I’ve learned the hard way that weight loss isn’t easy especially when you’re limited in your ability to exercise due to chronic illnesses. Although I’ve cut down on my calorie intake and walked, not being able to exercise on a constant basis makes it even more difficult to lose those extra pounds and inches.

A weight loss plan includes burning more calories than you consume and and some type of  physical activity in your daily routine. A good friend of mine who has Fibromyalgia, has been successful in losing weight. First, she saw her doctor to talk about her goals and got a check up. Next she included her rheumatologist in her effort. He was able to provide information on the kind of exercise that would be beneficial to her, especially physical activity that wouldn’t cause more pain.

Image by o5com via Flickr

Her exercise routine began with yoga and stretching. She learned to listen to her body. If she felt pain, she slowed down, massaged the area or stopped if need be. Next came walking. Being outdoors helped her to feel more positive. She saw people and said hello to them. Soon they became walking buddies.

Shortly after her walking increased, she joined a gym that her rheumatologist recommended. The trainers were familiar with Fibromayalgia and exercises that helped lessen pain and help with weight loss. Soon, she was doing more cardiovascular exercises. She alternated days with water aerobics.

She chose to follow common sense with her diet. She read about calories, fat, sodium and decided to eat more fruits and vegetables along with more fish and poultry. She included protein supplements to improve her metabolism and help regulate her appetite. As she changed her diet, she found it more appealing, finding different fruits she had never eaten before. Instead of potato chips, she ate carrot sticks with a small amount of low fat salad dressing. It seemed as if her taste buds were changing!

Within one month, my friend lost 10 pounds. She does not look at this as a diet or exercise program, but as a lifestyle change. She’s an inspiration to many!

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

The National Women’s Checkup Day webcast will be held Monday, May 9th, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. PST / 7:00 p.m. EST on Ustream. Hosted by Monistat, Beverly Hills OB/GYN Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz will answer common women’s health questions and will also discuss the recent results from a Monistat survey.

If you have a question that you’re too embarrassed to ask your gynecologist, here’s your chance! Just send an email to nwhw@hunterpr.com and Dr. Gilberg-Lenz just may answer it during the live webcast on National Women’s Checkup Day. You’re not alone if you’re not asking. According to Monistat’s survey, “32 percent of women are not proactively asking their gynecologist a single question about their health.”

The ninth annual National Women’s Checkup Day is the same day as the webcast, during National Women’s Health Week. This day is dedicated to promoting women to get regular checkups for the early detection of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health illnesses, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other conditions.

When you receive a screening test, such as a mammogram and Pap test, diseases are found early, when they are easier to treat.  Tests and checkups can also lower the risk of health conditions. So tune into the National Women’s Checkup Day webcast hosted by Monistat  (you can click on Join Crowd to get an email reminder) and take the pledge to schedule a checkup and get important screenings, learn what screenings and immunizations I need and when, and schedule at least one health screening during May 2011.