What it takes...., Advice and success Options

[Grymm2]

Let me give the quick version of the story....

I'm 42. I'm 5'10" tall. I'm medically retired from the Air Force with permanent nerve damage to my right leg. My L5S1 disc in my lower back is destroyed. I live in constant pain. After 3 different surgical procedures, the problem remains. What this means is that I cannot do any kind of cardio exercise that involves running, jumping, swimming, riding. I can't even do water aerobics because it's too painful and could make the problems worse. I take Tramadol, Lortab, Piroxicam, Baclofyn, and a couple of other meds that are for my reflux disease.

This past December of 06 (I know, redundant), I weighed 193 pounds. For my height, I should be around 165 to 170. So, not too far to go I thought, especially since in my pre-screwed-lower-back days I was an avid mountain biker. The first thing I did was quit smoking. Cigars. And I haven't picked them back up to this day. So that, at least was a success. Second, I trimmed the diet. Total health....we're talking Richard-Simmons-would-say-"Wow, now that's healthy" kind of stuff. The right mix of protein, grains, vegetables. No soda except diet, no sweets, no sneaking snacks...good fats, lean turkey, lean chicken...you get the picture. My diet was a controlled and religiously held-to 1200 calories per day.....

So, starting weight....193 pounds

Weight as of July 24...197 pounds

I haven't starved my body...I checked on it. 1200 calories was fine. I even tried to up the healthy calories and it didn't work. As a matter of fact I had to eliminate some of the carbs from my diet to get from over 200 back to 197.

This whole eating healthy-diet-stuff seems like so much horsecrap to me right now. Exercise is out of the question. Should I give up? I'm starting to get tired of fighting a losing battle. It's just wrong when I have friends who have lost 40-50 pounds....it's just not fair. Nothing is working. I have had my daily caloric burn calculated....I burn over 2200-2600 calories per day just living and going day to day....I only eat 1200 calories....my cholesterol is under 160....my resting heart rate is under 55....my doctor calls me a "blood pressure wonderboy"....no smoking....watching what I eat....

I just cannot exercise because of my back and leg problem....

Is this as far as I can go? I've tried to get professional advice over the past few months, but out of the dozens of sites I've gone to on the web (free sites...I don't have the money to join any groups), only 1 responded to my email...and told me he couldn't help because of the exercise issue...

Am I really that screwed?

Is anyone out there that can give me the straight answer? Because I want to know if I'm screwed. If the restriction from cardio/weight training means I can lose weight EVER, then I should just pop open a beer and fire up a cigar right now, because it really won't matter anymore...without the weightloss.....it just doesn't matter.

[KY_Tiffany]

I realize you can't do anything high cardio... but could you possibly stand low-cardio activities such as simply walking? I'm not sure if walking is an issue for your back and legs as well... but I know many people who have lost weight by walking a few miles per day.. if possible, maybe you should try that... I believe they make treadmills for low-impact now to where your step is cushioned and doesn't cause so much pressure on your legs. I hope this is at least of some help...

[malsgal01]

Let me give the quick version of the story....

I'm 42. I'm 5'10" tall. I'm medically retired from the Air Force with permanent nerve damage to my right leg. My L5S1 disc in my lower back is destroyed. I live in constant pain. After 3 different surgical procedures, the problem remains. What this means is that I cannot do any kind of cardio exercise that involves running, jumping, swimming, riding. I can't even do water aerobics because it's too painful and could make the problems worse. I take Tramadol, Lortab, Piroxicam, Baclofyn, and a couple of other meds that are for my reflux disease.

This past December of 06 (I know, redundant), I weighed 193 pounds. For my height, I should be around 165 to 170. So, not too far to go I thought, especially since in my pre-screwed-lower-back days I was an avid mountain biker. The first thing I did was quit smoking. Cigars. And I haven't picked them back up to this day. So that, at least was a success. Second, I trimmed the diet. Total health....we're talking Richard-Simmons-would-say-"Wow, now that's healthy" kind of stuff. The right mix of protein, grains, vegetables. No soda except diet, no sweets, no sneaking snacks...good fats, lean turkey, lean chicken...you get the picture. My diet was a controlled and religiously held-to 1200 calories per day.....

So, starting weight....193 pounds

Weight as of July 24...197 pounds

I haven't starved my body...I checked on it. 1200 calories was fine. I even tried to up the healthy calories and it didn't work. As a matter of fact I had to eliminate some of the carbs from my diet to get from over 200 back to 197.

This whole eating healthy-diet-stuff seems like so much horsecrap to me right now. Exercise is out of the question. Should I give up? I'm starting to get tired of fighting a losing battle. It's just wrong when I have friends who have lost 40-50 pounds....it's just not fair. Nothing is working. I have had my daily caloric burn calculated....I burn over 2200-2600 calories per day just living and going day to day....I only eat 1200 calories....my cholesterol is under 160....my resting heart rate is under 55....my doctor calls me a "blood pressure wonderboy"....no smoking....watching what I eat....

I just cannot exercise because of my back and leg problem....

Is this as far as I can go? I've tried to get professional advice over the past few months, but out of the dozens of sites I've gone to on the web (free sites...I don't have the money to join any groups), only 1 responded to my email...and told me he couldn't help because of the exercise issue...

Am I really that screwed?

Is anyone out there that can give me the straight answer? Because I want to know if I'm screwed. If the restriction from cardio/weight training means I can lose weight EVER, then I should just pop open a beer and fire up a cigar right now, because it really won't matter anymore...without the weightloss.....it just doesn't matter.

I don't know if I can give you a straight answer that you will like but I can give it a shot.

First off,only you will know if you are screwed,noone else can tell you that. If you feel the need to light up,pop a beer than that will be the choice you make to give up on yourself. Life isn't exactly always fair and tosses alot of bumps in the road,so either you can feel negatively towards it or positively towards it. In the end its all about YOUR choice.

Now,on the positive note,your resting hr is amazing,if your cholesterol is that low,great. Blood pressure under control,even better. You gave up cigars that give your back your breathing health. Your lungs are certainly going to be happy about that.

I did notice that you said you burn 2200-2600 cals a day,who calculated that for you? A physician or a registered Dietican? If it wasn't,then you really should speak to someone at that angle. You are sorely restricting what you body needs to get by on a daily basis. At the most cut on 500 cal's out of your daily food. Up the calories and your body wont think it needs to hold onto every little calorie it gets.

Next,have you had a recent check up with your physician,have you consulted a physical therapist to find out what sort of exercises you can do? If you are still in pain,then the meds are really not working for you. Maybe time to visit the doc and get him to set you up with a pain management specialist(by your post I assume you havent' seen one since you didn't mention it)

In the end all these things...are something YOU have to do. You have the power and the choice.

So are you screwed?

[carriefalquist]

Here are my thoughts on this. And I'm not a doctor, or a trainer, just someone who has struggled with my weight and fought against a thyroid problem and injuries and can maybe offer some hope.

Most respected health and fitness experts will say that for losing weight, your diet is 80% of your success and exercise is 20%. Once you're at your goal weight, and working on sculpting your body it's more like 50/50. But for now, let's think of the 80/20 rule.

A general rule of thumb for calculating calories is take 0.9 and multiply it times your goal weight. That will tell you how to structure your calories. Build your meals around lean proteins, lots of leafy green veggies, tons of water, and restrict your carbs, especially in the evening.

Have your whole grains/sweet potatoes/etc earlier in the day when your body has time to burn it off. Measure everything, because it's easy over time to let your eyes adjust your portions into something that is more like 1.5 or 2 servings of a food. (I'm guilty of that, so I measure every single thing that I prepare now)

Keep in mind, that if you have to be sedentary due to your injuries, your weight loss might not be huge every week, but by being consistent with your diet, you should be able to see slow and steady progress.

Have you spoken with your physician about finding a good physical therapist to help with strengthening exercises? Or looked into alternative pain management therapies such as accupuncture? There are so many different views on how to treat injuries on the body, there might be a way out there to bring you to a place where swimming, or soemthing gentle like the recumbant bike will work.

I don't think you're screwed. You will have to get creative, and possibly be more strict with your diet than another might have to be (especially if your medications are causing a reaction), but I hope you do not give up faith that you can lose weight and feel better.

Good luck on your journey!

[Grymm2]

Thanks for the responses. My apologies, I should have elaborated in my original post.

I'm under the care of the VA, so I see doctors on a regular basis. They want to do more surgical procedures, like cutting nerves to deaden pain, or even more drastic, a bi-level spinal fusion. I've had 3 different surgical procedures and none of them went well. I've been to VA dieticians who have told me I'm doing everything I'm supposed to. I've been to physical therapists...one actually told me that there was nothing they could do.

As for walking for exercise...I can make it maybe a block before I have to stop. It's not because I'm winded...heck, I used to do century rides (100 mile bike rides) on a Saturday...it's because my leg starts to burn so bad. I have to sit down and get the weight off my leg. Now, usually I would just take the pain and keep going...but I have to remind myself that my job needs me, and I need the paycheck....the VA check just doesn't cover things...

So, even walking is out. I wish it wasn't...it drives me nuts that I can't exercise.

Oh, my resting heart rate is a leftover benefit of all my years mountainbiking while I was in the Air Force, particularly the high altitude riding I did while I lived in Italy.

As for my diet of 1200 calories...I tried to adjust the calories a while back. It's not starvation. Simple math dictates that if I'm burning more calories than I take in, then I'm eventually going to lose weight.

Now, maybe the math is wrong. So here's the question. If a person gets up, works an 80% desk job, and does not exercise, what is the normal daily calorie burn? How much? It has to be at least 1500 per day. That's still a 300 cal per day loss.

Thanks for the comments...it's valuable....but I'm just at a loss now. I've actually got an appointment to talk to a doc about having the fat around my mid sucked out....drastic, but possibly the only way. Like I posted on another site, every pound gained makes things a little more painful...I just can't keep going like this...

[rainy]

Here are my thoughts on this. And I'm not a doctor, or a trainer, just someone who has struggled with my weight and fought against a thyroid problem and injuries and can maybe offer some hope.

Most respected health and fitness experts will say that for losing weight, your diet is 80% of your success and exercise is 20%. Once you're at your goal weight, and working on sculpting your body it's more like 50/50. But for now, let's think of the 80/20 rule.

A general rule of thumb for calculating calories is take 0.9 and multiply it times your goal weight. That will tell you how to structure your calories. Build your meals around lean proteins, lots of leafy green veggies, tons of water, and restrict your carbs, especially in the evening.

Have your whole grains/sweet potatoes/etc earlier in the day when your body has time to burn it off. Measure everything, because it's easy over time to let your eyes adjust your portions into something that is more like 1.5 or 2 servings of a food. (I'm guilty of that, so I measure every single thing that I prepare now)

Keep in mind, that if you have to be sedentary due to your injuries, your weight loss might not be huge every week, but by being consistent with your diet, you should be able to see slow and steady progress.

Have you spoken with your physician about finding a good physical therapist to help with strengthening exercises? Or looked into alternative pain management therapies such as accupuncture? There are so many different views on how to treat injuries on the body, there might be a way out there to bring you to a place where swimming, or soemthing gentle like the recumbant bike will work.

I don't think you're screwed. You will have to get creative, and possibly be more strict with your diet than another might have to be (especially if your medications are causing a reaction), but I hope you do not give up faith that you can lose weight and feel better.

Good luck on your journey!

whoa...light bulb moment for me! I didn't realize that 80% depends on your diet....20% on exercise. Exercise comes very easily to me....but not the eating part. Wow.....sure it is common sense but to actually see a figure..there is no arguing with that. Time for me to start watching the intake a bit better!

[chubbyisnotcute]

With your current weight of 197...

You would have a Basal Metabolic Rate of 1608 calories. (BMR is the amount of calories your body needs for basic function. Think of it as what you need before ever stepping foot out of bed.)

Figuring that you have a desk job with a higher sedentary rate you have an estimated Daily Energy Requirement of 2090 calories. (This is your BMR plus an activity factor to allow for any energy you expend throughout the day. Driving, cooking, ironing, and typing.)

That's a great deal of calories. If you were to try to lose just one pound per week and knowing that one pound is 3500 calories...simply reduce your daily calories by 500. (3500/7=500 per day). So eating around 1500-1600 calories would get you around a one pound loss each week.

You can go lower, but I wouldn't recommend lower than 1200-1300 calories per day. And honestly, that is for a person who will be pretty diligent on keeping track of their nutrients to make sure they are meeting all of their nutritional requirements.

I hope this gives you a better idea.

Chubby

[soldierswife44]

Let me give the quick version of the story....

I'm 42. I'm 5'10" tall. I'm medically retired from the Air Force with permanent nerve damage to my right leg. My L5S1 disc in my lower back is destroyed. I live in constant pain. After 3 different surgical procedures, the problem remains. What this means is that I cannot do any kind of cardio exercise that involves running, jumping, swimming, riding. I can't even do water aerobics because it's too painful and could make the problems worse. I take Tramadol, Lortab, Piroxicam, Baclofyn, and a couple of other meds that are for my reflux disease.

This past December of 06 (I know, redundant), I weighed 193 pounds. For my height, I should be around 165 to 170. So, not too far to go I thought, especially since in my pre-screwed-lower-back days I was an avid mountain biker. The first thing I did was quit smoking. Cigars. And I haven't picked them back up to this day. So that, at least was a success. Second, I trimmed the diet. Total health....we're talking Richard-Simmons-would-say-"Wow, now that's healthy" kind of stuff. The right mix of protein, grains, vegetables. No soda except diet, no sweets, no sneaking snacks...good fats, lean turkey, lean chicken...you get the picture. My diet was a controlled and religiously held-to 1200 calories per day.....

So, starting weight....193 pounds

Weight as of July 24...197 pounds

I haven't starved my body...I checked on it. 1200 calories was fine. I even tried to up the healthy calories and it didn't work. As a matter of fact I had to eliminate some of the carbs from my diet to get from over 200 back to 197.

This whole eating healthy-diet-stuff seems like so much horsecrap to me right now. Exercise is out of the question. Should I give up? I'm starting to get tired of fighting a losing battle. It's just wrong when I have friends who have lost 40-50 pounds....it's just not fair. Nothing is working. I have had my daily caloric burn calculated....I burn over 2200-2600 calories per day just living and going day to day....I only eat 1200 calories....my cholesterol is under 160....my resting heart rate is under 55....my doctor calls me a "blood pressure wonderboy"....no smoking....watching what I eat....

I just cannot exercise because of my back and leg problem....

Is this as far as I can go? I've tried to get professional advice over the past few months, but out of the dozens of sites I've gone to on the web (free sites...I don't have the money to join any groups), only 1 responded to my email...and told me he couldn't help because of the exercise issue...

Am I really that screwed?

Is anyone out there that can give me the straight answer? Because I want to know if I'm screwed. If the restriction from cardio/weight training means I can lose weight EVER, then I should just pop open a beer and fire up a cigar right now, because it really won't matter anymore...without the weightloss.....it just doesn't matter.

I wonder why swimming is so painful to you. Swimming to me would be the only thing I would think you could do...I not a doctor, It just shocked me to see that you said you couldnt swim because of the pain.

I will say tho, I seen that you wrote that you drink Diet soda. You know just cutting out that soda alone can help you lose some weight. Soda is so bad, because it's addicting but so NOT good for you. Im lucky Ive never been a big soda drinker at all. Im more of a tea girl if we are talking about drinks that arent good for you, other than tea Im a juice and water type of girl.

But my mother used to go through 4 two liters of pepsi a day! Now my mom is not now nor has she ever been over weight. She's the women we all love to hate that Literily goes into the hospital, comes out with a baby in her hands and size 2 jeans on. But the caffine was taking a large toll on her, she had to walk away from the pepsi and she went through withdraws and was sick as could be for a couple weeks, but after cutting the soda from her diet she lost 12 pounds that year that didnt come back. She just looked more healthy to boot her doctors visits went much better too.

Good luck to you!

Brandi~

[Grymm2]

Well, I'm getting some good responses. Thanks again.

Let's see...my metabolic rate is around 1600? I'm still burning more than I'm taking in. And this doesn't take into account there are stairs in my house, stairs at work, and probably other activities I'm not taking into account. I only take in 1200 calories a day. Shouldn't I be losing? I mean, it would be slow, but I've been at this since December of 06'. I've actually gained weight...

Someone mentioned swimming. That would be fine, but right now our family budget cannot afford a club, not to mention finding the time. I get off work anywhere from 6 to 8 in the evening. By that time, I'm so sore that I have to get home, pop a Lortab and get off my leg, or I wouldn't be able to work the next day. But, swimming is physically painful. The nerve damage is to my L5S1 sciatic nerve bundle to my right leg. According to doctors, arthritis is starting to set in to my hips because of the various problems. Trust me, a year and a half ago I would swim...but it began to get more and more painful. Like I said, I rode a mountain bike every single day while I was in the Air Force. I loved the trails. I loved physical activity....if I could do something, I would. But now I'm being warned about even trying various exercises for fear that I could make the problems worse.

I could have surgery, but that would be only a temporary fix. Fusion is the only option I have now. The VA won't pay for anything else like some of the new artificial discs I've researched. And once fused, other discs in my back would be bearing more load and eventually break down themselves.
All I have to do is give the word and the surgery will be done. But it only delays the inevitable and I cannot afford to take the time off work for the surgery and recovery.

So we're back to my diet, which is so bland it would make anyone cringe....Here's my daily, and I mean daily, diet. I've been on it since December 06'. All portions are measured. I actually pre-measure everything the day before.

Breakfast - Half Cup whole oat oatmeal, with ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon suger. One serving of fruit. 1 and 1/2 cup Skim Milk. 1 cup hot green tea with 1/2 teaspoon of sugar.
Snack - Tablespoon of Peanut Butter, Diet Soda
Lunch - 2 cups chopped frozen Spinach mixed with 1 tablespoon ketchup (for flavor). 1 serving of lean turkey, sliced.
Snack - Tablespoon of Peanut Butter, Diet Soda
Dinner - 2 servings frozen veggies, usually green. Single serving either sliced chicken, turkey, or fish.
Sunday breakfast - 2 egg whites, 1 egg, scrambled. One serving fruit, One cup green tea, 1 and 1/2 cups skim milk

This is different from the diet I posted on another board. The diet varies from time to time if I'm out of one thing or another, but the vast majority of the time, this is what I try to stick to. Even so, with this diet, anyone else would be melting pounds...wouldn't they?

You will notice that I limit carbs after breakfast. I drink only diet soda and only 2, sometimes 3 in a day. The only treat I allow myself is the Peanut Butter, which is the highest calorie item on the whole list. But the peanut butter accounts only for about 360 cal total and is either all natural or low sugar. Now, I'm not perfect with this. But I am 90% with it. It's bland, boring and I get no enjoyment from this diet. I mean, c'mon, who wants to eat spinach every single day?

So what do I do now? If I eat more, as someone told me, thinking I was starving myself, I will gain weight. Even a short term gain in weight can increase the pain to the point I have to take narcotic pain killers during the day, making it impossible for me to work...

Everything aside, I'm just at a loss. I'm doing everything possible, not cheating....I just can't do any exercising to the level that would burn enough calories to make difference. And it's not like I haven't tried. I gritted my teeth on more than one occassion, endured the pain, and walked a couple of miles. Still....nothing...except having to take 2 Lortab and down a glass of wine to dull the pain enough so I could sleep....

So, what does it take to lose weight when you're doing everything possible, but can't exercise? It's not like I'm obese....my BMI is only 29. It needs to be at 25. I'm weigh 197 and need to weigh at least 170....is surgery the only option?

Grymm

[carriefalquist]

Have you had your thyroid and adrenal levels checked? I'm just thinking that there has to be something going on that is keeping you from losing weight when your calories are restricted.

Have you recently had a diabetes test?

Brainstorming here. I can feel your frustration, and I know it's so hard when you're doing everything you can, and nothing is working right.

As far as the diet soda goes, try cutting that out completely for a few weeks, see what happens. Diet (and regular) soda can cause problems with the way your body metabolizes fat. You might try it and see if your body responds.

[Grymm2]

Well, I thought I would jump on the forum and give everyone an update since it has been several months. Here goes. I'm 42 years old, I'm a veteran with damage to my back and legs, primarily right leg, that leaves me in constant pain. I take the following meds daily;

Baclofen, Tramodol, Piroxicam, Lortab, imoprazole (I probably butchered some spellings)

I now weigh 214 pounds. Nothing I do will stop the weight gain. This past August I got disgusted and started exercising, regardless of the pain. And let me tell you it hurts. I walk approximately 3 miles every other day. I am doing light weights on the off days along with an abs routine to try and help my back. All said, I work out around 30 minutes to an hour every day.

My diet is 1500 calories. Simple math. I eat fewer calories than I burn, I lose weight. Healthy eating and timing when I eat. Whole grains, lean proteins, Leafy greens, fruit...that kind of stuff.

The VA did complete bloodwork on me. Bloodsugar - normal. Thyroid - normal. Cholesterol - 169. HDL's and LDL's were fine. Resting pulse rate at that time was around 60. Lungs - normal. Blood Pressure - just fine.

So, the end result of all of this is that I am gaining weight and my back is feeling every pound.

I am at a loss. I eat right, I exercise (even though I shouldn't be because of my back and leg damage), I sleep 8 hours a night and I have absolutely zero stress in my life besides the stress of me being ****** off about his weight gain. The only answer I have left is that the combination of meds I'm on is causing this. I've looked up each med and found some comments about weight gain. But, if this is true, then there is nothing I can do because there are no reasonable substitutes for these meds that I haven't already tried. These meds make the pain bearable.

If it is the meds then I must accept that I'm screwed....and fat....and getting fatter.

Well that's it. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. I'm damned no matter what and don't know what to do anymore.

Grymm

[Brooke]

Well, I'm getting some good responses. Thanks again.

Let's see...my metabolic rate is around 1600? I'm still burning more than I'm taking in. And this doesn't take into account there are stairs in my house, stairs at work, and probably other activities I'm not taking into account. I only take in 1200 calories a day. Shouldn't I be losing? I mean, it would be slow, but I've been at this since December of 06'. I've actually gained weight...



This

Well, you really should increase your calories. It is more than burning more than you take in. Your body needs a certain amount of calories to function properly. Those calories need to be beneficial to the body, as in getting the proper nutrients. If your body can't function properly, one of the drawbacks may be that it won't allow you to lose weight. Really, as Bob says, we need to eat to lose! It seems weird, but it really is so true. If your body is not metabolizing food properly...

You have to increase your metabolism to burn more calories, to lose weight. No matter what the charts say you should be burning in a day, those are not accurate because it all comes down to our own specific metabolisms, fat percentages, diet, etc.

My thoughts would be for you to increase your calories (making sure you get a good balance of protein, fat, carbs), and as SoldiersWife suggests, get rid of the soda. Also, get rid of the sugar. I don't mean be a complete slave to the nutrition panel, but it really does help.

Those little steps that seem very minor really could make a difference. You honestly should be able to lose weight without exercising.

One other thought, and I'm sorry if this was mentioned and I missed it, but could any of your medications be hampering your weightloss? I mean have you discussed this with the doctor? That seems far out, but at this point...

Finally, as Rookus suggested, measuring is very important. Make sure you are completely accurate in your calorie counts.

But really I do believe you need to increase your calories, by adding in more fruits and veggies primarily, but a good balance of all.

What a struggle and I really feel for you. I cannot imagine even for a minute being in that kind of pain continuously. I wish you only the best and please don't give up. Please keep trying.

[Grymm2]

Well, you really should increase your calories. It is more than burning more than you take in. Your body needs a certain amount of calories to function properly. Those calories need to be beneficial to the body, as in getting the proper nutrients. If your body can't function properly, one of the drawbacks may be that it won't allow you to lose weight. Really, as Bob says, we need to eat to lose! It seems weird, but it really is so true. If your body is not metabolizing food properly...

You have to increase your metabolism to burn more calories, to lose weight. No matter what the charts say you should be burning in a day, those are not accurate because it all comes down to our own specific metabolisms, fat percentages, diet, etc.

My thoughts would be for you to increase your calories (making sure you get a good balance of protein, fat, carbs), and as SoldiersWife suggests, get rid of the soda. Also, get rid of the sugar. I don't mean be a complete slave to the nutrition panel, but it really does help.

I've checked into my meds with some surprizing results that I was not told about. Tramadol is for pain and I haven't found any evidence of weight related side effects. As for the Baclofen I take, I found this rather startling side effect, and I quote;

"Do not use baclofen at a time when muscle tone is needed to assure safe balance and movement for certain activities. In some situations, it may endanger your physical safety to be in a state of reduced muscle tone."

So I've stopped taking the Baclofen. I'll be having a nice chat with my doctor about this too, since I've been to him twice now for my weight issue. I do believe a doctor should prescribe medicines knowing what the side effects are.

The Piroxicam I take...well, I no longer take that either. I found almost a whole page of side effects, which would explain not only my weight gain, but a host of other smaller issues I'm having. I would suggest to everyone here to NOT take Piroxicam under any circumstances. Find something else.

For my stomach, I take....took omeprazole. I believe this might be the main culprit. This type of medicine works against stomach acids, which may explain the problem losing weight. I have found countless forums talking about this.

So, I've gone from taking 4 pain meds down to 1. This is day one and my pain level is the same. It'll take a week or so for the effects of these crappy drugs to wear off, so we'll see what has been done to me by this junk.

How in the world do doctors get away with handing out this poison? Could the pharmeceutical industry be partially responsible for the obesity epidemic? If someone overweight is taking these drugs, they won't lose weight, and possibly gain more. The resulting medical problems will be addressed with prescriptions of these drugs by doctors creating a vicious circle for the patient.

I'm contacting my doctor's office to let them know I've stopped these meds. I've checked and there's no adverse reactions to stopping them. I'm setting an appointment so I can find safe alternatives to these meds.

I'll keep everyone informed. If it's as I'm hoping, once my body clears the drugs out of my system I should start losing weight and toning up pretty quick given the diet I'm dedicated to.

Word of advice. Question your doctor on EVERYTHING! Research medicines before you take them and question your doctor about them extensively. I have found out that I've been prescribed medicines that have side effects that are worsening my overall problem. Don't trust a doctor blindly. Don't.

Grymm

Those little steps that seem very minor really could make a difference. You honestly should be able to lose weight without exercising.

One other thought, and I'm sorry if this was mentioned and I missed it, but could any of your medications be hampering your weightloss? I mean have you discussed this with the doctor? That seems far out, but at this point...

Finally, as Rookus suggested, measuring is very important. Make sure you are completely accurate in your calorie counts.

But really I do believe you need to increase your calories, by adding in more fruits and veggies primarily, but a good balance of all.

What a struggle and I really feel for you. I cannot imagine even for a minute being in that kind of pain continuously. I wish you only the best and please don't give up. Please keep trying.

I've tried increasing calories, just as you suggested. I do recognize the need for proper nutrition. But, my weight gain increased. So the calories I'm on now at least keep the gain slow.

I've become very detailed about it. All portions are measured. Sodas are Diet only and no more than 3 per day. I never add sugar to anything and limit my intake of it in processed foods. I eat lots of fruit, high fiber in the morning, lean protein....just an overall healthy diet.

As for my

[scarbelly]

As someone who has experienced back problems, I think I know at least a little of your pain. That being said I really think that you should try maybe lifting weights --just your upper body for now. Push ups (using a counter), dips and more. Do you sit on an exercise ball at work instead of a chair? You might want to try that. Have you tried yoga?
I was in terrible pain with my back and lost all feeling down the right side of my right leg down to the toes for over 4 months. I kept walking, little bits, and lots of stretching. I did upper body weights. Your condition sounds much more serious but don't give up--do what you can.
I don't think you are eating enough.......are you male or female?

Oh, I forgot....sitting in a chair and lying on the couch are the WORST things you can do for a sore back! Ask your doctors.
Walk lots, a bit at a time......and keep that belly sucked in and those abs strong to support the back.

[Mixxster]

Sorry for the bluntness of this post but it was needed.

I disagree and I wonder how many responders actually read all Grymm2's posts. There are lots of medications that cause weight gain; you can't assume that he isn't eating what he says he is. He's looking for advice; he's dieting, he's not just whining that he is unable to exercise. Grymm2 has started walking and lifting light weights, even against his doctor's recommendations. He has tried upping his calories, as some have suggested, and he's gained weight. He already measures everything he eats. I don't have the answer but maybe the able bodied posters on this site could give the guy a break.

[Grymm2]

I understand the laws of thermodynamics quite well. I'm at a loss to explain it myself since I seem to defy those laws. But, my diet is what it is. For breakfast today I had a measured half-cup of whole-oat oatmeal mixed with 1 cup of chopped strawberries, topped with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus a cup of skim milk to drink. I eat this every weekday morning. I also have a cup of green tea and add a little bit of locally made honey. The store bought honey is too processed for me.

As a matter of fact I'm eating lunch at my desk right now. It is one serving of tuna (no mayo, just straight tuna) topped with baby spinach and green pepper, a single serving of pretzels, and a banana. I am having a diet soda to drink. I do also snack during the day. I had a serving of grapes about an hour and a half ago. I'll have an apple around 4. I'll also spend about 20 minutes walking around the block. I did abs this morning before I came to work. Took about 25 minutes.

Dinner will be at around 6:30 this evening. It will more than likely be a grilled chicken breast (on a George Foreman Grill), lightly seasoned with garlic and parsley, and a side of Brocolli with two tablespoons of a lowfat cheese sauce on top. Skim milk or water to drink.

And forgive me, but I usually have either a glass of Muscadine or Concord wine with my wife in the evening, or a cup of Chamomile Tea with a little honey.

Now, am I perfect? No. Nobody is. But I can proudly say I'm 90% or better. And a slip is a once in a few weeks thing. Believe me, I track this almost to the point of unhealthy obsession. I watched BL last night. Seeing the twins both lose double digits really ticked me off. If they can do it, why can't I? I'm mean set aside the fact that they're exercising 4+hours per day. I should at least be able to drop a pound or two in a week....or every couple of weeks. I'm not asking for it to dissappear overnight.

And yes, exercising even at the light level I am doing it at is painful. I deal with it though. I have damage to my L5S1 disc (what's left of it anyway) and the resulting scar tissue from the botched surgery has messed with the nerves in my hips, primarily my right hip and leg. After all was said and done I am left with a permanent prescription for a TENS unit and have been drugged up for the past 4 years.

So after trying to figure out where all the weight gain was coming from, and scratching my head at how I'm defying several scientific laws, I am left with one conclusion. It's the meds. That's the only thing it can be. I burn more calories than I take in. The weight should be pouring off. So, I've stopped taking Baclofen, Omeprazole, and Piroxicam. All of these meds have shown to have something to do with weight gain, muscle loss, or blocking weight loss. While they might not be listed among the side effects, enough people have made the claims on forums to make me take notice. I now only take Tramadol twice daily, and Lortab at night if I need it. We'll see what happens.

But I'll tell you this, if I start losing weight, I'll be having a not-so-nice chat with my doctor, who should have known not to give me meds that cause weight gain. Weight gain is part of the reason my pain has gotten worse.

I'll keep the forum posted on my progress. Thanks to everyone for their support.

Grymm

[scarbelly]

Keep up the great effort!!

[Boo1667]

Grymm, if you are losing weight at a snails pace, take it, because it might be the best you can do at this point. Some loss is better than none. You used to lead a very active lifestyle, and going to nearly no movement can really hinder your metabolism, more than a person with a tame excersice routine who gains weight. Medication is a big factor, and I'm willing to bet they are a little bit responsible, but if you need them, it's hard to say what you can do. I also concur with everyone about cutting out the diet pop. Aspertame is a horrible chemical that falsely claims to aid any weight loss efforts, when it really hinders them. When the body breaks down aspartame in the liver it causes a sugar crash, which not only causes near unbearable cravings, but also send your body looking for sugar calories that aren't there, causing you body to retaliate and store more fat. I excercise for over 2 hours a day, been staying under 1500 calories since January. I just finally stated losing weight a few weeks ago because I made all my meals equal in calories instead of "saving" them for a big dinner (which you already do), and because I quit Diet Coke completely. Since I've gone over to only drinking water I've been losing two pounds a week at a steady pace (good for me since my metabolism is a wreck).

Even if you just lose water weight by switching to water, it should help relieve some of that pressure on your back. I'm so sorry this has been so difficult for you, especially since you clearly miss your active lifestyle, and I wish you the best of luck on your journey.

[Mixxster]

Grymm,

I've never done this myself but is there any chance you could get a prescription for accupuncture treatments for the pain?

[Watermellons]

Hi,

I thought I would like to add my two bits in here... I am an RN (granted not a pharamcist) but the meds you are on are pretty hard on the system. The baclofen in its own right does cause weight gain in some people... the others not so much. However all the opiods you are on will cause other side effects (i.e. major constipation) so you really need to make sure you are drinking lots of water.

I am not a dieting expert or not even going to comment... but I have to wonder if it is the right time for you to do this, if you are in constant pain. While true exercise can help some pains, building the muscles up in some people may help the pain, but in massive back surgeries that can cause more problems then good... Have you been to a pain specialist? They are doing marvelous things now a days with epidural infusins these days, which you can have on an outpatient basis, which gives your systemic system a break! (watch your kidneys with the long term use of anti-inflammatorys, as well it increases your risk for ulcers and other Gastric bleeding!) Not sure if that helps or hinders... but its certaintly worth looking into!