Hi Lesley, you have my total sympathy.
I was already battling increased weight. Again. When I went back on prednisone about two months ago now. I put on 12 pounds in two weeks. As of today I have added about 20 pounds total. Two weeks ago I got serious about exercising and eating better -- on doctor's orders. Although the words weren't used, I gathered that I might be flirting with diabetes. Yuck. Runs in the family big time.
Anyway, I'm walking thirty minutes every day and have cut out white bread, noodles, most rice (I have an occasional little dish with almond milk over it), pasta and sweets. I have only slipped once and had a brownie. Other than that, no cookies, doughnuts, croissants, chocolate.... you name it.
In those two weeks, I've gained almost 6 pounds. I am totally depressed about this.
For the first time ever, my face is round and puffy. The hump on my back is so big and hard that I dcan't tilt my head back completely. I look horrid. But I intend to persist, walking every day and eating better. Whole grains, leafy greens. The greens, by the way, I hate totally. Yuck. Raw food in general is pretty gross to me, except for avocado and sushi.
Good luck in handling the water retention and weight gain. I understand how hard it is to cut back eating when you feel famished all the time. Just do what you can and don't beat up on yourself for the rest. You are human and are more important than your waist size. I have never seen you, but I know you're beautiful. Don't ever forget that.
Love,
Sunny