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!!!
My wife’s health went downhill about a month’s back. A deadly bout of bad hypertension, that led to a complete change in lifestyle with Yoga, regular walks and healthy eating. A healthy lifestyle is a must.
Fitness is mostly about diet and nutrition. I remember as a youngster when I joined a gym for the first time. There was this quotation pasted on the wall that said “Good health is achieved in the kitchen not the gym”. It turned out to be so true. So you are on a right path, good luck to you.