / sweets/puddings ( never really have). I choose 'better' and use portion control.
It's very slow going due to my immobility, but I have lost 19 lbs over 4 months.
Interestingly when I am 'well' the weight comes off easier, when unwell I stick and can put a pound or so back on, although I don't eat any more.
Well done, that is a good amount of weight loss over a very sensible timeframe. It sounds like you have the right attitude too so, if there is more weight loss needed, I am sure you will achieve it. Good luck xx
That’s right, we would never post these type of stories on condition-specific communities - and we haven’t. You would only see these on the HealthUnlocked updates community. @diamags would you be able to send a screenshot of the story on the metastatic BC community ? I will investigate why it showed up there, and you can email me directly : leilah@healthunlocked.com
I cannot ride a bike because of my knees and peripheral neuropathy in both legs doesn’t allow for comfortable walking or sitting or standing for any length of time. I miss my dancing days. Thought I would do that into my 80’s. I guess my diet is where I must concentrate.
Life has so many journeys,we ask for help and then be told something else. So proud and honoured you shared your story, it's taught me one thing you know your own body... thank you. X
All weight loss stories are inspiring however much weight you have lost. My journey started in May 2018 with a surprise diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation. Sent me into a complete tailspin and that was my wake up call. Up to date I have lost 10 stones 7 pounds in just over a year. No miraculous diet, I just calorie count Monday to Friday and relax (a little!) at the weekend. I was virtually unable to walk, but now walk every day and try to keep my steps in the region of a minimum of 8,000 - 10,000 a day. My life has totally transformed, opened up and I feel like I have it back again! My husband and son have fully supported me along the way along with other members of my family and a great set of friends. In the beginning I took every day as a personal challenge, sometimes I had to just persevere from meal to meal. I am proof that it can be done simply, by eating well, and doing more, but it had to start gently and I had to learn to be kind to myself. I have a little bit further to go, but there’s no going back, I love myself and my family too much!! I found these stories so encouraging, I hope my story encourages someone out there!!
That is great well done, I have been with S.W. since march and have lost 2 stone I am worried about maintaining. I leave in 6 weeks time hopefully at my designated weight 3lb to go. Then If I want to go free I have to keep 3lb on or off. Heres to the future.
Fab, fab, fab, well done you. I really admire that you have got so far, so wonderful to hear that you have got your life back and are so happy. Thank you for sharing xx
I think it is very true that it is harder to lose weight as you get older irrespective of our condition. We do have to make our portions smaller and make an effort not to put on weight - everyone does.
I don’t think the doctor is being discouraging by saying this. He’s saying it how it is, and being supportive by explaining it’s not easy. Be prepared for it to be tough!
I just want to share with you about new way to accomodate with overweight
problems and eating better for your bodies needs.
New scientific finding in Israel Weizman Institute ,discovered amazing findings about how the body Microbiuom behave and how it inflience our digestive organs. They founded new company named "DAY TWO" which test each
person Microbiuom and enable him to find the best foods for his body, and compose the best and healthy food that he prefare and like in order to impruve his digestion and keeping the best ballanced eating for him.
I and my wife start to try it those days.
you can find much more information in the web about it.
I dont know for that moment how much people started this system , but
it looks for me much more inspiring than other diet options, because their
Well done sally.you are doing well.keep it up.i just started following this forum.i am happy you are my first story on here.my mum is going to be 68 this year and finding it hard to lose weight.i will tell her about your story.but most importantly I will invite her to visit us in England coming on 30.7.19 and leaving 4.8.19 we are from Germany and that's a miracle as I have already uninvited her and my stepdad as I have such a relationship with my mum. I ll just have to bite my tongue when she bosses me about.thank you for inspiring me so much to take this step.why don't you write a book for say people over 50 who want to lose weight and share your experiences?love Ivanka
Well done. I have struggled most of my life with weight and now prediabetic with various heart arrhythmia. Could you tell me what diet forum you found helpful please. I know what to eat, all about nutrition and exercise, it is as if I’ve tried everything and only last a few days before I’m revert to old habits.
Remove anything with added sugar in it:- cakes, jam, biscuits, bread, baked beans, HP sauce, etc. Replace with crunchy veg or fruit. Have a look at the diabetes web site. A friend of my wife's walks past Gregs every day. When she is asked about temptation she says, quite simply " I see a shop full of syringes"
Never in the many years I’ve been reading it ......
Leilah
Firstly I want to thank you for sharing your amazing story and enthusiasm to become fit and healthy again! Well done on your great achievement so far!
In September 2017 I decided it was time to retire from my position as MD of my own small but sucessful construction project management consultancy company to join my husband in his retirement. Unfortunately hubby was taken ill a few months into his retirement after being fairly fit and is now under a cardiologist.
The following year being 2018 I'd under gone routine blood tests ECG's CT and MRI scans. Scan came back negative but my bloods were still high. Over the last 12 months I've been monitored for none alcoholic PBC
To cut my story short, I found since going on a healthy eating plan of only 1 slice of multigrain bread now and then plus very low carb intake with small amounts of fruit like melon, blueberries and strawberries plus only eating good fats I have managed to loose 3 stone in weight and my latest blood tests a week ago highlighted there now back to normal! I still have some of the possible PBC symptoms which I'm noting on my computer for when I see my consultant again in October mainly for information only.
I go to the gym almost daily and bike 20 to 25 kilometers and walk around 4 miles. I truely believe that eating healthy along with exercise can improve most people's life styles and possibly help with there health problems too!
I also like many have suffered with my weight while having hypothyroidism, I was constantly visiting my gp to ask for help. I eat healthily but could not lose weight. I then read an article about an American lady who also suffered from the same problem, she decided to do a degree in nutrition and went onto write a book on her journey and success. So by only eating certain foods I have lost two and a half stone to date, but this is a for life diet. I didn’t know that certain foods block your medication from working, and although I ate healthy foods a lot were blocking my meds. So relieved I found this out, but of course your gps don’t even know this, and my go was grateful I informed him about it and he is now on board and monitoring my weight loss. He admitted they virtually had no training on the thyroid. Which I think we have all found out to be true. The book is The Thyroid diet by Mary J. Shomon
My doctor told me as I am on medication for under active thyroid, I would have no problem losing weight. I joined slimming world and 16weeks later I have lost nearly 2stone, It is not easy but I feel better for it, I am 70
What an amazing story. Thank you for opening up and sharing. You are a blessing and inspiration to others. Keep sharing!
I am nearly 60 and have been on one diet or another since I was 21. I’m trying so hard not to go on medication if at all possible but my cholesterol has been the problem. In the past 10 months I have lost 17 lbs. this was done through nutritional education and caloric deficit. Not one food group has been eliminated, especially carbs; you need all food groups. I eat 120g of Protein, 180g carbs, 45g fat and 27g of fibre a day. I eat 80% nutritionally dense food and 20% rubbish and keep to my deficit of 1600 calories per day. It’s so easy to log using My Fitness Pal.
Well done on losing but don’t you miss rice, pasta, bread (all nutritionally dense) and an occasional gin and tonic (rubbish but worth the calories)!
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