Well, the facts are really basic…the less one weighs, the less pressure and stress on your newly reconstructed Charcot Foot. It is very important for all of us going through Charcot Foot that we try to get our weight down so that our feet will be able to carry us without re-Charcoting!! As I myself am currently about 60 pounds overweight, I have quite a task before me in trying to shed some of those pounds. I have to say I feel rather lucky, however, in that my weight gain since my Charcot Foot diagnosis is only 12 pounds. I think alot of us going through this may have moments of being guilty of “comfort eating”. What, with all the time we spend just sitting, and a lack of real exercise, it’s practically inevitable that there will be weight gain! So for my 7 months of sitting, I am ok with the 12 pounds weight gain. But now I want it to leave! My reconstruction is coming up, and I’ll probably be attempting to use the foot in about 4-5 months (if all goes well!), so I really want to be my ideal weight by then! That’s about 10 pounds a month. It sounds do-able. I’ve made an attempt in the last two weeks, and haven’t lost a single pound! So now it would appear I will have to do a nearly total reduction in food intake. It is extremely important, however, that I keep my blood sugars stable, and avoid going too low. I will have a minimal amount of calories and carbs for breakfast and lunch, probably around 60 calories and 10 carbs per meal. Then, I will eat a regular meal for dinner. No dessert! I’ve been eating dessert every night because I notice it hasn’t upset my blood sugars too terribly. (I had a 5.8 A1C last visit!) But now, I really must trim the dessert down to just one night a week. Boooohoo, oh well. It’s really all because of the inability to exercise. Oh how I miss being able to be active! It assists weight loss so nicely, it is very sad I am not able to have that assistance now. There are exercises that we can do to help keep our hearts pumping smoothly and prevent blood clots (from all the sitting time)…I suggest you read my blogpost titled: “Bend, Flex, Squeeze and Move Move Move!” for idea’s and inspiration. Hang in there fellow Charcoter’s, wether you decide to diet, or restrict some of the comfort eating. It is not easy, but try to stay strong and good luck to you!
-Cassandra, Charcotchacha copyright 2015
I can’t express enough the importance of weight loss and recovery. I’ve always been a junk food kinda guy and have been overweight for most my adult life. I’ve had periods of keeping my eating under control and then my head will tell me ”you’ve been so good” one little chili dog won’t hurt and then I think well you had a chili dog why not a hot fudge Sunday to top things off. The next thing I know I’m right back to where I was before trying to watch my weight. Dieting is the toughest thing I’ve ever dealt with. It’s like my head is out to get me.
I’m so excited for you and prey that you can eat right and keep your weigh under control. I think just your willingness to give it a try is a big step in the right direction. Keep it up!!!!
Hello John. and thank you for your comment and support! My deciding to diet right now is made even harder by the fact I cannot do much exercise to accompany it, so I’ve had to take breakfast and lunch down to very little calories. I am motivated by imagining those lower numbers on my scale! Thanks for checking out my blogsite!
Hey Cassandra–I have been reading your blogs, and learned a lot from your comments. As a cancer survivor (twice over) I am amazed at the similarities we all go through with serious medical conditions that dramatically affect our lives. The conditions may be different, but the emotional pain and journeys we take are much the same. We’re all finding ways to manage what feels to be unmanageable. I think writing helps A LOT, and sharing your thoughts to help others helps you. Keep on writing, and I hope things get more comfortable for you as you move on. PS. Your Dad told me about this blog because of my own experiences and thought it would be helpful to me.
Hiya Debbie, thank you for commenting and supporting the blog! You are spot-on to say this and other medical issues takes us on a journey, often times with unexpected forks in the road! The road can be long, but thank goodness for those rest-stops! I’m sorry you had to travel the same road twice, but it’s great that you are in a better place now! Hang in there and thanks for visiting…come back again soon!
-Cassandra