I've kept up this blog for a year and a half now as I have sought to lose weight and become healthier. It has been a marvelous way for me to record my journey, to see where I've been and how far I've come. I really do re-read this thing all the time, and it brings tears to my eyes to read about my life and what support I have from some very dear people in my life. I have very much appreciated all the words of support, encouragement, and love from all of my friends, and even a few strangers, along the way. Please keep it up--you help me more than you know.
Well, just an FYI: I will be temporarily changing the focus of this blog, because weight loss is suddenly no longer a priority. In fact, I'm going to need to gain weight over the next 6 months or so...all for a good cause (it's even doctor-ordered!). I had no idea the Lord would hear my wish/desire from two years ago and realize my dream so quickly, but He did. And I couldn't be happier!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Glucose and Lipid Screening
Thanks to everyone for your advice on my last post. I haven't yet had the chance to implement any of the changes I want to make, but I will! It's hard during the week when I get from work and just want to rest. I hope to make a good shopping list and get some healthy stuff this weekend.
I had a glucose and lipid screening a couple weeks ago at my work. I love that they have these occasional health assessments--and best of all, they're free! So how did I do, you ask? Well, let me tell you. I did this same screening last year (almost to the date--last year it was March 30th, this year March 27th), so I'll compare the two.
Okay, so first off, my blood pressure: Normal is 120/80. Last year? 136/88. This year? 114/76. Yeah, baby!
Glucose level: Normal is between 65 and 100. Last year? 90. This year? 78. Beautiful.
Cholesterol: Less than 200 is good. Last year? 187. This year? 139. I'd say I'm good, then.
Triglycerides: Desired range is less than 150. Last year? 225. This year? 61. AWESOME.
HDL: Desired range is over 40. Last year? 34. This year? 56. Yep.
LDL: Desired is less than 130. Last year? 108. This year? 71. Hooray!
So, guess what, everybody? I HAD COMPLETELY NORMAL BLOODWORK. At least, it looks normal to me. I'm getting these results just from a piece of paper from the Health Center. They haven't been reviewed by anyone, and printout says "it is your responsibility to share the results with your physician and to follow up about what the results mean and anything you should do about them." I think I'll just bring these the next time I see a doctor and see what she thinks. But like I said, it looks good to me, so I'm not worried.
I named this blog "My Pursuit of Health" for a reason. It's never been about how much weight I could lose--I mean, that's an important part, and I have really enjoyed the benefits (and you all are so sweet with all your compliments! Whenever I have a bad day, I just come here and read all the nice things my friends say about me...cheers me up in no time), but my reason for doing what I did is to get HEALTHY. Just because you have a normal weight doesn't mean you're healthy. That's why I like to look at these kinds of results. I'm still overweight (working on it!), but those numbers don't lie. Those are healthy ranges and I am beyond thrilled to see them. It's been a long journey, and I can only hope to continue on this path and keep seeing these types of numbers for the rest of my life.
I had a glucose and lipid screening a couple weeks ago at my work. I love that they have these occasional health assessments--and best of all, they're free! So how did I do, you ask? Well, let me tell you. I did this same screening last year (almost to the date--last year it was March 30th, this year March 27th), so I'll compare the two.
Okay, so first off, my blood pressure: Normal is 120/80. Last year? 136/88. This year? 114/76. Yeah, baby!
Glucose level: Normal is between 65 and 100. Last year? 90. This year? 78. Beautiful.
Cholesterol: Less than 200 is good. Last year? 187. This year? 139. I'd say I'm good, then.
Triglycerides: Desired range is less than 150. Last year? 225. This year? 61. AWESOME.
HDL: Desired range is over 40. Last year? 34. This year? 56. Yep.
LDL: Desired is less than 130. Last year? 108. This year? 71. Hooray!
So, guess what, everybody? I HAD COMPLETELY NORMAL BLOODWORK. At least, it looks normal to me. I'm getting these results just from a piece of paper from the Health Center. They haven't been reviewed by anyone, and printout says "it is your responsibility to share the results with your physician and to follow up about what the results mean and anything you should do about them." I think I'll just bring these the next time I see a doctor and see what she thinks. But like I said, it looks good to me, so I'm not worried.
I named this blog "My Pursuit of Health" for a reason. It's never been about how much weight I could lose--I mean, that's an important part, and I have really enjoyed the benefits (and you all are so sweet with all your compliments! Whenever I have a bad day, I just come here and read all the nice things my friends say about me...cheers me up in no time), but my reason for doing what I did is to get HEALTHY. Just because you have a normal weight doesn't mean you're healthy. That's why I like to look at these kinds of results. I'm still overweight (working on it!), but those numbers don't lie. Those are healthy ranges and I am beyond thrilled to see them. It's been a long journey, and I can only hope to continue on this path and keep seeing these types of numbers for the rest of my life.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Food
My relationship with food has changed a lot over the past 16 months. Of course, that's a given when you go through something like I have. But it's still weird to think about. I mean, I never used to worry about what I would order when I went to a fast food place or a restaurant--there was always SOMEthing I knew I could eat. Now, that's totally different. I find myself checking menus online, analyzing the size and the carb/protein content to get the best bang for my buck. I'm still not used to it.
But I've noticed a difference over the past little while. I can tolerate a lot more than I used to. I mean, I'm still far away from being able to eat a plate of spaghetti (I don't think I'll ever get back to that point--noodles just aren't my friend anymore), but I actually had a grilled cheese sandwich the other day. I ripped off the crust and it took me at least 20 minutes to eat it, but it was tasty. I think I'm going to look into getting some low carb bread. Pretty sure it's available somewhere.
I think I need to be more creative with what I eat. I find myself making poor choices when I don't plan ahead. I mean, I'm still not overeating--believe me, it's almost impossible for me to overeat because of how sensitive my pouch is--but instead of eating the protein-rich chicken or fish, I'll have some peanut butter crackers or something like that. Still very small amounts, but I need to focus more on getting the protein that my body needs. And the veggies--lettuce is hard to digest sometimes, so salads are unfortunately not the best option, but I find that cucumbers are quite tasty. I guess I'm kinda like my son in that way--or he's kinda like me. I love cucumbers and Catalina dressing. So tasty.
Anyway, so I hereby resolve to look up some more wieght-loss-surgery-friendly recipes. I know of one blog, bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com, that has some very intriguing recipes on there--the hard part is just buckling down, actually buying the ingredients, and taking the time to make it! It's difficult finding the motivation for something like that when you work full-time, you have a family, and you have another job from home in the evenings. I just hate spending the two hours I get with my son every day cooking my dinner. It's so much easier to grab something ready-made. But I shouldn't do that anymore. Maybe I should find some crock pot recipes...anyway. Just thinking out loud here.
This is my resolve to be better. I am holding myself accountable and asking you to do the same! Thanks for all your support!
But I've noticed a difference over the past little while. I can tolerate a lot more than I used to. I mean, I'm still far away from being able to eat a plate of spaghetti (I don't think I'll ever get back to that point--noodles just aren't my friend anymore), but I actually had a grilled cheese sandwich the other day. I ripped off the crust and it took me at least 20 minutes to eat it, but it was tasty. I think I'm going to look into getting some low carb bread. Pretty sure it's available somewhere.
I think I need to be more creative with what I eat. I find myself making poor choices when I don't plan ahead. I mean, I'm still not overeating--believe me, it's almost impossible for me to overeat because of how sensitive my pouch is--but instead of eating the protein-rich chicken or fish, I'll have some peanut butter crackers or something like that. Still very small amounts, but I need to focus more on getting the protein that my body needs. And the veggies--lettuce is hard to digest sometimes, so salads are unfortunately not the best option, but I find that cucumbers are quite tasty. I guess I'm kinda like my son in that way--or he's kinda like me. I love cucumbers and Catalina dressing. So tasty.
Anyway, so I hereby resolve to look up some more wieght-loss-surgery-friendly recipes. I know of one blog, bariatricfoodie.blogspot.com, that has some very intriguing recipes on there--the hard part is just buckling down, actually buying the ingredients, and taking the time to make it! It's difficult finding the motivation for something like that when you work full-time, you have a family, and you have another job from home in the evenings. I just hate spending the two hours I get with my son every day cooking my dinner. It's so much easier to grab something ready-made. But I shouldn't do that anymore. Maybe I should find some crock pot recipes...anyway. Just thinking out loud here.
This is my resolve to be better. I am holding myself accountable and asking you to do the same! Thanks for all your support!
Monday, April 2, 2012
I feel pretty :)
So, I wore a dress to church the other day. I actually felt confident enough in it to not even wear a cardigan to cover my arms or my midsection. That is a huge accomplishment for me. Of course I had to take pictures to document it. Please forgive the messiness in the background and focus on the confident woman in the foreground :)
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