Hi everyone !

Once again, there are lots of new names to me, lots of people with OSA questions and issues.

I too have OSA and have been in the hospital 4 times in the past year starting in June 2007. I started Xpap in late October 2007 My last hospitalization was about 6 weeks ago and I'm getting back on my feet again.. (mostly) I have a lot of catching up to do.

One of the issues many of us have to deal with as a result of sleep apnea is weight. Losing weight having OSA and/or the other apnea related illnesses is a hard road to travel.

I founded a group last November called CPAPPER.BUDDIES which is a weight loss/management/ tool for those women with sleep apnea and other related illnesses.  We are almost 10 months old and have already reached a total group weight loss of over 200 pounds.

We have teammates who have lost a lot and some who haven't loss much at all, but have improved their habits. We have those who want to lose 100 or more pounds and those who want to lose 25.

This group is not advertised on the net. We only take in members from this sleep apnea board. An ideal size for us is between 20-25 people who are seriously interested in committing to a structured group for the purpose of losing unwanted weight. Along with this, we are silly, have a lot of fun and laugh a lot.  We are not all *business* ... not by a long shot. We are a fun bunch of women who enjoy others and are empathetic to the plight of others in this hard to manage situation.

This board has been wonderful in allowing us to mention our group from time to time and again, I thank you for allowing us to let your members know about us.

You all have probably seen posts with the little cartoons asking if you want to lose weight. Just click on them and follow the directions and it will bring you to me in order to receive much more information.

We have some openings available now and would like to have those spots filled with those who feel they can benefit from an interactive buddy group such as ours.


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

I LOOOVE this group!!! It makes me laugh every single day. This group has been so supportive to me since my gastric bypass surgery. We're like a little family. I'm so happy to say that I'm one of the original members. I like the fact that we have to do weekly weigh ins...it helps to keep me accountable and on the straight and narrow. Anyone interested please click on our weight loss cartoons. You are not alone in this journey.   BARB


_________________
EVERY SILVER LINING HAS A TOUCH OF GREY
-Grateful Dead


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

Quote:

It makes me laugh every single day.

While I am not a member of the group now... the laughter and camaraderie was tops.  I would recommend it to anyone serious about losing weight and having fun doing it.
Barb


_________________
Remstar auto CPAP... mask=Hans Rudolph V2
Peace begins with each of us, as individuals

I can't remember where I came across this item, so if it was on this site my apologies.  Discusses how fructose is turned into lipid (fat) much easier than other sugars and may cause other food to also be more easily converted to fat.

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/DietNutrition/tb/10264

an earlier study that links fructose

http://ajprenal.physiology.org/cgi/content/full/290/3/F625


_________________
Remstar Auto with CFlex (not M series) since Sept 05
Adams Circuit pillows
CPAP since Feb 23 '93, only slept one night without since (by accident)

Quote:

Discusses how fructose is turned into lipid (fat) much easier than other sugars and may cause other food to also be more easily converted to fat.

Ziff, we have many, many articles such as this available for our members to read. We are loaded with all kinds of information.


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

I am a new member of this group and I am finding the organization a real help to staying focused on my weight loss goals.


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

I have been a member of this group too, since Jan. of this year.  I was diagnosed with OSA on Nov. 07.  Since this group is not advertised on the net that alone was one of the things that was an attraction for me.  The privacy of this group, and the knowing that not just anyone can come in and lurk makes me feel safe to be myself with these ladies which has really helped us all be come very close to each other.  The support is unbelievable.  I have never been a member of any group that is so supportive, not just one but everyone in the group supporting everyone.
I do not think I would be half as far as I am to my goal without this group.  The ladies in the group are wonderful people and have definitely become more like sisters to me than "people in a weight loss group".  The laughter and comaraderie that both Barbccrn and bdz mentioned are wonderful additions to this very supportive, caring and fun loving group.  I do not really have the support to loose weight in my house, I have only been told "You will loose it when you decide to loose it".  That is pretty much it, but not on this group.  The weigh-in and camaraderie give me the support I needed to get off my behind and get headed to where I want to go.  Now I am not near where I want to be, but in the past I have never lost more than 20 lbs and then put that and more back on.  I have lost twice that and still counting.  I do not see myself doing as well without these ladies and their support

If you want to loose weight, have OSA and would like help and support to get where you want to go, this group might be for you.  Take a few min., click on the link at the bottom of our posts, and see what you think.  It only takes two min., if you're like I was I could put on another pound or two in that amount of time.....lol.  Check it out and see what you think.


_________________
REMstar M Pro w/heat humidifier P10 C-flex 2, Swift II

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

One of the things interesting to me about this group is that we inform each other as we learn.  We don't just complain about being overweight (though rants are certainly acceptable as long as your still working towards your goals), we also learn.  This morning for example, I woke up and logged on to find an article about fat cells.  The old belief is that we have a limited number of fat cells and they simply grow and shrink over time.  But this article cites new research that shows we can gain fat cells as we grow older.  What a drag that was to learn.  On the other hand, it really jived with my experience with OSA.  I really think my condition led to my body holding on to fat as a survival mechanism since I couldn't sleep.  Other research on fat and Sleep Apnea show this kind of relationship (well, a relationship between various fat gaining mechanisms in our body and SA - its my hypothesis that the relationship might be meant to be adaptive in a seriously sleep deprived person).


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

I joined up with the Cpapper Buddies last week best thing I could have done. I am very new to SA. I live in New Zealand and there isn't a lot of support locally.
One of the first things my Dr. said to me when I was diagnosed was that loosing weight could help with the SA. He said even loosing as little as 11lbs would help. I was a bit over weight  and had been trying to get in 'zone' to loose it for a while but I think, looking back,  my general tiredness and lack of enthusiasm for anything much was a real barrier. However I really wanted to get better (and to be honest vanity had a tiny bit to do with it) so I joined Weight Watchers. I have been doing quite well there but then I noticed the want to loose weight signs on some people's postings and I thought "perfect' fellow SA, sufferers who loose weight" Please let me join.
Cpapper Buddies is so good, lots of fun, lots of help, lots of support with weight loss and SA issues. They have been a real lifeline for me along with this forum. What more could a hosehead ask?
check us out
Roz


_________________
It came to pass - not to stay!

Roz....you are so right. I have gotten so much support from being a part of this group. The thing that I have learned is...Cyber friends ARE real friends. We may not have met but these girls are a part of my life and are real friends to me.


_________________
EVERY SILVER LINING HAS A TOUCH OF GREY
-Grateful Dead


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

I'm another success story from this Weight Loss Group.  Besides losing over 25 lbs., due to the encouragement I received from this group I am exercising daily.  Something I haven't ever done before.  I have never felt better, I've completely lost the shortness of breath that was my constant companion and my arthritis has much improved.   I was also able to lower my CPAP pressure from 11 to 8.

If that wasn't enough, I have developed tremendous internet friendships I wouldn't trade for any amount of money.  This group has been a lifesaver for me and I would have withdrawal symptoms if I didn't chat with them daily.


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a


ResMed S8 Elite, F&P Flexifit 406, Optilife
AHI 54/hr, Pressure 8, desat. 73

And yet another happy CPAPPER BUDDIES member here!  I have lost over 30 lbs so far, owing my success to the support and camaraderie of this wonderful group of xPapper ladies.  We share the common bonds of having sleep apnea and being overweight.  Losing weight is never easy, it can be a slow process.  I would have given up months ago if it were not for my BUDDIES' encouragement to continue.  We "diet" in any manner that we want, for me it's eating regular every-day foods in quantities that work for me.  We exercise, although it's not required, it is encouraged.  We laugh a lot, this too is not required but it happens when least expected.  And, we strongly support each other and our various convictions.  If any female member of this Apnea Support Forum is interested in bettering your health by losing weight, give us, the CPAPPER BUDDIES, a look-n-see.


_________________
OSA Sleep Test 8/29/07, AHI 64/Sat. 74%
Titrated 10/1/07 and 9/30/08
BiPAP Auto M Series w/Humidifier 15/10cm
OptiLife Mask; Ruby chinstrap


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

It made me very happy to read what these gals have told you.  I never thought my putting together such a concept would help so many people in the ways that it has.

I have gotten a huge response for more information and since this thread was started, we have many new members (who are delightful by the way :)   )

I'm sorry to say that we only have room for a few more new members and then I will have to start a waiting list.  So hurry if you want to be included before we reach our limit !

Thank you Cpapper girls for your great posts and thank you Apnea board for allowing us once again to update ourselves.


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

Theres no such thing as TOO MUCH SUPPORT!! This group has helped so much with many issues over the past year. Every person has great suggestions in order to help out fellow members when one is struggling.


_________________
EVERY SILVER LINING HAS A TOUCH OF GREY
-Grateful Dead


CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

I sent my information to the email it gave in the link but never heard back from anyone.
Annie