overweight with CF

65rosessamurai · Feb 24, 2009

I happen to be in that boat, I actually had a CF doc tell me to "Lose Weight"! I was also told its best to be a bit overweight (and i found out why last year when I was feeling too ill to have an appetite).

Upon moving to Japan without any enzymes, and a strict eating regime, I actually lost a lot of weight in a short time (about 6 months). I then went up a bit and hovered over about 160 lbs for several years. However, since it didn't seem to be my "natural weight", I was actually looking "sick", rather than "healthy" as the years went on...I'm sure a lot had to do with the quality of food (the ex was a nasty cook!), more than quantity.

I then had major lifestyle changes occur and was able to eat what I wanted and needed....I ended up gaining a lot back but right now I want to cut down and stay at a reasonable weight that I feel more comfortable with (especially for my age).

I would recommend that if you can, try and go for food quality rather than quantity. With the lifestyle in Japan, I find a lot of food to be on the "lean side" for me, so I feel I can survive without prescription enzymes.

However, since I often find myself having low blood sugar reactions, I think I've developed a bit of a "security blanket" by eating some things (like bananas) to prevent it from happening too often.

One thing I hate is when I've eaten plenty and then feel like eating again only about an hour later <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
However, I haven't weighed myself in about a month so I'm not sure how my weight is at this moment...

...OH! One added thing to mention...those scales you use to measure BMI...they are dependent on certain criteria of the human body. (I did a little Google search on it a while back)

The common scale that uses those steel plates and that claims it can measure the BMI; well it runs a little bit of current through the body and measures the body's "Impedance" or resistance. That impedance is going to increase when there is more fat than muscle because current will run through muscle better, thus lowering the impedance. (The lower the impedance the lower the number for the BMI calculation)
HOWEVER, there is another factor and that is if the body isn't well hydrated the measurement can be incorrect. The current will run through a well hydrated body better than a body that is on the dehydrated side...
So, having proper hydration will show a more accurate number.(IMO)
Another factor that wasn't mentioned in that aspect, but is a theory of mine, is that since many CF'rs MAY also have "fat liver" conditions, this may also show a high BMI, IMO. Checking with your doctor on your liver condition would be prudent...especially when cirrhosis is prevelant in a CF'r as well.

To those Chubby CF'rs....We Salute!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

65rosessamurai · Feb 24, 2009

I happen to be in that boat, I actually had a CF doc tell me to "Lose Weight"! I was also told its best to be a bit overweight (and i found out why last year when I was feeling too ill to have an appetite).

Upon moving to Japan without any enzymes, and a strict eating regime, I actually lost a lot of weight in a short time (about 6 months). I then went up a bit and hovered over about 160 lbs for several years. However, since it didn't seem to be my "natural weight", I was actually looking "sick", rather than "healthy" as the years went on...I'm sure a lot had to do with the quality of food (the ex was a nasty cook!), more than quantity.

I then had major lifestyle changes occur and was able to eat what I wanted and needed....I ended up gaining a lot back but right now I want to cut down and stay at a reasonable weight that I feel more comfortable with (especially for my age).

I would recommend that if you can, try and go for food quality rather than quantity. With the lifestyle in Japan, I find a lot of food to be on the "lean side" for me, so I feel I can survive without prescription enzymes.

However, since I often find myself having low blood sugar reactions, I think I've developed a bit of a "security blanket" by eating some things (like bananas) to prevent it from happening too often.

One thing I hate is when I've eaten plenty and then feel like eating again only about an hour later <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
However, I haven't weighed myself in about a month so I'm not sure how my weight is at this moment...

...OH! One added thing to mention...those scales you use to measure BMI...they are dependent on certain criteria of the human body. (I did a little Google search on it a while back)

The common scale that uses those steel plates and that claims it can measure the BMI; well it runs a little bit of current through the body and measures the body's "Impedance" or resistance. That impedance is going to increase when there is more fat than muscle because current will run through muscle better, thus lowering the impedance. (The lower the impedance the lower the number for the BMI calculation)
HOWEVER, there is another factor and that is if the body isn't well hydrated the measurement can be incorrect. The current will run through a well hydrated body better than a body that is on the dehydrated side...
So, having proper hydration will show a more accurate number.(IMO)
Another factor that wasn't mentioned in that aspect, but is a theory of mine, is that since many CF'rs MAY also have "fat liver" conditions, this may also show a high BMI, IMO. Checking with your doctor on your liver condition would be prudent...especially when cirrhosis is prevelant in a CF'r as well.

To those Chubby CF'rs....We Salute!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

65rosessamurai · Feb 24, 2009

I happen to be in that boat, I actually had a CF doc tell me to "Lose Weight"! I was also told its best to be a bit overweight (and i found out why last year when I was feeling too ill to have an appetite).

Upon moving to Japan without any enzymes, and a strict eating regime, I actually lost a lot of weight in a short time (about 6 months). I then went up a bit and hovered over about 160 lbs for several years. However, since it didn't seem to be my "natural weight", I was actually looking "sick", rather than "healthy" as the years went on...I'm sure a lot had to do with the quality of food (the ex was a nasty cook!), more than quantity.

I then had major lifestyle changes occur and was able to eat what I wanted and needed....I ended up gaining a lot back but right now I want to cut down and stay at a reasonable weight that I feel more comfortable with (especially for my age).

I would recommend that if you can, try and go for food quality rather than quantity. With the lifestyle in Japan, I find a lot of food to be on the "lean side" for me, so I feel I can survive without prescription enzymes.

However, since I often find myself having low blood sugar reactions, I think I've developed a bit of a "security blanket" by eating some things (like bananas) to prevent it from happening too often.

One thing I hate is when I've eaten plenty and then feel like eating again only about an hour later <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
However, I haven't weighed myself in about a month so I'm not sure how my weight is at this moment...

...OH! One added thing to mention...those scales you use to measure BMI...they are dependent on certain criteria of the human body. (I did a little Google search on it a while back)

The common scale that uses those steel plates and that claims it can measure the BMI; well it runs a little bit of current through the body and measures the body's "Impedance" or resistance. That impedance is going to increase when there is more fat than muscle because current will run through muscle better, thus lowering the impedance. (The lower the impedance the lower the number for the BMI calculation)
HOWEVER, there is another factor and that is if the body isn't well hydrated the measurement can be incorrect. The current will run through a well hydrated body better than a body that is on the dehydrated side...
So, having proper hydration will show a more accurate number.(IMO)
Another factor that wasn't mentioned in that aspect, but is a theory of mine, is that since many CF'rs MAY also have "fat liver" conditions, this may also show a high BMI, IMO. Checking with your doctor on your liver condition would be prudent...especially when cirrhosis is prevelant in a CF'r as well.

To those Chubby CF'rs....We Salute!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

65rosessamurai · Feb 24, 2009

I happen to be in that boat, I actually had a CF doc tell me to "Lose Weight"! I was also told its best to be a bit overweight (and i found out why last year when I was feeling too ill to have an appetite).

Upon moving to Japan without any enzymes, and a strict eating regime, I actually lost a lot of weight in a short time (about 6 months). I then went up a bit and hovered over about 160 lbs for several years. However, since it didn't seem to be my "natural weight", I was actually looking "sick", rather than "healthy" as the years went on...I'm sure a lot had to do with the quality of food (the ex was a nasty cook!), more than quantity.

I then had major lifestyle changes occur and was able to eat what I wanted and needed....I ended up gaining a lot back but right now I want to cut down and stay at a reasonable weight that I feel more comfortable with (especially for my age).

I would recommend that if you can, try and go for food quality rather than quantity. With the lifestyle in Japan, I find a lot of food to be on the "lean side" for me, so I feel I can survive without prescription enzymes.

However, since I often find myself having low blood sugar reactions, I think I've developed a bit of a "security blanket" by eating some things (like bananas) to prevent it from happening too often.

One thing I hate is when I've eaten plenty and then feel like eating again only about an hour later <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
However, I haven't weighed myself in about a month so I'm not sure how my weight is at this moment...

...OH! One added thing to mention...those scales you use to measure BMI...they are dependent on certain criteria of the human body. (I did a little Google search on it a while back)

The common scale that uses those steel plates and that claims it can measure the BMI; well it runs a little bit of current through the body and measures the body's "Impedance" or resistance. That impedance is going to increase when there is more fat than muscle because current will run through muscle better, thus lowering the impedance. (The lower the impedance the lower the number for the BMI calculation)
HOWEVER, there is another factor and that is if the body isn't well hydrated the measurement can be incorrect. The current will run through a well hydrated body better than a body that is on the dehydrated side...
So, having proper hydration will show a more accurate number.(IMO)
Another factor that wasn't mentioned in that aspect, but is a theory of mine, is that since many CF'rs MAY also have "fat liver" conditions, this may also show a high BMI, IMO. Checking with your doctor on your liver condition would be prudent...especially when cirrhosis is prevelant in a CF'r as well.

To those Chubby CF'rs....We Salute!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

65rosessamurai · Feb 24, 2009

I happen to be in that boat, I actually had a CF doc tell me to "Lose Weight"! I was also told its best to be a bit overweight (and i found out why last year when I was feeling too ill to have an appetite).
 
 Upon moving to Japan without any enzymes, and a strict eating regime, I actually lost a lot of weight in a short time (about 6 months). I then went up a bit and hovered over about 160 lbs for several years. However, since it didn't seem to be my "natural weight", I was actually looking "sick", rather than "healthy" as the years went on...I'm sure a lot had to do with the quality of food (the ex was a nasty cook!), more than quantity.
 
 I then had major lifestyle changes occur and was able to eat what I wanted and needed....I ended up gaining a lot back but right now I want to cut down and stay at a reasonable weight that I feel more comfortable with (especially for my age).
 
 I would recommend that if you can, try and go for food quality rather than quantity. With the lifestyle in Japan, I find a lot of food to be on the "lean side" for me, so I feel I can survive without prescription enzymes.
 
 However, since I often find myself having low blood sugar reactions, I think I've developed a bit of a "security blanket" by eating some things (like bananas) to prevent it from happening too often.
 
 One thing I hate is when I've eaten plenty and then feel like eating again only about an hour later <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 However, I haven't weighed myself in about a month so I'm not sure how my weight is at this moment...
 
 ...OH! One added thing to mention...those scales you use to measure BMI...they are dependent on certain criteria of the human body. (I did a little Google search on it a while back)
 
 The common scale that uses those steel plates and that claims it can measure the BMI; well it runs a little bit of current through the body and measures the body's "Impedance" or resistance. That impedance is going to increase when there is more fat than muscle because current will run through muscle better, thus lowering the impedance. (The lower the impedance the lower the number for the BMI calculation)
 HOWEVER, there is another factor and that is if the body isn't well hydrated the measurement can be incorrect. The current will run through a well hydrated body better than a body that is on the dehydrated side...
 So, having proper hydration will show a more accurate number.(IMO)
 Another factor that wasn't mentioned in that aspect, but is a theory of mine, is that since many CF'rs MAY also have "fat liver" conditions, this may also show a high BMI, IMO. Checking with your doctor on your liver condition would be prudent...especially when cirrhosis is prevelant in a CF'r as well.
 
 To those Chubby CF'rs....We Salute!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

saveferris2009 · Feb 24, 2009

Similarly to some other posters, I was always BONE THIN up until my very early 20's. Gaining weight was always an issue.

I think what changed for me was taking PPI's (Protonix, Aciphex and Prilosec and different times) which made my enzymes work much better.

I'm 5'3 and at my heaviest I was 126. Not horribly overweight, but a good 5-10lbs more than I needed. And I wasn't muscular - I was out of shape.

I'm now 119-120 which is still maybe a pound or two more than I should be to be fit (but I'm much more toned now...)

I know there's a lot of talk in the CF community that gaining weight helps PFT's.... well, it's a bell curve. At a certain point extra weight harms PFT's. You can blow out that air if you have that extra belly fat <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I remember when I visited Warwick I was about 123 and in addition to telling me to lose weight, he told me about how many CFer's he had who were overweight. He was worried because of our increased risk of diabetes, and as his patient population ages (remember they have a ridiculous life expectancy at the Minnesota clinic), other issues that come with being overweight such as heart disease, aching joints, etc were issues.

Of course many CFer's who carry a few extra pounds can relate - it's INCREDIBLY hard to change eating habits after eating whatever/whenever for 20+ years. But like everything else, such as compliance with meds, compliance with exercise, etc. it can be done. And I know I'm much healthier for it.

I'm sure CFer's who want to gain weight want to smack those of us who carry a few extra pounds... so my apologies for that <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> But there certainly are a range of issues we CFer's deal with as we age and are treated with great medicine...

saveferris2009 · Feb 24, 2009

Similarly to some other posters, I was always BONE THIN up until my very early 20's. Gaining weight was always an issue.

I think what changed for me was taking PPI's (Protonix, Aciphex and Prilosec and different times) which made my enzymes work much better.

I'm 5'3 and at my heaviest I was 126. Not horribly overweight, but a good 5-10lbs more than I needed. And I wasn't muscular - I was out of shape.

I'm now 119-120 which is still maybe a pound or two more than I should be to be fit (but I'm much more toned now...)

I know there's a lot of talk in the CF community that gaining weight helps PFT's.... well, it's a bell curve. At a certain point extra weight harms PFT's. You can blow out that air if you have that extra belly fat <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I remember when I visited Warwick I was about 123 and in addition to telling me to lose weight, he told me about how many CFer's he had who were overweight. He was worried because of our increased risk of diabetes, and as his patient population ages (remember they have a ridiculous life expectancy at the Minnesota clinic), other issues that come with being overweight such as heart disease, aching joints, etc were issues.

Of course many CFer's who carry a few extra pounds can relate - it's INCREDIBLY hard to change eating habits after eating whatever/whenever for 20+ years. But like everything else, such as compliance with meds, compliance with exercise, etc. it can be done. And I know I'm much healthier for it.

I'm sure CFer's who want to gain weight want to smack those of us who carry a few extra pounds... so my apologies for that <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> But there certainly are a range of issues we CFer's deal with as we age and are treated with great medicine...

saveferris2009 · Feb 24, 2009

Similarly to some other posters, I was always BONE THIN up until my very early 20's. Gaining weight was always an issue.

I think what changed for me was taking PPI's (Protonix, Aciphex and Prilosec and different times) which made my enzymes work much better.

I'm 5'3 and at my heaviest I was 126. Not horribly overweight, but a good 5-10lbs more than I needed. And I wasn't muscular - I was out of shape.

I'm now 119-120 which is still maybe a pound or two more than I should be to be fit (but I'm much more toned now...)

I know there's a lot of talk in the CF community that gaining weight helps PFT's.... well, it's a bell curve. At a certain point extra weight harms PFT's. You can blow out that air if you have that extra belly fat <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I remember when I visited Warwick I was about 123 and in addition to telling me to lose weight, he told me about how many CFer's he had who were overweight. He was worried because of our increased risk of diabetes, and as his patient population ages (remember they have a ridiculous life expectancy at the Minnesota clinic), other issues that come with being overweight such as heart disease, aching joints, etc were issues.

Of course many CFer's who carry a few extra pounds can relate - it's INCREDIBLY hard to change eating habits after eating whatever/whenever for 20+ years. But like everything else, such as compliance with meds, compliance with exercise, etc. it can be done. And I know I'm much healthier for it.

I'm sure CFer's who want to gain weight want to smack those of us who carry a few extra pounds... so my apologies for that <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> But there certainly are a range of issues we CFer's deal with as we age and are treated with great medicine...

saveferris2009 · Feb 24, 2009

Similarly to some other posters, I was always BONE THIN up until my very early 20's. Gaining weight was always an issue.

I think what changed for me was taking PPI's (Protonix, Aciphex and Prilosec and different times) which made my enzymes work much better.

I'm 5'3 and at my heaviest I was 126. Not horribly overweight, but a good 5-10lbs more than I needed. And I wasn't muscular - I was out of shape.

I'm now 119-120 which is still maybe a pound or two more than I should be to be fit (but I'm much more toned now...)

I know there's a lot of talk in the CF community that gaining weight helps PFT's.... well, it's a bell curve. At a certain point extra weight harms PFT's. You can blow out that air if you have that extra belly fat <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I remember when I visited Warwick I was about 123 and in addition to telling me to lose weight, he told me about how many CFer's he had who were overweight. He was worried because of our increased risk of diabetes, and as his patient population ages (remember they have a ridiculous life expectancy at the Minnesota clinic), other issues that come with being overweight such as heart disease, aching joints, etc were issues.

Of course many CFer's who carry a few extra pounds can relate - it's INCREDIBLY hard to change eating habits after eating whatever/whenever for 20+ years. But like everything else, such as compliance with meds, compliance with exercise, etc. it can be done. And I know I'm much healthier for it.

I'm sure CFer's who want to gain weight want to smack those of us who carry a few extra pounds... so my apologies for that <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> But there certainly are a range of issues we CFer's deal with as we age and are treated with great medicine...

saveferris2009 · Feb 24, 2009

Similarly to some other posters, I was always BONE THIN up until my very early 20's. Gaining weight was always an issue.
 
 I think what changed for me was taking PPI's (Protonix, Aciphex and Prilosec and different times) which made my enzymes work much better.
 
 I'm 5'3 and at my heaviest I was 126. Not horribly overweight, but a good 5-10lbs more than I needed. And I wasn't muscular - I was out of shape.
 
 I'm now 119-120 which is still maybe a pound or two more than I should be to be fit (but I'm much more toned now...)
 
 I know there's a lot of talk in the CF community that gaining weight helps PFT's.... well, it's a bell curve. At a certain point extra weight harms PFT's. You can blow out that air if you have that extra belly fat <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
 I remember when I visited Warwick I was about 123 and in addition to telling me to lose weight, he told me about how many CFer's he had who were overweight. He was worried because of our increased risk of diabetes, and as his patient population ages (remember they have a ridiculous life expectancy at the Minnesota clinic), other issues that come with being overweight such as heart disease, aching joints, etc were issues.
 
 Of course many CFer's who carry a few extra pounds can relate - it's INCREDIBLY hard to change eating habits after eating whatever/whenever for 20+ years. But like everything else, such as compliance with meds, compliance with exercise, etc. it can be done. And I know I'm much healthier for it.
 
 I'm sure CFer's who want to gain weight want to smack those of us who carry a few extra pounds... so my apologies for that <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> But there certainly are a range of issues we CFer's deal with as we age and are treated with great medicine...

MicheleGazelle · Feb 24, 2009