losing weight safely

[anonymous]

I hate to talk about this because I know that so many of you are battling to keep the pounds on, but my daughter has become overweight and believe it or not, it is very hard to lose the extra pounds. Also, because of the CF belly, the weight accumulates in the middle, making the stomach even more obvious, which she hates. If any of you have had this problem- huge appetite and weight gain- please tell me how you dealt with it. Did you go to the CF nutritionist? Did you count calories? Low fat? High protein? It is just so hard to believe after all the years of trying to add calories to her diet. Thanks.

 

[AbsintheSorrow]

CF nutritionist didn't do anything for me. After I started on birth control a few years ago, I gained 50 lbs in less than a year. And I hated it. I just exercised as much as possible, and stopped eating crap. I still ate meat, and some higher fat stuff, but not empty fat, like cheetos and chocolate. I ate meat and cheese and veggies and stuff. It worked, I lost almost all of it. I meant to keep on some because before I started I was under weight. So I lost about 40 of the 50 lbs.

 

[kybert]

i too do that when im getting a little chubby or if ive ben on a course of steroids. when im well id walk for about 30 minutes every night.

 

[anonymous]

Thank you for your speedy reply. I am just so amazed by this. I guess it is not the worst problem to have, but it is not the easiest on the self esteem. How long did it take you to lose 40 pounds? Did your CF nutritionist tell you to keep your calories up? It sounds like you went low fat. Did you count calories?

 

[AlliMarie]

I'm kind of in the same boat. I'm not overweight by any means, but I am much larger than I used to be, and I'm not fit, so my weight just sits in my hips and belly. A couple years ago I went from 98 to 145 lbs in under 4 months, and decided to lose the weight. I chopped my calories in half, going from about 2500 to 1200-1400 a day. I snacked 4-6 times a day, on a piece of fruit, a little debbie snack cake, just little things for energy, and I ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner in smaller portions. I also drank only water and orange juice. To get my metabolism up, I just did little things everyday. I'd stretch for 30 minutes every morning, and then I'd walk, not jog, the dog around the block, or ride my back to the store and back. Once I started losing the weight, my metabolism was up, so I went back to normal eating, just ate more fruit than fries, and stuck with the water and juice for the most part. I kept up the 'exercise' though, mostly because it just felt good. I lost 42 lbs in 6 weeks, and it stayed off for 3 years. Then I got a desk job. So I started about 2 weeks ago, and I'm finding it's harder to lose this time, but I'm at 125 now, and want to be at 110, which is ideal for my size. Wish me luck. Hope I helped. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[kybert]

its nice to know others have the same problem. its annoying when people say 'oh you should be thankful for having a bit of fat on you'. if you said the same phrase back to them they would be pretty insulted!

 

[AbsintheSorrow]

Once I decided to do it and started, it only took about 4 months. I went much lower calories, yes. And I told you, I didn't really talk to a CF nutritionist. My pulmo doc and my parents knew what I was doing and they were fine with it. I didn't really count calories either, just watched what I ate.

 

[anonymous]

Hi,she could also take less of her enzyms. I always did this, when I didn´t want to gain weight.Uli,42

 

[anonymous]

Taking too few enzymes seems awfully risky to me--didn't you have a lot of unpleasant side effects, like when you went to the bathroom? Also, malabsorption seems to increase appetite.

 

[HollyCatheryn]

I would keep up the enzymes based on calories/fats consumed, cutting back could make the belly worse and cause her to feel hungrier and weaker. Bump up the exercise, not that it needs to be strenuous, but get her moving around, several times a day, vaccuuming, walking the dog, mopping the floors, jumping on a trampoline, it's summer so go swimming in the evenings. You'd be amazed how many calories doing simple housework burns. Maybe add a little porpuseful weight training. It can help to turn fat into muscle so that she's not just losing mass, but converting it into something more useful. You might try something like the Sugar Busters diet, that is basically whole foods. Keep and encourage lots of raw snacks - nuts, fresh fruits and veggies. I know I was totally shocked when I went to clinic and weighed in at 15 lbs over my normal & ideal weight. My doc said, ok you can stop putting on weight now. I nearly fell right out! Never thought I'd hear that one. The ability to gain weight will help her to stay healthy for a long time, but I know it can be awkward when you're overweight.

 

[anonymous]

Hiya,I have this problem concerning weight gain..and am so desperate to lose some.. but its just round my tummy... wheni eat i blow up just under my breast bone and then i cant breathe properly and look like i am pregnant.I have just spent a week in hospital having kleen prep 4 times a day... and gues what.. nothing... my cf team are at a loss with me as i dont take enzymes... have proven to be malabsorbing, but as soon as i take them.. i block again... anybody experiencing the same?<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">Julia 39.

 

[anonymous]

I can't take enzymes w/ every meal either or I get plugged up. I try to gauge it myself and take them definately w/ greasy foods or high fat foods and skip taking them for a couple of times when I'm constipated. Have you talked to your Dr about maybe a lesser dose of enzymes, a dose that maybe isn't so potent?

 

[anonymous]

So, when you take enzymes you become constipated? That must be entirely frustrating not to mention uncomfortable. What happens when you take just a very small amount--like a pancrecarb 8- with meals. This bloated belly problem seems to be awfully common--do you think soft drinks, dairy products, fat intake make it worse?

 

[kybert]

i have the constipation problem julia. i dont know whether it is caused by my enzymes. i take quite a high dose, 5 to 6 creon forte with meals. i take metamucil and lactulose everyday, then agarol and coloxyl when a bit worse and then colonlitely [go-litely] as last resort. problem is if i reduce my enzymes i end up getting problems associated with malabsoprtion, which is just as bad as constipation. when i have the constipation COMPLETELY under control i dont have any bloating. unfortunately its hard to have it 100% under control. if you have been proven to be malabsorbing i suggest you just take the enzymes and have long term non habit forming laxatives.

 

[anonymous]

ah, thanx to everyone who replied to me ...im still experiencing problems, .. im on pancrease, lowest i can have.... and take parvelax three times a day..... its making me so tired...and now taking kleen prep again...... feel like im wasting everyones time but its really having a horrible effect on me.

 

[anonymous]

hang in there and do not let your medical team off the hook. someone, somewhere will know how to help you. we have to be our own advocates. if you have to call other cf centers for info, then do it. you would be suprised how forthcoming some doctors and nurses are with information. A lot of these people are so dedicated to helping others. good luck.

 

[anonymous]

I've never been proven or disproven to be pancreatic insufficient - how do the docs know? My nutritionist with my CF team is useless (she hasn't dealt with CFers before). I don't have trouble gaining weight (unless I have an infection) usually and can maintain a healthy weight (though my docs say I'm underweight - but it's mainly by choice as I have a small frame and don't feel good with extra pounds on it).Anyway - I do get constipation and I get that bloated belly (and I bloat up right after I eat too). Could this mean I need enzymes? I tried them once (Ultrase MT-18s, 2 with meals, 1 with snacks) and they gave me abdominal pains and constipation...so we agreed I wouldn't take them. I'm just wondering if they might help with the bloat? I stay regular by drinking prune juice. I do know I can't take Metamucil or something like that because it tends to turn into a brick. Maybe I didn't drink enough water with it. I appreciate any advice!Thanks,Piper

 

[kybert]

the best way to know how much fat isnt getting absorbed is to do one of those one week stool samples [what is the name for them?]. basically you have to poo in a sustagen tin for a week lol! maybe you all need to see a gastro doc who deals with alot of cf patients? piper the metamucil thing is interesting. i take it and lately it hasnt done much for me. maybe its turning inot a brick as you say lol. how much prune juice do you have to drink and does it work well? oh and does it taste really bad?i dont know why a blank post came up

 

[anonymous]

boy, this is a hot topic. i had always heard that constipation indicates too much enzyme- that the goal is one bowel movement that sinks and to cut back if constipation results. but i think that diet contributes to this whole mess, too. some cf-ers seem to do better without dairy or with less fat. i would love to see some research on this--what do the GI specialists have to say?

 

[anonymous]

Gosh, in the nicest possible way, its great to learn that im not the only one with this problem.But i am gonna take ur advice and contact another cf uni, as its really getting me down..I have loads of other little problems.. haha.. dont we all, but im constantle falling asleep? not good considering im on the m61 at the time.x