I need help

I had surgery on Feb 10, 2004 and last year I started having alot of feet problems. Until that time I exercised and walked all the time. Very much kept my weight under control and was 14 pounds under my idea weight that my doctor set. I have had surgery on both of my feet. First my right foot in July of last year, then surgery on my left foot in November, at that surgery I feel and messed up the surgery and had to have it done again in December. I had broken some bones in there that they couldn't put back together. So to say the least I am not able to do what I was doing before and have since put on 22 pounds. I have also had a problem of feeling hungry all the time and I don't know if it is not being able to get up and exercise like I used to or what, but I don't know what to do to stop it. I do get up and walk some but it doesn't take much to make my feet start hurting and I can't speed walk to get it to make a difference in dropping weight. I take my vitamins and try to get my protein in for the most part. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Sharon, What a time you have gone thru. Hope your feet feel better soon. I have a couple of suggestions: 1. Chair Dancing. These are exercises that can be done sitting down. Have no weight baring on the weight. You'll be amazed at the workout you get. http://www.chairdancing.com/ When I was a member of Kaiser, they sold this type of video in their members dept. You may also be able to get it thru amazon.com. Richard Simmons also did one called "Sit Tight" I believe. 2. Swimming. Do you have access to a pool? Water walking is great. I could barely walk on land, but sure could walk in the pool. Even if you don't walk in the pool, even movement in the water is great because of the resistance. If you are able to swim laps, go for it. Even now when I use our pool I jog in place or tread water .... good workout. 3. Exercise Bike. You might try riding an exercise bike. I had great success with it even with arthritis in my hips and knees. 4. Walking. If you decide to do any walking, be sure to wear good supportive shoes. My podiatrist always recommended jogging shoes rather than walking shoes and to buy a good brand name, not the cheapest pair I could find. The jogging shoes are at the right angle and have more support, better for the feet for sure. If you are eating a lot of carbs, they can definitely increase hunger. Try cutting back to NO carbs (no rice, no bread, no potatoes, no cereal) for 1 to 2 weeks. Then only do carbs from fruit, veggies and see what a difference it can make. I had to lose 50 lbs before surgery and I was amazed that for the first time I was not hungry. Please feel free too to join our Friday Check In Thread for commitment. We are all trying to get back on track and stay there, even lose some in the process for many of us. Wishing you the best. Mary

Mary, Thanks for your reply. I will try going to the link that you gave me. I have walking shoes that I wear that my podiatrist told me to get, so I do have good shoes. I also have arthritis in my knees and some in my back and hips. I would love to join the Friday Check In Thread, thanks for inviting me. I'm really going to start working on this to get myself back to where I was before. Thanks for your input. Sharon

Sharon, Glad you will be joining us on the Friday check in. Just a reminder, you can update any day of the week on the thread ... it doesn't have to be Friday. I just chose Friday as that is the day I normally log my weigh in. I have arthritis in my hips and knees too. Can't believe how much better I feel now that I have lost so much weight and am exercising on a regular basis. The pool really helped especially when my hips/knees are bad. I do some workouts too in the jacuzzi during the winter time because of the warm water. Our outdoor pool would be way to expensive to heat during the winter. Mary

You certainly have been through a lot in the last two years, Sharon. I can't imagine how awful it must feel to have feet that hurt, especially when you want to exercise! Hope you heal and feel better soon~ Mary gave you some excellent advice and I don't have anything to add. Just want you to know you're not alone where hunger is concerned. I had surgery one day after you and started feeling hunger pangs probably a year after surgery. That is when old habits can really rear their ugly heads!! I have to struggle with it daily. Cutting out most carbs have helped. I don't think your exercise routine changing would have much to do with your hunger returning, but I'm no expert. I just know that I get hungry now whether or not I'm exercising. Please join our Friday thread.... it really helps and we'd love to have you! Wanda

Wanda, Thanks for your response, I am trying very hard to cut back on the carbs and have started drinking protein drinks to make sure that I get in the protein that I need everyday. I'll try to remember to go to the Friday thread. I think that if I can talk through this to some people when I'm having a hard time that it will help alot. Nice talking to you. Hope to be talking to you soon. Sharon