Exercise with health problems
I have moderate to severe COPD and depression and have gained a lot of pounds from my depression medication. I am limited as to what i can do because of my breathing. I have never hsd a weight problem and don't know how to diet and can't afford to buy into all the diets and gummys etc.. any ideas or things that have worked for you? Thank you!
I hope you’re doing OK in your journey with extra weight, COPD and depression. I just saw this post & realize I’m half a year late, but jut wanted to say I’m in the same boat. I can’t afford the diet foods, gummies, special workout equipment etc. I try to eat Whole Foods. If the price of carrots & other fresh fruit/veg goes too high, I eat frozen. I try to walk for exercise or play outside with our puppy (now 9 months old, husky-shepherd mix). I have severe equilibrium issues so just walking around the house is an adventure. I also have fibromyalgia, diabetes type 2, CKD and am on several meds that cause weight gain. Ugh!! I try to do my best by preparing & eating food my husband buys at the grocery store—I make it there about once every month or two. I tell him what to buy. We have a good fresh fruit and vegetable store & deli very close by. The prices there are the best, even though they are expensive! (All food has become expensive, so their prices are actually really good.) Like jennieboonie246, I would much rather sit & knit/crochet, read, weave.
I mean whole foods, not the grocery store Whole Foods. 
How awesome that you have such a great store nearby. Accessibility to whole foods can make a big difference. As hard as it is to lose weight without supplements, meds and special equipment, chances are good that you will be more successful in sustaining your weight loss with your approach. Have you been able to lose much weight? Do you have your blood sugar under control? Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)
I took didn't have the foggiest idea how to lose weight. I had always been thin until I was put on a medication for my migraines, and I was a nurse!!
I researched & read, & read & researched and still don't have a good idea of how to lose weight. I'm trying to eat healthier, more fruits and veggies, less of the not good for you foods. I usually have one or two days a week that are my "eat whatever you want to" days. I also, inadvertently, am doing intermittent fasting. Mainly because I forget to eat breakfast until 10 or later. My biggest problem is moving. I can safely say that I would rather sit in a chair and read, crochet, quilt than get up to exercise.
, It has been so lovely to hear from you on different topics. I do believe that the amount of information that is out there can be somewhat overwhelming and I find that making too many changes at once derails me every time. Its taken me years to learn this.
Making changes one at a time and making them part of the way I do life has so far been the best way for me to move forward. That is how it feels now anyway.
Sometimes finding a way to work out that includes something you enjoy can be helpful then a person does not feel that it is such a chore. Going for a walk with a friend or loved on, or going swimming. Is there something like that , that you enjoy which you could maybe incorporate without it feeling too much for you.
Thank you for being part of our community.
Warmly,
Clair ( Team Member)
While we wait for others to chime in, I wanted to reply and say that I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you're facing. COPD and depression can be complicated to manage, and the weight gain from medication can compound the situation. It's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed, especially when dealing with limitations in physical activity due to breathing difficulties. Unfortunately, we're not medical professionals and cannot give medical advice, but I can offer some general suggestions that will hopefully be helpful. I would first reach out to your doctor to share your concerns about the side effect of weight gain from your meds and if there is anything they can do there to help that.
In terms of nutrition, I would definitely speak to your doctor about making any changes. To get you started, we have a few articles that describe the basics of nutrition, kind of like a Nutrition 101.
This article talks about what a nutrient is, what a balanced diet should look like, among other things. https://obesity.net/nutrition
I like this article, How to Build Your Plate - https://obesity.net/healthy-plate , a lot because it's all about understanding the building blocks of food. I also like this because it gives you the info you need to work within your own budget to make a healthy plate.
I really hope this information helps and I'm really glad that you found us here. I'm looking forward to seeing you around in the community Rhea. 💙 Kayleigh, Obesity.net Team Member
