Been a while since I updated my journey, had busy year. So let's see where we are, I have dropped 10 inches off my waist, I can now buy my clothes in a regular store and not a Big and Tall specialty store. My weight is down to 365. Have dropped 55 lbs and counting. Walk 1.25 miles a day, have another 15 pounds to my next goal, 350. What's so important about 350? That is the max rated weight for most gym equipment. So then I will be able to use the elliptical trainer at the base gym. Blood sugar is averaging about 160, and using less insulin (doctors orders, not doing this on my own). His and my goal is to get me off meds completely and we are headed there. Hope to be going to the gym by Thanksgiving or Christmas at the latest. Wish me luck.
Showing posts with label Diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diet. Show all posts
Friday, October 23, 2015
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Jan 24, 2015 - Welcome to the New Year
Latest Update - Jan 24, 2015
Haven't made an update since late Oct. The holidays came, and I fully expected to gain about 10 lbs between Thanksgiving and New Years, even with the appetite suppresant that was prescribed (which I am currently off until I can afford the co-pay) and starting smoking for a short time due to stress caused by idiots and family who had to have their own way and inconvience and endanger others on the holidays (person is convinced that driving on Christmas Day is no worse than any other day, then why was Becca in hysterics after dealing with the nuts coming home, and how would they know since they haven't had to drive on Christmas in over 15 years, stay off 70 on Christmas if you can. Those people are Crazy).
Was at 400 lbs at last weigh in on Oct 24, so I figured if I was around that weight it would be good. My goal is to avoid the surgery and I told myself that if I at least held my weight steady I would consider that a bonus and postpone the surgery a little longer. As long as I was losing weight the I would not get the surgery, why fix a process that is working just to speed it up, and why do something permanent to my body if I don't have to.
Was feeling good about myself even though I hadn't weighed in through the holidays (needed to get new scale), because the 54's that I had gotten down to still fit and even felt comfortable when I had my holster on, something they didn't feel before. By the way, our Illinois Carry Permits came in so now unless I am going to the base I am holstered up now and so is Momma. And this was even with not being able to walk outside everyday due to weather (not walking with negative wind chills, not yet). So finally yesterday I got a scale to check my weight, new digitial model that can handle up to 440 lbs (just in case).
The decision is to postpone surgery a little longer.
Jan 23, 2015 weight - 388.2
Almost 12 lbs since my last weight check and that was INCLUDING Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
Still watching my calorie intake and walking 1-2 miles a day.
Happy New Year!!
Until Next Time.....
Eat Healthy, exercise regularly and enjoy life.
K
Haven't made an update since late Oct. The holidays came, and I fully expected to gain about 10 lbs between Thanksgiving and New Years, even with the appetite suppresant that was prescribed (which I am currently off until I can afford the co-pay) and starting smoking for a short time due to stress caused by idiots and family who had to have their own way and inconvience and endanger others on the holidays (person is convinced that driving on Christmas Day is no worse than any other day, then why was Becca in hysterics after dealing with the nuts coming home, and how would they know since they haven't had to drive on Christmas in over 15 years, stay off 70 on Christmas if you can. Those people are Crazy).
Was at 400 lbs at last weigh in on Oct 24, so I figured if I was around that weight it would be good. My goal is to avoid the surgery and I told myself that if I at least held my weight steady I would consider that a bonus and postpone the surgery a little longer. As long as I was losing weight the I would not get the surgery, why fix a process that is working just to speed it up, and why do something permanent to my body if I don't have to.
Was feeling good about myself even though I hadn't weighed in through the holidays (needed to get new scale), because the 54's that I had gotten down to still fit and even felt comfortable when I had my holster on, something they didn't feel before. By the way, our Illinois Carry Permits came in so now unless I am going to the base I am holstered up now and so is Momma. And this was even with not being able to walk outside everyday due to weather (not walking with negative wind chills, not yet). So finally yesterday I got a scale to check my weight, new digitial model that can handle up to 440 lbs (just in case).
The decision is to postpone surgery a little longer.
Jan 23, 2015 weight - 388.2
Almost 12 lbs since my last weight check and that was INCLUDING Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
Still watching my calorie intake and walking 1-2 miles a day.
Happy New Year!!
Until Next Time.....
Eat Healthy, exercise regularly and enjoy life.
K
Monday, October 27, 2014
Bad Weekend.
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.
Until Next Time......
Eat Healthy, exercise regularly and enjoy life.
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
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Latest Update
20 October
Feel like I am starting over, got a new baseline weight from the doctor. Corrected my scale issues, back on the diet and exercising every other day again (pulled a muscle), know that I am losing weight, clothes are getting looser and stamina is getting better. Just not where I thought I was. Next weigh-in will be next Friday, moved it to Friday since that will be 2 weeks from the baseline. Little down about the situation but just have to stick with it. Nothing to it but to do it.
Or, as one of the guys I served with on Mobility would say "HUAY", (it's an Army thing....)
KS
Feel like I am starting over, got a new baseline weight from the doctor. Corrected my scale issues, back on the diet and exercising every other day again (pulled a muscle), know that I am losing weight, clothes are getting looser and stamina is getting better. Just not where I thought I was. Next weigh-in will be next Friday, moved it to Friday since that will be 2 weeks from the baseline. Little down about the situation but just have to stick with it. Nothing to it but to do it.
Or, as one of the guys I served with on Mobility would say "HUAY", (it's an Army thing....)
KS
Sunday, October 10, 2010
10/10/10
It's Sunday,
Been a pretty good day, found a good hot wings recipe which has 0 carbs in it. Allowed me to enjoy watching football and movies with munchies. Still have to exercise today, but at least I was able to enjoy snacking for the first time in a while, cause you really have to watch those hot wing recipes, some of them have a whole mess of carbs (TGIFridays and Hooters for example).
Some days are harder than others, that's the thing about dieting; it is basically a solo venture. You can talk about support structures, others that are dieting with you, etc. You can complain about people eating things you can't eat, or not having enough of what you can eat. But in the end, it all comes down to this, How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight. If you really want to lose the weight, no matter what happens you will have the will power to do what it necessary.
Guess that is all for today, tomorrow I work, we are getting in new laptops for on-call and finally just got the tunneling software to work, so maybe, just maybe I can get back to my studying and get a little stress off of me. Stress is part of our daily life, this is true, but added stress can really mess up dieting. And remember, most importantly, drink plenty of water, I believe they recommend at least 48 ounces a day (yes you will spend a lot of time in the bathroom); personally I drink even more than that (always in the can of course...). But one thing I have noticed over the years with diets, no matter which diet, not matter what types of exercise, if you drink a whole lot of water while dieting, the weight comes off a whole lot easier. You also need to either cut back on caffeine or add 8 ounces of water of each 8 ounces of caffeinated drink, caffeine bind fat to the body and water breaks that bind, which is why with the amount of coffee I drink that I consume a couple of gallons of water a day. Which means all I have to watch is my diet versus exercise. Good luck to all of you.
K
Been a pretty good day, found a good hot wings recipe which has 0 carbs in it. Allowed me to enjoy watching football and movies with munchies. Still have to exercise today, but at least I was able to enjoy snacking for the first time in a while, cause you really have to watch those hot wing recipes, some of them have a whole mess of carbs (TGIFridays and Hooters for example).
Some days are harder than others, that's the thing about dieting; it is basically a solo venture. You can talk about support structures, others that are dieting with you, etc. You can complain about people eating things you can't eat, or not having enough of what you can eat. But in the end, it all comes down to this, How Bad Do You Want To Lose Weight. If you really want to lose the weight, no matter what happens you will have the will power to do what it necessary.
Guess that is all for today, tomorrow I work, we are getting in new laptops for on-call and finally just got the tunneling software to work, so maybe, just maybe I can get back to my studying and get a little stress off of me. Stress is part of our daily life, this is true, but added stress can really mess up dieting. And remember, most importantly, drink plenty of water, I believe they recommend at least 48 ounces a day (yes you will spend a lot of time in the bathroom); personally I drink even more than that (always in the can of course...). But one thing I have noticed over the years with diets, no matter which diet, not matter what types of exercise, if you drink a whole lot of water while dieting, the weight comes off a whole lot easier. You also need to either cut back on caffeine or add 8 ounces of water of each 8 ounces of caffeinated drink, caffeine bind fat to the body and water breaks that bind, which is why with the amount of coffee I drink that I consume a couple of gallons of water a day. Which means all I have to watch is my diet versus exercise. Good luck to all of you.
K
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Oct 1 – Oct 8
It has been a long busy week, work piling up all around me, keeps me busy and the days go by fast. Got back on my diet after a couple of falls from grace. Have increased my exercise to everyday, nervous about the weigh-in next week, but if I continue as I am I should be okay. My current goal is to be on a normal scale at the Doctors office by Thanksgiving (that is one that only goes to 350). That means about 20 lbs in the next 7 weeks, with this diet I should lose that and more but that is my goal. My next goal after that is to get to the 2’s. I figure if I set goals between 20 and 50 lbs at a shot I should be okay. Especially if I give myself about 8 weeks for each goal. Reasonable on this diet.
My support structure has drifted away it seems, at least they aren’t as vocal about their support. I have to keep reminding people that I have changed my diet so I can’t eat certain things. It makes it hard sometimes because people forget that I need to have certain things to eat. Like the other night we had burgers for dinner, vegetables were supposed to be prepared so I would have something besides just burgers. They weren’t. They didn’t forget to make the fries though, a lot of good that did me. It’s incidents like this that make it stressful sometimes, Oh, I get the I’m sorry, but again, a hell of a lot a good sorry does for the empty stomach.
Have a question for any of my few readers, is there anyone out there that has diabetes and has had to come back from a lot of weight. (Like I am doing now) It seems that my legs are hurting more and more as the days go by. Is it because that now I am exercising I am just noticing it more than before when I wasn’t exercising? Or is it something else, it seems it’s the muscles that are hurting in spots. Unless someone has a suggestion I am going to wait a while to see if it eases up as I lose weight, if it doesn’t then I will contact my doc about it. Wish me luck.
Next weigh-in is Oct 14, feeling better about it right now, never confidant though. Will have to wait and see. This weekend should be good, nothing really to do, no events that is, just going to watch football, eat Buffalo wings and celery for snacks (great low carb snacks)
My support structure has drifted away it seems, at least they aren’t as vocal about their support. I have to keep reminding people that I have changed my diet so I can’t eat certain things. It makes it hard sometimes because people forget that I need to have certain things to eat. Like the other night we had burgers for dinner, vegetables were supposed to be prepared so I would have something besides just burgers. They weren’t. They didn’t forget to make the fries though, a lot of good that did me. It’s incidents like this that make it stressful sometimes, Oh, I get the I’m sorry, but again, a hell of a lot a good sorry does for the empty stomach.
Have a question for any of my few readers, is there anyone out there that has diabetes and has had to come back from a lot of weight. (Like I am doing now) It seems that my legs are hurting more and more as the days go by. Is it because that now I am exercising I am just noticing it more than before when I wasn’t exercising? Or is it something else, it seems it’s the muscles that are hurting in spots. Unless someone has a suggestion I am going to wait a while to see if it eases up as I lose weight, if it doesn’t then I will contact my doc about it. Wish me luck.
Next weigh-in is Oct 14, feeling better about it right now, never confidant though. Will have to wait and see. This weekend should be good, nothing really to do, no events that is, just going to watch football, eat Buffalo wings and celery for snacks (great low carb snacks)
Friday, October 1, 2010
Weigh In
Posted 1 Oct
Sorry about the delay on posting, had some computer issues yesterday.
30 Sept 2010
Weighed in this morning, gained 1.8 lbs, can only attribute it to the extra carbs while I was sick, I didn't stop exercising no matter how much I felt like dying. Back on the low carbs now that I am feeling a little better. Still have the cough and still not 100%, but getting better, need to get better sleep though, that's causing issues. Hopefully with the increase in levels, and being back on the low carbs I should drop some weight, Thinking about going to work the bike on a 2 and 1 schedule instead of every other day. Might help to increase the metabolism so more.
It is a little discouraging, but have to keep working on it, it is going in the right direction. Will be glad when I finally complete my journey, it's amazing how much you miss french fries when you can't have them. Tired and it's time for bed, will get this posted when I can. Keep looking for the updates....
K
Sorry about the delay on posting, had some computer issues yesterday.
30 Sept 2010
Weighed in this morning, gained 1.8 lbs, can only attribute it to the extra carbs while I was sick, I didn't stop exercising no matter how much I felt like dying. Back on the low carbs now that I am feeling a little better. Still have the cough and still not 100%, but getting better, need to get better sleep though, that's causing issues. Hopefully with the increase in levels, and being back on the low carbs I should drop some weight, Thinking about going to work the bike on a 2 and 1 schedule instead of every other day. Might help to increase the metabolism so more.
It is a little discouraging, but have to keep working on it, it is going in the right direction. Will be glad when I finally complete my journey, it's amazing how much you miss french fries when you can't have them. Tired and it's time for bed, will get this posted when I can. Keep looking for the updates....
K
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Night Before Weigh In
29 September 2010
Twas the night before weigh-in and all through the house, not a carb had been eaten, cept by the fat little mouse.....
To corny? I thought so too.
It's the night before my next weigh in, not looking forward to this one. Was sick most of the time and took in some carbs in the form of chicken soup. Didn't stop exercising though, hopefully that will give me some help and drop at least a pound or two, that's all I am hoping for. Like always I will weigh in the morning, and then post my progress on the blog tomorrow night sometime,
One thing I have noticed, I am finding more reasons to type about what is going on, not only with the diet, but what's going on in my head during the diet. And it's nice to know that people are actually looking at my blog (hence the counter). Would love to know who is following it, but can't have everything (an ego thing I guess).
So as I get ready to go to bed, knowing I will sleep well thanks to the exercise, I know that I will be dreaming of the day I can pig out on the bottemless basket of fries at Red Robin.....LOL. You never really miss carbs, until you quit eating them. Oh for a bowl of rice or potatoes....
But at least I can eat all the meat and dairy I want, which are truly my favs.
Good Night, God Bless and wish me luck in the Morning.
By the way, don't be afraid to comment, can always use a little encouragement.
KS
Twas the night before weigh-in and all through the house, not a carb had been eaten, cept by the fat little mouse.....
To corny? I thought so too.
It's the night before my next weigh in, not looking forward to this one. Was sick most of the time and took in some carbs in the form of chicken soup. Didn't stop exercising though, hopefully that will give me some help and drop at least a pound or two, that's all I am hoping for. Like always I will weigh in the morning, and then post my progress on the blog tomorrow night sometime,
One thing I have noticed, I am finding more reasons to type about what is going on, not only with the diet, but what's going on in my head during the diet. And it's nice to know that people are actually looking at my blog (hence the counter). Would love to know who is following it, but can't have everything (an ego thing I guess).
So as I get ready to go to bed, knowing I will sleep well thanks to the exercise, I know that I will be dreaming of the day I can pig out on the bottemless basket of fries at Red Robin.....LOL. You never really miss carbs, until you quit eating them. Oh for a bowl of rice or potatoes....
But at least I can eat all the meat and dairy I want, which are truly my favs.
Good Night, God Bless and wish me luck in the Morning.
By the way, don't be afraid to comment, can always use a little encouragement.
KS
Monday, September 27, 2010
The Monday after a long weekend
27 September 2010
It’s A Manic Monday Obviously
Right now I am typing this to try and stay awake, no it’s not because of the sleep apnea, my body is just exhausted. Was outside or driving the car all weekend, so I am just tired out. Not looking forward to weighing in this week, bet my weight is up or the same, this cold really wrecked havoc on the diet, things like chicken soup have a bunch of carbs. The only think I can positively say is that I didn’t stop exercising and increased from level four to level five. Missed a day over the weekend and I paid for it, legs were killing me,
Have an easy night tonight, Scouts and 2 soccer practices, my put an extra day on the bike just to loosen the legs ups. Always feels good, exercise, the new body drug…LOL.
I have been called conceited for starting this blog, that person obviously doesn’t know how rough losing weight can be. I started this blog to motivate myself first, and others second, by telling my journey and making it public. I hope that eventually some people will sign up to follow the blog, and maybe even comment on it. Nasty comments need not be posted, those of us in this condition already get enough nasty comments.
That is one thing I noticed, those people who like to make nasty comments usually have something miserable in their life, why else would they try to destroy your happiness with your major and minor successes. Had one person tell me that because I fell off my diet for one day it would set me back a week or so, under the guise of being a friend and being supportive. How is this supportive? It’s not, this person is just trying to tear down my success and make themselves feel superior I think. A real friend would have said something like, just get back to what you were doing and don’t let it bother you, no one is perfect on their diets all the time and they still lose weight. (I had a friend tell me that) And guess what, didn’t lose as much weight, but I still lost some. You just need to take it one day at a time, keep upbeat, stick to the plan, and take pride in all successes, no matter how small.
Until next time…..
KS
It’s A Manic Monday Obviously
Right now I am typing this to try and stay awake, no it’s not because of the sleep apnea, my body is just exhausted. Was outside or driving the car all weekend, so I am just tired out. Not looking forward to weighing in this week, bet my weight is up or the same, this cold really wrecked havoc on the diet, things like chicken soup have a bunch of carbs. The only think I can positively say is that I didn’t stop exercising and increased from level four to level five. Missed a day over the weekend and I paid for it, legs were killing me,
Have an easy night tonight, Scouts and 2 soccer practices, my put an extra day on the bike just to loosen the legs ups. Always feels good, exercise, the new body drug…LOL.
I have been called conceited for starting this blog, that person obviously doesn’t know how rough losing weight can be. I started this blog to motivate myself first, and others second, by telling my journey and making it public. I hope that eventually some people will sign up to follow the blog, and maybe even comment on it. Nasty comments need not be posted, those of us in this condition already get enough nasty comments.
That is one thing I noticed, those people who like to make nasty comments usually have something miserable in their life, why else would they try to destroy your happiness with your major and minor successes. Had one person tell me that because I fell off my diet for one day it would set me back a week or so, under the guise of being a friend and being supportive. How is this supportive? It’s not, this person is just trying to tear down my success and make themselves feel superior I think. A real friend would have said something like, just get back to what you were doing and don’t let it bother you, no one is perfect on their diets all the time and they still lose weight. (I had a friend tell me that) And guess what, didn’t lose as much weight, but I still lost some. You just need to take it one day at a time, keep upbeat, stick to the plan, and take pride in all successes, no matter how small.
Until next time…..
KS
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Why two weeks
Tues, Sept 21 2010
People keep asking me why I only check my weight loss every two weeks, wouldn't checking weekly show you progress sooner and give you more hope. Maybe, but also in the past on other diets, sometimes you will plateau for a week or so, sometimes you have slow weeks, and sometimes you have fast weeks. By weighing only once every two weeks I get to see a pretty steady progression, no spikes and no valleys (fast and slow weeks), I get the balance and for me, that is more encouraging than everything else. Plus I don't panic if I slip on one or two days, I have the other 10 or so to make up for it. Every week may work for others, hell, every day works for some, just not for me. You have to monitor you weight in a way that works best for you.
Good Luck on your Journey
People keep asking me why I only check my weight loss every two weeks, wouldn't checking weekly show you progress sooner and give you more hope. Maybe, but also in the past on other diets, sometimes you will plateau for a week or so, sometimes you have slow weeks, and sometimes you have fast weeks. By weighing only once every two weeks I get to see a pretty steady progression, no spikes and no valleys (fast and slow weeks), I get the balance and for me, that is more encouraging than everything else. Plus I don't panic if I slip on one or two days, I have the other 10 or so to make up for it. Every week may work for others, hell, every day works for some, just not for me. You have to monitor you weight in a way that works best for you.
Good Luck on your Journey
Monday, September 20, 2010
One Rough Monday
20 September 2010
Had a rough weekend, Soccer games all weekend plus Mary going to Homecoming with her boyfriend. Got up Sunday Morning and it was still raining, Mary had a Soccer game in Highland IL. We went to the game and it continued to rain through most of the game. Stopped home for dry clothes and the ran some errands after that and by the time we got home it was about 3:30. Had a dripping nose and a headache. Didn't really feel like exercising so put it off till Monday.
Woke up Monday, hadn't slept much all night, called in work cause I was just feeling like garbage. Spent most of the day sleeping, drinking tea, and trying to feel better. Finally about 4 I realized I still had to run some places tonight, things to do, errands to run, and it never ends. So to get moving I decided to exercise, after 30 minutes on the bike, my lungs still hurt, my head is still stuffed although it is a little clearer, but my legs feel better. So at least I am staying on the program toward my weight loss goals.
Had a rough weekend, Soccer games all weekend plus Mary going to Homecoming with her boyfriend. Got up Sunday Morning and it was still raining, Mary had a Soccer game in Highland IL. We went to the game and it continued to rain through most of the game. Stopped home for dry clothes and the ran some errands after that and by the time we got home it was about 3:30. Had a dripping nose and a headache. Didn't really feel like exercising so put it off till Monday.
Woke up Monday, hadn't slept much all night, called in work cause I was just feeling like garbage. Spent most of the day sleeping, drinking tea, and trying to feel better. Finally about 4 I realized I still had to run some places tonight, things to do, errands to run, and it never ends. So to get moving I decided to exercise, after 30 minutes on the bike, my lungs still hurt, my head is still stuffed although it is a little clearer, but my legs feel better. So at least I am staying on the program toward my weight loss goals.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Day after Week 4 Weigh-In
Was a bad day, had a lot of stuff come down on me at work. Heavy strain but we got it done. The thing was by the time I got off work I was worn out, all I wanted to do was sleep. So I decided to take a nap and then exercise afterwords.
So I take my nap and get up and start playing on the computer, then my daughter says she needs to refill her acid reflux meds. Now I am thinking maybe I will just wait till tomorrow to work out. See the pattern here?
As I thought about it, so did I, I keep doing this and I won't work out today, and then something will come up tomorrow, and pretty soon I will be right back where I have started.
So despite the fact that my legs were killing me and my back and knees hurt, I was tired and had a headache, I still got on the bike with my mp3 player and worked out for 30 minutes at level 4.
That was about a 1/2 hour ago that I finished, my back feels looser, my knees aren't groaning as much, my legs are tired but not burning like before. Still tired but the headache is gone.
Exercise is a wonderful medication for what ails you....
So I take my nap and get up and start playing on the computer, then my daughter says she needs to refill her acid reflux meds. Now I am thinking maybe I will just wait till tomorrow to work out. See the pattern here?
As I thought about it, so did I, I keep doing this and I won't work out today, and then something will come up tomorrow, and pretty soon I will be right back where I have started.
So despite the fact that my legs were killing me and my back and knees hurt, I was tired and had a headache, I still got on the bike with my mp3 player and worked out for 30 minutes at level 4.
That was about a 1/2 hour ago that I finished, my back feels looser, my knees aren't groaning as much, my legs are tired but not burning like before. Still tired but the headache is gone.
Exercise is a wonderful medication for what ails you....
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Weigh In Day - End of Week 4
16 September 2010
End of Week 4
Today was the end of week 4 of my lifestyle change, by the end of week 4 I have increased my exercise level (still working out every other day) to level 4. I also had some days where I cheated on the carbs, like Labor Day weekend. The first two weeks of the change were the easy ones in some ways, you’re all pumped up about what you’re are doing and you haven’t gotten to the day to day drudgery yet. The support level the first two weeks is also different, you’re just starting out and everyone is there to help you and maybe even join you, but by week three the supporters are all giving excuses as to why they are sliding back, not working out as much, cheating on the diet more. This was when it was hard to be strong.
I started my journey at 407 lbs (yes, you read that correctly), after 1 month I am down to 370. My weight loss from weeks 2 – 4 was 16 lbs. Not as much as the first 2 weeks, but significant none the less. And considering I had some weakness over Labor Day, I am proud of that.
People have asked me how I let myself get this way, since when I was in the service most of my career I weighed 185. My last couple of years in the USAF were rough, I had some knee injuries which made exercise difficult and then I quit smoking with caused me to gain some weight. I was in the process of losing the weight, and on a descent schedule when I received a new supervisor who did not like me(for those who knew me then his initials are RT), he flat out told me that it was his goal in life to get me kicked out of the service. None of my immediate chain of command (Msgt. TC and Msgt. MW) would believe a Tsgt. Would act that way, like being an NCO makes you lose are petty behavior. What a laugh, anyway, he succeeded by constantly badgering me until I just gave up. I didn’t hurt that he seems to have lost a medical eval request that I filed, which if it had gone through would have probably caused me to be medically retired at about 40%. So this drove me into a depression which caused me to eat more, exercise less and gain weight. A few years later a friend of mine from the USAF, Kathy, suggested I file a VA claim for my knees and back, I may be able to get something out of my years in the military. So I did and with the help of the DAV my claim was evaluated and I found out I was eligible for some pension, 60% in fact (the sleep apnea that everyone in the AF ignored was a bigger problem than they thought). This validated my time in service in my heart and I felt the depression lifting. Then one day I was walking and having problems breathing and this scared me. So that day I decided to go back on the low carb diet and start losing the weight.
So that is the beginning of the story, my goal is 200 lbs, half my starting weight, my reward for making my goals? My knees with hurt less, I should be able to bowl, play paintball, softball, play with my kids again. Maybe go on a rollercoaster. The big reward will be my health. This should help my diabetes get under complete control, allow me control of my blood pressure, I hope my knees with stop hurting as much (with the meniscus partially removed from one knee, the pain will never completely go away), hopefully the edema and circulation in my legs with improve greatly (this is what I have been told will happen). So the rewards should be great.
KS
End of Week 4
Today was the end of week 4 of my lifestyle change, by the end of week 4 I have increased my exercise level (still working out every other day) to level 4. I also had some days where I cheated on the carbs, like Labor Day weekend. The first two weeks of the change were the easy ones in some ways, you’re all pumped up about what you’re are doing and you haven’t gotten to the day to day drudgery yet. The support level the first two weeks is also different, you’re just starting out and everyone is there to help you and maybe even join you, but by week three the supporters are all giving excuses as to why they are sliding back, not working out as much, cheating on the diet more. This was when it was hard to be strong.
I started my journey at 407 lbs (yes, you read that correctly), after 1 month I am down to 370. My weight loss from weeks 2 – 4 was 16 lbs. Not as much as the first 2 weeks, but significant none the less. And considering I had some weakness over Labor Day, I am proud of that.
People have asked me how I let myself get this way, since when I was in the service most of my career I weighed 185. My last couple of years in the USAF were rough, I had some knee injuries which made exercise difficult and then I quit smoking with caused me to gain some weight. I was in the process of losing the weight, and on a descent schedule when I received a new supervisor who did not like me(for those who knew me then his initials are RT), he flat out told me that it was his goal in life to get me kicked out of the service. None of my immediate chain of command (Msgt. TC and Msgt. MW) would believe a Tsgt. Would act that way, like being an NCO makes you lose are petty behavior. What a laugh, anyway, he succeeded by constantly badgering me until I just gave up. I didn’t hurt that he seems to have lost a medical eval request that I filed, which if it had gone through would have probably caused me to be medically retired at about 40%. So this drove me into a depression which caused me to eat more, exercise less and gain weight. A few years later a friend of mine from the USAF, Kathy, suggested I file a VA claim for my knees and back, I may be able to get something out of my years in the military. So I did and with the help of the DAV my claim was evaluated and I found out I was eligible for some pension, 60% in fact (the sleep apnea that everyone in the AF ignored was a bigger problem than they thought). This validated my time in service in my heart and I felt the depression lifting. Then one day I was walking and having problems breathing and this scared me. So that day I decided to go back on the low carb diet and start losing the weight.
So that is the beginning of the story, my goal is 200 lbs, half my starting weight, my reward for making my goals? My knees with hurt less, I should be able to bowl, play paintball, softball, play with my kids again. Maybe go on a rollercoaster. The big reward will be my health. This should help my diabetes get under complete control, allow me control of my blood pressure, I hope my knees with stop hurting as much (with the meniscus partially removed from one knee, the pain will never completely go away), hopefully the edema and circulation in my legs with improve greatly (this is what I have been told will happen). So the rewards should be great.
KS
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