Sue, get with your Dr. and find somewhere you can do some physical therapy. Have him order it so it'll be covered by your insurance. Build up your stamina some. Then you have to make yourself a priority. I know I not a good example, and that is what I need to do too. So, in about another hour, I'm going outside, as it is to be 66 today. Yippeee, spring is coming.
Leslie

Awww. You really sound discouraged. Is there hope for you? You know the answer to that!! Of course! You're just a kid at 52! Oh to be 52....

So many of us, including me, battle weight problems, so you're not alone on that. Diets do work, but people always put the weight back on unless a permanent lifestyle plan is maintained--proper diet and exercise.

Do you have a hospital near you? See if you can see a nutritionist who can help guide you through a weight loss and exercise plan. That's what I'm doing right now.

Changes should be made slowly. I know that you want to jump right in with both feet right away, but you'll run out of gas doing that. Right now I'm reading Bob Greene's book "The Best Life Diet." He's Oprah's guy. I usually avoid popular diet and self-improvement books (South Beach, etc.), but I like his approach. You start out the first month very slowly, not even dieting actually but making a few changes in your life. So far, the whole thing is making a lot of sense to me.

Maybe when you exercise you are doing too much. Start out gradually.

I get the feeling that you want these improvements to happen fast--tomorrow! Unfortunately, on the best diet and exercise plan we can only realistically lose 2-3 lbs. per week. It's a long slow process, and we must remember that.

Is there any chance of cutting back on the work a little to allow time to focus on yourself?

I am so sorry that you are having all the lung problems...but I can sure relate!! I have had 3 spontaneous pneumothorax (fancy words for my lung collapsing 3 times for no known reason). The first time I was 19, having had the surgery to 'repair' (hoping that it will not collapse again..extremely painful, and added alot of scar tissue) this when I was 21. I have had pneumonia twice since then and of course it causes more and more problems.

Over weight...I can hear you there too! Although, I have lost 25#'s in the last 6 months...and with the wedding this fall, I hope to lose at least another 15 or 20, then I will feel better. I am diabetic also, so some meds have helped and hindered!! And I can guarantee if you lose some too, your lungs will feel better also. I have made my food portions smaller...I use a little plate...like the old saucer size when I eat at home. I still eat just about anything I want, just much smaller. Walking is the only other main exercise I do. I am sure I could/should be doing more, but I just don't want to push my luck with my lungs, it is just too painful. (I have constant pain in my bad lung from all the scar tissue...it can be removed, but there is no way to say that the pain will leave..I am leaving it well enough alone.)

Yes...there IS hope for you!!! If I can do it, ANYONE can, I have so little will power!

Have you had a pneumonia shot? If not, make sure you do, and also a flu shot every year. I have had the flu shot every year since I was 19 (49 now). The pneumonia shot last 10 years, I believe.

You might want to order the free publication Exercise & Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide from the National Institute on Aging from the link below, and possibly some others too.

The great guide I got years ago, is no longer published,but the one listed above is an update.

Sue

Ooo, you guys are good! Such great advice. Yes, Sandy, I had the pneumonia shot, but it's only for viral pneumonia and I had bacterial pneumonia.

Socks, my gym may have a program like that with a nutritionist, etc. I think I'll look into that. It's a great idea. I guess I don't mind if it takes a while to notice benefits, but I would just like to gain some ground and keep it!

I usually do start very slowly with exercise because otherwise I sleep for two days afterward!

I do think I can start back to work slowly, also. I only work part-time anyway, but I end up working more because things need to get done, etc. Also, my schedule is in constant flux. When patients need me I need to go to them. I'm a hospice social worker and when a person is dying your opportunity to help is limited. Plus, my office is really crazy right now with lots of chaos, which also takes up a lot of time.

Take in one day at a time....baby steps. Did your Dr. give
you any suggestions that would help your lung problem?

Not much I can add here, but just try to put yourself at the top of your schedule! You are the most important person you know! Honest, that is the way I feel about myself, and that has helped me a lot.

Cause if mama ain't happy, no one is happy. Remember that one? It is so true.

Moni

I can't offer advice on diets or exercise, but I can offer general advice on how to deal with lifestyle changes.

My basic approach is to sit down (by myself) with a pencil and paper and make a list of the major elements of my life. For example, my list might include health, marriage, and home remodeling. Yours might include those things plus job, child care, travel, or religion. When you have the list complete (we're talking very general, broad categories), spend some time prioritizing the items on the list. This is the important step! If your health is failing, put that on the top. If your health is OK but your marriage is in trouble, put marriage on the top. If those are fine but you need to change jobs, put job on the top.

Once you have the list prioritized, you can get to work on your lifestyle changes. You need to keep your number one priority in the back of your mind at all times as you go through your day. Now the hard part: throughout the day, whenever you make a decision (about anything), think about how that decision will affect your top priority. If what you want to do will negatively affect your top priority, then you need to consciously make a different decision.

Let me give you an example from my own life. When I was in college (as a 30-something adult), my education was my top priority. If I needed to stay up late to work on a paper (thus jeopardizing my health), too bad, I did it anyway. If I had an evening class and couldn't be home to make dinner for my husband, too bad, he ate frozen pizza. Every decision, from what shoes I wore to how often I called my mother, was made with my education in mind. Yes, it was difficult, but I graduated in the top 5% of my class, with a 3.95 GPA.

So my advice to you is to think long and hard about what your top priority is. In my opinion, that would be your health. I haven't been following your illness, but it sounds like it has really affected every other part of your life. Maybe it's time to put your job on the back burner as much as you can, or at least bump it down to number two priority for a while.

One more thing---you'll need to reorganize your priorities as things in your life change. As your health improves, bump that down. If you want/need to change jobs, bump that up. If you want to go on a trip, bump that up. It's OK if your priorities change often, as long as you keep the top one in mind.

Oh, I lied, something else I just thought of:
There's a problem-solving method called "the five whys" that goes like this: whenever something goes wrong, ask yourself why it happened. Then ask why did that happen, and so on, until you've asked "why" five times. There's an example in the article linked below, but here's my own (hypothetical) example:

I got a C on my college paper. Why did I get a C instead of an A?
Because I didn't understand the assignment. Why didn't I understand the assignment?
Because I was absent the day it was explained. Why was I absent that day?
Because I had a stomach ache. Why did I have a stomach ache?
Because I ate spicy Mexican food the night before. Why did I eat Mexican food?
Because we went out to celebrate Cinco de Maya.

So I got a C on my paper because I chose to party instead of focusing on my education. See how it all ties together?

Sandy--nice work on the weight loss. You're an inspiration to us. Slow and steady wins the race.

Wow, very nice Uxorial. This has all been so helpful. I really needed these shots in the arm!

Do you smoke or anyone else in your home? That should be cut out for your health.

Sue, exercising can be just walking; I do that. I drove 2 - 3 routes of blocks around the house so I know how far I'm walking. It's good because you can start slowly & build up. I usually walk 1/2 to 1 mile each morning. (It helps that the dogs nag for their walks.)

Another thing that has helped me a lot is pulmonary therapy, which I didn't know existed. My pulmonologist recommended it. Since he prescribed/referred me, 36 sessions are paid by Medicare & Blue Cross, & can be prescribed again. The emphasis is on teaching breathing techniques, building up & strengthening the diaphram for better breathing, & improving general stamina.

I go for an hour twice a week, & do breathing exercises w/two plastic devices, upper body exercises with barbells (3 lb, 4 lb), a stretch thingy & an arm bicycle. The last 15 minutes are either treadmill or leg bicycle.

Now, I was not particularly interested in doing this, especially because the closest place is almost 20 miles from my house - you might say I was cranky about it. However, even the first session I felt better & have continued to feel better. Though my lung capacity will never be normal, it is better, & I just generally feel better.

I hope these thoughts are of some help. BTW, I work full time, so walk before 8 AM. I want to add another session of walking, so am starting to do that right after work. You know that slogan: Just do it!

Kathleen

What workd for me might not work for you so I'll tell you about me.

HUGE changes can be overwhelming. I need to do things a little at a time. I like the FlyLady principles, essentially that it takes a month to make a change in a habit or routine. So slow, a little at a time and most importantly, pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Baby steps as she calls them, and rewards, what I call them.

I talk to myself and encourage myself. I do not get motivated as some do by, for instance telling people "I'm on a diet" so I feel committed. Some have it work for them. I'm the other way.

A confidant is important. Someone you can exercise with is ideal. Can you go shopping WITHOUT buying things? Walking is a great start to an exercise program. Start slow and build up.

Dieting... I've gained and lost a ton at least. Slow loss is the best way. And eating things you like. Don't TOTALLY deprive yourself, but take a smaller portion. Work your way down. Keep an eye on nutrition and I endorse taking vitamins. Let's face it, your body does react to a change in nutrition.

I had done fairly well in maintaing my weight loss until I took a bad fall and was laid up for 6 months. At first I ate nothing because of the pain. Then I knew I had to force myself to eat something or suffer the consequences. Well, when you have 2 broken shoulders, a couple broken ribs, a broken arm, screwed up back and bad hips and knees... well, I just didn't feel like cleaning vegetables, prepping salads and making nutritious foods, so it was a lot of frozen pizzas and sandwiches. And a lot of weight came back on. I need to get back into a better routine and I know it. But I also can't beat myself up over it, nor should you.

Find out what motivates you. When I decided I had to start keeping the house neater and decluttering, I found websites and books dedicated to the topic. THAT was motivation for me. Keep reading about others, what they're doing, and yes, they slip up too, but keep going back. Sometimes you'll be able to give advice, sometimes you'll find a tip and go why didn't I think of that?

Maybe setting a timer or a schedule works for you. 5 minutes a day? Perhaps that during the first commercial on a favorite show you'll do ______. Then doing more and more. Or maybe the show, internet, a movie, a drink or whatever could be your "reward" for a job well done? Sometimes that works.

Maybe you can volunteer somewhere? You could still be sitting and perhaps packing food boxes at a food shelf? Maybe the library could use a volunteer to sort books or something? Maybe you could go to a nursing home and chat with someone who would like some company? There's lots of things to do to get you out of the house if that's advantageous.

You have a lot of support here. Feel free to talk about your successes and times when it could have been better. Nothing to be ashamed about, unless you're out committing crimes! But seriously, this is a very caring group of diverse people. Sometimes you might need and get a kick in the butt, so don't be offended if you do. It's all with best intentions.

I can't do all the things I used to be able to do and YES it's frustrating, maddening, saddening and at times just want to give up, cry, pout, scream WHY ME? or whatever. You're definitely not alone. I have my pets to talk to. They listen. And occasionally they know when I'm a bit down and even come to comfort me. Well, hey, that's my story and I'm sticking to it! But the point is, sometimes just saying it, talking it out, whether it's to another person, a critter or yourelf can be helpful and therapeutic.

52? Good grief... know how old I am??? We're not through yet. Don't even let that thought come close to crossing your mind!

I wanted to tell you how I started my excersizing. I tried so many times and always gave up because it was just too hard. I finally decided I was trying to do too much after long periods of inactivity and would get discouraged. Believe it or not, I started walking to the first powerpole and back to the house. I did a week, and then added another pole. It took a while, but the day I finally got the first mile in was such a boost! It was an easy way to see my progress and maybe you can do something similar.

I just wanted to wish you luck and hope you're able to lose the weight. I know I've been trying since I was a teenager and have lost and gained more than I care to think about.

I'm finally doing something I never thought I would do, go on Phentermine and Wellbutrin, along with exercising and changing my eating patterns. I'm being supervised by a doctor. Had labs done Monday and my cholesterol is higher than ever. Very depressing. At least my glucose is still ok...that scares me the most, ending up with diabetes. I also got a Vitamin B12 shot for energy. I'm already losing weight and hope it encourages me to exercise more and keep losing and eventually keep it off.

At work, do you have stairs? I've walked up the stairs from time to time but always seem to quit. I'm planning on using them from now on and forcing myself to take breaks and walk the stairs during those times, even if it's only a flight or two to begin with. I tend to work through my breaks because I'm so busy, but like someone said earlier, you need to take care of yourself first.

Start doing some type of exercise, even for short periods of time to begin with and post to Moni's exercise thread. It helps keep me motivated when I don't feel like doing anything.

When I was exactly 52 I gained ten pounds over the 40 I had been promising myself to lose for years. I realized that it was never going to get easier to lose weight--in fact, it was going to get harder--so I needed to do it *now*.

I believe proper diet is an individual thing. By the time I was 52, I knew a few things about myself. I knew I was carb sensitive/insulin resistant, I knew I was hypoglycemic, and I knew I had inherited my dad's high cholesterol and somebody's (not his) high triglycerides.

It's so true what Socks and others said about going on a diet and putting the weight back on later. That was something else I knew about myself. So I devised a lifetime eating plan, not a diet, that was low in carbs and low in saturated fat. Giving up sugar and healthier baked goods was hard for me, but I figured if I could give up smoking 20+ years earlier, I could do this. And I did.

I don't want to let you off the hook regarding exercise, but I have to say I lost all the weight (almost 50 lbs.) without doing any exercise. Exercise is supposed to be good for fibromyalgia, which I've had for decades, but I find it close to impossible most of the time. However, as I lost the weight I found myself moving more and undertaking things like volleyball and other activities that certainly qualify as exercise. (I wish I could say I'm still doing that, but my knees are not up to it.)

I'm glad to hear you say you're "only 52." You're right! I was 52 thirteen years ago. You're a kid! :-)

Susan

Kudos to uxorial. That is so cool!

:-)

You guys are really so helpful--way exceeding my expectations even. No, we don't smoke here. I quit smoking 20 years ago. We do have a wood burning stove which keeps our bills very low. Sometimes I wonder if we need an air filter because of the smoke from the stove.

I have real problems with being in stores, even. My nose starts to run if I'm in there for more than 20 minutes. Especially stores like Sams which sell tires. Those can cause me to start coughing, too. So walking is difficult indoors and outdoors is way to cold for my lungs this time of year. Plus, I have the added situation with my foot. I had surgery last September but I still can't really walk very far with it. (Does that sound like too many excuses? It does to me!)

I joined a gym in November of 2007 because they had a pool. I was swimming two or three times a week until I had the foot surgery and have just not gotten up to my old level at the pool. I was beginning to add strength training before the surgery too. I just need to get back in there but have been sick on and off for the last month.

I'm ready to get started with the physical part but can't yet because I'm still getting over pneumonia. I gave up sugar for lent, which is helping.

Your biggest preoblem is excess weight. It puts a strain on your heart and lungs, makes you tired, raises your blood pressure. Lose the weight and you'll feel better, have more energy. My friend Jeannie had developed diabetes. Her doctor said she woould soon need insulin shots. She is terrified of needles, asaked is there anything I can do? He told her-lose 100 lbs. Well, she has lost 70 pounds in a year and is not requiring insulin shots. There is hope!

Keep your chin up and know what ever little steps you take you're heading in the right direction.

I am 33 years old and have over the last 15 years put on 70 pounds. My dad suffered a heart attack at Christmas and boy what a wakeup call. Thank goodness he's alright but his mother suffered a massive heart attack, his dad had a massive heat stroke that left him crippled. My mom's dad has had a stroke and her mom has diabetes and Alzheimers. I realized if I didn't take some serious steps forward I would die young.

So starting the day after Christmas I started walking, I bought myself an exercise bike, a small trampoline and I have the Wii fit. I too have lung problems but notice that each pound I lose it becomes easier to breathe without all the weight around my poor heart.

As of today I have lost 27 pounds. I still have a long way to go but moving forward gets easier every day.

I plan all my meals so I know what I can have and what I can't. Plus I pack plenty of snacks.

Good luck and know we are here to cheer you on!

I can't offer anything that hasn't already been said....I just wanted to say what wonderful words of encouragement, support and wisdom all you folks have given. This thread made my heart smile!

You've made a huge first step, just by talking about it here at the forum. So, first of all, congratulations!

I'm 56 and just 4 months ago made the decision you've just made. I was in need of losing 80 pounds, in need of eating better, in need of more energy, in need of something to make me feel better about the future (DH has been out of work since August), and in need of the ability to work in my garden again. Yup, I needed it all. Sound familiar?

In 4 months I've already made a big change and am OK with the fact that it will take a year or more to reach my goals. I have a plan and sometimes I do well and other times not quite so well. But I keep trying to make choices that get me closer to that goal all the time. For me, it was weight watchers but it can be anything. I had to accept that everything I did was driven by a choice. I could choose to eat something or choose not to eat it . It didn't just happen. Food didn't jump into my mouth unaided. If I choose to pick it up and eat it, then I could just as readily choose NOT to pick it up.

HERE'S SOME REALLY GOOD NEWS FOR YOU: just a 10 or 15 pound weight loss will make you feel better! Try not to focus on the whole amount that you want to lose. Break it down into smaller more manageable amounts. You'll be amazed at how different your clothes feel at 15 pounds. Shirts that you've been wearing as jackets, will actually button! How cool is that? I've lost 27 pounds since Nov 10th and I'm wearing a different size of clothes. I feel great, sleep better, hurt less, etc, etc, etc. And I'm working in the garden without feeling like I'm going to keel over breathless! lol. It's all good. I don't miss any foods because on WW I can have anything I want, just smaller amounts of some things. You will have to learn a different way of eating, and fill up on foods that are better for you, but you don't have to give up good food.

Good luck and please keep telling us how you are doing!

Kate

Nothing to add as far as the weight loss and exercise, all good advice. BUT, I too have compromised lungs from a near drowning 15 years ago. It is always worse in the winter.

A few years ago we replaced our woodstove insert in the living room with a propane insert, because just the teeniest bit of woodsmoke was driving DH crazy. At the same time we replaced an old woodstove in the MBr with a brand new, air-tight (supposedly) small woodstove. For a few years that was okay, but about 5 years ago I started getting pseudo-asthmatic symptoms similar to the ones I had in the couple of years after the near drowning. A couple of years ago I replaced that woodstove with a woodstove-looking propane stove. Heats very nicely and I can BREATHE.

I've also recently started taking an L-arginine supplement, which is supposed to help blood circulation, with the added benefit of helping lungs as well. But that kind of thing is a personal choice.

Having a bout of pneumonia is not the end. After you recover, do not lay around, but get moving. Start sensibly, but do start. Taking walks and increasing the length is good. Find some kind of exercise you can do at least 3 times a week. This will strengthen you cardio-vascular system and improve lung capacity. Of course, if you are overweight, loosing some weight will improve lung function. The key is, if you are significantly overweight, do not overdo the exercise at first, but do build up by adding until you can comfortable maintain at least 30 minutes of steasy activity. Get moving - it will help with weight loss and muscle tone.

As a young man, I had 'walking pneumonia' and ignored it thinking is was a bad, but strange chest cold. And then one morning at 5:00 am, I was rudely awakened. I thought that I was having a heart attack. I had a pain in my chest, became nauseous, and had difficulty breathing. My first thought was, am I dying? It was frighteneing. I knew something was definitely wrong, and that I was going to a doctor that morning instead of work.

The lower third of my lung had collasped. I spent 3 days in a hospital and more than a week recuperating at home, and then returned to my work/school program. Lucky me, this happened during the Christmas holiday and did not take away any class time - merely reduced my income for that month.

That attack was 47 years ago. Yes, having pneumonia is serious, but if you recover, it is not the end of your life unless you let it.