Weight loss journey

[randa_lupie]

I've been told by my rheumatologist and family doctor that I would feel better if I got rid of some weight. I decided to try a weight loss pill. My doctor approved this medication with my other medications however, I am still fearful of taking it. Has anyone tried taking any weight regiments?

[cathie]

Yes I've tried loads including weight watchers. The only thing I've tried is portion control. For instance when we get a carry out we just have one portion and my partner has most. Just cutting down on what I eat. No sodas, but still have good pain chocolates. Nothing special, I can't get much exercise at present.

It's worked quite well better than anything else. No more feast and famine.

[PMRpro]

I am on corticosteroids - which I think everyone knows are associated with weight gain. I put on a lot of weight with the illness itself and one sort of steroid (methyl prednisolone) but it also caused all sorts of other unpleasant side effects so I was switched to a form of prednisone. Over the following 2 years or so I lost 18kg/38 lbs in weight, most of what I had put on in the previous few years.

Possibly it was partly due to the change of medication but most of all due to cutting my carbohydrate intake drastically - I eat next to no processed white carbs or sugar (things made with flour, or with sugars added such as flavoured yogurts and canned/ready prepared foods), very few root veggies other than carrots and only limited fruit. I eat large amounts of salad and other vegetables, meat, fish, moderate dairy (not too much cheese. It was slow but steady and I never felt hungry or deprived - if it is a special event I don't say no but I don't want or need anything like as much food now as a slice of fancy cake can be cut in 3, 2 bits frozen and the pleasure deferred for a bit later to look forward to. Most food in restaurants now tastes very sweet or salty to me because my tastes have changed.

As well as cutting carbs I also used the idea in Michael Mosley's 5:2 fast diet for a few months and that, above all, helped me to learn portion control - google it to find more about it. The 2 days a weeks where you eat a lot less than other days really did help me be happy about a smaller plate of food and since you don't do them one after the other you never feel the diet is never-ending - tomorrow isn't long away.

On my own home forum there are a lot of patients on pred who have cut carbs and either lost weight or never put any or very little on despite being on long term pred. Some drugs change the way your body processes carbs and makes it far easier to gain weight - cut them out and it helps a lot.

You don't say which weight loss pill so I can't really comment on it but if it is the one that prevents you absorbing fat then it has some, shall we say, interesting side effects. Like all medications everyone reacts differently but many people find they need to be very close to a bathroom - which puts rather a lot of restrictions on their lifestyle!

Why not try the food discipline way first of all - because there is one certain fact, there is no easy way to lose weight, even with a slimming pill. It is your mindset that has to change and it has to change for life - you cannot lose weight and go back to your old eating habits without gaining the weight back again. Being conscientious about what you eat and learning to enjoy the things that help has no side effects - other than the losing weight you are aiming for.

Whatever you decide - good luck.

[BonnieSue]

I have had good luck with the drug topamax for weight loss. It's used for helping with migraine prevention also. The 1st time I tried it I was too nauseated, but the next time I started out on a low dose and worked up and had no problems. Then I had weight loss surgery which still left me with a good appetite---too good---so I still take the topamax and it continues to help me significantly. I take 100mgs 2 x day. There are many drugs to choose from to help you with weight loss. You still have to do your part and watch what you eat and exercise. Good luck to you and I wish you great success!

[chrisj]

My brother and his wife counted calories in their efforts to lose weight and it worked. They checked calorie content on everything they bought and stuck to what was needed each day, which I believe was between 1500 and 2000. It was a daily thing and the results were very good....

My son cuts down on the amount of food on his plate, that works for him....same for me its about discipline and exercise...what you eat and how much. I definitely wouldnt take pills

[MargaretGail]

Due to SLE and steroids I gained 5 stones in 2 years. I was gutted and getting in my own way. Because I'm quite imobile it's difficult to lose and incredibly easy to gain weight. I've now lost two stones and I'm feeling much better about it. I'm reliant on others for a proper meal so when my daughter started the Juice Plus diet I joined her and she does all my meals too. It's expensive but it's the best thing I've done.

[custardpot]

Join Slimming World. As far as I am concerned it is the best. I have always had problems with my weight and have tried all sorts over the years even to the point of drinking a glass of Cider Vinegar before eating.

I joined Slimming World and lost 7 stone in 2 years. I would recommend this to anybody

[Diagnosed2012]

I've not tried any weight loss pills, but having ballooned an extra 3stone whilst on prednisolone, I managed to lost 2.5 of that by better portion control. So I still have the foods I like, but just not so much of it.

Losing weight really helped me - particularly with arthritic joints. My rheumy and GP explained it simply as, imagine how much harder it is walking along with a bag of shopping in each hand. So if you're carrying extra (body) weight, it's putting more pressure on your painful joints. It's up to you. It's a simple equation, less weight = less pain. And less painkillers. That's a pretty good incentive in my books.