I took today; Monday as a vacation day from work as my BF and I attended the Sabaton concert last night at Peabody's last night and I knew we wouldn't arrive home until late. Sabaton is a metal band from Sweden and are fantastic.

Today I participated in the mid-morning water fitness "water aerobics" class at the YMCA.  That class always makes me so hungry and by the time I arrived home I could have eaten a cow!  Just kidding; I stuck to my program and didn't cheat...

I am very proud of my accomplishments so far but I still have a long way to go to reach my personal goals. It's going to get a lot harder for me in the next three months.

Hope everyone has a great week.

After the weigh-in this Saturday, my BF and I are going to the Geauga County Maple Festival. It is the 200th Anniversary of the city. Our "tradition" is to enjoy the pancake breakfast at the church next to the fire station and to have one maple stir at the sugar house. OK, I know it's not a good idea to partake in verboten items, but it is once a year and I must have my maple fix! Plus, there's a lot to do and shops to visit plus a parade.

One meal won't damage me. Plus, it will be chilly so our bodies will have to work extra hard to keep warm!

I have been avoiding "temptations" all week at work. I have done my best to stick with my plan.

OK, for my guilty feelings......

Here is a recipe for "Strawberry De-Light"!

3/4c boiling water
1 pkg (4 serving size) JELL-O or generic Strawberry Flavor Sugar Free
1c ice cubes
2 cups thawed COOL WHIP FREE Whipped Topping, divided
1pt. strawberries, sliced, divided

Stir boiling water into dry gelatin, mix in large serving bowl at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Add ice cubes; stir until completely melted. Gently stir in 1-1/2 cups each of the whipped topping and strawberries until well blended.

SPOON evenly into six small dessert dishes. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm.

TOP with the remaining 1/2 cup whipped topping and remaining 1/2 cup strawberries just before serving.

Makes 6 servings.

Per serving: 50 calories, 2.5g total fat

If you use another fruit: don't use fresh pineapple or kiwi fruit as the JELLO won't set.

See you all Saturday!

I have decided to change my routine. I will be increasing the intensity of my work outs at SNAP and will continue personal training sessions with Drake as well as participating in the YMCA water fitness classes. My body will be moving in the positive direction everyday. I keep hitting plateaus in my journey to wellness and I am positive this will be the ticket.  Conventional wisdom states to mix it up a bit. The body gets used to the same activities so by mixing it up and going more intense hopefully will break the plateaus that challenge me. I have recalculated my protein requirements based on my lean body mass as well as paying attention to my carbs. Now if I could only manage to control my cravings for pistachios!

I had my quarterly round of blood tests yesterday at The Cleveland Clinic. Everything came back within normal parameters. My A1C came back almost 1% lower than the beginning of February! I have not spoken to my endocrinologist yet and not sure how much lower she wants but I take this as a good thing. My watching what I consume, the amount of exercise and type of work-outs, and the instruction I receive from my trainer; Drake at SNAP...it is possible to rid myself of the scourge of diabetes. I still have a long way to go as I am not at "functioning on all thrusters" ready.

The promise is to not step on the scale until next Wednesday. My weight just fluctuates too much and I get bummed out...so I'm putting the scale in the closet until next Wednesday...just seven days away. I know I am dropping inches...and I am proud of that fact.

 

Today at work we are having a department breakfast and it's my turn to be in charge. I brought a healthy option...gorgeous oranges and flavored coffee with a package of bakery cookies thrown in for good measure. Of course I 'm not eating the cookies. But I did throw in some fresh strawberries in my protein shake.  I'm getting my blood work tomorrow so I'm going to really watch my carbs today in anticipation of a much lower A1C test...as i really want off of Byetta!

 

My trainer; Drake at SNAP is working with me to reach my goals and I have a session with him on Friday after work. I believe in myself now and have come so very far from the beginning of January when I started training with him.  I was so out of shape and unhealthy back then...there is no going back...only forward! 

 

A quote from the movie Independence Day: "Let's kick the tires and light the fires!"

It is time to atone for my sins. Yesterday it was my "cheat day". Needless to say I'll be in the gym everyday this week working off all my transgressions. The good new is that the jeans still fit!

Now, for my rant:
I am making adjustments to my diet on my own now. . I am finding out I need some additional carbs before a hard workout. But I need to make sure it will not affect my blood sugar. Also, as I lose weight I need to adjust my protein. It has been difficult as my health insurance no longer covers any in-person dietary or nutritional consultation. It is medically necessary as I am still a diabetic, but there is no coverage. I do have a 1-800 number to call a dietitian 2000 miles away who has no access to my medical records, has never met me, nor can I find this medically acceptable. On the last phone consultation she didn't even know how to figure how many grams of protein I required per pound of lean body mass. I had no problems figuring that out with all the resources available to me through the Internet.  I always thought a registered dietitian should know how to calculate the amount of protein one needs.

I'm in PIT right now staying with my BF as we have a concert to attend tonight; Opeth, Mastodon, and Ghost. In case you have never heard of them, they are three very loud and very talented metal bands.

I didn't think it would be possible. I knew my size 12 jeans were getting big, especially in the "where the sun don't shine" area.  So several weeks ago I exchanged a size 12 never worn jeans from Old Navy for a size 10. The "Skinny Diva" jeans.  I tried them on last night and they fit.

 

They. Fit. Perfect.

 

I posted to my FB page. I called my mom and my BF. I text to my trainer; Drake.

 

I would have shot off fireworks but I didn't want to spend the night in jail. LOL.

 

I haven't stepped on the scale in about one week. I know I am losing something and inches are melting away.

 

All I can say is it can be done.

 

I spoke with my Endocrinologist today at Cleveland Clinic. The past few days I have been a tad dizzy and my blood pressure has been averaging 90/60 and this morning I nearly passed out. I do keep myself hydrated for sure. Due to my greatly improved health status and my weight loss I can now discontinue the blood pressure medicine I have been on for several years. Of course I will continue to monitor my situation for any changes. I have an appointment the middle of next month to discuss changes. My A1C should be in the mid 5's if not lower.

 

I am on only one dose of Byetta. The only other meds I am taking right now are due to my sinus infection; one antibiotic and a nasal steroid. Those will be finished up shortly.

 

I have plenty to be thankful for. A great doctor, my trainer; Drake at SNAP, and the encouragement I get from friends, family, and fellow contestants.

 

Chicken soup works wonders and so does modern medicine. I am taking another ten day course of antibiotics along with a nasal Rx.  I'm starting to breathe better already. If after breakfast my energy level is sufficient I'll go to the gym for a light workout. I maybe the only one there but that's OK with me. I feel I have been a bit lazy, but I have been under the weather and that is an acceptable reason.

Yesterday I had a lovely lunch with my parents and my daughter at Jack's Deli in University Hts. I had soup and a smoked turkey sandwich.

I am thrilled with my weight loss progress.

Have a great week everyone!

I'm still pretty congested with the sinus infection and now it has decided to relocate to my chest. I have a family obligation at one  today and after I'm finished I will be visiting the Cleveland Clinic Urgent Care.  Last month I spent ten days on Bactrim for the same situation. This is not good. I can barely function at work and at the gym. My energy level stinks and worst of all all food products taste terrible. Maybe that's a good omen, I'll lose more weight!

OTOH, being sick is not a healthy way to lose weight. Now where's my chicken soup?

Have felt poorly since Saturday at weigh-in. Back at work today albeit still feeling yucky. Hopefully time heals all wounds. Now where's my hot green tea?

--
Mortal wounds give no pain.

Have felt poorly since Saturday at weigh-in. Back at work today albeit still feeling yucky. Hopefully time heals all wounds. Now where's my hot green tea?

I woke up and hopped on the scale...135 pounds!  Hahahahahaha!

OK, seriously folks in reality I lost ten pounds and change of fat last month and am damn proud of myself!  I worked my much smaller tuchos off to get where I am today and with the help of my trainer Drake from SNAP I would not have succeeded.

After weigh-in yesterday I had lunch with fellow contestant Margaret and my daughter; Chelsea at Phoenix Buffet; my favorite Asian buffet in Mentor. Yes, for those who ask why eat at a buffet? It is my once a week planned "cheat meal".

Have a great week everyone.

--
Mortal wounds give no pain.