So, I guess I’d just like to share my story.
I’m 20f, 5’8, 318lbs, recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (as in 2 weeks ago), which meant 7 days in the hospital, I went in because my legs mysteriously stopped working and boom, my life has changed in now knowing I have an incurable chronic illness that probably won’t kill me, could completely go away, or cripple me within the next 5 years, mainly up to chance.
In those 7 days, I was on the highest legal dose of steroids for 5 days, (steroids lessens inflammation which is what MS is, your immune system attacks nerve endings in your spine and soft tissue in the brain, causing lesions or scars that weakens the connection). Here’s what that looked like and how it led me here:
On day 1 of steroids, it’s like my entire self changed, I had the “is this what everyone else feels like?” epiphany. Felt like I could do anything, my once anxious, depressed, mind was clear. Things made sense.
Day 4 of the steroids, I could almost walk normal again, but recalling the aforementioned 318lbs, I am obese, have been, my entire life. Matter of fact, I was 322 lbs going in to the hospital, started counting calories this week, now I’m at 318. Those 7 days in the hospital were illuminating. Not a single doctor even mentioned my weight wether it be because they felt bad, or because my vitals are perfect (no seriously, i was just as surprised, fully expected to be pre diabetic and originally thought my legs not working was due to a heart problem), but it was all I could think about since, 1. I felt awful for my loved ones/nurses having to haul my 300lbs ass around in a wheelchair, my mom likened it to “hauling a bag of feed” (thanks mom for teaching me to emotionally eat in the first place). 2. I realized if i have to use a mobility aid, such as a cane, walker, scooter, I’d rather people not assume it’s because of my weight. and 3. before this, every health issue I brought up was equated with “lose the weight and it’ll go away”. Well, that’s just not true, but that ingrained ideaology, as well as multiple articles mentioning how eating “cleaner” MIGHT help with the inflammation/make my MS less severe, has motivated me to start my weight loss journey.
While I can’t exactly start eating salmon and avocados everyday because it’s simply not in the budget, I’ve incorporated veggies, healthier fats, & cutting out saturated fat/sugar/processed foods altogether. I’m currently consuming around 1,500 calories a day, slowly introducing a 15 minute workout routine, hopefully building up as I regain full control of my muscles & build stamina. I haven’t worked out since I was in highschool sports which was about 4 years ago now. I’m terrified of the gym & don’t really wanna pay the $50 a month quite yet, but I have an old elliptical at home from my aunt to help me get started. Which, I’d love some feedback on if they really do much for you in terms of basic cardio.
I’ve learned one thing so far from this subreddit, weighing your food is a thing, which you guys have convinced me, I’m buying a scale next week. But I’d love get some more tips/feedback. I’m young, I’m afraid of losing momentum or getting discouraged and just breaking one day, and of course if I lose it, afraid of gaining it back. My entire family is overweight, my fiancé too (we’re doing this together) so I’m just not well versed in healthy eating habits, or healthy habits all together.
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from loseit - Lose the Fat https://www.reddit.com/r/loseit/comments/1790cym/turning_point_advicetips_welcome/
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