Where do I start?

I despair, if any other fitness/diet guru says take control, I shall scream. Trying to navigate 13 st 10 5 foot 4 with arthritis, is making me want to give up. I feel detached from the world. I eat sensibly and am losing a bit but everything hurts. The medication is good but affects most of my body systems. I know a lot about what I should do but the inertia is terrible. Sorry most of the world would not recognise this as me. Busy, outgoing etc.

[TheTabbyCat Administrator 16kg]

Hi Ftisbest and welcome to this amazing forum. I suggest you spend some time clicking about to find your way around. It's easier if you have a lap-top as there are several threads. If you’re using another device I strongly suggest that you use the web page as opposed to the app at least until you know your way around.

Have a good read of the pinned post “Welcome Newbies” and follow every thread.

Here’s the link to the pinned posts, healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

Here’s the link for the “Tour” of the forum. If you haven’t already taken it.

healthunlocked.com/?tour=true

I strongly suggest you read and contribute to the Daily Diary and participate in a Weekly Weigh in.

You will find there's loads of tips about better eating, from other members. Sharing your daily menu not only helps you stay committed, it can help other members too.

Good luck I hope to "see " you around.

[ScoutyPat]

hi and welcome Ftisbest. This forum is amazing and TabbyCat has already shared some specific advice which I wholeheartedly echo.

Now to specifics - I know exactly where you are coming from. I was diagnosed with arthritis at age 15 (I'm now mid 50s) and have battled with medication, physio, medical people who were no use and surgery over that time. What has worked for me is...

1) this forum - follow TabbyCat's advice about finding a weighin group and use the daily diary - the support from others here is amazing

2) this eating plan (not a diet) supplied by the best dietician I have ever met. I have found some foods which trigger my arthritic pain (mainly processed carbs like bread!) and by moderating their intake have found it helps. - healthunlocked.com/weight-l.......

3) don't worry about doing exercise (honestly), it has taken me time to get there (and a loss of 6.5kg, steroid injections in my neck and 2 hinged metal knee joints ). Think about it as moving each day. Set yourself a target for the week - "I will walk one length of the garden and back using all the walking aids I need 3 times over the next week". If that works, without too many side effects, increase it next week. If it doesn't work then either step it back slightly to find what does work or repeat until it does work. Start small and take it gently.

But before starting anything - this week keep a track of what you do, what you eat (join the daily diary helps with this and you get to 'steal' ideas from others). Then next week "be mindful about what you do/eat etc" and by looking at this slowly and one thing at a time, over time you will see progress. It won't be plain sailing, there will be days and weeks when it all goes wrong. But I come on the forum and chat to people (daily chat is a great time waster) and find it helps to pick up my spirits.

Take care and I look forward to "seeing" you around.

[Rubywednesday]

Sorry to hear you're struggling Ftisbest, it must be awful. Hugs xx