Today's weight: 228.2 Down 2.4 from last Sunday and a total of 11.8 since my all time high of 240 which I hit just before I was diagnosed. Not bad. The scale was actually up from the last 2 days, but that's why I always compare the weight from the previous week. We went to dinner at a friend's house last night. Tom is a fabulous cook and sets the most beautiful table. We ate later than I usually do so I'm sure the scale will be back down tomorrow. My daily pattern fluctuations are fascinating to watch. Dessert was one of the chocolate lava cakes topped with ice cream. I have to laugh because as I passed it by, Harold said, "you don't want any?" In the past I might have caved. But now I ask myself, "do you want that, or do you want more years of playing with your grandkids?" Grandkids win hands down! I probably could have had a small piece and been fine, but not having it is a lot easier than stopping once I start.
Using a blood glucose monitor has taught me a lot about what effect my food choices have. My levels didn't rise too much with last night's dinner, but a cup of sugarfree chocolate pudding yesterday afternoon sent it up 36 points in the second hour. I'm going to test that again tomorrow and if the result is the same, bye bye SF pudding. My PA has me checking my fasting blood sugar every other day and then on the alternate days I'm to check after a meal. I usually check after the first and second hours just to see what effect a particular food has. It is so helpful in formulating menus, and there is no room for arguing with myself - the numbers don't lie.
Saturday
I'm melttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttting!
When the kids were growing up, they had a fascination with The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy was a frequent guest at our dinner table. The kids called me the mean green witch. LOL! Now I am melting. I'm a little worried about what I'm going to look like when all of this weight comes off. But I guess I'd rather trade rolls for wrinkles when you come right down to it - not to mention better health and more energy.
I found a new recipe I'm eager to try. You marinate chicken breasts in diet orange soda and soy sauce. Mmmmmmmmm.
I found a new recipe I'm eager to try. You marinate chicken breasts in diet orange soda and soy sauce. Mmmmmmmmm.
Friday
Original goal is met
Okay, it's not official here because I only post weigh-ins here on Sunday, but remember my original goal of 228 by June 1? I surpassed it this morning. But, shhhh, you don't get to know the numbers until Sunday. This whole "sugar regulation" thing has been fairly effortless so far. I hope it continues. I haven't felt deprived, and I can take or leave the "no sugar added" ice cream anymore. I just don't think about eating. I don't drink diet pop very often, except for a diet Coke every now and then. I don't know if it's the meds or the fact that I have cut out sugar. It could be both. I actually think the strongest motivator is that I can't let a slip turn into a binge. Just one more WILL hurt. I still need to work on the exercise thing. I think I am using the fact that we are going Alaska get in the way. But you know what? There's no reason I can't do some sort of exercise then. For the first week we'll be on a cruise. Cruises are noted for their food, but I think cruise ships also have exercise areas available. One advantage to being diagnosed with diabetes is that I can't rationalize cheating because of the cruise. I can't say, "well, we're on a cruise so I can eat poison for just this one week." Because that's what it would be for me - poison. That's how I have to think of it.
Thursday
Baby steps, baby steps
The scale is slowly inching its way downward and my little running girl is getting now closing in on the halfway mark of this first lap. Workouts have been spotty but I am hoping to remedy that as soon as I get caught up. I have been spending way too much time trying to beat Anna at Facebook games. LOL! Those are a real time sucker so I am going on a "diet" of no more than 15 minutes a day.
Tuesday
Is it Monday? Or Tuesday? or what
I lose track of days when we have a Monday holiday. LOL! I did pretty well over the weekend. Usually when we have a craft show, all caution regarding eating goes out the window. I am going to divide my journey into four laps rather than have a monthly goal. There is a little gremlin inside of me that likes to thwart deadlines. However, I am pretty sure my goal of 228 by June 1 is pretty much guaranteed if I keep going the way I have been. So, I am in my first lap and my little running girl is pluggin away.
I was listening to a commercial for a product called Ever Cleanse. It is almost laughable. It operates on the theory that we have 5-25 pounds of "waste" clinging to our colon walls "like spackle or paste." Quite the visual, that is. It goes on to say that taking their product will melt away a flabby belly. Okay, let's think about that. What on earth does a flabby belly have to do with "spackle" in the colon. If it weren't so sad, it would be laughable.
I was listening to a commercial for a product called Ever Cleanse. It is almost laughable. It operates on the theory that we have 5-25 pounds of "waste" clinging to our colon walls "like spackle or paste." Quite the visual, that is. It goes on to say that taking their product will melt away a flabby belly. Okay, let's think about that. What on earth does a flabby belly have to do with "spackle" in the colon. If it weren't so sad, it would be laughable.
Monday
We remember, with gratitude!
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Lenard F. Moeggenborg - Ashu Valley, Viet Nam - August 24, 1969
We Remember . . .
those who served us then,
those who serve us now,
and those who gave their lives.
Thank you!
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Morning update: It's been a few days since I've updated. Usually that means I've gone off track. I'm happy to report that I have been doing well and am optimistic about reaching my June 1, goal. I'm now at 230 and looking forward to getting into the 220's. I learned of another reason to avoid sugar - apparently if you eat a lot of sugar, mosquitoes will hunt you down! I never knew that.
Daily stats:Workout type: walk/jog
Route: Deadend/Brown's/back
Distance: 2 1/2 miles
Time: 32 minutes
Average HR: 121
Maximum HR: 140
Calories burned:250
Temperature: 49 degrees
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:
Oh, it's is absolutely beautiful out today.
Thursday
Another fantabulous day!
I hopped out of bed with the alarm this morning. It's far to gorgeous a day to waste any of it. I am feeling so much better and cravings have all but disappeared. The scale is moving slowly, but surely. I am continuing to test foods to find which ones I will need to avoid. Last night I bought some Andes sugar free mints which were on clearance at Rite Aid. When I tested my blood sugar about an hour later, it had risen quite a bit (for me, that is), so these will not be part of my menu. A look at the ingredients shows that they have transfats in them, too, which I hadn't noticed. Maybe that's why they were on clearance.
Daily stats:
Workout type: walk/jog
Route: Deadend/middle of Walter's woods/back
Distance: about 2 miles
Time: 31.06
Average HR: 121
Maximum HR: 134
Calories burned: 240
Temperature: 58 degrees
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:It is so beautiful out today. Coming back from the run I met Melisa and the kids, and Sam was out on his bike headed for the farm truck to join the rest of the guys to plant soybeans. That means I'll have 4 for lunch.
Daily stats:
Workout type: walk/jog
Route: Deadend/middle of Walter's woods/back
Distance: about 2 miles
Time: 31.06
Average HR: 121
Maximum HR: 134
Calories burned: 240
Temperature: 58 degrees
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:It is so beautiful out today. Coming back from the run I met Melisa and the kids, and Sam was out on his bike headed for the farm truck to join the rest of the guys to plant soybeans. That means I'll have 4 for lunch.
Tuesday
Taxes and other fun things
I didn't check in yesterday. We had to be up town early to finish our taxes. Then when we got home, some thing loomed that just made me not even want to blog. I guess I am not allowed to express things that are bothering me no matter how vague. I wrote something on my other blog - named no names and was apparently vague enough that 10 people thought I was writing about them. I mention it here because one of my struggles in life is letting outside events influence what goes into my mouth. But I didn't do that and I am proud of myself for dealing with it by getting some things done instead of wallowing in it. But it hung over me like a dark cloud and is still there.
It is a gorgeous out so I am getting ready to head out for a great walk/run.
Daily stats:
Workout type: walk/jog
Route: Deadend/middle of Walter's woods/back
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 31 minutes
Average HR: 117
Maximum HR: 136
Calories burned: 233
Temperature: 62 degrees
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:Got out on the road at 10:06. Probably didn't need a jacket, but it was breezy. Great workout! Beautiful day!
It is a gorgeous out so I am getting ready to head out for a great walk/run.
Daily stats:
Workout type: walk/jog
Route: Deadend/middle of Walter's woods/back
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 31 minutes
Average HR: 117
Maximum HR: 136
Calories burned: 233
Temperature: 62 degrees
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:Got out on the road at 10:06. Probably didn't need a jacket, but it was breezy. Great workout! Beautiful day!
Sunday
Sunday weigh-in
Morning update: Today is Sunday which means I report today's weigh-in. I am at 230.6 which is a loss of 3.5 pounds - Go Me!!!! See my little running girl at the top of the page? She's going like gangbusters! My June 1 goal is within my grasp! Whooohooo
I'm off to head out for my walk/jog.
Daily stats:
Workout type: walk/jog
Route: Deadend/Brown's field/back
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 31 minutes
Average HR: 123
Maximum HR: 142
Calories burned: 245
Temperature: 47 degrees
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:I got out on the road at 8:40. It was too late to hear my favorite Sunday program so I will be going out earlier next week. It is so gorgeous out! No soggy spots on the deadend, slight breeze. Just wonderful! I got home from my walk/jog to find kudos from Shrinking Mom. Thanks so much!
I'm off to head out for my walk/jog.
Daily stats:
Workout type: walk/jog
Route: Deadend/Brown's field/back
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 31 minutes
Average HR: 123
Maximum HR: 142
Calories burned: 245
Temperature: 47 degrees
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:I got out on the road at 8:40. It was too late to hear my favorite Sunday program so I will be going out earlier next week. It is so gorgeous out! No soggy spots on the deadend, slight breeze. Just wonderful! I got home from my walk/jog to find kudos from Shrinking Mom. Thanks so much!
Saturday
It's a numbers game
Afternoon update:
I'm late getting on here today. I got sidetracked by . . . work. I had a lot of music to sort through before an important rehearsal on Wednesday. Anyway, I went to the dr. yesterday (I actually see a nurse practitioner) and she was very pleased with my numbers. I told her I was doing Atkins and she didn't bat an eye. (Not that she should have but so many people have no idea what Atkins is that I was half expecting it.) Not only that, I had lost a few pounds since I last saw her less than 2 weeks ago. I don't have to up my medication - just stay at 1000 mg of metformin which makes me happy. I haven't felt deprived - in fact the reality of my situation eliminates all arguments with myself about what I will and will not eat. I was good to have the positive reinforcement. People who don't understand diabetes are under the impression that we do it to ourselves by eating sugar. That's not true. For me, eating sugar was the symptom of something going on. I did not do this to myself, but I am blessed to be empowered to be able to do something to control it. I have learned to give myself the positive reinforcement that I need because I can't expect it from others. There are some who readily give it, but there are others who don't and I am learning to live with that. People can't give what they don't have.
I'm late getting on here today. I got sidetracked by . . . work. I had a lot of music to sort through before an important rehearsal on Wednesday. Anyway, I went to the dr. yesterday (I actually see a nurse practitioner) and she was very pleased with my numbers. I told her I was doing Atkins and she didn't bat an eye. (Not that she should have but so many people have no idea what Atkins is that I was half expecting it.) Not only that, I had lost a few pounds since I last saw her less than 2 weeks ago. I don't have to up my medication - just stay at 1000 mg of metformin which makes me happy. I haven't felt deprived - in fact the reality of my situation eliminates all arguments with myself about what I will and will not eat. I was good to have the positive reinforcement. People who don't understand diabetes are under the impression that we do it to ourselves by eating sugar. That's not true. For me, eating sugar was the symptom of something going on. I did not do this to myself, but I am blessed to be empowered to be able to do something to control it. I have learned to give myself the positive reinforcement that I need because I can't expect it from others. There are some who readily give it, but there are others who don't and I am learning to live with that. People can't give what they don't have.
Friday
Mid-month already!
Morning update:
I have Mass earlier today and Friday is a scheduled day off from working out. But that's optional. I'll probably at least get out for a walk. After Mass I have a dr. appointment to check my blood sugar. My numbers have been pretty good. The highest reading I had was 119 on the very first day of checking.
It's hard to believe that we are halfway through May already. I've received a couple of graduation party invitations from students at school. It's nice to know they haven't forgotten me. It's also a bit of a shock because I still see these kids as middle schoolers.
I have Mass earlier today and Friday is a scheduled day off from working out. But that's optional. I'll probably at least get out for a walk. After Mass I have a dr. appointment to check my blood sugar. My numbers have been pretty good. The highest reading I had was 119 on the very first day of checking.
It's hard to believe that we are halfway through May already. I've received a couple of graduation party invitations from students at school. It's nice to know they haven't forgotten me. It's also a bit of a shock because I still see these kids as middle schoolers.
Thursday
Sunny days and Thursdays always make me glad
Morning update:
I'm on my 3rd day of upping my metformin to 1000 mg. It must be doing its job because my numbers are usually under 110. It getting easier to stay on track because I feel better. I actually forget to eat. However mild nausea reminds me when it's time to eat something. I think, even though it's gorgeous out, that I will use the treadmill again today so I can finish watching what I missed on Biggest Loser.
For Ida: Thanks so much for researching the comment thing for me. For some reason this particular blog style will not let me. It doesn't let me reply to comments either. grrrrrr. I don't want to change the style, though because then I can't use the "cutest blog" thing. You would think that Blogger would have fixed that by now.
Daily stats:
Workout type: Treadmill
Route: custom 1
Distance:
Time: 30 minutes
Average HR: 116
Maximum HR: 150
Calories burned: 227
Temperature: 56 degrees
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts: Workout felt good. I made a batch of Easy Cheesey Egg bake last night so that's breakfast. I find that I am losing my taste for sweets. That's a good thing. Ice cold water is tasting really good these days!
I'm on my 3rd day of upping my metformin to 1000 mg. It must be doing its job because my numbers are usually under 110. It getting easier to stay on track because I feel better. I actually forget to eat. However mild nausea reminds me when it's time to eat something. I think, even though it's gorgeous out, that I will use the treadmill again today so I can finish watching what I missed on Biggest Loser.
For Ida: Thanks so much for researching the comment thing for me. For some reason this particular blog style will not let me. It doesn't let me reply to comments either. grrrrrr. I don't want to change the style, though because then I can't use the "cutest blog" thing. You would think that Blogger would have fixed that by now.
Daily stats:
Workout type: Treadmill
Route: custom 1
Distance:
Time: 30 minutes
Average HR: 116
Maximum HR: 150
Calories burned: 227
Temperature: 56 degrees
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts: Workout felt good. I made a batch of Easy Cheesey Egg bake last night so that's breakfast. I find that I am losing my taste for sweets. That's a good thing. Ice cold water is tasting really good these days!
Wednesday
Biggest Loser Surprise
Morning update:
Well, I was certainly surprised by last night's winner on Biggest Loser. I would have bet it would have been Tara. I have mixed feelings about Helen. I hate to be the party pooper, but I think Helen may have lost too much weight. And Jerry did not look like a 64 year old man. I think they both looked anorexic. But . . . given the speed with which these contestants take off the weight, and given that the body redistributes the remaining body fat for months afterwards, it may be a bit unfair to comment on how these contestants look. I would like to see them in a few months. I thought everyone looked fantastic. I hope that Mike can help his brother realize the same success at losing weight. I wanted to cry for him. As much as Ron irritated me when he was on the show, I think he looked fantastic and will be a great help to his other son.
I woke up this morning with every joint aching. Got lots of exercise yesterday because Clay and Claire were here and we spent the entire visit outside running around the yard looking at dead birds, picking lilacs, walking across the road to check out Aunt Colleen's gagarge sale, and walking by the field to wave at Grandpa on his tractor. I think that this morning's workout will be on the treadmill while I watch the first part of Biggest Loser that I missed last night.
Warning: Please do not click on the link in my third comment from aser. Trusting soul that I am, I let it go through and now I can't remove it. If someone knows how I can, please let me know.
Daily stats:
Workout type: Treadmill
Route: custom 2 plus weights
Distance:
Time: 30 minutes
Average HR: 122
Maximum HR: 141
Calories burned: 230
Temperature: 54 degrees
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:
I don't know if I work harder on the treadmill or if the electronics mess with my HRM, but the above numbers are what I got. I am so glad that I set the VCR last night so I wouldn't miss the first part of the show. Also, you may have noticed that I have not posted my weight the last couple of days. I will only be doing that on Sundays from now on. I weigh every day and average out, but it is confusing to people. Weight fluctuates daily so I only pay attention to weekly averages.
Well, I was certainly surprised by last night's winner on Biggest Loser. I would have bet it would have been Tara. I have mixed feelings about Helen. I hate to be the party pooper, but I think Helen may have lost too much weight. And Jerry did not look like a 64 year old man. I think they both looked anorexic. But . . . given the speed with which these contestants take off the weight, and given that the body redistributes the remaining body fat for months afterwards, it may be a bit unfair to comment on how these contestants look. I would like to see them in a few months. I thought everyone looked fantastic. I hope that Mike can help his brother realize the same success at losing weight. I wanted to cry for him. As much as Ron irritated me when he was on the show, I think he looked fantastic and will be a great help to his other son.
I woke up this morning with every joint aching. Got lots of exercise yesterday because Clay and Claire were here and we spent the entire visit outside running around the yard looking at dead birds, picking lilacs, walking across the road to check out Aunt Colleen's gagarge sale, and walking by the field to wave at Grandpa on his tractor. I think that this morning's workout will be on the treadmill while I watch the first part of Biggest Loser that I missed last night.
Warning: Please do not click on the link in my third comment from aser. Trusting soul that I am, I let it go through and now I can't remove it. If someone knows how I can, please let me know.
Daily stats:
Workout type: Treadmill
Route: custom 2 plus weights
Distance:
Time: 30 minutes
Average HR: 122
Maximum HR: 141
Calories burned: 230
Temperature: 54 degrees
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:
I don't know if I work harder on the treadmill or if the electronics mess with my HRM, but the above numbers are what I got. I am so glad that I set the VCR last night so I wouldn't miss the first part of the show. Also, you may have noticed that I have not posted my weight the last couple of days. I will only be doing that on Sundays from now on. I weigh every day and average out, but it is confusing to people. Weight fluctuates daily so I only pay attention to weekly averages.
Tuesday
I'm really late posting today. Just one of those days. The scale continues to go down which is a very good thing.
Daily stats:
Workout type: Walk/run
Route: Deadend/rockpile/back
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Average HR: 116
Maximum HR: 137
Calories burned: 225
Temperature: 40
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:I got out a bit later today, at 11:00 because the Tweetlebugs stayed over last night. I am very proud of myself that I didn't use it as an excuse to skip the workout.
Daily stats:
Workout type: Walk/run
Route: Deadend/rockpile/back
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Average HR: 116
Maximum HR: 137
Calories burned: 225
Temperature: 40
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:I got out a bit later today, at 11:00 because the Tweetlebugs stayed over last night. I am very proud of myself that I didn't use it as an excuse to skip the workout.
Monday
Morning update:
I'm up early again today (early for me, that is). Bed's made, dishes in the diswasher and I am ready to head out for my walk. Yesterday was a good day, food-wise. I am slowly but surely learning to "think" myself out of situations where I want to eat, but don't need to eat. The kids came over last night for Mother's Day and we grilled burgers and hot dogs. They had huge chocolate chip cookies for dessert, I had sugar free jello with whipped cream.
The morning looks beautiful, but looks are deceptive - it's 34 degrees out so before I head out the door, I am going to add a sweatshirt under my jacket.
Daily stats:
Weight: 234.2
Down 5 pounds from last Monday - whoo hoo!
Workout type: Walk/run
Route: Deadend/rockpile/back
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Average HR: 115
Maximum HR: 137
Calories burned: 223
Temperature: 34
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:
There was no wind this morning so I probably didn't need the sweatshirt. The walk/run was great. It feels so good to get out in the mornings again.
I'm up early again today (early for me, that is). Bed's made, dishes in the diswasher and I am ready to head out for my walk. Yesterday was a good day, food-wise. I am slowly but surely learning to "think" myself out of situations where I want to eat, but don't need to eat. The kids came over last night for Mother's Day and we grilled burgers and hot dogs. They had huge chocolate chip cookies for dessert, I had sugar free jello with whipped cream.
The morning looks beautiful, but looks are deceptive - it's 34 degrees out so before I head out the door, I am going to add a sweatshirt under my jacket.
Daily stats:
Weight: 234.2
Down 5 pounds from last Monday - whoo hoo!
Workout type: Walk/run
Route: Deadend/rockpile/back
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Average HR: 115
Maximum HR: 137
Calories burned: 223
Temperature: 34
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:
There was no wind this morning so I probably didn't need the sweatshirt. The walk/run was great. It feels so good to get out in the mornings again.
Sunday
Happy Mother's Day all!
Morning update:
Well, I can breathe, and I'm not coughing as much so I am going out this morning. I will take it easy though. It's more to get back to it than anything else. It's gorgeous out, but only 40 degrees. It's May, right? As I pasted in my stats, I noticed that I am up in weight from the last time I got outside. But that's all right. From now on the scale is going down. I am really grateful to Lisa, my PA for putting her finger on the insulin resistance thing. It's one of those "duh" things that I'm kicking myself for. The metformin is not a miracle pill, not a weight loss pill, but what it does is free me from being a slave to my hormones. What it does is calm the cravings. What it does is free me from thinking about food 24/7. Again, I am not on the full dosage yet so my song may change, but for now I am basking in living life as a normal person - well, relatively normal. Another thing I've noticed is that when I get up after sitting, I don't walk like an old lady any more. I remember reading somewhere that sugar can act as an inflammatory agent in some people. That seems to be the case with me.
Daily stats:
Weight: 234
Workout type: Walk/run
Route: Deadend/rockpile/back
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Average HR: 115
Maximum HR: 129
Calories burned: 223
Temperature: 42
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:
It was great out there this morning! I thought the deadend would be soggy, but it was only bad in one small spot. I took it much more slowly than usual, though. I discovered that one of my favorite programs, "Let My People Think" with Ravi Zecharias is back on Sunday mornings again.
Well, I can breathe, and I'm not coughing as much so I am going out this morning. I will take it easy though. It's more to get back to it than anything else. It's gorgeous out, but only 40 degrees. It's May, right? As I pasted in my stats, I noticed that I am up in weight from the last time I got outside. But that's all right. From now on the scale is going down. I am really grateful to Lisa, my PA for putting her finger on the insulin resistance thing. It's one of those "duh" things that I'm kicking myself for. The metformin is not a miracle pill, not a weight loss pill, but what it does is free me from being a slave to my hormones. What it does is calm the cravings. What it does is free me from thinking about food 24/7. Again, I am not on the full dosage yet so my song may change, but for now I am basking in living life as a normal person - well, relatively normal. Another thing I've noticed is that when I get up after sitting, I don't walk like an old lady any more. I remember reading somewhere that sugar can act as an inflammatory agent in some people. That seems to be the case with me.
Daily stats:
Weight: 234
Workout type: Walk/run
Route: Deadend/rockpile/back
Distance: 2 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Average HR: 115
Maximum HR: 129
Calories burned: 223
Temperature: 42
Challenge for the day: Remembering the promise
Goal for June 1: 228
Thoughts:
It was great out there this morning! I thought the deadend would be soggy, but it was only bad in one small spot. I took it much more slowly than usual, though. I discovered that one of my favorite programs, "Let My People Think" with Ravi Zecharias is back on Sunday mornings again.
Saturday
Rainy days and Saturdays always make me smile
The scale is down again this morning. Whoo hoo. I still don't know for sure that it's the Metformin since I am still only taking one pill in the morning. From what I've read it takes a bigger dose and a couple of weeks for it to kick in. I do know that this week hasn't been bad at all. I haven't noticed any side effects from the metformin so far.
We went out to dinner last night for a Sodbusters meeting where there is actually more eating than meeting. We went to Mountaintown Station. I love it there with it's railroad and primitive decor. They have a chicken marsala that is really good. I skipped the angel hair pasta on which they serve it, had asparagas as a side dish, and with a small salad I was good to go. After dinner I watched 2 hobo sundaes and a cherry chocolate cheesecake being delivered to our table, but I really didn't feel all that deprived. I can make my own cheesecake and I have a half gallon of NSA vanilla ice cream in the freezer. Best of all, my fasting blood sugar is down to 100 this morning. I have a hard time using the word diabetic in regard to myself, and I don't really think I'm quite there - but I certainly don't intend to go any further down the diabetic path. One thing this experience has done is take away the "all or nothing" mentality that has dogged me for so long. The Beck book has also helped with that. I am really paying attention to when, how, why, and what I eat.
I think tomorrow I will be able to get outside. My congestion is slowly clearing. I still can't smell anything and hopefully that will be better soon. One of my favorite jobs involves smell stuff. :)
We went out to dinner last night for a Sodbusters meeting where there is actually more eating than meeting. We went to Mountaintown Station. I love it there with it's railroad and primitive decor. They have a chicken marsala that is really good. I skipped the angel hair pasta on which they serve it, had asparagas as a side dish, and with a small salad I was good to go. After dinner I watched 2 hobo sundaes and a cherry chocolate cheesecake being delivered to our table, but I really didn't feel all that deprived. I can make my own cheesecake and I have a half gallon of NSA vanilla ice cream in the freezer. Best of all, my fasting blood sugar is down to 100 this morning. I have a hard time using the word diabetic in regard to myself, and I don't really think I'm quite there - but I certainly don't intend to go any further down the diabetic path. One thing this experience has done is take away the "all or nothing" mentality that has dogged me for so long. The Beck book has also helped with that. I am really paying attention to when, how, why, and what I eat.
I think tomorrow I will be able to get outside. My congestion is slowly clearing. I still can't smell anything and hopefully that will be better soon. One of my favorite jobs involves smell stuff. :)
Friday
Oh what a beautiful day
It is gorgeous out today. I am still getting over this cold, but each day is a little better. Not a lot to report. The weight is still going down - that's a good thing. Staying on track isn't too bad. It's not like there's any room to argue with myself - the glucose monitor doesn't lie. I have a splitting headache today and too much to do - not enough time to do it, plus we're going out to dinner tonight for a business meeting.
Thursday
Pluggin' away
I'm still congested this morning. It's better, but I'm still not able to workout. I got on the Wii Fit today. Tillie says I'm 33. Not bad!
I did some reading on Metformin last night. I found a thread on lowcarb friends where it was being discussed. There was a mixed bag of thoughts about the drug. The main thing is that there are minimal side effects. It's also fairly inexpensive. I've noticed that I don't have the urge to binge anymore. These past weeks I have been downing sugar like there's no tomorrow. I don't know if it's the Metformin or the fact that I've been sick. Probably, it's more the latter because I'm still at a very low dose of the Metformin.
My weight has dropped 4.4 pounds since Monday morning. Most of that is water that I was retaining, but it's still good to see the scale go down.
I did some reading on Metformin last night. I found a thread on lowcarb friends where it was being discussed. There was a mixed bag of thoughts about the drug. The main thing is that there are minimal side effects. It's also fairly inexpensive. I've noticed that I don't have the urge to binge anymore. These past weeks I have been downing sugar like there's no tomorrow. I don't know if it's the Metformin or the fact that I've been sick. Probably, it's more the latter because I'm still at a very low dose of the Metformin.
My weight has dropped 4.4 pounds since Monday morning. Most of that is water that I was retaining, but it's still good to see the scale go down.
Wednesday
Progress
I still feel like crud. I almost decided to go to Urgent Care last night. I was coughing so hard I couldn't get my breath. I think the worst is over now. I'm still stuffy, but I no longer feel like an elephant is parked on my chest.
I was doing some research in diabetes last night and everything I read says that and A1C of 7% is where a diagnosis is made. I'm at 6.2 so I'm not exactly sure what's going on. When I check my blood sugar, it's within the proper ranges so I don't know what to think. I was reading about the side effects of Metformin and I have mixed feelings. I really would rather take as little medication as possible, but I will go with this for a while and see how things go. The PA is of the opinion that if things look good, it's because of the medication, and that may be true, but if things are improving, I'm wondering if maybe I couldn't try to get off some of the meds. On Biggest Loser most of the contestants who have blood sugar issues are able to get off meds once they lose weight.
Biggest Loser was fantastic last night. I am proud of all of those people for doing that marathon. Ron was absolutely inspiring! We now vote on who will be the 3 person in the finale. I am voting for Mike. Throughout this whole thing he has managed to do what he needed to do with minimal game playing. He is a selfless young man and though I would love to see him win this, I think it's going to be Tara that takes home the prize.
***************************************************
Afternoon update:
Ooh! Oooh! I just received my first award for this blog. Shrinking Mom sent me the "Your Blog is Super" award! These are the rules when you receive an award:
1. Tape it up on your blog somewhere - mine is to the right at the top
2. Pass it along to 5 fellow super bloggers, and comment on their blog to let them know they have received the award.
3. When you present your Super Blogger awards, link back to the super blogger who gave it to you (thank you Shrinking Mom - I gotta find out your first name!)
These are my choices:
TJ's Weigh or the Highway - I love her sassy no-nonsense style!
Twisted Cinderella - she has terrific recipes!
Deb - Finding the runner in me - I love to read about her journey to becoming a runner. She has offered so much support I couldn't begin to thank her.
Foodie Getting Fit - She's always there with a word of encouragement.
And last, but definitely not least, there is Ida of Losing Myself - a wonderful lady!
There are so many others I would love to include but I am limited to 5. It is so wonderful to find support for the journey online!
I was doing some research in diabetes last night and everything I read says that and A1C of 7% is where a diagnosis is made. I'm at 6.2 so I'm not exactly sure what's going on. When I check my blood sugar, it's within the proper ranges so I don't know what to think. I was reading about the side effects of Metformin and I have mixed feelings. I really would rather take as little medication as possible, but I will go with this for a while and see how things go. The PA is of the opinion that if things look good, it's because of the medication, and that may be true, but if things are improving, I'm wondering if maybe I couldn't try to get off some of the meds. On Biggest Loser most of the contestants who have blood sugar issues are able to get off meds once they lose weight.
Biggest Loser was fantastic last night. I am proud of all of those people for doing that marathon. Ron was absolutely inspiring! We now vote on who will be the 3 person in the finale. I am voting for Mike. Throughout this whole thing he has managed to do what he needed to do with minimal game playing. He is a selfless young man and though I would love to see him win this, I think it's going to be Tara that takes home the prize.
***************************************************
Afternoon update:
Ooh! Oooh! I just received my first award for this blog. Shrinking Mom sent me the "Your Blog is Super" award! These are the rules when you receive an award:
1. Tape it up on your blog somewhere - mine is to the right at the top
2. Pass it along to 5 fellow super bloggers, and comment on their blog to let them know they have received the award.
3. When you present your Super Blogger awards, link back to the super blogger who gave it to you (thank you Shrinking Mom - I gotta find out your first name!)
These are my choices:
TJ's Weigh or the Highway - I love her sassy no-nonsense style!
Twisted Cinderella - she has terrific recipes!
Deb - Finding the runner in me - I love to read about her journey to becoming a runner. She has offered so much support I couldn't begin to thank her.
Foodie Getting Fit - She's always there with a word of encouragement.
And last, but definitely not least, there is Ida of Losing Myself - a wonderful lady!
There are so many others I would love to include but I am limited to 5. It is so wonderful to find support for the journey online!
Tuesday
Another gorgeous day in mid-Michigan . . .
. . . and here I sit, coughing and hacking. I didn't get here yesterday because I had a dr. appt that went far longer than I thought, and then I was running hither and yon finding supplies to manage my diagnosis of diabetes. I was hoping that the numbers would have been better, but I kind of suspected they were going the wrong way. I craved sugar all last week, and I was drinking water like there was no tomorrow. The PA was very positive and said that medicine now catches diabetes much earlier and so with some small changes in lifestyle it is very manageable. Carbs need to be watched, but that's something I've always had to do since for most of my adult life I have been hypoglycemic. I pretty much know what I need to do and what foods I can eat. I am looking forward to getting over this awful cold so I can get outside. Exercise acts to lower blood sugar.
To answer some comments that were left here:
For "Foodie":
If it were a milder cold, I would go for it with the walking, but I am really congested and just doing normal stuff has me breathing really hard.
For TJ and Ida:
The Sun (Latin: Sol), a yellow dwarf, is the star at the center of the Solar System.
I hope you see him soon. :)
For Jinx:
I will most likely go with Sugar Busters - no carb counting, just sticking to foods that don't raise insulin. It's a lot like Atkins Maintenance.
Back to my diagnosis - my glucose readings aren't really all that off. What is happening is that once my sugar is up, it takes longer than it should to come back down. I took my first dose of Metformin today. This week I am to take a fasting blood sugar reading on 3 mornings. Today's was 119 which I think is kind of high for a fasting blood sugar.
Then on 2 days, I take a reading 2 hours after a meal. Doing this will give me a pretty good idea of what foods I need to avoid or eat in smaller portions. My kit came with a video and there really isn't anything I can't eat - as long as the portions are controlled. For now I am avoiding all refined sugars and flours because those are triggers for me. As I mentioned before, I have been hypoglycemic for many years. Hypoglycemia is often thought of as the opposite of diabetes, but it really isn't. The diet is pretty much the same and so is the aim of keeping blood sugar level. With hypoglycemia, the pancreas puts out too much insulin which removes more glucose from the blood stream. I'm guessing that after many years of over production, my pancreas wants to rest so now it's not putting out enough, or my body is resistant to its effects - insulin resistance. Hypoglycemia is actually more of a precursor of diabetes.
In my book, the PA wrote that my fasting blood sugar should be below 110 and my readings after meals should be below 160. I did pretty well on the after meal readings, but as I said, this morning's fasting blood sugar was 119.
Afternoon update:
Last night I couldn't sleep because of the coughing and so I popped in the Biggest Loser video from last Tuesday. I missed the first hour because I was at a banquet. I am soooooo glad I taped it. The first part of the show was a reflection on how far the contestants had come. I saw the sadness in their eyes as they watched videos of their former selves and wondered why it is that we can't feel that for ourselves when we are living it. Only in retrospect. I wonder what it would have been like if their former selves had seen a video reflecting their victories ahead of time. I'm probably not making sense, but I think the people that make it in the long haul, are the ones who CAN visualize their victories. I had Tara pegged from the start as the possible winner of this thing. From the start she exhibited a self confidence that made me wonder how she ever got so big in the first place. I can't wait for tonight's episode.
To answer some comments that were left here:
For "Foodie":
If it were a milder cold, I would go for it with the walking, but I am really congested and just doing normal stuff has me breathing really hard.
For TJ and Ida:
The Sun (Latin: Sol), a yellow dwarf, is the star at the center of the Solar System.
I hope you see him soon. :)
For Jinx:
I will most likely go with Sugar Busters - no carb counting, just sticking to foods that don't raise insulin. It's a lot like Atkins Maintenance.
Back to my diagnosis - my glucose readings aren't really all that off. What is happening is that once my sugar is up, it takes longer than it should to come back down. I took my first dose of Metformin today. This week I am to take a fasting blood sugar reading on 3 mornings. Today's was 119 which I think is kind of high for a fasting blood sugar.
Then on 2 days, I take a reading 2 hours after a meal. Doing this will give me a pretty good idea of what foods I need to avoid or eat in smaller portions. My kit came with a video and there really isn't anything I can't eat - as long as the portions are controlled. For now I am avoiding all refined sugars and flours because those are triggers for me. As I mentioned before, I have been hypoglycemic for many years. Hypoglycemia is often thought of as the opposite of diabetes, but it really isn't. The diet is pretty much the same and so is the aim of keeping blood sugar level. With hypoglycemia, the pancreas puts out too much insulin which removes more glucose from the blood stream. I'm guessing that after many years of over production, my pancreas wants to rest so now it's not putting out enough, or my body is resistant to its effects - insulin resistance. Hypoglycemia is actually more of a precursor of diabetes.
In my book, the PA wrote that my fasting blood sugar should be below 110 and my readings after meals should be below 160. I did pretty well on the after meal readings, but as I said, this morning's fasting blood sugar was 119.
Afternoon update:
Last night I couldn't sleep because of the coughing and so I popped in the Biggest Loser video from last Tuesday. I missed the first hour because I was at a banquet. I am soooooo glad I taped it. The first part of the show was a reflection on how far the contestants had come. I saw the sadness in their eyes as they watched videos of their former selves and wondered why it is that we can't feel that for ourselves when we are living it. Only in retrospect. I wonder what it would have been like if their former selves had seen a video reflecting their victories ahead of time. I'm probably not making sense, but I think the people that make it in the long haul, are the ones who CAN visualize their victories. I had Tara pegged from the start as the possible winner of this thing. From the start she exhibited a self confidence that made me wonder how she ever got so big in the first place. I can't wait for tonight's episode.
Sunday
The sun is out!
Today would be a perfect day to get outside for some exercise - except that I am congested and coughing again. Yesterday I bought a notebook and some dividers to make my "recovery" journal. I will have more time to get into the Beck book this week. I plan to officially start tomorrow. The book recommends picking good diet plans. I haven't decided for sure yet. I like Atkins, but I don't stick to it very well and that is one you really do have to do as written. Because of the high fat content, you can't afford to slip up very often. If the fat is high, the carbs have to be low - and one slip up can be disastrous. I'm looking at Sugar Busters again. It's pretty easy to follow - the carbs are not low so the fat content needs to be monitored a bit. Not sure what the backup diet will be. I'll look at that tonight. I have a doctors appt. tomorrow to discuss the results of my latest bloodwork with regard to my A1C.
Friday
May Day!
Just a short entry this morning. Today was the day I should have reached my mini goal and I didn't. I am determined to get a handle on this in the next year. Last night I read some more in the Beck Diet Solution book. I made my affirmation cards. I am supposed to read these 2 times a day. That is my baby step for this week.
Back later.
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Afternoon update:
I am not having a great day and it doesn't look like it's going to get any better. Usually I can get myself out of these funks, but there are just days that I resent the heck out of the fact that I can't get any "local" support. It seems to me that if you love people, it should be unconditional - not whether they are fat or thin or whatever. It seems like nothing I do is right from baking cookies to cleaning house and today I just don't have the resources to pull myself out of this. I'm not even a fun grandma today and that is the one area that I pretty much felt that I excelled. I am going on auto pilot to get some things done that I have to get done. Later tonight I am going to spend some time in my quilting room. That always makes me feel better - at least for a while.
Back later.
*********************************************
Afternoon update:
I am not having a great day and it doesn't look like it's going to get any better. Usually I can get myself out of these funks, but there are just days that I resent the heck out of the fact that I can't get any "local" support. It seems to me that if you love people, it should be unconditional - not whether they are fat or thin or whatever. It seems like nothing I do is right from baking cookies to cleaning house and today I just don't have the resources to pull myself out of this. I'm not even a fun grandma today and that is the one area that I pretty much felt that I excelled. I am going on auto pilot to get some things done that I have to get done. Later tonight I am going to spend some time in my quilting room. That always makes me feel better - at least for a while.
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