Need to loose weight and just diagnosed with heart failure.😨

Hi everyone I'm new so just a quick post. I am overweight newly diagnosed with heart failure and 54. trying slimming world but am struggling.

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, Juliepa

Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis and struggles, I hope you'll find things easier with us

Take a look at the Pinned Posts section, to the right of your screen (bottom, if you're using a mobile) and have a look at the Welcome Newbies thread.

Look at the Topics section beneath that, for posts that could answer any questions you may have. Consider joining any, or all, of our challenges, as they're fun and motivating.

Join us for the Monday Group weigh-in. If you follow Zest and myself, you'll be notified when we post the threads. The latest weigh-in thread can always be found in the Events section, to the right of the home page and remains open until 6pm on Friday's.

Be active on the forum, as that's where we exchange ideas and get our daily dose of motivation and inspiration.

Wishing you all the best, as you continue your journey to health and happiness

[kalahuchi]

Hi Juliepa,

I have been overweight for most of my life and never managed to sustain a weight loss before until I joined this community. Slimming clubs never worked for me but the NHS 12 week plan is fantastic and the online BMI calculator lets you plan your calories depending on your age and activity level (I have found I can eat much more than I ever thought I could and still lose weight).

I don't feel pressured at all and I eat more healthily and exercise a lot more than I ever did before. Better still, I don't feel hungry or get cravings nowadays and seem to have adjusted to a healthy lifestyle which I feel I can maintain in the long term. The main support has come from the wonderful people on this forum who have kept me going when times have been tough.

I have had a few health problems too and I have found that many of mine have just gone away now I have lost a fair bit of my excess weight. Of course, losing weight doesn't have any effect at all on some things, but looking and feeling fitter and healthier makes the bad stuff easier to bear.

May I wish you every success. x

[Seuzan]

Hello! I agree with all the comments above. Just wanted to wish you well and say that you can definitely lose some weight on the 12 week plan. It is really effective.

Look after yourself and enjoy the programme. It really works if you stick to it...

[Hidden]

Morning Thank you for the replies and inspiration I've now started my 12 week challenge and am feeling positive x

[SGJNL]

Hi Juliepa, I too have heart failure and have in the past found it very difficult to lose weight. The Slimming World route didn't work for me, although funnily enough it did before my heart failure progressed. I asked my Dr to refer me to a dietitian, which has been really helpful. On the whole previously I ate a fairly healthy diet, just too much of it! I am now on a 1200 Calorie diet or a little less and have over the last 2 months lost 7kgs. I have been told that with not being as active now, about 1200 Calories may be enough for maintenance too. Do remember, that with heart failure you may also experience fluid retention. This can make your weight fluctuate quite significantly. Hopefully medications will help prevent this and it's worth mentioning to your Dr if you find that you are having large unexplained weight changes. I find more frequent weight checks can be a good indicator of how well my heart is working. You are probably feeling very tired with heart failure, but as long as you are stable you should be able to do some gentle exercise. I was swimming 3 times a week and my general fitness was so much better for it. As I have had some more complications lately I am now at the moment going for walks instead. I try to go for a 25 minute walk each day unless I am having an off day. Your Dr can advise you on exercise Finally I would like to reassure you that there is life after a heart failure diagnosis; although you may have to alter how you do some things. As a newbie you may like to join Pumping Marvelous face book group, where you can get advice and meet lot's of very nice supportive people who also have heart failure. If you do request to join then I will catch up more with you there. x