Osteoarthritis

Hi I'm 58 have osteoarthritis have put 2 stone on in a matter of a few months it needs to come off and don't know where to start I've never been this overweight before I don't get out much because I keep falling I need some help to get rid of the excess weight please help

[Hidden]

Hi Kittykat59 I too have Osteoarthritis But Healthy Eating Gentle Exercise And drink plenty of water is the way to go

[YellowRose55]

Hi Hidden

Welcome to the weight loss forum.

Take a look at the Welcome Newbie post in the Pinned post section at the right hand side of the screen or if your on a mobile at the bottom. Have a look at the nhs 12 week plan, many members have had success following this plan. Use the BMI checker to work out your daily calorie allowance.

Below the Pinned posts are the Topics where members share a range of weight related subjects.

Take your measurements at the start along with a photo so you can see the changes when the scales don't move.

We have weigh-ins every day so why not come and join us. You can find the weigh-in on the Home page in the Events section on the right. Just click on the post and state your start weight and any loss/gain or maintain for the week.

To get the best out of the forum be active, share experiences, tips and recipes. Read some of the posts they can be very inspiring and motivate you along the way.

Have a great first week.

Rose

[Tiggerr]

Hello Kittykat59 and welcome.

If you combine what mumma6 mentioned together with the NHS 12 week plan that YellowRose mentioned then you wont go far wrong.

Good luck!

[Meg41]

Hi

I'm in a similar boat. I had my return to work meeting with HR today. They seem happy for me to go back with reduced hours and we're quite helpful. I start back Monday after a 9 week sick leave. I know what you mean about not knowing where to start. I've done so many diets in the past and have a good understanding of nutrition. It's the lack of motivation combined with too many handy excuses that are my problem with getting on with it. Maybe we can be one another's kick up the jacksie?

[Hidden in reply to Meg41]

Hi I'm pleased you have got a start date back at work I was told by my doctor I may have to get hip and knee replacements so job hunting at the moment for me is on hold until in know what they intend doing, I think your idea of a kick up the jacksie is a really good idea meg 41 thankyou

[Meg41 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear you're having such a rough go at the moment. Hopefully once you've had your replacements you'll be fighting fit. My GP has given me back muscle exercises to strengthen and protect the disc. These have been helpful in that they increased the amount of walking I can do before the pain really kicks in. I've also been to see a physiotherapist who gave me exercises to strengthen the muscles around my hips and knees with similar results. I'm doing my best to do most of the exercises most days and trying not to get annoyed at myself if I don't get all of them done or miss a day. I've lost a couple of pounds this week. I was lucky enough to win a smoothie Ninja machine recently and it's a godsend in getting me my 5 a day and upping my fluid intake, specially water (I'm a coffee junkie). I've also found a couple of NHS apps that are useful for recipes and shopping lists. I need to go and check the proper names than I'll post them for you. Thanks for the reply x

[Meg41 in reply to Meg41]

Those apps. They're called Smart Recipes and Easy Meals. Both free but aren't compatible with my tablet so just use on my android phone. They take a little practice to work well and I'm still finding my way with them but both so far have proved useful

[Pineapple27]

Funnily enough, I just posted abut exercise. I am disabled (short arms and legs, reduced mobility). Exercise is important to strengthen core muscles to aid balance and help to prevent falls. I have significantly reduced the number of falls I have since I managed to lose weight and exercise more.

I have an activity tracker that is set to encourage me to move once an hour for about 10 minutes, even if it's just going into the kitchen and chopping some veg ready for dinner.

I also try and do an hour of stretches and Pilates each morning. I do them sitting on a gym ball and then laying on a mat, Keeps all my joints flexible and helps reduce pain as well as building up the strength of my core muscles that help with balance. I cna send you some links to see videos of me exercising if you are interested?

The thing is with getting older (I am 54) is that flexibility and range of movement decreases rapidly. That's why older folk have such trouble reversing cars - I really struggle with turning my neck to look behind me! The range of movement and flexibility is more important than ever for us, as we need to keep mobile and moving. The old saying of "use it or lose it" is absolutely right!

Exercise doesn't need to be vigorous or take long - 30 minutes of gentle exercise a day is better than nothing. Bit like brushing our teeth - we need to make it part of our daily routine. Sadly I am unable to walk far, but walking and swimming are probably the best types of exercise. I'd love nothing more than to be able to go out for a 30 minute walk each day.

But the main thing that is VERY easy to change is to eat less, and cut out sugary snacks - if you are like me, you may find it difficult to stand and prepare food and find it easier to reach for a biscuit or packet of crisps - but these really don't provide the nutrition your body needs (more important with the osteoarthritis!) and it won't sustain you for long - you end up feeling hungry just a short time later.....