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Am i the only one with UC that can't lose weight?

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Posted 11/14/2010 1:39 PM (GMT -5)
Everyone i know or find online with UC can't keep weight on, I can't get it off, even my GI dr is surprised by it. I have had my metabolism and thyroid tested and they came back fine, what's left? I don't know what to do, i've tried weight watchers and several other weight loss plans and nothing, some of them i've gained weight on. I am at a loss. Is there anyone else out there with this problem?
Posted 11/14/2010 1:45 PM (GMT -5)
Me!!
And - welcome to the forum!

I'd worked hard and lost 20 lbs in the year before my hip surgery....... and in the past few months I've regained 5. :-( I'm a stress eater, and I figure I'm eating more than I think I am with the current family/kid/college stress stuff going on in my house.
I know I can turn this around if I really do keep a food diary of every bite I take, and also.... I eat less when I eat alone than when I eat with my family - all guys, big eaters. So I'm trying to watch it.
But - yes, I'm "there"... shall we start a mini-support group? :-)
Posted 11/14/2010 1:58 PM (GMT -5)
Yes, A support group would be great...lol. I used to be an emotional eater but have resolved that issue. Everyone tells me i don't eat enough but I can't find that right balance and also being severely lactose intolerant i have a hard time finding an eating plan or diet that actually has food i can eat, i tried lactaid pills but they don't work for me on many foods and i have cut out many food that cause me uc flare-ups. I am at a loss. I only want to lose about 40 lbs but can't seem to lose the first pound to get started. I've actually gained weight during bad flare-ups.
Posted 11/14/2010 2:04 PM (GMT -5)
I gained weight. I lost a lot after surgery (80 pounds) and then gained it all back plus some in a few months after starting the prednisone again and being able to eat again
My surgeon actually said "usually we see people wasting away with this but you're definitely not" or something
Posted 11/14/2010 2:06 PM (GMT -5)
I dropped 30 pounds in a flare and have rebound back-- plus. I just got a new size of clothing which makes me a little sad, although the new clothes are fun.

I find staying away from carbs is a good idea.
Posted 11/14/2010 2:32 PM (GMT -5)
I have a hard time losing weight. I eat due to stress plus all of the ups and downs with the foods that my tummy can handle makes me crazy and I'm sure my body too. I blame it on emotions, meds, and crazy food choices that I feel like I have to make at times. Low carb seems to be the only way I can lose weight. Getting rid of the sugar helps my UC as well. As far as the lactose intolerance you should check into lactaid milk and low lactose cheeses (aged cheeses) and goat cheese seems to be easier for some people digest. If you want to partner with someone to lose weight online send me an email. My name is Melissa and I am in Colorado.

MJW82704@aol.com

Here is my recipe for my favorite drink in the whole world.
Black Tea (I need caffeine but you can do caffeine free if you choose)
Silk Soy Milk (Green Carton is Unsweetened)
Xylitol I use Xylio Sweet http://www.amazon.com/Xlear-Xylosweet-Xylitol-powder/dp/B000ORXYYS
Careful with the Xylitol it can cause diarrhea but once you find the balance it is heaven
Posted 11/14/2010 4:04 PM (GMT -5)
I have the same issue. I lose weight when I'm flaring but gain it all back and then some with the steroids. I gained at least 10 lbs last time I was on them and am unsuccesfully trying to lose it. My biggest problem is that I eat when I'm stressed (read: during exams) and don't have a whole lot of time to cook for myself. Also when I do cook it's hard to determine exactly what a portion should be and how many calories it has. So, I actually do better weight wise on prepackaged foods that are already portioned.
Posted 11/14/2010 5:00 PM (GMT -5)
I also carry too much weight, and have never even lost any from flares because the prednisone would make me gain even more!
I just have a big build that is common in women in my family. I do cardio and strength training almost every day, so at least I'm not fleshy or flabby like my sisters!

I can lose 4 or 5 pounds per week if I do an extremely low carb diet. But it comes back on eventually because I eat out too much, and also eat when I'm bored. It doesn't help that I can't eat lettuce, or salads.

BTW, I read that people with celiac tend to be heavy.
Posted 11/14/2010 5:07 PM (GMT -5)
I did manage to lose 5 lbs in the last 10 months but I used to be able to lose 10 lbs in a month doing the same thing. I gained 15 lbs last year during the 9 months I was in a flare.

I need to get out and get a lot of exercise and UC keeps me housebound feeling like crap. Getting old doesn't help either
Posted 11/14/2010 7:38 PM (GMT -5)
I've turned into a little chubbo since getting into remission. I'm up like 40 pounds...but I'm also 5 years older too. I'm a stress and boredom eater. I'm sure I could exercise and lose it easily since I'm young but I don't have the freaking time. I'll be taking a year off of college next year so losing weight is my focus!
Posted 11/15/2010 12:07 AM (GMT -5)
I'm of normal weight. It is easier for me to gain weight than lose it; so I have to watch my diet and avoid very fattening foods such as ice cream.
Posted 11/15/2010 9:28 AM (GMT -5)
I'm overweight. I was always around 150 and I'm 5'4. I gained weight with my first kid I was about 170, I had two miscarriages in a year and was 190 when I got pregnant with my second son, I was about 200 and got pregnant with my third child, a girl and I got down to about 205. I was diagnosed with UC in March 2009 I had my daughter in June 2008 and was having symptoms since I was about 5 months pregnant with her. Before that I had no problems had a BM everyday or everyother. I was put on pred from June 2009 for a month gained 5 pounds than was put on it from the end of June 2009 until the end of Nov. 2009. I asked to go off because it was making me crazy shocked   I gained 45 pounds on the pred. I was 250 when I stopped it. I have gotten down to 228 and I've been trying but nothing. I walk a half hour (fast) everyday. But I'm an emotional-stress eater. It is hard. Your not the only one.
Posted 11/15/2010 10:19 AM (GMT -5)
I gained almost 10lbs when I quit smoking. Then lost almost 20 when I got sick. I've gained back most of that. I decided to start watching my weight starting today (ha ha) I'd like to lose 10lbs before I go on holiday in February. Should be fun during Christmas. I think I started eating like crazy as soon as I felt better after not being able to eat properly for months. I think too that it's a bit in my head that it's a good thing I wasn't super skinny when I lost all that weight because it came off so fast. Keeping an extra layer of chub is a safety blanket. Of course I'm working on a duvet right now so gotta keep it in check:)
Posted 11/15/2010 11:57 AM (GMT -5)
I know it's hard to get out when you are flaring, but even walking a small route in circles near the house will make you feel better. One of my docs suggested it when I was pouting about prednisone weight. It might not be enough to take off weight but it will do good things for your head which will motivate you. At least that is my experience!

Has anyone found a good message board for weight loss??
Posted 11/15/2010 1:11 PM (GMT -5)
i had a heard time with weight, once i started on the steroids, i put it on quick from them, and steroid weight is not as easy to get off as regular weight. And another part of my problem was, i couldn't eat fruits or vegetables, they made me really really sick, and because i was always nauseas, i was always drinking cokes to calm my stomach. And of course, i had no energy to exercise, and again, when on the steroids, my joints hurt so bad i couldn't. WHile i was pregnant and in remission, the steroid weight turned into regular weight and i dropped it fast after my son was born. That time i never put it back on. But after i had surgery and could eat, i put some back on pretty quick! but then i went to the only tried and true way, less calories than you burn method and dropped it quickly.
Posted 11/15/2010 2:24 PM (GMT -5)
Oh man, THANK YOU for posting this.  I have been more or less successful in avoiding self-blame for having UC, but I have a LOT of self-esteem issues over the weight thing. 

I don't even need to lose that much weight.  Maybe 10 pounds.  And I work out a lot and I walk a couple of miles daily, and still I am struggling with this weight issue.  And all along I've been thinking that everyone with UC struggles to keep weight ON so how bad must my diet be that I'm in the exact opposite camp?

I'm a big fan of Leigh Peele, and I know that if I were to actually follow her regimen, I *would* lose the fat I'm trying to shed.  She's really smart and she doesn't advocate any fad diet.  With her, you figure out what your appropriate maintenance level is for each kind of nutrient (protein, fat, carbohydrate), and then you make sure you get at least that much. 

I just need to crack down on the food rewards I give myself.  This never was an issue when I smoked cigarettes :-(  Along with speeding up the metabolism and giving your mouth something to do besides eat, they also curb the appetite. 

Posted 11/15/2010 7:09 PM (GMT -5)
I am a fatty and I have no motivation to do anything about it.
Posted 11/15/2010 7:23 PM (GMT -5)
My joints are still bothering me after being stuck on steroids for 7 months earlier this year so, having not gotten back to exercise and still not back to eating raw fruits and veggies, I am heavier than I like to be. :o(
Posted 11/15/2010 8:30 PM (GMT -5)
notsosicklygirl- lol i'm cracking up!!!! I always say i will start Monday and than by Wed it is I will start Monday. lol tongue
Posted 11/15/2010 8:52 PM (GMT -5)
Whats your regular diet and exercise regiment? What meds are you on? I might be able to suggest something. For most of us UCers, its hard to lose weight.

My mom doesnt have UC but I've helped her take off 10 pounds after she asked me for help. Its pretty hard for her also due to the fact that shes a vegetarian and protein sources are limited.
Posted 11/15/2010 11:25 PM (GMT -5)
the fact is, the only way to lose weight is to eat fewer calories than you burn. If you burn 1000 calories you need to eat 800 to lose weight. (thats too few but just an example) it doesnt really matter what the calories come from, it just matters how many you eat. now fat is a different story, you have to control your fat intake alot. if you eat 5000 calories of lettuce you will gain weight, unless you burn 6000. if you eat 1000 calories of cookies and burn 2000 calories you will lose weight.
One of the times i lost weight i ate frosted flakes for breakfast, broccoli and cheese for lunch and ice cream for dinner (this was pre UC) and i went dancing almost every night, burning tons of calories.
Now i eat usually two bananas, either apples and peanutbutter or something like that, and popcorn. we also eat out alot, but i do my insanity workout every single day. and i dropped about 40lbs in 3 months.
one of the biggest things people do is drink sodas, or juice and dont realize how much weight those are putting on. drinking water is a huge way to help lose weight!
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