I've been battling the bulge since three back surgeries in 1998, 2000 and 2001 left me with nerve damage causing extreme left thigh and right ankle weakness as well as poor coordination and balance. I finally started working out with videos at home and joined OA online and lost 10 pounds. Then during a dance routine I tweaked my bad hip which is bone on bone. Doctor put me on ibuprofen and rest which resolved the pain but now every time I try to do any kind of exercise, including walking, I get the screaming hip pain back. I've now gained back the 10 pounds lost and feel utterly frustrated. All attempts to lose are failing.

My diet is a big issue. I hate food and tend to wait until I'm starving and then stuff whatever is handy into my mouth. Genreally foods that are high in carbs - crackers, bread, etc. Sometimes I just eat the leftovers in the fridge - pasta. No good. I also tend to cook things that are higher in fat and calories to please my family. These include pastas, and meats and potatoes with creamy or rich sauces. My husband is also at least 30 pounds overweight and has a thyroid problem. I also have high blood pressure.

I have no discipline and need a trainer but with my disabilities I can't work and my husband's income is way down (straight commission) with the economy in crisis - I can't afford the help. Any excuse will do, right? I just need a plan of some sort and somebody to kick my butt when I'm sitting on it watching the fat pile up. I don't want to end up having to apply to be on the biggest loser!

HELP???!!!

annee

I don't want to sound to analytical here, but you may be depressed. Go back and read your post. Wow! I have a couple of friends who have dealt with tragedy in the past month. One lost her husband at 46 and the other lost her son at 20. It has made me very thankful that I have not been dealt a blow like that. Who knows, tomorrow it could happen to me. Personally, I think you may need to reframe your situation. First of all, if you have a husband and a family who care about you and whom you care about---be extremely thankful. Make a plan to get yourself healthy so that you can live a long time to enjoy them. I realize that you are having pain, but weight loss isn't totally dependent on exercise. Learn how many calories your body burns by calculating your Resting Medabolic Rate (RMR). There are calculators on the internet. Then make a plan to eat healthily and create a calorie deficit based on your rmr and activity. Find exercises that you can do that won't aggravate your hip. I try to eat 5-6 times a day to keep my metabolism going. There are lots of ways to lose weight, but all of it starts in your head. Good luck! and we are here if you need us.

HI Anne, I sure do understand the frustration of needing to make progress with weight and the body acting like a sabotuer! I have health issues too that hamper my exercise and up till today have been really in a defeated mode. I think we need a change of mind set. Instead of focusing on what we can't do... exactly what I see in your post, find a way to focus on what we can do. You are wondering... what can I do? Do I have that correct?

I found something that helps me when my body is to sick to do physical exercise. It is something that the olympians use to build strength too. It is kind of a vibration therapy. I use a product called Soloflex. They even use it in old age homes to help patients who cannot move much. One just stands on this vibrating platform. I find that 10 minutes a day is very helpful to manage pain. My strength really increases after using it and the pain deminishes. It is worth saving up for to have one in my opinion. Of course i do not know if it would be safe for your injury or not. Only your Dr. could determine that.

I also go to a chiropractor. He gives me a lot of information on stretching which helps relive my hip pain! Can you do some mild stretching? Would your Dr. be able to recommend something along those lines?

Then there is also upper body things that you might be able to do. Arm exercises? How about pool walking?

Another tactic I want to try is to set my timer for 30 minute intervals and just get up and be active for 1 minute at a time. that is how low my stamina has fallen... If I do that enough times in a day I can really rack up some exercise time and it is definitely better than nothing.

I just watched Ron and his son on the biggest loser do amazing things with bad knees and hip problems. I just know there has to be an answer for you. Frankly, and for me too. WE must not give into depression and despair but realize we were created for much more than defeat!

I am hoping one of the professional trainers here will see your post and answer you! This is a really important question!!!
Belle

You got to keep on, keep on regardless of how bad the pain is. You can't let it rule your life nor can you give up completely. Keep doing research and praying. Please don't be like my m-i-l and give up when she is uncomfortable or challenged. Her refusal to do anything about her physical and mental problems has left her bored and unhappy. It's not fair to your family and friends and especially to yourself.

DON'T GIVE UP! ! !

MLF

I sat here and typed a long reply and it disappeared. I would love to repsond and have some things that I think would be helpful to you. If you want to you can email me at etfarmer@att.net and I will e-mail it to you. It is rather lengthy. My husband and I are both limited in our mobility and are able to lose weight and have done well. It is a matter of finding what works for you.

Thank you all for your kind, butt-kicking and thought provoking comments. I needed to hear every one of them.

Depression - absolutely. Praise God it's not dibilitating, just annoying. Exercise was my drug of choice. It's the one thing that really works for me. So not being able to has been extremely difficult. What happens is, if I aggitate that joint and it starts screaming, it wakes me every time I turn over at night and I don't get sleep. Lack of sleep makes me psycho.

My doctor and physical therapist have both said at this point there's nothing left but hip replacement. I have literally tried everything and continue to take cartilege and bone building supplements even though they haven't helped this hip. I hope to stave off problems with other joints as I have degenerative arthritis in several areas. Due to life's entanglements, I won't be able to have surgery until at the earliest September. In the meantime, I really do want help. So in answer to one question, yes, I'm looking for answers, not a place to dump my woes.

I know that being positive is key to recovery and weight loss. That's why I came here. I love Biggest Loser and truly Ron and Mike have been hugely (no pun intended) inspirational to me this season. I'm praying for Mike to win because he's such a neat young man and has really worked hard. I hope the two of them will be able to help his brother get healthy as well.

But I digress. Sorry.

My thinking at this point is to get my food issues taken care of. I need some healty/tasty menus I can offer my family. I am very blessed to have a family who loves and supports me. Now it's up to me to love them enough to make life better for all of us so we don't end up like Ron and Mike's family! I hate to cook and hate to eat. That's a big problem for me. I end up waiting until my husband gets home from work before I even think about supper and then throw something together that's quick and easy, usually full of fat and empty calories.

So, starting there, suggestions for where to get easy, quick, yummy, healthy meal ideas?

Exercise. I definitely could work out my arms. My fingers are certainly getting a good workout on the keyboard! Any suggestions for specific exercises?

I walked to the mailbox yesterday - to the end of my street and back. (My husband usually picks up the mail on his way home.) We live at the end of a cul-de-sac so I got in two blocks. Not much and it was slow going but I did it. It felt good to be out in the fresh air. It will never be the cardiac work out I miss and I doubt it burned any calories. How can I tell?

Well, thanks again y'all, I really do appreciate the input and support. Not giving up!

God bless,
anne