Anyone here lose weight successfully after starting CPAP?

[ellen1159]

I'm hoping that as I start using my machine, my improved sleep quality will help me end this cycle of overeating and not exercising due to fatigue.

Have any of you who started CPAP therapy fat and sedentary been able to turn things around? Did it take a long time? And were you able to make permanent changes in your health?

[quietmorning]

I've lost twelve pounds so far, but let me tell you, it has NOT been easy. Hard hard hard work. I work out between 5 and 7 times a week - for at least 35 minutes of aerobic activity. And I keep very strict on the amount of calories I need to eat.

This weight is belly fat, and it seems that it is super hard to get off. My machine is finally adjusted correctly, so I'm hoping it will begin to come off a little faster.

[ChrisD]

The first year I was on the machine I lost 0 pounds. I actually gained weight. It wasn't until I started eating right, gave up fast foods, gave up junk foods, gave up soda, and started exercising that I began to lose weight.

xPAP alone isn't going make you lose weight. Wouldn't it be great if it did? "Sleep your way to a thinner you".

Hopefully the xPAP will give you the energy you need to focus on other things like weight loss.

Good Luck,
Chris

[RandyJ]

I took almost a year after starting cpap to make drastic changes in my diet under a doctor's supervision, going dairy- and gluten-free and following a strict diet and exercise regimen with a trainer 3 times a week. I've lost 60 pounds so far.

Cpap gave me back some energy, but at least for me the dietary changes made me feel 100 lbs lighter before I even lost a pound. Strange how stressing out your system with food it doesn't like can make you feel bad and heavy all the time, like you're dragging around an anchor. Finding out I had low vitamin D and bringing it up to normal levels also helped. And when you feel better, exercise doesn't seem like such torture.

I needed a doctor's and nutritionist's support, with frequent weight checks, to stay on the path.

Good luck, I hope you find what works for you.

[Todzo]

I'm hoping that as I start using my machine, my improved sleep quality will help me end this cycle of overeating and not exercising due to fatigue.

I have never lost weight when my CPAP therapy was not working well. I believe that looking at your nightly CPAP data and responding to any obstructive or breathing stability issues found is necessary for weight (appetite) control

Have any of you who started CPAP therapy fat and sedentary been able to turn things around?

Over about the past two years I am down 30 pounds. I have learned to walk regularly and am currently running about 120% of my 10,000 steps a day goal. I am working out for upper body strength. I hope to find a good sport this summer or fall. I am looking forward to the 25 or so mile rides on my bicycle to a nearby city. I am in the process of making shopping lists that work to keep the best fuel on hand for my body.

Did it take a long time?

Absolutely! It should! It must!

I have been in pursuit of my 10,000 steps a day for five years.
I have worked for thee years with a dietitian and wish I still had access.
I have found work with a personal trainer helpful. Knowledge is essential and the social pressure is helpful.

It is kind of like an ion drive. You do not move forward very fast (like zero to sixty in a day or two) but over time you gain the skills and endurance to go far rather than not so far in terms of food quality and active lifestyle choice.

And were you able to make permanent changes in your health?

I believe so. The weight control (healthy fuel and activity) and active lifestyle pursuit are ongoing and just getting better. I can walk much further much faster up the hills than I could a year ago – no stops! I replaced my belt (not a small enough notch) about four months ago and use the “next notch in” about half of the time. I weigh now what I did 15 years ago and hope to break the obesity barrier (If I have not already) within a month.

It seems to be more about motivation than any other thing. Gadgets help (pedometers, heart rate monitors, pulse oximeters, GPS tracking devices, odometers) to motivate me and spending money seems to set choices. So I spend the money on the gadgets, devices, personal trainers, books, etc … to help motivate me to make a few better choices at a time. Over time you find yourself longing for good food, wanting to get out there and exercise, simply glad to make the good choices. It tends to become self perpetuating.

Have a great decade!

Todzo

[caffeinatedcfo]

CPAP should help give you the energy to do more.

Start small and work your way up regarding exercise; a 1/2-hr daily walk after dinner is a great starting point. Be sure to create a well-balanced diet, with some small pleasure rewards weekly (i.e. a small ice creme cone on Saturday if you stick to the plan).

[pianokay]

I am currently working on losing weight and have lost 14 lbs in 7 weeks and am using WW online program. I am following it to the letter and realize that I didn't gain all my weight in a few weeks and realize it will take a reasonable time to get to my goal. Currently having a arthritic knee hurting so not walking to much, but trying to ride bicycle. My will power so far is great, I track everything I eat but I can eat anything as long as I plan for it. That said, I don't want to waste my points on things I don't really need, but an occasional treat is good. Most fruits and veggies are free on the program, so I've been eating much more of both than I had in the past. I had always said when I had a "health issue" I would work on my weight. Well, having to start CPAP was the wake up call for me. Now, I realize even if I loose all I want to (and I will) that is no guarantee that I won't continue to need CPAP, but at least I'll know I did everything I could and I'll feel better anyway. It really has not been that hard. I also made up my mind if CPAP was what I needed that even though I don't like it, I'll do it because I care about myself enough to do it, and it has gone pretty well. Best of luck to you.

[Jimster]

CPAP therapy has certainly helped me. I was tried all the time and didn't workout at all. I use to workout daily until I felt like I was always walking up hilld even when I was walking down them.

I started Sleeping Better about two weeks after I started with my CPAP therapy. It's been 3 months and I have lost 12 pounds. Whether I can keep that rate up I don't know but I am going to stay with the walking and watching what I eat from now on.

One thing that has nothing to do with CPAP that has help me keep my overweight front and center is that the gym that I go to now has a big mirror attached to a wall and you can't help but see yourself when walking in. Believe me if you saw me and how fat I am you certainly would be inspired to lose all your extra pounds you have on you. I always knew that I was carrying a few extra pounds, but I couldn't believe how much, even when I was standing there looking at myself.

Stay in there until you like what you see in every mirror.

Have a Great Day.

Jim

[patrick_a]

I took almost a year after starting cpap to make drastic changes in my diet under a doctor's supervision, going dairy- and gluten-free and following a strict diet and exercise regimen with a trainer 3 times a week.
...

Hey Randy,

Did you notice any effect on your AHI levels since training; I'm assuming weight lifting is part of the training.

I'm dying to get back into the gym, but a little concerned about my neck. It's pretty thick already and lifting only increased my neck muscles even though I never target[ed] that area.

[hawaiimom]

Having to go for sleep study in the first place caused me to get back on track with improved eating habits! Started about 2 weeks ago and have lost 7 pounds, feels much better to be off sugar, eating 4 small meals a day and drinking water. Exercise with friends at 5:15 am 3x per week already, will go back to something daily in the next week or so. Hoping sleep treatment will make it a bit easier!

[RandyJ]

Hey Randy,

Did you notice any effect on your AHI levels since training; I'm assuming weight lifting is part of the training.

I'm dying to get back into the gym, but a little concerned about my neck. It's pretty thick already and lifting only increased my neck muscles even though I never target[ed] that area.

Hi Patrick,

My AHI has always been between 0.0 and 0.5 most of the time. The only difference has been that my 95% pressure now is around 11.2 instead of 15 since losing some weight. But AHI has always been good. I used to use straight cpap at 14 or APAP at 14 to 20, now I'm using APAP 10.6 to 18, and rarely go above 13.

I haven't noticed my neck muscles getting any bigger, but have increased bicep quite a bit. I'm doing a pretty balanced weight training routine, though.

[patrick_a]

Those are great AHI numbers. Looks like you're on a nice trajectory. Thanks for the feedback.

To the OP: please accept my apology for jumping into your thread.

[ellen1159]

Great advice from everyone. Thanks so much for responding. Interestingly, my doc reccently told me I'm low on Vit. D also. I bought a supplement but I have not been taking it lately, I think I will start again tomorrow. I dont' know if I'm dairy or gluten sensitive, this might be the time to find out. I'm bringing my sneaker to work tomorrow to walk during lunch. I can do 10 minutes before my back starts to seize up (I carry my weight in my stomach, like I'm carrying septuplets). The shock of having the mask on my face and feeling like I'm suffocating is motivating me to want to make lifestyle changes now.

[RandyJ]

Ellen,

You should find out your vitamin D number and retest every 3 months until you get it up. My dr likes 60 to 80 as a normal range. If you are really low, dr needs to have you on a sufficient daily dosage to get it up. For example, if you are at 15 you can't take just 1000 IU a day or you'd be at it for years. But a dr really needs to advise you on dosage and schedule the retests. It can make a BIG difference in how you feel.

Good luck.

[frustrated!]

I'm very frustrated of late - started CPAP 2 months ago, and was hoping to see some improvement in my weight loss efforts and my morning blood glucose #s. Not any to speak of so far.

Prior to beginning CPAP therapy, most days my whole body felt like it was made of lead. The exhaustion has abated a bit, but I'm still pretty tired. Last night I woke up several times as I was falling asleep with the same experience I used to have before CPAP - awoken suddenly with a gasp - heart pounding. I guess my airway must have closed even though I had on my mask - I had selected the ramp feature, so maybe the pressure wasn't high enough (I start on 4.0 cm and work up to 9.0 cm over a 45-min span) Checked my mask flow = everything was fine. I was on my side.

I had hoped to see a change in my weight loss efforts. So far not much, unfortunately. I am doing cardio and strength training, in addition to watching my caloric intake strictly - haven't seen results on the scale yet. FRUSTRATING! I'm trying to be positive, and remind myself that I am making healthy changes to my life, but I have a lot of weight to lose - haven't been able to lose it for a long time - was hoping that CPAP was the missing key.

My morning BGL is still slightly elevated - no change. I was thinking that my liver had been kicking out glucose due to the stress I was putting on my system by stopping breathing. When i went for my sleep study they clocked me as severe.

I'll keep putting one foot in front of the other... hopefully I'll see results sometime!