Diet

[ali5son]

Had been feeling depressed due to the weight gain due to pred and desperate to taper down quickly. Eventually accepted I would be on pred for a long time. Tried the Cambridge diet plan and have lost 6lb in a week. I know this diet is restrictive but just had to see that I could loss weight .

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Well done! But it's loads cheaper to just cut carbs!!!! That works too.

[ali5son in reply to PMRpro]

I know it's expensive but still working 2 12hr shifts a week and also go stay with my dad a few days to care for him so was finding it difficult to stay on plan. Also live alone so no need to buy any other food. Will use prepared food at work and at dad's where loads of junk and low carb on other days. Just feel great that the pred weigh moved

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ali5son]

Good reasoning! I'd succumb probably - but I doubt OH would be enthusiastic! I hate cooking...

[Ladybird25 in reply to PMRpro]

I hate cooking too. I used to love buying all the ingredients and cooking complicated meals, but have lost all interest now. I avoid entertaining and always suggest we go out to a restaurant. Very feeble.

[Hollyseden in reply to Ladybird25]

Not at all feeble! Makes perfect sense. This is the time you should be taking it easy and eating out is so much easier. I love that idea

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ladybird25]

No, not feeble. If it is a lot of us are feeble too! Over the years on the forums I have got the impression this is common. If a recipe has more than half a dozen ingredients I can't even summon up the enthusiasm to finish reading it.

I don't even click on the links for Ottolengo in the Guardian now...

[Ladybird25 in reply to PMRpro]

That’s exactly it! The more ingredients there are, the more I’m put off. Especially those obscure things that I’m unlikely to have in the cupboard and I then have to search along the supermarket shelves, not even knowing what I’m looking for. I’m not great at improvising as I’m worried I’ll spoil the taste. Luckily my sister is staying with me at the moment and she enjoys cooking.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ladybird25]

Lucky you! If the food wasn't so salty (pricewise and ingredients) I'd eat out on a permanent basis...

[1Purplecrow in reply to ali5son]

Sometimes, I think “whatever works” is the perfect solution. We need the quick results to feel better Now!, Enjoy your success👏

[ali5son]

Hate cooking too lol.Had a very stressful week and stayed on plan.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ali5son]

Used to be my hobby! Then OH had cancer and went off everything we used to eat and PMR was the icing on the cake so gave up altogether!!!!!

[HeronNS in reply to PMRpro]

I think one reason our little vacation was so relaxing for me was not having to plan or cook or clean up after meals. And my daughter is a great cook, all my kids learned to cook well, in self defense I say jokingly.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HeronNS]

Mine now cook well - when they lived at home they weren't interested and wouldn't eat things, all change since they had children!

[SheffieldJane]

Wow! Well done! That is practically a whole baby! Very encouraging that we can if we really want too.

[ali5son in reply to SheffieldJane]

Think that's how I feel SJ and as I was depressed not going out or no joy buying new clothes I or even eating out . thought I would give it a try

[Carrot1]

I am thinking of trying that. Did you find it hard? What step did you start on?

[ali5son in reply to Carrot1]

Started on stage 1 and not hungery at all .Enjoying not being out of control with the food. I know not long-term solution but felt needed to know I could lose the pre weight

[Carrot1 in reply to ali5son]

I’m currently waiting for the consultant to get back to me as she has had to take advice from their medical team re my health issues. It does produce quick results I believe which would be very encouraging although as you say it’s not a long term solution. I’m surprised you didn’t feel hungry though.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Carrot1]

If you are on a diet that controls your blood sugar levels well then you do feel less hungry. Some of it is your BS shooting up, insulin being produced to combat it and over compensating so the BS goes too low - so you crave something, anything, preferably something sweet to bring the BS level up quickly. Rinse and repeat.

I only feel hungry when I have sinned and eaten just carbs - doesn't happen when there is a load of butter and protein along with the bit of bread.

[Carrot1 in reply to PMRpro]

That’s a good explanation, thank you Eileen. However, it doesn’t really tell me why, when I have a meal without bread, I’m starving! I just don’t feel satisfied. When I say meal I mean, say, lunch as opposed to dinner with meat and 2 veg.

[HeronNS in reply to Carrot1]

Are you needing to drink something? Sometimes we feel hungry but really all we need is a glass of water.

[Carrot1 in reply to HeronNS]

Or wine?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Carrot1]

Yes, Heron has a point there. Often when we feel hungry we need fluids. Drinking a large glass of water half an hour before a meal helps. And it does take a week or two for the body to adjust to low carb eating. You probably need more bulk for lunch - I eat a big bowl of salad and protein and that is enough for me. But occasionally I need something to finish it off and some of it is in your head - don't know how to say it better. I don't mean it in a derogatory way.

[Carrot1 in reply to PMRpro]

You’re absolutely right- lots of it is in one’s head. Meat and two veg, one of those being potatoes. The habits of a lifetime. Also one has to cope with the OH views which can often make life difficult. I often wish someone would tell me exactly what to eat and make me stick to it!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Carrot1]

I supppose I'm lucky in that I can't/won't eat most of things OH likes! So I do stick to what I should eat most of the time - I only have to resist buying stuff in the first place!

[ali5son in reply to Carrot1]

Not hungry at all but when previously been low carb diet dont get cravings . I love food and have struggled to maintain a acceptable weight. If I brought a cake or biscuits in the house wouldn't be happy until they were gone. So as I live alone only buy cake or chocolate individually. So if I can do it anyone can.

[Hollyseden]

Well done you!! Very impressed

[ruthmunby]

Well done! Whatever helps to keep us sane, going in the right direction and works for us.

Best wishes Ruth

[Sandy1947]

Well done. I lost weight when I started Pred in June. Now I’m up a few pounds which I could use. Just don’t want to blow up! I crave all kinds of hot cereal with nuts and berries...before Pred at 5:00 am, after dinner, before bed. Help! Otherwise, my diet is low carb low sugar no alcohol.

[ali5son in reply to Sandy1947]

Will not make me feel in such a rush to get off pred .

[Brandon47]

Well done

[ali5son in reply to Brandon47]

Thanks

[powerwalk]

Very well done you. I was off pred for 4 weeks (Disaster) and could see my stomach reducing and the puffy neck and collar bone - but now back on it and the tummy is rising very quickly. But good lord the pain without it was unbearable (Was off it on Rheumatologist's instructions). As much as I would wish to lose this weight - the pain is much more unbearable. I am going to try very hard to watch what I eat. I find the fluid retention a demon though swollen feet/ankles.

[ali5son in reply to powerwalk]

Totally agree swollen ankles awful. Find if I drink plenty of water they are not so bad

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to powerwalk]

My feet swell as soon as I eat salted food. One meal out is OK, consecutive days is not. Doesn't matter how much water I drink.