Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘health’

Continuing Journey to Fitness

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on May 8, 2018| 6 Comments »


So, I had lost 19 lbs. as of last October. For the past few months, since my mom has been in the nursing home, I haven’t exercised or eaten the way I should. At first, I didn’t gain any weight. But as I started losing muscle mass from stopping my weight workouts, I felt my clothes get a little tighter (when you have more muscle mass, you burn more calories). I had already gone down a size, and I really didn’t want to have to hang my head in shame and go back to the other size. But I was spending so much time at the nursing home that I was just grabbing whatever food I could and not finding time to exercise. And I could really feel my health declining. Things didn’t feel right with my body anymore. When I fell and injured my right knee and pulled my left hip muscle, I went to the gym and froze my membership. I didn’t stop it completely, but I was considering that. Then I started remembering how much better I felt when I was working out.

My hip injury is barely a twinge now, so I went back to the gym yesterday. I decided to focus on cardio right now and maybe take weights back up later. I have a treadmill at home, but it’s too far to go during lunch, and the gym is just about 10 minutes away from work. So for the last two days, I’ve gone to the gym and walked on the treadmill. I might tackle the elliptical when I have more stamina. And then run on the treadmill.

Also, I’ve been looking at a Mediterranean diet lately. Yesterday, I had stuffed grape leaves, olives, and mozzarella balls. Today for lunch I had half a pita stuffed with hummus, feta cheese, and olives and a stuffed grape leaf on the side. It amazes me how few calories these meals have, and most of it is very good for you. I hate diets that completely eliminate certain foods. Eating at least a partial Mediterranean diet is fairly easy for me because I like the food. I need to add some fish to the mix. Does that mean I won’t eat any pizza or burgers ever? Not this girl! I’m not giving up anything. But I can change the frequency I eat these things that aren’t as good for me.

All these foods I ate for lunch were bought from the grocery store, which means I’m saving money compared to eating out. So that’s another plus! 🙂

Anyway, that’s what’s going on with me health wise. What are YOU doing to take charge of your health? Do tell.

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

Operation Kick the Insulin – Week 10

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on June 5, 2015| 6 Comments »

There’s not a lot to report. Blood sugar is staying steady. I lost another 1/2 lb. this week. I’ve been doing a lot of exercise, but the past few days I haven’t felt well, so I took off a couple of exercise days.

I’m pretty happy with my progress. I would like to lose weight a little faster, but slow and steady wins the race. Well, at least in the case of the tortoise and the hare. LOL

Here’s a hilarious video with Tony Horton about Shakeology, which is what I’m drinking.

Read Full Post »

Operation Kick the Insulin – Week 1

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , on April 3, 2015| 10 Comments »

The Dreaded Insulin Pen

The Dreaded Insulin Pen

This post may be long since it’s the first one in this series. I plan on doing an update every Friday.

Diabetes is a very serious disease. It can lead to blindness, kidney disease/failure, neuropathy, and other complications. The key to preventing these complications is to keep blood sugar at the proper levels.

Every night, I give myself an insulin shot. This is an extended release insulin that lasts all day. At this point, I don’t have to take the shots at every meal like many diabetics do. I DON’T want to go there. I also take a medicine called metformin twice a day. In addition to these medicines for diabetes, I take a blood pressure pill and a cholesterol pill every day. This is my life right now. I’m keeping my blood sugar under control, but I hate that shot every night.

So, here’s the deal. My goal is to be completely off insulin by the end of 2015. I plan to do this by losing the weight I need to lose. In doing this, I might also be able to get off the blood pressure meds. Maybe even the cholesterol meds. This is going to take a lot of work. Exercise, self-control when eating, etc. Losing weight is the best way to get your pancreas to start working properly again. And that’s what I’m going to do, if at all possible.

There’s always the possibility that this won’t work. I might be on insulin for the rest of my life. But I’ve seen many people lose the weight and get off insulin. I’m going to try with all my heart.

This hasn’t been a full week because I just started this on Monday. But I want to weigh in on Fridays, so I’m going to have a five day week the first time. That’s okay, because I’ve already lost 6 lbs. 🙂 I know a lot of that is water weight because it’s impossible for someone to lose 6 lbs. of fat in 5 days. But I’ll take it.

If anyone wants to join me, please feel free to comment with your goals and accomplishments. Even if you don’t have diabetes, that’s fine. Many people still want to be healthier. Exercise, eating better, and losing weight can prevent or reverse all kinds of health problems. If you just want to lurk and say nothing, that’s okay, too. But, please, at least click the “like” button, because I want to know you’ve been here. And, if you don’t have any health or weight problems, I would love to have some cheerleaders, especially when I’m feeling down about this whole thing. Because I know that’s going to happen. It’s normal.

So I’m taking the plunge to be a better me both inside and out. Wish me luck! And those of you who pray, I need that, too!

Read Full Post »

Fitness Friday…And Other Stuff

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on June 21, 2013| 14 Comments »

Weight loss can be so frustrating. I’m continuing to work out with weights four days a week. I added an extra five lbs. to some of the machines yesterday, so that was cool. I’ve been walking on the treadmill for 15 minutes in the mornings. I WAS walking about 45 minutes in the evenings, too, but my foot has been acting up again. It’s usually better in the mornings, but by the afternoon, it’s hurting too much to walk. This is a chronic problem and usually goes away on it’s own in about three days. I’m also eating less and TRYING to eat better, although eating better is a slow going thing. But I’m STILL not losing weight, even with all these changes I’m making. I sticking right at the 172 mark. The scale goes up and down all week, only to settle at 172 on Fridays. Maybe I’ve just hit a natural plateau since I lost so steadily for the first 21 lbs. I saw this happen a lot at Weight Watchers when I worked there. I’m not giving up. I know it has to come off eventually. If you expend more calories than you take it, you have to lose weight, right? I just need to make sure I’m eating ENOUGH. If you don’t eat enough calories, you body thinks you’re starving it and hangs on to fat. I’ve seen this happen, so I know it’s true.

Some pretty good news. Most of you know I was upset because hubby got disqualified from a great paying position in the company he works for due to some *#&$*&#$’s who have a beef with him. And then they put him on second shift on an entry level job with low pay. Well, apparently, human resources (I expect there was some help from the union) said they couldn’t do that. So, even though he couldn’t have the premium job back, they had to let him choose from three different jobs in the plant. Now here’s where I can show you what a decent human being my husband is. There was one day shift job he could have taken, but he would have bumped several people out of their jobs into other jobs, which would have made them unhappy. So my husband took a job where there was actually an opening. He’s going to be back on third shift (YAY!) and making about the same as he was before he got that better job. Thanks to all of you who sent good thoughts and prayers our way. 🙂

I actually wrote on my WIP last night…the first time in over a month.

Read Full Post »

Living More Naturally

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on May 27, 2013| 6 Comments »

I’ve never been obsessed with being natural. And, quite honestly, I’m still not obsessed with it. However…I’m beginning to see how making your own natural products can be beneficial. Not only are you keeping harmful chemicals out of your body and home, you’re saving money! I’ve always thought living more natural would be more expensive. In some ways it is. Organically grown food is more expensive for sure. Although I wonder if it might save on doctor bills later on. But making your own products is cheaper in the long run. I’ve made my own moisturizer, deodorant, shampoo, and insect repellent. I actually LIKE these products better than the store bought items. I’m going to try to make dusting spray and room deodorizing spray. The best part is that it’s FUN. And you feel such a sense of accomplishment. And it really doesn’t take that long to make these things.

Now about the vodka. I mentioned yesterday I needed vodka. It’s because it’s the base of things like room spray and…deodorant. I found THIS website that gives lots of recipes and info. They actually use a deodorant that is just…vodka. Yeah, you heard that right. They no longer recommend rubbing alcohol for long term use because they say it has some toxicity. The idea behind vodka deodorant is that it kills the bacteria that causes odor. I’ve also seen vodka as a base for perfume.

Now, here’s my favorite website for buying ingredients. Mountain Rose Herbs. I wish I could afford to buy more from them. Eventually, I’ll be able to stock up if I buy a little at a time. Especially if I’m saving money in the long run.

So am I going to go completely natural? Nah. I like Sweet N Low too much. LOL. But I want to do this as much as I can.

Read Full Post »

Fitness Friday – Still Need to Improve

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on May 24, 2013| 16 Comments »

I’m not going to post stats because I’m in a big hurry. I’m trying to go on vacation tomorrow, and a bunch of stuff has fallen into my lap (not literally, lol) at work. Stats haven’t changed from last week anyway.

I went to the doctor yesterday to get my prescription for my insulin so I won’t run out on vacation. My doc is out “indefinitely” because he hurt his foot, so I saw a nurse/practitioner. She was so pretty I wanted to smack her. LOL. Seriously, she was very nice. She looked at my last A1C test and decided she wanted to do another one. It’s not high like when I first found out I had diabetes (it was over 13), but it was still 7.2 and she wants it to be under 6.5. So if this test still shows it’s high, I have to up my dosage of Metformin, which is the medicine I take in addition to insulin. It helps the insulin work better. I don’t know if she will up the dosage of the actually pill, or if I will have to take 3 instead of 2 a day. Grrr. Anyway, since my husband’s illness, I’ve been under all kinds of stress…emotional, physical, financial…and I just haven’t been as careful with my eating and exercise. So my weight loss has been at a standstill. I really need to cut down on fats. That’s my main problem. I just like so many fatty foods. I don’t like veggies much at all, and I don’t like too many fruits. I may just have to start choking some things down whether I want to or not. Bleh. Or at least make a list of veggies I DO like and concentrate on figuring out different ways to eat them. Okay let’s see, onions, cucumbers, lettuce…that’s mostly it. I like squash, zucchini, and okra…but fried. *shakes head in exasperation*. I DO like beans (legumes, not green), so I need to substitute those for meat sometimes. I need help here! Does anyone have any good recipes involving onions, cucumbers, or beans???

At least while I’m in Florida, I’ll be eating seafood instead of beef. I LOVE crab! My friend whose family is going with us owes me a couple of dinners because I sold her my cat cage, so it’s going to be crab legs, baby! LOL

Read Full Post »

Fitness Friday and Interview!

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , on April 26, 2013| 4 Comments »

After all the eating hospital food and fast food, after all the stress eating, after the lack of exercise for over two weeks…I just knew my weight had to really be up. I wasn’t really worried about it, because taking care of hubby was first. I knew I could get back to taking care of me later. However…drum roll, please…I only gained 1/2 lb. Only ONE HALF. I am very, very pleased. I should have gained more. I even had four slices of pizza last night. But I’ll take that number, and I’ll work to get back on track and start losing again.

Stats for this week:
Beginning weight: 193
Today’s weight: 172
This week’s gain: .5 lbs.
Total loss: 21 lbs.

And now for the interview. I’m being interviewed today by the lovely Jamallah Bergman, author of several romances, including her latest one, The Admission. Jamallah is a wonderful lady with a great sense of humor, and I was so pleased that she agreed to interview me. So without further ado, here is the link to the interview.

Interview

Read Full Post »

Fitness Friday – Back in the Saddle

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on April 5, 2013| 9 Comments »

I’m back in the saddle again…. Okay, so I like Aerosmith. 🙂

I was happy with the scale this morning. After the 2.5 gain last week, I wasn’t sure how this would play out. Honestly, I got back on the scale the day after the weight gain. I had actually lost most of it the next day, so it was definitely water weight.

Anyway, when I’m showing my stats today, I’m pretending last week didn’t happen and going from the week before. Otherwise, I would show a BIG loss this week. And although I would like to brag about that, I chickened out and wouldn’t do my little stats table last week, so I don’t really deserve showing the big weight loss. LOL. We’re just going to pretend last week didn’t happen at all.

Btw, I’m wearing some size 14 jeans that were hanging in my closet. These are a bit smaller than the 14’s that hubby bought me. My new jeans are relaxed fit, but the ones in my closet are more form fitting and more flattering. I’m so glad I can wear those again! 🙂

So here are my stats for this week. Remember…last week didn’t happen. Hee hee.

Stats for this week:
Beginning weight: 193
Today’s weight: 171.5
This week’s loss: 1.5 lbs.
Total loss: 21.5 lbs.

Read Full Post »

Sunday Update-A Day of Reflection

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , on March 24, 2013| 10 Comments »

When my best friend died two years ago, her husband gave me her set of coffee cups. These cups have faces on them, and the noses stick out. There are four, all of different colors. I was so glad to have them because these were the cups we always drank out of when I was in Indiana visiting her. So as I’m sitting here this morning drinking my coffee, my mind is on my friend and how much I miss her. And how proud she would have been of me for getting the 20 lbs. off. And how proud she would have been that I’ve written so many books. And she would be so glad that I’m still good friends with her husband, author Jonathan Eli. I miss her so darn MUCH. I miss her sarcastic sense of humor and her kindness. But she would have wanted life to go on for me, her husband, and the rest of her family and friends. So even though I miss her with sadness, I miss her fondly.

Looking back at some of the things I’ve accomplished, I realize I shouldn’t be so frustrated about my writing right now. Don’t we all have periods where we slow down for awhile? I used to be able to release at least three novellas a year. Or two novels. Yet I’ve struggled lately. I know that part of the reason was because I was feeling so bad physically when my diabetes wasn’t diagnosed, therefore, not controlled. Am I just having trouble getting back into the routine? So many things have happened to hinder me, especially my husband breaking his ankle. And at my full-time job, work has been overwhelming. Not the best of conditions for writing. The past couple of weeks, I’ve really been trying to focus on getting my house in order. I’m really seeing how much work my husband actually was doing before hurting his ankle. I haven’t been exercising because I’ve been only taking 10-20 minutes for lunch every day. That’s going to stop. I HAVE to make time for exercise. I haven’t done anything for about two weeks. Next week, I’m going to make a point of taking my full lunch hour so I can go exercise. Then I’ll feel better when I come home in the evenings, and I can get back on the writing. It’s time to take charge. I can call those customers when I get back. Those sales tax reports can wait just a little longer. I NEED to exercise.

Those are my thoughts for today. Now it’s off to get ready for church, a place where I can forget about everything for a little while and focus on the most important things. 🙂

Read Full Post »

Fitness Friday 3/22/13 – Better Than I Thought

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on March 22, 2013| 17 Comments »

I was really dreading getting on the scale this morning. I had gained a half pound last week, and I really didn’t think I did any better this week. When I’m not actually tracking my food intake, sometimes it’s hard to tell how well I’m doing. But when I got on the scale this morning, I got a pleasant surprise. I hit my 20 lb. milestone! I’m really happy about that and feel I need to celebrate and reward myself somehow. I haven’t figured out what I want to do yet.

I was a little concerned that my blood sugar is up a bit. Not bad. It was 135 this morning, which isn’t bad at all for a diabetic, but I was getting used to it being under 120, closer to 100 most of the time. I need to figure out what’s going on with that. It kind of makes me mad since I’m sacrificing sweets. I was eating at my mom’s church a couple of days ago because my aunt had died, and here in the South, you always have a big meal after the funeral. My mom and uncle, who are both diabetic, were eating dessert. There were lots of desserts there. I didn’t touch it. I told my uncle I really missed eating desserts. He said, “I’m not supposed to have it, either, but I usually don’t except on special occasions.” I still didn’t touch it. Uncle and Mom, if you’re reading this…I just had to tell! Ha ha.

Yesterday, I found a box of Whitman’s Sampler candy. SUGAR FREE! Pure bliss. It kind of made up for not having dessert at the church. Of course, I had to buy a box of regular Whitman’s Sampler for hubby. 🙂

Stats for this week:
Beginning weight: 193
Today’s weight: 173
This week’s loss: 2 lbs.
Total loss: 20 lbs.

Yay!

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »