Re: Weighty issues

[Guest guest]

DNISnv@... wrote:

>

> From: DNISnv@...

>

> With all the discussion about weight, I had to chime in. I'm pseudo, 3' 10 " .

> When my son was born, I put on alot of weight. He was 5 before I got sick

> and tired of it, and took it off, by basically eating low fat, exercise, and

> never eating at night. Then, I had a hip replacement 2 years ago this month.

> All that down time put back most of the lbs I'd worked so hard to shed. Had

> knee surgery the next year, so, exercise was really limited (swimming when I

> could find time and strengthening exercises were it). I ate as little as I

> could, basically only a slimmest for breakfast and lunch every day, and a

> small dinner. Regained my mobility, lost a little then could not drop

> another ounce. It is true that once you hit your mid 30's, it is harder to

> loose weight. It was really getting me down.

>

> This past year, I have had several friends doing the Atkins protein diet, and

> finally decided I could try anything for 2 weeks, so I gave it a try. That

> was 2 weeks ago this past Monday. All I can say is WOW! I have gone from

> squeezing myself into my size 12 jeans, to some extra room in size 9, and was

> in the first 2 weeks! At this rate, I really think I will be back to a size

> 7 in 2 more weeks. On top of that, the daily aches and pains in the

> legs/hips we pseudos know so well have diminished.

>

> The first 3 days of 0 carbos, I honestly thought I would DIE. I live for

> rice and bread and Pasta, not to mention Twizzlers. Now, I eat and I am not

> going around feeling hungry, and I'm shrinking!!!! - - in the GOOD way.

>

> I checked with my doctor before starting this, am taking a substantial

> multivitamin, and drinking tons of water.

>

> I had tried everything, thought this was a crazy kooky diet before, but, as

> my friend -- who lost 40 lbs on Atkins in 4 months -- said " you can't argue

> with the results! "

>

> Just my humble opinion.

>

>

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I, too, am a Pseudo, and never had much problem with my weight - even

after having 2 babies - I went right back to my prepregnancy weight.

That first hip replacement did it though!!! I started gaining weight

and because of the pain , etc. there was lots less activity too. Now,

I've had a total of 4 hip replacements AND another baby and I really

need to lose weight. Surprisingly when I was pregnant the last time I

lost a few pounds then gained a few, back and forth, so that at the

birth of my daughter I had gained a total of only 6 lbs!! After the

birth I weighed about 15 lbs less than before the pregnancy and I felt

so much better - I could get around better and had lots less pain.

Unfortunately the weight loss didn't last long and now I've gained it

all back. I would really like info on the diet you talked about. Would

you please email me at kd1219@... with the basics of the diet? I

would really appreciate it.

Thanks,

Reba

[Guest guest]

<< Through email we " see " no size,

shape, color or inperfections. Through email, you " fall in love with the

PERSON first... " and after that, no visual aspects matter. It is truly

what is " in the heart " of a person.>>

Susie, you really brought up an important issue. We as women should stand

together and not be critical of each other. Whenever I feel myself even

beginning to think a jealous thought (that's why women make catty comments

about your weight), I immediately realize that person could have RA or one

of many other invisible illnesses, or some other obstacle, that they are

braving on a daily basis. I think coping with this illness has helped me to

be more aware of what other people could be coping with. After all, nobody

looks at most of us and says " Wow, she has to cope with a lot. " On the

outside someone may look more attractive, more successful, wealthier - but

in reality they could have their own personal Everest they have to climb

every day.

I guess I should be happy I'm pretty much average weight. I'd like to lose

20 lbs (and I'm starting a diet on Tuesday), but I'm not overweight. Before

I quit smoking I was a size 2, though, and I've endured the nasty looks as

well. I'm sorry you have to deal with that.

Not for you, Susie, but if there is anyone in the group who would like to

start dieting together, let me know. I'm going to do healthy weight loss:

soups, fruits and veggies, a little chicken and turkey. I'm not going to

starve myself, just eat smarter.

Love and hugs,

Carol

Re: [ ] Good News and Question on Celebrex

, I take the Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide in combination for

my heart/and BP, and Conjestive Heart, and this combination, I have been

told is notorious for suppressing the appetite. So I am thinking this is

why the Pred. hasn't had me gaining weight or " craving " food... actually

I have to fight to keep it around 100 now. And 100 is not even normal

for me. I am 5'3 " and had always weighed around 115-20 all my teen and

adult life. I really hate seeing I am dropping this low. I feel awful.

Look worse than awful! I have always been in reverse situation of some

on this list who talk about being cruelly teased about weight. I get it

I believe, worse than the reverse. They say much more nasty things, in

my opinion, when you are underweight. (I have had women say things to me

like, " It is little people like you who SHOVE it down our throats that

we are overweight. " And this is people I don't even know, who I just

stand by in grocery lines, stores etc.! And at dinner party's for our

business I have had women say (in front of everyone) and sneer and say

things where the whole room can hear, like " If I STARVED MYSELF like

YOU...I guess I'd be that little too! " and that just isn't right of

people. I eat like a horse, by the way. It is to the point that at

dinner parties for our business, I never go to the bathroom because I

fear the next remark will be that I am " throwing it up in the bathroom "

to " stay skinny " ! Cruel remarks... or rather, CRUDE remarks, can sure

make a person paranoid!

I literally cringe when I know I have to walk into a room of people with

my husband for Bussiness or a meeting, etc. Because inevitably, at least

4 or 5 WOMEN will have to say some crude/rude remark about my size.

Discrimination works both ways, unfortunately.

But isn't it a shame how Women seem to turn on Women???

Women should support each other in every way possible!

I knew a women years ago who was being abused by her husband. A mutual

" friend " a woman... remarked that " He is soooo nice! SHE must be doing

something to PROVOKE him! He wouldn't treat ME that way, I know to treat

a man! "

I just stood amazed. After they divorced, " this woman " even helped " find

him a decient woman " !!! ....... and of course he did the same. I suppose

" this woman " thought the poor man just was having bad luck with " women " !

Women... ALL women are sisters. We probably more or less go back to same

genetic structure! So why do so many " attack " each others self esteem? I

just don't understand. A group of women never stand in a crowded mall

and say, " Look at that MAN ... look at his HAIR and clothes! " They

always find another innocent woman walking by them to say some remark

and giggle to each other, like... " Would you LOOK at THAT hair! Who does

she THINK she is?!!! " " Well look at HER! She just thinks she's 'all

that', don't she! "

I love this group.... I don't think I have met one judgemental person on

this list. All " us women " here have always pull together here, and give

comfort, praise, and loving advice. Through email we " see " no size,

shape, color or inperfections. Through email, you " fall in love with the

PERSON first... " and after that, no visual aspects matter. It is truly

what is " in the heart " of a person.

Oops... sorry this got long. I stepped up on my soap box, and guess

maybe I shouldn't have? I'm off again. I will return to " Lurk Mode "

again!

Susie

W. wrote:

> Hi Iris,

> I guess I'm lucky in regards to Prednisone making me want to eat

> because it

> didn't. Thank goodness because I have actively been dieting and have

> lost

> 47 pounds since May and I'm thrilled about that!!!!

[Guest guest]

on 9/1/02 6:17 PM, Carol at carol@... wrote:

> Before

> I quit smoking I was a size 2, though, and I've endured the nasty looks as

> well. I'm sorry you have to deal with that.

Congratulations on being able to quit smoking. How long ago did you quit?

I've been quit about seven or eight years. I had been smoking for over 30

years and was up to over three packs a day. I still don't know how I quit,

but it's the best thing I ever did for myself. Also one of the hardest. Now

I can't stand to smell tobacco smoke and have never wanted to go back to

that nasty habit. I feel so free now.

About three years ago I started exercising and developed a new way of eating

and lost forty pounds. Actually, I gained about eight pounds back while on

radiation for breast cancer. I was taking prescription iron at the time

because I was anemic from an ulcer caused by RA medicine. During radiation,

you usually lose your appetite and lose weight, but my appetite was enormous

because of the iron. I believe that it helped me get through radiation

treatments with few ill effects.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

I quit smoking almost 3 years ago. Oddly enough, I didn't start smoking

until I was 28 and quit at 34. I smoked just under one pack a day. Still,

it was hard to quit. The first month I was a wicked witch. After that I

was fine, though. Like you, I can't stand the smell of smoke now.

That's wonderful that you lost forty pounds. If you have any hints you want

to pass on, they'd be appreciated.

I'm so sorry you've had to endure breast cancer in addition to RA. I can't

imagine how hard that must have been.

Much love,

Carol

Re: [ ] Weighty issues

on 9/1/02 6:17 PM, Carol at carol@... wrote:

> Before

> I quit smoking I was a size 2, though, and I've endured the nasty looks as

> well. I'm sorry you have to deal with that.

Congratulations on being able to quit smoking. How long ago did you quit?

I've been quit about seven or eight years. I had been smoking for over 30

years and was up to over three packs a day. I still don't know how I quit,

but it's the best thing I ever did for myself. Also one of the hardest. Now

I can't stand to smell tobacco smoke and have never wanted to go back to

that nasty habit. I feel so free now.

About three years ago I started exercising and developed a new way of eating

and lost forty pounds. Actually, I gained about eight pounds back while on

radiation for breast cancer. I was taking prescription iron at the time

because I was anemic from an ulcer caused by RA medicine. During radiation,

you usually lose your appetite and lose weight, but my appetite was enormous

because of the iron. I believe that it helped me get through radiation

treatments with few ill effects.

Sue

[Guest guest]

PEOPLE CAN BE CRUEL AND UGLY ABOUT PEOPLE'S WEIGHT SKINNY OR FAT.

PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHY A PERSON MY BE THE WAY THEY ARE. I KNOW THAT

MY WEIGHT YOYO'S DUE TO MY MED. MY WEIGHT NORMAL GOES ANYWHERE FROM

150LBS TO ABOUT 175LBS AND HERE RECENTLY A LITTLE HIGHER. I AM ABOUT

5'5 " . PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT WITH MY HEALTH IT DON'T NEED TO BE

WHERE IT IS NOW. WHEN MY WEIGHT IS UP, LIKE IT IS NOW, I DON'T FEEL

VERY WELL AND MY JOINT'S LET ME KNOW ABOUT IT TO. MAY GOD BLESS YOU

ALL ON THIS LABAR DAY.

[Guest guest]

on 9/2/02 8:34 AM, Carol at carol@... wrote:

>

> That's wonderful that you lost forty pounds. If you have any hints you want

> to pass on, they'd be appreciated.

Carol, the basic principle, of course, is to eat less and move more. But

that's easier said than done, of course. Exercise really is the key, I

think. I was 60 years old when I decided I was going to give it a try. I had

an unused stationary bike gathering dust, so I decided I'd actually use it.

At first it was all I could do to do 1/4 of a mile, and I'd be huffing and

puffing. (Those 30+ years of smoking didn't help.)

Anyway, I just did the 1/4 of a mile each day until I could do more, and

then more, and so on. I finally became able to do four miles, which takes me

about 30 minutes. I do it first thing when I get up, before I can talk

myself out of it.

I developed my own eating plan, and it worked for me. To keep the weight

off, I just keep eating that way. So it's important to find a WOE (way of

eating) that you can live with. I basically tried to cut out as many carbs

as possible, which I was already doing for my diabetes, but which I

intensified.

For breakfast I have a delicious chocolate protein shake, made with whey

protein powder (which I buy on the Net) mixed with soy milk. For lunch I eat

a humongous salad made with green lettuces (not iceberg) and spinach and

various other vegetables that I like. I use a low-fat or olive oil dressing.

I also eat some fruit. For supper, I eat a regular meal (whatever my husband

cooks, but he knows I won't eat such things as rice, potatoes, bread, pasta,

and sweets), but I try to watch the portions. For dessert, I eat a

no-sugar-added Klondike bar.

I usually eat an afternoon snack, usually 1/2 of a low-carb bar. After

supper, I eat a snack of one or two small pieces of Stover's sugar-free

chocolate and some nuts. I think a small snack in the afternoon is good

because it keeps me from being famished at supper.

One or two meals a week, though, I eat a big meal (but not that big, just

bigger than usual) to remind my body that it doesn't need to go into

starvation mode. It also keeps me from feeling deprived. One of these is

usually at a pizza buffet, but I don't eat all of the crust, and I also eat

a salad as part of the meal. The other one is also usually at a buffet, but

part of the meal is a big salad and I pick meat and low-carb vegetables, and

no bread. But I usually do have some banana pudding for dessert on that

night.

I basically try to eat to live instead of living to eat now. I also try to

forget about having to clean my plate. If I'm satisfied before I finish, or

it's not even good, I just quit and give the rest to the dog.

>

> I'm so sorry you've had to endure breast cancer in addition to RA. I can't

> imagine how hard that must have been.

Actually, RA prepared me for just about anything. I had several months of

unbearable pain because I was diagnosed incorrectly and was sent to PT, with

no medication except Advil. I couldn't open bottles or jars; I couldn't

squeeze out a washcloth; there were so many simple things I couldn't do.

Boy, did I go through some depression! So after that, I think I just breezed

through breast cancer. (Of course, there's the fear of recurrence to deal

with.)

Well, it seems I've written a book. I hope some of it helps. Good luck and

let me know how much weight you lose. By the way, mine came off at a snail's

pace. So just keep on keeping on and don't get discouraged.

Take care,

Sue in NC