Weigh In week 16

Whoo Hoo!!! Down 2 more pounds!!!

I've changed my ticker to reflect my total loss and goal.

I've drastically increased my fat and protein and dropped my carbs over the past few weeks and have found my weight going down again!!

I've been recording in Fitday and taking all my supplements. I've been concentrating on getting the protein up and the carbs down.
As you can see, my protein and fat intake is high. Much higher than the "experts" recommend, and that's just fine with me. I've been going for 95g protein daily and got at least that except for yesterday (Saturday). I've not been looking for added fat, but have been adding cream to any shakes I have and I've not been avoiding it!!





And, as you can also see, I've been meeting and exceeding the recommended levels of vitamins and nutrients. In fact, the only thing I'm "deficient" in is carbs and fiber! And sodium, which is getting to be almost as "bad" as saturated fat. I don't add salt to many foods, but this isn't because I think it's bad for me, but because I often forget to!


I've been trying to get moving more, but I'm still not being too consistent with exercise. I've now bought a Tai Chi DVD and am going to try it for a while. It's for people with arthritis and stiff joints, so I figure it can't hurt!

I've also been doing some weights, but until I get my bench out of my son's room and into a more accessible area, this will be spotty.

Weigh In week 15

Note: this was edited at 5PM.

Well, down another pound! I'll take it!!




See? 27 pounds to go now!!

This past week I decided to sharply cut back on carbs, total as well as "junk" carbs. I've been keeping my carbs as close to 20g/day as possible, not going over 30g max. No artificial sweeteners, no sugar alcohols. No breads too.

I have been having a shake almost every day for breakfast. I use EAS Myoplex Carb Control Ready-to-Drink, mostly strawberry but also an occasional chocolate. I mix in egg whites and heavy cream to increase the fat and protein. I get about 1/2 my daily protein needs in just this drink. I take 1/2 my supplements with breakfast, so will occasionally have an ounce of peanuts also, to help push the pills down. Most days this isn't an issue, but if I have trouble I have to have something solid, or I'll end up with horrendous indigestion (I have esophageal spasms and other issues, which can make swallowing tough)

For lunch and dinner I have some kind of meat, usually beef, and veggies. I've been having burgers, meatloaf, roasted duck, and short ribs for my meats and mushroom, cucumber, salad greens, tomatoes, green beans and asparagus for my veggies. One day I had a second shake for dinner, but that was because of a late and large lunch (salad plus an 8oz burger with cheese and bacon).

I've been taking my supplements, and have been watching my nutritional levels in Fitday. I added Calcium and Iron to my supplement lists, as these are 2 things I was a bit deficient in. The only other deficiency I see in Fitday is in carbohydrates and fiber!

When I started this, last Saturday, I decided that on day 7, Friday, I would allow myself some kind of a treat. Well, I did that last Friday, having some (thin crust) pizza and a couple of Atkins Endulge bars. Felt lousy going to bed, and was 3# up in the morning, so next time I'll be a bit more careful. I am going to continue allowing 1 treat a week, but only one.

I still haven't measured myself, can't find my tape measure, but I have 2 pair of pants that now fit! I think I'm going to run down to WalMart and see if I can get some new pants for work. I need lightweight cotton, or maybe some jeans.

5 PM
Oh wow!!! I just got back from the store, and boy, and I happy!!!

First I went to Target....nothing. None of their tops did anything for me, and all of their pants were either Capri pants (I have very heavy legs) or heavy (winter) long pants!!! My goodness, it's not even July!!! I did, however, get a neat hand mixer for mixing my shakes.

The handle swivels for different kind of mixing.

After leaving Target, I was pretty disappointed, but decided to check out Walmart anyway. I started out looking in the Women's department, regular sizes, then went to the Plus sizes, then went BACK to the regular sizes!!! I bought 3 pair of pants, size 16, and 6 tops, all size 16/18.


I cannot tell you how excited I am!!! I literally cannot remember the last time I was able to buy clothes in the "regular" women's sizes!!!

Weigh in week 11

Wow.....how did I miss this? I am "officially" no longer "obese", I'm just "overweight"!

And, I lost another 2 pounds, bringing me under 190!! Whoo Hoo!!!




Oh! And look! I have less than 30 pounds until my next (and possibly last) goal!!

I've been watching my weight closely with my diverticulitis flare and lack of appetite. Over the past 2 weeks I've been going up and down 2-3 pounds each day.

I guess I've just been to preoccupied with work and other things, but I really had no idea I'd left the "obese" category!! So now, for the first time in about 22 years I am considered "overweight" not "obese". If you've never struggled with this, you have no idea how I feel....but I think most of my readers know exactly how I feel!!


Went to see my new doc on Friday. Hopefully this guy will be my primary care doc. It's a guy I saw when I first arrived in NC and I liked him very much. I had to change docs after a year when my insurance plan changed. I've been calling this guy's office every few months for about a year, waiting for him to start accepting new patients.

The good:
Really seemed to listen to me.
Nodded his head and said "good" when I said I was following a low carb plan.
Didn't argue with me when I said I didn't believe in the cholesterol = heart disease theory.
Agreed to order some extra blood work, including ferretin, vit d, A1c. (also getting liver and kidney function tests done)
Didn't think I was a nutcase when I told him I had a glucose monitor that I was playing with and getting readings.

The not so good:
Of course wants to get my lipid levels and "maybe tweak things", depending on the results. (He looked shocked at my pre-Lipitor numbers and how strongly it affected me)
Concerned about my blood pressure, which was elevated, but seemed to accept that my readings at home were much lower.

So, more good than not. I'm curious what my cholesterol numbers are, but like I said to my doc, I will not go on any medications that is designed to lower cholesterol. I'm also curious what my A1c is. I just hope my week of higher carb doesn't change my numbers!!

The doc is also checking my blood for sed rate (inflammation marker), rheumatoid factor and ANA levels (anti-nuclear antibodies, and indicator of lupus and other auto-immune diseases) because of the joint problems I've been having. He also told me to keep monitoring it and to call him if I have an unusually bad flare or one that lasts longer than a day or two.


Blogs have been pretty quite lately, but I did want to send out a big GOOD JOB to Victoria!!! She's met her (unofficial) goal!!! She's been working really hard at this, so stop by her blog and give her a big congrats!

Also, Dr Mike has an interesting post on low carb and alcohol breath testing.


Articles in the news:
Avandia may increase your risk of heart disease and death from heart disease. Now, this is based on looking at all the studies done and lumping the data. I understand that this isn't the best way to do research, but it's an acceptable way that the drug companies use all the time. Of course the manufacturer, GSK, says there's nothing to worry about!

This is a little scarey!!! It seems some pacemakers are influenced by iPods!! Now, iPods were the only device tested, but there is evidence of interference when the iPod is held just a few inches from the pacemaker for just 10-15 min!!


OK....that's enough for now. I've got a few things to do before Heroes comes on....it's the big season finale!! If you've not been watching this show, you're missing a good one!!! If they show reruns over the summer, check it out!! SciFi did a 20+ hr marathon last weekend, and I'm sure it won't be the last time they show it!

To all who read my blog and to those that post comments and encouragement. THANK YOU!!! It really means a lot when I read your comments. None of you know me, but I feel I have so many friends on here!!

Last day of the year!!

Recomitting, Starting Over.....

Whatever we want to call it, it's all the same thing. We need, at times, to blow off some steam.....and some of us do that with food. When that happens, we need to recommit to our original plan towards health and weight loss.

For me, this time, the trigger was staying home too long after my son's accident.....combined being cash poor.....and the holiday season.

I was doing great when Bri had his accident. I was quite proud of myself for not eating anything unacceptable on my plan. I worked from home for about 2 1/2 weeks after the accidnet....so far, so good. Then, after seeing the doc.....and going back to work to find homemade cookies on my desk (my boss's famous sugar cookies and the best oatmeal chocolate chip ever)....and having a "holiday breakfast" at work that was 95% carbs....and not having enough money to buy what I want for Christmas presents.....well, it all kinda came crashing down.

At first I was careful, I had some of the treats at the breakfast, but had a good lunch and dinner. Of course I had some of the cookies, but I shared them with my son.

But then things got totally out of control. Today I have had lots of bad stuff.....not just high carb, but junk! Highly processed, empty calorie, high carb junk. Today I was better than I was yesterday. Today I limited myself, "allowed" myself just a little, after eating good, healthy foods.

January 1, 2007 I totally recommit to changing my lifestyle to what I believe is the healthiest lifestyle.

That lifestyle includes

• Following a low carb plan, specifically Protein Power Life Plan
• Protein requirements = 102g/day (102g = 408 calories)
  
• Carb level = under 40g/day (40g = 160 calories)
• Total daily calories at least 1200.
  
• No fruit X2 weeks, then berries to start
  
• Minimal use of dairy and grains
• Nuts allowed up to once a day
  
• Drinking lots of plain water, at least 80% of intake
• Hot coffee with cream or hot tea with milk acceptable
• Sugar free soda max 2 bottles/cans per week
• NO sugar free hot chocolate
  
• Getting into an exercise program I can keep up.....details to follow
• Minimizing the use of processed foods, artificial sweeteners
  
• Looking for recipe to make small amount of mayo, say a cup or two?
  
• Looking for recipe to make small amount of dressing, 1 cup max.
  

January 1, I will measure myself and record the measurements in Fitday PC. I will also weigh myself. I fear I may be back where I started weight-wise.....and I'm sure at least some of my measurements are larger. I will also update my ticker and post it here.

I am starting with 3 challenges.

• Loose 20 pounds in 20 weeks.
  
• January 1 = starting date
• May 21 = ending date
  
• Walk in neighborhood at least 3 times a week
• Try at least 2 new recipes a month. Record recipe, picture, and opinion here.

Still have to come up with an exercise plan I can live with....but walking and biking will be part of it.

Tomorrow starts a new year. I am hoping it will be a better year. 2006 was not a good year overall, so I am really hoping 2007 will be better!!!

Catching up

Short Term Goal:



And my NEW Short Term Goal:




It's been a while since I've posted my weights, so here goes.

I went on a mini binge, not tooooooo bad, just a couple of days of eating high carb and not eating good, natural foods.

I know what caused it.....taking advantage of the intermittent fasting!!! After a day of fasting I decided to have something that is not on plan.....then something else.....then the cravings kicked in!!! I ended up breaking the binge by doing a 24h fast, then getting back on plan.

Now, the reason I haven't posted isn't because of falling off the wagon, but because things have been crazy!!! Work has been very busy, I've visited my daughter, and had a friend with a personal crisis.

And.....as you can see, not only have I reached my 20 pounds in 20 weeks goal, I've surpassed it!

There's been sooooo much good news lately too!!

If you follow politics, heck if you aren't living under a rock, you'll know that the election is over and finally the system of checks and balances are back in place in our government!!! Yep, the Democrats have taken back control of the House of Representatives AND the Senate!!! Additionally, several states got rid of Republican governors and have elected Democratic ones.

And the BEST NEWS in politics? Donald Rumsfeld has not only been shown the door, but now I hear once he leaves office he could be sued for war crimes, for authorizing the torture at Abu Ghraib.

There's a lot of talk about inpeachment, reinvestigating the reason we went to war and whether our government decieved us, and hopefully more. The President is now open to reconsidering what we're doing in Iraq, so hopefully that will mean our wonderful, incredibly brave service men and women will be returning home soon.

I have a "adopted son" that is there now. I am incredibly proud of him, and I'm also terrified that he's going to get hurt or worse. He's only 24, and I've known him since he was about 5. His mom and I are best friends, and I know she's suffering and sick with worry! We don't know where he is, just that he's in Iraq. This is his second tour of duty. The bravery and integrity of these men and women just amazes me! There is no way I could do what they do!!!

Now for health issues in the news!!!

This is probably the best news:
Low-Carb Diet Can Be Heart-Healthy. This study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, after looking at the diets of 82,000 women over a 20 year period, found that low carb wasn't dangerous after all. Of course, the media put some spin on it, but check out Regina's blog for the REAL details of the study! She also posted a follow up with more information a couple of days later.

And here's probably the worst news:
Children with risk factors for heart disease, including high cholesterol and diabetes, are showing signs of narrowing and hardening of the arteries. Now this is bad enough, but not at all surprising, considering the "foods" that our children are being fed, but the conclusions are horrendous!!! They are recomending that if diet and lifestyle changes don't lower cholesterol levels, the children should be put on statins!!! Never mind that the levels are unreasonably low, and do we even know what is "optimal" for children, but to put children on drugs that change the way their livers work, drugs associated with all kinds of severe and sometimes even permanant side effects is just unbelievable!!! Once again, check out Regina's take on the issue. (Aside from the fact that these children could potentially be on these dangerous drugs for 40, 50, and more years, these drugs are also found to cause severe birth defects in animal studies!!)

Also in the news:
Experts are recomending increased use of statins, for anyone with just a 1% risk of heart disease! A ONE percent "risk"???? Again, these are powerful drugs, with no real evidence of being helpful in primary prevention!!!

More to come soon!!!

Long Term Goal: