Day 35

Ever since my endocrinologist lowered the dosage on one of my medications, I keep thinking the worse. In the mornings when I check my meter, I get so nervous that it's hard to keep my fingers from shaking. Even though I've eliminated sweets, I feel like my glucose is going to be right back in the 200's again. My doctor wants me to monitor my glucose every day for one week and fax her the results on Wednesday. So I'm keeping that in mind as I sit in my usual spot in the kitchen and prepare to do what has become a very familiar routine.

I grab my meter, testing strip, lancing device and alcohol swabs. I put the test strip in the meter then decide which finger gets pricked today. I grab the alcohol swab, take a couple of swipes on the chosen finger. Okay, here I go...

Yeah!!! I'm under 100... just barely, but I AM under 100 and that's with the decrease in my medications. This is good!!!

Inspiration picture: This is another weight loss success story from London's newspaper, The Huffington Post that Sparkpeople.com featured. Tameika Gentles lost 90 pounds. I've also included some of her interview below.



The Plan Of Attack: Through a lot of hard work and dedication, I lost 90 pounds in less than one year (between nine to 10 months to be exact). No supplements, no trainers, no surgery — just pure hard work. I went in with a plan. I refused to fall for those quick fixes any more. With this mentality, I steadily lost two to three pounds per week. I educated myself profusely, slowly started revamping my diet, and got active. I started with my favourite sports, volleyball and squash. By doing this the right way, I have been able to keep the weight off five years later.
The Food Element: It took a while to develop a well-balanced diet, but I did. It was the only way I was able to see the weight come off and stay off. I started with the obvious – slowly cut out sweets, soda, junk food, pop, and I dine out less and consume smaller portions. This was not an easy process and I’m still learning today. It was gradual and took time, but I was patient through it all and have now developed a lifestyle that works for me.
For those who are beginning their journey, who have fallen off their journey, or are well on their way, I have one piece of advice: Do this for you. We have one life to live and one body to live in. We are privileged to live in a society where we hold the power and have the resources to stay healthy. Don’t wait until it’s too late, let's take advantage of what's in our control today. Tameika's before picture is below.



And this is her now.



Daily Food Journal:
Breakfast: Special K with berries, decaf
Lunch: Roasted garlic hummus on whole wheat with lettuce and tomatoes, 1 apple
Snack: 6 crackers, 1Tbs peanut butter

Dinner: 1 baked piece of chicken, roasted vegetables, hot cup of green tea with honey
Snack: Walnuts

Notes: I did the walking workout again. Whew! I'm trying to get to the point where I'm not so out of breath during the workout. Anyway, today went well.  

Clear your mind of "CAN'T"

Day 33

My weight this morning was 179!!! I lost 3 more pounds! I was 196 pounds when I started my journey, so that's a total of 17 pounds. I am really happy about that. Now I should say that I hadn't weighed myself or checked my glucose since that one day binge 7 days ago. Being a diabetic I know that's not smart, but I didn't worry too much because I was exercising daily and making all the right food choices. Just like before, I was eating lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and I eliminated fried foods, sweets and potato chips from my diet. With that said, I got up this morning and I was finally ready to stop being a coward and see where my numbers were. Well, this is what I saw on my meter.

Yikes! I've never seen a number this low before. I've seen numbers that were high... very high, but never that low. I have two doctor's at the present time. I have a regular doctor that I see, but because my diabetes was so out of control before I changed my eating habits, she referred me to an endocrinologist. (My endocrinologist is the one that wants to put me on insulin). So as soon as the doctor's office opened this morning, I called to make sure that this was a normal reading. I talked with one of the nurses who said that when my glucose is below 70... then I should start to worry, but she said she would talk to my doctor and call me back.

I take two medications, Metformin and Glyburide. Well, my doctor cut down the Glyburide from two 5 mg pills twice a day to just 1 pill in the morning. Now, this is temporary to see how my body reacts, but I'm taking this as a good sign. I guess starting tomorrow, I'll see what happens next, but at the moment, I just can't stop smiling.      

Inspiration picture: This is one of the weight loss success stories that Sparkpeople.com featured from London's 'Huffington Post.' This is Heather Fearneyhough and I've included part of her interview below.


Breaking Point: My son Caleb took off running from me at the mall. I was so big that I could not catch up to him. I will never forget the panic mixed with that burning sensation in my throat. That was it. I made up my mind to do something about my weight because I had let myself get out of control long enough.
How I Lost It: I made small gradual changes because I wanted to keep the weight off for good. To start, I kept a journal of everything that I ate. I started eating small meals throughout the day. I set a timer on my phone so that I could stay on task with eating every three hours. I also started drinking nothing but water.
I was very out of shape at the beginning of my journey. I could barely walk for 10 minute intervals without getting completely winded. My throat burned and my body ached unbelievably during the first few weeks. I paced myself and slowly added five to 10 minutes to my total walking time, until I was able to briskly walk for 45 minutes without being out of breath.
I then progressed to using workout DVDs in my living room that incorporated weight training and continued using DVDs for several months. Once I lost the majority of my weight I wanted more definition and found that my DVDs were not providing me the results I was after. I began researching bodybuilding on the Internet. I started to create my own workout routines following a split training method and could not believe the changes I started to see with my body. Before picture below:


And this is her now...



Daily Food Journal:
Breakfast: Special K with berries, decaf
Lunch: Plain nonfat yogurt with muesli added
Snack: 6 crackers, 1 Tbs. peanut butter

Two of my blogger friend's had my taste buds watering for roasted vegetables. Linda from Losing Shorty and PJ Geek who actually gave me the tip a while ago. I roasted cauliflower, broccoli, cherry tomatoes and carrots and my goodness it was delicious. This picture was before I added the olive oil, salt, pepper, and  put them in the oven. I forgot to take anther one when they were done.

Dinner: 1 plain Veggie burger, 5 walnuts and roasted vegetables, hot cup of green tea with honey

Notes: I'm still using that walking workout dvd. Last night, I did the 2 mile brisk walk. Tonight, I pushed myself to do the 3 mile advanced walk. Yeah! I honestly didn't think I'd last for the entire workout and it shocked me when I did. I felt really good afterwards, though.

If you are going to doubt something, doubt your limits.

Day 31

Well, I made it through the first month of my journey. Out of the entire 31 days, there was only one day that I took a step  backwards, which was on my wedding anniversary. After that night, I was determined to get right back on track the following morning. I haven't always been able to do that so it was a good feeling.

Once I got home from work today, the air conditioner was feeling really good and I really didn't want to go back out in the heat to walk to the gym. I could have easily drove there, but I had a better idea instead. I dug out a few of my old work out dvd's. I can't use most of them them because I live in an apartment. It wouldn't be a problem if I lived on the first floor, but I'm on the second floor and there's a family that lives below us. The last thing I want is to start jumping up and down on the floor over their heads and I don't think that management would appreciate the disturbance either. That's when I came across this.



I'd forgotten all about it, but it's a walking workout that doesn't involve jumping up and down. I did the 1 mile walk and I'd completely forgotten how much fun I used to have with this work out. I love it!

Inspiration picture: Randy Jackson



Daily Food Journal:
Breakfast: Special K with berries, decaf

Snack: 12 Walnuts

Lunch: Roasted garlic hummus on whole wheat with lettuce and tomatoes, canteloupe 

Snack: 6 crackers, 1 Tbs. peanut butter

Dinner: 1 Veggie burger, brown rice, spinach and a hot cup of green tea with honey

Notes: Today went well. This was my first time making brown rice. I wasn't sure if I would like it or not, but it tasted a lot like white rice, only healthier.

You are worth it.

Day 29

I've been walking a lot lately, but only because I've been afraid to go to the gym. See, I was worried that my knee was going to start aching again. Tonight though, I decided to take my chances and go. I figured that after over a week, it should be healed up by now so I was really looking forward to working out.

Now, I was really considering joining LA Fitness, but after giving it a lot of thought, I decided that for the time being, the smaller gym better suits my needs. Yes, I won't lie, I will miss all the amenities that the larger gym offered but, here's the thing. For one, although my home gym is small, it's never crowded. Most of the time, I have the gym all to myself and occasionally, I'm only sharing it with one other person. I find that I prefer the intimate setting. Also, there's less loud grunting from fellows lifting 400 pounds... (no offense guys, but it is extremely annoying).  And talk about convenience. It's about a 2 minute walk from my apartment when LA Fitness is a 15 minute drive across town. Best of all... it's free. Here's my little gym.

Once again, I had the gym all to myself, so I just watched television while I was on the treadmill.

Inspiration picture:

Before and after: James, 26, from Fort Worth, Texas, tipped the scales at 651lbs when he first appeared on Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition, above, but a year later he was down to 338lbs, below.

Daily Food Journal:
Breakfast: Special K with berries, decaf
Lunch: Tuna on whole wheat, 1 apple
Snack: 6 crackers, 1 Tbs. peanut butter

Dinner: 1 plain Veggie burger, salad with raspberry walnut vinaigrette dressing

Notes: Today went well. It felt good being back at the gym. I loved the work out and my knee is just fine. Yeah!

You belong on your own to do list.

Day 28

Yesterday went great. It feels really good being back on track. I've been trying to keep myself busy so I missed posting. I still haven't checked my glucose, but I will try to get up the nerve to do it tomorrow. We'll see.

Inspiration picture: (Did you happen to notice that he's cured of diabetes now?)



Daily Food Journal:
Breakfast: Special K with berries, decaf
Lunch: 1 Veggie burger with Greek pasta salad
Snack: 10 walnuts
Dinner: Tuna on whole wheat, side of cabbage and hot tea with honey

Day 26

Today my husband and I celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary. I'd already decided days ago that I was going to enjoy myself and have something that I shouldn't have... meaning a high calorie dinner and dessert. This was the first time since my journey began that I gave myself permission to do this. I had planned to only go overboard for just the one meal, NOT the entire day. I would love to tell everyone that I did well after that one meal, but that wouldn't be honest.

My husband and I both had the day off. We had lunch at Fuddruckers because I've been watching my husband eat burgers with the bun and cheese and a side of fries for a little while now. So the first thing I thought of was having a cheeseburger and fries. We went to the movies afterwards and I got candy and things pretty much went downhill from there.

Before my journey, if I would have McDonalds for breakfast, then I would immediately develop that, 'oh well, I already screwed up' attitude and would overeat the rest of the day...or days afterwards. I've actually had binges that lasted for several months at a time and I didn't know when I'd ever get back on track. My eating was so out of control it seemed like my mouth was constantly in motion. It scared me, yet while I was indulging, it also made me happy. It was like I had this rather strange and complicated relationship with food and I just didn't know how to break free.

After 25 days of doing so well, today it happened again when I had that first bite at Fuddruckers... that's all it took. I don't want to continue down that old path... not again. This is exactly why I have to be strict, because I know me and allowing myself to partake of certain foods is releasing the monster that feeds off of my addiction. Until I have better control, I have to treat some foods like a drug that I need to stay away from. Tomorrow, I won't check my glucose, because I can't imagine what I might see on my meter and I'm certainly not going to weigh myself.

Inspiration picture: Mandisa

Day 24

Learning how to not be an emotional eater is one very hard lesson that still hasn't gotten any easier. I had this idea that now that I'm in the the fourth week of my journey, it'd be easier. Needless to say, I was way off base.

During the day, even though I eat breakfast and lunch then plan ahead by packing 'good for me' snacks, sometimes just watching my co-workers coming back from the vending machine with all the things I love, just makes it hard. Even smelling different foods that people are heating up in the microwave for lunch is not easy. Now, I mentioned this before, but I used to be an all day snacker before I changed my eating habits and night-time snacking was the worst. I could easily eat chips and cookies by the bagful. As a matter of fact, when I would buy Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies, my husband would have one row and I'd have the other. (I could just kick myself when I think about it. I wasn't checking my glucose then and even though I knew it would be dangerously high, it didn't stop me from pigging out).

You know, most nights, I almost always want more food after dinner, even though I'm usually satisfied. It's always then that I think about running to the store, (which is very close, by the way) for something crunchy or sweet. There are times that I just find it difficult to get through movie night without brownies or a big bowl of ice-cream... or sometimes both. Even at the end of a difficult work day, it's comfort food I'm craving, not an apple with peanut butter or a boiled egg... those snacks just aren't the same.

I'm still trying to get a handle on my uncontrolled snacking and learn to just eat maybe 2 cookies... which I'm still scared to try. I mean, I haven't had just 2 cookies for a snack since I was a toddler. What if my addiction kicks in and I can't stop until 'my side' of the bag is gone?

Okay, basically it comes down to this. I can give in to the temptation...



Or I can fight... fight... fight the urge and make a much healthier choice.



I know that the key to successful weight loss is to find healthy balanced snacks. I also know that I am the only real obstacle in my path, so I close my eyes, search deep within me for that willpower that I am in desperate need of, take a deep breath then tell myself NO! Whew... Now, I just need to be prepared to do it all over again tomorrow... LoL.

Inspiration picture:



Weight: I didn't check my weight this morning. I'm getting tired of seeing the same number. I'm actually thinking of trying a once a week weigh in instead of doing it daily. I'm still debating.
Glucose: 136 (I made chicken, stuffing and cabbage last night and I had extra stuffing.)

Daily Food Journal:
Breakfast: Special K with berries, decaf
Snack: 6 strawberries
Lunch: Tuna on wheat, 1 apple
Dinner: 1 Veggie burger, cauliflower, green beans and a hot cup of green tea with honey

Notes: Sorry I was missing for a couple of days. I was really busy for Father's day weekend and I didn't even look at the computer.

Love yourself enough to keep going.

Day 21

Today, I've come to the end of 3 weeks of eating healthy. In all of my life, I've never not had sugar for 3 entire weeks and I'm still surprised that I'm even managing to do this at all. It almost seems surreal. There are times, like right now, that a craving hits me like a big bag of quarters. I guess it didn't help that 20 minutes ago, I watched my husband eat a big bowl of Breyers chocolate and vanilla ice-cream. I thought about having a bowl, but tomorrow will be the start of my 4th week. To me, that's a really big deal. Now, I will say that next week is our 4 year wedding anniversary and I am giving myself the green light. Yes, I'm going to allow myself to go for it and have whatever my heart desires for dinner that night. I still don't know what restaurant he's taking me to, but wherever it'll be, I've decided that I'm even having desert, too.

Inspiration picture:



Weight: 182
Glucose: 95 (2 points lower than yesterday)

Daily Food Journal:

I wanted a big breakfast this morning. Since I had the day off and my husband had to work, I thought it would be the perfect time to scramble some eggs with peppers. My husband hates peppers, but I think their delicious, so I brought three of them... red, yellow and green.

I sautéed the peppers and added the eggs, put some Jimmy Dean turkey sausage links in the microwave then made some coffee.

Oh and I had one slice of whole wheat toast, too.

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, 2 turkey link sausages, 1 slice of toast, decaf

Lunch: Plain nonfat yogurt with strawberries and muesli added, 1/2 banana
Snack: 12 almonds

Dinner: 2 slices of rotisserie chicken, 1 baked sweet potato, French style green beans and hot tea

Notes: A big breakfast before my journey consisted of a whole lot more food, but I guess we're all trying harder these days. Until tomorrow.

Day 20

As much as I love salads, I have been purposely avoiding them since I started my journey. See, I'm one of those people that love salad, but I can only enjoy them with half a bottle of salad dressing poured over my veggies. Okay, I'm exaggerating... maybe not half a bottle, but I do use a lot. Well today was just one of those days where I had to eat out for lunch. I figured I'd go for a salad, but worried about choosing French dressing, (which is what I usually choose). I noticed a balsamic vinaigrette dressing and decided to try it. I've been reading a lot about how balsamic vinaigrette dressings are better for you, but I just never tasted it before. Well, it was delicious and I didn't even need to use that much of it. I am absolutely hooked.

Tonight. I wasn't in the mood to cook dinner either. Like I said, it was just one of those days.
I wanted to pick up dinner from somewhere, but I also needed to stay on track. The last thing I wanted to do was blow all the progress that I've made so far on my journey. I decided to pick up one of those rotisserie chickens, I just needed something to go with it.

I went over to the deli department and something new in the case caught my eye. It was pasta called Greek pasta salad and I was thinking that it might be nice to try since I'm always hearing how the Mediterranean diet is great if you're looking for a heart healthy eating plan. I noticed that it was the only salad in the case that wasn't mixed with mayonnaise. It was mixed with canola oil, vinegar and skim milk, (I checked the ingredients on the label). There is also spinach, red peppers, parsley and feta cheese added. It looked healthier than the potato salad I was checking out at first, so I grabbed 1/2 a pound. It was awesome and my husband loved it.

Inspiration picture:



Weight:182 (No change.)
Glucose: 97 (Okay, I'm under 100 again, this is good.)

Daily Food Journal:

Breakfast: Plain nonfat yogurt with muesli and strawberries added, decaf

Snack: 15 grapes

Lunch: garden salad with vinaigrette dressing and 5 crackers

Dinner: 2 slices of rotisserie chicken, 7 almonds, Greek pasta salad and a hot cup of green tea with honey

Notes: Even though I ate out... twice. I'm happy with the food choices that I made. I think today went very well.

If you don't take care of your body, who will?

Day 19

Tonight my daughter and I used our 3 day complimentary passes for the second time and worked out at LA Fitness.

I have to say, it's a much larger facility than the little gym at my apartment. When I first stepped foot in there, I was like, wow! Size really does matter. I mean the place is humongous. The music was pumping and there was so much energy in the atmosphere. It's almost overwhelming. After our tour, my daughter and I were just standing there wondering what in the world should we try first. Seriously, it made my gym at home feel cluttered and claustrophobic. Now, I'm actually wondering if I should join.

Here's the thing, at my gym there's less equipment and it's more tightly spaced together, but at LA Fitness, they have lots of amenities with way more equipment that's up to date. Okay, there's a full sized basketball court, a raquetball court, aerobic classes, zumba, yoga, pilates and spinning. There's a pool. a sauna and a juice bar... and that's only downstairs...lol.

Also at my gym, I'm pretty much on my own. I can always report a problem with the equipment to one of the ladies in the rental office, but they're not going to show me the proper form or give me any fitness advice or anything. However, there's always staff around at LA Fitness so I won't have to worry about getting injured... again. I can even book a personal trainer if I'm in the mood to splurge. I didn't want to sign anything tonight and lock myself into a contract until I gave joining the gym a little more thought, even though they sure do their best to talk you into it. I told my daughter when we go back the third time to try a zumba class, I'll decide. 

Inspiration picture:



Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to put these two pictures side by side. Before and after: Nyla shed an impressive 157lbs with help from ABC show Extreme Make Over: Weightloss Edition

Weight: 182
Glucose: 123 (This is getting a little frustrating. Last night for dinner, I had 15 almonds with my vegetables. Maybe that has something to do with it.)

Daily Food Journal:
Breakfast: Plain nonfat yogurt with muesli and strawberries, decaf
Lunch: Tomato basil hummus on 12 grain with lettuce and tomatoes, 15 grapes
Dinner: 1 veggie burger, mixed vegetables, 5 almonds and a hot cup of green tea with honey


Notes: I think today went great. I managed to get through the first 5 minutes of the spinning class, then I had to stop. My goodness, it was hard. My daughter made it through the entire hour. I did however manage to do 30 minutes on the treadmill.

Did I mention that the treadmills all have miniature fans on the sides to cool you off while you're working out. I got a real kick out of that.

Why make today great? Because you can.