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.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
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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