Hello folks!

The idea was presented that there be a kind of support buddy system in which we focus on this aspect of our health, that pesky weight thingy.
....Hopefully in ways which are easy to digest ...... so to speak.    


If you wish, this might be a topic to post comments to help ourselves, those diet-challenged, to ease our woes.
We could do it here and/or we can PM each other if we care to.  A suggestion.

Someone here who has yet to start cpap therapy wrote the following, but some of this could be said of many of us at one time or another, with or without cpap:

Quote:

I am depressed because I'm tired.  I am depressed because I'm overweight. I may be depressed because OSA may effect my seritonin levels.  
I'm tired because I have OSA.  I'm sure I'm tired because I'm overweight.  I'm tired because I'm depressed.
I'm overweight because I'm too tired to exercise or eat properly.  I'm overweight because I eat comfort foods when I'm depressed.  I'm may be overweight because OSA may affect how my body responds to insulin.

How cruel is this!!  No wonder I feel like I'm drowning instead of living.  Everything seems to be so interrelated.  I want to 'cure' all of them.  It just seems so impossible right now.

I'll start.  
I confess.  Bless me Father for I have sinned.   I bought large chocolate bars, rationalizing that hey, they were on sale!
What should I do?



Linda



Last edited by Linda on Sat Feb 11, 2006 1:44 pm; edited 1 time in total

I like this idea.  I have been overweight most of my adult life, but my weight has never gone up the way it has during this past year when my OSA symptoms got so bad.  I couldn't understand it - I'd start eating really healthy food, putting lots of effort into choosing the right things.  I'd get on the scale, expecting to have lost weight - and I'd gained.  I couldn't understand it.  Now, with my new diagnosis, I do.  I'm really looking forward to getting back in shape.

Karen

As long as we're confessing, I bought peanut M&Ms and Nestle Crunch Bars for the same reason as Linda's!  

I remember a (long) time ago when I had self control...but I think I lost my "self" and my "control" at about the same time  

sleepyjean


_________________
Cheer up, sleepy Jean
oh what can it mean
to a daydream believer
and a homecoming queen.

The Monkees

When I eat fast food I often do not order the healthy choices, the grilled chicken and side salad with low fat dressing because It will cost me 7.00 but if I order the value meal deal that is not a healty option It is only 4.00.  So I am guilty of using money as an excuse for a poor diet, when really 3 dollars would have been well spent to help my overoall health.  


I do have a question, I know I do not eat enought fruits and veggies, but really who does.  My Doctor recently told me about a product called juiceplus that is suppost to be like 19 servings of fruits and veggies a day in two / four little pills.  has anyone else heard of this or tried it?  I guess the idea is that it would put my blood at healther levels and I would not crave the junk food.  

One of my favorit sayings is "I would do anything to loose weight, except diet and excerise"  lol

Thanks for the great topic idea Linda

I spent the last two years trying to lose weight by eating low-fat and low-calorie. I never lost a pound. Finally I was diagnosed with OSA and since I began treament I have stopped gaining weight and I stopped feeling so fatigued all the time. I was still lacking energy though, and I knew it was because I was so overweight, caused in part by OSA.

So on January 1st I started a low-carb diet (Atkins) and have lost 15 pounds so far. I still have another seventy to go but I will lose all of it by the end of this year if not sooner. My energy level is way up, about what I expected to see after starting CPAP treatment. I have increased energy every week and am really starting to feel normal again. I have learned that my cravings for junk food are really cravings for carbs and those all but dissapeared after a few days of this diet.

Just my .02

PhotoFred wrote:

When I eat fast food I often do not order the healthy choices, the grilled chicken and side salad with low fat dressing because It will cost me 7.00 but if I order the value meal deal that is not a healty option It is only 4.00.  So I am guilty of using money as an excuse for a poor diet, when really 3 dollars would have been well spent to help my overoall health.  


I do have a question, I know I do not eat enought fruits and veggies, but really who does.  My Doctor recently told me about a product called juiceplus that is suppost to be like 19 servings of fruits and veggies a day in two / four little pills.  has anyone else heard of this or tried it?  I guess the idea is that it would put my blood at healther levels and I would not crave the junk food.  

One of my favorit sayings is "I would do anything to loose weight, except diet and excerise"  lol

Thanks for the great topic idea Linda

Oooh, sleepyjean!   Nestle Crunch..... now don't get me started!  And M&Ms?  I was getting real good at resisting those.  But then they came out with those peanut butter kind, and well, the rest is history.   .....  Did I say this topic was about better health?
 

I've not heard of juiceplus and would like to know too, PhotoFred.
Funny quote.  When we were younger, my older brother used to say he would never eat anything green.  Haha!
And for a long time he stuck to that promise!

Linda

Well Linda,

You asked what you should do? I think you should go downtown right now and give all those big chocolate bars to some homeless people!!!!! Hey you asked.

Actually though, this whole weight issue is one that I will have to deal with as well. I have lost some weight since starting cpap. Those of you who know me in chat know that I am currently dealing with quitting smoking so I am focusing on that at the moment. I have been able not to gain any weight in the month since I quit the smokes, so I guess that's a bit of an accomplishment. I need to drop about another 80 lbs when it's all said and done. I'm 5'10 and currently weigh 258. I went to weight watchers in the mid 80's and dropped 80 lbs in 6 months. I got obsessed with it and actually became bulimic, so I need to be very careful that I don't go that route again. I feel that with my increased energy levels and better food choices I can slowly get down to where I need to be.

Linda I think your buddy system is a great idea. When people reach out to help each other, they often never realize just how much effect they really are having.

Be Well
Brian

Brian wrote:

   When people reach out to help each other, they often never realize just how much effect they really are having.  

Thanks Brian, such nice words and sentiment.

You do have a lot to deal with, and I agree that not gaining weight is an accomplishment when you're trying to change some other major aspect of your life, like smoking.  Quitting smoking is as difficult as kicking major so-called hardcore drugs.  It's enough that you have to deal with that.  There's quite a stigma against smoking nowadays and that can't help matters any.  I never smoked but I watched as my parents struggled with it, it is not easy, and anyone who thinks it should be easy is wrong.   Not gaining weight during that, wow, you should be plenty proud.  Don't take that accomplishment lightly.  That's just as much of a weight accomplishment as losing, in my opinion.   I sure remember gaining (during the height of my untreated apnea) when I knew darn well I should have at LEAST stayed the same!

I'm having problems because a respected nurse friend tells me I have irritable bowel syndrome.  I used to laugh at that term (still do), thinking that can't be a real thing!  It's really frustrating, I'm trying to control things as she suggested, but I still have that pesky diarrhea (boy that's embarrassing!).  I swear, I have trouble understanding why I don't lose weight when the food literally goes right through me!   ......  Sorry, I'm venting.

L.

Linda, I love this idea. Count me in.

I need help coping with my despair over losing weight. The despair is coming from the dismal statistics about keeping the weight off. (Approximately 95% of the people who lose weight regain it and more.) It feels like setting myself up for failure.

About 3 years ago, I lost 90 pounds and kept it off for several months. Then I crashed into a horrible depression that didn't respond to treatment (I ended up hospitalized). The only thing that made me feel better was eating. It was a survival mechanism to keep myself from being so depressed I wanted to die.

I regained 60 of the lost pounds. Am still keeping the other 30 off, a major accomplishment given the depression and the sleep apnea.

I desperately need to lose weight, because I have very severe sleep apnea, my doctor has told me I'm heading toward a heart attack, diabetes, and other health problems, and I feel awful about myself. Even knowing that the excess weight is shortening my life and I have a child I want to be here for, I can't motivate myself to get going.  My lack of motivation undoubtedly is caused by my antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds, plus the sleep apnea. In fact, it seems like there's no point to even trying until my sleep apnea is under control, because of apnea's effect on weight metabolism and because I'll be stressed enough trying to adapt to the mask and machine.

Help!

Nancy

P.S. Please don't respond with shaming remarks about obesity or tell me I should have a positive attitude. If I could, I would.

Ah, yes, the OSA demon   weight gain! I had been on the South Beach way of eating (not diet) and had lost 35 lbs. No cravings for fast food, candy, etc.

Then it all sort of fell by the wayside when I started having symptoms. I would eat anything trying to get a little energy back. Those big candy bars - never missed a sale. Needless to say, I gained back 30 lbs.

But, I am gradually feeling less tired. Still not a lot of energy, but I haven't had nearly as many cravings. I even still have half a chocolate candy bar from Christmas sitting on the shelf behind me right now! I just need to plan my meals ahead of time, use my divided plate for portion control, and my toddler silverware. These things were working for me before, they can work again.

So, thanks Linda. Let's all be a source of inspiration for and accountability to each other. We're fighting our way out of the Fog of OSA. Now let's start the Battle of the Bulge   !


_________________
When I woke up this morning my girlfriend asked me, 'Did you sleep well?' I said 'No, I made a few mistakes.' Steven Wright

Linda,

   As usual you are right on top of the issues that we all have in common and really need the support of this fine group of people.

   I have battled my weight ever since I was 8, at which time I spent 3 months ( rheumatic fever)  in bed, only able to get up to use the bathroom. From that point on, what else can I say but, it's been pure hell trying to manage the ever agonizing battle. The roller coaster never seems to stop but now as I get older it appears to be impossible to lose.

   As many of you are finding out that I have many other physical issues that keep me a regular patron at the local clinic, my doctor is becoming quite perturbed with my ever increasing size. No matter what I try I continue to gain. There are many reasons for me to lose...high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, upper GI issues and most of all major depression. Oh how could I ever forget, OSA. Probably due to massive brain cell depletion!    In 2000 I had surgery for a hiatial hernia and Barretts esophagus and due to the fact that it tightened my esophagus to the point I could not eat as much, that was the only time that I did not worry about my weight. Why are such times so short lived? A year and half later it started loosening and guess what ....BAM...back to you know what.

   Oh well, guess my destiny is set and there's no way around it. Even though the support of others that understand is always welcome and greatly appreciated.


J.Wayne


 Hoover would have a field day sucking out all those dead cells.   

I don't know about you, but as soon as someone close to me tries to be helpful, hands me a book on health or suggests "hey, let's both of us run up one flight of stairs twice a day and together we'll lose the weight!" I run straight to the ice cream section of the grocery store!!   (sale or no sale)

Why is that?
Is it that I take that as a not-so-subtle reminder of my problem, that it bothers the other person, making me feel even more miserable that I'm somehow a failure to that person?  I don't take the criticism well?  Is it because he (yes, he) claims to give me unconditional um friendship ("I like you just the way you are!") but then sends me a health book for Christmas?

What's the best thing to do when I'm feeling guilt-ridden?  Is the best thing to do is instead of running to the ice cream section, run to some other food section, something I like but might be a tad better for me?  (Right now I can't think what that might be)


Linda,  ...... she vents

Nancy:
Whenever anyone starts in on me with that will power- positve attitude stuff I just tell 'em to eat a box of ex-lax and try their will power out on that! You have enough problems without some do-gooder getting in your face.

Linda
I have friend with IBS and it ain't no joke. From what he tells me though, the treatment is pretty easy and usually quite successful. Thanks for the kind words. Today I was talking to the health and safety co-ordinator where I work.(I'm going back next month) I was telling her that I am starting to have a lot of problems wanting to smoke. She said that didn't make any sense as I have been off them almost a month now. She said she is running a smoking cessation program and I should come. When I asked if she has ever smoked the reply was no. So I asked her what she thought she had to offer me? I think I pee'd her off. My point was that all the stratagies in the world are just words unless you've been there.

Linda and Nancy and everyone else I emphasize with your weight problem because I have one of my own. I've been healthy and I want to be that way again. I want that for every single one of us. I saw a post recently where someone said to just change one small thing at a time. I have stopped eating before bed. Just one small thing.

Be Well
Brian

....



Last edited by another_guest on Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:04 am; edited 2 times in total

Great Idea Linda, count me in also.

I myself was put on a low cholesterol diet by my GP last summer (August) and although I only cheated on average once a week (at the movies) I managed to gain 10 lbs between then and January this year, thanks no doubt to my ASO. This was my "decent into hell" period too.

Since January though, after starting the CPAP treatment, I have lost 10 lbs. It is such a relief. I'm not as tired and I gradually started walking further and longer every day. I had a set back last week, when I got a very bad end of probation performance review and I'm now in danger of losing my job. But I'm sure things will get better.

I have also quit smoking at the end of November. I can't say it was easy. Coffee and cigarettes at coffee break is what has kept me alive (awake) at work for many years, more particularly these last few months.

Arial Moon