I'm FAT

[Michelle in KC]

I just saw some pictures of myself. I AM SO FAT! I did not realize it. I thought I looked good. HA! It hurts to excercise. No bending or stretching or jarring motions. What excercise can I do??

Michelle

[jaime15]

I've been trying to go to the park and walk with my son. But it's hard to in the winter with the weather and they close the restrooms there, to prevent vandalism. And of course my IC.

You can just join my crowd, I guess. When I saw pictures of myself at Christmas, I thought the same thing..... :bonk:

[yvette]

Awww Michelle :(
I knwo the feeling....those pics we see of ourselves paint a whole new picture don't they?! Excercise right now is so hard....with the cold weather, just makes ya wanna curl up under the covers. :D

Could you try Yoga....modified Pilates....so you can't bend or strtch at all??????

[Alexa]

It's frustrating not to be able to get outside because of the weather. Like Yvette, I was going to suggest a beginner yoga DVD that you can do at home. It's very gentle and it will help you feel better.

Take care!

[ICNJess]

Michelle,

I know exactly what you are going through. Though doctors had said, "lose some weight!" (easier said than done!!), I thought I looked okay. Then I saw a picture of myself at one of my best friends' wedding, and I almost died!!

I am having some good results with my treadmill...seems to work well my big butt. ;)

Hugs,
Jess

P.S. I so do miss my H-D ice cream!!!!

[rhea]

Michelle-Don't beat yourself up over it...I know what you are talking about too...Have gained 20lbs since August (last cysto sent me into constant pain)...I feel like I do good to get up and get to work every morning and by the end of the day the last thing I wanna do is excersise. The "lucky" thing I got going is I have a JRT who EXPECTS to be walked when I get home and I live in FL so the weather isn't too bad, cept for today. I used to walk, swim and do light yoga...swimming is the best, no pressure on any stress area's. When I complain to my husband he just says curves are sexy... :woohoo: Anyways good luck and don't let weight issues add to stress cause we all know what happens when we stress too much... :grouphug:

[ICNDonna]

It's all the fault of the cameras!!!!! I know I always look fat in pictures --- and guess what --- cameras add wrinkles too!

Seriously, about the only exercise I can get away with is walking --- it's really hard when the weather is rotten, but spring is just around the corner and we can all stop being "fluffy."

Hugs,
Donna

[IWin]

What about the Leslie Sansone (I think that's her name) Walk Away the Pounds? You just walk to the video. If you need to go to the bathroom it's right there, if you need to modify it you can, if you want a shorter walk you just stop the VCR.

[sunshine_77us]

I love her tapes. I'm going to try to start them this week.

[trytosmile]

Remember it's whats on the inside that counts !!

Winter is a tough time for me. Can't get outside to walk, pale from no tan, even the gray hair seems to grow in faster.

Smile kiddo !

[kadi]

I "suddenly" discovered I was fat a week ago - somehow I'd convinced myself that my pants shrunk & the scale must be broken all at the same time. How do you spell DENIAL?

[stacey79]

Some of my clothes have shrunk as well. :) I've tried to avoid the scale...

Anyway, we have this new game on XBox, but it is also out for the computer. It's called "Yourself Fitness." Basically, it's a virtual personal trainer. She has a yoga section. When I was doing that I had some luck with it. YOu can tell her what works for you and what doesn't. It costs around $30. Now, if only I could get back in the habit of using it. I'm guessing it doesn't do my body any good sitting on our shelf getting dusty...

[twiggy]

My clothes shrunk, too. It must be a conspiracy! Ah, let's blame the drug companies that are conspiring with the clothing industry to make us buy new apparel. You see, it is just a big conspiracy theory! My suggestion -- fight back. I have started using my elliptical trainer. No impact. Today I did 30 minutes (I needed to vent out some frustration) and then another 25 minutes on my treadmill walking with weights. If you can afford it, buy the stupid equipment and then you have no excuse not to exercise. It's in your house! I am constantly hungry since I started elavil. I am also trying to drink more. You have to do this for yourself as no one is going to do it for you. It's hard to get motivated, but once you get the first 10 minutes in, it's not so bad. I also play my favourite music really loud. It helps.

[ICNJess]

Hmm...so all we gotta do is eliminate cameras, clothing sizes, and mirrors...we'll be good to go!! ;)

I hate those lying inanimate objects...they're really taking a toll on the inner me! :biglaugh:

[kadi]

Anyone seen the new Kirstie Alley commercial for Jenny Craig? The one where she says "I'm fat." and "You're chubby too."--makes me laugh & not feel so bad every time I see it:)

[twiggy]

Yes, the media has given Kirstie Alley a hard time. I think that's terrible. People should mind their own business. Nothing like picking someone else's flaws apart to make yourself feel better. People can be sooo cruel!

[trytosmile]

I'm sure you can get Kelloges products amost everywhere. They have an offer for 3 different Stotts Pilates CD's. I have them all and LOVE them. They have a twist of yoga to them too. Nice gentle stretches, nothing over board. I've been doing these CD's for a week now and I have already noticed in my pants feeling better. My boyfriend was away for two weeks and came home on Monday, first thing he noticed .... "hey peanut, your getting your ribbed abs back". My back feels so much better. I think having strong core muscles will help with any lower back pain and that appears to be common for IC folks.

Before diagnosed with IC, I used to work out 6 days a week at a fitness center, ran, you name it. Over the years IC has slowly cut all that back so tried this route of yoga and pilates a few years ago and love it. I just moved to a city that does not have a facility with "certified yoga or pilates" instructors so I now do at home.

Anyway, my point, if interested in trying, these CD's are relatively inexpensive, the cost of a box of cereal and hey, you get a good cereal out of the deal too.

[Imustpee]

Go low carb and walk everyday..it is working GREAT for me and I have lost 14 pounds since Jan 1st... :)

[Imustpee]

Here is my walk log...

Jan 1st.start lo-carb…193 lbs

188lbs…Jan 4th
Date…….Steps taken
Jan 4th ….3250
5th……….,,5200
6th………...7700
7th…………7232
8th………..11,623
9th…………6100
10th………10,450
11th………..7464
182lbs…..12th….8200
13th………...8508
14th…………..8500
….81,527…31.971 miles
15th………..11,109
16th………..9107
181 lbs…
17th….4100
18th…..8500
19th…..2000
180 lbs…
20th……6509
21st…….10,438....4.236 m…242 c
22nd..10,802….4.38 m…251 c
23rd…..8464….3.44m…197 c
24th…..11,012……4.3m…251 c
25th…..7673…3.02 m..173c
179 lbs
-89,714 steps..35.53 m

[twiggy]

Well done with the walking log!!!!!!!!!! I wished you lived near me. It would be nice to walk with another IC person. At least they would get it if the route needed to be around buildings that have restrooms!

[Imustpee]

Hahahha..no such luck..I live way out in the country on a private dirt road..nothing around but trees...:o)

[Michelle in KC]

I have a friend/neighbor who lives near me, but I'd have to drive down her road (Also a long deserted dirt road) to her house, then we'd walk and I'd have to drive back. I can't walk on my road. There are sharp curves and stupid people with boats going trout fishing at all times of the day and night. The driveway is right over a hill/curve and I've almost been hit by some stupid idiot going too fast. I do have trails to talk here on the property, but I don't want to go alone. Both afraid of running into the bobcat, and afraid of getting hurt and no one knowing where I am. Then, there's the copperhead issue when it's warmer.

I thin Yoga will be best for me. I think Yvette mentioned that first. I'll buy a DVD when I get ym first disability check.

In the meantime, where are those brownies????

:biglaugh: Michelle

[ICNJess]

Michelle,

They're right here...you want some help eating them? ;)

[Sarojini]

Geeze... I know... my husband took these pics of me recently posing with our cat to send to family, to show how big the cat has gotten and I was horrified at how fat I looked in the photos. :( I try to do my PT exercises, walk occasionally, and do my yoga tape sometimes, but it seems like I need more vigorous exercise. I should dust off the treadmill and start that again I suppose..... yuk....

[rhea]

I lost 35lbs last 2 years ago from walking and lower carb diet...gained 20 back right now since last time in hosp in August..ughhh...and now every where I go all I see is bathing suits!!!! Gonna try to find the CD's Jen mentioned. Think it would help my back as well. (But secretly I am in with you on the conspiracy theory..damn drug companies).

[Michelle in KC]

WHY is every other commercial for a weight loss drug or program or excercise tape??? It is SOOOOOO wrong.

I hate skinny people. That's my new slogan. Hold 'em down and feed them Twinkies!!
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

[stacey79]

You made me laugh out loud, Michelle! :biglaugh: I always get irritated with skinny people who are eating a wonderful dessert and then stop saying, "It's just too rich." Come on, if you can have chocolate - appreciate it! :) Thanks for the laugh!

I also get annoyed with size two women who talk about how chubby they are or what big hips they have. Puh-lease! :rolleyes:

[JOJO]

Boy do i know that feeling.I was doing the elliptcal machine , and then my hips and back hurt.I have gained weight!!!! It so damn depressing, i spoke to my sis out in CA, who is a certified trainer. She told me not to swing my hips when i use the machine, like many of us do when we try to go fast, because we start shifting weight from hip to hip. She said to keep a concious effort to keep the upper body stabilized.-jojo

[NonnyJ]

Swimming is the best work out for you. It works out every part of your body and its relaxing.

[stacey79]

What about chlorine in a swimming pool? When I was younger this used to bother my bladder. I don't think I've been swimming in a swimming pool since this most recent flare started a couple of years ago.

[MakinIT]

In college, I was a fit, trim but muscular 150 pounder. (I never looked my wieght, I always wore size 8 and I'm only 5'3) After my first baby, my job was sedentary (in college, I had to RUN from one class to the next) so put on some fat. Kinda played that game, then got pregnant with second 6 years later. Had ALL kinds of problems with that pregnancy, had to be on bedrest for months, had terrible depression...Basically I ballooned to 230 and was dx'd w/diabetes. (This was in the middle of all the surgeries I was having to get take care of tube tying, appendectomies, hysterectomies, etc...) I wound up getting severe migraines..the woman I saw to help me with the migraines was trained in accupuncture and chinese medicine. She wanted me to take a log of my food intake for a week. (which was strictly following the diabetic association recommendations) She looked it over and said "it's a great diet, very healthy...for someone whose NOT DIABETIC...I was stunned..." I had been on that diet for 6-7 months and had lost about 2 pounds. She got me started on a low carb (but designed for diabetics) diet...At the same time, my doc put me on Topamax to control the pain of the migraines. Topamax is like one of the only drugs that doesn't make you gain wieght, infact you lose wieght!! So...Between the two I lost like 80 pounds...so, karma came around and got me. Yes, IC got me. I don't eat much cause it hurts to eat anything much beyond pears and cerealsbut my inactivity caused my wieght to go back up by 20 pounds. Doc had to put me back on a lower dose of topamax b/c my migraines came back so I've lost like 8 pounds. So I'm back down to like nearly 160. of course, it's no longer muscular, sorta flabby and gross, (But my legs still look good!!) so my psych and chiro are actually pounding me over the head to work out a little every day. It is just so DAMN hard. It's like, I think, hmmm. today is pretty nice..... I'll go for a walk. Then I see that new spring weeds have sprung and I pluck some and then I'm pooped.

What a battle.

Tracey

[Stephanie2004]

I started to write that either I've lost eleven pounds in the past three weeks or else my doctor's scale is off (assuming it was the scale), when I decide to double check on my bathroom scale and I HAVE lost eleven pounds.

Since I started taking Effexor four weeks ago, I've noticed that I'm eating healthier without especially trying. Can the Effexor be eliminating the sugar cravings that have plagued me for years? It has also cut my pain in half.

[MakinIT]

Man...are youlucky...I gained so much wieght on that stuffit's not even disucussed. Make sure you never miss a dose of that because wierd stuff happens.My GP keeps tryin to put me back on it forgetting the awfultime I had,
for some people though, it works awesome.

Take care