Migraine Weight Gain
Side Effect of Migraines: Weight Gain
Weight gain when you don’t feel well 80% of the time is practically inevitable. It seems like for many of us, food is the last source of comfort when we are in pain. Unfortunately, this comfort can lead to significant weight gain, especially when combined with prescription drugs which may also cause weight gain.
So what is one to do?
I struggled for at least three years trying to lose an extra 30-40lbs. I kept thinking I needed to exercise more. What I didn’t realize was that I was simply eating too much. That was a pretty difficult conclusion to come to as food and cooking is such a joy in my life.
The Diet Option
I was able to lose and keep off close to 15lbs using Leigh Peele’s Fat Loss Troubleshoot. The Fat Loss Troubleshoot was marketed for people within the fitness community who simply could not lose weight no matter what (and as such, spoke to specific issues of fitness competitors.) That felt like me. Minus the fitness competitor part. The approach of the this diet is to tell you exactly how many calories you need to eat per day in order to lose weight. The Fat Loss Troubleshoot also explains a few little known ways you will fool yourself into thinking you are eating less than you are – preventing weight loss. For me, this plan worked and it was the key. Unfortunately, the Fat Loss Troubleshoot is going away at some point in the near future to be replaced by the Body by Eats program – which is launching at the end of October. Body by Eats is a little different in that the program focuses more on what to eat and less on what not to eat. The program is also significantly less expensive and comes with numerous cookbooks. I think in general this program would be good for anybody who does not have to stick to an extremely restricted diet. Body by Eats does retain some of its fitness community roots – so don’t be put off by specific parts of the program which seem like they may not relate to you, such as a “bulking” diet for body builders. Most of this specialty stuff is not the bulk of the book.
The Exercise Option
I simply do not have the time to train at a gym. I also do not have the money or space for a super expensive home gym. Any exercise I do at home must be quick and nearly equipment free (except for some exercise bands and free weights.) The exercises must also be simple and not too challenging for someone who is somewhat prone to injury. 
Better yet, I am looking for a routine to provide some cardiovascular exercise when the weather is too poor to exercise outside (we get 6 months of solid rain sometimes.)
Right now this is the routine I am following:
Currently, I cannot continue on to the third circuit. Two is max for me. This takes around or slightly less than 20 minutes depending on how often I have to stop to catch my breath.
Here is the routine:
- 60 jumping jacks
- 10-15 spiderman (or regular) pushups
- 10-15 lunges (each leg)
- 20 spiderman climbs
- 45 second wall squat
- 60 second plank hold (do best you can)
- 5 burpees
- 25 running high knees
There are of course lots of other posted routines so you can find a workout to suit your preferences. You can find more information about Turbulence Training here.
Conclusion
The sense of accomplishment (and control over my body) that I achieved through these methods did a lot to repair the damage of years of pain and suffering. If you are in a similar place and the time is right, I really encourage you to see what you can do.
