Weight

yes i do mate it is probably dueto my inability tomove but yes i havetroubles loosing weight to

My inability to move unassisted has made it difficult for me to lose weight. I did however losefew pounds when I cut down on my starch and sugary food intake for a fewnweeks

Yes I think weight gain is a huge problem.  I have gained over 5 kilos and can't seem to loose it no matter how much exercise I do. It seems the stroke has affected my body's metabolic rate. The weight gain has been mainly concentrated around the stomach where as in the past I had been completely flat. My diet is good and I am moving as much as possible, swimming and running on alternate days. I just don't get it. Prior to the stroke all I had to do to lose weight was just to skip dinner a couple of times.

Strangely, after having my stroke 18 months ago, I developed an obsession about cakes (never really liked them before my stroke, was more of a chocolate person)...I think about cakes all the time and until now, have given in to my obsession, which meant an 8 kg weight gain.

I understand that I can retrain my brain to get rid of this obsession (as I retrained it to walk and talk)  and so am now very focused on what I eat.....trying to cut out bad carbs, ie, white flour, white rice, more cruciferous veggies, less potatoes and only in season fruit....and no cakes!!...

The weight loss is slow but am feeling better about what I eat, and the more I practice good eating, the better it becomes.

Medication can cause weight gain - Esp if you are placed on depression or anxiety meds. Yes, you can be fit, eat a healthy diet and do adequate exercise yet still gain weight if on these meds. They are important in managing you condition so have you health more widely reviewed. Eg. VO2 Max (oxygen intake when exercising)? are your carotid arteries clear of cholesterol? Manage blood cholesterol. Bone density and muscle mass? 

Hi Scott,

There have been some great comments from the Enableme community; here's a little more 'food for thought'...

Weight gain after stroke is usually caused by either changes in eating or activity behaviours or social isolation. Medication can also have an effect on your weight.

We know that physical activity can help us maintain a healthy weight in a number of different ways: it burns energy from food, it wards of depression and stress, and it helps us build muscle mass. It's quite common to lose muscle mass after a stroke. Loss of muscle mass can cause your basal metabolic rate (BMR) to slow down, meaning that your body is less effective at burning calories (energy from food).

Building up muscle mass through strength based training may be one way in which weight gain can be address. Consider a referral to a physiotherapist for an appropriate exercise plan and remember to consult your GP before starting any new exercise

The other important part of the puzzle is food! Both the quantity and quality of food that you eat are important when it comes to weight loss. As Lyn mentioned, creating healthy eating habits can take a lot of work. An Accredited Practising Dietitian can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk of having another stroke. To find one visit www.daa.asn.au or call 1800 812 942.

Some basic healthy eating advice:

- eat plenty of fruit and vegetables

- drink lots of water (8-10 cups per day unless on a fluid restriction)

- choose wholegrain breads, cereals, and pasta (lots of fiber and they'll keep you full)

- avoid processed food and added sugar (sugar can be hidden in foods like processed cereals, and flavored yoghurt so check the label and compare products)

- watch your salt intake (choose 'no added salt' or 'reduced salt' products)

- create healthy eating habits like always eating at the table with family, using a smaller dinner plate, eating slowly and chewing your food well (these little things can make a big difference)

Remember to consult your GP before making any major dietary or exercises changes.

Don't hesitate to call StrokeLine if you'd like to discuss things further. Our number is 1800 787 653

Best wishes,

Alana

Speech Pathologist and Nutritionist for StrokeLine