Well, I've finally done it. I changed my weight loss on my signature to what it really is. I've been struggling greatly for the last few months and gained twenty pounds. It feels so bad to have to say it. I had a year of food sanity and I am so, so grateful for that. However, the last two months have been terrible. It's amazing how quickly turning to food slips back on - like an old comfy tshirt.
I reinjured my foot/ankle last September and have been living with chronic pain and uncertainty about what I will do next. I am now doing some PT - time will tell if it's going to keep me from having surgery. The surgery is not always successful so I have been trying to avoid it for several years. Also, the recovery is 4-6 months.
It seems that when I am feeling any pain...I am heading to food for comfort. I must stop this or I am heading back to insanity with food again.
Do any of you deal with pain issues? How do you manage pain and not overeating?
Well, thanks for listening. I am not going to 'run away' for 3fc. I haven't been as active the past couple months because I haven't been in the best place with food.
I'll keep trying. You've all always been a wonderful support for me. I appreciate it.
Last edited by Beverlyjoy; 12-03-2008 at 06:01 PM.
Don't give up on yourself... you can do it! You've done such a great job so far, and you owe it to yourself to keep up the good work! When you're feeling down about your ankle, maybe it would help to reflect on how far you've come, and maybe this will help stop any urges to eat. Also, there are lots of exercise (read: ABS!) that don't require your ankle OR your foot (in fact, you're technically elevating it while on your back!) and you might feel better about yourself if you just get on the ground and bang a few crunches out. After a few sets of those, then see if you feel like comfort food.
And if you do, well, hey, at least you'll have some amazing abs!
BeverlyJoy, I have not had to deal with chronic pain, and that must be so difficult. But the first bit of stress and I am headed for the kitchen looking for something to put in my mouth. Old habits are hard to break. Please hang in there, you will get your groove back.
Dealing with pain and food is a big issue for me too. I've been through eight surgeries since I reached goal back in 2002, the most recent being knee replacements for both of my knees in August. And I'm dealing with some back issues now that will probably require surgery in the next year. Funny how that old reflex of food = comfort never goes away! It's the first thing that pops into my mind too, along with "I deserve this, poor me."
I'm not sure I have any great answers for you, but not having any binge food in the house is helpful. Mostly it's me talking to myself and saying: "if hunger isn't the problem, food isn't the solution." My other favorite mantra is : "If you want it, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse." And telling myself that I don't ever, ever want to go back to where I was!
Doing whatever exercise that I can has always helped, probably because it gets those "feel-good" endorphins going, plus it's always easier for me to stay on plan when I'm exercising (not sure why, but I'll take it!)
Today is always a new day and a fresh start. Don't focus on what you've regained; celebrate what you've kept off. Maybe your physical therapist can help you put together an exercise plan that you can do at home to work around your injury? And remember, if you do have to have surgery, recovery will be SO much easier without any added weight on your ankle and foot! (every additional pound we carry puts FOUR pounds of pressure on our knees, ankles, and feet )
Mostly keep coming here and posting. We're all here to support you, in any way that we can.
My husband and I are both living with health issues that cause chronic pain. I have arthritis, fibromyalgia, and an autoimmune disease destroying the cartilage in my nose and damaging my lungs and sinuses (there's been no sign of further damage in the last year, so it might be in temporary or permanent remission. The scar tissue on my lungs is probably permanent, though). My husband has a degenerative bone and joint disease and arthritis. I also have a foot (broken 4 years ago) that was broken and hasn't healed properly. It doesn't cause me many problems except in very cold, damp weather.
With any obstacle, it's easy to fall into a lot of things - depression, self-pity, misdirected self-comfort, and other destructive or just old habits.
I'm not sure it takes much more work to lose weight with an obstacle as much as it takes more awareness and more persistance. There are too many ways and reasons to give up. You may want to read the Dieting with Obstacles threads, even the ones that aren't describing you. You'll find inspiration and a lot of great tips that you may find helpful. Likes ways to exercise, when you think you can't exercise, ways to decrease or cope with pain so you can exercise, and the tons of ordinary tips you can find anywhere on this site.
I've lost all of these last 60 lbs in the last four years, since receiving the fibro and autoimmune disease (which had caused a large ball of fungus to grow in my sinuses, which was found in a surgery to create more room in my maxillary sinuses about 3.5 years ago). It hasn't been easy, especially with frequent courses of prednisone. I wasn't able to lose weight successfully on prednisone, as just maintaining my weight was very hard work (dealing with the hunger was crazy, but on the positive side the prednisone gave me more energy for exercise).
I really lost the last 40 in the last year. At my size, and compared to my past dieting experiences this is the slowest weight loss EVER, and it's easy to get bored and impatient, but this time I'm making gradual changes and I just refuse to accept failure. I don't go a day without weighing myself, but I refuse to feel guilty, angry, frustrated or shamed by the reading on the scale (sometimes a little bit of those emotions try to creep in and I have to chase them away).
Exercise is very useful in managing the emotional stress (and has all those other great health benefits), but can be the last thing on your mind when you're in pain. When I was in the walking boot for the broken foot, my doctor didn't want me even using a stationary bike, but he did ok swimming and water exercise. If it's ok with your doctor, it's wonderful not only for exercise, but often the freedom from gravity can provide some pain relief which sometimes even lasts for a while after you leave the pool. If water temperature is an issue for you, you can check to see if there is a warm water pool in your area for arthritis exercise, or call the pools you would have access to and ask about their water temperature. The best thing about warm water exercise pools though, is that often a referral from your doctor is required, but the cost is covered by some insurances and by most medical savings accounts. In our area, we have a warm water therapy pool and it's about $6 per visit (until very recently it was $3 a visit). I don't know if the charge in our area is typical or not. I know that the high school has a warm water arthritis exercise class in the evening and it is very reasonable (about $20 for a six week session, I believe).
And I think most importantly of all is to be patient with yourself. Sometimes the added stress of dealing with emotional or physical pain makes it easier to slip up and more difficult to be enthusiastic and motivated. I'm not saying there is an excuse for falling into those traps, but if you occasionally do, climb out as quickly as you can, but don't beat yourself up for the mistake.
I know I've written a novel, as I usually do, but the message really is simple. Don't give up, there are probably some of us here who understand all of your struggles, but ALL of us here understand some of your struggles.
Not sure I can add anything that hasn't already been said. Do not give up (I know you won't!) Finding some exercise that you can do w/ out aggrivating your pain is a great idea--do you have one of those big workout balls? I forget what they are called even though I have one...they are great for developing balance, core strength, and there are even some workout dvd's that use them--you sit on the ball while you do most of the workout.
Hang in there, vent away whenever you need it! You have certainly listened to me go on and on (and on....) about my knee and upcoming surgery.
Beverly - I am so very happy to see you back. I'm sorry to hear about your pain. Just yesterday I was wondering how you were doing. We are here for you, as you've always been for us.
Gaining back weight that we lost is always so difficult but try to think of the postive. You are still very far from your starting point and you have realized what is happening to you.
I know that it is hard but just remember that weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint. You work from where you are.
You may want to try chair aerobics. I have knee problems and sometimes use a chair aerobics dvd when walking hurts too much.
Beverlyjoy - You are always such a comfort and support to everyone else. I know I speak for everyone here by saying that we are here for you, too. I don't deal with pain issues, but I am an emotional eater. I also struggle with the old habit of turning to food for comfort and to make myself feel better. The sad fact is that it does work...for a bit....but it leaves us feeling worse than before. I firmly believe that we can battle these old habits and come out the winner. Hang tough. You have it in you to beat this and win the battle.
As much as it hurts to do so, admitting your gain is the first step to getting back in control -- I have personally gained 10 lbs the past two years around this time because I refused to admit to myself that my clothes were getting tighter in time to put a stop to the gain. When I finally admitted "Oh cr@p... I gained 10 lbs in a month!" I was able to get a grip and get back on track.
If possible think of some things other than food that comfort you and write them down. The next time you catch yourself reaching for food for comfort try at least two of your other options before eating. For me I play a game or watch an episode of Friends.
I think sometimes making food the third thing you go for rather than the first can help break the cycle.
Wow....thanks to all of you for your encouragement, ideas, & support. Because I am so much 'in it'...it's hard to see beyond it. I've gotten many ideas that I hope will help me get thru this. Knowing that I am not alone in this is very comforting.
My physical therapist has given me some core exercises to do along with the foot and ankle things. You've all given me good ideas for movement - and some for coping. Thanks.
I will check out the forum for facing weight loss with having disabilities and health issues, etc.
Thanks again to you all. You are an amazing group of folks.
Last edited by Beverlyjoy; 12-03-2008 at 12:56 PM.
Oh dear...it is what it is.
, Beverly!
Don't focus on what you've regained; celebrate what you've kept off. Maybe your physical therapist can help you put together an exercise plan that you can do at home to work around your injury? And remember, if you do have to have surgery, recovery will be SO much easier without any added weight on your ankle and foot! (every additional pound we carry puts FOUR pounds of pressure on our knees, ankles, and feet 
)
