I can't believe it has been over a month since I last posted. I know what you may be thinking...ah, she gained weight, threw in the towel, and refuses to show her face around these parts again.
But it is way more serious then that.
I have had no energy remaining to write after work and the stress of my mom's condition. She has dementia. She developed balance and walking issues (perhaps some type of stroke?) and she kept falling. We found out during a routine CAT scan after a fall that she has lung cancer. She has been in a health facility since the end of August, and for awhile we were hoping to be able to bring her home for at least a little bit, give her one more chance to be home. It was almost all she would talk about when we visited--that she wanted to come home. We tried to explain that she needed to get better first, that she couldn't walk. She was too weak. She didn't understand. Not us, not that she couldn't walk by herself either. The falling continued, the dementia got worse, and in mid October we moved her to the long term care wing of the facility.
She continued to go downhill. She wanted her independence and would continue to try to get up, to go to the bathroom herself. Whether she was trying to maintain some sense of control, or trying to prove to us that she COULD do it so just perhaps she could come home is up for debate. But on Veteran's Day she fell once more, this time seriously hurting herself and ending up in ICU. Hospice Palliative Care was called in. She did recover enough to go back to the facility, but it has been a rapid decline since then. We took her home for several hours on Thanksgiving, but all that proved to us was how much she DID need constant care. At least for about 45 minutes she seemed to understand where she was, and who we were, as she played ball with my granddaughter by rolling it on the floor. Last night she was admitted to the hospital with a fever...and totally unresponsive. My husband went to the hospital to see what was going on - I was still driving home from work - and shortly after I got home, called me to say "you need to get here ASAP." We stayed in the ER with her until they were able to stabilize her, with me holding her hand and telling her that we were there, and loved her. As she began to improve a tad bit after the high octane antibiotic, she spoke both our names and I made sure she knew we were there. I told her she was very sick, and in the hospital. Most of what else she said I could not understand, except for the words "I want to go home."
Needless to say, I could care less if I eat a pound of bacon or an entire pie right now. On top of that, our scale at home broke, and though we tried to fix it twice, it's still not working.
But I did want to update everyone, and let you know that tomorrow is my doctor's appointment. Yes, a weigh in, but also checking those liver enzymes and having the discussion about what I was able to accomplish in the last 6 months and where we go from here. I toyed with the idea of canceling the appointment - but as I held on to my mom, I realized that I needed to take care of myself. I owed my daughter at least that.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Roadblock
Have you ever watched The Amazing Race? A Roadblock is a task that only one team member may perform. The other teammate can offer words of encouragement during the task, but it is still that first individual who has to successfully complete the task before the team can move on. Failure to complete the Roadblock penalizes the team by 4 hours.
When you start on the road to a healthier lifestyle, usually the change is met with determination and enthusiasm. Loss of that initial weight is your immediate reward and family encourages you to stay on the path. You start to feel better and all is good and you trudge along towards the goal.
But suddenly the real world hits you. There is too much stress, not enough money for better quality food. The stress and added responsibility makes you too tired to whip up a fruit and vegetable smoothie...besides, you don't have the ingredients anyway...you spent Sunday afternoon at the nursing home with your mom and couldn't bear to go back to the store again. But there IS microwave popcorn (Yikes, talk about a BAD choice for someone with Fatty Liver Disease!) and gosh darn it, you DESERVE to eat the entire bag, and a few candy bars too for good measure. And a beer...not a lite one either. If there had been hard liquor in the house, I probably would have had that too.
Why? Because I am stuck behind a Roadblock...a Roadblock of my own making. I am the one who needs to figure out how to deal with the stress/financial/time management issues as my mom faces the final stage of her life. My husband has been extremely supportive with my mom through the years - especially when I started leaving for work at 7 am and not returning until 7 pm, and my mom was already heading for bed. (It is not lost on us that my mom still recognizes my husband when he goes to visit her...but it takes her awhile to figure out who I am.) He is just like a son to her, BUT, he is not. That leaves him offering support from the side lines, I am the one who has to make the decisions and deal with the past as well as the future. I am also the one who not only was crazy enough to buy microwave popcorn, but to pop it as well.
My penalty for not navigating the roadblock properly? Yep. I GAINED weight this week! First week since June 12th. That hurt! Even though I have messed up in the past, I managed to still lose. This shows once again how important it is to eat the good stuff and forsake all the crap. I also believe that it shows I have reached the point in my weight loss where I have little wiggle room. Calories in are most likely matching calories out. Not only do I have to step back and think about what I'm eating, it's most likely time to start an exercise routine. I knew this day would come.
yeah...right after I finish up that Halloween candy....
When you start on the road to a healthier lifestyle, usually the change is met with determination and enthusiasm. Loss of that initial weight is your immediate reward and family encourages you to stay on the path. You start to feel better and all is good and you trudge along towards the goal.
But suddenly the real world hits you. There is too much stress, not enough money for better quality food. The stress and added responsibility makes you too tired to whip up a fruit and vegetable smoothie...besides, you don't have the ingredients anyway...you spent Sunday afternoon at the nursing home with your mom and couldn't bear to go back to the store again. But there IS microwave popcorn (Yikes, talk about a BAD choice for someone with Fatty Liver Disease!) and gosh darn it, you DESERVE to eat the entire bag, and a few candy bars too for good measure. And a beer...not a lite one either. If there had been hard liquor in the house, I probably would have had that too.
Why? Because I am stuck behind a Roadblock...a Roadblock of my own making. I am the one who needs to figure out how to deal with the stress/financial/time management issues as my mom faces the final stage of her life. My husband has been extremely supportive with my mom through the years - especially when I started leaving for work at 7 am and not returning until 7 pm, and my mom was already heading for bed. (It is not lost on us that my mom still recognizes my husband when he goes to visit her...but it takes her awhile to figure out who I am.) He is just like a son to her, BUT, he is not. That leaves him offering support from the side lines, I am the one who has to make the decisions and deal with the past as well as the future. I am also the one who not only was crazy enough to buy microwave popcorn, but to pop it as well.
My penalty for not navigating the roadblock properly? Yep. I GAINED weight this week! First week since June 12th. That hurt! Even though I have messed up in the past, I managed to still lose. This shows once again how important it is to eat the good stuff and forsake all the crap. I also believe that it shows I have reached the point in my weight loss where I have little wiggle room. Calories in are most likely matching calories out. Not only do I have to step back and think about what I'm eating, it's most likely time to start an exercise routine. I knew this day would come.
yeah...right after I finish up that Halloween candy....
Thursday, October 24, 2013
The Joys of Trick of Treating
I have been eating healthier for over 4 months now and there are times when (despite the number on the scale) I have wondered if this is all worth it. I get discouraged by the snails pace I have lost weight - especially when folks come up to me and tell me how they lost 15 pounds in a month. It's a great week for me if I lose an entire pound! My clothes fit better and I actually have a waist now...still a belly - that's not going anywhere, but at least a waist. I needed a reinforcement that the good I am doing goes beyond what I can physically see.
I got it this weekend.
Every year there is a big Halloween celebration at the campgrounds where we have our RV. Each year we bring my granddaughter with us so she can have a little early Halloween fun. My husband has bad knees, so I have been the one to walk around the campgrounds with her to collect the goodies given out by our fellow campers during Trick or Treat time.
Campgrounds. As in gravel or dirt roads. Hills. Lots of hills. It is not an easy walk for anyone out of shape.
She and I have walked each year, but we've never done the ENTIRE campgrounds. Oh we've come close and last year it nearly killed me. I was pretty much toast for hours afterwards, and felt it the next day too..
Now that she is 7, I knew she would be up for the challenge to go by every single camper and every single cabin and she would be walking at a faster pace. Was I ready to keep up with her?
You bet. In fact, it wasn't until we had our trailer in sight on the return that I realized I had probably walked enough without resting. I sat down once we got back, had a lean hamburger and water, and within 5 minutes didn't even feel like I had done any exercise. I was fine. The only thing that hurt was my arm from the flu shot the day before. I wasn't out of breath - ever - during the walk. This was huge for me...and I attained it by simply eating better.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.8 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 17.4 lbs.
I got it this weekend.
Every year there is a big Halloween celebration at the campgrounds where we have our RV. Each year we bring my granddaughter with us so she can have a little early Halloween fun. My husband has bad knees, so I have been the one to walk around the campgrounds with her to collect the goodies given out by our fellow campers during Trick or Treat time.
Campgrounds. As in gravel or dirt roads. Hills. Lots of hills. It is not an easy walk for anyone out of shape.
She and I have walked each year, but we've never done the ENTIRE campgrounds. Oh we've come close and last year it nearly killed me. I was pretty much toast for hours afterwards, and felt it the next day too..
Now that she is 7, I knew she would be up for the challenge to go by every single camper and every single cabin and she would be walking at a faster pace. Was I ready to keep up with her?
You bet. In fact, it wasn't until we had our trailer in sight on the return that I realized I had probably walked enough without resting. I sat down once we got back, had a lean hamburger and water, and within 5 minutes didn't even feel like I had done any exercise. I was fine. The only thing that hurt was my arm from the flu shot the day before. I wasn't out of breath - ever - during the walk. This was huge for me...and I attained it by simply eating better.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.8 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 17.4 lbs.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
And The Beat Goes On
Usually I post on Wednesday, but I couldn't think of anything witty or educational to say. Not that anything has come to mind now either, but I need to check in. I hope all who read this are doing well. My life is still extremely stressful with the situation with my mother. I went to visit her on Friday and it took her almost 5 minutes before she realized who I was. It is depressing, frustrating and just plain old sad. And guilt provoking. Could I possibly be doing more for her? Is this truly the best for her? While telling myself that I am doing the best I can with what I have, it is very tempting to reach for the fries, the cake, the tequila. I'm certain if it was just me on a diet, I'd succumb to that urge a heck of a lot more than I am. As it is, a lot of the progress I made in eating very healthy has somewhat gone by the wayside. Not enough hours in the day, too many other things that need to be done and a much changed financial picture has me juggling the food budget. Trust me, there is a reason they call fast food convenience food. I really need to take an entire day and revamp my life. Perhaps I'll have a day come February. Such is the story of my life.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 16.6 lbs.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 16.6 lbs.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Lesson for the Week
There was an article published by the NY Times this week titled The 'Healthy Obese' and their Healthy Fat Cells, by Anahad O'Connor. Have a look. Hopefully the link will continue to work, but if not, you can use it to find the article.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/09/the-healthy-obese-and-their-healthy-fat-cells/?_r=0
For those who have been faithfully following, I enjoyed my massage last week. I certainly needed it on all sorts of levels. My head has been spinning...there is so much going on with my mom, and many hard decisions need to be made. These are the moments that make being an only child the pits (please feel free to use stronger language - I certainly did) since the decisions are ultimately mine. I'm convinced to go one way and then someone in our immediate household points something else out and then I'm once again unsure. Afraid. Unsettled. Sad. Damned if I do and damned if I don't. Both decisions are lacking - there are pros and cons to both. A coworker of my husband though made a really good point this morning. We are not young ourselves. What we would love to do in a perfect world, where we are 35, healthy and energetic is a far cry from reality. My mom is currently the "best she will ever be" according to her therapists - but how is she going to be in a month? A week?
With that I leave you with the article as food for thought. Hope you enjoy it.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 16.0 lbs.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/09/the-healthy-obese-and-their-healthy-fat-cells/?_r=0
For those who have been faithfully following, I enjoyed my massage last week. I certainly needed it on all sorts of levels. My head has been spinning...there is so much going on with my mom, and many hard decisions need to be made. These are the moments that make being an only child the pits (please feel free to use stronger language - I certainly did) since the decisions are ultimately mine. I'm convinced to go one way and then someone in our immediate household points something else out and then I'm once again unsure. Afraid. Unsettled. Sad. Damned if I do and damned if I don't. Both decisions are lacking - there are pros and cons to both. A coworker of my husband though made a really good point this morning. We are not young ourselves. What we would love to do in a perfect world, where we are 35, healthy and energetic is a far cry from reality. My mom is currently the "best she will ever be" according to her therapists - but how is she going to be in a month? A week?
With that I leave you with the article as food for thought. Hope you enjoy it.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 16.0 lbs.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Reaping Rewards
I would like to say that the stress level has gotten better since my last entry...yeah, I would LIKE to say that, but it's not true. We are still in a holding pattern with my mom, but we will have the opportunity to take her out of the Health and Rehab Center for a bit on Saturday and see how she does. So at least, for this week, there are no decisions to be made.
This Friday I get to relax during a one hour massage that I gave to myself in celebration of losing 10 pounds and keeping it off. Though I have lost more, this Friday was the first day I had free to schedule it. Living a healthier lifestyle should be reward enough, (and keeping my liver, thank you very much) but let's face it, we are human and I too like the idea of a "prize" at the end of the tunnel. We are a society that also tends to use food as a reward. Played a great game? The team goes out for pizza. Got good grades? Ice cream sundaes all around. Finished that tough project at work? Happy hour at the local bar. Take some time to think about your own rewards, and how can you trade those bad prizes into something more meaningful. Even if food is not your ultimate blue ribbon, do we really need another pair of shoes or another top? Okay, maybe that is pushing it too far, but I'm sure you get the drift. Making yourself feel good does not have to be about food. There are other experiences or treats out there. Though a one hour massage is going to cost me more than a blouse would, to me a massage is the ultimate "take care of yourself" experience. It is not only good for the body, but good for the soul. If my budget would allow it, I'd have one at least every month. Alas, that is not the case, which makes this reward special. My pot of gold at the end of the 10 pound rainbow.
Now to come up with something for 20 pounds.
Weight Lost This Week - 0.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost - 15.4 lbs.
This Friday I get to relax during a one hour massage that I gave to myself in celebration of losing 10 pounds and keeping it off. Though I have lost more, this Friday was the first day I had free to schedule it. Living a healthier lifestyle should be reward enough, (and keeping my liver, thank you very much) but let's face it, we are human and I too like the idea of a "prize" at the end of the tunnel. We are a society that also tends to use food as a reward. Played a great game? The team goes out for pizza. Got good grades? Ice cream sundaes all around. Finished that tough project at work? Happy hour at the local bar. Take some time to think about your own rewards, and how can you trade those bad prizes into something more meaningful. Even if food is not your ultimate blue ribbon, do we really need another pair of shoes or another top? Okay, maybe that is pushing it too far, but I'm sure you get the drift. Making yourself feel good does not have to be about food. There are other experiences or treats out there. Though a one hour massage is going to cost me more than a blouse would, to me a massage is the ultimate "take care of yourself" experience. It is not only good for the body, but good for the soul. If my budget would allow it, I'd have one at least every month. Alas, that is not the case, which makes this reward special. My pot of gold at the end of the 10 pound rainbow.
Now to come up with something for 20 pounds.
Weight Lost This Week - 0.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost - 15.4 lbs.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Stress
The problem with making a commitment to do anything on a regular basis is that once in awhile life gets in the way. Back in June when all this liver stuff was new and scary, I made an excellent decision to create a blog in order to be held accountable for my actions. It has worked amazingly well for me - I have that anxious moment on Wednesday mornings before I get on the scale, wondering what I'm going to have to admit to on that week's entry. But it helps to keep me in line during the rest of the week.
The problem is that my next doctor's appointment is not until December - and there really isn't that much to talk about right now as far as my liver goes (the liver isn't exactly that exciting) but there is a heck of a lot going on in my life right now that adds to my stress level - and stress can be very detrimental to your liver. What's going on you may ask. So please bear with me while I list some of the things in a way to put it out there and take a deep breath and hopefully push some of the heavy energy aside.
My mom, who has lived with us for the last 17 years, is not doing well. She has dementia...some days she's fairly good, some days she's not. She has been diagnosed with cancer. She is currently in a Rehabilitation and Health Center because a little over a month ago she fell down the stairs. They are looking at sending her back home at the end of next week. She has improved in her walking and balance to the point where there will be no more improvement. But that doesn't necessarily mean that she is "fine" to come home. When it was suggested that she stay there due to the dementia issues, we found out that she falls into a different category and so there are financial concerns now, since it would be "long term care." In a nutshell, she makes too much money between my dad's measly pension and Social Security to qualify for federal/state financial aid, but too little to be able to pay for the facility herself. She's in that gray area that most families are now finding themselves in as they care for their elderly parents. Her shortfall is between $372 and $438 per month - depending on whether or not there are 30 or 31 days. Where is an 86 year old woman who exhausted her savings a long time ago (mostly due to other medical expenses such as the heart attack she had when she was 77). I have no brothers or sisters, so there is no other help, and we can't pay that. So we are in this back and forth mode with the facility on what to do about mom. I know she really wants to come home, and it would be great to give her some happiness during this final stage, but she also needs to be safe too.
Stress? Just a tad. But somehow I managed to get back on track as far as the weight goes.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.8 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 14.8 lbs.
The problem is that my next doctor's appointment is not until December - and there really isn't that much to talk about right now as far as my liver goes (the liver isn't exactly that exciting) but there is a heck of a lot going on in my life right now that adds to my stress level - and stress can be very detrimental to your liver. What's going on you may ask. So please bear with me while I list some of the things in a way to put it out there and take a deep breath and hopefully push some of the heavy energy aside.
My mom, who has lived with us for the last 17 years, is not doing well. She has dementia...some days she's fairly good, some days she's not. She has been diagnosed with cancer. She is currently in a Rehabilitation and Health Center because a little over a month ago she fell down the stairs. They are looking at sending her back home at the end of next week. She has improved in her walking and balance to the point where there will be no more improvement. But that doesn't necessarily mean that she is "fine" to come home. When it was suggested that she stay there due to the dementia issues, we found out that she falls into a different category and so there are financial concerns now, since it would be "long term care." In a nutshell, she makes too much money between my dad's measly pension and Social Security to qualify for federal/state financial aid, but too little to be able to pay for the facility herself. She's in that gray area that most families are now finding themselves in as they care for their elderly parents. Her shortfall is between $372 and $438 per month - depending on whether or not there are 30 or 31 days. Where is an 86 year old woman who exhausted her savings a long time ago (mostly due to other medical expenses such as the heart attack she had when she was 77). I have no brothers or sisters, so there is no other help, and we can't pay that. So we are in this back and forth mode with the facility on what to do about mom. I know she really wants to come home, and it would be great to give her some happiness during this final stage, but she also needs to be safe too.
Stress? Just a tad. But somehow I managed to get back on track as far as the weight goes.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.8 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 14.8 lbs.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
BRAKE!
I knew this day would come. The time when I stepped on the scale and sighed. Because I hadn't lost anything that week. Not even 2/10ths of a pound. Nothing. Natta. Zilch.
Considering the week I had, I should be grateful that the scale didn't go UP. We celebrated my husband's birthday which meant I ate and drank way more than I have lately - and there were other temptations too. Especially the brownies. Here is the run down:
1) Birthday cake. Chocolate. Made by my daughter who is an excellent baker. 1 slice to celebrate is acceptable, 2 pieces is pushing the envelope a bit. I pushed. For breakfast.
2) Dinner Out #1 - I had salad, grilled chicken, broccoli and asparagus! That's good, right? Oh yeah, and 1 1/2 large breadsticks. And 20 oz. of light beer.
3) Birthday Celebration and Dinner Out #2 - We went to a mead tasting and took a 2 hour boat cruise. Did the tasting...and had a glass of mead...and then we had some more mead on the boat...and some cheese and crackers...and chips and dip...and THEN went to dinner where I had a glass of light beer and a hummus sandwich with some potato wedges (which I was hoping were oven roasted - but I couldn't really tell). But see? I had a hummus sandwich! Isn't that reasonable?
4) Dinner Out #3 - I was going to be SO good, but the best laid plans of mice and men as they say. I ordered the grilled salmon - certainly a healthy meal! BUT. Yes, there's always a but. I had the migraine from hell. Anyone who suffers from severe migraines knows that one of the best remedies is soda...as in name brand cola loaded with caffeine and sugar. So in the name of being sociable, I drank my soda with the meal - sugar, caffeine and all. 2 of them. It was for medicinal purposes! That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
5) Miscellaneous Bad Stuff - The ice cream. The Almond Joy. A glass of diet soda. No excuse.
6) The Brownies - I had told someone I see in the course of my job about my mom's current situation (she is in a Rehabilitation and Health Center/nursing home after falling down the stairs) and her having a brownie with her lunch one day at the center. My mom is diabetic, though currently it is controlled by diet. Her roommate, bless her heart, told us, the nurses, the dietician and just about anyone else within earshot that my mom had eaten the brownie. I know the lady was trying to look out for my mom and had her best interest at heart. But my mom is 86, has dementia issues, has been diagnosed with cancer and may not be able to come back home - let her eat the gosh darn brownie! So yesterday this woman who I had relayed my mom's story to came into the office with a plate of brownies - to remind me of the joy the little things give us. With a smile she told me "Eat them all. Enjoy it! We never know what tomorrow brings." So I did.
The first slice of birthday cake and the brownies were the two "slip ups" all week I have absolutely no regrets over. They both reminded me of the important things...family, friends...life. Today starts another week.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.0 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 14.0 lbs.
Considering the week I had, I should be grateful that the scale didn't go UP. We celebrated my husband's birthday which meant I ate and drank way more than I have lately - and there were other temptations too. Especially the brownies. Here is the run down:
1) Birthday cake. Chocolate. Made by my daughter who is an excellent baker. 1 slice to celebrate is acceptable, 2 pieces is pushing the envelope a bit. I pushed. For breakfast.
2) Dinner Out #1 - I had salad, grilled chicken, broccoli and asparagus! That's good, right? Oh yeah, and 1 1/2 large breadsticks. And 20 oz. of light beer.
3) Birthday Celebration and Dinner Out #2 - We went to a mead tasting and took a 2 hour boat cruise. Did the tasting...and had a glass of mead...and then we had some more mead on the boat...and some cheese and crackers...and chips and dip...and THEN went to dinner where I had a glass of light beer and a hummus sandwich with some potato wedges (which I was hoping were oven roasted - but I couldn't really tell). But see? I had a hummus sandwich! Isn't that reasonable?
4) Dinner Out #3 - I was going to be SO good, but the best laid plans of mice and men as they say. I ordered the grilled salmon - certainly a healthy meal! BUT. Yes, there's always a but. I had the migraine from hell. Anyone who suffers from severe migraines knows that one of the best remedies is soda...as in name brand cola loaded with caffeine and sugar. So in the name of being sociable, I drank my soda with the meal - sugar, caffeine and all. 2 of them. It was for medicinal purposes! That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
5) Miscellaneous Bad Stuff - The ice cream. The Almond Joy. A glass of diet soda. No excuse.
6) The Brownies - I had told someone I see in the course of my job about my mom's current situation (she is in a Rehabilitation and Health Center/nursing home after falling down the stairs) and her having a brownie with her lunch one day at the center. My mom is diabetic, though currently it is controlled by diet. Her roommate, bless her heart, told us, the nurses, the dietician and just about anyone else within earshot that my mom had eaten the brownie. I know the lady was trying to look out for my mom and had her best interest at heart. But my mom is 86, has dementia issues, has been diagnosed with cancer and may not be able to come back home - let her eat the gosh darn brownie! So yesterday this woman who I had relayed my mom's story to came into the office with a plate of brownies - to remind me of the joy the little things give us. With a smile she told me "Eat them all. Enjoy it! We never know what tomorrow brings." So I did.
The first slice of birthday cake and the brownies were the two "slip ups" all week I have absolutely no regrets over. They both reminded me of the important things...family, friends...life. Today starts another week.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.0 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 14.0 lbs.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Be Careful of What Others Say in the Media
Last week I read an article and watched a video that have both weighed heavily on my mind. They both disturbed me because of one piece in what was otherwise a very informative work.
The first was an article published in AARP magazine (and it's available on their website) titled Eating Disorders and Women Over 50. While I applaud the efforts made to point out an issue that is not reserved for the young, one of the warnings given that you may have an eating problem was that you had lost more than 14 lbs. in 3 months.
WHAT? I would be hard pressed to find a reputable article that doesn't agree that losing 1 to 2 pounds a week is a healthy approach to weight loss. Do the math...that translates to 13 to 26 lbs. in the same 3 month period - AS HEALTHY! Furthermore...this is AARP after all and the majority of their readers are over 50...shouldn't they also be advising that if you are NOT trying to lose weight, and have lost 14 pounds in 3 months, then perhaps a doctor's visit is in order to rule out some serious medical condition...like cancer?
My other moment of dismay was after watching a video as part of a weight loss/healthy lifestyle program where the person was talking about how bad she felt about the way she looked when she was a Size 12 and how great she feels now that she is a Size 6.
How many of you just shuddered? A 12 is a MEDIUM! The average American Woman is a
Size 14. I was saddened by the fact that a 12 was made out to be bad. I even made that comment to her, and she very nicely replied along the lines that she was simply stating how she felt. I totally understand that and admire her honesty, but the message was still there: 12 bad, 6 good. I think it would have been better if she had stuck with how many pounds she lost or how changing her habits and attitudes made her feel better about herself without putting a size on it.
Let me tell you folks, if I shrink down to a Size 6, I am the next featured person in an AARP article about eating disorders.
Meanwhile, I'll be happy with my 14 lbs. in 3 months and do a little dance, throw some confetti, grab a salad and keep on truckin.
Weight Lost This Week: 1.0 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 14.0 lbs.
The first was an article published in AARP magazine (and it's available on their website) titled Eating Disorders and Women Over 50. While I applaud the efforts made to point out an issue that is not reserved for the young, one of the warnings given that you may have an eating problem was that you had lost more than 14 lbs. in 3 months.
WHAT? I would be hard pressed to find a reputable article that doesn't agree that losing 1 to 2 pounds a week is a healthy approach to weight loss. Do the math...that translates to 13 to 26 lbs. in the same 3 month period - AS HEALTHY! Furthermore...this is AARP after all and the majority of their readers are over 50...shouldn't they also be advising that if you are NOT trying to lose weight, and have lost 14 pounds in 3 months, then perhaps a doctor's visit is in order to rule out some serious medical condition...like cancer?
My other moment of dismay was after watching a video as part of a weight loss/healthy lifestyle program where the person was talking about how bad she felt about the way she looked when she was a Size 12 and how great she feels now that she is a Size 6.
How many of you just shuddered? A 12 is a MEDIUM! The average American Woman is a
Size 14. I was saddened by the fact that a 12 was made out to be bad. I even made that comment to her, and she very nicely replied along the lines that she was simply stating how she felt. I totally understand that and admire her honesty, but the message was still there: 12 bad, 6 good. I think it would have been better if she had stuck with how many pounds she lost or how changing her habits and attitudes made her feel better about herself without putting a size on it.
Let me tell you folks, if I shrink down to a Size 6, I am the next featured person in an AARP article about eating disorders.
Meanwhile, I'll be happy with my 14 lbs. in 3 months and do a little dance, throw some confetti, grab a salad and keep on truckin.
Weight Lost This Week: 1.0 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 14.0 lbs.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Breakfast And Lunch And Dinner
I learned a powerful lesson Labor Day Weekend. I need to eat every meal or my body will revolt.
Saturday my husband and I worked at a street fair - which meant breakfast before 7 am...but then no lunch. When we finally had dinner 12 hours later, I knew I was a little more hungry than usual, but I didn't think anything of it. I had skipped meals pre-liver diagnosis days, in fact, many meals. Sometimes I noticed that my sugar levels were a little off, but most of the time it wasn't anything TOO unusual. I just ate what I wanted until I wasn't hungry anymore...usually some fat laden food. But on Saturday night, I ate as I have been these last few months. A good, healthy meal.
Sunday was horrible. For the first time since I've started this healthy eating lifestyle I was starving. ALL DAY LONG. No sooner had I finished breakfast when I was contemplating what else I could eat. Unfortunately I also had a very light lunch, and though I was trying to make it until the start of a BBQ dinner being offered by the campgrounds where we were staying, I couldn't hold out. When my willpower was strong, I ate some grapes. When it wasn't, I nibbled on chips. As the day went on, I became more and more obsessed with eating. By 5 pm I was into the crackers (whole wheat and reduced fat) and hummus. By 6:30 I had piled my plate high with pork BBQ, coleslaw, potato salad, boiled potato, two different broccoli salads, corn on the cob. I grabbed a lemonade - the first sweet drink I've had in 2 1/2 month. I ate until I could no longer (yes, loved every single minute of it, but believe me, it was a total meltdown). I started convincing myself how good I had been. I skipped the hot dog. I didn't put butter on the corn. I left the roll behind. I didn't even look at the dessert table. I only drank half of the lemonade before replacing it with plain water. Oh yeah, all this while my plate is full of mayonnaise, and we won't even think about the caloric intake. But I had felt miserable the entire day - craving food like crazy - and this was all delicious! Suddenly though I was full - ridiculously full. My stomach wasn't too happy with me, but that still didn't stop me from nibbling on some more chips and dip later on at a neighbor's campsite.
It has taken all of Monday and Tuesday to get back to normal. One bad meal does not change the weight loss - as documented by this week's numbers. What was really my undoing was skipping a meal on Saturday. This is the first day I feel okay again - once more in control. I've had to take a deep breath and say "okay, we learned a lesson here. No skipping meals." It had wrecked havoc with my system - metabolism - whatever you want to call it. Which means in a little over 2 weeks when my husband and I work a 2 day festival, I have to be sure that I have a healthy lunch - something with me that I can eat when I need to. I've come too far to do this again.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.8 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 13.0 lbs.
Saturday my husband and I worked at a street fair - which meant breakfast before 7 am...but then no lunch. When we finally had dinner 12 hours later, I knew I was a little more hungry than usual, but I didn't think anything of it. I had skipped meals pre-liver diagnosis days, in fact, many meals. Sometimes I noticed that my sugar levels were a little off, but most of the time it wasn't anything TOO unusual. I just ate what I wanted until I wasn't hungry anymore...usually some fat laden food. But on Saturday night, I ate as I have been these last few months. A good, healthy meal.
Sunday was horrible. For the first time since I've started this healthy eating lifestyle I was starving. ALL DAY LONG. No sooner had I finished breakfast when I was contemplating what else I could eat. Unfortunately I also had a very light lunch, and though I was trying to make it until the start of a BBQ dinner being offered by the campgrounds where we were staying, I couldn't hold out. When my willpower was strong, I ate some grapes. When it wasn't, I nibbled on chips. As the day went on, I became more and more obsessed with eating. By 5 pm I was into the crackers (whole wheat and reduced fat) and hummus. By 6:30 I had piled my plate high with pork BBQ, coleslaw, potato salad, boiled potato, two different broccoli salads, corn on the cob. I grabbed a lemonade - the first sweet drink I've had in 2 1/2 month. I ate until I could no longer (yes, loved every single minute of it, but believe me, it was a total meltdown). I started convincing myself how good I had been. I skipped the hot dog. I didn't put butter on the corn. I left the roll behind. I didn't even look at the dessert table. I only drank half of the lemonade before replacing it with plain water. Oh yeah, all this while my plate is full of mayonnaise, and we won't even think about the caloric intake. But I had felt miserable the entire day - craving food like crazy - and this was all delicious! Suddenly though I was full - ridiculously full. My stomach wasn't too happy with me, but that still didn't stop me from nibbling on some more chips and dip later on at a neighbor's campsite.
It has taken all of Monday and Tuesday to get back to normal. One bad meal does not change the weight loss - as documented by this week's numbers. What was really my undoing was skipping a meal on Saturday. This is the first day I feel okay again - once more in control. I've had to take a deep breath and say "okay, we learned a lesson here. No skipping meals." It had wrecked havoc with my system - metabolism - whatever you want to call it. Which means in a little over 2 weeks when my husband and I work a 2 day festival, I have to be sure that I have a healthy lunch - something with me that I can eat when I need to. I've come too far to do this again.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.8 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 13.0 lbs.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
My Dad and Liver Cancer
My father's birthday is this Sunday. He would have been 87 had he not passed away 17 years ago from cancer. The disease actually started elsewhere, but ended up invading his liver. I would be totally remiss if I didn't include a blog post on liver cancer (this is a liver themed blog after all).
The liver continuously filters our blood...turning the good stuff that was absorbed from the digestive system into a useable form while at the same time removing toxins and other chemical waste from the blood so they can be excreted. Since all the blood in the body must pass through it, the liver is unusually accessible to cancer cells traveling in the bloodstream. Most liver cancer is in fact, secondary - as with my dad. However 2% of cancers in the US are primary liver cancers - meaning it starts in the liver.
The liver continuously filters our blood...turning the good stuff that was absorbed from the digestive system into a useable form while at the same time removing toxins and other chemical waste from the blood so they can be excreted. Since all the blood in the body must pass through it, the liver is unusually accessible to cancer cells traveling in the bloodstream. Most liver cancer is in fact, secondary - as with my dad. However 2% of cancers in the US are primary liver cancers - meaning it starts in the liver.
Livers damaged by birth defects, alcohol abuse, or infection such as hepatitis B and C, and cirrhosis are prime candidates. According to WebMD.com, more than half of all people diagnosed with primary liver cancer have cirrhosis. Liver cancer may also be linked to obesity and...fatty liver disease.
There's that disease again...the one which launched this blog...the one responsible for the weight loss so I can hopefully get it under control.
How serious is liver cancer? The last I heard the relative 5 year survival rate is 15%. Wow. Read that again. 15%. Part of the reason being that most folks either have other liver problems, or the cancer started elsewhere and the patient has already been compromised by chemo or radiation. The numbers do improve if surgery to remove the cancer in the liver is a possibility...or if the cancer is in the early stage and they are able to have a liver transplant. Wonder how long the wait is on THAT list!
So let me put those words together, so the next time I just want to throw in the towel, I have this sentence with me. Repeat after me: Liver cancer may be linked to fatty liver disease and the 5 year survival rate is 15%. I can picture how my dad looked the last few weeks...and days of his life. Hopefully my readers do not have that mental image.
Happy Birthday Dad. I'm trying.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.8 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 12.2 lbs.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
The Jeans
Ever since I was young, I have had a belly. As in a gut. Beer belly. Belly fat. Whatever you want to call it. Even at 5 ft. 6 and 110 lbs. There was always the stomach. I knew my relationships with boyfriends were ending when they started complaining "When are you going to do something about that gut of yours? Get rid of it!" 110 lbs and I was too fat to be loved.
Two abdominal surgeries and a pregnancy didn't help matters any. The excess belly fat became worse. I now understand that some of it may have been caused by the food I was eating (sugar) and surgery can do strange things to abdominal muscles but that doesn't help with self esteem. Especially when it came to buying clothes. In particular, pants. Especially jeans.
If the jeans fit in the waist, they were ridiculously baggy through the legs and hips. If they had a nice fit through the legs, there was no way I was going to be able to zip them up...and buttoning them was out of the question. I finally resorted to elastic waist jeans - my only option as the weight...and the stomach...grew. At first, the jeans only needed to have elastic in the back, but more recently they needed to have a full elastic waist. Old lady pants as my daughter pointed out. Didn't help that I turned gray in my 40's too. My first question when I tried on clothes in the fitting room...pants, jeans (and yes, dresses and skirts too) was "How does my stomach look in this?" Not how do I look in this, but my stomach.
As the weight has slowly come off I have felt a shift in the weight distribution in my body. People were amazed when I said I had only lost 8 - 9 or 10 pounds. I felt my clothes hanging differently on my body. So a few days ago when I needed to pick up some clothes for my mom at the store, I found myself flipping through a rack of jeans that were on clearance. 70% off with an additional 20% that day. I looked at the few that were left in my size and found one that I liked. But of course, no elastic waist. None at all. I put them back on the rack.
Try me on the jeans called to me. What? If I try them on, and they look horrid, I'll be depressed. If I can't even zip them up, I'll feel like these past weeks haven't made a dent and I'll want to drown my sorrows over a Big Mac and fries. But each time I tried to turn away, that little voice in my head urged me to take them to the fitting room.
I listened to the voice. I entered the little cubicle and started to put them on. I could see that they fit well in the legs - but the moment of truth was yet to come. And then? Good, I can get them over my hips, oh my! The zipper went up fairly easily...and...and...
It probably took all of 2 seconds for my eyes to fill with tears as I stood looking in the mirror wearing a buttoned pair of jeans with no elastic.
For the first time in years. No - for the first time in decades. I cried in that fitting room, over a simple pair of $6 jeans. Because I could BUTTON THEM. Truth be told, they were a little snug, but I could sit! I could squat! I could BREATHE. And the legs looked great too!
There was no way I was going home without them. I haven't even worn them yet, but during the weekend when temptation reared it's head, all I had to do was think about those jeans. It was the perfect "gift" for losing those first 10 pounds. A surprise one at that. The best kind.
Weight Lost This Week - 1.0 lbs.
Total Weight Lost - 11.4 lbs.
Two abdominal surgeries and a pregnancy didn't help matters any. The excess belly fat became worse. I now understand that some of it may have been caused by the food I was eating (sugar) and surgery can do strange things to abdominal muscles but that doesn't help with self esteem. Especially when it came to buying clothes. In particular, pants. Especially jeans.
If the jeans fit in the waist, they were ridiculously baggy through the legs and hips. If they had a nice fit through the legs, there was no way I was going to be able to zip them up...and buttoning them was out of the question. I finally resorted to elastic waist jeans - my only option as the weight...and the stomach...grew. At first, the jeans only needed to have elastic in the back, but more recently they needed to have a full elastic waist. Old lady pants as my daughter pointed out. Didn't help that I turned gray in my 40's too. My first question when I tried on clothes in the fitting room...pants, jeans (and yes, dresses and skirts too) was "How does my stomach look in this?" Not how do I look in this, but my stomach.
As the weight has slowly come off I have felt a shift in the weight distribution in my body. People were amazed when I said I had only lost 8 - 9 or 10 pounds. I felt my clothes hanging differently on my body. So a few days ago when I needed to pick up some clothes for my mom at the store, I found myself flipping through a rack of jeans that were on clearance. 70% off with an additional 20% that day. I looked at the few that were left in my size and found one that I liked. But of course, no elastic waist. None at all. I put them back on the rack.
Try me on the jeans called to me. What? If I try them on, and they look horrid, I'll be depressed. If I can't even zip them up, I'll feel like these past weeks haven't made a dent and I'll want to drown my sorrows over a Big Mac and fries. But each time I tried to turn away, that little voice in my head urged me to take them to the fitting room.
I listened to the voice. I entered the little cubicle and started to put them on. I could see that they fit well in the legs - but the moment of truth was yet to come. And then? Good, I can get them over my hips, oh my! The zipper went up fairly easily...and...and...
It probably took all of 2 seconds for my eyes to fill with tears as I stood looking in the mirror wearing a buttoned pair of jeans with no elastic.
For the first time in years. No - for the first time in decades. I cried in that fitting room, over a simple pair of $6 jeans. Because I could BUTTON THEM. Truth be told, they were a little snug, but I could sit! I could squat! I could BREATHE. And the legs looked great too!
There was no way I was going home without them. I haven't even worn them yet, but during the weekend when temptation reared it's head, all I had to do was think about those jeans. It was the perfect "gift" for losing those first 10 pounds. A surprise one at that. The best kind.
Weight Lost This Week - 1.0 lbs.
Total Weight Lost - 11.4 lbs.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
10 Ways To Lose 10 Pounds
There's a party goin' on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you
Kool & The Gang
It was either that or Dora the Explorer singing "We did it." I'd prefer Celebration, don't you think?
I have lost over 10 lbs. I lost 6 lbs. in the first two weeks, and it took seven weeks to lose the next 4 lbs. Seriously.
Google "Lose 10 pounds" and see what articles pop up. It's mind boggling to me. Everything from a generic article on how to do it, to a promise to lose 10 lbs. in 3 days. That's right, 3 days. I can't see how that would be healthy for anyone. I also can't see where any of the quick fixes can possibly be a permanent solution. We all need some wiggle room. And let's face it. In order to lose weight, we have to find that formula that works for US. We are individuals. Our body chemistry is different. In many ways we know what will work for us and what won't - so the key is to figure out what makes sense for our own lives. So how did I do it?
1) Water. I'd have to say this was the biggest change for me, and the one that I would give the gold star to. I drank water. Almost only water. Lots of it. In conjunction with that I stopped drinking soda. Mind you, I rarely drank regular soda anyway, but I think giving up even the diet stuff did wonders for my system.
2) Better meat choices. I've become a white meat/seafood eater. The occasional red meat splurge is lean. Very lean.
3) White flour is bad. I severely cut down on white bread. It's wheat or multi grain 99% of the time. Added bonus - we found a multi grain bread that even my husband likes.
4) Sugar is bad too. I've cut back, but I can't say I've been as good about this one. Ice cream is still very tasty.
5) Much less alcohol. I don't want to say that I was a lush, but drinking is part of my social network. I eliminated hard liquor, and now only drink wine and light beer in very limited quantities. Not only am I not packing on the extra useless calories, but the willpower not to indulge in bad foods stays strong.
6) Eat at home. We stay home a lot more than we use to for meals. Now if we go out to eat it has to be for a special occasion - or at least a gosh darn good reason. Stopping at a restaurant to finally have a late dinner after spending hours in the emergency room with my mom IS a good reason to eat out. Just because one is too tired to cook is not. Added bonus - it saves a lot of money.
7) Blog about it. Hold yourself accountable. Many times I'd eye a piece of cake and the thought of having to admit to my readers that I didn't lose any weight that week kept me on track.
8) Potato Chips and French Fries. I have not had fries in 9 weeks. I've had a few chips, but probably not even a bag full over the same period. Fries are considered one of the worst foods to eat ever. Potato chips are also on pretty much every list for foods that make you add pounds.
9) Meditate. Keeps the stress down, and therefore, no need for stressful eating.
10) Reading. If I'm reading, I'm not eating. I checked out several books from the library and am really enjoying getting back to one of my favorite pastimes.
Now for the next 10!
Weight Lost This Week - 0.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost - 10.4 lbs.
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you
Kool & The Gang
It was either that or Dora the Explorer singing "We did it." I'd prefer Celebration, don't you think?
I have lost over 10 lbs. I lost 6 lbs. in the first two weeks, and it took seven weeks to lose the next 4 lbs. Seriously.
Google "Lose 10 pounds" and see what articles pop up. It's mind boggling to me. Everything from a generic article on how to do it, to a promise to lose 10 lbs. in 3 days. That's right, 3 days. I can't see how that would be healthy for anyone. I also can't see where any of the quick fixes can possibly be a permanent solution. We all need some wiggle room. And let's face it. In order to lose weight, we have to find that formula that works for US. We are individuals. Our body chemistry is different. In many ways we know what will work for us and what won't - so the key is to figure out what makes sense for our own lives. So how did I do it?
1) Water. I'd have to say this was the biggest change for me, and the one that I would give the gold star to. I drank water. Almost only water. Lots of it. In conjunction with that I stopped drinking soda. Mind you, I rarely drank regular soda anyway, but I think giving up even the diet stuff did wonders for my system.
2) Better meat choices. I've become a white meat/seafood eater. The occasional red meat splurge is lean. Very lean.
3) White flour is bad. I severely cut down on white bread. It's wheat or multi grain 99% of the time. Added bonus - we found a multi grain bread that even my husband likes.
4) Sugar is bad too. I've cut back, but I can't say I've been as good about this one. Ice cream is still very tasty.
5) Much less alcohol. I don't want to say that I was a lush, but drinking is part of my social network. I eliminated hard liquor, and now only drink wine and light beer in very limited quantities. Not only am I not packing on the extra useless calories, but the willpower not to indulge in bad foods stays strong.
6) Eat at home. We stay home a lot more than we use to for meals. Now if we go out to eat it has to be for a special occasion - or at least a gosh darn good reason. Stopping at a restaurant to finally have a late dinner after spending hours in the emergency room with my mom IS a good reason to eat out. Just because one is too tired to cook is not. Added bonus - it saves a lot of money.
7) Blog about it. Hold yourself accountable. Many times I'd eye a piece of cake and the thought of having to admit to my readers that I didn't lose any weight that week kept me on track.
8) Potato Chips and French Fries. I have not had fries in 9 weeks. I've had a few chips, but probably not even a bag full over the same period. Fries are considered one of the worst foods to eat ever. Potato chips are also on pretty much every list for foods that make you add pounds.
9) Meditate. Keeps the stress down, and therefore, no need for stressful eating.
10) Reading. If I'm reading, I'm not eating. I checked out several books from the library and am really enjoying getting back to one of my favorite pastimes.
Now for the next 10!
Weight Lost This Week - 0.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost - 10.4 lbs.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Slow and Steady Wins The Race
I really, really, really wanted to do a post this week about how I was celebrating reaching the 10 lb. weight loss mark. I had my entry written in my head and was looking forward to be able to say that I was finally in the double digits. I have been eating healthier for 8 weeks now - you would think that I would have reached 10 lbs. awhile ago. Except for the occasional treat, I've been disgustingly good. My reward was going to come in that number on the scale.
But NOOOOO. I didn't make it. Yes, I lost weight this week. But not enough to hit 10 lbs. Not enough by 2/10 of a pound. My immediate reaction? You've got to be kidding. Okay, so the language may have been a tad stronger than that, but I am trying to keep this blog family friendly. All this work, all this denial of the foods that I love, and I STILL can't say I've lost 10 lbs. Never mind the fact that folks are beginning to notice the weight loss and have complimented me on how great I look. Never mind the fact that I feel better than I have in months. Never mind the fact that I have now lost over 5% of my original weight. This is an important milestone - research suggests that losing 5% will stop fatty liver disease from getting worse (it takes 9% to 10% according to studies to possibly reverse the damage done.) On top of that, how many articles have we all read that state losing 1 or 2 lbs. a week is the healthiest, most efficient way to lose weight...and the one that will very likely lead to permanent weight loss? Fad diets don't work in the long run. I've seen too many cases of folks who have lost a good deal of weight in a fairly short period of time, and then gain anywhere from half to all of it back...in some cases, even more than the total amount lost!
Yet as a society, we want it, and we want it now. We are a bunch of hares running here and there expecting instant results. We obsessively count calories to a point that's frightening (oh no, this is 50 calories, I really need to have this one instead because it's only 45!) I've never been the rabbit type in any aspect of my life, why here? I like turtles. They are peaceful, serene and wise. One step at a time. Week, by week. Revel in the small victory. I lost weight this week. I'm still on track, still in the race. Somewhere down the road I'll slowly walk by, the hares sleeping off a sugar/fat binge on the side, the finish line clearly within reach.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 9.8 lbs.
But NOOOOO. I didn't make it. Yes, I lost weight this week. But not enough to hit 10 lbs. Not enough by 2/10 of a pound. My immediate reaction? You've got to be kidding. Okay, so the language may have been a tad stronger than that, but I am trying to keep this blog family friendly. All this work, all this denial of the foods that I love, and I STILL can't say I've lost 10 lbs. Never mind the fact that folks are beginning to notice the weight loss and have complimented me on how great I look. Never mind the fact that I feel better than I have in months. Never mind the fact that I have now lost over 5% of my original weight. This is an important milestone - research suggests that losing 5% will stop fatty liver disease from getting worse (it takes 9% to 10% according to studies to possibly reverse the damage done.) On top of that, how many articles have we all read that state losing 1 or 2 lbs. a week is the healthiest, most efficient way to lose weight...and the one that will very likely lead to permanent weight loss? Fad diets don't work in the long run. I've seen too many cases of folks who have lost a good deal of weight in a fairly short period of time, and then gain anywhere from half to all of it back...in some cases, even more than the total amount lost!
Yet as a society, we want it, and we want it now. We are a bunch of hares running here and there expecting instant results. We obsessively count calories to a point that's frightening (oh no, this is 50 calories, I really need to have this one instead because it's only 45!) I've never been the rabbit type in any aspect of my life, why here? I like turtles. They are peaceful, serene and wise. One step at a time. Week, by week. Revel in the small victory. I lost weight this week. I'm still on track, still in the race. Somewhere down the road I'll slowly walk by, the hares sleeping off a sugar/fat binge on the side, the finish line clearly within reach.
Weight Lost This Week: 0.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 9.8 lbs.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
The Taste of Food
My husband and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and decided that each month on the anniversary date we were going to do something "different." It could even be something that we would normally have done, as long as it was not the "same old, same old." In April we went to a restaurant that we only visit once a year. In May we played cards with friends. In June I simply showed up to watch my husband shoot pool (he plays every week, but I never go to watch.) On Friday, our anniversary date, we were invited to go out to dinner with our lake neighbors (we have an RV at a campground). The invitation was totally unexpected - our original plans for the weekend fell through, and we had stopped for breakfast on the way up to the camper just to say we had done something "different." I was now faced with a second temptation to succumb and eat all sorts of unhealthy food items. I glanced through the menu, immediately deleting any item that began with the word "fried." As we ordered, I heard this surreal voice speaking "I'll have the shrimp platter, grilled please, and for my two sides: baked potato with butter and sour cream on the side and the vegetable medley."
WHAT? That voice...that sounded so much like my own, actually said "vegetable medley!" Who is this woman? What alien life form has taken over my brain? Grilled? Butter on the side? VEGETABLE MEDLEY? Less than 2 months ago I would have ordered the fish and chips without giving it a second thought!
But an amazing thing happened that night as I began to eat. EVERYTHING tasted wonderful. I noticed for the first time the intricate taste of each item. The shrimp, a naked potato - even I commented that the veggies were the best I had eaten in a long time. The meal was really good and I raved about the restaurant on the way back to the camper.
Interesting thing though...everything I have eaten since then suddenly tastes better. Eggs, peas, even cereal and milk suddenly has more flavor than it had in the past. Each flavor is more pronounced, more refined. Suddenly I'm enjoying eating again because the healthy stuff tastes great. I've read before that when you drastically cut down on sodium it takes awhile for your taste buds to recover - but they do and you begin to really taste food the way it was meant to be eaten. I'd go as far as to say not only the salt, but the sugar, sugar substitutes and the fat all mask the true flavor and deaden your own sense of taste. On Friday it was as if someone had thrown a switch - and a whole new world has opened up!
Weight Lost This Week - 1.0 lbs.
Total Weight Lost - 9.2 lbs.
WHAT? That voice...that sounded so much like my own, actually said "vegetable medley!" Who is this woman? What alien life form has taken over my brain? Grilled? Butter on the side? VEGETABLE MEDLEY? Less than 2 months ago I would have ordered the fish and chips without giving it a second thought!
But an amazing thing happened that night as I began to eat. EVERYTHING tasted wonderful. I noticed for the first time the intricate taste of each item. The shrimp, a naked potato - even I commented that the veggies were the best I had eaten in a long time. The meal was really good and I raved about the restaurant on the way back to the camper.
Interesting thing though...everything I have eaten since then suddenly tastes better. Eggs, peas, even cereal and milk suddenly has more flavor than it had in the past. Each flavor is more pronounced, more refined. Suddenly I'm enjoying eating again because the healthy stuff tastes great. I've read before that when you drastically cut down on sodium it takes awhile for your taste buds to recover - but they do and you begin to really taste food the way it was meant to be eaten. I'd go as far as to say not only the salt, but the sugar, sugar substitutes and the fat all mask the true flavor and deaden your own sense of taste. On Friday it was as if someone had thrown a switch - and a whole new world has opened up!
Weight Lost This Week - 1.0 lbs.
Total Weight Lost - 9.2 lbs.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Eating with Stress
Last week I had written about trying to focus more on portion size. That all went out the window. It was a tough week. On the fun side, we went to a party and I got together with friends another night. I made some great food choices, and some not so great ones. The hard part though was that life threw another curve ball, and just when I thought things on the home front were in a really good place, everything fell apart. Again. When my husband begged for ice cream to deal with the stress, I caved and bought some. Yes, it was "no sugar added", but full of fat. I ate it. I felt like crap for eating it. I was mad at myself for not being stronger, aggravated at him for also "needing" a food item I absolutely should not be eating in order to deal with his own stress. We were eating it for all the wrong reasons. There should be joy and laughter when one is going to eat badly, and this was clearly the opposite.
I went out to lunch three times during the week, when I only had planned on going out once. My husband and I visited two wineries, tasting several varieties and sampling cheese and crackers as well. I polished off the rest of the ice cream one night, thinking I was going to get it out of the house before the week ended so I could begin again on Wednesday...my weigh in day...with that evil thing is the freezer no longer tempting me. Wine, cheese, crackers, ice cream, M&M's, Dove Chocolate, ranch dressing, even a CHEESEBURGER for goodness sake (and let me tell you, that burger was the best thing I've eaten in a month). Getting on that scale was going to be brutal. But it had to be done.
What did I see? That I had lost weight. In fact, I had lost more than I had in any of the last few weeks. (In my book, every 2/10's counts) What the heck? But in reality, I STILL had eaten better than I had pre-liver diagnosis. No fries with any of the lunches...vinegar based slaw or a salad instead...dressing on the side please. Not an entire bag of M&M's - just a few. Buying "no sugar added" ice cream in the first place. Small steps, but obviously they made a huge difference. I'm still headed in the right direction.
Weight Lost This Week - 0.8 lbs.
Total Weight Lost - 8.2 lbs.
I went out to lunch three times during the week, when I only had planned on going out once. My husband and I visited two wineries, tasting several varieties and sampling cheese and crackers as well. I polished off the rest of the ice cream one night, thinking I was going to get it out of the house before the week ended so I could begin again on Wednesday...my weigh in day...with that evil thing is the freezer no longer tempting me. Wine, cheese, crackers, ice cream, M&M's, Dove Chocolate, ranch dressing, even a CHEESEBURGER for goodness sake (and let me tell you, that burger was the best thing I've eaten in a month). Getting on that scale was going to be brutal. But it had to be done.
What did I see? That I had lost weight. In fact, I had lost more than I had in any of the last few weeks. (In my book, every 2/10's counts) What the heck? But in reality, I STILL had eaten better than I had pre-liver diagnosis. No fries with any of the lunches...vinegar based slaw or a salad instead...dressing on the side please. Not an entire bag of M&M's - just a few. Buying "no sugar added" ice cream in the first place. Small steps, but obviously they made a huge difference. I'm still headed in the right direction.
Weight Lost This Week - 0.8 lbs.
Total Weight Lost - 8.2 lbs.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Portion Control
I believe one of the main reasons I've been able to stick with eating healthier is that for the first month I tossed any ideas of restricting the amount of food I ate to the sidelines. It was all about WHAT I ate, not HOW MUCH. If I was hungry, I ate. Worse, even if I was no longer hungry, I still finished the meal. For example, last night my husband and I stopped for dinner after shopping for new eyeglasses for him. (Smart man - knows that he probably should get his wife's approval for new frames - especially since I'm the one who has to look at them!) But that meant leaving the house as soon as I got home from work. By the time we were done it was fairly late so we stopped for dinner. I ordered a grilled chicken and spinach wrap...no fries, just some cole slaw. It was a good size, and I have to admit that one half of it would have been plenty. I was satisfied halfway through the meal. Did I stop? Of course not. And why not - I ask myself. I could have easily asked for a box and taken the rest home. Could have used it for lunch today. But I find myself in this "I'm depriving myself" frame of mind, so gosh darn it, I'm going to eat as much as I want and then some. I know I'm falling into a trap. Even though I am still losing weight, eventually just eating healthy is only going to go so far. Calories are still calories. So this week's goal is to really watch that volume, and see if I can step up the amount of weight loss a bit.
One of the tricks used in portion control is the old adage to use a smaller plate. I have to admit that I hate that one. It reminds me of having to sit at the kiddie table at family gatherings when you are 16 years old. Nothing screams "diet" more than a small plate. Better to learn what size constitutes a single serving and fill the empty spaces with lettuce if you have to.
Weight Lost This Week - 0.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost - 7.4 lbs.
One of the tricks used in portion control is the old adage to use a smaller plate. I have to admit that I hate that one. It reminds me of having to sit at the kiddie table at family gatherings when you are 16 years old. Nothing screams "diet" more than a small plate. Better to learn what size constitutes a single serving and fill the empty spaces with lettuce if you have to.
Weight Lost This Week - 0.6 lbs.
Total Weight Lost - 7.4 lbs.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Holiday Tests
Last week I was on vacation - and it was 4th of July. I had the opportunity to raid the kitchen continuously. My husband and I went out for lunch and dinner a few times. I indulged in some food items that should have never made it to my plate. (Can we all picture golden brown...as in FRIED...onion rings? Gosh, they were so GOOD!) For the most part though, I have to be proud of myself. Ordering a salad. Sticking with multi-grain items. Leaving some of the bread behind. Having just a little taste of the dip that was still in our refrigerator at the lake...and then tossing the rest of it. Drinking that water. Sending back the ice tea that accidentally was delivered "sweetened" instead of just shrugging and drinking it anyway. I found out there was vodka in a drink given to me...and down the sink it went. Having corn on the cob without any butter. All I can say is thank goodness that corn was so gosh darn good - it didn't need butter.
I would hardly say we exercised, but we did somehow manage to keep some semblance of moving. We spent 3 hours at Historic Halifax enjoying the building tours and walking around the site. We walked around a small flea market, an antique mall, the farmer's market. We worked on cleaning out the garage. I think it made a huge difference. For despite onion rings and chocolate chip cookies and three slices of cheese pizza at one meal (hey, there was no pepperoni on that pizza...I take credit for having SOME willpower) I managed to get on the scale today and found I at least had lost something! The first thing I thought? Wow, can you imagine what it might have been if I had stayed on track? That thought alone is the encouragement I need to do better - AND if I do mess up along the way, it doesn't mean it's the end of the world.
Weight Lost This Week - 0.4 lbs
Total Weight Lost - 6.8 lbs
I would hardly say we exercised, but we did somehow manage to keep some semblance of moving. We spent 3 hours at Historic Halifax enjoying the building tours and walking around the site. We walked around a small flea market, an antique mall, the farmer's market. We worked on cleaning out the garage. I think it made a huge difference. For despite onion rings and chocolate chip cookies and three slices of cheese pizza at one meal (hey, there was no pepperoni on that pizza...I take credit for having SOME willpower) I managed to get on the scale today and found I at least had lost something! The first thing I thought? Wow, can you imagine what it might have been if I had stayed on track? That thought alone is the encouragement I need to do better - AND if I do mess up along the way, it doesn't mean it's the end of the world.
Weight Lost This Week - 0.4 lbs
Total Weight Lost - 6.8 lbs
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Real Food and More
I read recently that if your grandparents could not recognize a food item, it has no business being in your shopping cart. I am going to assume that lard does not count. I also found myself reaching for the mouse to google Twinkies once I heard that they will shortly be back on the shelves...were they invented in time for any of my grandparents to have known what they were? Unfortunately for me, they were invented in 1930...which TECHNICALLY means I COULD eat them....
The point here is not about Twinkies or lard, it's about eating real food. Staying away from overly processed food - and items with preservatives, artificial sweeteners and other weird sounding ingredients is actually one of the easiest ways to loose weight - and to help your liver too. Flashback story - many years ago a bunch of us were sitting around and discussing additives placed in what we ate. Someone picked up a package of some kind of pre-made dessert cake, and the ONLY ingredient we could pronounce was water. Not even flour and sugar were listed as "flour" and "sugar". It was pretty disgusting. Keep your foods real. I've read of several folks who lost weight by making that one simple change. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store - where the real food lies - and make your meals from the items you find there. Better yet, head to your local farmer's market. Not only is the food fresh, but you can keep your money local as well. It's amazing how better vegetables taste when purchased directly from the farm.
Slowly I've been doing better, still focusing on drinking mainly water (tea and coffee allowed, but I limit the caffeine.) I have only had 2 or 3 glasses of club soda in the last 3 weeks, and 4 lite beers and 1 glass of wine in the same time frame. And that one tiny bit of butterscotch schnapps fireside.
I am also eating real food more and more. Again, there have been a few sugary treats now and then (key lime cookies straight from Key West, FL being the most recent) but they have been few and far between. I subscribe to a local farm co-op if you will, that weekly delivers a box of fresh produce to my door. I also recently re-visited the state farmer's market and found I really enjoy purchasing items I need directly from the person who grew it. I purchased a Nutribullet - a handy little gadget that takes leafy greens, fruit, nuts and seeds and along with water creates a very tasty beverage. I've also cut back on all white flour products and white rice, aiming for the whole grains instead.
Now for the true test -- this week is the first holiday I will face since being diagnosed. I will blog about that next week. But for now...
Weight lost this week: 0.4 lbs.
Total weight lost: 6.4 lbs.
The point here is not about Twinkies or lard, it's about eating real food. Staying away from overly processed food - and items with preservatives, artificial sweeteners and other weird sounding ingredients is actually one of the easiest ways to loose weight - and to help your liver too. Flashback story - many years ago a bunch of us were sitting around and discussing additives placed in what we ate. Someone picked up a package of some kind of pre-made dessert cake, and the ONLY ingredient we could pronounce was water. Not even flour and sugar were listed as "flour" and "sugar". It was pretty disgusting. Keep your foods real. I've read of several folks who lost weight by making that one simple change. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store - where the real food lies - and make your meals from the items you find there. Better yet, head to your local farmer's market. Not only is the food fresh, but you can keep your money local as well. It's amazing how better vegetables taste when purchased directly from the farm.
Slowly I've been doing better, still focusing on drinking mainly water (tea and coffee allowed, but I limit the caffeine.) I have only had 2 or 3 glasses of club soda in the last 3 weeks, and 4 lite beers and 1 glass of wine in the same time frame. And that one tiny bit of butterscotch schnapps fireside.
I am also eating real food more and more. Again, there have been a few sugary treats now and then (key lime cookies straight from Key West, FL being the most recent) but they have been few and far between. I subscribe to a local farm co-op if you will, that weekly delivers a box of fresh produce to my door. I also recently re-visited the state farmer's market and found I really enjoy purchasing items I need directly from the person who grew it. I purchased a Nutribullet - a handy little gadget that takes leafy greens, fruit, nuts and seeds and along with water creates a very tasty beverage. I've also cut back on all white flour products and white rice, aiming for the whole grains instead.
Now for the true test -- this week is the first holiday I will face since being diagnosed. I will blog about that next week. But for now...
Weight lost this week: 0.4 lbs.
Total weight lost: 6.4 lbs.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
The challenges!
I'll be honest, it was a tough week. I'm still trying to get into this mindset of healthy eating, and it's hard. I almost had a meltdown in the grocery store on Friday. Everything that I loved to eat was on sale. Potato Chips! 4 big bags for $10! Klondike Bars! Heck, ALL ice cream was on sale. I'm not kidding about the meltdown, I almost did start actually crying. I tried to treat myself to hamburgers by purchasing the leanest ground beef I could. It didn't taste the same - it was bland to me. And I LOVE hamburgers. I know some folks would suggest turkey burgers or veggie burgers, but it's not the same.
On the other side, a friend brought over some homemade ice cream over the weekend. It was vanilla bean, lavender and rosemary. It was divine. The amazing part to me was that I only had a few teaspoons - and it was enough. I guess what they say about how it's really just the first few tastes that satisfy is true. I also had a very small slice of cake - and it was enough. My husband and I went out to dinner at a local bar - there was a drumming group there that we wanted to see. I scoured the whole menu for something relatively healthy, ordered it, but still caved and had 2 lite beers. Interesting thing though - about half way through the 2nd one I was thinking "Why did I order this? I don't even really want this anymore." Slow baby steps to a major change.
Despite the slip ups, I have to admit that I feel better. It's just a general feeling, can't really pinpoint how to describe it - just that I feel better. But I have a long way to go to meet the weight goal before December.
Weight lost this week: 2.6 lbs.
Total weight lost: 6.0 lbs.
I'll be honest, it was a tough week. I'm still trying to get into this mindset of healthy eating, and it's hard. I almost had a meltdown in the grocery store on Friday. Everything that I loved to eat was on sale. Potato Chips! 4 big bags for $10! Klondike Bars! Heck, ALL ice cream was on sale. I'm not kidding about the meltdown, I almost did start actually crying. I tried to treat myself to hamburgers by purchasing the leanest ground beef I could. It didn't taste the same - it was bland to me. And I LOVE hamburgers. I know some folks would suggest turkey burgers or veggie burgers, but it's not the same.
On the other side, a friend brought over some homemade ice cream over the weekend. It was vanilla bean, lavender and rosemary. It was divine. The amazing part to me was that I only had a few teaspoons - and it was enough. I guess what they say about how it's really just the first few tastes that satisfy is true. I also had a very small slice of cake - and it was enough. My husband and I went out to dinner at a local bar - there was a drumming group there that we wanted to see. I scoured the whole menu for something relatively healthy, ordered it, but still caved and had 2 lite beers. Interesting thing though - about half way through the 2nd one I was thinking "Why did I order this? I don't even really want this anymore." Slow baby steps to a major change.
Despite the slip ups, I have to admit that I feel better. It's just a general feeling, can't really pinpoint how to describe it - just that I feel better. But I have a long way to go to meet the weight goal before December.
Weight lost this week: 2.6 lbs.
Total weight lost: 6.0 lbs.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
1 Week In - Transition
I think one of the biggest reasons diets fail is that we try to change too much at one time. After years of eating what we wanted, when we wanted it, we suddenly stop eating (fill in the blank) and figure that our bodies are going to rejoice in our newfound emphasis on healthy eating. We may start the diet full of energy and enthusiasm, but after about 3 days of no (alcohol, caffeine, carbs, red meat, wheat gluten, sugar - again, fill in the blank) our bodies usually revolt. We feel like crap, the cravings are unbearable. I once tried a detox program that was suppose to last 21 days. I somehow made it to Day 12 before the total melt down. Even though I had lost about 8 pounds in a short period of time, my body, mind and spirit went on strike. The binging that occurred afterwards was not pretty.
This time though, we are not talking about losing weight to fit in a bathing suit or for the high school reunion. We are talking about my liver - and my heart - which is along for the joy ride. It is a necessary change, so I need to focus on the day to day aspects of a healthy lifestyle - and what changes I can live with that will take for the long term. So I picked just one small thing to totally focus on, and see how the rest went.
This week's change was WATER. I tried to drink water - and ONLY water - all week long. (And yes, coffee in moderation and tea counted as water in my book.) No soda (not even diet - I'm pretty sure artificial sweeteners are not good for us anyway, and I've heard that diet soda is high in sodium), no fruit juice, no alcohol. Not only that, but I aimed for 6 to 8 cups of water a day. So how did I do? I had 1 oz of butterscotch schnapps sipped lovingly by the campfire one evening. Schnapps is only 17% alcohol - and I couldn't bear to throw it out. The one time I really craved soda, I had club soda with a slice of lemon. It was delicious. The tea I drank was either decaf or herbal. The coffee also had reduced caffeine. .
I learned that by focusing on water as the change, it was actually easier to make better food choices because I didn't feel like I had to eat a certain way. I wasn't perfect, but I felt pretty gosh darn good about what I ate.
Reward? I lost 3.4 lbs this week.
I think one of the biggest reasons diets fail is that we try to change too much at one time. After years of eating what we wanted, when we wanted it, we suddenly stop eating (fill in the blank) and figure that our bodies are going to rejoice in our newfound emphasis on healthy eating. We may start the diet full of energy and enthusiasm, but after about 3 days of no (alcohol, caffeine, carbs, red meat, wheat gluten, sugar - again, fill in the blank) our bodies usually revolt. We feel like crap, the cravings are unbearable. I once tried a detox program that was suppose to last 21 days. I somehow made it to Day 12 before the total melt down. Even though I had lost about 8 pounds in a short period of time, my body, mind and spirit went on strike. The binging that occurred afterwards was not pretty.
This time though, we are not talking about losing weight to fit in a bathing suit or for the high school reunion. We are talking about my liver - and my heart - which is along for the joy ride. It is a necessary change, so I need to focus on the day to day aspects of a healthy lifestyle - and what changes I can live with that will take for the long term. So I picked just one small thing to totally focus on, and see how the rest went.
This week's change was WATER. I tried to drink water - and ONLY water - all week long. (And yes, coffee in moderation and tea counted as water in my book.) No soda (not even diet - I'm pretty sure artificial sweeteners are not good for us anyway, and I've heard that diet soda is high in sodium), no fruit juice, no alcohol. Not only that, but I aimed for 6 to 8 cups of water a day. So how did I do? I had 1 oz of butterscotch schnapps sipped lovingly by the campfire one evening. Schnapps is only 17% alcohol - and I couldn't bear to throw it out. The one time I really craved soda, I had club soda with a slice of lemon. It was delicious. The tea I drank was either decaf or herbal. The coffee also had reduced caffeine. .
I learned that by focusing on water as the change, it was actually easier to make better food choices because I didn't feel like I had to eat a certain way. I wasn't perfect, but I felt pretty gosh darn good about what I ate.
Reward? I lost 3.4 lbs this week.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
"Yeah, they say two thousand zero zero party over, Oops out of time
So tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999" - Prince
Yesterday I did just that. I ate lots of stuff I won't be eating anymore. Okay, maybe not for awhile. I had McDonald's for lunch - Big Macs and Fries are my #1 comfort food. Funny story...well, maybe not so funny considering where my health is now...but several years ago I had a bad drug interaction. Decongestant vs. my blood pressure medication. A few hours after taking the decongestant I thought I was having a heart attack. So did EMS. I was displaying every single symptom of a woman having a major cardiac issue. So off I went to the hospital in an ambulance. After several tests, including a stress test (let me tell you, it is NOT fun trying to run on a treadmill with a fever of 102 and a stuffy nose), they finally agreed that it was simply the mixture of medications. They advised that I never take that particular decongestant again, and sent me home. By now of course, I was hungry - and we headed to McDonald's where I had a Big Mac and fries. I had just had a heart attack scare, and I'm eating a 1300+ calorie meal with over 50 grams of fat.
I can hear it now. "No wonder your liver is a mess."
Last night my husband took me out to dinner. I picked several "bad" items and savored every bit until I could eat no more. I sipped my last Margarita and laughed that I chose Tequila as my final alcoholic drink. I'm not a big Tequila fan. Then it was done. No more bad choices. (Note - it seems the jury is out on whether or not those with NAFLD should drink alcohol. There is a study that showed that a glass of wine a day actually improves the condition.)
Today I'm getting my brain around all the changes I would like to make. Taking some time to reflect how I am going to pull this off. How it is all going to realistically work for me and my lifestyle. Researching some exercise options that will also fit into my schedule. I work a ten hour day at a desk job, so lots of things to work through since I leave the house early and get home late. I have to keep this all simple, or it simply will not work for me.
This morning I weighed in. Unbelievably I had actually gained 2 lbs. from my last doctor's visit on May 31st. Could be all the food I ate yesterday - at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
So tonight I'm gonna party like it's 1999" - Prince
Yesterday I did just that. I ate lots of stuff I won't be eating anymore. Okay, maybe not for awhile. I had McDonald's for lunch - Big Macs and Fries are my #1 comfort food. Funny story...well, maybe not so funny considering where my health is now...but several years ago I had a bad drug interaction. Decongestant vs. my blood pressure medication. A few hours after taking the decongestant I thought I was having a heart attack. So did EMS. I was displaying every single symptom of a woman having a major cardiac issue. So off I went to the hospital in an ambulance. After several tests, including a stress test (let me tell you, it is NOT fun trying to run on a treadmill with a fever of 102 and a stuffy nose), they finally agreed that it was simply the mixture of medications. They advised that I never take that particular decongestant again, and sent me home. By now of course, I was hungry - and we headed to McDonald's where I had a Big Mac and fries. I had just had a heart attack scare, and I'm eating a 1300+ calorie meal with over 50 grams of fat.
I can hear it now. "No wonder your liver is a mess."
Last night my husband took me out to dinner. I picked several "bad" items and savored every bit until I could eat no more. I sipped my last Margarita and laughed that I chose Tequila as my final alcoholic drink. I'm not a big Tequila fan. Then it was done. No more bad choices. (Note - it seems the jury is out on whether or not those with NAFLD should drink alcohol. There is a study that showed that a glass of wine a day actually improves the condition.)
Today I'm getting my brain around all the changes I would like to make. Taking some time to reflect how I am going to pull this off. How it is all going to realistically work for me and my lifestyle. Researching some exercise options that will also fit into my schedule. I work a ten hour day at a desk job, so lots of things to work through since I leave the house early and get home late. I have to keep this all simple, or it simply will not work for me.
This morning I weighed in. Unbelievably I had actually gained 2 lbs. from my last doctor's visit on May 31st. Could be all the food I ate yesterday - at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Today I found out that I have fatty liver disease - most likely nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is common, and for most people, causes no symptoms or complications. But in some people the fat that accumulates can cause inflammation and scarring in the liver. This more serious form is referred to as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). At its most severe, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease can progress to liver failure. Not a good thing.
Certain things do tend to increase the risk. These include:
Being middle-aged. (Yep, I'm there)
Being overweight or obese (I saw the scale in the doctor's office. Fit that too.)
Having high cholesterol (How long have I been on that medication now?)
Having diabetes or prediabetes (insulin resistant). (So my sugars have been slightly elevated for the past few years...)
Sigh.
For the last few weeks I have had some discomfort in the upper right part of my abdomen - not pain, just some discomfort. I didn't think anything of it, and merrily went to my 6 month check up. Since I started on the cholesterol medication, my blood has been tested every 6 months. This time, there were elevations in both liver enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The doctor ordered an abdominal ultrasound and bingo - it showed up on the imaging test.
The doctor's instructions right now are to lose weight and begin an exercise program. Research indicates that a weight loss of 9% over a period of months can help reverse NASH, and even a 5% weight loss can help lessen the buildup of the fat. Unless I want to now, he is willing to hold off on prescribing other medications until my next check up in December. But I have to get serious about my diet and lifestyle. Weight must come off, sugar levels must improve - and I have to "move that body."
I am starting this blog to hold myself accountable. Feel free to follow along - or use it as a source of inspiration for your own healthy lifestyle habits. I would like to say that I just decided to get healthy, but even slightly elevated fasting sugar levels and "the talk" from the doctor for the last few years was not enough. Liver transplant is. Don't want to go there. Let's begin.
Certain things do tend to increase the risk. These include:
Being middle-aged. (Yep, I'm there)
Being overweight or obese (I saw the scale in the doctor's office. Fit that too.)
Having high cholesterol (How long have I been on that medication now?)
Having diabetes or prediabetes (insulin resistant). (So my sugars have been slightly elevated for the past few years...)
Sigh.
For the last few weeks I have had some discomfort in the upper right part of my abdomen - not pain, just some discomfort. I didn't think anything of it, and merrily went to my 6 month check up. Since I started on the cholesterol medication, my blood has been tested every 6 months. This time, there were elevations in both liver enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The doctor ordered an abdominal ultrasound and bingo - it showed up on the imaging test.
The doctor's instructions right now are to lose weight and begin an exercise program. Research indicates that a weight loss of 9% over a period of months can help reverse NASH, and even a 5% weight loss can help lessen the buildup of the fat. Unless I want to now, he is willing to hold off on prescribing other medications until my next check up in December. But I have to get serious about my diet and lifestyle. Weight must come off, sugar levels must improve - and I have to "move that body."
I am starting this blog to hold myself accountable. Feel free to follow along - or use it as a source of inspiration for your own healthy lifestyle habits. I would like to say that I just decided to get healthy, but even slightly elevated fasting sugar levels and "the talk" from the doctor for the last few years was not enough. Liver transplant is. Don't want to go there. Let's begin.
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