Six Month Assessment

I went to see Cindy, my HealthPlex Wellness Coach, yesterday for my six month assessment. She was very pleased with the results and so was I. As you can see I lost more weight and all of the other numbers are down which is a good thing. I’m finding it harder to lose weight now that I don’t have as much to lose. But as Cindy said "It will be done."

Initial assessment March 2009:
weight=222
BMI = 36
Body Fat = 34.5%
BP = 129/59

6 Month assessment Sept. 2009:
weight= 208
BMI = 34
Body Fat = 31%
BP = 117/57

Six month assessment shows a 3.5% decrease in Body Fat, decrease in BMI of 2 points.

Cindy wrote me an email:

I recommend changing your program (back to more weight training) to surge toward your goal of weight under 200.
It will be done!!

Great job in your accomplishment of coming off meds!!

I'm here when you need me,

Cindy

Good News From The Doctor

I went to the doctor for a regular checkup Tuesday and had blood test done at that time. The doctor was very happy with the progress that I have made with the weight loss. After she examined me she said I could quit taking the acid reflux pills and I could take the alleve only as needed for pain. The best news came on wednesday. My blood test came back and the doctor said that I could stop taking the blood sugar medicine. She said that I should be able to control the blood sugar with diet and exercise. I go back to the doctor in two months and at that time she is going to see if she can reduce the dosage of my cholesterol medicine. I was taking a big handful of pills and they are slowly getting less and less.

Deep/Yoga Flow

I have had a hard time losing weight recently so I thought that I would try something different. On Thursday mornings I started a new class. It is called Deep/Yoga Flow. It starts out with exercises in the deep water for a half hour and then we go to the warm water pool for stretching and balance for the second half hour. What a combination. After that class I do the hydro rider class which is the bicycles in the water. After doing the yoga flow it seems like it is easier to do the hydro rider class. I’m now going to the gym four days a week instead of three but the weight is starting to come off again.

Our Trip to the Drive-In

We went to the drive-in Saturday for the first time in forty years. We went with the other members of the motorcycle club. It is one of the scheduled events that they do every year but in past years we had other things to do.

Clarence got on line and checked to see what kind of snacks they had to offer at the drive-in and found out that we could not have anything on their menu. He also found out that they didn’t want you to bring food or drinks into the drive-in. He emailed the owners of the drive-in and told them the situation and that the only way that we could attend is if we could bring our own snacks. They replied the next day and said they understood and that we could bring our own.

I took celery, radishes, carrots, apples and a couple bottles of water. We try to plan ahead before we go anywhere. If we are going out to eat we check the menu online before we go so we can make the best choices and we know what we are going to order before we get there.

What a difference a year and a half makes!

I have made a lifestyle change to lose the weight and what a change it has made to my lifestyle. A year and a half ago I had to use my mobility scooter to go shopping. I couldn’t walk any distance at all. I have bone spurs and bulging disc in my back and walking & standing was very painful. I still can’t walk any distance but I don’t need a mobility scooter to go grocery shopping or shop at the mall. Sometimes at the mall if there is a lot of walking I have to sit down and rest for a few minutes. I think it’s called shop until you drop. I can do a lot more with the motorcycle club that I couldn’t before. It always upset me when I couldn’t find clothes that looked good on me. Now I’m getting my figure back and things look a lot better on me. I used to sit in the recliner while Clarence did all of the housework and the cooking. It made me feel bad that I couldn’t help out. My knees and back hurt so bad that I couldn’t do anything. Now we each have chores around the house. I also found out that I can take the heat a lot better. When it was hot outside I had to stay in the house. We have been going and going and going this year. We get back from one trip and start planning the next one. Last year I didn’t want to go anywhere because I was miserable and didn’t enjoy myself. I still have another 40 lbs to lose and it is getting harder but with everyones help and support I will lose it. This is not a journey that I have taken by myself.

Hip Hip Hurray

My hips must be getting smaller. I’m finally down to a size 14 jeans. My 16s were getting baggy so we went to the mall and I tried on a size 14. I was so happy that they fit. It has taken a few months and a lot of hard work. The trips that we have been taking recently haven’t helped either. It is really hard to eat right when you go on trips. I’m also happy to report that our trip to Cowan Lake for my birthday was very nice and I didn’t gain any weight.

I’m Only Human

Last week Clarence and I celebrated our 48th wedding anniversary. We decided that we were going to eat whatever we wanted on our anniversary. We had steak, baked sweet potato, dinner rolls and blackberry cobbler with ice cream for desert. I ate a lot more than I should have but it was a special occasion and as I said before it is o.k. I also didn’t exercise for the four days that we were gone. We ate a lot of fruits and vegetables and lean meat the other three days but didn’t exercise. The key is to eat right and exercise. You have to do both. I gained two or three pounds but some of it is water weight. I’m now back on my regular routine and the weight is starting to come off again. We are leaving again next week for four days but we plan to eat right and exercise.