I'm really going to do it this time. I'm tired of sore knees and aching bones. I know getting to my idle weight will help me with these issues. I'm so tired and achy when I come home from work. I'm doing South Beach. I'm looking forward to a thinner me. I can use any helpful suggestions on my journey. Flow

Oh you are so very right . . . getting rid of the extra pounds can alleviate so many of the problems that start to plague us as we reach "that certain age".

to the Age 50+ Forum, FLOW . . . we'll all be looking forward to getting to know you better . . .

Hi Thanks for your welcome. I really want to make it work this time. I know all the right things to do. It's the the doing that is the issue. I've tried almost everything over the years-lost, gained, lost gained. I'm hoping this support group will make the difference. I',m going to try to write everyday, but my life is quite hectic with work and a number of committments. Flow

South beach is a good easy diet, really. I did it for awhile but it is time intensive you have to either make the foods reccomened or shop till you drop looking for a product with the right ingredients. Good luck!

what I really wanted to say is that I am hoping getting rid of excess poundage will help me aches and pains as well

I am currently seeing a bariatric doctor/dietician to help with my weight loss. I have incorporated a "whole foods"/"super foods" type lifestle. Basically I am saying I am not on a certain "PLAN" (Like WW, Zone, LAWL, Atkins, etc). At one of my first appointments with my bari doc we talked about "Side effects" of being over weight and how even small weight loss makes a huge impact on your healthy.

One of the sheets she gave me talked about a study on the effects of weight and arthritis. That study showed for EACH EXTRA POUND you carry it puts an additional 5 pounds of stress on your hips and 7 to 9 pounds on your knees. So in reverese...for each pound you lose it has the benefits on your hip joints of a 5 pound loss and your knees as a 7 to 9 pound loss.

Those numbers increase even more if you are 100 pounds or more overweight.

I hope I explained that clearly.

wow thanks for that KateB that is a real incentive to me, to lose weight!

Hi I am a newbie,
Thanks for the info K. Maybe my knee will not hurt as bad.
Roma

My arthritis is SO much better now. I was having trouble with everyday tasks at 215 lbs. I had to stand up and let my body adjust before I could move. Getting out of a car after sitting a while was comical. I looked like a little old lady shuffling along until I could get my joints limbered up a bit. Now, I pop right up and don't even think about it any more. Same for getting out of bed in the morning. It is almost like I don't have arthritis any more

That's good to hear I know that when I lost 33 lbs before I felt SO much lighter, freer and just better in general. I can't wait to feel that way again!

Well . . . I have to admit that the 60 I've lost has definitely helped ease the burden, but can't call the knees and ankles anywhere near pain free yet. Hopefully another 60 will make a big, big difference.

Hi all, Thanks for all your suggestions. It sure is encouraging to know that losing weight really does make a difference to the big "A" pain. I have that knee locking problem right now. It sure makes me feel old. I'll have to check into the zone. Is it much different than South Beach? Thanks Lori

Just a thought, but I also use supplements with glucosamine and chondroiten recommended by my Dr. for arthritis pain. They take about a month to kick in, but I am pain free now. I was having arthritic pain in wrists and shoulders making it hard to lift my arms over my head. I could hardly take a shirt off over my head. That was over a year ago and I have been mostly pain free since using this. I also recommend South Beach or Mediterranean type diet for anti-inflammation effect. Adequate healthy fats; fish, olive oil, nuts also seem to help arthritis. I eat fish twice a week and take fish oil supplements too.

I swear if it wasn't for my Glucosamine supplements twice a day, I don't think I'd be walking at all. I'm definitely not pain free, but they really do help.