Rough weekend - other than cutting my finger Saturday, had a LOW blood sugar incident Sunday. Had coffee, insulin, too tired to cook breakfast. Then took insulin and had lunch. Leftover Chicken and vegetables. Getting ready for dinner (the kids were making funnel cakes in the kitchen at this point), took my insulin (always being told to take it before eating), about 20 minutes later got real light headed and sweating profusely. Checked my sugar (hadn't been vigilant because I was just tired and relaxing for once) and it was 46, pumped some pineapple juice I had on hand (had been making home made teriyaki sauce) and after a little bit felt better, tired but better. Shouldn't have skipped breakfast I guess, my theory is that it was bordering low all day and that when I took the last shot it just put it over the edge. Will definitely have to be more careful about this now that I am getting things under control.
Until Next Time......
Eat Healthy, exercise regularly and enjoy life.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Friday, October 24, 2014
Oct 24, 2014
Terrific, have to change doctors due to insurance changes at the first of the year. Yippee Skippy, just my endocrinologist because they no longer will take my new insurance after 1 Nov. But at least he got to see progress. No weight change at that appointment, but then, that scale may not be of the same calibration as the one at new start. So weight is still close to breaking the 400 window. Good news is that my blood sugar readings are getting close to staying in the normal range, took readings before meals today and they were all in normal range. Took a reading 2+ hours and not only normal range (which it is supposed to be) but below 100. So now it looks like this weight loss journey is starting to produce the other benefits that I was looking for. Dr. said to watch for symptoms of low blood sugar as the weight comes off, have to monitor for that too now. When/if that starts to happen then I will have to have meds adjusted (note: goal is to get off them entirely). Pretty good news for a Friday.
Until Next Time......
Eat Healthy, exercise regularly and enjoy life.
Until Next Time......
Eat Healthy, exercise regularly and enjoy life.
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Today is a day of "Missed it by that much..."
October 16, 2014.
Today is a day of "Missed it by that much..."
Why you ask?
Let's start with my Dr. Appt today, weighed in, weight was bouncing between 399 and 400 and when it finished I was at 400.0, almost left the 400 club and joined the 300+ club, missed it by that much..... Next month.
Next let's talk exercise, been between 1.5 and 1.8 miles on my walks. First let's put this in perspective. When I first started, it would take me all day to reach enough distance to make a mile. Now I can do a mile in about 24 minutes walking. Today I did my walking and decided to increase my path so I could reach 2 miles. And I made it through the path I chose too, in about 47 minutes, only one minor problem; it was 1.99 miles, again, missed it by that much..... Tomorrow.
Working well on the program, have decided against the gastric sleeve, when and if I do get the surgery (only if I absolutely have to) then I am going with the lap band. Have reached a point where I am on an exercise program and diet that is working for me and not hard to maintain. And I am losing weight with it. Carolyn and my Dr. both agree with my decision. So I think I am doing real good.
Next step is to get the recumbent bike back in the house and operational, that will give me another form of exercise to increase my workouts that won't take time from the family. Can ride and watch TV, visit, whatever. That plus the walking should help increase the weight loss. Have a plan now that is working. It was always hard before because I didn't get any progress, now I am and it's like when I was on Active Duty. I am seeing results so it is easier to carry on. Unlike Active Duty, there is not a downside, if I don't lose as much as I want, I don't have someone saying I will be punished, or censured, etc. I just have to try a little harder (and unlike last month, remember to take off my shoes when I weigh in).
The other points are, my knees hurt less, I am a hell of a lot more mobile, and I have more energy and am sleeping better.
Now comes the fun time though.....the holidays. Will have to be sure to watch what I eat, although I made it through Octoberfest and the Chili cook-off without blowing my diet (and those two are worse for me than Thanksgiving or Christmas), so I have faith that I will persevere.
May need new pants again soon, the 56 inch jeans are getting loose, so my work pants are starting to have problems, also need a new belt. I am looking forward to eventually being able to shop at regular stores instead of places like DestinationXL, and the last time I was there the lady was quite rude--reported her to the company. It is hard enough being big in today's world, and working to get to an healthy weight is even harder without assholes making it worse.
Now the fun part, we have new health benefits and I have to find out how it will affect my weight loss program. Yippee, should be a long boring weekend.
Until next time.....
Eat Healthy, exercise regularly and enjoy life.
K
Update Oct 17, 2014
Found my route, 50 Minutes (the time will come down as I do it more) and 2.13 miles, 696 calories burned. My goal is 1000 calories a day, so with my general walking through the day I should reach that (on average my general walking, provided I don't go shopping at Menard's is 350 calories a day, if I go to Menards you can add another 150, so I should reach it daily now). I may increase that goal later, like when I get the recumbent bike operational, but for now that is good. It's working if nothing else. Have a Dr. Appt. next week with my endocrinologist (diabetes doc), so by then I hope to break 400, will let you know.
Eat Healthy, exercise regularly and enjoy life.
K
Today is a day of "Missed it by that much..."
Why you ask?
Let's start with my Dr. Appt today, weighed in, weight was bouncing between 399 and 400 and when it finished I was at 400.0, almost left the 400 club and joined the 300+ club, missed it by that much..... Next month.
Next let's talk exercise, been between 1.5 and 1.8 miles on my walks. First let's put this in perspective. When I first started, it would take me all day to reach enough distance to make a mile. Now I can do a mile in about 24 minutes walking. Today I did my walking and decided to increase my path so I could reach 2 miles. And I made it through the path I chose too, in about 47 minutes, only one minor problem; it was 1.99 miles, again, missed it by that much..... Tomorrow.
Working well on the program, have decided against the gastric sleeve, when and if I do get the surgery (only if I absolutely have to) then I am going with the lap band. Have reached a point where I am on an exercise program and diet that is working for me and not hard to maintain. And I am losing weight with it. Carolyn and my Dr. both agree with my decision. So I think I am doing real good.
Next step is to get the recumbent bike back in the house and operational, that will give me another form of exercise to increase my workouts that won't take time from the family. Can ride and watch TV, visit, whatever. That plus the walking should help increase the weight loss. Have a plan now that is working. It was always hard before because I didn't get any progress, now I am and it's like when I was on Active Duty. I am seeing results so it is easier to carry on. Unlike Active Duty, there is not a downside, if I don't lose as much as I want, I don't have someone saying I will be punished, or censured, etc. I just have to try a little harder (and unlike last month, remember to take off my shoes when I weigh in).
The other points are, my knees hurt less, I am a hell of a lot more mobile, and I have more energy and am sleeping better.
Now comes the fun time though.....the holidays. Will have to be sure to watch what I eat, although I made it through Octoberfest and the Chili cook-off without blowing my diet (and those two are worse for me than Thanksgiving or Christmas), so I have faith that I will persevere.
May need new pants again soon, the 56 inch jeans are getting loose, so my work pants are starting to have problems, also need a new belt. I am looking forward to eventually being able to shop at regular stores instead of places like DestinationXL, and the last time I was there the lady was quite rude--reported her to the company. It is hard enough being big in today's world, and working to get to an healthy weight is even harder without assholes making it worse.
Now the fun part, we have new health benefits and I have to find out how it will affect my weight loss program. Yippee, should be a long boring weekend.
Until next time.....
Eat Healthy, exercise regularly and enjoy life.
K
Update Oct 17, 2014
Found my route, 50 Minutes (the time will come down as I do it more) and 2.13 miles, 696 calories burned. My goal is 1000 calories a day, so with my general walking through the day I should reach that (on average my general walking, provided I don't go shopping at Menard's is 350 calories a day, if I go to Menards you can add another 150, so I should reach it daily now). I may increase that goal later, like when I get the recumbent bike operational, but for now that is good. It's working if nothing else. Have a Dr. Appt. next week with my endocrinologist (diabetes doc), so by then I hope to break 400, will let you know.
Eat Healthy, exercise regularly and enjoy life.
K
Monday, October 6, 2014
Oct 6 Update - Yes these are late updates from last month......
18 Sept Update - Late Posting
This update is late because, well, I have been very very busy this week. We have testing going on at work, which helps my exercise motivation in as much as the walking relieves the stress of work.
Found out I have some mistakes on my blog, I started the program at 420.8 not 416. Had initially lost 6 pounds due to diet change and gained back 3, not 3 off 3 on.
As I said I dropped another pants size, my walks have increased to at least a mile per. Walking multiple times a day.
Had my weigh-in and it was 209.6, only a two pound loss for the month. And that is 11 total so far in the program. But that doesn't bother me. See, I am seeing other things change, my stomach is smaller, I am eating less. I am beginning to get into clothes that haven't fit me in years (i.e. 2XL T-Shirts) Believe some of the weight has been increase in muscle because my knees are not bothering me as much. There will be big and small losses, as long as they are losses every month I will be happy.
Decided that I probably will not be getting the gastric sleeve procedure, as long as I keep seeing weight loss I will probably opt for the lap-band when and if I decide to get it. Still want to go as long as possible on my own. Most people use these procedures to lose weight, which is why they have to go so drastic as the gastric sleeve, my goal is to use it to assist with my diet and exercise to accelerate my weight loss. Not instead of diet and exercise. That is what I have been reading has been the problem with so many failures with the lap band. They don't have the proper diet, or enough strenuous exercise to get the loss. Have a friend, got lap band, complains it doen't do anything, he measures his food and everything he tells me. But guess what, he still drinks about a six pack of beer a day, or the equivilant in other alcohols. So we are talking well over 600 useless calories. And he doesn't bother tracking those either.
I think with my current plan I will be able to lose the weight with the lap band. Yes, I have days where I don't do well with my calorie intake, but most days I finish the day with a positive bank. By that I mean, I have a 2100 calorie a day limit right now (as my weight drops that will have to go down too, but then the app I am using to track it recommended 2900 calories a day for weight loss, so I am good for a bit.). On average I burn 4-600 calories a day walking. So now we are at about 25-2700 a day just to maintain current status. I try to come in a the end of the day at or about my walking burn, although so days I don't. But on average I finish with about 400 calories left on a 400 burn day. Which means I am controlling my diet pretty good, some days it is even higher, but some lower, but I always try to stay in the positive. (Learned this on Active Duty and when I followed it it worked real well, and it seems to be working now).
Really not excited about getting surgery if you can't tell, but we will see what we see.
6 Oct Update - Still Late
As you can tell, never got the 18 Sept post made, testing has kept me busy. Was having issues the past two weeks exercising, finally figured out the problem was my shoes had worn out. Also realized that during my weigh-in I still had my shoes on. Something I normally don't do. Won't do that next time. Got new shoes last week and walked at work for the first time in them this week. Big difference, walke about 1.5 miles (I say about, I was a little over like 1.56 or something), stopped at that point, legs were getting tired and I was thirsty, feet are fine though, great sign of things to come.
Also have some other updates, still need to get scale for the house, but have been eating less and now I usually take in under my allowed calorie level most days (there are some where I don't stay under, but I don't go over the amount available due to exercise so I stay in the positive. Not a good burn loss those days, but a little is better than none. Should get better because we are in the soup and chili season, and have been researching the foods, they are lower in Calories than most of the foods I ate during the summer. Probably because of how they are prepared.
Also, had to add 3 more belt holes to my belt, NOW it's time for a new belt. And with that note, those 56 inch jeans that I was so proud to get into, (remember them), they are starting to become an embarrassment...LOL. I didn't put my belt on right away over the weekend and they started to slip down. That is embarrassment I can counter with a belt, but also embarrassment I can be proud of.
Ran into a friend of ours I hadn't seen in a few months while helping Rebecca find a home coming dress (and we found one that everyone could agree on because the one she was going to use was ugly enough to make me 1) Immediately tell her we would go out on Sunday and find her a nice dress. 2) Make me willing to visit the mall as a last resort (Bless you Brenda Vielweber at Dress Barn on Hwy 15 for saving me from that). and 3) I vomited in my mouth a little, yes that bad. But when we ran into Brenda at Dress Barn (Carolyn's former boss, our dear friend and the Store Manager at Dress Barn, which is why we kept suggesting it to Becca cause Brenda can always find nice clothes for the girls) she took one look at me and said, "You've lost weight." I felt good about that.
So Progress is being made.
Until the next update.
Eat Smart, Eat Healthy, but do enjoy a snack now and then, just plan for it. And get some exercise. Those are the keys. Surgery is just a tool to help, it is not the solution.
This update is late because, well, I have been very very busy this week. We have testing going on at work, which helps my exercise motivation in as much as the walking relieves the stress of work.
Found out I have some mistakes on my blog, I started the program at 420.8 not 416. Had initially lost 6 pounds due to diet change and gained back 3, not 3 off 3 on.
As I said I dropped another pants size, my walks have increased to at least a mile per. Walking multiple times a day.
Had my weigh-in and it was 209.6, only a two pound loss for the month. And that is 11 total so far in the program. But that doesn't bother me. See, I am seeing other things change, my stomach is smaller, I am eating less. I am beginning to get into clothes that haven't fit me in years (i.e. 2XL T-Shirts) Believe some of the weight has been increase in muscle because my knees are not bothering me as much. There will be big and small losses, as long as they are losses every month I will be happy.
Decided that I probably will not be getting the gastric sleeve procedure, as long as I keep seeing weight loss I will probably opt for the lap-band when and if I decide to get it. Still want to go as long as possible on my own. Most people use these procedures to lose weight, which is why they have to go so drastic as the gastric sleeve, my goal is to use it to assist with my diet and exercise to accelerate my weight loss. Not instead of diet and exercise. That is what I have been reading has been the problem with so many failures with the lap band. They don't have the proper diet, or enough strenuous exercise to get the loss. Have a friend, got lap band, complains it doen't do anything, he measures his food and everything he tells me. But guess what, he still drinks about a six pack of beer a day, or the equivilant in other alcohols. So we are talking well over 600 useless calories. And he doesn't bother tracking those either.
I think with my current plan I will be able to lose the weight with the lap band. Yes, I have days where I don't do well with my calorie intake, but most days I finish the day with a positive bank. By that I mean, I have a 2100 calorie a day limit right now (as my weight drops that will have to go down too, but then the app I am using to track it recommended 2900 calories a day for weight loss, so I am good for a bit.). On average I burn 4-600 calories a day walking. So now we are at about 25-2700 a day just to maintain current status. I try to come in a the end of the day at or about my walking burn, although so days I don't. But on average I finish with about 400 calories left on a 400 burn day. Which means I am controlling my diet pretty good, some days it is even higher, but some lower, but I always try to stay in the positive. (Learned this on Active Duty and when I followed it it worked real well, and it seems to be working now).
Really not excited about getting surgery if you can't tell, but we will see what we see.
6 Oct Update - Still Late
As you can tell, never got the 18 Sept post made, testing has kept me busy. Was having issues the past two weeks exercising, finally figured out the problem was my shoes had worn out. Also realized that during my weigh-in I still had my shoes on. Something I normally don't do. Won't do that next time. Got new shoes last week and walked at work for the first time in them this week. Big difference, walke about 1.5 miles (I say about, I was a little over like 1.56 or something), stopped at that point, legs were getting tired and I was thirsty, feet are fine though, great sign of things to come.
Also have some other updates, still need to get scale for the house, but have been eating less and now I usually take in under my allowed calorie level most days (there are some where I don't stay under, but I don't go over the amount available due to exercise so I stay in the positive. Not a good burn loss those days, but a little is better than none. Should get better because we are in the soup and chili season, and have been researching the foods, they are lower in Calories than most of the foods I ate during the summer. Probably because of how they are prepared.
Also, had to add 3 more belt holes to my belt, NOW it's time for a new belt. And with that note, those 56 inch jeans that I was so proud to get into, (remember them), they are starting to become an embarrassment...LOL. I didn't put my belt on right away over the weekend and they started to slip down. That is embarrassment I can counter with a belt, but also embarrassment I can be proud of.
Ran into a friend of ours I hadn't seen in a few months while helping Rebecca find a home coming dress (and we found one that everyone could agree on because the one she was going to use was ugly enough to make me 1) Immediately tell her we would go out on Sunday and find her a nice dress. 2) Make me willing to visit the mall as a last resort (Bless you Brenda Vielweber at Dress Barn on Hwy 15 for saving me from that). and 3) I vomited in my mouth a little, yes that bad. But when we ran into Brenda at Dress Barn (Carolyn's former boss, our dear friend and the Store Manager at Dress Barn, which is why we kept suggesting it to Becca cause Brenda can always find nice clothes for the girls) she took one look at me and said, "You've lost weight." I felt good about that.
So Progress is being made.
Until the next update.
Eat Smart, Eat Healthy, but do enjoy a snack now and then, just plan for it. And get some exercise. Those are the keys. Surgery is just a tool to help, it is not the solution.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Update From Yesterday - 12 September 2014
Hit a couple of milestones:
First of all, yesterday I got down to a 56 in the waist. Was able to wear a pair of jeans that I have had around but not worn for over 3 years. So now I can put my 60's away (the ones that were falling off). Couple of more pants sizes and I will be able to get away from DestinationDXL and their overpriced clothes.
Second: Today I walked 1.38 miles in 35 minutes. Not my fastest time for that kind of distance (that would be 9.5 minutes when on active duty). But considering a month ago I was taking that much time to walk 1/2 a mile, and I was suffering bad at the end. Could have gone farther today, but it was cold and drizzly and my legs were just getting plain old fashioned tired (no pain, just fatigue - great isn't it).
Next appointment is next Thursday, so unless something big happens I will probably not make any updates until then.
First of all, yesterday I got down to a 56 in the waist. Was able to wear a pair of jeans that I have had around but not worn for over 3 years. So now I can put my 60's away (the ones that were falling off). Couple of more pants sizes and I will be able to get away from DestinationDXL and their overpriced clothes.
Second: Today I walked 1.38 miles in 35 minutes. Not my fastest time for that kind of distance (that would be 9.5 minutes when on active duty). But considering a month ago I was taking that much time to walk 1/2 a mile, and I was suffering bad at the end. Could have gone farther today, but it was cold and drizzly and my legs were just getting plain old fashioned tired (no pain, just fatigue - great isn't it).
Next appointment is next Thursday, so unless something big happens I will probably not make any updates until then.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Latest Update - September 11, 2014
Let’s take a minute to pause and pray for the souls that died that day 13 years ago.
Have increased my workouts to the point where when I go out for a walk, I now can go for a mile before my back pain gets to the point where I can’t go. It goes away after sitting, has to do with muscles stresses on the butt and legs. Had to buy new pants a couple of weeks ago. Went from 60 to 58 (they don’t sell 57’s). Think I may need to replace these soon (before that though I am going to get suspenders to push getting new pants off longer), they keep slipping off my waist. My next appointment is next week so I will find how much (if any) I have lost. Considering I have increased my walks and decreased my caloric intake on most day it shouldn’t be a problem. Most days I don’t even feel the need to snack. Of course I drink so much water that could be the offset. But at least I am not dehydrated. Did you know that most of the nation is at least partially dehydrated at any given time? Fun fact. Altering my diet too. Cutting back on the carbs and focusing more on proteins and vegetables. If I do eventually get the surgery this is something I was told I would have to do, consume more proteins than carbs to maintain my body, along with vitamin supplements for the rest of my life. See why I want to avoid the surgery?
Have increased my workouts to the point where when I go out for a walk, I now can go for a mile before my back pain gets to the point where I can’t go. It goes away after sitting, has to do with muscles stresses on the butt and legs. Had to buy new pants a couple of weeks ago. Went from 60 to 58 (they don’t sell 57’s). Think I may need to replace these soon (before that though I am going to get suspenders to push getting new pants off longer), they keep slipping off my waist. My next appointment is next week so I will find how much (if any) I have lost. Considering I have increased my walks and decreased my caloric intake on most day it shouldn’t be a problem. Most days I don’t even feel the need to snack. Of course I drink so much water that could be the offset. But at least I am not dehydrated. Did you know that most of the nation is at least partially dehydrated at any given time? Fun fact. Altering my diet too. Cutting back on the carbs and focusing more on proteins and vegetables. If I do eventually get the surgery this is something I was told I would have to do, consume more proteins than carbs to maintain my body, along with vitamin supplements for the rest of my life. See why I want to avoid the surgery?
Month 4 of NewStart Program - August 21, 2014
August 21, 2014
For those who don't know, I am participating in the NewStart program through St. Alexis Hospital. Went to my monthly appointment. Lost a total of 6 lbs. Feeling good. Added the app MapMyFitness to my phone, it uses GPS to get a more accurate tracking of exercise. Increasing my workouts to the point where I hope to be up to at least a mile and a half a day. Talk to the Doctor about postponing surgery if I can get a steady progress through diet and exercise. He had no problem with me doing that and even encouraged and applauded me for my current loss so far. He even agreed that while the surgery would solve the problem, a natural resolution was better. The people at NewStart make sure you know that they are on your side and want to help you achieve your goals any way you can and just aren't pushing surgical means. I feel good working with them.
For those who don't know, I am participating in the NewStart program through St. Alexis Hospital. Went to my monthly appointment. Lost a total of 6 lbs. Feeling good. Added the app MapMyFitness to my phone, it uses GPS to get a more accurate tracking of exercise. Increasing my workouts to the point where I hope to be up to at least a mile and a half a day. Talk to the Doctor about postponing surgery if I can get a steady progress through diet and exercise. He had no problem with me doing that and even encouraged and applauded me for my current loss so far. He even agreed that while the surgery would solve the problem, a natural resolution was better. The people at NewStart make sure you know that they are on your side and want to help you achieve your goals any way you can and just aren't pushing surgical means. I feel good working with them.
Weight Loss Journey Revisited. - May to Aug 2014
Weight Loss Journey Revisited.
Well up until now my attempts at losing weight have found limited or no success, my diabetes, while it hasn't gotten worse, has not gotten any better. To combat this, my endocrinologist has suggested
Part of the program is a 7 month course with the dietician to control and stabilize my weight (in my case I need to lose some too), I am currently at the max BMI for the procedure (60). So we started the first month with cutting some things out of my diet, and I lost 3 lbs, the second month they added a light exercise program and I got the 3 lbs back.
Last month we added a calorie diary and a limit on daily calorie intake. Started using MyFitnessPal on my android like the dietician recommended, and also Walking Mate to monitor my daily exercise. The calorie intake the dietician recommended and MyFitnessPal recommended for weight loss were 2 different numbers so I split the difference. I will work down to the number that the dietician said but going straight there I don't think would work. Using the Walking Mate has really helped my exercise level. I can walk a lot farther now than I could even just 2 weeks ago.
I started this section at about 416 lbs. Yes, you read that correct. According to the apps after 5 weekes I should be around between 393 and 400 lbs, I will find out my progress on the 21st when I go back to see the Dr. and the dietician. Hope to have at least lost 5 lbs.
See, my thought is this, IF I can get to the point where I can have steady weight loss, and increase my exercise level. Then I will see about postponing the surgery until such time as I either plateau and can't get the weight down far enough anymore, or I reach my goal and can cancel it. I don't like permanent alterations to my body, I would prefer permanent alteration to my life style.
This is how I looked when I started the program.
Eat Healthy, exercise regularly, enjoy life....
K
Well up until now my attempts at losing weight have found limited or no success, my diabetes, while it hasn't gotten worse, has not gotten any better. To combat this, my endocrinologist has suggested
Bariatric surgery. After going
to the initial briefings I have settled (for the time being at least) on the
sleeve procedure (partial stomach removal) for the weight loss. Nervous as all
hell though.
Part of the program is a 7 month course with the dietician to control and stabilize my weight (in my case I need to lose some too), I am currently at the max BMI for the procedure (60). So we started the first month with cutting some things out of my diet, and I lost 3 lbs, the second month they added a light exercise program and I got the 3 lbs back.
Last month we added a calorie diary and a limit on daily calorie intake. Started using MyFitnessPal on my android like the dietician recommended, and also Walking Mate to monitor my daily exercise. The calorie intake the dietician recommended and MyFitnessPal recommended for weight loss were 2 different numbers so I split the difference. I will work down to the number that the dietician said but going straight there I don't think would work. Using the Walking Mate has really helped my exercise level. I can walk a lot farther now than I could even just 2 weeks ago.
I started this section at about 416 lbs. Yes, you read that correct. According to the apps after 5 weekes I should be around between 393 and 400 lbs, I will find out my progress on the 21st when I go back to see the Dr. and the dietician. Hope to have at least lost 5 lbs.
See, my thought is this, IF I can get to the point where I can have steady weight loss, and increase my exercise level. Then I will see about postponing the surgery until such time as I either plateau and can't get the weight down far enough anymore, or I reach my goal and can cancel it. I don't like permanent alterations to my body, I would prefer permanent alteration to my life style.
This is how I looked when I started the program.
Eat Healthy, exercise regularly, enjoy life....
K
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