Interview with Natalie Cinman, Canada, OI type 3

How did you lose weight? OIFE Magazine has asked this question to four people with OI who have struggled with overweight and successfully managed to lose weight. One of them is Natalie Cinman. She is from Canada, has OI type 3, and lost weight through lifestyle changes.

Tell us about your situation before the weight loss and what kind of problems you had.

I knew that it was going to become increasingly hard for my husband to carry me and help me. I wanted to regain my independence, and I wanted to preserve him as long as we can. In the fall 2024, I wanted to see a doctor who could help me perhaps get on Ozempic.

I am followed by an adult endocrinologist who specializes in osteoporosis and OI. She recommended an endocrinologist who also worked with weight loss and had some knowledge of bones. When I saw her, she said I would be a great candidate for Ozempic and gave me the prescription

I started taking the medication at the lowest dose. Not long after taking it, about a week later, I realized that I was not feeling well at all. It resulted in me being almost poisoned, as I could not eat or drink anything for two weeks. The only thing I could consume was ice chips, and I was bedridden and extremely weak. I almost had to go to the emergency room. It was decided that I should stop taking the medication, and at that moment I realized that I was going to have to do this on my own.

What did you do to lose weight?

I definitely love food, and I would eat portions that were way too big for me. I also used to enjoy cocktails and wine, and sometimes that would result in me wanting snacks. I would often reach for something salty like chips, and I just was not eating healthy. So, what I decided to do was really to cut certain foods out of my diet.

I essentially did not have any starches (complex carbohydrates) – no pasta, no white potatoes, no fried food, sticking more with protein and vegetables.

Also, portion control was a huge thing. I did not need to eat the same portion as my able-bodied husband. Often, I would just take a smaller plate, portion out my food, and not go back for a second portion.

I weigh myself every Friday morning and every Monday morning. This way I can see what I have done over the weekend and how my body metabolized it, and what I need to do during the week to lose weight.

I did not incorporate exercise right away, because I thought that as I was getting older, exercising might become more difficult, and we often have more aches and pains. I did not want to be dependent on working out, in order to lose weight, so I did calorie restriction first.

Once I started losing more weight and became more mobile, I slowly incorporated some weights, and recently I have started walking a little bit again with my crutches.

How did it work?

After almost a year, I have lost 42 pounds (19 kg) so far. Some things might be a little challenging, but once I really started to see the weight come off, I found it very motivating. Buying new clothes, looking nice and feeling great, not being out of breath when walking around or trying to transfer and do everyday things, is such a motivating feeling.

Hormones can definitely be an obstacle sometimes. As they fluctuate, so does weight. Even if you are in a calorie deficit, you can still feel like you have gained a little bit of weight. It usually balances itself out during a cycle, but it can be daunting.

I have reached a weight loss of 50lb, I am now slowly incorporating some of the foods I cut out completely like pasta and cheeses and the occasional libation. But I factor it into what Im eating for the day. Additionally, I workout 7 days a week doing a little 8-10 minute 6lb free weight routine and 4-5 days a week I walk with my crutches. I do it while I can and dont have any fractures or other setbacks. This helps to hopefully bank my stress. I am still combating aches and pains and new ones as I age and go through hormonal cycles as an almost 43 year old woman. I still weigh myself twice a week and am accountable and so mindful of what I eat and the movements I make.

Do you have any advice to others with OI who are struggling with weight?

My advice would be to make sure that you are accountable to something. Weigh yourself consistently, so you can see how your body adjusts to what you ate before. Do not get discouraged, even if it feels very difficult. Celebrate the ounces lost, not the pounds. And when you start feeling good, that is the best motivation. Do it at your own pace, everybody is different. And try to stay away from inflammatory foods.