Dieting to be in better shape, not to have a perfect shape

One of the first things that tends to happen when you stop being physically active is you gain weight.

It’s not automatic for everyone, but I know many curvy beauties will relate to this. There are some bodies that seem obsessed about storing fat, as if it would help them survive the end of the world. I sometimes feel like our bodies don’t know that being functional is more important than holding on to extra fat, especially if there is ever a zombie attack.

As soon as I learned about my myasthenia gravis (MG) diagnosis, I started to be more mindful about my activity levels and tried to rest as often as possible. Somehow, that turned into me becoming a lazy procrastinator who avoided cooking. Thank God I still live with my parents, because my mom cooks healthy meals every day for the whole family, but I tend to make unhealthier choices when I’m out and about or home alone.

It turns out that loving vegetables and having a “healthy mindset” won’t save you from gaining weight. I weighed 67 kilograms (148 pounds) at the time of my diagnosis. Today, I’m 95 kg (209 lbs) and, at one point, I even reached 105 kg (231 lbs). Trust me, discovering that number was devastating.

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I’ve tried many diets and other approaches to lose weight, and I thought it might be helpful to share two that work for me, in case you are going through the same struggle. Keep in mind that what worked for me may not work for others, and always consult your medical team before trying new diets and other strategies.

The first one was a very restrictive anti-inflammatory diet that focused on cutting sugar, gluten, and dairy. It worked like magic, and I lost 12 kg (26 lbs) in five months. I felt lighter, more energized, and my MG seemed calmer. I had no flare-ups during that period, but whether that was luck or the diet, I cannot say for sure.

That diet was not sustainable for my lifestyle or my environment, though. Living in Algeria means gluten-free options are limited, and sugar-free products are almost nonexistent. I had to cook everything from scratch and, while I was very motivated at the beginning, life happened. I lost my grandfather, and then all my energy for positive change. My nutritionist didn’t really acknowledge the emotional aspect of eating, and I never found the mental or physical strength to go back to baking my own bread. For us Algerians, bread is almost nonnegotiable at every meal.

For the past three weeks, I’ve been following a calorie-deficient diet. It has helped me go from 105 kg to 95 kg. It doesn’t restrict me too much; I just focus on eating more protein, reducing carbohydrates, and staying within my calorie range, with the supervision of a nutritionist, of course.

I still eat bread and a lot of eggs and chicken breasts, and I even found a small trick to make that easier. To avoid getting tired of chewing meat, I buy ground chicken breast so that MG doesn’t get between me and my protein intake.

I’m not dieting because of aesthetics. I feel comfortable in my body, curves and all. But I don’t want to add another obstacle to my freedom of movement, and I haven’t been able to tell lately if my shortness of breath is due to MG or because of my weight.

I know I’ll never be perfectly healthy, but I still owe it to myself to stay in the best shape possible. It’s not perfect, just better — always a little better.

Note: Myasthenia Gravis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Myasthenia Gravis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to myasthenia gravis.