Dispatches From the Battle of the Bulge

In her daily life with mitochondrial myopathy, Deanna Briegge of Perry, Okla., often turns to this bit of wisdom from financial guru Bob Proctor: “You can do anything if you put your focus on how to do it, rather than on why you can’t.”

Although Briegge, 59, isn’t overweight, she sees her scale slowly creeping upward each year and tries to focus on ways to maintain health and fitness — watching her diet, taking the stairs, trying not to eat when stressed.

“My advice is to become aware of what you eat and drink,” she says, adding, “Staying busy is one of the criteria for keeping weight down.”

Cindy Deatherage, 41, of Chenoa, Ill.,  also believes in the power of focus.

“I didn’t think I could lose weight because of being in a wheelchair,” says Deatherage, who has Friedreich’s ataxia. “That was an excuse! I don’t think any plan will work unless you’re ready to commit.”

Here’s more advice from dieters in the trenches:

Don Schings and wife, Judy, before and about nine months into his three-year plan Don Schings, 60, Sun City Center, Fla., spinal bulbar muscular atrophy, type 2 diabetes. Part-time wheelchair user, height: 6 feet, highest weight: 314. Goal: to lose 90 pounds using the WeightWatchers.com online program Look for a simple, uncomplicated diet program. Check with your doctor; his strongly advised against the Atkins diet, fearing it might impair his health. Budget your weight loss over time. He plans to lose 40 pounds the first year, 30 the second and 20 the third.

Jyl Frey, 50, Tucson, Ariz., myotonic muscular dystrophy. Part-time wheelchair user, height: 4 feet  11 inches, highest weight: 204.

Goal: to lose 30-50 pounds through a low-calorie diet, exercise and the appetite suppressant phentermine (see photo)

• Don’t lose too much weight. He lost too much fat in his buttocks, making sitting painful and requiring a special cushion.
• The keys are motivation and education. “Learn the consequences of not losing weight and of eating the kinds of food you’re eating.”

Cindy Deatherage before and during dieting, with fellow dieter, husband Larry Cindy Deatherage. Uses a power chair, height: 5 feet 4 inches, highest weight: 159. Goal: to reach 140 by following Weight Watchers, playing with her dogs and changing habits Find a partner. She and her husband are a weight-loss support team. Figure out your self-comfort eating times and plan to do something else, like playing computer games. Fill the kitchen with low-fat and healthy fresh foods. Remember that losing weight is about eating less of the wrong foods.

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