Lost 3 stones in weight , put on 2 stones - urgent action required.

[Animalover65]

Hi, the only upside to the awful 3 and a half/ 4 months of having undiagnosed PMR was I quickly and ( very worryingly at the time ) started to lose weight. Once I was on Pred I had reached a healthy 10 and a half stone. In fact friends and acquaintances often said how good I looked! I had lost 3 stones in all! Over the last 15 months the weight has gradually gone back on and I have gained 2 stone plus. (Have not been brave enough to get on the scales this morning to check!)

Having glanced in the huge mirror at my dance class the last couple of weeks the image I had in my head was not what was reflected back to me! However I know Elton John is still cuddly!

I have knowledge of healthy eating and have read various articles and books on diets for autoimmune conditions. I know fermented food is good, I know that carbs like bread rice and potatoes should be limited/ avoided. I also read a recent article recommended on this helpful site regarding working out the ratio of protein , veg and fat. However I cannot seem to get my head round it fast enough. I will do some more reading- however is there any one out there who is not a natural stick insect and would be willing to share an example of a days food that has helped them maintain there weight while on pred. ( Vanity aside my concern is avoiding becoming prediabetic and various other nasties. ) Thanks in advance

[Miserere]

Diet Doctor website is very useful as are some of the Fast 800 Forums and all the Fast 800 Books. I just cut carbs down to the minimum - no bread, no potatoes, no rice, no pasta, no grains etc. Basically eat protein (fish, meat, eggs, cheese if you are not lactose intolerant) and fats - olive oil, avocado oil, butter (not vegetable or seed oils or margarines), above ground vegetables, especially leafy greens and some seeds, i.e. flax seed and chia seed.

So, eggs in some form for breakfast (omlette, scrambled, shakshouka, boiled etc.) or a couple of slices of smoked salmon or smoked mackerel on top of chopped avocado, tomato and a little chopped onion for breakfast. You can also have bacon and mushrooms - there are a number of recipes in the Fast 800 books or on the website.

We only eat twice a day now but you can have three meals - depends what suits you. Best not to snack in between, though and to eat within a time-restricted window, say 16:8 - so breakfast at 9.30 a.m. and final meal at 5.30 p.m.

I hope that helps - but there are a number of sites that can be very useful.

[Animalover65 in reply to Miserere]

Thanks very much Miserere, I think I had a general idea but your reply has sharpened up my thinking and will be very helpful.

[piglette]

I lost weight before being diagnosed with PMR. I have not really put it back on again. I never snack and have turned into a nutrition nerd. I can now look at a plate of food and tell everything about its make up. I got a free app called MyNetDiary, but you can upgrade and it gives you complete nutrition break down which I got. In fact I have become a total bore, but have kept the weight off and can tell you everything I have eaten for the last two years!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

Love it!!!!!

[piglette in reply to PMRpro]

Nerds are loveable too!!

[Animalover65 in reply to piglette]

Thanks piglette, Helpful and loveable! LOL

[piglette in reply to Animalover65]

😇😇😇

[SheffieldJane]

small portions of plain food and some intermittent fasting has had a positive effect on my body. However, I have diverticulitis and a hiatus hernia it leaves me with a bloated belly. Sure it was triggered by Actemra. Photos have been a horror and mirrors avoided. I have a young face though.

[Animalover65 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks Sheffield Jane. When I think back to 15 months ago- when, like others I was crawling up the stairs on my hands and knees, accompanied comically by my lovely Daisey cat, who would go up a step at a time and wait for me to catch up! I remember thinking I wonder if I will ever be able to meet up with others for a coffee and a piece of cake.. Back then I would have done anything to be feeling a bit better if a little on the cuddly side. Just thought of Miriam Margoles who is well cuddly and swears a lot and still lots of people like her! x

[Gimme]

I've stuck rigidly to a low GI diet for the last 5 months, and have not put on an ounce. My starting dose for pred was 15mg and I am now down to 5mg, due to side effects. I strictly limit carbs, totally avoid high carb snacks, no foods or drinks containing added sugar, and limit alcohol to a small amount on special occasions. I try to titer my carb intake against the level of activity that I intend, for example, if I plan a swim, I might eat a limited amount of complex carbs beforehand to give me enough energy. My diet is based on the advice I was given to reverse pre diabetes last year (and before PMR diagnosis) and I lost 2 stone in the process. My aim is to prevent blood sugar spikes as much as I can. As soon as I went on pred, I re-started the pre diabetes diet as I wanted to reduce my chances of getting diabetes.

[Animalover65 in reply to Gimme]

Thanks Gimme, at the low end of Pred its a challenge . I am getting blood tests on Monday and then I think its all about balancing blood sugar and self care.

[Gimme in reply to Animalover65]

oh yes, definitely, make yourself your priority. 💗