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Hi!

My name is Jeannie Marie. I have a muscle disease called Polymyositis. Anybody familiar with it? It is rare but an autoimmuine disease. I had to quit work last yeaar and go on disablity and my weight has gone no where but up.
I worked 12 hour shifts and was on my feet most of those hours and the job required a lot of bending ,stooping and pulling and I just could not do it anymore.
Exercise is very limited mostly just short walks and then if my leg muscles give I end up falling then that leads to more pain. So, I am frustrated but I know that if I do not get this weight off it will lead to more danger for my health.
Any advise would be appreciated. I am currently counting fat grams and keeping a food joournal to try and control my intake.

Hi Jeannie....Welcome to the board.

I'm sorry about your health problems. I haven't heard of that illness...but I severe osteoarthritis in my back, legs, arms, etc., from a car accident. I also, developed RA (rheumatoid arthritis) 2 years ago. This is very painful & debilitating. A lot of people don't understand it's a disease. I take Methotrexate (chemo) at home once a week, & Remicade (intraveneous) treatments every 6 weeks.

I can't exercise....but have lost 42 lbs. I started my diet April 26th of this yr, & reached my goal the end of September. I'm not saying it was easy, but, it can be done. You have to be determined. I was on my own diet. Just ate fruit in the mornings & lunch...either fruit, or salad...or both. For supper, I'd eat whatever I had cooked for hubby. (a big eater!). Only thing, I'd put my food in a saucer, instead of a plate, & eat slow. Also, my drink would be water. Lots & lots of water. I drunk water, until I couldn't hold it anymore! The hardest part, I believe, was ordering water, instead of tea, when we went out to eat. I got so used to it, though, that I still do!.
My weightloss was approximately 2 lbs a week. Seems slow, but....as long as I was losing, it seemed worth it. Finally, I reached my goal...& then a little more.
I wish you lots of luck. Hope my little bit has helped you. http://users.raketnet.nl/maura/images/HANGINTHERE.GIF