My goal with this challenge in general is to reprogram my eating and excercise habits, not so much as to lose weight in 8 weeks, but to make permanent changes to my daily habits that let me lose weight for the next year and a half. And hopefully make awesome progress for the first 8 weeks.
Ok, so I'd like to say that I have been eating perfectly since Monday, but that is not the case. But, I have been doing better. My daughter (who is also in this challenge) and I have prepared healthy dinner meals 2 days this week with a plan for good food tonight! Yay for us!
I at first thought I might do the Gastric Bypass diet, meaning what do folks who have undergone Gastric Bypass eat? My sleep Dr. has suggested I get a consult for such surgery and I am currently dead set against it. I would personally prefer to try eating 2-4 OZ of food every 3-4 hours and see how I do, because that is what life would be like after the surgery. (shudder) And who knows, maybe that would help me lose weight. However, I currently live in a body that is not just yet ready for such stringent cutbacks, and losing weight really fast is not healthy and might make parts, ah, droopy!
I am considered pre-diabetic, meaning if I am not careful I will become a type 2 diabetic. So I function best when I pay attention and avoid simple sugars, stuff with lots of corn (like mexican food) and any carbs that are not whole grain.
Something I have said to others and holds very true and I need to remember for myself: "It's what you do every day that counts." So, I confess, I personally currently have a yucky daily habit of eating the hard SUGAR candies that are 3 feet from me in my coworker's cube. She keeps a steady supply for all who graze by and I am always tempted, then my bloodsugar spikes, then my pancreas goes into hyperdrive to make enough insulin to compensate, then my heart races and then my body makes too much insulin, I start to feel better, but then I am crashing and my bloodsugar is so low I feel like I might pass out, so I have to eat SOMETHING and what is there, only candy. YUUK! The cycle begins again until I feel like Sybil. So I must bring almonds and carrots and walnuts, healthy stuff to work to keep my blood sugar steady and not needing a big bad burst of sugar. I need to plan ahead better to prevent the candy monster. That is a goal!!
Below is a link to what sugar really does to us and how yucky it really is. If I just picture my triglycerides going up and my blood getting all sticky and making the insides of my arteries cell lining break down so it allows goopy cholesterol to wedge into my arteries more easily every time I eat sugar, well, then I would be imagining exactly what is happening every time I have a hard candy!!!
Another realistic goal for me is to get back to moving! I used to walk 2-3 miles every morning at about 2.5-3mph for 6 months straight after I graduated from cardiac rehab (treadmill walking with a nurse monitoring). Then I had more health problems and poof, all my walking motivation disappeared and my motivation for sleep took over. As of Wednseday, I know my heart is healthy again so, now, my goal is to never let two days go by without walking in the morning. So, I can take a day off every now and then (like once a week or so) but if I take a day off, I have to move the very next day. So today was my day off, and tomorrow I walk. This past week I walked on Friday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday morning - more consecutive moving than I have done since October!! Wahoo! And boy oh boy is my attitude better. Also I sleep better and I can actually feel my heart beating healthier. When I actually pay attention to what is happening to my body when I eat well and move well, it is much easier to keep doing the thing that is good for me.
Another thing is: What if Jesus were actually watching me (or you!) take every bite of food? That is convicting. Hard to think of eating a Big Mac or Junior Mints in front of Jesus. I know He said not to worry about what we eat or drink, but if you are eating right with Him, there is no reason for worry!!
Keep eating and moving in Jesus!!
Jen
The yuk of sugar:
http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/sugar.htm
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
How is everybody doing?
I have been thinking about all of you - especially when I was OUT TO DINNER the first night of the contest (previous commitment) and I was ordering salad and diet coke while being surrounded by layered lasagna and tiramisu!! But, I stayed strong and didn't even eat the alluring bread and butter!
I was inspired by Esa's calculations of breaking it down to days instead of weeks. "I CAN be strong for 56 days!" I was VERY overwhelmed last year when I began the arduous task of attempting getting healthy and trying to lose 80-90 pounds. I could ONLY look at it 1 pound at a time!! Or 1 DAY at a time! I encourage everyone not to focus on the end goal if that is too overwhelming. Set small attainable goals and let us all celebrate with you when you reach them!
I was convicted by Esa's goal to drink 8 glasses of water and to workout - both things of which I am terrible at doing! I have not yet had 8 glasses of water in a day, BUT I have been drinking about 3-4 glasses a day this week - which is a BIG improvement for me. ALSO... I actually worked out today! GO ME! This has been the lacking ingredient in my new healthy life. I somehow managed to lose 50 pounds without doing hardly any exercise (which REALLY shows how bad my eating habits were!) I think I worked out a total of 15-20 times over the past year, (sad, I know!) but I am so convicted that my lack of discipline in this area has to be dealt with. So, I climbed on the stair-stepper and did 1,100 steps in 15 minutes this morning --AND-- drank 20 ounces of water. *Feeling proud!*
I have lost 2 pounds so far this week. My first weight loss goal is: for the first number on the scale to be a -->1<--!!! I have had the first number be a --2-- for at least 15 years now and I am READY to cross that threshold.
I'm curious, what is YOUR first goal? A certain amount of pounds? A specific percentage of your body weight? To fit in a particular pair of pants?
~ Natalie
I was inspired by Esa's calculations of breaking it down to days instead of weeks. "I CAN be strong for 56 days!" I was VERY overwhelmed last year when I began the arduous task of attempting getting healthy and trying to lose 80-90 pounds. I could ONLY look at it 1 pound at a time!! Or 1 DAY at a time! I encourage everyone not to focus on the end goal if that is too overwhelming. Set small attainable goals and let us all celebrate with you when you reach them!
I was convicted by Esa's goal to drink 8 glasses of water and to workout - both things of which I am terrible at doing! I have not yet had 8 glasses of water in a day, BUT I have been drinking about 3-4 glasses a day this week - which is a BIG improvement for me. ALSO... I actually worked out today! GO ME! This has been the lacking ingredient in my new healthy life. I somehow managed to lose 50 pounds without doing hardly any exercise (which REALLY shows how bad my eating habits were!) I think I worked out a total of 15-20 times over the past year, (sad, I know!) but I am so convicted that my lack of discipline in this area has to be dealt with. So, I climbed on the stair-stepper and did 1,100 steps in 15 minutes this morning --AND-- drank 20 ounces of water. *Feeling proud!*
I have lost 2 pounds so far this week. My first weight loss goal is: for the first number on the scale to be a -->1<--!!! I have had the first number be a --2-- for at least 15 years now and I am READY to cross that threshold.
I'm curious, what is YOUR first goal? A certain amount of pounds? A specific percentage of your body weight? To fit in a particular pair of pants?
~ Natalie
Monday, May 5, 2008
another great site
I also love to read health articles on RealAge, the site by Dr. Oz from the Oprah show. i took a real age test about a year ago, and recently re-did it. I at least am my age , not older!
Measuring Inches
Happy first contest day everyone!!! I am excited to see that people are already posting on the blog - I think this will turn out to be a great community of encouragement! Make sure you read the entry by Jenny Wiswell entitled "Why I am here". I met Jenny 16 months ago and her story literally changed my life and catapulted me on my journey to heart-healthiness!
Also, I want to encourage you all to take your body measurements in the next day or so (waist, arms, abdomen, hips, thighs etc...) I have found that sometimes when I hit a plateau in pounds - that I am actually still losing in inches. Seeing results in inches helps from getting discouraged when there is lack of movement on the scale. I recommend measuring every month or so to see your progress. There are websites that you can track this stuff with. I have used www.sparkpeople.com before and I found one today called www.fitday.com
If you use an online one - then you don't have to keep track of that scrap of paper that you originally wrote your measurements on!
Here's to a great start...
Also, I want to encourage you all to take your body measurements in the next day or so (waist, arms, abdomen, hips, thighs etc...) I have found that sometimes when I hit a plateau in pounds - that I am actually still losing in inches. Seeing results in inches helps from getting discouraged when there is lack of movement on the scale. I recommend measuring every month or so to see your progress. There are websites that you can track this stuff with. I have used www.sparkpeople.com before and I found one today called www.fitday.com
If you use an online one - then you don't have to keep track of that scrap of paper that you originally wrote your measurements on!
Here's to a great start...
KellyH. checking in
ok this is my 1st check in, making sure this is working. I weighed in this a.m. 7;30 Ugh!
56 Day Count Down-We can do this!
Hi Ladies,
I'm in. I set up my new g-mail account and found my way to back to this blog. This is my first blog adventure and I am so excited to be part of this 8 weeks to Fabulous deal. Thank you Natalie for organizing this. Thank you ladies for joining in.
I'm thinking 8 weeks...according to 4th grade math that is 8 weeks x 7 days for a total of 56 days. We can do this!
I weighed myself this morning to get my starting weight. I'm ready to start! I have 2.5 lbs of spinach in my refrigerator, lots of fruit on hand and a water bottle. I do have some healthy tips I can share along the way. Today is about getting started. My goal today is to drink 8 glasses of water (or 64 oz.) and take a multivitamin. Cheers! Esa
I'm in. I set up my new g-mail account and found my way to back to this blog. This is my first blog adventure and I am so excited to be part of this 8 weeks to Fabulous deal. Thank you Natalie for organizing this. Thank you ladies for joining in.
I'm thinking 8 weeks...according to 4th grade math that is 8 weeks x 7 days for a total of 56 days. We can do this!
I weighed myself this morning to get my starting weight. I'm ready to start! I have 2.5 lbs of spinach in my refrigerator, lots of fruit on hand and a water bottle. I do have some healthy tips I can share along the way. Today is about getting started. My goal today is to drink 8 glasses of water (or 64 oz.) and take a multivitamin. Cheers! Esa
Why I am here!
OK,
Some of you know I am a heart disease survivor, but I wanted to share why it is so very cool to be doing this weight loss / exercise thingie (AKA: swift kick in the rear) with Natalie and her gals. I am convinced that she is where I would have been if I had learned the facts about cruddy food and quit eating McDonald's and started moving even as early as 5 or 6 years ago. Below is what I was asked by the American Heart Association to share which was then sent out to the AHA's list of survivors to inspire them to share their story with others, and then below that is my survivors story for the American Heart association Heartwalk as of a few weeks ago. (Lets all do the 3.5 mile Heartwalk this fall!!!) The only update is that I had my 3rd nuclear stress test last Wednesday and I am delighted to say, this is the first time that it has been a good report for such a test! The first two times I had the test I then went into heart surgery. This time, I am cleared for walking and I do not need another angiogram!! So, I am one motivated mama. That, and I have this idea that I want to learn to ride a motorcycle someday and first my butt has to fit on the seat....(cue Harley noise and Born to Be Wild music...)
Love, Jenny
"Dear Heart Disease Survivor,
As a heart disease survivor personally affected by the work of the American Heart Association, I want to make sure that everyone knows their risks for cardiovascular disease so they can prevent it before a dormant case is fatal. I share my story through the AHA all the time, and my involvement gives me a connection to other survivors and individuals dedicated to the cause of preventing heart disease and stroke.
At an annual women's retreat in March 2007, I spent the whole retreat having meals with one particular woman. She was keenly aware of her own eating while watching me make healthy choices - all weekend long! She is a professional comedian, so these meals were cause for much humor, but the information being exchanged was very real. Looking at me from behind a white bread roll with thick butter slathered on it, she would say, "I'm gonna die right?" I would respond, "Well, you could get a bread spread with plant sterols in it and eat a whole grain roll and you could live!"
I did everything I could to educated her with honesty and grace about the way saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol affect the heart and arteries, and the great benefit of exercise. After that retreat I heard from a mutual friend that this woman made major changes to her eating habits the very next day. I saw her again in March 2008 and she had turned everything around in her life, lost 54 pounds, and her numbers are much improved. She is now my inspiration and proof that education will save a life.
As a fellow survivor I urge you to share your own story. Sharing my story helps keep me on the path of constant heart health improvement because it gives greater meaning to what I have been through. Sharing your story can prevent others from suffering from heart disease, stroke and death. Education is key to survival. To share your story, email the Heart Walk Team at king.walk@heart.org.
-Jenny Wiswell
Read more about Jenny's battle with heart disease:
Welcome to the Heart Walk Survivor Page
Our featured survivor is Jenny Wiswell. Take a minute to read her story and learn more about why she participates in the Puget Sound Heart Walk. Throughout the coming months, survivors and their stories will be featured on this webpage. Please visit frequently to remember those we walk for.
Jenny Wiswell's Story:
In October 2005 I started having premature ventricular contractions. I was put on medication and made some changes to my habits, but not enough. In the process of preparing the for 2006 Puget Sound Heart Walk, I became much more heart aware and I believe this saved my life.
On October 2, 2006 I woke up at 7:00 a.m. with a sharp shooting pain under my left arm that came and went, with a feeling of pressure on my chest. I thought I might have pulled a muscle but I felt weird. Walking across a room made me very tired. I monitored my blood pressure, which was a bit high, and by 4:00 p.m. I drove myself to the ER.
I told every care provider that almost every woman in my family had died of either a stroke or a heart attack by the age of 43. Still, it took nine days to correctly diagnose me because no one thought it was that bad. During the weekend I was supposed to be at the Heart Walk with my Spacelabs Healthcare team, I was instead waiting for my angiogram and eating nitroglycerin for chest pain. My co-workers got me a survivor?s hat at the Heart Walk and walked in my honor.
My angiogram showed I had a 75% blockage at the top of my left main artery, the kind of blockage known as the "widow maker." If the blockage had grown to 100% or if the plaque buildup had ruptured, I would have died immediately of a massive heart attack. That same night I had double bypass surgery. The following summer, with my heart beating strong, I was able to hike to the top of Rattlesnake Ridge in North Bend, a four-mile round trip with a thousand feet of elevation gain!
By October 2007 I started having very mild chest pain again when I walked up a hill. I went to see my cardiologist and learned that part of my heart was not getting enough oxygen. It turned out that one of bypass grafts had failed, and this time I had surgery to implant a stent which open up the original blockage in my heart. Three days later I was at 2007 Puget Sound Heart Walk!
I then developed pneumonia and have since learned that I also have sleep apnea and anemia, both of which put additional stress on my heart. Correcting these conditions is part of my recovery package, and I will never again not be a heart disease patient.
The most important things for me to know were my family history, knowing the warning signs for women, and acting on them. I should have called for help earlier, and I am very blessed to have survived.
Know your numbers! I knew my numbers before surgery, but I did not understand them nor did I understand the importance of making those numbers healthier. I still am not where I want to be, but I am healthier than I have been in over 20 years, and I feel 10 years younger! I did not know that 40-year-olds felt this good!
Please don?t wait to undergo a major heart procedure to make life saving changes to your diet, exercise, and lifestyle. My cardiologist said it probably took 20 years for my plaque blockage to build up. The last thing you want to do is to spend a few hours on a hospital bed, not being allowed to move, knowing that you will soon have your chest opened up and your heart stopped for four hours while it is repaired. Moving from disbelief to acceptance is an excruciating process. Pay attention; your life will depend on it."
Some of you know I am a heart disease survivor, but I wanted to share why it is so very cool to be doing this weight loss / exercise thingie (AKA: swift kick in the rear) with Natalie and her gals. I am convinced that she is where I would have been if I had learned the facts about cruddy food and quit eating McDonald's and started moving even as early as 5 or 6 years ago. Below is what I was asked by the American Heart Association to share which was then sent out to the AHA's list of survivors to inspire them to share their story with others, and then below that is my survivors story for the American Heart association Heartwalk as of a few weeks ago. (Lets all do the 3.5 mile Heartwalk this fall!!!) The only update is that I had my 3rd nuclear stress test last Wednesday and I am delighted to say, this is the first time that it has been a good report for such a test! The first two times I had the test I then went into heart surgery. This time, I am cleared for walking and I do not need another angiogram!! So, I am one motivated mama. That, and I have this idea that I want to learn to ride a motorcycle someday and first my butt has to fit on the seat....(cue Harley noise and Born to Be Wild music...)
Love, Jenny
"Dear Heart Disease Survivor,
As a heart disease survivor personally affected by the work of the American Heart Association, I want to make sure that everyone knows their risks for cardiovascular disease so they can prevent it before a dormant case is fatal. I share my story through the AHA all the time, and my involvement gives me a connection to other survivors and individuals dedicated to the cause of preventing heart disease and stroke.
At an annual women's retreat in March 2007, I spent the whole retreat having meals with one particular woman. She was keenly aware of her own eating while watching me make healthy choices - all weekend long! She is a professional comedian, so these meals were cause for much humor, but the information being exchanged was very real. Looking at me from behind a white bread roll with thick butter slathered on it, she would say, "I'm gonna die right?" I would respond, "Well, you could get a bread spread with plant sterols in it and eat a whole grain roll and you could live!"
I did everything I could to educated her with honesty and grace about the way saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol affect the heart and arteries, and the great benefit of exercise. After that retreat I heard from a mutual friend that this woman made major changes to her eating habits the very next day. I saw her again in March 2008 and she had turned everything around in her life, lost 54 pounds, and her numbers are much improved. She is now my inspiration and proof that education will save a life.
As a fellow survivor I urge you to share your own story. Sharing my story helps keep me on the path of constant heart health improvement because it gives greater meaning to what I have been through. Sharing your story can prevent others from suffering from heart disease, stroke and death. Education is key to survival. To share your story, email the Heart Walk Team at king.walk@heart.org.
-Jenny Wiswell
Read more about Jenny's battle with heart disease:
Welcome to the Heart Walk Survivor Page
Our featured survivor is Jenny Wiswell. Take a minute to read her story and learn more about why she participates in the Puget Sound Heart Walk. Throughout the coming months, survivors and their stories will be featured on this webpage. Please visit frequently to remember those we walk for.
Jenny Wiswell's Story:
In October 2005 I started having premature ventricular contractions. I was put on medication and made some changes to my habits, but not enough. In the process of preparing the for 2006 Puget Sound Heart Walk, I became much more heart aware and I believe this saved my life.
On October 2, 2006 I woke up at 7:00 a.m. with a sharp shooting pain under my left arm that came and went, with a feeling of pressure on my chest. I thought I might have pulled a muscle but I felt weird. Walking across a room made me very tired. I monitored my blood pressure, which was a bit high, and by 4:00 p.m. I drove myself to the ER.
I told every care provider that almost every woman in my family had died of either a stroke or a heart attack by the age of 43. Still, it took nine days to correctly diagnose me because no one thought it was that bad. During the weekend I was supposed to be at the Heart Walk with my Spacelabs Healthcare team, I was instead waiting for my angiogram and eating nitroglycerin for chest pain. My co-workers got me a survivor?s hat at the Heart Walk and walked in my honor.
My angiogram showed I had a 75% blockage at the top of my left main artery, the kind of blockage known as the "widow maker." If the blockage had grown to 100% or if the plaque buildup had ruptured, I would have died immediately of a massive heart attack. That same night I had double bypass surgery. The following summer, with my heart beating strong, I was able to hike to the top of Rattlesnake Ridge in North Bend, a four-mile round trip with a thousand feet of elevation gain!
By October 2007 I started having very mild chest pain again when I walked up a hill. I went to see my cardiologist and learned that part of my heart was not getting enough oxygen. It turned out that one of bypass grafts had failed, and this time I had surgery to implant a stent which open up the original blockage in my heart. Three days later I was at 2007 Puget Sound Heart Walk!
I then developed pneumonia and have since learned that I also have sleep apnea and anemia, both of which put additional stress on my heart. Correcting these conditions is part of my recovery package, and I will never again not be a heart disease patient.
The most important things for me to know were my family history, knowing the warning signs for women, and acting on them. I should have called for help earlier, and I am very blessed to have survived.
Know your numbers! I knew my numbers before surgery, but I did not understand them nor did I understand the importance of making those numbers healthier. I still am not where I want to be, but I am healthier than I have been in over 20 years, and I feel 10 years younger! I did not know that 40-year-olds felt this good!
Please don?t wait to undergo a major heart procedure to make life saving changes to your diet, exercise, and lifestyle. My cardiologist said it probably took 20 years for my plaque blockage to build up. The last thing you want to do is to spend a few hours on a hospital bed, not being allowed to move, knowing that you will soon have your chest opened up and your heart stopped for four hours while it is repaired. Moving from disbelief to acceptance is an excruciating process. Pay attention; your life will depend on it."
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