Living with Multiple Sclerosis - Body Image

[NikiBoBicki]

So true Lauren. MS is only a small part of your health. You can be EXTREMELY healthy and have a condition such as MS. chuchara02 should probably roll back the condescending tone. Some people with conditions such as MS take it as a reason to get in the best shape of their life, and a lot of us can run circles around the average North American. You ARE healthy Lauren. You are just a healthy tough lady who happens to have MS. There is a lot more to health than ONE condition.

[sigoak71]

Just got diagnosed with primary progressive MS. I have gotten bigger and it is not depression. This is due to the fact that I can't go jogging anymore. Right now I would like to thank you and if you have any more tips on being able exercise it would appreciated. You seem to be as beautiful on the outside as you are inside. Again thank you for taking the time to post the videos.

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you so much for writing, and thank you for that compliment! You are so sweet! The SAME thing happened to me! I couldn't jog anymore and I gained weight. Then I got depressed so I didn't eat well. I recommend finding an activity that is condusive to your capabilities. For instance, I'm able to go on the elliptical and I eat healthy and that keeps me at a good weight. But I listen to my body, so if I'm tired I take a day or two off. I wish you the very best!

[evealexsis]

I think your video is soooo true!! Thanks for posting!!

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

[2BinCali]

This video has been very helpful. I have has my ups an downs with weight.

And I am Italian on my dad's side of the family, so I know how important food is.

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you SO MUCh for writing this to me! Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one that has these issues. I hope you're doing well!

[2BinCali]

Thank you!!!! You are so amazing . And I do mean it when I say you are an amazing person.

And I so agree on body image. I am more on the short side so every pound shows.

It took me many years to finally accept me for me. So I am short and not a size two. As long as I am healthy and my doctor says my weight is "normal". I am fine!!!!!!!!!!

[laurenvparrott]

You are so sweet!! I'm starting to accept me for me as well. I'll never be a size 2 and that's ok! As long as I'm healthy and I exercise, that's the best I can do!

[chuchara02]

But sweetie, you are NOT healthy unfortunately. What do you mean when you say you are "healthy"..??

[laurenvparrott]

I mean that I eat healthy food, I drink lots of water and I exercise every day. I don't drink or smoke. MS is a neurological disorder, but you can still be healthy.

[isa2222]

Body image is such an issue for most women so we are not alone as MS patients!

Real beauty comes from within and if you make choices that make you feel happy it will show on your face as a happy person , healthy and fulfilled!

With a diet of fresh fruit and vegetables low fat meats and good ish ,extra supplements if you need , you can't go wrong ! well done Lauren you are trying hard !

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you for writing this! I couldn't agree more!

[roxy782]

I loved the video! Hey we have another thing in common I'm 5'8 too :), but am still in High School so I know what you went through...

Thank you so much Roxana :)

[laurenvparrott]

Thanks Roxana! Awesome that you're 5'8" - I love being on the taller side. I hope you're doing well in high school!

[sillygoose61]

Lauren, I also wanted to say that my father is living in Sicily, and that I will be visiting him this summer for a month. I'm traveling with my MS drugs, including my Copaxone  Have you traveled to Italy or made any long trips since your MS diagnosis? If so, do you have any pointers in traveling with MS? I'm sorry this is unrelated, but you mentioned that your Italian, and for some reason it sparked these questions. Ciao! Deb

[laurenvparrott]

I can't believe you asked this because I'm actually going to Italy for the FIRST time in a few weeks! I've only been to Canada and Mexico, but I have done a lot of traveling around the US. My best suggestion is to get as much sleep as possible. I know it's hard sometimes, but I know that definitely helps me when I travel. I hope you have a wonderful time in Sicily with your father!

[sillygoose61]

Lauren, I so love your videos! I can relate to everything you've said. When I was feeling bad because of my MS, I packed on pounds--mostly because I couldn't move and walk around. Now that I'm on a DMD and have great medicines like Provigil, I've started exercising and have lost 30 pounds! Not being able to move, caused depression and craving for carbs (for the energy boost). Anyway, I just want to say that you are a lovely person, and your videos help me (and I know others) very much. Deb

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you so much Deb! That's very sweet of you to say. I'm so glad you're doing better and you've lost 30 lbs!

[notapplicable66]

Exercise helps MS because not only is it good for you to exercise but it increases endorphin levels which is good for any type of illness. Going off topic here. Are you a brunette dying your your hair blond? I ask because I think you would look even more gorgeous as a brunette, (if you are a natural brunette of course.) Though I have a fetish for brunettes so there goes my unbiased opinion. ;P lol

[laurenvparrott]

Right, that's why I make sure to exercise every day. My natural hair color is dirty blonde - when I was younger my hair was soooo blonde! It has darkened a little bit so I do hi-lite my hair, but I've always been blonde.

[medad1]

PS; sorry for mistakes in writing

I love apples with meals

Thanks

Mody :)

[laurenvparrott]

Hahaha, oh I see - but I absolutely love apples...they are my favorite! I eat fruits and vegetables every day, but I have to have sweets too...not much, just a little :)

[medad1]

I'm so thin because of MS although I LOVE sweets so muchbut I can't resist at all I always think "how can I detoxify my body after Tysabri course?!!!"

Lauren: you look so great :)

Regards

Mody :)

[laurenvparrott]

I can't resist either! Thank you Mody!!

[priscared]

Good Video Lauren!

Keep well! Stay Positive!

Indeed you do need to enjoy food, especially when so much else gets taken away. Moderation of course is the key. I famous saying "Live each day as if it were you're last, for one day, you are sure to be right"

Take care

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you so much! That is a great quote - I couldn't agree more!

I hope you are well!

Lauren

[AndrewRoche]

Thanks for all the videos

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you for writing!

[Alexknobsob]

Tried the lot, but the constant is the MS. I may be still around because I've been so curious, but so is the MS.

I AM ms, it waxes and wanes with me, but we are in fact one.

[laurenvparrott]

I try not to let MS get the best of me...I get my MS.

[Alexknobsob]

Good for you, I did my usual 500 meters on the eliptical today. When I was younger I used to do more. Always an honour to talk with you. Questi fiori belissima!

[laurenvparrott]

I'm so glad you did your 500 meters - that's great!

[skaterboy8896]

Speaking of diet, i was recently told my new prescription was to eat more dairy and 20 minutes a day in the sun without sunscreen. Strange thing is that when I'm really fatigued the 20 minutes in the sun kinda peps me up in so many ways. I also take a multivitamin and flax seed oil as well.

Keep up the awesome work, i really liked this video even though my issue is actually trying to gain weight...i dont know whci is harder...trying to loose it or trying to keep it,lol.

(((HUGS)))

God Bless

[laurenvparrott]

Hey! I hope eating dairy and spending a little time in the sun helps you. When my brother and boyfriend were your age, they also had trouble gaining weight so I can understand...just wait until you're 25 like me. It will be MUCH easier! I wish you the best!

[mohammedaljobeh]

hay there , i am mo from Jordan in the mid east and i have been following some of your videos and i just want to congrats you for your progress hoping it works for me as well !

[laurenvparrott]

Wow thank you for writing from Jordan! I wish you the very best!

[wildweaselxp]

Hi Lauren,

is always a pleasure to see you!

IMHO any type of diet provokes stress to the organism and with the MS it is not very advisable.

In my experience the greatest part of the women feel him fat but it is not. Definitely you are not fat.

Remember:

"noi siamo quello che mangiamo" - "we are what we eat"

Ciao

Ricky

[laurenvparrott]

Grazie Ricky! Molti baci! Ciao :)

[laurenvparrott]

Aww, thank you so much! My family always tells me that - I really appreciate it. Thanks agaIn!

[notapplicable66]

By the way you are far from fat!!! You need a kick in the butt for thinking that. :)

[notapplicable66]

The amino acid L-Arginine which is in a lot of food actually causes inflammation. The amino acid L-Lysine actually counters this. Isn't interesting that L-Lysine is one of four amino acids in the MS drug Copaxone. The MS diet actually avoids food that contains lots of L-Arginine.

[laurenvparrott]

Wow, thank you for telling me that.

[MightyStrongMommy]

Hey Lauren, I think you look great. You are right about it being difficult to maintain a fit body with MS. I tried a gym membership and I couldn't workout without getting extremely fatigued. Cleanig my house is even like a full workout, so that is about as much fit time as I get lol. BTW, your blogs always cheer me up. Thank you.

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you so much! I totally relate - cleaning the house is like a workout. I really appreciate what you said!!

[fiddleyfingers]

lauren, another 5 stars. love your videos.And you always look so lovely!!

hope all is going well for you.

take care

god bless

lou x

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you Lou! I hope you are doing well! God Bless!

[jermeal385]

good advice you not fat i need more excercising

[laurenvparrott]

Oh thank you :)

[tazscott14]

Hi Lauren, Your video sounds so familiar to what I write about in my book. I wish that I can give you some copies to share- I have extras. Just remember, you are beautiful and to take care of yourself. Bill

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Bill! That's cool that you've written about this in your book as well. I'd love to have a copy. You are so kind - thank you very much!

[medad1]

Hi Lauren ...

My hematologist told me that all MS patients could have such a toxic elements in body ... :( ...!!!

the real problem is that I can't eliminate of it forever because of the missing gene as my doctor said!!! .....I don't know if I could after Tysabri

bye :)

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Mody! Now I get it - I had never heard of that before. I'm sorry you have a missing gene in your liver - I wish you the very best!!

[teafourtao]

Isn't self-image strange?? You look like a super model, yet view yourself otherwise...

[laurenvparrott]

Wow...that is such an unbelievably sweet comment! Thank you!

[medad1]

Hi Dear Lauren :)

I'm 61 kg now & 172cm tall before I had this disease I was 104kg!!!

My real problem is that I have some heavy metal toxic elements in my body such as " lead, mercury and nickel" and my hematologist gave me some drugs" natural drugs" several times to get red if them but afterwards every thing gets back to the 1st point !!!

My hematologist told me that one gene is missing in my liver which helps my body to eliminate these elements.

Regards

Mody :)

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Mody! Wow - what a change. I've never heard of anything like that before...with having heavy metal toxic elements in the body. I'm glad that your body is eliminating the elements. I hope you're doing well!

[trapp2au]

Hi Lauren,

Obviously everyone can be so different. Christine has now lost 50 kg since being diagnosed with MS 16months ago. She has not tried to loose the weight. She does not ever feel hungry. It is like the signal from the brain does not get through to say she is hungry. She has struggled with her weight since she was quite young. Now we have to constantly remind her that she needs to eat. She loves the new person in the mirror but at what will be the final cost.? Maree

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Maree! Wow, you're right - we're all so different. Is Christine feeling ok? As long as she is feeling well and her doctor says she's ok, then I think that's fine. I wish you both the best!

[qualisarx]

Good Video and very informative

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you!!

[kerrylynn29]

What a great informative video Lauren! After months of steroids I too now have a weight issue. You mention vitamins...I take the same as you....my doctor told me to never take immune boosting vitamins due to the counter effects on the MS. It is great to see you doing so well lately. I am hanging in there too. Like most people, I have my good days and my bad days. Oh, one of the best forms of excersize for MS is swimming! It is almost that time again and I can't wait. God Bless!

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're hanging in there! I've heard so many times how great swimming is, but I have a little fear of the water...maybe I'll get over it eventually. I can't wait for you to get back to it either! Good luck and God Bless!

[watzgoodinthe718]

did you try the Swank diet? google it

the best drug for the MS;;; Low Dose naltrexone

[macycj]

Hi laruen, I weighted 143 before the ms,then within a year,and a steroid treatment I gained up to 200!

after fighting with my drs over fatigue,I finally found a dr that would listen. she put me on phentermine for the fatigue then adderal after the phentermine stopped workingl,and Ive lost 45 lbs so far!!

aly

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Aly! Wow we have similar situations. I've never taken phentemine or adderal, but I'm so happy for you that you've lost 45 lbs!!

[macycj]

yeah,Ive always battled with weight. But finally got down to my ideal body index,maintained it for a year,but with the depression that came along with being told u have a major disease I started gaining back.

I have really bad emotional eating.

so Im with ya on that one!!

aly

[angelusa73]

Dear Lauren,

I so want to know about your Italian family!! I would love to know where they come from and which type of regional foods they cook! :)

I felt that this video was very informative and that it was very helpful because nutrition is extremely important not only in people that have MS but for everyone in general.

You did another wonderful job at explaining many interesting things! You are always wonderful!

Ciao,

a presto

Angela

[laurenvparrott]

Hi Angela! I would love for you to meet my Italian family! My grandfather came from Bari, and my Grandmother's family came from Naples and Rome. Thank you so much for your comment! I hope you are feeling as well as you were in your last video!

Ciao!!

Lauren :)

[angelusa73]

Dear Lauren,

yes, I am feeling pretty good still! I just posted another video where I explain how much better my second month with Tysabri has been and, in only 3 days, I will have my third infusion.

I would love to meet your family one day! Your grandparents came from the South and central area of the country. I come from the very North!

I hope you are doing well too!

Baci,

Angela

[laurenvparrott]

Oh Angela that is wonderful! I thought I had already subscribed to your videos but I guess not, so I just did! It would be amazing if we could meet one day! Let's make it happen!

Ciao!

Lauren :)

[angelusa73]

I promise I will work on it, dear Lauren because I really want to meet you soooo much too!

I still have to see the area where you live and your state to make my dream come true and see all the 50 states, so I will make sure to come and visit you as soon as I can!

Maybe Tysabri can help me feel so much better so I can go back to my country and then come and meet you!!!

It would be wonderful!

THANK YOU so much for subscribing to my videos. You are very kind and sweet!

Ciao,

baci

Angela

[laurenvparrott]

That sounds wonderful! You'll always have a place to stay!! I am really looking forward to meeting you oneday!

Baci,

Lauren :)

[mcds87]

Your so beautiful i love your voice your videos have really touched me in many ways

Chris

[laurenvparrott]

Chris you are so sweet! Thank you!

[JesswithMS]

Thank you for this video. I think it is important for us with MS and also those without MS to try and do our best at eating healthy and some sort of exercise. Hope you are doing well with the change of seasons. Most will have a symptom increase or exacerbation with their MS during seasonal changes. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. Thanks again for your positive outlook and down to earth videos. Blessings, Jess (Indiana)

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you! I totally agree with you. Thank you for the tips! I do struggle with season changes...especially going from Spring to Summer. I hope you are doing well! God Bless!

[saco88]

thank you! that was a great video, and everything you say is so true! exercising every day is tough, but very rewarding (i only started liking it after i was diagnosed, i regret it so much!)

[laurenvparrott]

Thank you so much! I know it's tough exercising every day - sometimes I take a day or 2 off. I'm so glad you're doing it though! It's never too late to start! I hope you're feeling well :)