It’s really frustrating, to me, that I can’t seem to lose any weight. I’m eating between 800-1200 calories a day, mostly low carb, high fat/protein plenty of veggies, trying to drink enough water, supplementing vitamins, minerals and herbs for immunity as well as for adrenal support, and general “filling in the gaps” where food may not be sufficient. I’m not exercising because of knee and back pain and concerns of exacerbating those issues. So I’m hovering around within the same 10 lbs as ever (of late) … so annoying.
I have been contemplating, as so little is known about Lipedema other than “it’s incurable” and “it only gets worse” and “you can’t lose it” but I seem to be otherwise healthy — in fact (despite structural issues, allergies, Lipedema and lacking a thyroid) I am in many ways healthier than most people I know. I stay well. I rarely need to see a doctor – and have only gone because they won’t refill my thyroid meds without me coming in for a visit (which is irritating, as I think a phone call and a blood test should suffice, but that’s not the point I’m trying to make) Viral and bacterial infections, colds and flu’s seem to be kept at bay. I have been completely free of them for well over a decade since eating organic and more targeted supplementing.
Lipedema is not obesity, although someone with Lipedema (especially in more advanced stages) will appear to be obese. It is not caused by overeating or not exercising enough – and exercise and diet will not make it go away. Lipedema fat is NOT actually a part of the regular fat that makes up obesity which is known to create so many comorbid health issues.
I DO know that I do have regular fat to get rid of, but I can also tell that my Lipedema is spreading, as the familiar painful fat and lumpy nodules are now in my arms as well as my legs. I am always considered “morbidly obese”, but while I know I have excess regular fat I could lose, I wonder – is Lipedema fat heavier? Or lighter? The same weight? Would I be considered obese without the Lipedema fat? Or if I lose all the regular fat I can, would my Lipedema fat still make me rank as obese — and SHOULD it?
Lipedema fat is so different from regular fat. It doesn’t sit in the body the same way as regular fat does. If you do an image search of “Lipedema Fat vs Regular fat” you will see how regular/normal fat is all in a big hunk together, whereas Lipedema fat is more like blobs and globs and nodules of fat, strung together and completely tangled up in the lymphatics system, nerves and veins, capillaries etc. within the layers of muscle beneath the skin. (No wonder it’s painful and super sensitive to the slightest pressure!?!)
Here are a few photos I have found that help show the differences (these are not my photos but they are found in numerous places so I don’t know who the original credit belongs to)
This Lipedema fat that I cannot move does not mean I’m obese. I’m not not using it as an excuse to whine and say “it’s not my fault”. It’s the truth. People just don’t understand that. They assume otherwise, and are super quick to judge.
Maintaining a healthy diet and moving your body is never a bad thing, but it won’t necessarily make me much thinner than I already am. (And I’m NOT thin!)
I wonder if there is a way to know or actually differentiate how much of my weight is regular fat vs Lipedema fat, how much I can lose safely, and when it’s okay to say “I’m as healthy as I can be just the way that I am at the weight where I am” … especially taking into consideration how capably my immune system is resisting illness and infection.
Maybe I should be looking at things in that perspective more, and just concentrating on toning up the body I have, instead of being so desperate to melt off a fat that won’t burn. Maybe (beyond just being actively conscious and mindful of it) so much focus on diet and exercise trying to lose weight will do more harm than good for me when it’s already a known fact that it won’t take away the Lipedema Fat anyway, and
Lipedema is not Obesity.
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