Been diagnosed with "Ankylosing spondylitis", need advice on fitness and weight loss

NOGMaxpower

So after years of suffering with chronic back pain my doctors have finally found out wtf is wrong and well I was given the bad news last week that I have A.S. or Bamboo Spine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankylosing_spondylitis

Essentially I need to lose about a stone and strengthen up my core without putting any kind of pressure on my spine. So light exercise if key but I also have a beer belly i need rid of. Here's my dimensions

I am 5ft 8/9in
I weigh 84 kilos but average between 80 and 85 (yes it fluctuates that much)
I have a high BMI based on that its about 27
I am well used to all fitness programs but again I have been unable to exercise due to my back pain for many years.
My diet is brutal thanks to the meds I am on, I tend to eat once or twice a day depending on my mood (lvl of pain). Its one thing I would really like to change above all else. I love to cook so its easily sorted.

I am truely motivated to make serious changes to my lifestyle to ensure I fend off the more serious side affects of this disease. I am also seeing a specialist in blackrock clinic and they're gona put me on a programe of physical and pain therapy. But I like to keep ahead of the game and thought I'd ask you guys here for some tips on how to strengthen my core and sort out my diet.

Thoughts and advice or experiences of AS are all welcome.

Cheers
M

g'em

I'd love for us to be able to help and I absolutely applaud your determination to get healthier, but unfortunately when there's an underlying medical condition it's something that no-one can safeuly give advice on.

Really sorry OP and the very best of luck.