Check up=Nervous

Back Story: Summer 2012

I was having some weird dizzy or vertigo spells. Nothing major, just irritating. I mentioned something to my mom in passing and she told me to ck my blood pressure. So, I went downstairs and checked it on their bp cuff (cuz this sorta stuff runs in the fam already) and low and behold. 180/120!!! Yikes! I asked my mom when the last time they changed the battery, cuz there was NO WAY that was right. I didn't feel stressed (though in hindsight we were in the midst of watching my aunt lose her battle with cancer), I didnt' have a headache or weird vision issues, just occasional irritating wooziness. Later that night, I asked my nurse in training friend to take my bp...180/120 again. Well, CRAP!!! That can't be a coincidence. The next morning I checked it again, with the bp cuff my mom insisted I bring home, and it was 200/120!! CRAP CRAP!! I called the Doc and they fit me right in!! Surprise, Surprise!!! There it was 210/120!!! CRAP CRAP CRAP!!! So, Doc put me on meds right away. This funness prompted tests of more funness!!! He wanted to check if there was any medical reason beyond stress and genetics (and weight!) that could be causing the high bp.  

Christmas 2012

Based on various blood tests, I was diagnosed with diabetes, high bp, and high cholesterol. The Triple Crown!!! Only, my award was LOTS of pretty pills!!! Not a whole lot of fun!! During all this time, my family and I had watched our family members die from various causes...many of which could have been prevented had they taken better care of themselves, or sought treatment earlier. All, the while I am popping all these pills to extend my life and worrying that it might not be enough and how there was no way in HELL I wanted my family to go through this again over something I could fix. So, the middle of Dec. I started Herbalife. This for me consists of Herbal Tea (metabolism and energy booster), 2 Shakes a day, 2 high protein snacks a day, vitamins 3x/day and a Cell Activator (helps to make sure your body absorbs all the nutrients) 2x/day, and 1 healthy meal/day.

Present:

I now get my blood work checked every 3 months. I am now on a host of pills...6 rx's. 1 of which I take 2x/day. (Plus all my Herbalife Supplements!) I just had my 1st 3 month check with the Doc. since starting Herbalife. He knew I was starting it because I checked to make sure it was ok for me to do with my host of medical issues. But, this would be the 1st time, we would see if any of the hard work I have put into this the last 3 months has worked. 

I have to say, I was pretty nervous. I knew I had lost some weight and some inches because the scale was going down and my clothes were fitting differently. I had been pretty diligent about my foods and was working out 3-5x/wk...but in the back of my I was worried that maybe it wasn't enough. I knew from testing my sugars that even though I was watching my calories, sometimes what I ate didn't reflect my diabetic needs...it has been a bit of a learning curve, so sometimes my sugars still spiked and my morning fasting sugar is always high, no matter what I eat. So, I was kinda worried and prepared to back up my "work" with my detailed logs as proof!! LOL!!

My Doc and I were very pleasantly surprised!!! I have lost 10lbs since Dec. (I honestly wish it were more. I have heard lots of other Herbalife users lose it much faster than this, BUT at least the scale keeps going down!!) My A1C in Dec. was 7.5, my A1C now is 6.3!!! HOLY BLOODY HELL BATMAN!!! I was not expecting that much of a drop in just 3 months!!! I am WICKED excited!!! He did put me on Lipitor (so if you are keeping track, that now makes 7 rx's!!) because my LDL was still high, and my other cholesterol med doesn't work on that very much. BUT, he said he thinks he might be able to drop me down on one of my meds next time and hopefully get rid of one entirely in 6 months!!

So, Check Up used to = Nervous

But NOW, Check Up = EXCITED & STOKED!!!

Here are my photos since Dec.

Dec. 18th

Jan. 21st 

Feb. 15th

 It's almost time to take another photo...but that will have to wait for another post...

Thanks for joining me on my Journey 2 Fabulous

WAY TOO LONG, BUT BACK IN GEAR!!!!

I have been struggling terribly since I last posted. In fact my weight got up to 256lbs.

It has been a really rough year. We have lost my aunt, Judy, to a horrible battle with cancer in July, our church closed in September, J's dad has been in ICU since October after having a liver transplant, we lost my uncle, Elmer, very unexpectedly to a brain aneurysm the middle of December, and we lost J's Nana December 23rd. So, I guess one could say I have had a good excuse to just keep eating, or become an alcoholic...and I must say there has been a lot of comfort food and a lot of wine involved in getting through this last year, but I turned a corner...

I have found out in the last year that I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol and am diabetic. I WILL NOT intentionally put my children or family through the suffering we have gone through this past year. It was time to stop being selfish...though I have never thought of myself that way. I realized that I was being incredibly selfish by choosing to allow my emotions to rule my life, by allowing food to comfort me, and by basically eating myself to death.

So, I have been very fortunate to have some wonderful friends and family in my life that have been so supportive!!! And, I truly think God puts people in your path for a reason, and I have no doubt that Vicki Feehly has been put here to help save my life. She is an HerbaLife Distributor and has given me the tools to help take control of my life again. I started on Dec. 18th, and I also recommitted to going to the gym at least 3x/wk, and since then, I have lost 9lbs and still going!! I feel better than I have in a long time, and my confidence is coming back...I am not where I was, but at least I heading in the right direction again.


So, I had a bit of an Hiatus, but I am back...
Thanks for Re-Joining me on my Journey 2 Fabulous!

Update

Ok, so here's what's been going on & where I am...
This month J & I bit the bullet & sat down to figure out or finances. T wanted to do Karate & we found a place we LOVED but we were trying to figure out if we could afford it. So, in this process we figured out that we could get a YMCA membership for the whole family AND put T in Karate there for less than we could put him in Karate at this other place. So, we joined the YMCA this month.

AND let me just tell you, I AM ON THE ZUMBA BANDWAGON!!!! I LOVE IT!!! I started doing Zumba 4x/wk!!! I've NEVER worked out that much before & I LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!! And J has started working out a couple of times a week, & it seems to be helping his back/neck/shoulder issues!! (YAY!) And T is old enough to use the Youth room, so he's been working out 2-3x/wk + Karate once/wk. It's been AWESOME!

We also finally bit the bullet & bought Smart Phones. We kept putting it off because we had an awesome Data plan that was no longer available, so if we bought any new phones, we would lose that plan & have to pay more for less...sucked! But, J's phone was on it's last leg, so we had to give in. That being said, we spent $100 on phones & are getting $150 back in rebates!! ROCK ON!!! I REALLY hadn't realized just how much easier it would be for me to "stay on track" with a Smart Phone. I am now addicted to EVERYTHING on it. I found a FREE C25K app. that allows me to play MY music from my phone while it keeps track of the timing & chimes when I need to walk/run. I found a FREE myfitnesspal app. which is what I had been using to track my food & exercise. I also found some FREE WW points/tracking apps. so I could do them again if I found that easier than counting calories. Right now, I think I am going to stick with myfitnesspal because it's what I've gotten used to & when I am consistent, it works! My issue is consistency this past year. I don't seem to "stay on track" for more then a month, & I'm really not sure why that is...I'm gonna have to dig deep on that one I think...

So, I weighed myself this week. 245lbs! I am not happy about this, but with the way I have been eating lately it could be SO much worse!! At least now I have a starting point. I also started C25K training again. BUT, the AWESOME thing is, that because I have been doing Zumba for 45-60min 4x/wk, instead of starting at Week 1, I started at Week 4!!!! AND I RAN AT 3.5!!!!! I've NEVER run that fast before!!! WOOT WOOT!!!

So, now I begin my journey YET AGAIN (GRRR!!) and pray that I am more consistent than I have been this past year.


What I am grateful for...there's alot today, but, I am making up for lost time!!
- YMCA membership
- J's pain dropping with working out
- ZUMBA!!!
- awesome girlfriends who are equally addicted to Zumba & who will also train with me & help keep me going!
- watching my son enjoying working out!!
- Smart Phones to help me stay on track
- the great way I feel after working out
- $ for new workout clothes (it's a whole new ball game when you are working out in public instead of the privacy of your own home!! LOL)

Dear God,
I have alot that I am grateful for! I am AMAZED at what you have suddenly brought into my life! Thank You! I also have alot of people that I would like you to watch over...
NP & her son A- please comfort them & calm them as they go thru some scary, nasty tests. And please help them to deal with whatever those results turn out to be.
AB- PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep a special watch on her. She carries so much on her shoulders. Please put a job in her path that will be the PERFECT fit for what she & the family need.
GSEC- we are in precarious place right now. Please help us to know Your will for us & the courage to accept it & act on it.
LK & MK- help them to give You their troubles so that they can relieve their stress some.
JH- She's alone & pregnant & in desperate need of Your strengh. Help her to get thru this pregnancy & deployment.
AN- She has SO much on her plate. Help to stay focused, centered & calm. Give her strength & courage to accomplish her goals & endure the months while Hubby is away.
MW- She's another over acheiver. Help her to fight her fears & anxieties. Help her to realize just how strong & smart she really is.

I don't know why I am struggling with this journey this time when I did so great before. Help me to give myself a break, God. You are alot more forgiving of me than I am. Help me to dig deep & find out what is hindering me & conquer it with Your help. Help me to be of service to You & those around me. Help me to be aware of those instances when I can REALLY make a difference in someone's day, in Your Name.
AMEN

Fri Aug 19th

OK, so I seem to be having trouble getting back in the swing of things. I feel like we've been very busy this week, but I haven't been active. I have been tracking my food & not doing too bad, but I haven't "worked out" & I want to, but I just can't seem to find the time. I think I need to manage my time a little better.

5 Things I Am Grateful For
- lots of time w/my girls this wk- AN, MW, NP, KC
- a WELCOME visit from a VERY dear friend that we haven't seen in 3yrs
- planning fun things w/the kids the next couple of days
- my son being more agreeable (9 is such a fun age, the teenage attitude is beginning)
- staying up late with Hubby ;-)

Dear God,
Please help me to put things in perspective & not be overly sensitive about some recent things. Help me to find a positive spin to those things that I would normally be negative about. Also, help me to release some of this anger I have towards GL so that our mutual situation will work more smoothly...plus I'm pretty sure I should probably take the high road...I'm just having more trouble with that lately. Help me to be the best me, You want me to be. AMEN

Tues Aug 16th

Ok, so here's what's been going on.
I have hit a bit of a road block for various reasons...I didn't have a whole lot of time this past week to work my training in because we were going out of town on Thursday to spend time with Hubby's family & some of our friends. BUT, up to Thursday of last week I was tracking my food!!
While, at my in-laws though, I have a tendancy to not get on the computer...I need to change that. So, that being said, I have not tracked my food since Thursday...& I really haven't watched what I've been eating...it's kinda hard when you don't have control of how things are cooked. I did just try to make the best decisions with what I had in front of me, but breakfast was harder than other meals. I haven't weighed myself, but I'm pretty sure I haven't lost weight...just hoping I haven't gained either.
Also, Friday, JHubby had another round of Steroid Injections for his neck. That usually wreaks havoc on him for a couple of days, & then the hope is that it will give him some long-term relief. He was in pretty bad shape this weekend. And to add insult to injury, I started having neck issues Friday, and am still dealing with it, though its much more manageable right now.
CJ was SO incredibly moody...2yr molars coming in...plus don't think she was too keen in sleeping in her pack-n-play since she's in a twin bed at home. She kept us up almost every night & was even having trouble with her naps...and she was VERY attached to me...
As much as I enjoyed spending the time with the in-laws, it was very stressful because of these factors, and I was very happy to be home yesterday with all of us sleeping in our own beds!
So, all these factors derailed me quite a bit.
BUT, today we are getting back on track. I have caught up on some much needed sleep, tracked my food so far, & I'm hoping, since my neck is feeling a bit better, that I might be able to get a run in today, but if not, then definitely tomorrow. Either way though, I will do 30min of exercise today.
My MIL paid for my registration for The Nun Run, so I am definitely doing that & I want to get moving on it so I can get thru the run in just a few short weeks. So, the next time I run, I am just gonna turn my ipod on, do a 5min warm up walk, & then just start running for as long as I can. Then I will do a 5min cool down walk. (or I might walk for just a min or 2 & then run again.) But, I wanna see what I can do. Then however long I can run, I will compare it to C25K training, & go to that week. I just don't have time to get all 9wks in before the run, so I need to move a little quicker right now. I will see how it goes & blog about it...

5 Things I Am Grateful For
- MUCH needed time with LW
- SUPER fun time with N & TL!!
- Sleeping in my own bed
- CJ & mommmy taking a LONG nap yesterday
- My AWESOME big boy TL who was SUCH a HUGE help to me the last couple days

It's been a while since I blogged so here are a few more...
- My FIL for watching the kids so I could take Hubby to his procedure & get some answers
- My in laws for feeding us since Thursday night
- My Hubby for taking care of me as much as he could while dealing with his own pain
- NL for Coconut Rum & Diet Cokes!!

Dear God,
This past week has been really hard. Please give us all the strength to continue to get through the things that we are dealing with. Please help J & me to keep a positive attitude while we are both in pain. I pray that You provide both of us long-term relief & that You guide us to the paths that will help make that possible & give us the strength to follow those paths. Thank You for the AMAZING people You continue to put in my path that help me along my path. They help me in so many ways, & I know that they are Your angels here on Earth to help us in our daily lives, & they do every day. I pray that You give me opportunities to Pay It Forward, & that You help me to recognize those moments so that I can help do Your will. AMEN

Wednesday Aug 8th

Ok...so things have been kinda crazy lately. This weekend we spent a ton of time just having fun as a family & it was awesome!! But, I didn't want to be on the computer during that time, so I tracked my food, but didn't blog. Then this week has been grocery shopping on Monday & took the kids to DE Natural History Museum & picnic at the park & got stuck in a CRAZY storm!! And today is Library & LAUNDRY, cuz none of us have clothes for us to pack to go out of town tomorrow!!
So, I haven't gotten my C25K training in like I would of liked, but I have been getting 30min of activity in, so at least that's good. AND I LOST 2LBS THIS WEEK!!!!
So, things are going well!!

5 Things I Am Grateful For
- My girls & FB friends that are continuously supporting me
- My ISM meeting yesterday that is keeping me motivated
- losing 2lbs this week
- awesome family time
- not derailing myself

Dear God,
Thank you for the much needed family time we got this weekend & for all the fun we had yesterday!! I pray that you help me find little moments to make sure that TL knows he's doing a good job & is important & loved. Sometimes, I think he feels like he gets lost in the shuffle. I pray that the injections that JL is getting this Friday provide him some relief finally & that You heal him. Thank You for giving me the strength to keep going with this journey even when it seems harder at times than others. Please help me to listen to You about my journey & about where You want me to be. AMEN

Friday Aug 5th

Well, I was craving some Don Pablos...so we went out. BUT we haven't gone out to dinner in at least 2wks, AND I made slightly better choices than normal, but probably could have done better. I think next time I will research what the lower cal options are for the restaurant we are going to. But, I only had a few chips. Then had 2 GRILLED fish tacos, but I ate all my rice & I CAN NOT turn down their Spoonbread! But, what I was REALLY craving was their Sopapillas, but I only had 3 instead of a whole plate...so progress is being made. I did a lot of slow walking & standing yesterday & according to myfitnesspal I was still under my calorie goal even with Don Pablos. Not sure if I buy that or not, but we shall see. I keep forgetting to weigh myself, so I am hoping to remember to do that in the morning...

5 Things I Am Grateful For
- Family dinner & game night
- Going to the park with the kids & girlfriends & my nephew for the 1st time!!!
- Spending time with my sister
- Couple time with Hubby
- Friends that continue to uplift me & support me

Dear God,
Thank You for this day!! Again, I felt like I had a balance...I spent time with my girlfriends & sister, spent time having fun with the kids, stayed active for a good chunk of the day, spent time as a family & spent time as a couple! It was perfect, & it was all because of You. Thank You for helping me realize that balance can be found & I don't have to be so overwhelmed trying to fit everything in. Help me to "Let go, & let God!" Amen