Last week, I started my transition back to eating. For the first week, I continued to have 3 beverage meal replacements per day and 1 meal. The meal was pretty structured: 4 oz of lean protein and 3-6 cups of non-starchy vegetables, plus fat free dressing or mayo or salsa. It was nice to be able to eat again. I lost 2.8 pounds for the week and my nutritionist was impressed.
So, for this week she has bumped me up to 2 meals per day and 2 beverage meal replacements. Same types of food allowed. Next week if I have done OK, she'll start adding in other healthy food choices. I think fruit is next. Who would have thought I'd be so excited about fruit!? It'll be such a treat after not having any for 4.5 months!
July 28, 2009
June 30, 2009
51.5 lbs!!
Woo hoo! I have passed the 50 lbs mark, weighing in last night at 51.5 lbs less that when I started. I am so happy!
They took a new photo of me last night to compare with my "before" photo. As soon as they email it to me, I'll post it here!
They took a new photo of me last night to compare with my "before" photo. As soon as they email it to me, I'll post it here!
June 9, 2009
Not much this week...
I only lost 1.3 lbs this week. I think it's a combination of not getting enough water, not getting enough exercise, and eating a few too many "emergency" meals. I'm starting to miss food a little. I'm not hungry ; I just miss chewing. :) But I'm keeping the goal in site and not veering off course. No emergency meals this week! And I'll be picking it up on the water and exercise this week. It won't be long until I hit the 50 pound mark and get a new photo taken.
Feeling GREAT!
Feeling GREAT!
May 26, 2009
No weigh-in...
Since yesterday was the Memorial Day holiday, the clinic was closed and we didn't have a weigh-in. :( My next opportunity to weigh will be June 1st. So I'll be crossing my fingers that I've dropped at least 8 more pounds by then. I'll let you know next week!
May 12, 2009
Better week!
This week, after making a concerted effort to drink even more water and exercise a bit less, I lost 3.5 lbs. I'm at 30 total! I'm really so happy with the progress I have made so far. I'm feeling really good. My BP last night was 110/70 and I don't think I've had a BP that great in many years. All in all, I couldn't be happier!
May 5, 2009
6 weeks later
Six weeks into the program, I'm down 26.5 pounds and I feel better than I have in a long time. This week was a little disappointing. I only lost 1.8 pounds. My counselor advised me to drink even more water and see if it helps. I've been getting about 75-80 ozs a day, but they want me to drink half my body weight - 115 ozs at this point. So I'm going to step it up some in the water department.
They also advised me to exercise a little less. It seems counterproductive, doesn't it? But while only taking in 800 calories a day, if I exercise too much, my body will start to think I'm starving and really slow down my metabolism. So I'm going to slow down on the walking. It's just hard because I have so much energy! I really want to walk a lot! Of course once I start eating food again, they will want me to exercise a lot more. I just have to be patient until that time comes.
Until next week....if you're looking for me I'll probably be in the bathroom after drinking so much water!
They also advised me to exercise a little less. It seems counterproductive, doesn't it? But while only taking in 800 calories a day, if I exercise too much, my body will start to think I'm starving and really slow down my metabolism. So I'm going to slow down on the walking. It's just hard because I have so much energy! I really want to walk a lot! Of course once I start eating food again, they will want me to exercise a lot more. I just have to be patient until that time comes.
Until next week....if you're looking for me I'll probably be in the bathroom after drinking so much water!
April 13, 2009
First Clinical
Tonight I had my first clinical visit, the once monthly visits with the doctor over the MWM Program. Great visit!
I lost 1.8 lbs since last week, for a total of 15.4 lbs. But the really great news was that my cholestrol is now down to 156! It was a whopping 214 when I started the program 23 days ago.
These are the kind of things that can really help a girl stay motivated!
I lost 1.8 lbs since last week, for a total of 15.4 lbs. But the really great news was that my cholestrol is now down to 156! It was a whopping 214 when I started the program 23 days ago.
These are the kind of things that can really help a girl stay motivated!
April 6, 2009
MWMP - week 3
Tonight's meeting featured 3 previous participants in the medical weight management program: Mary, Dennis, and Craig. Mary lost 48 lbs total (her goal). Dennis has lost 65 lbs and has transitioned back to food while working on losing about 15 more lbs. Craig lost 125 lbs and I believe would like to lose about 10 more.
I am at 13.6 lbs total so far. Yippee!!
The three of them shared the stories about why they started the program, what helped them get through it, and what is working for them now that they are eating again and no longer doing the meal replacement beverages.
It was a motivational evening for sure!
I am at 13.6 lbs total so far. Yippee!!
The three of them shared the stories about why they started the program, what helped them get through it, and what is working for them now that they are eating again and no longer doing the meal replacement beverages.
It was a motivational evening for sure!
March 30, 2009
MWMP - week 2
Tonight I had my second weekly meeting at the MWM Program. The topic of conversation tonight was self-talk. It was quite helpful and motivational. The general idea is to BE POSITIVE! If you tell yourself you can't do something, then you won't do it. So we talked about ways to turn the negative thoughts into positive ones. Examples were:
Negative: I've only lost 10 lbs and I don't look any different.
Positive: I'm 10 lbs closer to my goal!
Negative: I look awful.
Positive: I'm looking better every day that I stick to the program.
I've caught myself thinking negative thoughts a few times but now I feel more motivated to keep those negative thoughts away. I am strong. I am able to do this program. There are no good reasons not to comply with the boundaries that are set.
I'm doing this for myself and my kids and I'm a better person and I'm a stronger person because I'm making the changes I need to make to be healthy.
Enough said.
Negative: I've only lost 10 lbs and I don't look any different.
Positive: I'm 10 lbs closer to my goal!
Negative: I look awful.
Positive: I'm looking better every day that I stick to the program.
I've caught myself thinking negative thoughts a few times but now I feel more motivated to keep those negative thoughts away. I am strong. I am able to do this program. There are no good reasons not to comply with the boundaries that are set.
I'm doing this for myself and my kids and I'm a better person and I'm a stronger person because I'm making the changes I need to make to be healthy.
Enough said.
March 23, 2009
MWM Program Underway
I went to start up on 3/20 and actually started the program on 3/21. I had my first weekly meeting tonight and weighed in. 5 pounds already gone! I know it's probably mostly water but it still felt good to weight in and see it on the scale. I'll be weighing in each Monday and I'll post updates here.
We also have a class every week. Tonight it was about exercise and how critical it is to weight management. They actually said that the American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes 3 times per week. But this is just for heart health! To control weight you actually have to work out 4-5 times per week. Never knew that!
We also talked about ways to increase your activity level just in your daily life. Like, walk the dog instead of just letting him out. Or park further away and walk. Or take the stairs. I'm going to try to start doing some of these things.
More next week!
We also have a class every week. Tonight it was about exercise and how critical it is to weight management. They actually said that the American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes 3 times per week. But this is just for heart health! To control weight you actually have to work out 4-5 times per week. Never knew that!
We also talked about ways to increase your activity level just in your daily life. Like, walk the dog instead of just letting him out. Or park further away and walk. Or take the stairs. I'm going to try to start doing some of these things.
More next week!
March 19, 2009
Methodist Hospital Weight Management
It's official! I'm going to a start up meeting for the Methodist Hospital Weight Management program tomorrow! Yippee!! You can read more about it here.
March 15, 2009
Heart is A-OK!
I passed my second stress test. No blockages or other issues were found. They said the abnormal results they got on the previous tests are common with women...they call is the "X Chromosome Factor". Whatever. I'm just glad I'm in the clear and now I can try to get into the weight management program.
March 11, 2009
Weight loss program
I am desparate to be accepted into a weight loss program at a local hospital. Part of the process is to complete a physical. I went to have my physical on Thursday.
I failed the EKG.
I was really stunned. I have been under a cardiologist's care for a while for high blood pressure (a side effect of PCOS and being overweight of course). My EKGs at his office have always been fine.
They sent me for a treadmill stress test, which I did on Monday. Guess what? I FAILED THAT TOO! So I had to go back yesterday for another round complete with radio-tracer being injected in my veins, resting CT scan, another session on the treadmill, and then a follow-up CT scan. I hope to have the results soon.
Of course, I'm praying that it all comes back fine. But this just serves to confirm that I MUST do something to get my weight and PCOS under control before they ruin my life.
I failed the EKG.
I was really stunned. I have been under a cardiologist's care for a while for high blood pressure (a side effect of PCOS and being overweight of course). My EKGs at his office have always been fine.
They sent me for a treadmill stress test, which I did on Monday. Guess what? I FAILED THAT TOO! So I had to go back yesterday for another round complete with radio-tracer being injected in my veins, resting CT scan, another session on the treadmill, and then a follow-up CT scan. I hope to have the results soon.
Of course, I'm praying that it all comes back fine. But this just serves to confirm that I MUST do something to get my weight and PCOS under control before they ruin my life.
February 19, 2009
What is PCOS?
The short answer is this: Polycystic ovary syndrome is a problem in which a woman’s hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS may also cause unwanted changes in the way you look. If it is not treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS) is common, affecting as many as 1 in 15 women. Often the symptoms begin in the teen years. Treatment can help control the symptoms and prevent long-term problems.
But the longer, more detailed answer, taken from here is:
"In each menstrual cycle, follicles grow on the ovaries. Eggs develop within those follicles, one of which will reach maturity faster than the others and be released into the fallopian tubes. This is "ovulation". The remaining follicles will degenerate.
In the case of polycystic ovaries, however, the ovaries are larger than normal, and there are a series of undeveloped follicles that appear in clumps, somewhat like a bunch of grapes. Polycystic ovaries are not especially troublesome and may not even affect your fertility.
However, when the cysts cause a hormonal imbalance, a pattern of symptoms may develop. This pattern of symptoms is called a syndrome. These symptoms are the difference between suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome and from polycystic ovaries.
So you can have polycystic ovaries without having PCOS. However, nearly all women with PCOS will have polycystic ovaries. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is the name given to a metabolic condition in which a woman will have polycystic ovaries, along with a certain pattern of other symptoms that reflect imbalances in reproductive and other hormones.
We referred to polycystic ovarian syndrome as a “metabolic" disorder. By this we mean that there are numerous factors in basic body processes that have gone awry. Because your body is a unified whole, a problem or dysfunction in one area causes dysfunction in other areas. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a dysfunction that is related to your whole body, not just your ovaries.
Let’s define some terms:
"Syndrome" simply means a set of symptoms that occur together, in a pattern.
"Polycystic" means there is an accumulation of incompletely developed follicles (cysts) in the ovaries.
"Polycystic ovarian syndrome" refers to a health disorder where there may be many cysts in the ovaries, accompanied by a distinctive pattern of symptoms.
"Metabolic" refers to the physical and biochemical processes required for the body to function.
"Polycystic ovary syndrome" is the name given to a metabolic condition in which a woman will have cystic ovaries, along with a certain pattern of other symptoms that reflect imbalances in reproductive and other hormones.
We referred to polycystic ovary syndrome as a “metabolic disorder”. By this we mean that there are numerous factors in basic body processes that have gone awry. Because your body is a unified whole, a problem or dysfunction in one area causes dysfunction in other areas. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a dysfunction that is related in some way to your whole body, not just your ovaries."
Polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS) is common, affecting as many as 1 in 15 women. Often the symptoms begin in the teen years. Treatment can help control the symptoms and prevent long-term problems.
But the longer, more detailed answer, taken from here is:
"In each menstrual cycle, follicles grow on the ovaries. Eggs develop within those follicles, one of which will reach maturity faster than the others and be released into the fallopian tubes. This is "ovulation". The remaining follicles will degenerate.
In the case of polycystic ovaries, however, the ovaries are larger than normal, and there are a series of undeveloped follicles that appear in clumps, somewhat like a bunch of grapes. Polycystic ovaries are not especially troublesome and may not even affect your fertility.
However, when the cysts cause a hormonal imbalance, a pattern of symptoms may develop. This pattern of symptoms is called a syndrome. These symptoms are the difference between suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome and from polycystic ovaries.
So you can have polycystic ovaries without having PCOS. However, nearly all women with PCOS will have polycystic ovaries. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is the name given to a metabolic condition in which a woman will have polycystic ovaries, along with a certain pattern of other symptoms that reflect imbalances in reproductive and other hormones.
We referred to polycystic ovarian syndrome as a “metabolic" disorder. By this we mean that there are numerous factors in basic body processes that have gone awry. Because your body is a unified whole, a problem or dysfunction in one area causes dysfunction in other areas. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a dysfunction that is related to your whole body, not just your ovaries.
Let’s define some terms:
"Syndrome" simply means a set of symptoms that occur together, in a pattern.
"Polycystic" means there is an accumulation of incompletely developed follicles (cysts) in the ovaries.
"Polycystic ovarian syndrome" refers to a health disorder where there may be many cysts in the ovaries, accompanied by a distinctive pattern of symptoms.
"Metabolic" refers to the physical and biochemical processes required for the body to function.
"Polycystic ovary syndrome" is the name given to a metabolic condition in which a woman will have cystic ovaries, along with a certain pattern of other symptoms that reflect imbalances in reproductive and other hormones.
We referred to polycystic ovary syndrome as a “metabolic disorder”. By this we mean that there are numerous factors in basic body processes that have gone awry. Because your body is a unified whole, a problem or dysfunction in one area causes dysfunction in other areas. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a dysfunction that is related in some way to your whole body, not just your ovaries."
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