Just over two years ago before I started the treatment for HS I was going to gym and had even started going to Pilates with my friend Heidi. I was really enjoying it and except when the HS would flare up thought I would really get into it. Then I was diagnosed and started the treatment.
The dr warned me that I would have some muscle and joint pain but he couldn’t tell me how severe it would be. I could carry on with normal activities unless it became too uncomfortable for me, which he thought it would to some degree. Not even a week later that muscle and joint pain he spoke about appeared. In a big way. I stopped going to gym.
Obviously I started picking up weight. I had extra to begin with but not moving didn’t help matters. The medication made my whole body hurt. When I got into the car it felt like my hips were being pulled apart by a torture machine. Walking caused pain with every step I took. Sometimes just lifting my arms to brush my hair was so painful. All I wanted to do was sleep or lie down or sit.
As the weight piled on slowly I just got more angry with myself. By the time I went in for surgery last year I couldn’t even face the scale. When I went for the pre-op stuff I made them take my weight because I refused to look at the scale and I didn’t want to know. For the second surgery I did the same. When the bill came in the post for the second op I was reading through it and accidently saw my weight. I was so embarrassed.
So now the weight has piled on and I hate it. I had to do something. Even worse was the way I was feeling. Even if I didn’t lose all the weight I just want to feel better. I wanted to be healthy.
About a month ago I told Willie that I wanted to make a change in my diet. I told him that he didn’t have to change anything and I didn’t want to restrict him because of my choice. He does after all not have extra weight. I don’t think our meals were that bad. My problem was snacking. I am a sucker for chips. Even worse, I had to snack in bed. When I went to bed at night with my iPad and watched shows I had to have something to snack on. When I went grocery shopping I would buy so many snacks. Our snack cupboard was heavenly. There was always something great in there. Anything you could think of. So I would go to bed and take a big packet of chips. Before I knew it the packet was empty. Such a pig!!
So when I decided to make the change I knew the snacking had to change. I also knew that if I just stopped cold turkey that I would only stick to it for a week or so and then I would fold. Then I had to work on our meals. They were not bad but they weren’t the best. I don’t eat salad (more the tomato and onion that I don’t eat) and Willie doesn’t eat veggies. That’s do-able. I love veggies so I would make veggies for myself and salad for Willie. Since buying the Air Fryer our food had become much healthier. So I would still prepare the usual meat / protein and just add the salad / veggies. I didn’t want to get so bad that I couldn’t enjoy a nice meal if we were going out. I just wanted to be healthier.
When I went grocery shopping in August I did not buy one single packet of chips. No chocolate. The only snacks I bought were dried fruit, rice crackers and popcorn. I am really proud of myself. I don’t feel like I am missing out on anything. I won’t lie, I so sometimes get cravings for chips and then it is all I can think of. I have ‘cheated’ but for the most part I have tried to make healthier choices.
I can’t say if I have lost weight but I am starting to feel loads better. I feel like I have more energy. I am starting to see what I can do and what I can achieve. I have visions of a much thinner me. I hope!!
On a similar note: This winter has been bad flu wise. It feels like I have been sick the whole time. At one point while I was sick someone had recommended a humidifier. I never thought it was needed in Durban but when I asked the pharmacist he said that with me being asthmatic he would really recommend it. I couldn’t tell if it was making a huge difference but we used it every night. 2 nights ago I didn’t put it back properly after refilling. I didn’t notice as it did come on initially but obviously went off once the water at the bottom ran out. I woke up the next morning with my chest feeling a little tighter than normal. I thought I might have just been getting sick again but once I noticed the humidifier I knew exactly why. It wasn’t bad but I could feel it. The humidifier is definitely making a difference. 😀
So let’s hope it works and that soon I will be shaking off the weight that is the bane of my existence and an ugly reminder!!
You know I am climbing the same hill here. I think you are on the right track though. Going on a diet isn’t sustainable. You need to change your lifestyle and that is exactly what you are doing.
I suck at this. I’m busy eating a burger and chips right now. FML.
Yes but you are doing so well!!! Seems you have the exercise under control and I am working on the food part. I agree, it has to be something you can live with forever.
Like I said I do ‘cheat’ now and again (mostly when we are out somewhere) but if I can stick to healthier lifestyle at least most of the time it is a heck of a lot better than none of the time.
Must admit the air fryer is amazing. Has really helped with the healthier food choices.
Bleh!! Enjoy your burger and chips!! I am jealous!!!