I know I’ve kept you up to date with all things IIH related and part of that story involves losing weight. So today I thought I’d give you a weight loss update.
To give you a bit of background, I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid 3 years ago which explains why I have always found it so difficult to shift the weight up until that point.
It took about a year of trial and error to get the dosage just right and once my thyroid was ticking along nicely, I’d say it was probably my love of cake and intense dislike towards all things exercise related that resulted in the weight struggle continuing!
Over the years I have tried every diet out there in an effort to lose weight. Honestly, I have. You name it, I have tried it. Apple diet? Yep, I’ve done it! Coleslaw diet? Done that one too! Jenny Craig? Yep. Weight Watchers? Several times. 12 week challenge at my local gym? Uh huh. Same again but with Michele Bridges cheering me on? You betcha. Tony Ferguson shakes? They were f*&king torture. Threw the scales out and only ate when hungry? Totally did that. Bought a FitBit and cracked 10,000 steps a day? Nailed it.
And do you know how much success I had on all of those diets, which started way back when I was 14 years old and weighed all of 51 kilos? None. Zero. Zilch.
It wasn’t until I was sitting in a Neurologists office, hearing the words “We don’t know why but for some reason weight is associated with this condition. If you can lose 8-10 kilos, it will be enough to reduce the pressure on your optic nerves and you more than likely won’t need a shunt inserted to drain the excess fluid that’s causing the pressure” that I decided my health had to come before anything or anyone else in the weeks and months ahead.
And so, for the first time in my life I followed a ‘diet plan’ to within an inch of its life. Sure, I have been bored shitless in the 30 minute meetings I have with Food Nazi, but there’s no denying that the 1,000 calorie a day food plan she’s put me on has done the trick.
I’ve also listened to every word the endocrinologist has said to me regarding my body type and what it will respond best to (low calorie eating as opposed to high intensity exercise, which just quietly, I’m ok with!)
I’ve explained to the kids what’s going on, so that they understand why I’m eating bugger all at meal times. For me personally, it was really important that they both understood I’m doing this for my health and so I won’t lose my sight. I didn’t want either of them to think it’s ‘normal’ or ‘ok’ to eat 1,000 calories a day or to measure your carbs at dinner, because in my opinion it’s not normal or ok and the last thing I want is for either of my kids to grow up thinking food is something that should be counted.
As of today I’m pleased to report that I am officially 10 kilos lighter. Hooray!
Here are some of the things that have worked for me in the past few months and maybe they’ll help you too:
Consistently Eating Well
One of the things The Food Nazi enthusiastically said to me which made me want to eye roll out loud was, “Make vegetables the star of the meal, especially at breakfast!”
It has become a running joke in our house now, especially at breakfast, “Mum, I’m making a bowl of Weetbix. Should I add broccoli or carrot to it?”
But TFN kind of does have a point. After 4 months of eating nothing processed, I can now see how eating good, clean, healthy food day in and day out makes a difference to the number on the scales or the fit of your clothes.
Throwing a few extra veggies into my meals has definitely helped bulk them up, although I’m not really sure I’ll ever be able to embrace them at breakfast, and without really even knowing it I’ve basically wiped anything processed and sugar filled from my diet. Feel free to hold an intervention when I start blogging about the joys of Kale!
Should you be interested in knowing what 1,000 cals a day looks like, you can check it out in this post: My Day On A Plate (although I have now swapped the toast at breakfast for a fruit and milk smoothie)
Telling People What I’m Doing
You’d be surprised how many food pushers there are out there. “One slice of cake won’t hurt you!” “You don’t have much on your plate, here, have some more!”
And then there’s the people who speak before they think: “You’re not eating much, are you sick?” “What did you bring your own salad? Don’t you like my cooking?” “Are you one of those weird vegans who only eats bananas?” “Why aren’t you eating? Have you finally decided to do something about your weight?”
Telling those well meaning (?!) people the reason why I’m choosing not to eat/bringing my own salad/sitting out the second round of dinner not only acts to a) shut them down, which means I don’t have to engage in any further uncomfortable Q&A sessions but b) it also means if they’re a true friend, they’ll support me and that’s what you need the most when you’re facing something tough, don’t you think?
Exercising Gently
I haven’t done anywhere near as much exercise as I would’ve liked in the past few months, thanks to Epiploic Appendagitis AKA aksjdhfkajshdf wiping me out, but the endo suggested I take up water walking and the one and only time I’ve done it, I have loved it.
I’ve also done my usual 40 minute walks around the neighbourhood when I can, but I’m not allowed to do anything more than that at the moment, due to the increased pressure in my head caused by IIH. In other news, it looks like my marathon running dreams are over #sadface
Keeping Busy
Being hungry is HARD. It’s something I’m still not really used to but now that I’m so close to being off the feral IIH medication, I’m learning to embrace it and keeping busy definitely helps keep my mind of eating ALL THE THINGS.
In the spirit of keeping things real, last night I ate a fun size Crunchie Bar (they used to be my chocolate drug of choice). While I was unwrapping it, I was all “What exactly is fun about this? It’s the size of a 10 cent piece FFS.” Guns laughed and suggested that perhaps fun size bars had shrunk while I’ve been busy becoming a borderline vegan?
Anyway, I ate the Crunchie in two bites and the weirdest thing happened. It did not taste good. I KNOW. I too am concerned. Does this mean my taste buds have changed? Have I done the unthinkable and actually quit sugar? Please someone, say it isn’t so!
And that really is it. 10 kilos down and only a few more to go.
The hardest part will be keeping it off, but there’s nothing quite like the motivation of also keeping your eyesight to maintain a healthy weight, so I think I’ll be able to manage that one.
Weight loss aside, it has been a really difficult 6 months and there have definitely been some really tough days. But the most important thing to come from all of this is to always listen to your own body and trust your own instincts.
When I first started having vision issues, I saw 2 different GP’s and an optometrist about my concerns and all three said I was fine and there was nothing to worry about. It wasn’t until I saw a third GP and insisted on getting a referral for an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) that the process of getting a diagnosis began.
Even then, the original ophthalmologist I saw happened to pick up the source of my vision problem (swollen optic nerves caused by excess spinal fluid in my head) by chance (the appointment was almost over and at the last minute he decided to do a quick check behind my eyes with a light. That’s when the problem was discovered and then it was action stations! “You need an MRI and a lumbar puncture ASAP”)
So if there’s anything at all that’s niggling at you health wise, go and get it seen to. It’ll be an hour or so out of your day that could potentially save your life. Or turn you into a kale eating vegan. One of the two!
Have you made any major changes to your health lately? Stopping eating cake? Gone for a run? Sat on the couch and thought about it? (same!)
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