Too Fat, Too Slow

[Heste]

With my weight I could do with being a lot taller.

 

Alternatively I could just lose some weight.

 

However, there are a few things that make this difficult.

 

Firstly I am Vegan. I already have a healthy diet.

Secondly, since being dxed I have further restricted my diet to cut out saturated fats and various other things that are supposed to be bad for MS.

Thirdly, to avoid the healthy exercise of falling over I now move about fairly slowly. Fourthly, Because my legs ache and I wear out quickly I tend not to move about for very long either.

 

I am not actually getting any fatter. I am actually a consistent weight. I just need it to be a lighter consistent weight.

 

So, rather than just guessing at how I might do this I thought I would try asking some experts. I called my ever helpful MS Nurse. She is doing to refer me back to an MS physio to see what she suggests. The Physio had previously given me exercises to help balance and posture but it will be interesting to see what she suggests as regards burning fat.

The nurse will also refer me to a dietitian (this may take a while to get an appointment apparently). This too will be interesting. I can't just cut the pasta (I would starve to death). Perhaps I could eat smaller portions but I need to eat to eat enough to sustain myself. Its tricky. That's why I am consulting the experts.

 

Archery just doesn't burn the fat even if I do have to walk to collect my arrows

 

I will let you know what they come up with.

 

OK, I guess I will need to tell you. I weigh 15 Stone, 5 pounds and I am just under 6 foot. I should probably be about 12 Stone.

 

Watch this overweight space,

 

Regards,

 

John.

[Gaynor]

Mm....it's a bit of a difficult one isn't it John when you like me wear out easily.

 

I got myself a trampoline over the weekend (125cms - a bit bigger than the very small ones you see) also for the reason with sometimes dodgy balance maybe I wouldn't fall off one a bit bigger! So once I get over this cold I shall be having a go at that BUT starting with just a couple of minutes a day so as I get used to it slowly and not overdoing it when I'm not used to such an activity.

I guess whatever is suggested to you just go at it lightly as the after effects of overdoing anything are far worse than being a bit overweight. I agree the extra weight is not ideal but with something that suits you I'm sure it can be worked on.

 

Good luck with the suggestions (if you don't fancy my trampolining one )

 

 

Gaynor

[Gaynor]

.......or you could get a dog?! Can't remember if you have one already or not but experts agree they are a good health tool. I walk mine twice a day and I do feel better for it (even in the rain which is sometimes a bit tedious).

 

Without that walking though (i.e when Tim is off work and he often does it) my stomach gets bigger after only a couple of days I have to admit.

 

Right I'm off to walk mine once I get up now

 

Gaynor

[Heste]

One Greyhound (ex racing)

One Belgian Shepherd (with a few bits of other dogs thrown in along the way)

One Damnation

 

I can sort of walk them but they are all a bit too eager for me. They want to walk, not creep. I walk them to the post box sometimes but then I have to put up with dogs looking at me as if to say "call that a walk?". So dog walking is a job for Alexandra. Perhaps the Physio will say I should walk them more.

 

I could get a trampoline ... but then the dogs would just get confused and fall off.

 

Regards

 

John

[Marina]

You wouldn't catch me dead on a trampoline... I'm sure I'd fall over and off it within a second... I have a wobble cushion and that's a trial as it is.

 

I have a similar predicament as John although I'm not by any means greatly overweight on the scales, I now have wonderful tyres of fat around my midriff... which I can't shift for love or life. I have small light bones, so any amount of fat is instantly visible with me. I only need to put on 4 lbs and it looks as if I've put on over a stone and I can't fit into my clothes. By contrast, the muscles in my legs have disappeared so my legs now look like pins.

 

Like John, I think it's more because I've become so sedentary due to fatigue and acute pain which comes on with movement mostly due to my spinal stenosis. I have no appetite whatsoever so it's not a question of dieting - in fact, I could do with eating a lot more, and just wish I did have an appetite.

 

I have physio - privately on my insurance thank goodness, I tried it NHS and it was a total waste of time. We've had to stop exercises per se as they'd trigger my leg/hip/groin pain and I've been doing hydrotherapy instead, which is great. I haven't been, though, since the steroids and whilst getting "over" the steroid effects. I'd like to be able to go swimming at least once a week, and there are facilities in some local pools for supervised sessions for the disabled. None of them are especially cheap, I think the cheapest is about

[Gaynor]

Ooh yes swimming is nice.

As for the trampolining it wasn't really a serious suggestion as I know it's physically challenging...I just hope I can do it without killing myself!!!! My Mum was quite horrified when I told her! I guess I see it as extreme sports for MS'ers; before I'm faced with accepting sedentary exercise only!!!

 

 

 

Gaynor

[Gaynor]

P.s is a Damnation a naughty Dalmation?

[Heste]

Ask any Damnation owner. The word "Naughty" is redundant when used in the same sentence as "Dalmation". Most dogs might chew a slipper or even chew up furniture. Rosie, my damnation, ate a hole in the kitchen floor. When we sit and watch TV the other dogs will come and sit with us. Not Rosie, she is on the go the whole time. She is like the "Terminator", she never stops. There is only one time when she seems as if she is laying down, but then you see the toy she has laid by you feet. She is just waiting for you to throw it. She pulls so hard when we walk that your hand turns blue. I brought a special lead that stops her pulling and she ate it! Damnation is the only word.

 

Back on topic:

 

I haven't been swimming for...at a guess....35 years. I can't even remember if I can swim, so I probably can't. I have certainly never been in the deep end. I can't even remember if the pool I was in had a deep end. Well, it's an idea. You never know I might enjoy it. I could give it a go. I will talk to the physio and see what she thinks.

 

Regards,

 

John

[Marina]

John, if you were to have hydrotherapy via physio, there's no deep end (unless you're 5' tall) and they stay by your side. It's not swimming as such but doing exercises in water. If one can't swim or float etc, then they give those floating arm or neck bands. Mind you, whether they do the same in NHS hydrotherapy, I haven't a clue. Also, depending on level of disability, some physios offer a sort of gym, with special machines and weights etc, but I think one needs to be more disabled than you or I for that.

 

I had an Old English Sheepdog at one time, she would also chew everything in site, right down to a thermometer - not that I know how she got hold of it - I kept waiting to see if she'd turn silver as she swallowed the mercury bit! Not surprisingly perhaps, she was later diagnosed as schizophrenic and had to be put down because of it... (I didn't know dogs could be schizophrenic )

[Heste]

My wife, Alexandra, was reading this thread yesterday and made the following correction about Ben (Big Black Dog):

 

"He's not a Belgian Shepherd, he's a very naughty boy"

 

Apparently he's a German Shepherd with various applications of tippex on his pedigree. He came to us via the RSPCA so he could be anything. He could be two dogs cut in half and sown back together.

 

Anyway, Back to the topic:

 

Me and Ben got taken for a walk yesterday. We went further than the post box but not that far. Alex held Ben's lead, I was off the lead. The impressive bit of this walk was that we sneaked out without Kit (the Greyhound) or Rosie (the Damnation) noticing. My legs were hurting on the way back and I was getting more and more unstable. But it was exercise.

 

I am still waiting for the physio and dietition appointments to be arranged.

 

Regards,

 

John

[Michelle]

I really enjoyed reading these threads. Made me laugh! So thanks for the giggle.

We have a treadmill in the garage and a fan is set up to deal with the heat. I usually find that I get a boost of energy after doing my workout. Mind you! I haven't lost a pound in weight. Andrew reckons It's because my muscles are weighing more <<<<<<<looks around for muslces

It really is a vicious circle. I get terrible prickles after the workout, and I have to push myself to get on the machine. I have had a few near misses when walking on the treadmill, but hold on for dear life...plus I am attached to an emergency cord that stops the thing if i feel dizzy etc.

Gaynor,

The kids opposite us have a huge trampoline with a safety net around it. I think I would invest in a net if I were to get a

Ref swimming. I haven't been for a swim in ages. I so used to enjoy a swim.

Marina,

What's a wobble cushion? Is it something you stand on? If so, I remember using one of them at neurophysio. Get fun

Mush Dash!

Michelle aka fatty tum tum

[Marina]

The attached is a wobble cushion. I got mine from: http://www.jpmproducts.co.uk/retail_produc...2&ProdTypeID=50. I have to say it's very good. I have it in front of the kitchen worktop so's I can lightly place my hands on the worktop for added balance hold.

 

Yes, it's true that built-up muscles can add weight. So one can appear slimmer as one's firmed up the muscles yet not lose weight.

 

Something else I might get is one of those very cheap "power plate" things. Linda Elsegood of the LDN Research Trust got one at

[Gaynor]

Lol - I've lost the plot now

 

God what must people think of us if they're quickly taking a look at this thread as their first encounter with us!

 

The pic of the wobble board (oops cushion) has thrown me over the edge

 

Sorry, I know it's useful but I am creased here.

 

Brilliant

 

Gaynor

[Marina]

The pic of the wobble cushion is upside down to how I use it... as the wobble bit is the smooth bit. Wassa matter, Gaynor , did the thought of standing on a wobble cushion have you flying off the edge of the nearest cliff before even trying it? Or was it the thought of wobbling fat whilst on it that did it? . One can sit on it too, but I didn't find it did much good and was somewhat uncomfortable.

 

Aha! I have an idea for Gaynor Get a wobble cushion and put it on your trampoline - then you'd get benefit from double the work-out!

[Gaynor]

The picture just did my head in as it looks like a jellyfish gone wrong or a bin lid - sorry but it just made me giggle.

 

The thought of 'wobbling fat' whilst on it is not a very pleasant thought Marina!

 

I'll stick to my boinging I think

 

Gaynor

[Michelle]

I thought that it looked like a breast implant. But then my eyesight plus me being a bit over the top these days doesn't help

I need help!

Michelle

I really dont feel well Emotional Lab

[Michelle]

Hey! Who needs jokers corner

Michelle

[Marina]

The picture just did my head in as it looks like a jellyfish gone wrong

Or a flattened hedgehog...

[Marina]

Hey! Who needs jokers corner

Too true when all this laughing might help us lose flab instead of all these fancy machines etc...

[Gaynor]

Yes you're probably right Marina with that - mine's redundant under the bed, so no pounds being worked off at the moment! - my laughter this afternoon was worth it even if it didn't lose me any poundage!

 

Gaynor

[Michelle]

Oh Goodness! Gaynor, I even laughed at the sheep video I envisaged me out chasing the welsh sheep on our lovely rolling hills. wonder what the frmers <<< (I think I mean farmers) would think?

I think I had better retire to bed with my new book.

LOve Michelle

[Gaynor]

Yes you'll now be counting sheep for their fl oz' of collostrum and not to get to sleep anymore

 

 

Gaynor

[Heste]

I have an appointment with my neuro-physio on Wednesday. Its a busy day for me actually as I pick up my new Motability car in the morning, my physio appointment is at midday and I am trying out a new bow in the afternoon.

 

The neuro-physio is hopefully going to be able to suggest some weight losing exercise ideas.

 

Then, a week later, I have an appointment with an NHS Dietitian. I have to keep a diary of everything I eat and drink and then see they can advise how I eat less without starving to death.

 

Both of these appointments came from a brief conversation with my MS nurse. Handy things these MS Nurses.

 

Regards,

 

John

[Michelle]

Yes! I found my MS nurse very helpful in getting me appointments with other specialists.

Hope your meeting are fruitful ones.

Michelle

[Shirl]

Call this black humour from the new girl but... I have recently lost a substantial number of inches (clothes now fitting better is the telltale sign) because I could not eat through the TN episode. The replacement meals kept me alive and not at all hungry but, clearly, the fewer number of calories has done the trick...

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All I have to do is mirror the good work with real food...

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I've just one problem...

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Chocolate!