I am gaining weight and have tried exercise and eating healthy, but cannot win. Anyone out there plse help. To me Lupus is so unpredictable.

[Pipido36]

[Maya23]

I am trying out a new diet that's also supposed to have really measurable health benefits, it's called the 5:2 diet, where you eat normally for 5 days a week and for 2 days a week you only eat 500 calories per day. I have only managed one day so far, and I had fruit for breakfast, home made chicken broth at lunchtime and then a nice chicken and veg stew for dinner. Here's a link to an article about the diet:

uk.lifestyle.yahoo.com/5-2-...

Having 'fast' days in your routine is supposed to trick the body into making new brain cells and repairing body cells (and body tissues) so it would be good to see if it can help the body deal with lupus! I am willing to give it a try, but I'm only aiming to do one 'fast' day when possible to start with, and then work up to once a week. Those that have done the diet in trials had good results with weight loss too. I think it's important to have as much support as you can get with any kind of diet -and of course there are so many diets out there- trust your instincts.

[vegabond in reply to Maya23]

Hey Dyyad,

OMG i am so doing this to i am doing it after watching the Michael Mossley' do a documentery on intermitent fasting. So far i have managed a month doing it and so far have lost some wieght but what i have noticed more of is that on day 3 after the two days of just eating 500 cal i have been able to wake up from bed with virtually no issues. I could not beleive it the first time i was actually up before 7amand was so excited that i woke up the other haf just to tell him i had no joint pain and that i felt full of beans:). I do have to add that i have only experienced this the once though. Good luck with it though would love to hear how you are getting on with it. Take care

Vegabond.

[Maya23 in reply to vegabond]

Wow that sounds promising! Let me know if you find any more benefits over time. I'm going to have another go next week. Good luck xx

[vegabond in reply to Maya23]

Hey Dryad, I sure will. I feeling a bit rough this week so could not do it but will hopefully be back on it next week. I am keeping a diary of symtoms, feeling and issues etc so i have a comparision i will defo keep in touch on how it is going please try and do the same, take care hun

[Maya23 in reply to vegabond]

That sounds like a good approach. I too have been keeping a note of symptoms foods and moods. It's a good experiment and it makes me feel more proactive and in control of this horrible disease that often has made me feel out of control!

[ShellW in reply to Maya23]

Hi just came across your post. Have you found much improvement with this diet? I am thinking of giving it a go to see if it will help my symptoms and to help me lose weight. I have masses to lose - probably 7-8 stone. With hindsight I think I started to develop SLE at about 28 (I'm 50 now and was diagnosed at about 40) and I just thought I was tired and aching because I was going out to work and had two small children, I spoke to many doctors but I don't think anyone realised how awful I felt because I made it to work every day. I just coped with it, I didn't let it stop me doing anything I just did it slowly and carefully and plodded along until I had finished. My weight just slowly crept up on me due to inability to exercise (any spare energy I had was used up caring for my children and going out to work) and I think over eating in an attempt to give me more energy in the early years. I don't think any of the medics quite grasp this. I am really hoping that the 5:2 diet may give me some improvement as well as the side effect of weight loss. Sorry if I am rambling but I have never joined one of these groups before or posted a message!

[Maya23 in reply to ShellW]

Hi. I have not properly given this diet a go, mainly because I have not been able to eat very well at times, due to digestive symptoms such as no appetite, nausea and pain in digestion, so I've lost weight through this anyway. I would find yourself a really good nutritional therapist privately if you can afford to (I can recommend mine but she's in Brighton -don't know where you are?) if not, then ask the GP to refer you to a dietician. I have since heard conflicting advice about this sort of diet, both good and bad. Some people who do 'starvation diets' or very controlled calorie ones, it actually makes them hold onto their weight because their bodies think they are going to need the fat later, but I've also heard that regular periods of fasting can really help lose weight and reduce inflammation in the body too.... I'm not an expert so I'm not sure what to suggest!

What I do know is that regular meals, sensible portions, no snacking, and regular exercise all help with health and weight loss. Sometimes we just need support in putting those things into action and sticking to them.

Good luck xx

[heatherx]

I'm the same I go to the gym 5 days a week I eat relatively healthy, hardly any carbs, no food with more than 5% fat and even resorted to eating nothing but sprouts on 2 or 3 days a week but I'm still piling the weight on. I've put on nearly 3 stone in the past 18 months with no reason whatsoever. I do swell a lot with the arthritis but not to 3 stone value! I'm at a total loss what to do as I've tried slimfast, slimmers world, low fat etc but nothing seems to be working good luck I hope u have more sucess than me x x

[jennyhe]

I am on my third year at ladyzone and weight watchers I ahve lost nearly 4 stone but boy has it been an uphill struggle when I see what the other members at ww eat and what I eat I would be putting weight on all the time if I ate like them, I do eat a healthy well balanced diet ecexpt the days when I feel low and then like all of us I comfort eat , I saw my rheumie a few weeks ago and he has upped my methotrexate by 5mgs a week and reducing the steroids in an effort to help shift the last 2 and a half stone, I have got spinal stenosis ans three of my vertabrea have slipped forward they have offered me an op but it is a major op with a high risk of infection and a high risk of lupus flare talked it over with the rhemie and he has advised me not to go for it so I do need to shift this other weight have got myself a self propelling wheelchair in the hope that might help a bit good luck everyone it`s an uphill struggle keep going

[hazelHollingsworth]

Hi, like you I have spinal stenosis, last year I had 2 x 8" titanium rods and 16 nuts and bolts inserted in my spine as they thought it might sever my spinal cord. with not being able to walk yet without a stick and most housework is impossable. That was last July, I put on nearly 3 stone as I used to be quite active. I still swim ever day and have had to learn to do backstroke as you cant do any other with the B... Rods (they did not tell me that !' I have built back up to 1 mile a day (my pool is So good for dissabled and I could manage nothing without them and I joined Slimming world and am now losing 1 to 2lb a week. not much I know but slowly is better than nothing. Good luck.xx

[custardpot]

I recommend Slimming World I have lost 6.5 stone in 2 years. I have Lupus sle plus a spine problem and had gained a lot of weight.

It is better to lose weight slowly as you are more likely to keep your weight down than you are if you lose weight fast.

[sabine]

Hi I can empties on the weight gain I have ballooned from a size 12 into a size 18 in two years and put it down to my medication and the Lupus i am diagnoised with. I have been advised to try slimming world so have decided to give it go and see if i can lose some weight!! good luck with the new diet xx

[Slowmo]

No, like you I have gained weight since being ill and taking meds. I've recently joined slimming world and lost 10lb in 7 weeks. It's also a good way to ensure you eat fresh produce and avoid processed food. Good luck.

[else5]

hiya hazel where do you come from my maiden name was hollingsworth i was born in london just wondered hope you dont mind i have lupus

[prescilla]

I have also joined Slimming World and lost 1st 10lbs in 5 months. Not only is it well worth joining to lose the weight but it also gets you out once a week to class so you can meet people and not feel isolated, which seems to be one of the drawbacks to lupus. I have really stuck with the diet this time and not to seem melodramic I think it is because I have control over what I eat whereas my lupus is something I do not seem to have any control over, so it does give you a boost. Good luck

[margareth8537]

I agree with Prescilla, that it is good to feel you have some control over something.

I have lost 34 lbs since March with Weight Watchers, and have reconciled myself to it being very slow. Medications don't help, but the Lupus does seem a bit better and I can do some exercise which makes me feel better.

Best of luck to all those trying to lose weight out there.

Margaret

[charm81]

Slimming World works for me. No food is restricted only limited i.e. bread and calcuim.

Over the years Steroids has played havoc with my weight and still does. I lost 3 stones in 9 months with the help of exercise, mainly swimming. Gone from a sz18 to a 12, But finding it difficult to sustain at the mo.

[vegabond]

Hi all, i find that wieght bearing excersises help weight loss( the mor muscle you put on the more cal your burn) it has also help me loads with joint pain and has helped some with the tiredness. I also find the more muscle you can gain yur actually allowed to eat more as your body needs more fuel but you must try and adopt the 80-20% rule were possble (80% good healthly food and 20% naughty). Take care all.

[sollyn]

I have followed the My fitness pal.com website and lost about 2 stone. They even have a forum that deals with Hypothyroid and fibromyalgia. I found it very helpful and motivational.

[Looby]

Pipido - it may be a change of lifestyle, or the medications you are on which are causing the weight gain.

Try this very simple plan: (it has always worked for me....) Have your main meal of the day in the middle of the day (if possible). Try to keep snacking to a minumum. NO SOLIDS AFTER 6 PM - but as many non-sugary drinks as you like.

It makes sense really - if you have a large meal in the eve, it is unlikely you will "burn it off" before going to sleep, and it will be stored as fat.

Worth trying for a week or two to see if it works for you....... Good Luck!