Pep talk sorely needed...help

[kristina]

Hi all. I have been visiting and responding to this site for about a month and I think it is great. But, you know how it is hard to take your own advice?
I could REALLY use some feedback from anyone out there who is struggling with weight gain related to meds.
Some of you may recognize my post name, and i am the first to be supportive. But recently, my health (allergies and fibroids, sorry to be graphic) has taken a downward slide and my doctors have put me on varius meds that are just sabotaging me....(steriods, hormones, etc)
In 5 weeks, I have put on 20 lbs (I am only 5' 3") and I am miserable. Nothing in my closet fits. I am a very regimented exerciser and I can't do much more without overtraining. My diet, dictated by my allergist, is really strict to.
I had a talk with my docs and they keep telling me that my overall health is more important than an "interim weight gain"
BUT i have to tell you after battling for years to get the weight under control with the YO-YO syndrome this massive gain is really frightening and it is starting to depress me. I haven't given up on working out, in fact I do a little MORE, but...I feel like it's all out of my control. When you drink over 69 ounces of water a day, cardio 5 days a week, yoga 4, weight training 2, I mean come on, it almost sometimes seems asthma and crappy periods are worth the trade off. I may be buying into the whole media BS, but I almost would rather feel crappy than be fat...how sick is that?

Has anyone out there had to deal with something similar? I could use some encouraging stories...thanks, everyone.

 

[honeybunch]

Walked in your shoes about 22 years ago...

with the big weight gain due to prescription drugs. At that time, I just had to go off the drugs for my weight to go back to normal. I don't have an answer for you not being a medical person, but I sure KNOW HOW YOU FEEL!!!!!! :-(

That's not a lot of help, but there are a lot of us out there who don't think your complaint it a small matter!!

Chin up, and I hope you get some help to get rid of that weight while still on your medication.

 

[Stephannie]

What a delimma for you! How frustrating it must be to keep exercising with vigor only to find your meds are sabotaging your hopes of losing weight. Although, I myself do not and have not had your problem, I can offer advice only as a fitness enthusiast. Have you tried increasing your weight training workouts while decreasing your cardio? As for the yoga, well, I took a class and felt that while it did increase my flexibility and relaxation capacity, it didn't do much for my weight or my fitness level. In the past, I've plateaued at a certain weight when I mostly do cardio workouts. I find that the weight does come off when I incorporate at least three days of weight training into my weekly routine. Try working out different muscle groups in each routine and intersperse them with cardio workouts. Maybe this has something you've already tried without luck, but I say keep up your hard work and you'll see
it pay off eventually!

 

[EileenS]

Hi Kristina!

I can't do much more than empathize, as I am in a similar boat -- one of my medications helped me gain 10 lbs that won't budge, and my diet is restricted due to food allergies. It can get really depressing to have so many things out of your control at one time!

Could you be satisfied with a different goal for now, one that doesn't require too much effort? Maybe just not gaining any more weight and keeping up your regular exercise program and fitness level? Trying to lose weight in the middle of all the other things going on with your body may be too much to handle, but only you know how much you can take on at one time.

I've adopted a "live and let live" attitude towards my weight gain, because I don't have the time and energy to handle everything right now. My goal is to stay healthy, keep exercising, eat sensibly, and just hope the weight comes off in its own sweet time.

Since my tops still fit, I only had to buy a couple pairs of jeans in my new size to have a minimal wardrobe for winter -- you can see I don't dress up much . At least I know there is something in my closet that fits!

Let me know if you want to commiserate about allergies.. maybe we can swap some ideas!

 

[kristina]

Hi Eileen. You hit the nail on the head...I just needed to hear from people who can empathize! THere is no easy answer, you just have to deal. The allergy thing is the biggest pain in the butt...my doctor put me on an allergy control diet about 5 years ago....which includes "yeast control eating." I don't know if you do this, but it is very similar to the Atkins diet, although you don't have to avoid veggies and fruits at all. Basically no sugar, no complex carbs, no left-overs,no flour, no dairy except a little milk, and nothing processed. The only thing I am truly allowed to drink is water and herbal tea. I get 200 g carbs a day (which I stick to about half of the time). I also did injections for 3 years. This year, for some reason, I just started picking up weight with this med cycle. I am sure aging is part of the equation too. Most of my friends are skinny minnies and very healthy to boot, so as hard as they try, they just don't understand. Frankly, neither do I. It isn't often I get down like this, but it is nice to have someone there when I did. Thanks for the kind words.