[Grymm]

Here's the jist of the situation:

I'm 41 years old and a partially disabled vet. I'm 5'10" tall and weigh 197 pounds. I need to lose at least 25-30 pounds for a very serious reason.

I live with constant pain in my lower back and legs due to an accident while in the military. I can walk, but not continuously, like say, for exercise. As a matter of fact, due to the problem with my lower back, (which is inoperable nerve damage) I cannot do any exercising that involves running, riding, walking, swimming, or anything that puts any kind of strain on my back. If I'm on my feet for more than 20 minutes, just standing, the pain in my back begins to increase, to the point that my legs buckle from the pain. Sitting down is a problem also. If I sit for more than 30 minutes, my lower legs begin to burn...

Now, my diet is as refined as you can get. I eat no processed foods, virtually no red meat. I eat fish every week, fruit and vegetables every day. I drink no sodas at all. I eat no processed sugar. I drink only water, or skim milk. I eat only whole grains made from whole wheat.

I've also successfully quit smoking....the problem is....

...I'm gaining weight...

I am gaining about a pound a week. I cannot eat less or I would be starving myself. I cannot eat more, or I will gain weight faster (it's happened before). Exercise is out of the question. I've questioned countless doctors on this matter as well as several trainers. If I put too much strain on my back, I am off my feet for days. If I'm off my feet I cannot work. If I cannot work, I cannot feed and house my family.

Now, I've also investigated the possibility that it's my meds. I take Tramadol, Baclofen, Piroxicam, and Lortab. The Lortab is only at night in order to help me sleep. I take no steroidal meds and I will have to stop the Lortab because it's starting to make me nauseous like narcotic pain killers usually do to me.

I'm at a crossroads. If I gain weight, my pain level increases dramatically. If I lose weight, my pain level decreases. But, I cannot do any type of aerobic exercise or weight training in order to help lose the weight. So now, even though I'm on an awesome diet, I'm gaining weight rapidly.

My only choice, unless someone here knows what to do, is to go back to smoking cigars. I know the long term prognosis is not good, but at least I will be able get my weight back to 190 (where it's been stuck for over a year now), to work with less pain, and guarantee my family is taken care of...my own health is irrellevant. My family comes first.

I know this is probably hopeless. I just thought posting here would yield something.

Grymm