Say It As You See It.

To Weigh Or Not To Weigh…………That Is The Question

aurelius1 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:52:06 +0000

Most weight loss programmes suggest weighing in once a week, to avoid any disappointment with daily fluctuations.
Face it, most of us can’t resist a quick peek on the bathroom scales once a day.
I have, however, been spared this daily temptation at the moment. My space age scales has a low battery, and is not functioning at the moment.
I will have to wait a day or so to get the right battery to get it up and running – no bad thing
I am so keen to find out if I have made it to the magic 10 kilos – my last weigh in indicated a loss of 9.5 kilos, and getting into double figures will be a good mile-stone to reach.
With such a large amount of weight to lose, it is so important to have smaller goals to reach.
I’ll keep everyone posted, just as soon as the battery is procured and fitted.
In the meantime, I have been a good girl, so I hope it will bear fruit. Things on the exercise front have slowed momentarily as well
I cycle 5 kilometres per day, but stiff limbs and the rain have prevented me from doing so, but I will get back into this ASAP.

The Task At Hand

aurelius1 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:37:06 +0000

There are millions of excuses for being overweight – I know, I have used most of them.
But, be it puppy fat, heavy bones (how DO you weigh them?), glands, water retention or an allergy to fresh veg, very few people have any real excuse for being overweight.
I certainly don’t.
What I do have however, is a complex metabolism that means not only do I have to lose weight, but I have to be aware of eating the right things.
I was diagnosed earlier this year with hemochromatosis, a relatively unknown, but common genetic disease. In its simplest terms, my body does not have the correct genetic make-up to metabolise iron correctly. Simply put, when we eat iron, our bodies use what it needs and then eliminates any surplus, like any other vitamin or mineral. Sufferers of hemochromatosis are unable to do this, so the levels of iron in the body build to toxic levels, causing serious health issues involving the heart, liver, pancreas and brain. Arthritis is another manifestation of the disease. The link I have provided will give a fuller picture of the disease.
I additionally suffer from hypokalemia, which is a deficiency of the absorption of potassium – despite my best efforts with consumption of bananas and dried apricots, I still need to take a daily supplement.
Medical opinion seems to be patchy on hemochromatosis, particularly when it comes to diet.
I consult every hemochromatosis society that has a web site, and read pretty much anything I can get my hands on about the disease.
I think in all truth, very little is known as to the EXACT effect on each food group on someone with hemochromatosis, so I have tried to amass a personal” Do’s and Don’t” list to follow, based on the medical information I have acquired.

THE GROUND RULES
1. Limit consumption of alcohol.
2. Tannins when consumed with iron rich foods slow down its absorption (I drink tea when I eat red meat – very stylish when eating out – mug of tea with a steak)
3. Calcium slows the absorption of iron – something like a lasagne would be a good way to consume iron rich red meat, due to the calcium in the cheese and milk. I also use calcium supplements as well.
4. Limit consumption of red meat, offal and blood products (black pudding)
5. Vitamin C greatly increases the absorption of iron – I avoid fruit juice all together
6. Heme based iron (from meat sources) is absorbed at a higher rate than non heme iron (non meat sources)
7. Never eat raw shellfish (I avoid raw fish as well)
8, It is impossible to eat an iron free diet, as even people with hemochromatosis need iron for normal function.
9.Foods high in anti oxidants can help in reducing oxidative stress in unbound iron.
10. Avoid iron enriched breakfast cereals, which is pretty much all of them.
It’s a bit of a balancing act as you can see.
To date, my biggest problem has been the rapid advancement of arthritis, which is also attributed to obesity, and family history.
This has been without doubt the single biggest incentive to lose weight as it has had such an effect on my lifestyle.
So, with the ground rules in place, I have started the big uphill struggle to reduce my weight to try and lessen the impact on my joints, particularly my back, hips and knees.
Hemochrmatosis treatment is unfortunately a bit of a seventeenth century affair, involving regular phlebotomy (venipuncture) sessions at the local hospital. Symptoms of hemochromatosis generally improve with this regular, lifelong treatment, with the exception of arthritis.
Diet, therefore has to be my only way forward.

Being Honest.

aurelius1 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:55:08 +0000

So, my first post here. Why the title? Simple. It’s time to say it like it is, or as you see it. My chosen subject is my weight.
I am morbidly obese – I think that is the medical term, although it stings in my ears when I hear it said out loud, because it is a hard fact to face.
But here I am, fifty and fat – too fat.
My photo above isn’t too bad I think – black is my colour of choice as it is a great concealer. My weight? 145.7 kilos. Readers will have to take my word for it – I don’t know of too many people who would fabricate their weight upwards – downwards yes, upwards, never.
Two other people are in possession of that information. My doctor and my husband, not even my children know.
I have weighed myself on the scales this morning and weigh in at 136 kilos – a total loss since the summer of 9.7 kilos. It’s a start.
There is a long way to go, and I will attempt to chart my progress here.
If you are struggling with your weight, you may find it useful to read. I hope so.