Good luck with your revamp. I know how hard it is to watch portions and eat healthy when you don't always feel great. It is easier to "treat" yourself because you don't feel well. I struggle with this as well as portion control. Please keep us posted as to how things are going. Good Luck V! You can do it.
that's the way to do it - slowly and carefully. Over time,you'll see results and they'll stick because you change the way you live rather than dieting.
My hopes for spring include more energy. As part of working towards that, I saw my doctor today and we're going to do a bunch of blood tests to see if there's any physiological reason for my fatigue. I look forward to the weather being nice enough that I can go out and sit in the park or by the lake with a book every day - I never do in the winter and it always messes with my mind. I need more balance in my life (as usual) and maybe this year, I'll find a way to control my workaholism.
V,
I will keep my fingers crossed for your success. As Lene pointed out, once you're going to see results, you're going to love it and stick to it - your new lifestyle :)
My biggest inspiration was what Dr.Stork from "The Doctors" summarized in one sentence "health is not only about going to the doctor, but rather what you're doing in between your visits."
Spring has always a special meaning - fresh start, personal renewal, new hope, and finding freedom.
It feels great to be free of Prednisone, sinus infections, migraine headaches, etc.
Many Blessings for this wonderful time of renewal. 
Ili
Hi V - glad to hear you are getting off of Prednisone. It feels like a miracle drug - but the side affects are killers! I put on loads of weight; never before have I purchased elastic waisted pants - and almost maturnity styled tops, just for the extra lbs I gained. I went off it last July for my 61st birthday as a gift to myself. Tricky indeed, but so worth getting off the Prednisone.
The extra lbs, I've taken off a little more than half, but the rest is being stubborn. I find I need foods I can eat all I want, keep smaller portions on main meals, and just try not to binge. I'm dairy free and that helps so much. My biggest hurdle is I'm totally inactive. My head is out to kill me when it comes to walking anywhere, and for many years I was a distant hiker! Now I don't walk anywhere. WHEN I start walking again, the rest of the lbs will float away, without doubt.
Best of luck with all the parts that make up good living - getting your life back from Prednisone is worth all the effort!
Laurie
Hi V - glad to hear you are getting off of Prednisone. It feels like a miracle drug - but the side affects are killers! I put on loads of weight; never before have I purchased elastic waisted pants - and almost maturnity styled tops, just for the extra lbs I gained. I went off it last July for my 61st birthday as a gift to myself. Tricky indeed, but so worth getting off the Prednisone.
The extra lbs, I've taken off a little more than half, but the rest is being stubborn. I find I need foods I can eat all I want, keep smaller portions on main meals, and just try not to binge. I'm dairy free and that helps so much. My biggest hurdle is I'm totally inactive. My head is out to kill me when it comes to walking anywhere, and for many years I was a distant hiker! Now I don't walk anywhere. WHEN I start walking again, the rest of the lbs will float away, without doubt.
Best of luck with all the parts that make up good living - getting your life back from Prednisone is worth all the effort!
Laurie
Good for you, V! I think it's pretty awesome that you are doing what you are. I was unfortunately (or maybe, fortunately) not able to take the prednisone - it caused 2 big ulcers. So I have to fight through the flares more, but it sounds like I am dodging some ugly side effects.
In relation to diet, about 4 years ago I made some pretty radical changes that resulted in a weight loss of 135 lbs, which I've maintained consistently. The largest part of this change was diet, which I am learning is probably going to help with the RA alot. I focus on protein and veggies first, then fruit, and finally a small amount of whole grain carbs. I go nowhere (not even the grocery store!) without a string cheese in my purse just in case. I find that if I focus on the protein, the rest falls in place. I have literally hundreds of good, low fat, high energy recipies for this kind of stuff. If you let me know what some of your favorite comfort or "gp-to" foods are, I'd be happy to make some healthy suggestions that actually taste pretty good!
Hang in there, woman!
Thank you SO much for sharing that. You are an inspiration. I made some healthy Jambalya the other night with that expensive long grain rice, shrimp, chicken and very low fat chicken broth. It was really good, and my husband loved it. I acutally cook healthy...most of the time. My problem is this: I am prediabetic and so am very insulin resistant. This situation, on top of the prednisione, makes me crave carbs like crazy. I have resorted to eating an apple every time I crave sweets...or low fat yogurt. Any ideas for calming that craving for sweets?
BTW, I am still trying to get into an exercise routine, but I have been having a lot of knee and back issues. Going to have an MRI on my back and hip. I guess stretching exercises are better than no exercise at all...???
Blessings,
V
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Good luck with your make-over V. I agree that planning ahead and having foods ready is important. It is what saves me.
Hi, Cathy,
I feel like a Prednisone Pig at the moment. Snort! I am tapering down and I am at 5 mg a day at the moment. My elbows are not happy and my back and hips don't like it either. I am sticking with the taper though. Gotta get off this prednsione merry go round if I can. Please keep your fingers crossed for me. I may need encouragment, or a swift kick in the backside.
V
Prednisone is tricky to get off. Good to take it slow. Keep thinking of yourself where you want your body to be V. It will get there!
I hear you on the prednisone! I am down to 5m daily and am finding it so hard to get below that dose. I have gained 25 lbs in 4 years and it is all in my stomach and face -- hard to feel good about myself and how I look.
I will keep trying and I will keep trying to move more and eat less.
Good luck to everyone this Spring!!
Sandy