It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

[Slapshot]

The bad news:

Played hockey last night for the first time in 3 years. While I was cardiovascularly in good shape, my hip was not happy with the stopping, starting, and sharp turns. I am paying for it today. Sadly, after skating since I was two, I think I must hang my skates up. I promised myself that when I hit my goal weight, I will go to a physical/sports therapist and see if there's any way I can play again with this arthritic hip. Interestingly, the thing that bums me out today, as well, is hoping that I'll be OK enough to work out tomorrow (which doesn't bother my hip). Fingers crossed.

The good news:

NO LONGER OBESE! BMI = 29.98. That's 37 lbs down and halfway to my goal! Next stop: ONEDERLAND. Happy day!

[SunnySmile501]

Congratulations on getting past the "O" word!

Don't hang up the skates for good just yet. You've had great results, but you are still a short-timer as far as the healing aspects of the diet. Give it time and you will see miracles happen.

I never thought I would ever walk without assistive devices, much less walk a 6-mile hike in the mountains of Virginia, but I did it last fall. Atkins works wonders on so many arthritic and inflammatory conditions.

[EverLosing]

Hey Slap!! Keep in mind also, there are some foods that contribute to your pain. I've read somewhere around here about "inflammatory foods." I'm sure SunnySmile has a wealth of knowledge about those also. Seems like I remember eggplant being a no no for those who suffer from arthritis. I had a car accident at 20 yrs old while pregnant with what turned out to be a near 14 lb baby. The accident happened when I was 3 months pregnant. I suffered for 30 weeks while the injuries set up and worsened in my body. Then they went through all the usual non surgical (BS) tactics before they'd operate. JUST ENOUGH TIME to let osteoarthritis set up in my spine. I know where you're coming from. I remember sitting in church and hearing 2 old ladies sitting behind me complaining of all their Uncle Arthur pain. The conversation repeated itself every single Sunday morning. It was all I could do to never tell them, "You're in your 80's. You're supposed to have arthritis by now, amongst other complaints. Be grateful you didn't suffer in your 20's and then for the rest of your life. YOU probably at least had some GOOD years!!"

You've got a condition that will still improve. Give yourself several more months and detailed attention to your food choices and the type of training you're doing to conditon your body. There is still hope, Slap!!

Here's a link for some Saturday research!

inflammatory foods - Google Search

[EverLosing]

By the way, SlapShot, I should have mentioned....the daily pain I suffered from has pretty much left me. I might still have a day or two where I feel really stiff or am affected by the weather but for the most part, I'm soooooo much better than I was 5 months ago. You'll get there in time and learning what muscles to strengthen to support your hip will surely help you! Believe me on that, we've had 3 broken hips in the family, I should be a physical therapist by now. I'd google exercises for hip pain. The result will probably be floor exercises and be way too seemingly simple to you BUT they work!! Keep the skates out and dusted off!!

[Slapshot]

Thanks!

I agree with both of you that this diet can do wonders for inflammation. After induction, my hip pain was reduced by 80%. No more Naproxen. Sure, here and there, I could feel it, but it was less "chronic." That was certainly from my diet and not the 14 lbs or so I lost. So, I'm a true believer on the anti-inflammatory properties here.

However, I've seen my x-rays, and there's almost bone on bone. I hope that a longer WOE will help minimize the pain going forward. I'm going to get to 175 or so, then consult with a physical therapist.

Everlosing - thanks for the tips on the exercises. You're so right about strengthening the leg muscles to help the weak hip out. I'm going to read up on that this weekend and see what I can do. I'm always at home with my son playing on the floor, so I'm sure I can find a way to incorporate some stretches/exercises during that down time.

[SunnySmile501]

One thing you can start right away--you should take MSM every day. It helps all kinds of pain, but really helps arthritic pain. I have been taking 3 grams a day for several years. If I forget to buy it, then it takes about a week for the pain to start coming back.

Dr. Atkins talks about it on page 266 - 267 in the book.

What is MSM? Methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM) is a natural occurring sulfur compound found in the tissues and fluids of all plants, animals and humans. MSM sulfur and its related compounds make up 85% of the sulfur, a vital and essential substance found in all living organisms.

The five basic elements of our bodies are oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon and sulfur. Sulfur is found in many different forms in nature. MSM is a dietary form essential to our health and well-being. Sulfur is an important element of organic life, it performs a variety of key functions.

Important Sulfur Facts:

1) Needed to form crucial blood proteins

2) Provides the chemical links to form collagen in the body.

3) Forms collagen and keratin in the body, often called the beauty mineral, creates thick and lustrous hair, hard, healthy nails and clear skin.

4) Activates Vitamin C, thiamin, biotin and pantothenic acid.

5) Used by the liver to produce bile to aid in digestion.

6) Essential in controlling the pH (alkaline/acid) balance in our bodies.

7) An important component in insulin production, a significant factor in carbohydrate metabolism for diabetics and hypoglycemics.

For centuries sulphur has been considered a healing agent provided from hot springs around the world for aches, pains, arthritis, rheumatism and general poor health.

Next to oxygen, water, and salt, MSM is the fourth most needed element in human and animal nutrition. Sulfur is involved in nearly every metabolic process in the body, and is essential in the regeneration and nourishment of healthy cells.

In modern times it is used in many drugs as a bacterial infection fighter. Sulfur ointment and liniments are also used for their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Here is a list of just some of the ailments MSM has been known to help and improve:

MSM has been extremely effective in helping people with:

Degenerative arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Chronic back pain Chronic headache Muscle pain Fibromyalgia Tendonitis and bursitis Carpal Tunnel Syndrome TMJ Post-traumatic pain and inflammation Heartburn and GERD

[Slapshot]

Thanks Sunny - will pick up today. Regular drugstore or online for this? GNC?

Looking forward to adding it and seeing how it works for me.

[SunnySmile501]

Originally Posted by Slapshot

Thanks Sunny - will pick up today. Regular drugstore or online for this? GNC?

Looking forward to adding it and seeing how it works for me.

I used to get it online or from GNC, but now I just buy it at Wal-Mart--near the other stuff for bone/joint pain (Osteo Bi-Flex). I get 90 capsules of 1000mg (1 gram) for $8.95. I take three a day with meals. I used to pay about $15 from GNC. Don't waste your money on the ones with other stuff mixed in--straight MSM works the best.

It takes about three weeks to a month to see a noticeable difference. It's worth it, though.

[Slapshot]

Great- thanks Sunny. I'll hit WalMart tomorrow...!

[attagirl_]

hey, slapshot--let me add my voice to the congratulations! you're doing a great job and you're inspiration to the rest of us. and like the others said, don't hang up those skates yet--there's plenty of life still waiting for you.

i might suggest neptune krill oil (the highest source of omega-3's). it is said to improve joint pain considerably. i get mine from mercola.com, where you can read in-depth studies about it, but you can get it in other places too. just make sure it says "neptune." i used to have killer hip pain on the left side and i don't ever notice it anymore, unless i lapse with the krill oil.

best to you,
attagirl