ARGH!

I have so not posted on here in a while. But I have a good reason.................okay maybe not, but it sounded good when I was thinking it. I don't know why I haven't posted on here in awhile, maybe because I'm super busy? Or maybe because I haven't weighed myself since I gained the 5 pounds back? I think the latter wins. I have been trying diligently to quit smoking, and have finally done it!!! TOMORROW WILL BE 1 WEEK! Man...why is the one so small compared to the other characters? That's just not fair.

I will try and start back weighing myself soon, I'm not very excited about, but who is? I really need to lose. To feel better about myself and to feel better in general!

Weigh In Wednesday!!

Hmmmmmmm....is it really Wednesday? *blush* I forgot to weigh myself this morning. I weighed myself earlier in the week and I was still hovering just below 200. I think I am in a rut....a plateau....just stuck. My body apparently likes this weight...I don't! I have to make myself eat at times to make sure I am getting the points I need to help burn the fat off. I need to exercise....I know I can watch better what I eat too.

Any suggestions on how to get out of this "groundhog" day weight rut???

Two bathing suits and an embarrassing moment

Vicky, here's my post! Thanks for holding us all accountable! I think that's the #1 component to losing weight. As for my May goal of finding a bathing suit, I found two and here they are:

You can't really tell, but the skirts are sleek and cute, not frilly and dorky. And the tank tops cover everything, including my stretch marks. I love them! And with two, if I decide to go swimming twice, I won't have to put on a cold, wet suit. Which is a real bummer.

My weight goal was 130 for end of May, and I'm not there yet. I'm hovering around 132, so I've come pretty close, and I knew the last five pounds would be the hardest. After I reach 130 I think I will be happy with the weight but not the pant size, so I'll maintain the weight and try to get more exercise to tone up!

Now here's the embarrassing part. We recently put up a swing set for Suzi, and tonight we went to Home Depot to purchase a swing and trapeze bar to hang from it. I had a trapeze bar as a child and LOVED it, so I thought I'd try to hang upside down by my knees like old times.

Hmm. Well, this bar does seem to be a bit higher than my old one...

This is not working.

Yes! Almost there...

Oh crap! Jordan, stop taking pictures and help me!

Yikes. So, I'm guessing one of those home stripper "exercise" poles everyone's gone so wild over would be a waste of money. Jordan, on the other hand...

At least we can both enjoy swinging with her!

THE GOOD AND THE BAD of my examination

Yesterday I had my 4 month doctor's exam and follow-up to the blood work done on 5-19-08. The GOOD news first was that he and I were delighted with the hemoglobin A1c It had gone from 7.3 down to a 7.0 and the reading yesterday for my sugar was only 101

For a diabetic a 7.0 indicates( well-controlled). Hooray

However the BAD news, after telling me the good news he said I see that you gained 1 pound and are having difficulty losing. I now know the reasonwhy, your blood work shows that you have a low thyroid level of 6.1 and that causes your body to slow down, have poor metabolism, have low energy and does not allow you to lose weight even if you ran a marathon. I definitely want YOU to begin this prescription for LEVOTHYROXIN, it will be like getting EXTRA caffeine. You will find that you have allot more energy and you will begin to lose the weight. I know you dislike take medications, but this one is a necessary one if you want to live. You cannot let your body run down, it eventually will affect your heart. WOW I DID NOT EXPECT THIS BLOW.

As to my asthma, since I do not want to give away buddy and I sleep in a bedroom with carpeting, he wants me to continue taking Singulair and Loratadine daily. He did give me a prescription for Albuterol for emergencies and Serevent discus (inhalation powder) for controlling the asthma. I will need all that energy to work more hours to make the money to pay for these medications.

Up and Down like a YoYo Part III

Up and Down like a Yo Yo was blogged on April 12, 2008 this is now my continuation as Part III to present. My life was going great No complaints, loving life and my family and work. I enjoying being a homemaker and an Avon entrepreneur and real estate agent.

Age 57 at my Mom's 80th Surprise birthday party

At 38 and feeling full of energy I won the Avon all paid 8 day expense trip to Hawaii in 1982.

Delivery day of 56 boxes that I had to pack and deliver December 1982
I was not concerned about my weight, I enjoyed eating and having fun. I wish I had taken better care of my health, because at age 59 I was in for a unexpected event. It all began unexpectedly I was going with my son, Mark and husband to a health fair at the Providence Convention Center. It was October 7, 2003 It was going to be a fun day, tasting healthy food and being entertained. Was I in for the surprise of my life. We decided when we entered that we would each go our own way and meet at the cooking stations in the rear in an hour. I decided I would enter and go to my right and the first booth were the nurses of Care of New England. I was approached and asked if I had ever been tested for sugar. I said "no" I was told it was just a prick on my finger and a meter would report a reading. I felt great, my weight I felt wasn't that bad at 168 , so I said "sure"
They tried 3 times to get an amount to put on the strip and finally the nurse said to me I think my machine needs new batteries, go to the next nurse and have her test you. My reading was 329 and I was told to go to my doctor and discuss have Diabetes type II.


I had no family doctor so the next day I went to a walk in Medical center and Dr Sue Clement said my reading was 268 and she began me on 5 mg of glucotrol. She told be to find a family doctor and be treated for this illness. I asked the nurses on duty who they felt would be caring and help me be proactive in my life, BECAUSE THIS WAS NOW A LIFE CHANGING MOMENT. I called a Dr Mark Rosenberg, who went over my lab results and had me attend nutrition classes and begin walking 15 minutes daily. My Hba1c was 7.5 He said he wanted it under 7. I was put on 500mg of metformin and 40mg of lisinipril. This was the beginning of me watching what went into my mouth and writing everything down. When I shop I look for

o grams-8 grams of sugar, I avoid fried foods and have practically eliminated the pasta and no more white bread. Today 4 years later I have the diabetes controlled, but if I can lose more weight and exercise more I might be able to control it without the medication. That is my goal.

Weigh-In Wednesday!

Yuck! I gained 1.4 pounds just in the past day, but I think it is time for george to come. I feel bloated. I am still scheduled to get my hair done tomorrow despite not being quite at the 20lb. reward level. I'll just have a great weight loss next week. :) I REALLY REALLY need to start exercising...thank goodness my parents pool is ready....the temp. needs to warm up a bit though.

I saw my Rhueme again yesterday. She is convinced that I do have Sjogrens Syndrome, but not Lupus! HURRAY! This is the second doctor that has said this. I am going to MUSC soon. They will call me with the appointment. It looks like I may have another kidney biopsy done there. :( She also said that I do have a lot of inflammation some where according to my blood work. Probably kidneys! I really hope they are able to stop my stage IV CKD. The new pain meds she has me on work GREAT! I am not as achy and do not feel like a train has dragged me for miles. This makes me happy because I seem to have a little more energy for the boys and my family.

Hello....anyone out there???

Dear fellow weight loss buddies,

I must say I am really disappointed with my team members on this blog....and yes I am going to call everyone out!!! If I offend anyone.... maybe I'll at least get some kind of response!

Megan.....where the heck have you been? You lose 5 lbs. and think you are done???
Kathy.....you comment every once in awhile.....but no post on your progress? We never saw part II of your story.
Jenny....I know you have almost met your goal....but UPDATE please. Post a good recipe too while your at it!
Kelly....Just because you have a little set back doesn't mean you throw the towel in! Where is terror tuesday????

SO....I EXPECT TO SEE POSTS ON HERE SOON.....or I will make you eat a dozen cupcakes each!

Yours Truly,
Vicky

Weigh-In Wednesday!

I lost 1.4 pounds this past week. :) I am about 1 1/2 pounds away from my next goal and I can get my haircut. It needs it badly! I think I will make an appointment for the end of next week.

BTW- I am officially back in the 100's.....no more 200's. HURRAY!
NaAAAh nah nah nah...NAAahh nah nah nah....hey heeeeeeey good bye!

Milk and Honey pedicure & manicure

Yes....you read that right. I earned my first reward after losing 15 pounds! It was 2 hours of bliss, comfort, relaxing, and better than #@X! My sister went with me and we sat side by side like two giddy girls. They offered us a refreshment (bottled H2O is what we chose.) The foot soak bath and massage chairs were like heaven. I especially loved the kneeding and rolling feature on the chair....the vibration was fun on my butt too! They had a menu with all the different pedicure you could chose from. I must say...if I could afford it, I would go everyday! I had a milk foot soak followed my a honey exfoliant scrub on my legs and feet. Then came the parraffin wax treatment, massage, and then all the normal foot care stuff including a polish. I picked a hot pink with sparkles...WOO-HOO...sassy! My hands did the same. I think next time I will go for the garden pedicure with fresh flower petals or maybe the mango pedicure......I can't wait!!

Weigh-In Wednesday!

OK...I am happy. After the badddddddd weekend splurge that left me 1.4 pounds higher...I officially lost that 1.4!!! Ironically, I didn't lose anymore than what I gained. BUT THIS IS OK. I feel like I am starting from a clean slate and last week was wiped out.

This week's challenges....definitely mother's day brunch at the Hilton. Luckily I don't really care for their "foo-foo" desserts. I do love their Yogurt and fresh fruit smoothies. BTW- did I mention it was an all you can eat buffet? I'm going to get what I want in moderation!

Also on a side note...I see a new Rhuematologist today! I am looking forward to the visit. I will be glad to get away from my last rhuemee...that's another blog, but all of you close to me know why I am switching doctors.

****UPDATE****
I really liked my new rhuemee doc. She had different blood tests drawn and made the comment about what she wanted to find out about these tests and "IF" I in fact had Lupus. She also suggested that I may be a good candidate for MUSC in Charleston to have "the experts" in her field as well as the nephrologists take a look at me. I go back on the 20th to discuss what she plans on doing with my silly self. She spent almost 2 hours with me and literally checked me out from head to toe. It wasn't the less than 5 minute appointments I am used to with my old rhuemee.

Can't blame it on the dog...

I wish I could. I am the only one to blame. I think McDonalds put a curse on me. I LOVE them....always have...always will!

Hi, my name is Vicky and I blew my diet this past weekend. It started with a double cheeseburger meal....ooohhh the french fries were so good and hot. I also had 2 birthday parties and 1 anniversary dinner to attend this past weekend. I'll spare you the details and get straight to the point....I gained 1.4 pounds. *sigh*

I am back on track today and hope by weigh-in wednesday to break even on the gain. I feel a little guilty....but it was soooooooooo worth it. Now, I need to get my mind off the cheeseburger and french fry thing.......what is that noise? I think my stomach is growling for it.....wish me luck to stay on track!

Doodie-Snaps

I've been putting this post off for as long as I can. I had Terror Tuesday this past week and I wasn't just terrified i was MORTIFIED! I didn't lose weight I gained it ALL back!!! WHAT!!???? How did that happen. I believe I know why. I don't eat during the day. I'm so busy, plus I have a medical condition that embarrasses me enough, to not want to eat. So..that's probably got a lot to do with it. UGH! I also tried to quit smoking this week. Big mistake. I think I'm going to go to my doctor and tell him to give me some Chantix. I hope it works. I'm going to quit, but when? Well I'm not looking forward to the next Tuesday, because I will more than likely gain, but at least I'll know. Hope everyone has a great weekend.