Cannot lose weight

[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

[Trying4Thin]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear what you are going through. It is very admirable that through it all you still put your families needs first. I am guessing that it isnt your diet that is causing your weight gain. Certain meds can be diet busters though. Have you ever had your thyroid tested? That could also be a semi solution to the weight gain. I dont know much medically; but maybe water aerobics? I dont mean crazy stuff. But maybe a pool therapy where you could work one on one with a physical therapist so your muscles could get used a little. That would help burn some calories. And everyone becomes light in the water, so you wouldnt have to worry about straining your back lifting yourself up.

Just some random thoughts
~Carrie

[Grymm]

I've had my Thyroid tested in the past. Normal.

Water aerobics is the same as swimming. Too much strain on my hip. I have scar tissue wedged into my spinal canal. It's hard as bone and wrapped around my sciatic nerve bundle going to my right leg, causing severe pain. I've had 3 seperate surgical procedures already, including the surgery the Air Force screwed up in the first place. Bi-level fusion (my last resort) would only be a temporary fix and the nerves are already damaged, so the pain would remain.

I'm thinking about looking into the new laser-lypo procedures. It's not too expensive and minimally invasive.

Other than that, I don't know what to do. It looks like that without exercise, I'm doomed.

Thanks for trying though...I wasn't really too optimistic...It's a shame too. I beat the smoking habit completely and my wife was really proud of me..

[Missy]

Are you able to do any upper body movements? You can always try sitting in a chair and working out your arms using hand weights or soup cans. You would be able to do some bicep, tricep and shoulder exercises. If you are able to move your legs you can buy some of those strap on weights and put them around your ankle and bring your legs forward and out etc while sitting.

As for any type of cardio, I'm not sure what you can do or what you are able to do. If you can walk, try going out for a walk once a day for as long as you are able to without causing any pain. Even if you can only go for a 10-15 min walk it's still something. I know you said you can't walk continuous, but every little step counts if you are able. If you have stairs with a railing you can try going up and down the stairs, even if you can only do it once a day.

Your diet sounds really good, how many calories are you getting right now?

[Jules]

You can definately get an aerobic exercise just using your arms. I know you said sitting was a problem, but even lying down you can do many arm movements to keep your heart rate up. I'd look into that before you go back to smoking. You don't even have ot use weights if it hurts too much. Try punching alternating arms. There's a segment in the biggest Loser workout DVD where all we do is arms and it does keep your heart rate up. I'm sure someone could work with you on that. I'm sorry so many doctors and trainers have failed you. Have you tried deep water aerobics? You don't have to swim to do them and you're not standing. In my class we have one lady who cannot walk at all in that cl**** she can't do shallow water classes either but in the deep end she can. They put a lifevest on you so it's like you're just floating there and only whatever movements you make with your arms are all that you need to do, no need to swim at all. You might check into that for workouts too.

This is a really tough situation, but I'm sure you can find something to help keep your weight down. Like Missy said, what are you eating calorie-wise? IT's possible to eat lots of really low-calrie foods and still feel full. Salads, chicken broth, veggies you can pretty much eat all day if you want and they will provide nutrients without loads of calories. Maybe you could look at that, not starving yourself but changing what you eat.

Let us know if any of this helps -I'd also keep looking for a doctor/physical therapy trainer. There has got to be someone out there experienced in dealing with your kind of injuries.

[Trying4Thin]

Hmmmm I am going to talk to my trainer when he is available and see what he thinks about this. Dont give up hope. And DONT go back to smoking either. You said it yourself; your wife is so proud of you.

Hang in there!
~Carrie

[mrbean]

First have your Doctor refer you to a physical therapist who will formulate a workout routine to meet your specifications.

In the mean time, work around the pain by experimenting with different movements that do not illicit a pain response. Even opening and closing your hands or exercising your forearms burns calories. Wiggling your feet burns calories. Opening and closing your mouth burns calories. Getting up and down out of your chair burns calories. Start a log of exercises that you can do from simple to complex to partial movements that don't cause any pain. I've already given you five exercises that you can do. Now come up with five more and you've got an entire routine. You don't need to work out like a Mr Universe to get into shape.

Also break your meals up into smaller more frequent meals as the act of digesting food burns calories. Eat six or seven times per day every couple of hours. Keep the same calories but spread it out and add some vegetables for fiber to help fill you up. Your body burns thousands of calories each day just maintaining it's functioning and metabolism. Your body uses its energy to keep the heart beating, the liver functioning, and the brain working. That uses a lot more energy than exercising vigorously for just one hour. (300 kcal vs. 1700kcal) So get your heart beating a little faster, breath a little more vigourously, and challenge your mind. All these things take energy to accomplish. Practice taking deep breaths if these do not interfere with your pain. Oxygen burns fat.

In additoin you could also try isometric contraction to build muscle by simply tightening a particlar muscle as hard as you can for a few seconds at a time. Here's a link to an article on 'How to Develope the Ring of Fire" that may prove helpful; http://www.larryscott.com/bio/newsletter/98winter_4.cfm You may not be able to assume the identical stances required, but you'll be able to modify this routine so it'll work for you and accomplish the same thing. The tightening of the muscle and creating a synaptic response is the key to making it work.

Also just tightening your abs and than trying to pull your belly button towards your spine is good to practice. This is called the 'drawing in maneuver' which Arnold and others have used to tighten up their midsections.

You have a lot to accomplish and with a lot of planning and a little of inginuity you will succeed.

[Sandi]

Since I worked in rehab for many years........here is my advice. Get an evaluation by an orthopedic Physical Therapist, they are key to helping you. They know more than the doc's in most cases. They will be able to set you up with a program to help you. For instance, there are exercise bikes that you can use where you use your arms to move the bike while you stablize your trunk and legs to prevent injury, thus getting a cardio workout. The key here is to get into a Orthopedic PT, they specialize specifically in cases like yours.

Good luck,
Sandi

[Grymm]

Wow. Lots of suggestions. Sorry I haven't posted in a bit. Been a busy week. I guess the only thing I can really do is explain further a bit.

First off, I am a 60% disabled vet. My L5/S1 disc in my lower back is destroyed. The Air Force tried surgery, but it failed, resulting in scar tissue leaching it's way into my spinal canal, pinching off the sciatic nerve, resulting in radiculopothy to both legs below the knees and incomplete paralysis. I have no skin sensation on my right leg below the knee and no reflex response from my right knee or my right achilles. Now, all this happened back in 1997. The degree of scar tissue wasn't found until 2002/03, when increased pain caused me to return to the VA. The scar tissue is hard as rock. I have since had two other procedures done to my back, one to clean out scar tissue, which proved unsuccessful, and another to test my candidacy for a neurostimulator, which also proved unsuccessful. On the 1-10 scale for pain I live with a daily 8-9 and have become quite pain tolerant. Standing for more than 20 minutes and my leg goes stiff, with severe pain in my right hip. Sitting for more than 15 minutes and both of my legs begin to burn and my pain level increases. I cannot run, walk more than a block, swim, or ride. Riding is the one that is really depressing since I was a competitive mountain biker in the military and rode religiously almost daily.

Okay, as for diet, I have psychologically weened myself. I no longer view food as a "pleasure" time. Food for me is merely a necessary utility by which my body gains nourishment. My diet is routine and is as follows, with minor modifications if I haven't been to the grocery store.

Breakfast - 1/2 cup whole oat oatmeal with 4 chopped strawberries, topped with a mixture of ground cinnamon and splenda. 2 pieces whole wheat toast, a banana, and a cup of skim milk

Mid morning snack - Apple

Lunch - microwaved bowl of cut leaf spinach with a teaspoon of horseradish mustard and a serving of tuna (stored in spring water, not oil), and a diet soda.

Afternoon Snack - Orange and quarter cup of nuts (almonds or Walnuts)

Dinner - Varies, but always includes 2 servings of dark green vegetables, protein, and limited fat, usually with water or skim milk

Emergency snack - 100 calorie popcorn pack.

Sunday breakfast - 2 egg whites on whole wheat toast, cup of skim milk

I have been eating like this for over a year now. I have not been perfect with it, but I can say with confidence that I get 3-5 servings of vegetables and 2-3 servings of fruit every day. I also get at least 3 servings of fish a week. I only drink diet sodas, skim milk, or water. I also have an occassional glass of wine.

I used to exercise religiously, dissappearing into the hills for a 5-6 hour ride at least twice a week. But those days are over. I sold my bike because I couldn't stand seeing it every time I opened the garage door. And yes, I have biker's thighs, which is where the majority of my weight is and is probably the cause of my problem getting the weight to come off.

A couple of things to bear in mind. First, time. I am a full time college student and also hold down a full time job. My day starts at 5:30am and does not end until 8pm. The precious little free time is spent with my family. The only day I have "free" is Sunday, and that is when I'm trying to spend some more time with my family.

The other is budget. I cannot afford to go and get trainers with a snap of the fingers. And budget does not allow for it right now. Also, the VA will not just drop down the taxpayer dollars to spend on trainers and therapists. I have tried therapists, with no luck. I have tried dieticians, with no luck. I have tried orthopedists. I don't like them because it was an ortho who screwed up my originall surgery.

I have tried various exercises. Yes, I have done exercising with my arms, laying down, etc. But, it doesn't do really do anything, and it's because of my cycling history. When I was cycling back in the early to mid 90's, my resting heart rate was 58-60 with a peak of 116 when exercising. I was religious about my rides and monitoring my body. It is now difficult to get my heart rate up and takes very strenuous activity to do it. Unfortunately I cannot cycle anymore. Believe me, I'd kill someone to be able to do a spin class. I guess I cursed myself by building up my stamina. Plus, the weight needs to come off my gut, hips, and thighs. I could literally slice the 25-30 or so pounds right off those areas and be done.

I do not intend on picking up smoking again, so don't worry about that. But, I was on the scale this morning and I have gained a pound since I last posted. And I can feel every pound in my back.

Thanks for all the help. You guys (and girls) are wonderful. I'll have to keep researching, though I'm not sure what's left for me to do except surgical weight loss and prevention.

Grymm

[mrbean]

Have you checked into hand bikes? This one has a reclined backrest.
http://www.planetmobility.com/store/...ark/index.html