As I come near to my goal the scale is moving extremely slowly.  Don't the weight gods want me to be happy?  Just kidding.  I manage my own destiny.  It is up to me how much effort I put forth to become healthy.

Weigh in is this coming Saturday. I can't wait to see everyone there.  We are all shrinking! 

It's a great feeling to clothes shop again.  Now if I only had a million dollars!

Memorial Day was first observed on May 30th 1868. A ceremony was performed at Arlington Cemetery to commemorate lives lost in the Civil War.  For further information on the history of this solemn holiday please check out this link: http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

Today I will witness the annual Civil War encampment at Century Village in Burton with my daughter. I have been told I am a history nerd along with my boyfriend (A college professor); the equivalent of the cast persona's on The Big Bang Theory.


I have been struggling with my weight. I am hoping for at least a five pound weight loss but I make no promises. My knee being greatly improved; I'm able to resume my full gym activities.  The MRI test this week was cancelled  as my insurance company is requesting more clinical data. I have some stability issues with my knee but I will not let that be an issue...this is my life. My doctor may want to "clean out the junk" with a less invasive arthroscopic procedure.


So what ever you do and however you celebrate this holiday, please remember our lost heroes and be safe!

I went to see the sports medicine doctor today at Cleveland Clinic about my knee. It is an old injury from 2006. He ordered x-rays and after an examination an order for a MRI for next week. I am trying at all costs to avoid surgical intervention. I may be lucky this time. My ACL and meniscus are a bit damaged and some arthritis has set in giving me some pain. I am able to take Motrin without a problem.  I have a knee brace but have haven't had to wear the contraption for the past several days.

The doctor spoke to me of a new study with regards to BMI completed in Sweden.  It seems that people with a BMI of lower than 23 have less arthritis.  My BMI is currently 23.  He also suggested I lose 15 more pounds which will improve my overall health.  I don't have to tell you how difficult this is getting for me to lose more weight.

I worked out with Drake from SNAP  tonight and had zero pain and no problems. We focused on leg work. No problems. I feel fine. 

It is OK to have a cheat meal or even a cheat day. I should feel no guilt. Really I should.  But I didn't and I don't know why. I don't have much more to lose to reach my goal. Maybe ten to fifteen pounds more...if I can. It is getting pretty difficult.  Many decisions need to be made. I need to figure out how many calories I really need when I work out and when I don't. I can figure out the protein but the overall calories are a total mystery.  My 1-800 dietician from my health insurance was clueless. My metabolism is different and I will gain weight on 1800 calories. Since I am off my diabetic meds I still must carefully count my carbs and check my blood glucose so I can remain healthy. I use a spreadsheet...geez I'm a nerd!

I have decided on a goal number and when I reach that goal, I will start adding in small amounts of food to each meal. One at a time, in small quantities to see what the changes are; if any.  One new food group at a time per week, as a re-feeding tool. I'll start with protein, then veggies, then fruit, and last complex carbs. I purposely left complex carbs (grains for example) last as they are my nemesis. Grains; such as brown rice, whole wheat pasta, ect have been a problem for me in the past.

Since becoming a patient with my current endocrinologist; Dr. Doshi; at Cleveland Clinic I have lost one hundred pounds. My A1C is within normal parameters. High blood pressure...gone!  Joint pain...gone!  Diabetes...gone!  I feel like a million bucks! Through diet and exercise this is possible, but I can't quit. I have to let this be a lifetime goal. I can't go back to stuffing my face with junk food. If I do the diabetes will return. Yes, I know there is no cure for diabetes, but there is hope!

The sky is blue, the birdies are singing, and there is no snow...must be summertime!  It's going to be a beautiful weekend as well. My BF will be in town and we hopefully will attend the 3rd Annual Asian festival and the Hessler Street Festival.  I'll have to watch myself when it comes to food this weekend, as I love Asian food; especially sushi!  All that rice...carb-a-cide!

Due to my sore knee, I haven't been able to fully workout in the gym. Even the elliptical hurts.  I will be meeting with my trainer Drake tomorrow and will continue to focus on upper body strength and core exercises.  I have dropped a few pounds so far this month quite to my surprise. Tomorrow my quarterly appointment with my Cleveland Clinic Endocrinologist and I hope to wow her with my weight loss and fantastic blood glucose readings!  Also, I have an appointment next week with a Cleveland Clinic Sports medicine doctor to see how damaged my knee is and what is my prognosis. Happy thoughts are welcome!

Hope all the moms and moms-to-be have a wonderful stress-free day!

My parents will be visiting later today for dinner, so I have a little cleaning to do. 

Sunday will be my day off from working out as my knee is still a bit sore, but is improving and I'll be back at SNAP after work tomorrow.

Way back in 2006 I was acting like a 20 year old and did some rock climbing, actually walking on the break wall adjacent to the lighthouse at Mentor beach. Well, I jumped from one rock to another and slipped on the sand and collapsed my knee. Little did I know at that time how bad my knee was injured. Taken to the hospital by ambulance where an x-ray was taken, but nothing really showed up and they put this immobilizer on me and sent me home on crutches. I went to work the following day and could barely move. I went to see a specialist at Cleveland Clinic who sent me for an MRI and it showed I tore my ACL. I went through loads of PT and recovered without surgery. Haven't had a problem since.

Losing all my weight and working out in the gym...well I have been ignoring my knee pain. Losing weight is about the best thing that has happened to me...really.  I can deal with the pain. It is nature's way of weakness leaving the body. LOL!  But I need some support surrounding my knee now...just on a temporary basis. My boss who is a nurse warned me a long time ago I should have been wearing a brace when I worked out...and I didn't listen...my bad.  I have purchased a knee brace with metal hinges for support.  It's the best thing since sliced bread. Thank you to the kind person at Drug Mart who assisted me with several types of braces.   I still had my old brace from 2006; but alas it was way too large!

So now I must adapt my workouts. I will still meet my goals, and nothing will stop me now as I am headed in the down stretch waiting for the roses!

Losing weight is getting hard for me. I didn't get fat overnight and I won't get healthy in the same time frame. But, I can try.  LOL.  I have to work twice as hard as the younger contestants.  I probably have less than twenty pounds to go and it's getting tough. I'm now increasing my workout intensity and pushing myself as much as humanly possible. Drake at SNAP will be directing me to reach my goals. I will continue to partake in the water fitness at the Y. I have increased my protein requirements and have added more healthy carbs.

I want to thank Peggy, Kate, and Michael for mentioning me in their blog posts. We are all in this together and no matter who wins...we all win.

I live for Fridays!  After a day at work I came home and took care of my dog; Cosmo.  After working out at SNAP, I visited with my daughter and then headed home to a most wonderful dinner of chicken and veggies. Plus I had some wonderful sugar free jello...there's always room for jello!

Tomorrow I'll be working out in the YMCA water fitness class. I know I burn a ton of calories during that class as I am usually starving when the class ends. This time I will make sure I have enough protein and carbs in my system before the class.

The next physical activity will be shopping. I need spring clothes for work and a few pair of shorts.

Have a great weekend everyone and stay classy!

Oy, am I sore today. But, it is a good feeling.  Drake, my trainer from SNAP and Laura kicked my tuchos to the curb last night. I invited Laura to workout with Drake and myself and boy...did we!  Dripping sweat and all that. Lunges with 10 pound weights, level three step bench with the same 10 pound weight and stretchy bands around our ankles. We were both kicking up a storm like Rockettes!  Plus, planks, floor crawls and power stretches...ohhhhh myyyyyyyy!  Did I forget anything?

Once a week I am trained by Drake and it is showing. Diet and exercise is the key to regaining my health. Not only am I feeling so much better, I actually look better. It is OK to brag a little, I have most certainly earned the right! My BF took some photos of me this past weekend...boy I feel hot!   It has taken me some time to get my old body image out of my thought process.  Every time I looked in the mirror I kept seeing a 200 pound woman, not a 150 pound success.

I am far from complete. This is a life altering process and must be followed through for the rest of my days.