Okay here goes! I need to lose about 150 pounds. I was diagnosed with diabetes about 3 months ago and at the same time with Multiple Sclerosis. I also have degenerative arthritis in both knees and carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. All of the above making exercise nearly impossible. I say nearly because I am hoping someone, somewhere has some ideas that I could try. My doctor said "start walking a mile a day." I guess he doesn't realize that the MS makes my legs hurt and the arthritis makes it hard for me to walk from the parking lot to the store and I have a handicap sticker.
I don't know if there is any help but I am willing to give this a shot and see what comes of it. As for a diet, well, I am having trouble finding a dietian that Medicaid will pay for, and that is all my doctor has recommended.
Anyway,if nothing else, maybe this will help me vent some of the frustrations.

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Hi Chele, Sorry to hear about all your medical problems, but have you thought about joining the Y and starting one of the swimming areobics. The Arthritis Foundation has one that's just made for people who can't do any impact and it's so good for you. Just free style swimming is good for you and easy on joints and muscles, too. I have a friend that has MS and he swims for his exercize. There's also a bunch of videos called "Callenetics" and that is a form of exericize with NO impact. It was developed by a lady who'd been in a car wreck and had a serious back injury and couldn't take any impact. It's really good, too. Hope this at least gives you some options. Glad you are with us.... hope to meet you in chat sometime.


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Here's to healthy and happy!

Dj

Have you thought about a water aerobics class? I have a good friend with fibromyalgia which is a very painful tissue disease and water aerobics was her saving grace, it's the only way she can exercise comfortably. My local YMCA has classes, the fees are reasonable. I am no doctor or fitness expert but maybe you should at the very least look into it.

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Thanks for the replies. Yes, I had thought about the water aeorbics/swimming. I had contacted my local YMCA concerning fees, (my first car accident that started the degenerative arthritis was when I was 18, which means that I only receive SSI for a income and that amount this year is $512 a month, to pay all bills everything) and they had me fill out a form for financial assistance. I called them repeatedly but never heard anything and by that time the classes had already begun. I guess I will try again when the next classes start.
Thanks for listening.

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Hey everybody!!!!! I am so happy! The other day I was reading the board and I discovered that I use alot of my problems as a way to NOT try, so I don't have to worry if I don't succeed. Not a good thing to do but at least I am aware of it now. So I decided to do what I could.
I emailed the YMCA president and told him of the troubles I had getting a answer to my scholarship application. That was on Friday.
At 11:45 this morning I receive a phone call from my local YMCA and have been granted a FULL membership to everything. The water aeorbic classes, the fitness trainer, EVERYTHING!
So God bless each and everyone of you because all of you helped me to look up that address and to type that letter.
Thank you so very much.
<Hey! Is that a light I see, WAY down there, at the end of this tunnel???? LOL>

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Chele..
I just popped online to check an auction and wasn't going to come to diettalk..boy its addicting. Anyway, I was reading your story and was so sad for you. I am so glad you updated us!! That is wonderful about the YMCA and I truly hope they can help you!!!!

I too, have found it very EASY to use my ailments (although not physical) as my excuse not to excersize. It does take a certain amount of "soul searching" to realize this.

Anyway, I am sooo happy for you and wish you the best!!!

Lexy

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Chele, HOW WONDERFUL!!!!

Get moving Girl!!!!!!

Your life depends on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:) :) :)


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Way to go, Chele!! I'm so happy for you! And glad that you went over someone's head (who obviously isn't doing a very good job to make you wait so long). I think it's great that you are taking charge and doing something positive with your situation. Try to be really positive with your life in all areas and you'll be surprised just what a difference it will make! Good luck to you and hope to hear from you again!

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Here's to healthy and happy!

Dj

Well everyone, I went to sign up for the "Y" today. Unfortunately the person who is dealing with the aid was away at Cedarpoint. (I remember the days when I thought that was fun too :)) I at least got to look in on the first class of this session, and I actually think I can do the exercises that they are doing! They also told me to go ahead and start the classes tomorrow and then talk to the woman after the class is over! So, tomorrow the pain begins LOL! Strange, I think I am looking forward to feeling sore for more reasons than just the MS! (Now if I can just get by the nude showers before swimming, any suggestions? LOL)

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I never take nude showers at the Y... I always sneak into my suit, and then rinse off.
And... the things you were saying about excuses and using disadvantages as reasons not to try... I think that's a common thread for a lot of us. I've been dealing heavily with that recently. So, KEEP MOVING!!! Forget about the bad days, and strive for the good ones! sarah

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how did the Y go chele, im curious, i hope well.good luck to all,
stephanie

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Well everyone... that ol' fear of success and failure and "not being able to do the exercises" ALMOST won! But I threw it down kickin an screamin, pinned it to the floor until it said "uncle". LOL I see that I last posted about the Y on the 22nd well today is the 28th and i just went for my first class.
I found every excuse in the book (and some I made up.... :)) not to go until today. "Too early" "Didn't sleep well last night" "No lock for the locker" etc,etc. Everything but the truth. I was afraid.
Anyway, this morning I got up and almost found another excuse... my blood sugar after one bowl of cereal was 256. It has never been that high for me. Thankfully my fiancee' was standing here going... when are we leaving? So I mustered up allllll this courage and dragged myself in there and was preparing for the "nude" shower when everyone starts walking in and they already have their suits on under their clothes! LOL
Well I went ahead and got dressed (in front of everybody, it wasn't as bad as I thought)
and went for the class.
To make a long story short, (ok, I know I should have done that along time ago. LOL)
The class was great! I did pretty well, the worst problem I have is not being able to see because I am just about blind without my glasses on and hearing what she kept saying to do was difficult because of the residual hearing loss in my left ear from the MS.
I am sore and tired but I feel great! Does that make any sense? LOL

Hey everybody....

I AM ALIVE!!!!!!!!! LOL

P.s. Someone there in the class told me there was one girl, who wasn't in there today but had been every other day, had lost 17 pounds since last week with just the exercise and no diet. Water weight maybe? Isn't that kind of a lot to lose in 6 days?
I wouldn't be surprized though cuz it is quite a workout even in the water.

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Hurray! Great job Chele, we all know you can do it. I also love the reply you posted to Sara, I'm sure that helped her a lot.

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Diana