Week Six - Exercise vs Medical Intervention

So part of my mindset about making the changes in my life to get healthier has to do with all the medical issues coming my way. I told you about my eye damage due to the bigger issue of diabetes. There are also problems with my feet hurting all the time. (I even asked for and got a handicapped license plate.) Sleeping was becoming miserable too, trying to breathe. The doctor ordered a sleep study in January. It showed I had sleep apnea and oxygen levels as low as 60% during the night. The study recommended I be given 3 liters of oxygen with a mask. Wow! That's a lot of issues due to being overweight!

So just think of all the medical costs associated with that. I am on the edge. Do I want to spend the rest of my life fighting my body fat? Going to doctors, taking pills, breathing treatments, unable to enjoy an active life?

NO!

I'm committed to working hard at changing what I can. Exercising and eating better is going to take the place of my former self. I'd much rather make an investment in a healthy lifestyle than seeing the money go down the drain for unnecessary medical costs. Learning how to exercise and do weight training has been really fun so far. I'm looking forward to getting outside and trying new active things. My sister, Tammy is an inspiration to me. She is so cute and looks great!

So here are the little milestones for this week:

• my neck circumfence shrunk from 45 cm to 39 cm this month



• my fingers feel slimmer



• carrying in groceries is easier



• the garbage cans are easier to move around



• I can lift two 8 pound free weights over my chest 30 times



• the eye problem has not gotten worse, the eye doctor said due directly to my efforts



• three more pounds have come off



• I walked down eight flights of stairs this morning at the hospital

Week Five - A Little Setback :(

Ok, so I'm a real person, not an actor trying to sell Jenny Craig!

I've had to pull back a bit this week and figure out how to feel better. I have been quite achy after my workouts since I stopped taking my pain medication 10 days ago. I just didn't feel like moving extra and lost my happy!

After talking it over with my sister, Cindy and my daughter, we decided I probably stopped taking it too quickly and without consulting my doctor first. Now that I've resumed my med, I'm feeling a lot better already. The pharmacist said it will take a few days to kick back in again. My trainer also agreed to cut back on the most streneous exercises until I can handle them again.


Now on the bright side, we re-evaluated my body changes.

• I'm still down 8 pounds, but I've lost 3% body fat!


• The lean muscle mass has increased 2 1/2 % with


• 2 inches off my waist and


• 1 3/4 inches off my hips.

I'm satisfied with that for now.


Here are some other things I've noticed this week:

• My watch band is getting loose


• I can take the stairs easier


• Cinnamon is delicious


• I can pedal the bike with less effort

Week Four - Progress!

I'm seeing some good progress this past week in my quest to get my health in control. My attitude is good and I am enjoying the improvements in my life. Thanks everyone for your encouragement, it has helped keep me going. Here are some key changes:

touch my hands behind my back

enjoying some new foods in my diet like water cress, edible pea pods, Carbmaster Yogart, fiber and protien bars, and of course lots of fresh fruits

walking all around BYU without getting tired

my waist shape is coming back (noticable only to me right now)

stopped taking my regular pain medication that I've needed for about 5 years

can play indoor soccer with my little grandsons

8 total pounds have come off so far

Now just so you know, I've had some hard workouts this past week, bringing me to tears twice. I call the workout equipment at the gym, torcher machines, especially the leg extensions (am I any taller?) and the excerise called the Plank. Well I got past those gureling sessions thanks to my terrific trainer. She told me I could do it and I did. I'm so proud of myself today. I know I could have been a strong pioneer woman because I've already achieved things I didn't know I could.

I love the tracking site for my exercise, meals and glucose http://www.livestrong.com/. It keeps me in balance throughout the day. Well here we go into another productive week!