MS doesn't have to mean Mega Size
I was massively overweight. But I was also in
despair: being a wheelchair user I thought I could never lose it. Being big was
just part of my new, and rather miserable, existence with MS. Exercise was
impossible and comfort eating was one of the only ways I had of making life any
better. How wrong I was! A year later and I am nearly 5 stone lighter: with
improved mobility, easier manual handling for my carers and an improved self
image. So how did I do it?
Here's how ... I put my thinking cap on and
realised a simple equation: I was burning hardly any calories due to my limited
mobility. One needs around 850 cal a day to maintain life's bodily functions,
therefore I needed to consume only around 1000 cal a day. No more. So I needed
to drastically reduce my calorie intake. Not rocket science! I started by
giving up alcohol (unfortunately very calorific) followed by other calorific
foods such as dairy products (cheese, cream, butter plus all chocolate,
biscuits and sweeties) and replaced all sugar with a marvellous product called
Splenda (it has all the look, feel and taste of real sugar but not the
calories). Butter was replaced with Flora. Bread was replaced with Ryvita or
rice cakes. My main meal was lunch. Supper was a light snack of soup with
Ryvita and cottage cheese. I discovered Weight Watchers desserts (helps you get
that much needed chocolate fix) or chocolate soya desserts made by Alpro (dairy
free and therefore very low-calorie). I became an avid reader of labels.
Calories are usually described as ‘kcals’:
anything over 120 kcals was out. I had a monthly weigh--in the Centre which
quickly told me that I was doing the right thing and kept my spirits up. Yes,
it was a punishing regime and took a lot of self-discipline which I didn’t know
I had, but was so worth it. Someone asked me recently why I did it. I replied that
if I was really honest, it was largely down to vanity. The other person looked
crestfallen and only perked up when I mentioned the other, more medical,
benefits. Thinking about it I wondered, ‘Are disabled people not allowed a
little vanity occasionally?
Surely we are entitled to this, the same as
anyone else and it can be a positive thing?’ I was reminded of visiting a
disabled toilet on more than one occasion where there was no mirror above the
sink. Are disabled people not allowed to be interested enough in their
appearance to warrant this? I believe this is something worth hanging on to.
After all if you don’t care what you look like, it sends a clear message that
you have given up on yourself. Any woman knows the value of a comb through
their hair and a bit of lipstick before going out: a simple thing like this can
make you feel like a million dollars. A good shave and a dab of aftershave can
have the same effect on a guy. Taking pride in your appearance can give a
much-needed boost to one's self-esteem and self-confidence. Those of us with
either limited mobility or in a wheelchair need this more than most. If you
can't manage things for yourself (as I can't) carers are usually more than
happy to help. Just make sure you don't end up looking like something off
X-Factor!
August 2013
August 2013
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