If I took a survey asking, “Are you satisfied with your current weight?” how would you answer it? When you do lose weight, do you find it again?
I do not watch a lot of daytime television, but sometimes when I’m at home, I will turn on the TV for background noise. Lately I’ve noticed the subjects on the news and talk shows have to do with weight and every segment suggests if you want to loose weight, you should eat right and exercise.
To me, this is obvious. We should eat balanced meals, control portions and avoid an excess of unhealthy foods. I also agree that exercise is extremely important to our bodies on many levels. But what I’m not hearing or seeing is how to exercise if you can’t.
Many of us have limitations and cannot exercise. It is not because we’re lazy, it’s because our bodies literally are not able to move. Have any of you been told to avoid lifting heavy objects or discouraged from repetitive motions? Do you have artificial or fused body parts? Can you exercise? If so, what exercises work for you?
Often when someone starts an exercise program, they stop because it causes additional or abnormal pain. I’ve always been told, “pain is our bodies way of telling us something is wrong.” While that is true, I’ve also been told to work through the pain. How do you know when to listen to the pain or when to press on?
Have you been able to lose weight and keep it off? How?
I have found that Tai Chi has helped with my pain but it does not help with weight loss. I have osteo and fibro, I do understand that people do not perceive that you are in pain if you look like nothing is wrong with you. All I can say is gentle, limited movement is preferable to no movement. If I don't move at all I get stiff and hurt more so I think you have to find a balance that suits you.
I hear how hard it is for you and, with limited income, it makes it hard.
I would like to offer two suggestions because I think any way you can get your body moving is better than not at all:
1. The Arthritis Foundation has a video with range of motion exercises that anyone can do. I don't remember how I got it, but I reckon you can go on the AF website. I'm assuming it is either free or low cost. This is assuming you have a DVD player.
2. My husband just bought a wii and my initial thought was that this is great for people with disabilities! I can bowl and I have to bare no weight! It has exercises to help with balance and timing, etc. and it doesn't cause pain (if I don't overdo it!). There is an initial investment, but I think you would find it worth it. You might have to save $5 a month for a year, but after a year, you'll have such a good time!
I have been blessed that I have pretty good eating habits and have been able to maintain a healthy weight. But I know, once I put on weight, it will take forever to take it off. So I hear your frustration!
Ond other suggestion is to pray to God to help you lose the weight and make small, achievable goals, such as losing 1 lb. a week (which is very healthy).
I wish you well.
I just wish this world would promote size acceptance and promote healthy dialogue about weight loss without making a person feel bad about myself. NONE of my medical professionals or anyone for that fact, have ever approached the issue of weight with me in a kind, understanding or compassionate way and it would make such a major difference in being able to make a start in addressing the issues in the first place!.
On top of that, alot of people don't get just how painful Juvenile rheumatoid is or Fibromyalgia. I have both and it seems i face prejudice ideas on both ends. People say 'oh they have arthritis too' but really they dont have RA or they have Fibro as well but don't have it in the same way I do. Some people have a lot of obvious joint damage and NO pain while others can look pretty good but have tremendous pain but a lot of people are very ignorant and judgemental thus making it way harder to manage these issues.
It's interesting because I actually enjoy exercise when I find something I'm able to do but mostly I'm cut off by finances or barriers out of my hands. I also find that it's hard to deal with people staring at me in my wheelchair when I come into say the pool. I dont know if they are looking at me so hard because im disabled, or fat or what... it's just real uncomfortable. I wonder how others deal with it.
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