A week later...

So, this past week, Terry and I started changing our eating habits. We had also planned to begin our workouts, but Terry has been sick and I haven't felt 100%, so this past week has been concentrated on our diets.

We aren't doing anything radical, because that would be just setting ourselves up for failure, because it would be too difficult to maintain. Instead, we are watching portion sizes, eating more protein and making sure our carbs come from fresh fruits and veggies. And we're watching our sweets and fat intakes, and making sure they are healthy. For example, instead of a hot dog and chips for lunch, I had a lean ham sandwhich, with spinach and tomatoes, with a side of cottage cheese. Instead of drinking Dr. Pepper all day, I'm drinking water and at least 1 glass of milk per day. We've switched to low-fat cheese and milk. We're choosing leaner cuts of meat and avoiding highly processed foods. I'm cooking more from scratch so we can control what goes into our food.

Last Friday, before we started this, I weighed 243 pounds. That is the most I have ever weighed in my life! And that encludes all of my pregnancy weights! When I weighed this Friday, (2 days ago) I weighed 238.5! I realize that most of that is just excess fluid that I have been retaining from my poor eating and drinking habits. But it sure is motivation to keep on trying!

We are following the Body 4 Life program, and it suggests that once a week you should allow yourself to eat anything you want to eat, so that you don't feel like you will never be able to have your favorite foods again. So, after church today, I went by Hog Wild, my favorite bbq place here in Wichita, and picked up lunch for me and Terry. I got what I normally get, a loaded (huge) baked potato and pulled pork on the side. I couldn't eat it all! And while the first bites tasted heavenly, by the time I was about 1/4 finished with my meal, it wasn't as good. Finally, I stopped, and put the leftovers in the refrigerator to save for later. However, I'm honestly not sure I will actually finish it. It's just too much. I think I would much rather have a salad with some ham cubes, low-fat cheese, and a glass of sweet tea with lemonade for dinner.

So, that is how my first week has gone. It's been a good week. And here's hoping I can get back to the Y tomorrow and start with the exercise part of this. I know I will feel sore at first, but it will be a good kind of sore! And I am looking forward to the energy I know that it will give me! So here's to a good start, and even better, a good finish!

Another New Year....

2014. Another New Year and another chance to begin again. This past year has been a difficult one for me. Terry's job had some changes that has entailed a lot of traveling. I developed de Quervain's tendonitis in my left thumb and spent months getting that cleared up. In the beginning of the year, I was doing pretty well with my weight loss, but then when Terry was gone and I couldn't use my left hand, my depression increased, as did my traveling, and along with that, my weight. I currently weigh more than I have ever weighed in my life, even when I was pregnant!

So, it's time to get back on track! And this time, Terry and I are doing this together. We have reread our BodyForLife book and have shopped, and cleaned out tempting foods. I have not had any Dr. Pepper today and have managed to drink almost all the water I need to drink for the day. I had fruits and veggies today, and healthy snacks. Tomorrow, I head back to the Y. I am so ready to feel better! And I know that eating healthy and getting my exercise is the way to do it.

So, here I go again! Wish me well!

Happy New Year....in February!

Yes, I realize it is February, but this is my first post of the new year, as well as my first day back at the YMCA. During January I had 5 of the grandkids at first, then was in NWA for most of the rest of the month. So this morning I got up and got back to the pool. I went to my arthritis class, then headed over to the lap pool. I managed 5 laps, which is 1/8th of a mile. And I started logging my laps in the log book because this year my goal is to make the 100 mile club! I realize that I will have to do better than 1/8th of a mile each day, but that was the limit for today. By the time I got out of the lap pool my legs and arms felt like jelly!

In the past month, I have not been eating as well as I should and I haven't been exercising much, either. So that ends today. It's time to get my diet back on track and start eating better. I put back on a few pounds since Christmas, but my body fat % didn't go back up. It hasn't gone down any, and is still took high, but it has come down from where I started. And I am still in size 16-18, so I'm not too unhappy. But now it's time to get serious again about losing some weight and getting in better shape.

On the upside, I have a new grandson, Silas Jack McGee, who is just so precious! And grandbaby #10, Baby Wedgie, should be putting in an appearance in just under 3 weeks! And my grandkids are 10 very good reasons to take care of myself! I want to be around to see these precious little ones grow up. And I want to be able to play with them, and not just card games and board games, but playing outside, climbing trees and crawling thru the tall grass while we chase the "bad guys".

So, with that in mind, I think a walk with the Cheesies is on the schedule for this afternoon. And after that, I plan to try the Green Monster smoothie recipe from Pinterest. I'll let you know how it turns out. Have a great afternoon!

Lazy weekend

So, this past week was not a good one workout wise. I started feeling bad on Tuesday and ended up going to the dr on Friday. And I have another upper respitory infection. I even missed church this morning. But the antibiotics are finally kicking in and after a late afternoon nap, I'm feeling better and not coughing as much! So I'm planning on going to the YMCA tomorrow. My gym bag is already packed and ready.

My next goal weight is coming up on the 10th, and right now I'm not sure I will make it, but I'm going to be doing everything I can to get as close as possible. I also have to consider that I may have to adjust my goals because of being sick and not working out during that time. But I want to come as close as possible first.

I also need to sit down and work on my menus for the next week. I saw a recipe for a "green monster smoothie" on Pinterest tonight that I'm thinking about trying, at least once. It's made from banana, peanut butter, yogurt, milk, and baby spinach. Interesting, huh? I figure it's worth at least one try.

I'm excited that Christmas is coming up because Elizabeth and Jon will be coming and possibly Adrian, Derek, and Danny! I can hardly wait to see them all! I know I will want pictures, so I'm trying to keep that in mind so that I will stay motivated to keep working out. And then after Christmas, we have the new babies coming!! And I definitely want to be in better shape for that! I always go and stay to help out and with a newborn there's lots of interrupted sleep. So I need to be at my best for that!

Thanksgiving weekend

As the Thanksgiving weekend comes to a close, I have much to be thankful for. We spent some wonderful time with family and friends and enjoyed much delicious food! I gave myself permission to enjoy myself this weekend without recriminations. And that actually made it easier to restrain myself. I did gain a couple of pounds this weekend, which is certainly not my goal, but it was only a couple of pounds instead of 5 or 10. So I can live with that. And tomorrow I get back into the pool and get back into a good exercise routine.

I did keep a close eye on my blood sugar levels and kept them in the proper range. But with a little planning, I was able to enjoy many of my favorite holiday foods. And I bought myself some new pants this weekend at the Black Friday sales, and that is a BIG incentive to not gain more, but to continue to lose.

Tonight I will get my bag all ready for the YMCA tomorrow, then enjoy watching football and crocheting some hats. Tomorrow I will also post some updated pictures to show my progress. I didn't reach the first weight goal that I set for myself, but I'm going to do everything I can to reach the second one!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, with much to be thankful for. I know I did!

Good night!

Finally....a new post!

I am not a good blogger. I go for months without posting anything. But, here I am, finally, with a new post. There have been quite a few changes in my lifestyle since my last post. So, here's the update:

At the end of June, I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes and put on 4 different medications to control my blood sugar and blood pressure. I had to start testing my blood sugar levels and really get serious about my diet. I went to see the Diabetes educator and that really helped me a lot! I learned that I can still eat just about anything I want, I just have to be smart and do some planning.

When I saw the dr. in June I weighed in at 224 lbs. Today I weigh 202 lbs. My goal was to be at 199 by today, but as you can see, I didn't quite make it. But I think I should be there within the next week. I was also in a size 20 jeans, and today I can easily fit into a size 16. I have pretty much cut out all soda, altho I do still have to have a small one when I go to the movies and have popcorn. I have cut out most sweets, or have found a sugar-free alternative. I am eating a lot more fruits and veggies and cutting back on starches, which was very hard for me! But I am slowly getting there!

I will post some pictures later, to show my progress. I need to go run some errands with my mom right now. And I will try and be better about posting more often. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! We're going to try and get some things done around the house before the weather changes.

Starting over....again!

I began this blog on Valentine's Day of 2011. Since then I've blogged in spurts, and that's pretty much been my approach to my diet and exercise. Right after I found out about the kidney issues I was dealing with, I got better about being more consistant with what I needed to do. But not consistent enough. So, here I am again, facing yet another health issue. So once again, I am facing a major lifestyle change. And this one has to be permanent!

I've had a lot of stops and starts, "do overs" if you will. I am so thankful that God allows "do overs", or I would be in serious trouble! So, rather than beat myself up at everything I have failed to do, I am committing myself to begin again to get to where I need to be.

I went to the dr. today and after reviewing my history, my test results, and my meds, I was told that several of my levels were not where they were supposed to be and that I am developing diabetes. My pancreas is only working at about 15-20%. My renal panel showed that my creatine levels have gone back up and that puts my kidneys at risk for more damage. So, the dr. took away 2 of my meds, and added 5 new ones. Plus I have to eliminate sugar from my diet and stop drinking soda. I can't have anything with aspertame in it, because that causes me horrible headaches (ones that make migraines seem so tame!), so I will have to explore a diet that relies on natural sweeteners. Basically, I am going to need to follow a diabetic diet. I love starches like rice and potatoes, so this is going to be a challenge. I am fortunate that my family will give me lots of help and support! And I know I can count on our small group to pray for me, as well as some of my other friends and family.

I know that this isn't going to be easy at first. Especially learning what I can and can't eat anymore. But I don't want to develope full blown diabetes, so I am determined to make the necessary changes. I look at the faces of my grandkids and I want to be here to watch them grow up. I want to be able to play with them and take them on fun adventures. I want to spend another 30 years with my husband. I want to see my kids become grandparents, too. So I have to make these changes now. And with God's help, and the support of friends and family, I can do it!