pain and shame

[catlover408]

I have severe osteoarthritis and lympedema. I have to lose at least 75 pound and find it very hard. I cannot walk,drive or do simple tasks I sit in my house in isolation. The doctors and specialist at my medical center are constantly fat shaming me. Constant fat lectures. Doesn't help me makes me mad and depressed . What I need is guidance, ideas and support not fat shaming. I have to have my knees replaced but they won't do it t until I loss weight. I am 70 already.

[BridgeGirl Administrator 2 stone]

Have a look at these and see if they offer a useful way forward

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

phcuk.org/wp-content/upload...

You'll find all you need to make the most of the forum in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... Why not join a weigh in over the weekend, and share your meal plans on the Daily Diary?

[Hidden]

Don’t despair catlover408 . Many people started here feeling the way you do. Don’t focus on the 75lb you have to lose, focus on starting a new healthy way of life, small steps. Start by reading all the links BridgeGirl has given you and take this a day at a time. Keep coming back here to this forum, as there will always be someone here to talk to, ask advice, commiserate with or hopefully celebrate with every time you reach a target. Stay with us!

[catlover408 in reply to Hidden]

thank you it is going to be hard when i get hopeless, sad or depress i eat. Tonight I ate over a 1000 calories of kettle corn to mak me feel better

[Hidden in reply to catlover408]

Do you shop for yourself? Maybe if you didn’t have high calorie snacks in the house, it would help. And maybe you could also start asking yourself what you really want? Would a chat with someone help? Could you ring a friend? Have a good think about what it is you really want- does eating really make you feel better? It might do for a short while, but it only adds to your original problem. When I first started trying to lose weight, I had a star chart. For every full week I kept to my planned menu, I put a star on the calendar and treated myself to something (non-food!) It worked as a motivator for me.

You have taken the first step coming here, that was the hardest bit, admitting you need to do something. Now you need to work out a strategy for moving forward. It has to be you who chooses this. Good luck, you can do it. Look at all the success stories on here!

[focused1 Maintainer 13kg]

Turn the shaming into a positive as they will only focus on this and not look at medical issues . Happened to me initially as I developed hiatus hernia a couple of years ago and it was all blamed on my weight but as I was at clinics there were people all shapes and sizes with the same as me . I didn't smoke and I only had the odd glass of wine so hmmmm - what could they get me for - don't need to answer .

Post op -feeling sorry for myself I was determined to beat this . I almost took my weight loss journey like a new job . Shopping lists , menus and the thought of if it's not in the cupboard I can't eat it attitude . I didn't set crazy goals . This is not a diet . This is a lifestyle . Plenty of fruit , veg and no processed foods but I'll bet aged 70 there isn't much I can tell you about food . Weight loss will help you move too . I had awful knee pain to the extent that I thought aged 58- at the time I am never going to shed this terrible pain but as the pounds shifted - so did the aches .

Can you do any chair exercises ? Have you had guidance on any exercise ? Have you had any physio or hydratherapy as this will lift your mood and assist weight loss . I booked an appointment with my GP and said 'look I am ready ' please help me . I will follow your advice but don't send me home with an A4 piece of paper as I need practical ways to exercise and an eating plan .

This does take time , effort and will power . If I can do it then anyone can . I am not super skinny and I do at 60 have a few niggles but this has given me confidence . I am maintaining my 18kg weight loss with 3 decent meals a day , try not to snack and building up my exercise programme which at first was sluggish .

[catlover408 in reply to focused1]

thank you for your input the exercises for the lympedema seem to clash with the exercises for the osteoarthritis/ I am tired of trying, want to give up and just live with pain. Thereis no support here . Sorry I wrote.

[focused1 Maintainer 13kg in reply to catlover408]

I am not sorry you wrote. I would be seeking help /advice from a charity / society that specialises in your conditions . They may have a forum similar to this . Why should you have to deal with this . You seem fed up but I can sense anger in your words and that is good for motivitation . There is support but with NHS cuts they don't always advertise it . My son had a knee op and was put on a cocktail of tablets . I fought and got physio for him . Mentally and physically he became better . Tell your GP it is cheaper to send you for alternative therapy . You are important to you . I think there is an osteoarthritis society . Ask them for advice ..even what to ask your GP and whats out there . You are as important as anyone else with any other condition . Please don't sit in silence . You need empathy and understanding but only you can demand it .

[catlover408 in reply to focused1]

I have lympedema, osteoarthritis, diabetes,conjestive heart failure, overactive bladder and the beginging stages of neorapathy in my thighs, Everyday I wake up I have to decide what to work on. I know what and what not to do. I have cut out meat.and most carbs,I eat on small plates and I always make sure my plate is colorful. I need more than someone telling me what not to do. I just don't know what it is.

[andyjudo]

If you cut out carbohydrates, potatoes,bread, and just eat lots of veg. I went from 48 inch to 42 trousers in 3 months