Putting on weight: Just wondering if... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

59,443 members66,489 posts

Putting on weight

Gypsylee profile image
46 Replies

Just wondering if anyone has any clues how to loose weight with fibromyalgia as I have put a stone on since I had to give up work, and obviously due to this condition we are not as active as we used to be ! Help! Any suggestions please xx

Written by
Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
46 Replies
DAVEO profile image
DAVEO

Hi, I'm currently on weight watchers and find the points your allowed each day is more than enough to shift those pesky pounds. Your allowed a generous amount of food as long as it's not to high in fats or sugars as this will affect your daily allowance but I still enjoy crisps and chocolate but not every day, lost 3.5 stone so far since August, I'm very inactive but haven't found this to be much of a issue. Hope this helps.

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to DAVEO

Thanks for your advise didn't realize it would be that easy I will give it a go xx

sasha12 profile image
sasha12

Five years ago I lost 50lbs following the South Beach Diet. It was lots of work because I cooked everything from scratch to save my money and reduce sodium, fat, and sugar. I need to go back to a clean way of eating. I felt so much better then. This time my pain is way worse, so I may buy some of my foods chopped or cooked to save energy.

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to sasha12

Thank you for your advise x

Lucyhobbit profile image
Lucyhobbit

I am about to start to lose weight. January has been a month of gently easing myself into going to the gym regularly (constantly finding the balance between overdoing stuff and underdoing stuff). February is when I intend to start tackling my weight. I'm not going to follow any diet plan - my brain can't cope with working out different plans to follow, I'm simply going to start eating more healthily and eat less junk. I'm not going to pile a lot of pressure on myself because I know in the past that I end up giving up. I'm thinking of it more as gradual lifestyle changes.

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to Lucyhobbit

Good advice thank you x

pip_r profile image
pip_r

Hi,

I've lost 5 1/2 stone over the last 18 months and just have around 10lb to go to have a healthy BMI. I did WeightWatchers using their app as that makes tracking food so much easier as I can do it sitting on the sofa using my iPad. I like Weightwatchers because you can still eat anything you want, as long as you only eat the points you are allowed. Once I started, I began making better choices of what I ate. There is a monthly charge each month to do it online. I am not mobile enough and don't have enough energy to go to meetings (and that's not my sort of thing anyway), so the app is great.

In terms of my diet (which wasn't too bad), what I realised was that my portion sizes were way too big and of course it makes you appreciate how fattening some foods are, especially when you realise one piece of cake or one ready made meal is the equivalent of all of the daily points you are allowed.

Good luck with what ever method you choose. The positive thing is that you can see a few of us have done it, so it helps to show it is achievable. I do miss eating large pieces of cake though ;)

All the best,

Pip xx

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to pip_r

Thanks for the advise a lot of you have mentioned the weight watchers on line ! Sounds good ill give it a go! X

pip_r profile image
pip_r in reply to Gypsylee

Hi,

That's great - I hope it works for you. It is probably most difficult (or rather, time consuming) to start with as you begin adding foods to your favourite list or adding your own recipes/meals, which it will point up for you. However, once they are there it's really easy to add things each day. We now decide our main meals 4-5 days in advance, which means I can point them up early the same day and know how many points I have to use during the day for lunch and maybe have enough for a biscuit or chocolate bar with a cup of tea ;) Curly wurlys aren't too many points ;)

Pip

lesley1829 profile image
lesley1829

Ive joined my local pool, and attend aquafit classes. This was recommended to me when I went to hydrotherapy. I cannot keep up with the rest of the class, but it is good fun, and also helps my joints. This as well as cutting down portions of food (I use a smaller plate), has resulted in a 3lb loss the first week!

If you don't have a warm pool to go to, try fitness tables (where the machine does all the work and you just relax into it) Its designed for people like us, and I find it less exhausting than walking.

Its very hard, but don't give up!

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to lesley1829

Thank you I do like swimming its very relaxing never thought of that one! Cheers! X

KimLH profile image
KimLH

Hi there Toby1robbie2, I have had FM for 11 years now when I was 1st diagnosed I was a size 12/14 in clothes, I also have under active thyroid, which can play havoc with your weight, I gave up smoking 3yrs into FM but what with that, the Thyroid problem and being less mobile my weight creeped up, I lost my brother 2 years ago and he was only 5 years older than me, so that was a big wake-up call as by then I was a size 22/24, yes I know I was very obese, my daughter-in-law had just had a baby and wanted to loose her baby weight so she suggested we both went to Slimming World, over the years I have tried many diets but none seemed to work as I was unable to add lots of exercise to help the loss but with SW it wasn't so much a diet as ahealthy eating plan, after 20 months on SW I am now a size 14/16 so almost the size I was before I was diagnosed with FM, loosing the weight has also helped a fair bit with my mobility, the pain and fatigue still get me sometimes but not as often as it did whilst I was over weight, my doctor was over the moon and to try and help get rid of some of the excess flab she booked me in for a course of Hydrotherapy which was a great help, she also now recommends SW to other FM sufferers she has on her books. I have another stone I would like to loose and I will do it and I will continue attending SW meetings as that will help me keep the weight off. So look up your local Slimming World group and pop along to see what you think, for me it has been a new lease of life and I have made lots of new friends. good luck gentle (((((hugs))))) Kim.

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to KimLH

Thank you a lot of you have mentioned weight watchers or slimming world thank you for advise x

ninjananna profile image
ninjananna

I've read a lot on here about people putting on weigh due to the medication they are on for fibromyalgia/ me. Pregabalin/gabapentin are known to do this. Have a word with your Dr next time you go and explain your concerns! I put on weight when I first left work and started to slow down but I've got it under control now and have lost 2 and a half stones since August last year. Good luck!... Much love... Ninja...xxx

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to ninjananna

Thank you for advise x

loraine12 profile image
loraine12

Hi I tried everything to loose the two stone put on since leaving work a year ago. Weight watchers helped but I had trouble even concentrating on the recipes, , instructions etc. I also tried other diets but because I needed the help from others that you normally get at the meetings this was also limited. I have since October lost a stone on the 5/2 diet. I find this diet easy as you can have a normal diet 5 days and then 500 cals the other 2 days. I have days when I don't feel much like eating so they become my diet days. There are lots of nice recipes on line which surprise you with their low calories, I hope what ever you do you get to a weight you are happy with as it's depressing enough having fibromyalgia without weight gain adding to our issues. Lol Loraine

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to loraine12

Yes weight watchers sounds good thank you x

sasha12 profile image
sasha12

If a supportive online community appeals to you, visit sparkpeople.com . its free and they have lots of tools and groups with members who can advise you on different methods such as South Beach, Weight Watchers, etc., plus they have their own plan. They offer so much for nothing.

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to sasha12

Thank you x

Sandy64 profile image
Sandy64

I too put on loads of weight (6 1/2 stone) I lost all but 1 stone with help from the fitness trainer at my GP surgery. I have over the past 3 months put a further 1 1/2 stone back on its due to the cold weather and being less active but I am going back for more help now. I would recommend you give your surgery a call and ask for an appointment with the Health/Fitness Trainer who will be glad to help you with a healthy diet & all the support you need - Good Luck X

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to Sandy64

Never thought of asking doctor thank you x

Sandy64 profile image
Sandy64 in reply to Gypsylee

You are very welcome, you get a proper balanced diet this way & in my experience they are really helpful. There was some funding at one time for swimming etc., I don;t know if there is any still around, I very much doubt it, but worth a try x

nokidding profile image
nokidding

Hi there, a lady on here recommended the 5:2 diet. There is a fb group for support and a couple of books that the group recommend. Also lots of tips and help on how to follow the diet. In a nutshell you work out how many cals you need a day and for 2 days a week you eat 25% of that. Its a slow and steady diet and is the only one that my dietician from the obesity clinic recommends. You are doing the right thing already, which is to tackle your weight while its one stone. I need to loose another 6 stone. But Ill get there and I'm sure you will too.

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to nokidding

That one sounds good thank you x

Willow51 profile image
Willow51

Like a lot of other people on here I joined a slimming group. I go to Slimming World and have lost just under a stone, my daughter has lost about 2 stone and, as she is a bit worse than me with mobility and uses a mobility scooter to get about, I was really pleased for her. It proves that we can, with a bit of help and group encouragement, achieve a reasonable weight loss. Hugs Linda x

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to Willow51

Thank you for advise x

mollieo profile image
mollieo

I do the 5/2 diet that means you can eat what you like for 5 days and diet for 2 days only having 500 calories on those 2 days. On the 5 days I have 1200 calories you can eat quite a lot for that. When you have lost your weight do 1 diet day a week to keep your weight stable. I have lost a stone so far. The diet also is good for cholesterol and some cancers.

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to mollieo

Thanks for advise x

beckyglen profile image
beckyglen

Hi,

I'm sorry but I don't really have any good ideas for how to loose weight. Just wanted you to know you are not alone. I have put on about 6 stone in the last 5 years since being diagnosed and having to give up running. All the different meds don't help and the inactivity due to pain and fatigue. I do tend to comfort eat as well tho due to suffering depression as well.

I'm sure the other lovely people on here with give loads of good advice.

The best exercises for fibro tend to be swimming and gentle yoga or tai chi. Following a healthy balanced diet also.

Take care

Becky xxx

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to beckyglen

Yes swimming sounds good thanks for advise x

MAUREENA profile image
MAUREENA

Until it closed I went to Curves gym and they are very good there they know how to deal with us and they can also sort you out with an eating plan when I started I needed to lose weight for a wedding I was going to abroad and I lost two stones in about ten weeks and had practically no pain and never took more than a paracetamol for the five years I went to the gym. But alas as I said my local one closed last year and now all the familiar aches pains and sleeplessness have returned

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to MAUREENA

I will enquire about that see if anything like this exists where I live thank you x

Libbyloo2005 profile image
Libbyloo2005

Hi,

I have Fibro & arthritis so am very immobile! Weight Watchers is a great healthy eating plan - you can still have treats so doesn't feel like a diet! I've lost 2 and a half stone since October & haven't done any exercise. If you find attending the meetings difficult, you can subscribe online.

Good luck

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to Libbyloo2005

Thank you a few of you have mentioned this ,sounds good x

hamble99b profile image
hamble99b

There is another health unlocked site '"Weight loss NHS " that you might want to look at.

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to hamble99b

Thank you x

PAULINE15 profile image
PAULINE15

Hi, I'm on the weight watchers full and healthy, it is basically food cooked from scratch so no ready meals, thins instead of bread, brown rice and pasta, you get 49 points in treats per week,other than the treats there is no weighing or counting,I have lost a stone and hubby has lost over 2 stone, Doc says I'm losing less due to meds, you eat as much as you like of the right foods and you can join on line if you can't get out.

Pauline.x

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to PAULINE15

Yes this seems to be the way forward thank you x

LC74 profile image
LC74

I have put on 2 stone in a year. I am currently in the process of coming off my amitriptyline as I don't feel it was really helping and I also read it can cause weight gain. I am trying to cut my portion sizes and eat less chocolate (my only real vice!) I am also trying to go for short walks with my dogs whilst doing a 40 hour week in a limited fitness post. I have managed to lose a massive 1 1/4 pounds lol. Any and all advice would be appreciated by me also. But not getting my jaws wired shut lol

Take care everyone xx

Lisa

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to LC74

Nightmare isn't it? ! Thank you for listening x

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor

Hi toby1robbie2

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly van be today? I can see that you have been given loads of useful tips so I will just wish you all the best of luck with your diet.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee

Thank you x

RIBBONPINK profile image
RIBBONPINK

HI JUST REDUCE CARBOHYDRATES LIKE BREAD POTATOES EAT MORE SALAD STUFF HOPE THAT HELPS XPINKRIBBONS

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to RIBBONPINK

Yes thank you I have started doing that and eating smaller portions, feel better already x

bel29 profile image
bel29

Hi there is a great online site that I use. myfitnesspal.com/ It is a group site like this where everyone helps motivate each other. It has a lot of helpful things and you can do a food diary etc

Just thought you might want to take a look and it's free. Good Luck.

Sorry i'm not sure if i'm allowed to put the web address on,,Admins please help

Gentle Hugs to ALL

Gypsylee profile image
Gypsylee in reply to bel29

Thank you for that x

You may also like...

Help! I have fybro and I've put so much weight on lately

Help! I've recently put a lot of weight on and I'm already really big so the extra weight is causing

How many FM sufferers have put on weight? How many FM sufferers were told to loose weight?

every diet, it's excersice I need, but I just cannot do it< i have tried many times, even swimming...

'Nobody puts baby in the corner' !!

frankly my dear I don't give a damn' and be gone like the wind ' or won't you stay just a little...

Find it hard to put myself first

now on sick from work for a month, got my pip face to face at my home on Friday any tips? I’m not...

I have put the question below as it was too long to put in here.

My doctor has told me that the 'powers above her' have written to all the doctors saying they must...