What about weight?

[kaypeeoh]

When I was diagnosed I used Doctor Google to find that a common sign is weight loss. I thought...Cool! But three years later I'm 30# heavier. Pre-diagnosis I was a marathon runner. Post-diagnosis I'm....not.

I still exercise using a treadmill and chin-up bar. Obviously it's not enough to burn off the excess calories. My sloth is so severe that my wife bought fitted sheets with a cell phone pocket; So I can answer the phone without needing to get out of bed.

Then as a joke my wife gave me jeans that are XXXL waist. And they fit.

So I guess there's nothing to do but redouble efforts to lose weight? Or give up and blame the PD.

[hopptimisten]

Hi. Thanks for sharing. I was an exercise leader when I was diagnosed 11,5 years ago. My weight was 70 kg and now it’s 90 kg and I hate it. I feel like I have no power to change it and the dietist I talked to could not help me. I have tried several strategies but my brain wants sugar and I get bad in tremor and other symptoms if I try to fool it. I have a lot of pain which creates a resistance against moving. I would be grateful to be able to do brisk walking.

Maybe it’s a kind of PD which is related to diabetes. I hope to meet with a doctor in February to see if it’s possible to try exenatide and I hope it will be good on long terms against the PD and the weight.

If you find any helpful strategies please let us know.

[kaypeeoh in reply to hopptimisten]

I'm trying a tablespoon of coconut oil stirred into morning coffee. Supposedly fats in the stomach stimulates an enzyme that suppresses appetite,

coco

[bassofspades]

I gained 20 lbs since dx. Fasting, Keto and exercise help me minimally. After January 1, I'm going to go on a 7 day fast of only water, tea and bone broth.My dr told me that weight loss is 80% diet, 20% exercise.

[amykp]

The coconut oil is good, but you might find MCT oil a bit better. That's the purified part of coconut oil specifically meant to help with weight loss/ketosis/feeling of fullness. You can order it on amazon and it also comes as a powder--easier to stir into coffee. You can try a fat fast too. It's a touch easier if this is your first time.

The most important thing anyone can do, IMHO, for your parkinson's and your weight, is to cut out every speck of sugar. It's an addiction, that's why it's hard at first. It gets easier.

texasinstituteforneurologic...

[Ponieboy]

I have been loosing weight like crazy. But I chalk it up to the occasional nausea and the fact I now have diverticulitis. So I don't eat much , but I do have a huge addiction to chocolate that I really keep in check. When I do give in its dark chocolate. My wife has been concerned about how much weight I have lost but I figure for right now I won't worry..50 pounds this past year. I also now am.trying the Mediterranean diet with my wife to support her because of her heart issues... don't give up, you'll figure out something sooner or later

[pmmargo]

I too put on weight and originally I thought it was due to dopamine agonists. Now I think it may be that muscle is denser than fat. The cold shower people say it helps you lose weight so do the intermitant fasting people. Best wishes for healthy weight loss.

[kaypeeoh in reply to pmmargo]

Initially I thought it was edema in my arms and legs. But edema won't add inches to the waist line.

[pmmargo in reply to kaypeeoh]

I meant the compulsive behaviour side effect of dopamine agonists---compulsive eating.

[GymBag]

I was 170 lbs at 18 not an oz of fat, but by 40 I was 200 and still working out regularily . PD diagnosed in mid 50's and now mid 70;s and my ability to even walk is greatly reduced right when I need it most. My daughter brought a weigh scale to our house to weigh something for my wife so I stepped on it. The scale was obviously out of order as it said I was 245 lbs. You see how it sneaks up on you.

This might explain why I have no clothing.Just thought I would post to show you that you have lots of room to grow yet.

[kaypeeoh]

I guess that I'm addicted to short-cuts. The latest is Perfect Amino, a blend of eight essential amino acids that the ads say will cut weight while making my memory stronger and giving me a youthful libido. Can't wait. I read a lot of articles expecting that double-blinded studies can be believed. But then I read a study that says the opposite of an earlier study.

[ddmagee1]

I used to be a bodybuilder in my youth, and, for my job, I kept up strength training till I retired! My work required me to be relatively physically fit, being able to lift and move heavier weights, and agile enough, to move rapidly, when needed! Now that I’m in my late 70’s you’d never know that there was a time that I was slender, and had a decent body build! Now I am obese, as the Doc’s report says! The muscle turned to fat, although I can still flex my pecs! Ha! I am just an everyday old man, with PD now! Because of advanced symptoms, range of motion exercises are what I do mainly, rather than any kind of weight living! Carpal tunnel with my wrists makes boxing out! So, diet is how I lose weight. Fasting is helpful! I think like a younger person still, and am adventurous, but have the age and body of an old, wobbly, man, with PD, and Cerebellar Ataxia! I encourage you not to give up, though! Keep on keeping’ on!