Losing weight with MS

Back in 2008 I was struggling with my weight before I got my diagnosis. I moved to Colorado from Maui where I had no car and had to walk everywhere, and before then I lived in downtown Seattle where I wanted to walk everywhere even though I had a car. All this kept me trim year round as the weather allowed for it (you get used to the rain in Seattle and walk in it daily).
So I come to Colorado to my best friends' home and she is a chef. Food is included in rent. She has a weight issue, and is struggling with many diets, but I change my diet to hers, which is very sugary, starchy and fatty. My weight went up and down, until finally she went on the Atkins Diet, and so did I.
Well I lost about 20 lbs, but I was already almost 170, so I kept going. She only lost 10 pounds and gave up, but I continued to eat complex carbs and protein.
Then I hit a wall. I was not exercising, and right about that time I got diagnosed and I was so depressed, even though I had lost 4 inches on my waist, I went up to 180. I stayed there and started tripping all the time, losing my balance and twisting my ankles. Then my GP looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Seriously, if you do not lose weight, you are only going to keep tripping and falling. Your body has to hold that weight and do many other movements which are complicated and with limb weakness, your feet drop and legs can give out on you."
So I went at it again, especially after falling so hard, what they call a drop fall, that I had no idea I had fallen (This is why I got Oliver), and I twisted my left ankle so bad it took months of physical therapy to get it to heal.
So, I switched back to complex carbs - all breads, pastas, starches of any kind are whole grain. I started eating and drinking fiber and acidophilus in my coffee and tea. I cut out sugar COMPLETELY and bought Republic of Tea's "Get Lost", which curbs sugar cravings. Finally, I got a Jillian Michaels CD (Biggest Loser) called "No more Trouble Zones", which is a low impact, high results 40 minute workout program I did 3 times a week. Below is the rest of what I did, and I have not stopped following this diet, by the way!

1) Boil 6-12 eggs at a time and peel right away. Then I put 2 each in ziploc snack bags (Got those at the dollar store);
2) Buy 1 bunch of bananas per week;
3) Buy full bars (peanut butter ones have less sugar and carbs) at Costco or on Dr. Snyder's website http://www.fullbar.com;
4) Have a refillable water bottle;
5) Jillian Michaels "No More Trouble Zones" CD (Costco has all 3 of her CD's);
6) Cut out all sugar and get Republic of Tea "Get Lost" tea.

Eat one full bar in the morning and as instructed drink water 1/2 hour before eating anything. Then eat banana or eggs. Try to eat only one. When hungry again, eat eggs (they last longer through the day).
At dinner time, eat another full bar 1/2 hour before serving. Then eat 1/2 of usual portion, but do not finish after you feel full. Do your best to stay away from sugar. Drink one cup of the tea with a splenda. This will literally kill your sugar craving. You can drink at night or anytime you crave sugar.
Exercise when you can. Try to do it 3 times a week. I do it at night as I get fatigued and want to crash. Erin bought the Wii Fit Plus and we are going to make the basement into an exercise/sewing room. Try to make your own quiet place so you can relax afterward and do the CD undisturbed. Night time might be great for mothers as the kids are in bed. 
Later you can incorporate other foods. I have two slices of the highest grain and protein bread per day as a snack to help with staying regular. There is a bread at Costco but the name escapes me right now. I also eat whole grain pasta and I eat smaller amounts of it with a protein - sometimes the flavored tofu from Whole Foods or ground turkey. I eat edamame and shrimp wanton soup for dinner and maybe a veggie potsticker or two. The key is to watch the white, starchy carbs and do not let them in your house if you can help it. Another great dinner is black bean or lentil soup with 1 slice of whole grain bread. When you start to see results, you will start to make your own diet that works for you.
Finally, exercise. It is important for your health, MS, and weight loss. Warm up with a short yoga CD, which you can get at Barnes and Noble or other book stores. I love yoga; it is like my own private Idaho at home!
Don't forget, check with your doctor. The Jillian Michaels is low impact mat work similar to yoga. It took me a month to finish it. Now I can do it, but some parts I sit it out. Talk to the doctor about the diet as well. it is a balance of protein and complex carbs, which you need for energy. Bananas are great for the heart, and be sure to add a small amount of sodium to your diet as well. 
This program took me a year to get where I am. All I wanted to lose was 30 lbs and I have lost 60. I now weigh 117, have better balance and have not fallen or tripped in a year. After you check with your doctor, start easy and work yourself up to the level you are comfortable with - don't quit - you will love the results!


Good luck and please send any questions to my e-mail or you may comment and I will get the e-mail that way.