Sunday, April 01, 2007

Weigh In week 4




I didn't post last week, and my weight remained stable.

This week, however, I've made up for it and lost 5 pounds!!! I almost expected the scale to say "April Fool!!", which actually would have been pretty amazing, as I don't have a talking scale! LOL

My calorie intake has been low most days this week, I just don't have an appetite!! Today is a great example. I had poached eggs on toast for breakfast (25g total with 5g fiber), then didn't even think about food until about an hour ago! That's over 7 hours!!!

I also measured myself today. Now, it's been almost 5 months since I measured, so I did expect to see some changes, but wow!!

neck: -1/4 inch
bicep: no change
forearm: -1/4 inch
chest: no change
waist: -1 3/4 inches!!
hips: -2 1/4 inches!!
thigh: -5 inches!!!
calf: no change

I'm amazed! And thrilled! That's a total of 9 1/2 inches!!

Krill Oil for Inflammation:

I took fish oil, and flax oil, for quite some time when I first started low carbing. While on them I had "normal" CRP level for the first time in heaven knows how many years.

I have degenerative arthritis with bone spurs in my neck and pelvis. In my neck I also have a fair degree of spinal stenosis, although luckily not enough to warrant surgery. I also have at least 3 damaged discs, loss of a natural spinal curve in my thoracic spine, and I've been told I have bilateral bursitis and likely arthritis in my right knee. Oh yea, and TMJ. (I get the back issues from dad and the rest from mom I think)

My CRP levels never concerned me, until they started linking it with heart disease. I had been taking statins, but stopped due to nasty side effects. After stopping the statins I started low carbing with induction (Atkins) levels of carbs, fat, protein for about 3 months. During this time I saw, for the first time in many years, CRP levels within normal limits. I stopped the fish oil and flax shortly after, due to nausea. I've since found it was the flax causing the nausea and went back on fish oil. I currently take 6 caps a day (100mg, EPA 180mg, DHA 120mg, OMEGA3 340mg each) I'm seeing a new PCP soon, so I'll let you know what my levels are, but i feel so much better!!

I still take aspirin fairly frequently, but no longer do I take ibuprofen 800mg 4X/day and even pain medications and muscle relaxants....and still find that I'm hurting!!

I still have random joint pains, which does concern me, and I've been wondering if increasing my dose even more or switching to Krill would make a big difference. (I check the Fish Oil at least weekly for freshness and buy a "quality" product)

After reading Dr Michael Eades' latest post on Krill Oil, I decided to give it a try.

So, on Friday I bought some Krill Oil. Pretty pricey, around $22 for 1 month's supply, but if it works, it will be worth it!

I'm starting out with 2 caps a day, which is the recommended dose on the bottle, but may increase to 4 a day.













11 comments:

TESS said...

Congrats on the 5 lb loss. That really is terrific. I take krill oil and Carlsons liquid fish oil. A t a day for me and a t and a half for the dog. The liquid is easier and I know it is fresh. I don't have the medical problems you do so I just take the 2 krill oil. I will increase that if the confirms the diagnoses of rhumetoid arthrits in my hands. I really believe insurance companies should cover vitamin supplements. There are so many natural treatments that coould help. Again way to go on the weight loss!

Alcinda (Cindy) Moore said...

I don't think you're going to see them approving supplements anytime soon. They've been putting down supplements for too long.

There is a "prescription grade" fish oil that's out there, and I have heard of many docs pushing this over store bought, but other than that, unless they can patent it, they won't promote it. Bet they're looking to see how they can synthesize them tho!!

Wonder which will come first...acceptance of low carb or acceptance of supplements? Either way, I'm not holding my breath!

Amy Dungan said...

Congrats on the great loss of inches and lbs!! You are getting there!

Unknown said...

Cindy---WTG girl on the weight loss---you should be very proud of yourself.
As for the fish oil supplements--I can't take the gel caps since WLS. So I take this omega 3 chewie that I get at CVS.
Tess--I never knew they had a liquid form to buy---where do you get it.
I have done the liquid flax before but it makes me gag. So I changed to ground flax. It is easy to find in some of my local grocery stores. I throw some in my low carb yogurt and enjoy.
Cindy---my heart goes out to you with all the joint arthritic problems---hope you can be a pain free as possible. Hugs to you...

Alcinda (Cindy) Moore said...

Thanks for the support everyone!!!

bamagal, thanks....it's really not that bad, although in the past I've required pain meds just to function. Wish I knew then about low carbing!

TESS said...

I buy Carlson's Fish Oil at vitaminshoppe.com They also make a cod liver oil.I have found other sites but this is cheapest and super saver delivery is only $2.99. They also have stores in many states but since not one near me, I have to buy online. I am sure many health food stores would carry it. It has a lemon flavor and I usually just use it on my salads. Thank ou Cindy, for allowing me to post this!

Unknown said...

All those years on your feet sure didn't help either---I know from where I speak--BTDT

Alcinda (Cindy) Moore said...

Tess, the Vit D I buy at Vitamin Shoppe is Carlson's too.

bamagal....nurse also?

. said...

Hey congrats Cindy :)

I used to hide my flax oil in things like cream (eg: some cream, 20ml flax, 1-2 chopped strawberries and a sprinkle of splenda) or protein shakes.

You can also make a salad dressing with one part flax and one part lemon or vinegar like apple cidar vinegar.

Alcinda (Cindy) Moore said...

Thanks Sherrie!

Flax upsets my stomach, but I take fish oik and krill oil (just started the krill)

Mr F. said...

Thank you for the information on Krill. Mrs F is in a lot of pain, so we'll have to give it a shot. Congrat's on your weight loss too!

I also went overboard on Flax about a month ago and thought I was going to die. I've had to go back to the capsules.

-The Fats