Not Reccomended

This has been an interesting week. I was able to lose about 4 pounds in 2 days, but only because I was unable to eat due to a stomach virus. I weighed myself again today, and I had gained back a pound in one day. I am sure it is mostly because I was so dehydrated the day before that the change in weight was because my body was in the process of re-hydrating. I am hoping that I can find a way to get down to this weight without the illness soon.

I have made a dietary decision for my family. Once the margarine that is in the house is gone, we will be completely switching to butter. I know that it is more costly, but I think that the few dollars difference is worth us having better health. We do not eat a lot with butter or margarine, so I will be looking for other things that I can change as well.

Learning the Hard Way

This time last year I dealt with swollen feet and hands on a regular basis. It had been going on for a while, and I had a suspicion that it may have been related to my Dr. Pepper consumption. I just didn't want to give it up, though. I think there were more food items that contributed to the problems I having. I knew something had to change, but I didn't know how to start.
In January, I started participating in self reliance classes through the Church. Chad and I decided that we would stop going out to eat and work on paying our debt with the money we would have spent in drive-thrus. I started feeling better fairly quickly. When we would cave and buy fast food, I would be sicker than I had been prior to trying to give it up. I still get fast food, and I deal with the consequences. I have, however, figured out that what I can eat at what restaurants that won't make me as sick.
Today, for the first time in months, my hands and feet swelled up to the point that it hurt to walk for a little while. What had changed? I have had a lot of salt and soda over the last few days.
I am in the process of learning what does and does not make me feel well. One of these days my diet will be to the point that I will feel as good as I can. I don't think I can ever completely give up fast food or soda, but I can have it less.

Win...Maybe

I added exercise to my morning routine Monday through Friday last month. It has been great to wake up, put on workout clothes, turn on a video, and workout for 20 to 30 minutes before work every morning.
Two days ago, I finally did a workout with weights because I found my weights. Not only did I use weight, the video had a lot of squats. It felt good to be working muscles I hadn't used in a while. It was sad to hear how much my knees creaked. It does not feel good today. I hurt, but I am not letting it get me down.
Today, I got up. Got my clothes out of the dryer, and exercised with a video. It was not as intense as some of the videos I have been doing lately. There are two reasons this is exciting. First, I was in pain, so it was not easy to do. Second, I am off of work today because it is my daughter's birthday. This means that I not only worked through the pain with something less intense, I kept this part of my morning routine even though I was not getting ready for work.

To me, the is a win!

The Jeans

Honestly, I have not lost any weight for a few weeks, but I have been able to notice a difference in how my clothes are fitting. I bought a pair of jeans at a thrift store at the beginning of the summer without trying them on. I was sure I knew what size I was. I would not accept the idea that I was larger than that size. I was wrong. the jeans were too small. My stomach hurt by the end of the work day. I took them off and put on sweats as soon as I would get home. A few times I unbuttoned them in the car since I knew I no one would see me and the kids aren't usually home when I get home on Fridays. I had one other pair of jeans that fit, but they disappeared somehow. I continued to wear them every Friday and started considering how uncomfortable they were as motivation to keep working on my health. I am happy to report that, as of yesterday, I can now wear them without sucking in my gut to button them and without being uncomfortable by the end of the day. Also, they are a bit loose on my legs and rear end. So, the weight may not be dropping as quick as I want, but I am making a difference with each early morning workout and planned meal.

This is Hard Work

First of all, the nutrition class that I am taking is really hard. For some reason, I am just not really understanding the science of digestion (science has never been my best subject). It is so frustrating. I am hoping that I can get the hang of the class soon. I am past the halfway point, and I have to get a good grade because I am on advisement at school. I did learn more about the need for water this week. I drink a lot of water on a daily basis, so it made me feel better about that decision.
So far, the changes that I have made are: I added some supplements that I feel I needed in my life right now; I am doing an exercise video five days a week when I wake up; and I am making and mostly following a meal plan. It is hard to be the one person in the house trying to make these changes. Sometimes it feels a bit lonely. Luckily, I have a friend that is trying to make positive changes at the same time. I just wish she lived closer.

Making Lasting Changes (hopefully)

I have been doing a lot of research on how to become healthy. The nutrition class has been very informative and a bit overwhelming at times. So far, I have learned the calorie content of proportion, carbohydrates, and fats; the benefits of fiber (there are so many); and the process of digestion (I was so glad I wasn't eating at the time. I have also started listening to The Ultimate Health podcast while I work (it probably looks like I am listening to music).

I have learned a lot from this podcast, but I don't think I could ever go completely vegan like they do. They suggest people make changes one at a time. So far, I have changed my toothpaste and mouthwash to Tom's of Maine (not their actually recommendation, but close) and added a green powder and chia seeds to my routine.

I plan to make other changes as I go, but I can't do it all at once. I know that I would miss the foods I am so addicted to if I quit cold turkey.

I had another check with the doctor today. I have lost 3 pounds in the past 2 months according to their scales. He asked me what I was doing that has helped me lose so much weight this year. It was great to be recognized for my efforts. In the end, they took more blood to do follow up tests. I am hoping for better numbers. I will make a follow up appointment after the results come in next week, and I hope to have lost even more weight by then.

Interesting Week

I have had an interesting week so far. I found an article in Women's Day from a year or two ago with a list of suggested meals to help lose weight. This is the first time I have looked at one of these lists and though, "I can do this." Since my kids choose most of the dinners in my house (the best way to get them to eat what is made), I decided that I would plan breakfast and lunch for the week. I have been able to follow it so far. I am honestly a bit surprised, but I think I was just ready for this change.
One big thing that I have noticed is that I am fuller longer. I have been shocked that I have been eating what looks like less food, but haven't been been starving when I get home from work. Along with this, I have been able to stay under the 1800 calories per day that the doctor has recommended.
One other thing that has been noticeable is that I still have cravings for the foods I am used to eating. Last night we had hamburgers for dinner (my 15 year-old's night to choose). I grilled the burgers along with the turkey burgers for today's lunch (Chad is following the plan with me). When we sat down to eat, I had the plan to eat just one. I was full after one. Hamburgers are one of my weaknesses, though. I ate a second burger. Before I knew it, I was over my calorie count for the day despite staying under half of my goal prior to dinner.
I have a long way to go, but I know I can do this. The food scale is found and fixed. I will be making a simple exercise plan to go with my walking next week.
I am still hoping to be under 190 by the time I see the doctor October 16. I don't know if this is a realistic goal, but I am going to try.

But the Food

Trying to lose weight is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I am terrible at it. I am definitely a food addict. Fast food is my weakness.

I made some great goals for this week. Well, the plans went down the drain fast. First of all, I have no idea where the food scale is, so I was not only unable to get a battery for it, I couldn't use it even if I had. The food delivery service Chad signed up for sucked big time. We never got our box, and he had to spend the week trying to prove that it didn't show up even though the UPS tracking proved the package was never actually shipped. Needless to say, we will never try GoFresh again and will warn people to not order from them as well. I did, however, buy more produce. 

I don't know how I will manage to stay within my goal range of calories this next week. I would love to lose more weight. I just need to find a new game plan. 

Not a Good Week

This week has been so much harder. First of all, I seem to eat more when I am not at work. Since Monday was Labor Day, that gave me one more day of being home from work. I did not stay home most of the day. As a family, we went out to lunch and to an amusement park followed by a barbecue in the back yard. Needless to say, that was not very conducive to losing weight. I did not buy as much produce this week as I usually do. That makes it harder to be full.
The reality of this week is my doctor wants to to stay under 1800 calories a day, but the only day so far that I have accomplished that was Sunday (because I fasted). So far today, I have already consumed about 1532 calories and still need to eat dinner. I have also gained back about 1 pound.
My plan for next week is to buy a new battery for our food scale. I am starting to wonder if I have the right portion sizes. This may be part of my problem. Also, Chad has subscribed to a food delivery service for two meals a week (when the kids are with their dad). We are hoping that will help us learn new, healthier recipes.
I am excited to be starting my nutrition class at school this weekend. I am, also, hoping to take a health and fitness class this school year. We will see if I am able to fit that into my schedule, though.

197.8

Last time I weighed myself, I weighed 197.8. This is a really exciting number! I weighed 197 when I had each of my kids. I have been hating that I have been over that number for a long time. I am hoping to be under 190 by the time I see the doctor in October. I am trying really hard to drop this weight. I am really excited to be starting my nutrition class next week. I am hoping that I will learn a lot that I can implement into my family diet.

Under 200

I weigh myself at least every Sunday (sometimes more often). This morning I weighed less than 200 pounds! I am so happy. I had a goal of reaching 197 by the end of the month. That will probably not happen, but I am ok with that.

For My Health

I have been losing weight over the last 6 months or so. In fact when I went to the doctor for a physical, I was told I had lost 15 pounds since my last doctor appointment (in January). I was so happy and excited. I called my step-mother to tell her my good news. I told my husband as soon as he got home from church. I even told my best friend when she came to town. I really believed that this meant that my health was improving, and I felt better than I have in years.
Two days ago, I received a call from my doctor's office with the results. The good news is that I can lower my dosage for my thyroid medicine (no more being treated like a drug addict when picking up two pills at a time). The bad news was I am now anemic and have a fatty liver. This means one more pill (iron) along with an 1800 calorie per day diet and 3-4 hours of exercise per week. I have been counting my calories and taking walks for about 6 months. This is how I have been losing weight. I think I need to get more serious about it though.
I am scared, but I am motivated. I will lose weight. I will reverse the fatty liver. I will document my success.