Today, my back hurts. A lot. My hips hurt. Even my knees are achy.
Yesterday we walked Sam's Club, and I've always had issues after walking hard concrete floors like that. Doesn't matter what shoes I wear, it's just always bothered me. Even when I was younger and skinnier.
I lifted my shirt today and was looking at my tummy. It's shrinking. It's still big, but I can really see the difference. As you shrink, the way you stand changes, the way you carry your body changes. I remember the last time I lost weight, I had lots of times where my joints and back just ached. I think it's due to the shift.
I think it's time to see a chiropractor. I only go once every few years, but I think I need to get everything adjusted.
I've been doing a lot of stretching the past week. That really helps to loosen my body up, yet I can't seem to get the spots in my back worked out.
I've really enjoyed walking for cardio this summer, being outside with my doggie, but I think that the videos work more of my body. Speaking of videos, about the strength training thing -- I've decided for now to work the Richard Simmons tapes I have. Why? Because they're paid for. We spent a lot of money the last weekend and during the week, and I don't want to start using that credit card again--even if it is only a $20 video, that stuff adds up. Once I get some fun money, I think I may buy The Firm's strength video to start with--it's one of their older videos. It looked hard but doable--or modifiable, at least. If I start with Richard's, I can build myself up. I don't have the strength I once had, but I will. =) Richard's Sweatin' 2 also has some good toning in it, and I may do that every other day as well.
I am having a slow day, but it's time to get going. Today is a day I'd like to just curl up and read, sleep or whatever. If only I were rich, had a chef, maid, shopper--staff to run the house. lol
8.01.2009
Menu Planning Week 25?
I've lost track of what week I'm on, and it would be too easy to count using my sidebar. lol I think we're on week 25. I'm a day early on my menu, but we're in desperate need of a grocery store visit. Might as well get the whole week's worth!
In no particular order, these are the dinners we will have this week:
1. Roast, mashed potatoes, vegetables (hubby's request--he said I know you don't like it, but could we? Sure.)
2. Crockpot cheeseburgers, baked fries, vegetable or salad
3. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, vegetables
4. Steamed chicken, rice and vegetables
5. Crockpot chicken and dumplings
6. Cola chicken, rice, salad
7. Baked ziti, mock French bread, salad
8. Tuna Helper, vegetable, salad (yeah, I know, but my son loves it.)
9. Crockpot potato casserole
In no particular order, these are the dinners we will have this week:
1. Roast, mashed potatoes, vegetables (hubby's request--he said I know you don't like it, but could we? Sure.)
2. Crockpot cheeseburgers, baked fries, vegetable or salad
3. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, vegetables
4. Steamed chicken, rice and vegetables
5. Crockpot chicken and dumplings
6. Cola chicken, rice, salad
7. Baked ziti, mock French bread, salad
8. Tuna Helper, vegetable, salad (yeah, I know, but my son loves it.)
9. Crockpot potato casserole
7.31.2009
A Give Away
MackAttack is having a give away!
She's giving away Mix1. It's a pre-made smoothie drink with lots of antioxidants. It sounds really yummy!
Go on over and sign up for her give away. It ends Sunday, so hurry!
She's giving away Mix1. It's a pre-made smoothie drink with lots of antioxidants. It sounds really yummy!
Go on over and sign up for her give away. It ends Sunday, so hurry!
About My Gut Feeling
I am not concerned that this ablation won't work for my periods. There's no lining left, so nothing to shed, no reason for the uterus to spasm. I shouldn't bleed so bad anymore that the sheets are soaked in the morning, nor should I be passing massive clots. The pain should be all gone. I think that part will be fine.
What scares me is if those fibroids grow. I had that fibroid when I was 28. It grew rapidly. To be brutally honest, the reason I went to the doctor in the first place then was that sex was painful. I'm just afraid that there are three of them and of them growing. What will happen?
My first OB/GYN who did my myomectomy and delivered my son told me I was a high estrogen producer, and that the fibroids feed on the estrogen. That was 16 years ago, so that may not be accurate today, but that is part of my concern.
I also wonder if one of the fibroids is rubbing on something which causes me "the pain" that I have experienced the last few years. I've had it the past three days. No, I did not mention it to the doctor today. I don't know why. Probably because I barely got in the question about the fibroids being removed as he was stepping out the door. He was standing in the hallway when he told me that the fibroids were in the wall or on the outside.
I go back in three months. With me, I will take a detailed account of my cycle, and of the times I experience "the pain." I don't know where that pain is coming from. My new GP seemed to think it was the female organs, which is why she jumped. My old GP told me it was the bowel. I'm not a doctor, I don't know. It's down there somewhere.
I'll watch it closely.
What scares me is if those fibroids grow. I had that fibroid when I was 28. It grew rapidly. To be brutally honest, the reason I went to the doctor in the first place then was that sex was painful. I'm just afraid that there are three of them and of them growing. What will happen?
My first OB/GYN who did my myomectomy and delivered my son told me I was a high estrogen producer, and that the fibroids feed on the estrogen. That was 16 years ago, so that may not be accurate today, but that is part of my concern.
I also wonder if one of the fibroids is rubbing on something which causes me "the pain" that I have experienced the last few years. I've had it the past three days. No, I did not mention it to the doctor today. I don't know why. Probably because I barely got in the question about the fibroids being removed as he was stepping out the door. He was standing in the hallway when he told me that the fibroids were in the wall or on the outside.
I go back in three months. With me, I will take a detailed account of my cycle, and of the times I experience "the pain." I don't know where that pain is coming from. My new GP seemed to think it was the female organs, which is why she jumped. My old GP told me it was the bowel. I'm not a doctor, I don't know. It's down there somewhere.
I'll watch it closely.
Friday Time Waster
Well, kind of a wasted day--kinda/sorta. My doctor appointment lasted about 60 seconds!
Blood pressure was 120/70--great!
Weight: 2 pounds lower than my home scale, same as my GP's office. Great.
Doctor: Any discharge yet? I answer. He got up to get the photos of my ablation and I had mine with me, so he used those to explain it all. Said that it was a very good result and the periods should be very easy from here on out. I can now swim, take baths, and do anything I want. ;-)
He wants to see me again in three months. He was about out the door and I hollered: Wait! How many fibroids did you remove? None. They were in the wall or the outside. Oh. May I have my photos back, please? I want my uterus photos. Especially now that I know what is what.
I told my husband to mark my words, I'll be back in within 3 years for a hysterectomy or myomectomy. Or sooner. See, I've had a fibroid before. And for some weird reason, it grew super fast. It quadrupled in size in 30 days. I'm very fearful that will happen again. We'll see, time will tell, but I have my doubts. I've had a gut feeling about that all along. Hopefully my gut feeling is wrong.
My son and I enjoyed thrift store shopping, Sam's Club and Taco Bell. Then we came home. We had fun in the big city, but it was a little frustrating going up for a super-quick appointment. You can bet your bottom dollar that my three-month appointment will be made in my town, come hell or high water. I thought that was so stupid to have to go up there in the first place, when he was here the day before. Oh well!
It was a nice day nonetheless.
Blood pressure was 120/70--great!
Weight: 2 pounds lower than my home scale, same as my GP's office. Great.
Doctor: Any discharge yet? I answer. He got up to get the photos of my ablation and I had mine with me, so he used those to explain it all. Said that it was a very good result and the periods should be very easy from here on out. I can now swim, take baths, and do anything I want. ;-)
He wants to see me again in three months. He was about out the door and I hollered: Wait! How many fibroids did you remove? None. They were in the wall or the outside. Oh. May I have my photos back, please? I want my uterus photos. Especially now that I know what is what.
I told my husband to mark my words, I'll be back in within 3 years for a hysterectomy or myomectomy. Or sooner. See, I've had a fibroid before. And for some weird reason, it grew super fast. It quadrupled in size in 30 days. I'm very fearful that will happen again. We'll see, time will tell, but I have my doubts. I've had a gut feeling about that all along. Hopefully my gut feeling is wrong.
My son and I enjoyed thrift store shopping, Sam's Club and Taco Bell. Then we came home. We had fun in the big city, but it was a little frustrating going up for a super-quick appointment. You can bet your bottom dollar that my three-month appointment will be made in my town, come hell or high water. I thought that was so stupid to have to go up there in the first place, when he was here the day before. Oh well!
It was a nice day nonetheless.
7.30.2009
End of July? Really?
Where is my summer going? I just looked at the calendar and was amazed. What happened to July?
We have not been to the lake once to go swimming. We've taken the dogs, but we have not gone ourselves. We have not been to a single garage sale. That's something that is fun to do just to get out of the house. We haven't really gone anywhere and done anything fun. Only a few week left of summer--I better come up with something fun!
The weather has been cool all summer. Unseasonably cool. We're looking at 70s for the next 10 days. Sheesh, what happened to our 100 degree weather with tons of humidity? It hasn't really felt like summer, although I must admit I enjoy having the windows open with the cool, fresh air coming in.
I am starting to feel the time crunch hit me. I have some projects that I need to get finished before summer, plus I have to plan out our school year. All our books have arrived and they're stacked on the kitchen counter just waiting for me. Ugh.
When school starts, I'll have much less computer time. I worry about that because I love reading blogs, commenting, and keeping up with people. I'm not going to have time to do a lot of that. I will make time to read, but my commenting may slow down. I don't like that, because I love to give support. It's just that homeschooling takes my time and energy. That has to come first--one can't mess with their child's education.
I have my two-week checkup tomorrow. I get to tell him I've been one of the lucky people that have bled continuously since the surgery. The paperwork said I could bleed for up to three weeks. I'm tired of that, but I can't complain too much because it's light and I've only had mild cramps on occasion. I've had a period in there somewhere. Who knows when it started or finished. I have to be patient. I am very hopeful to find what my new normal is going to be. Life without all that pain and icky stuff is going to be so different, so wonderful.
With all my planning for fall, school, projects, I need to remember to live in the now. I get caught up in some weird thinking: if this isn't done, we really shouldn't do that. I need to get over that and make the most of the last few weeks of summer.
Time flies, whether you're having fun or not, so it's I think it's a good idea to have some fun along the way.
We have not been to the lake once to go swimming. We've taken the dogs, but we have not gone ourselves. We have not been to a single garage sale. That's something that is fun to do just to get out of the house. We haven't really gone anywhere and done anything fun. Only a few week left of summer--I better come up with something fun!
The weather has been cool all summer. Unseasonably cool. We're looking at 70s for the next 10 days. Sheesh, what happened to our 100 degree weather with tons of humidity? It hasn't really felt like summer, although I must admit I enjoy having the windows open with the cool, fresh air coming in.
I am starting to feel the time crunch hit me. I have some projects that I need to get finished before summer, plus I have to plan out our school year. All our books have arrived and they're stacked on the kitchen counter just waiting for me. Ugh.
When school starts, I'll have much less computer time. I worry about that because I love reading blogs, commenting, and keeping up with people. I'm not going to have time to do a lot of that. I will make time to read, but my commenting may slow down. I don't like that, because I love to give support. It's just that homeschooling takes my time and energy. That has to come first--one can't mess with their child's education.
I have my two-week checkup tomorrow. I get to tell him I've been one of the lucky people that have bled continuously since the surgery. The paperwork said I could bleed for up to three weeks. I'm tired of that, but I can't complain too much because it's light and I've only had mild cramps on occasion. I've had a period in there somewhere. Who knows when it started or finished. I have to be patient. I am very hopeful to find what my new normal is going to be. Life without all that pain and icky stuff is going to be so different, so wonderful.
With all my planning for fall, school, projects, I need to remember to live in the now. I get caught up in some weird thinking: if this isn't done, we really shouldn't do that. I need to get over that and make the most of the last few weeks of summer.
Time flies, whether you're having fun or not, so it's I think it's a good idea to have some fun along the way.
7.29.2009
Under a Rock
So I live under a rock, I'm out of it, I'm not current with what's going on in the world.
I had no idea there were so many toning videos out there. No idea. I have Richard Simmons' toning videos, but as much as I love Richard, and I really do, I don't like his toning videos. Cough, cough, cough--it really pains me to say that, because I really do love Richard Simmons.
So....instead of the book route, I'll go the video route like Hallie suggested.
Going to a gym or getting a trainer is something I wouldn't do or wouldn't follow up with. I know myself too well.
Now, someone tell me which video to buy.
ha ha ha ha (evil laugh)
Seriously, looking at Collage Videos Toning section. Clueless. I am so clueless. I don't want Pilate's, I do know that. And call me a prude, because I am one, I don't want to out with a gorgeous chick in a bikini top. Seriously. I'm that much of a prude because unless I had a reduction, I could never be in a bikini top--so it may be a jealousy thing, too. The sports bra thing doesn't bug me, but the bikini top--nope. lol (Men, quit laughing at me, I know you'd go for the bikini top gal.)
So I'll pick one by Sunday. And if I don't, Shelley will call me on it 'cuz I made it public. Then she can chase me with her bike if I don't order a video.
I'm open to suggestions.
I'm putting the book up for now. I reserve the right to re-visit and change my mind at a later date.
Oh, and Ang, yes, I have a Bowflex. I posted about it in May with pictures. What really disgusted me this afternoon is that the jist of that post was identical to today's: whine, moan, groan, I don't wanna.
I had no idea there were so many toning videos out there. No idea. I have Richard Simmons' toning videos, but as much as I love Richard, and I really do, I don't like his toning videos. Cough, cough, cough--it really pains me to say that, because I really do love Richard Simmons.
So....instead of the book route, I'll go the video route like Hallie suggested.
Going to a gym or getting a trainer is something I wouldn't do or wouldn't follow up with. I know myself too well.
Now, someone tell me which video to buy.
ha ha ha ha (evil laugh)
Seriously, looking at Collage Videos Toning section. Clueless. I am so clueless. I don't want Pilate's, I do know that. And call me a prude, because I am one, I don't want to out with a gorgeous chick in a bikini top. Seriously. I'm that much of a prude because unless I had a reduction, I could never be in a bikini top--so it may be a jealousy thing, too. The sports bra thing doesn't bug me, but the bikini top--nope. lol (Men, quit laughing at me, I know you'd go for the bikini top gal.)
So I'll pick one by Sunday. And if I don't, Shelley will call me on it 'cuz I made it public. Then she can chase me with her bike if I don't order a video.
I'm open to suggestions.
I'm putting the book up for now. I reserve the right to re-visit and change my mind at a later date.
Oh, and Ang, yes, I have a Bowflex. I posted about it in May with pictures. What really disgusted me this afternoon is that the jist of that post was identical to today's: whine, moan, groan, I don't wanna.
The Easy Way
Yesterday my son and I went to Civilization. That's what I call the "big city" closest to us. In my mind, any town that actually has a book store is civilization. lol
He saw an orthodontist for an eval. They took molds and scheduled us to come back in August to get the nitty gritty. He told me it would be roughly $5500, take two years, and they had 0% financing. Our insurance pays a very minute amount for orthodontia. I am not looking forward to payments. We just became debt free aside from the mortgage and used car payment. I had hoped to pay that car off earlier than three years. I had hoped to sock some money into savings and the college fund. And so it goes...my son needs braces, he has a terrible overbite. He got that from me. Sorry, kid, I suffered with braces, too.
We did a little shopping while in the big city. Standard stuff: dog food, new Jolly Balls and we hit the book store. I bought a weight lifting book. It's for women. I opened it, looked at it, and slammed it shut several times last night. I am such a baby. I need to get a weight program figured out, and frankly, I'd rather clean public restrooms. (with rubber gloves on, of course. lol)
I know where this attitude came from: My mom. I loved her dearly, I miss her, but I picked up some bad things from her. She had a lot of anxiety, too. I used to think her anxiety was so weird and stupid--I get it now. Anyway, when she was about my age, she had a heart attack. She then became the expert on how to have a healthy heart. That didn't work, she died of heart disease at the age of 59. I'm not faulting her, it was the info at the time: No isometrics, only cardio. I used to go with her to the track or walking path around a lake. I jogged while she walked. Only thing was she wasn't consistent. She gave up.
She hated exercise. Absolutely hated it. She bought a treadmill and refused to use it. Her exercise was cleaning the house and shopping. Whenever exercise was brought up, she was get on her soapbox and would preach about how awful weigh training and isometric exercises were. They simply weren't good for the heart. That is what she was taught in her rehab classes.
That was then, this is now. I don't know why I adopted her philosophy, because I always enjoyed doing isometric exercises. I had to do them in my room where she wouldn't see otherwise I'd get lectured.
Strength training just scares me. That may be why, she planted the seed, that may just be an excuse. I want it the easy way. I want to pop in a DVD, watch what to do and do it. I don't want to read about it, research it, figure it all out. I just want to wave a magic wand and make it so.
Why is it that the things that are so good for us are so hard?
I think I have looked for The Easy Way my whole life. The Easy Way gets you nowhere, fast. The Easy Way got me fat. The Easy Way stripped my self-confidence. The Easy Way took my health. The Easy Way made me miserable.
So I'll read the damned book. I'll ask my husband for help. I'll figure out what I need for equipment and buy it. I'll figure out how to use that awful BowFlex that we own. And I'll do it. It sure won't be easy.
Next week.
Seriously, I'm going to give myself until Sunday to read the book. I need to get it worked out in my mind. I need to accept it. I need to embrace it.
I want a strong body. Exercise breaks down into three categories: cardio, strength and stretching. I can't get strong without the strength part. I want to be strong. So no easy way for me.
He saw an orthodontist for an eval. They took molds and scheduled us to come back in August to get the nitty gritty. He told me it would be roughly $5500, take two years, and they had 0% financing. Our insurance pays a very minute amount for orthodontia. I am not looking forward to payments. We just became debt free aside from the mortgage and used car payment. I had hoped to pay that car off earlier than three years. I had hoped to sock some money into savings and the college fund. And so it goes...my son needs braces, he has a terrible overbite. He got that from me. Sorry, kid, I suffered with braces, too.
We did a little shopping while in the big city. Standard stuff: dog food, new Jolly Balls and we hit the book store. I bought a weight lifting book. It's for women. I opened it, looked at it, and slammed it shut several times last night. I am such a baby. I need to get a weight program figured out, and frankly, I'd rather clean public restrooms. (with rubber gloves on, of course. lol)
I know where this attitude came from: My mom. I loved her dearly, I miss her, but I picked up some bad things from her. She had a lot of anxiety, too. I used to think her anxiety was so weird and stupid--I get it now. Anyway, when she was about my age, she had a heart attack. She then became the expert on how to have a healthy heart. That didn't work, she died of heart disease at the age of 59. I'm not faulting her, it was the info at the time: No isometrics, only cardio. I used to go with her to the track or walking path around a lake. I jogged while she walked. Only thing was she wasn't consistent. She gave up.
She hated exercise. Absolutely hated it. She bought a treadmill and refused to use it. Her exercise was cleaning the house and shopping. Whenever exercise was brought up, she was get on her soapbox and would preach about how awful weigh training and isometric exercises were. They simply weren't good for the heart. That is what she was taught in her rehab classes.
That was then, this is now. I don't know why I adopted her philosophy, because I always enjoyed doing isometric exercises. I had to do them in my room where she wouldn't see otherwise I'd get lectured.
Strength training just scares me. That may be why, she planted the seed, that may just be an excuse. I want it the easy way. I want to pop in a DVD, watch what to do and do it. I don't want to read about it, research it, figure it all out. I just want to wave a magic wand and make it so.
Why is it that the things that are so good for us are so hard?
I think I have looked for The Easy Way my whole life. The Easy Way gets you nowhere, fast. The Easy Way got me fat. The Easy Way stripped my self-confidence. The Easy Way took my health. The Easy Way made me miserable.
So I'll read the damned book. I'll ask my husband for help. I'll figure out what I need for equipment and buy it. I'll figure out how to use that awful BowFlex that we own. And I'll do it. It sure won't be easy.
Next week.
Seriously, I'm going to give myself until Sunday to read the book. I need to get it worked out in my mind. I need to accept it. I need to embrace it.
I want a strong body. Exercise breaks down into three categories: cardio, strength and stretching. I can't get strong without the strength part. I want to be strong. So no easy way for me.
7.27.2009
The Hard Way
I enjoy learning lessons about myself, my actions, my body, but it seems I go about it the hard way many times.
This morning I made a pot of coffee. I usually make half caf, but today I put in a little more caffeine than decaf. I also drank 3/4 of the pot. And then early in the afternoon it happened. My diaphragm started getting tight, I felt light-headed, had the feeling like I was going to fall sideways, funky breathing. Yup, a panic attack. I went to lie down immediately and practice deep breathing. Nope. I got up, took a Xanax and relaxed a bit. I ended up taking a 2 hour nap and awoke to hubby cooking dinner. (He's a good man!)
I've known for awhile now that caffeine was a trigger for that. I've given up my Coke Zero since my surgery. I would get a bit shaky after drinking it. I've been drinking diet Sierra Mist or a diet Pepsi if we go out. Diet Pepsi doesn't do anything to me, for some strange reason. When we go out, I ask for a full glass of ice, so I'm not really getting that much pop. That could be why Diet Pepsi doesn't get to me as much.
I felt off all night. Ran to Wal-mart to do my weekly shopping tonight, put the food away, sat and watched Nurse Jackie and here I am. (I love the show Nurse Jackie, even though she is addicted to drugs.)
I was thinking of Dad. He used to say things like, "Did you get that through your thick head?" Maybe, just maybe, I have got it through my thick head that I can't do caffeine anymore. And maybe I'll get it through my thick head that I can't drink 3/4 of a pot of coffee--even if it's decaf.
I also spent a little bit of time reading about hormones, adrenal glands, anxiety, slow weight loss--it's all connected. A visit to an endocrinologist would be in order, but I don't know that I really want to do that. I have suspected all along that my hormones are completely whacked. If I'm not better in a couple months, I may entertain the idea of visiting one.
Fact is, I still have Metabolic Syndrome, Syndrome X, pre-diabetes--whatever you want to call it. There is a list of five symptoms, and if you have three, you have it. One GP, of the last three I've seen, told me I had it.
So I still hit 3, I still have Metabolic Syndrome. This may be why my weight loss is slower than I would like.
I am comparing myself to myself with this weight loss thing. I lost over 70 pounds a few years back. I had fantastic losses each week. I just looked at my WW records, and stared at it in disbelief. I'm older now, which could account for some of it. I just know in my gut my body is still a bit wacky.
I'm getting there, I'm proud of what I've done and I will continue this battle with all my heart and soul. I need to stop and evaluate every once in awhile, which is what I plan on doing this week.
Right now I know I need to order some strength training books. I just need to dive into that, get over my fear, get over my girlie-girl mentality and do it. I also need to re-read my pre-diabetes books. There's valuable information in there that I have forgotten. Or chose to ignore because I preferred to bury my head in the sand. Or perhaps I turned the other cheek because I was overwhelmed with changes. You can only do so much at one time. I think it's time to start up with some more changes, as I've made other changes habit. It's time for another push. I like pushing myself a bit as long as I don't get overwhelmed.
Health is a never-ending quest. My life depends on it. My quality of life depends on it. I need to keep reading, keep searching out information, and applying it.
I do know one thing for certain. I am a heck of a lot closer to good health than I was at 282.5. Each day I get stronger, and hopefully a bit smarter. This journey is body, mind and spirit. I'm giving it my all.
This morning I made a pot of coffee. I usually make half caf, but today I put in a little more caffeine than decaf. I also drank 3/4 of the pot. And then early in the afternoon it happened. My diaphragm started getting tight, I felt light-headed, had the feeling like I was going to fall sideways, funky breathing. Yup, a panic attack. I went to lie down immediately and practice deep breathing. Nope. I got up, took a Xanax and relaxed a bit. I ended up taking a 2 hour nap and awoke to hubby cooking dinner. (He's a good man!)
I've known for awhile now that caffeine was a trigger for that. I've given up my Coke Zero since my surgery. I would get a bit shaky after drinking it. I've been drinking diet Sierra Mist or a diet Pepsi if we go out. Diet Pepsi doesn't do anything to me, for some strange reason. When we go out, I ask for a full glass of ice, so I'm not really getting that much pop. That could be why Diet Pepsi doesn't get to me as much.
I felt off all night. Ran to Wal-mart to do my weekly shopping tonight, put the food away, sat and watched Nurse Jackie and here I am. (I love the show Nurse Jackie, even though she is addicted to drugs.)
I was thinking of Dad. He used to say things like, "Did you get that through your thick head?" Maybe, just maybe, I have got it through my thick head that I can't do caffeine anymore. And maybe I'll get it through my thick head that I can't drink 3/4 of a pot of coffee--even if it's decaf.
I also spent a little bit of time reading about hormones, adrenal glands, anxiety, slow weight loss--it's all connected. A visit to an endocrinologist would be in order, but I don't know that I really want to do that. I have suspected all along that my hormones are completely whacked. If I'm not better in a couple months, I may entertain the idea of visiting one.
Fact is, I still have Metabolic Syndrome, Syndrome X, pre-diabetes--whatever you want to call it. There is a list of five symptoms, and if you have three, you have it. One GP, of the last three I've seen, told me I had it.
1) abdominal obesity. For a woman, if your waist circumference is
larger than 40, that qualifies. I bought a new tape measure at Wal-mart
tonight. I'm at 43 now.
2) triglycerides above 150. I'm on medication for high
triglycerides. They were high when tested in June. They've been high for years. I'll call and ask when to be re-tested in a month or two.
3) HDL cholesterol lower than 40. I don't remember my number, but I
do remember it was lower than 40. Much lower.
4) Blood pressure of 130/85 or more. I think I've got this one
whipped.
5) Fasting glucose 110 or above. I've got this one whipped.
So I still hit 3, I still have Metabolic Syndrome. This may be why my weight loss is slower than I would like.
I am comparing myself to myself with this weight loss thing. I lost over 70 pounds a few years back. I had fantastic losses each week. I just looked at my WW records, and stared at it in disbelief. I'm older now, which could account for some of it. I just know in my gut my body is still a bit wacky.
I'm getting there, I'm proud of what I've done and I will continue this battle with all my heart and soul. I need to stop and evaluate every once in awhile, which is what I plan on doing this week.
Right now I know I need to order some strength training books. I just need to dive into that, get over my fear, get over my girlie-girl mentality and do it. I also need to re-read my pre-diabetes books. There's valuable information in there that I have forgotten. Or chose to ignore because I preferred to bury my head in the sand. Or perhaps I turned the other cheek because I was overwhelmed with changes. You can only do so much at one time. I think it's time to start up with some more changes, as I've made other changes habit. It's time for another push. I like pushing myself a bit as long as I don't get overwhelmed.
Health is a never-ending quest. My life depends on it. My quality of life depends on it. I need to keep reading, keep searching out information, and applying it.
I do know one thing for certain. I am a heck of a lot closer to good health than I was at 282.5. Each day I get stronger, and hopefully a bit smarter. This journey is body, mind and spirit. I'm giving it my all.
Monday Morning Weigh-In
245
This puts me -2.5 from two weeks ago. Down .5 from my photos I posted recently.
Weight Watchers' average is up a touch, from .9 to 1.1 per week. I'm the tortoise--but I keep on plugging away!
This puts me -2.5 from two weeks ago. Down .5 from my photos I posted recently.
Weight Watchers' average is up a touch, from .9 to 1.1 per week. I'm the tortoise--but I keep on plugging away!
7.26.2009
Done!
Now it may not look like much, but it's better than it was. It is highly practical for three dogs and for us. Poop clean up is a breeze because we can see it. It can all be hosed down to remain sanitary. Drainage trenches were built in for winter run off. Next year I'll try my flower pots again to add some color. This year Pip ate the flowers, the little stinker. He also nibbled on our bushes, which look scrawny. I have a lovely wicker chair that I will keep put up until next year, too--in case Pip gets hungry. Pip is 7 months old and still chewing a little, so I'll wait.
That's 4 ton of river rock on the ground--countless wheelbarrow loads. I carried about 150 of those bricks that are stacked. The tiles on top weigh about 40 pounds and I carried a lot of those, too.
I'm feeling it. Hubby is exhausted. Hubby decided to pay our son for all his hard work--and he worked his tail off.
Next weekend we're going to start edging around the house with the remaining bricks. We'll also work on cleaning up the front beds.
I am just elated. I don't think we squabbled once, and we really came together as a family. I think my son actually had fun. I did at times. I earned a gazillion activity points. It felt really good to get so sticky, stinky sweaty.
Couldn't have done this at 282.5.
That's 4 ton of river rock on the ground--countless wheelbarrow loads. I carried about 150 of those bricks that are stacked. The tiles on top weigh about 40 pounds and I carried a lot of those, too.
I'm feeling it. Hubby is exhausted. Hubby decided to pay our son for all his hard work--and he worked his tail off.
Next weekend we're going to start edging around the house with the remaining bricks. We'll also work on cleaning up the front beds.
I am just elated. I don't think we squabbled once, and we really came together as a family. I think my son actually had fun. I did at times. I earned a gazillion activity points. It felt really good to get so sticky, stinky sweaty.
Couldn't have done this at 282.5.
Before:
Be Prepared
When I was a Cub Scouts den leader, I taught the boys as the book said: Be Prepared!
Was I prepared this weekend? No.
We have had a weekend full of hard, physical labor. We're still not done, but I've been unloading bricks, tiles that my husband said weighed 40 pounds, moving, shaking, raking and shoveling. We've spent hours working. Yesterday morning I was exhausted--we all were. Today? My body is feeling the work. My arms ache, shoulders, forearms even! My thighs are feeling the burn as is my butt.
That feels great.
The part where I was not prepared? Food.
I was too exhausted to cook at night, as was hubby. Friday I had Subway for lunch and dinner. Yes, I thought I was being prepared by buying myself a 6" and a 12". In reality, I filled myself full of sodium and ballooned up. Saturday we ordered Pizza Hut.
It is perfectly okay for me to eat pizza every now and again--1 or 2 slices. Last night I was so hungry that I ate all of my remaining points plus 3 activity points in pizza. That is not okay. I didn't eat a salad.
So yesterday I was not prepared. I did not eat balanced. I caved and took the easy way out, which is what got me fat to begin with. I did, however, eat within my points range. I could have easily eaten more. I stopped when I ran out of points. (I could have used flex points and more activity points, but chose not to.) In the past, I would have.
I used to do what is called freezer cooking. I always had a meal or many in the freezer, ready to be thrown into the oven. I also used to use my crockpot a lot. Friday night I should have thawed some chicken and thrown it in the crockpot on Saturday. I was too physically and mentally exhausted to think ahead.
This weekend has been a great learning experience for me. Sometime this next week I need to find the time to sit down, find Weight Watchers friendly freezer recipes, and get prepared.
My body is very puffy today. I know it will effect tomorrow's weigh in, because I can't drink enough water to undo the sodium I've consumed this weekend. That's okay, I'll stand up and take whatever weight is given because I learned a valuable lesson.
In the end, I'm proud that we have been so physically active. I'm proud that I worked hard, I sweat, and I challenged my body. We all did great. I'm not a multi-tasker, never have been. I can do the food part well when I'm not so tired, I know I can do hard physical labor now, I just need to learn to mesh the two together. And for me, that means being prepared. That means being one step ahead of the game and having something available in my freezer.
It gives fast food a whole new meaning. I want my own fast food, not sodium-laden stuff.
Was I prepared this weekend? No.
We have had a weekend full of hard, physical labor. We're still not done, but I've been unloading bricks, tiles that my husband said weighed 40 pounds, moving, shaking, raking and shoveling. We've spent hours working. Yesterday morning I was exhausted--we all were. Today? My body is feeling the work. My arms ache, shoulders, forearms even! My thighs are feeling the burn as is my butt.
That feels great.
The part where I was not prepared? Food.
I was too exhausted to cook at night, as was hubby. Friday I had Subway for lunch and dinner. Yes, I thought I was being prepared by buying myself a 6" and a 12". In reality, I filled myself full of sodium and ballooned up. Saturday we ordered Pizza Hut.
It is perfectly okay for me to eat pizza every now and again--1 or 2 slices. Last night I was so hungry that I ate all of my remaining points plus 3 activity points in pizza. That is not okay. I didn't eat a salad.
So yesterday I was not prepared. I did not eat balanced. I caved and took the easy way out, which is what got me fat to begin with. I did, however, eat within my points range. I could have easily eaten more. I stopped when I ran out of points. (I could have used flex points and more activity points, but chose not to.) In the past, I would have.
I used to do what is called freezer cooking. I always had a meal or many in the freezer, ready to be thrown into the oven. I also used to use my crockpot a lot. Friday night I should have thawed some chicken and thrown it in the crockpot on Saturday. I was too physically and mentally exhausted to think ahead.
This weekend has been a great learning experience for me. Sometime this next week I need to find the time to sit down, find Weight Watchers friendly freezer recipes, and get prepared.
My body is very puffy today. I know it will effect tomorrow's weigh in, because I can't drink enough water to undo the sodium I've consumed this weekend. That's okay, I'll stand up and take whatever weight is given because I learned a valuable lesson.
In the end, I'm proud that we have been so physically active. I'm proud that I worked hard, I sweat, and I challenged my body. We all did great. I'm not a multi-tasker, never have been. I can do the food part well when I'm not so tired, I know I can do hard physical labor now, I just need to learn to mesh the two together. And for me, that means being prepared. That means being one step ahead of the game and having something available in my freezer.
It gives fast food a whole new meaning. I want my own fast food, not sodium-laden stuff.
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