Lupus and trying to lose weight

[Clareward78]

Anyone on here doing weight watchers, and having lupus, I lost for the last two weeks 4lbs each week, but currently in the middle of a big flare and upping my steroids, and only losing 1lb which I'm gutted which. Just wondering how you get on with all the injections and tablets and losing weight x

[PMRpro]

With steroids - cutting carbs is an excellent way of helping weight problems since pred changes how our bodies process carbs.

But don't get too discouraged. Large weight losses often happen at the beginning for some people - but it is mainly fluid rather than fat. Some people lose nothing at first, retaining fluid for some reason, then suddenly lose a lot. Others lose steadily - you have lost a lot and now it is plateauing out a bit. But overall - everyone probably loses similar amounts.

A weight loss of 1 to 2 lbs a week is far more realistic and sustainable - and more likely to stay off than if you lose loads all at once.

[Lupiknits]

I'm not overweight at the moment, but from the past and trying to lose weight, I'd say that a pound a week is frustrating but normal and healthy. How long have you been going to WW? I ask because a fairly large amount of weight loss in the first couple of weeks is normal, and is connected to water weight rather than fat.

I haven't been on steroids. Others can advise you better about that x

Just edited to say Pro answered faster than I did!

[Clareward78 in reply to Lupiknits]

Hi, I have been doing weight watchers for 3 weeks now, just want to lose the weight, but wasn't sure if the steroids tablets and injections can effect your weight lost or not x

[PMRpro in reply to Clareward78]

They can and WW doesn't work for everyone on pred - depends on how much carb you eat really. But it really is a case of try it and see if it works for you.

[custardpot]

I recommend Slimming World. I have tried loads of diets over the years to the extent of drinking a glass of Cider Vinegar before meals. I joined Slimming World and lost 7 stone in 2 years.

[JL1w in reply to custardpot]

I am desperate to lose weight so it's good to read someone's success - very well done that's fantastic ! I have put on approx 3 stone in the last 2 years whilst been poorly and can't seem to stop it going up - I do very little exercise now if any due to fatigue and aches and pains and my steroids are been upped every time I see my Rheumy also lots of other tablets could they be gaining the weight too ? Any help would be great x

[PMRpro in reply to JL1w]

Steroids are renowned for making you gain weight - it changes the way your body processes carbohydrate. A lot of us over on another forum have had a lot of success by cutting carbs drastically - I lost 36lbs. Others avoided weight gain in the first place. It really is worth trying and is very easy - it may be hard at first if you are a pizza and pasta fan but you do get used to it. Eating out is also pretty easy - you can nearly always get a salad wherever you are eating.

[custardpot in reply to JL1w]

I cannot exercise and I would recommend Slimming World to anyone. There are a lot of people in our group and others that have different health issues and a lot on Steroids and have had success.

[Clareward78 in reply to JL1w]

Hi JL1w, I'm on lots of tablets and injection steroids and from reading other people's comments I think they can change how food is broken down and you can put weight on, as I ain't changed my diet at the start and did put lots on, I seem to have good weeks where I lose something and like this week I'm having a bad time so put weight back on, I'm going to stick at it but just hard, hope you feel better soon xx

[Wendy39]

Hello. I can't help you with any advice re WW or Slimming World etc. But I know how you feel with weight gain. I am 42 years old and have 3 children. The youngest is 9. I am now 13 stone. 5ft 8 or 9 inches. I have never been that weight without being pregnant before. But since I developed problems with my hips and then lupus etc, I am finding it harder and harder to keep my weight under control. When I had my two oldest 15 months part, I started running to lose some baby weight. I'd never run before but loved everything about it. The peace and quiet, an escape from the madness with a young family at home, I could run at my own pace, fit runs in whenever I could and I could eat and eat and never put weight on and my figure was great. Fast forward 10 years and here I am, I know I'm over weight. But lack the energy and health to do any drastic exercise. I do walk when I can. Pilates once a week. And I'm up early to get the children to school etc. I try to eat as heathily as I can and please a family. I cook from scratch most nights. So really not using any additives etc. But it is so hard and another thing to make us lupies feel negative about ourselves as well. So well done you for trying to do something positive about it. I wish you all the luck in the world. Will you let us know how you get on?

[Clareward78 in reply to Wendy39]

Thank you, I try to cook from scratch 85% of the time, I to have three girls 19,9 and 7. Just finding it difficult at times to get motivated and work through things, fingers crossed I get some where xx

[Tripitaka]

I appreciate it's not for everyone but I have been on a plant based only regime for 6 months now and I have lost about 6 kgs...I'm now weighing 55kgs. Of course you have to keep away from sweet stuff and crisps etc. Plus I drink far less alcohol. Its more about a healthy lifetime switch rather than doing something short term. Plus some added vitamins. I especially love being dairy free! It may be worth giving it a go...

[Clareward78 in reply to Tripitaka]

Think I might look into this, thank u xx

[PMRpro in reply to Tripitaka]

My granddaughter has severe asthma - the sort that has had her in resus repeatedly and circling the drain more than one. The only thing that kept it anywhere near under control was steroids at high doses. She went from a dainty UK size 8 to more like an 18/20 - at age 14-ish. She went vegan something over a year ago - and has lost loads of weight, back to a size 12 at most, as well as the symptoms being far better.

We knew she had an allergy to dairy as a baby, causing eczema, but seemed to have outgrown it. Maybe not.