I was kind of astounded yesterday when I realized it has ONLY been ten weeks since I started the Medifast/Take Shape for Life program. It seems like a lot longer. I guess that means it is becoming a habit for me.
So, on Monday I had my 8 week update at the physical therapy gym. I had an overall very good report. Of course they documented my weight loss since I've been at the gym, but they also did the measuring and the strength tests. I lost approximately 3 inches from the "big three" areas (each) and approximately one and a half inches from things like arms, calves, etc. So this was good. My upper body strength improved, so now I am at the 84 percentile. My flexibility remained good. One sort of odd thing was my resting heart rate was the same as two months ago. This is an area that seemed to me to have improved. But, Adrienne said it could have been because I came in and was exercising before we did the evaluation.
I still have two weeks to go until the 12 week "three month" mark and I am so close to my mini goal weight loss of 40 pounds by October 27 that I have decided to up that goal to 45 pounds. We'll see....
I tried a couple of new Medifast products in the last couple of weeks: Mango soft serve ( kind of like a cross between a slushy and soft ice cream). Assessment: good flavor, but I'm too lazy to make it since you have to "shave" the ice first (laugh). Chili. Assessment: yuck! poor flavor, which I tried to fix by adding chili powder and then adding a little tomato sauce, but neither helped. It only emphasized the texture, which I could take the "al dente" tiny kidney beans, but the rest was like mush-- or cat food. What a disappointment because I love chili! Cinnamon pretzels sticks (yes, these are a "meal.") Assessment; YUM! and.. they are PORTABLE. I don;t have to "make" them!!! yeaaaaaaa!
On Tuesday night I had my overnight heart monitor check. Everything seems to be in place and working correctly, but they told me I had slightly elevated fluid levels. While they said this was nothing to worry about, I decided I wanted to be checked out, particularly with the weight loss since maybe it means a change in medication. So I have an appointment with the doctor who installed my ICD next Thursday. I've had a couple of quirky things occur recently and I just think it is best to be looked at. Examples of what is going on: my heart rate spiked twice while I was at the gym. Once last Thursday to 126 and once today to 161!! (yikes.. was this a mistake???) My blood pressure seemed high so I had it checked at school-- right after the doctor's office told me the results. It was higher than its' been. However, when I checked it at home last night, it was back in the nice range that it has been in. So, now I am a little paranoid and put my hear rate monitor on when I got home tonight. I'll wear it to work tomorrow too. It has been between 67 and 83 while I've been typing this ( boringly normal!) Also, I have been dizzy a few times when I bent down to pick something up (this could be caused by my medications, which say it right on them). AND I have gotten hot and sweaty for no reason. Once on the evening before the heart monitor check.
Now, another factor is that I have gone off my hormone replacement medicine and I have been having hot flashes all the time (at least that's what I think they are). I had been slowly working my way off for about a year and finally finished with it in August or September. So.. although my doctor's office said too much salt or other things could affect the fluid rate, I will feel better going in and getting the once over.
Now for some other news. I have decided to join my friend and her husband for a trip in December and January. We're going to Spain (and taking a side trip to northern Africa). We will leave Dec. 30, spend New Year's Eve in Madrid, and then head to the (classy) Costa del Sol vacation spot on the Mediterranean, Marbella. They are "treating" me to a space in their time share at Marbella, which is very nice and cuts down on the cost. We'll stay there for a week and do some day trips, including Gibraltar and taking a ferry across the Mediterranean to Tangiers--or wherever) We're thinking of going to Granada and Toledo as well, but we will plan more carefully later. We'll head back home on January 11. So.. it took me several days after they invited me to decide to go. Taking 7 school days off was a consideration and we tried to see about getting me home earlier, but it just seemed too complicated. I will also miss mom's birthday! But, now I am booked and all we have to do is extra planning. There is just one more problem: no habla Espanol!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
9 Weeks...
So, you thought I made it over a hurdle and I'd have smooth sailing this week? That was not to be. Sunday and Monday went pretty well. I had missed my exercise day last Thursday, since there was torrential rain, so I did get back into it on Monday. On Tuesday, I had a dinner out to attend. I had looked at the menu online and saw I was in trouble. The place was trios, a place I enjoyed before Medifast, but now I noticed their menu was big on fried stuff, burgers, sandwiches, and pizza. ALL of the appetizers were off limits, so I couldn't even rely on those. Except for the house salad, all the specialty salads were no-nos. Okay. I had to think creatively. I ordered a house salad not dressing ( I brought my own), and a turkey burger, no bun, no chips, etc. This worked out well, even though I'm sure the turkey burger was NOT made from 99% FF. Now, this led into a day where I was running a workshop all day, which included breakfast and lunch and then was heading to my great niece's second birthday dinner.
Here's how I handled THAT: I had a medifast shake in the morning. The breakfast I ordered was scones and cheese. Working with the district caterer, I was able to get low-fat cheeses, so I could have a piece of that! I had a tropical punch at break time. Then lunch came. I had given participants a choice of two entrees, one of which I could eat. Some people had Cuban sandwiches, red potato salad, and fresh veggies. Others (and Me) had Salmon Caesar Salad. I had asked for mine with no carrots, but I forgot to ask them to leave out and "side dishes." I was dismayed to see that wonderful red potato salad in my "container." I resisted the urge to try it, but successfully, although regretfully, disposed of it all after I finished my salad. I also successfully ignored the fabulous soft bread sticks provided with the salad!
Since I had not ordered dessert, I bought frosting covered brownies and sugar cookies for everyone else. Why was I buying things *I* like to eat???? Worse yet, there were leftovers. I packed them up in my presentation box and decided I would either take them into the party or put the in the faculty room the next day. Unbelievably, they made it the whole way through the night in my car and then to the faculty room.
My nephew had made some great barbeque and there was a WHITE sheet cake! I resisted those, for the most part and had some cucumber and tomatoes with the dressing I had brought along for lunch and I was encouraged that morning when I got on the scale and had lost a couple more pounds, so I was able to resist pretty well. I had brought a medifast crab soup, so I made that and when everyone had cake, I ate a Medifast brownie I had ready to go.
Oddly, after I got over my second month need to turn all the Medifast into something else, I am now eating a lot of "pure" Medifast. I have also been very busy, so I don't really have the time to make different things. We'll see what happens as I progress!
Here's how I handled THAT: I had a medifast shake in the morning. The breakfast I ordered was scones and cheese. Working with the district caterer, I was able to get low-fat cheeses, so I could have a piece of that! I had a tropical punch at break time. Then lunch came. I had given participants a choice of two entrees, one of which I could eat. Some people had Cuban sandwiches, red potato salad, and fresh veggies. Others (and Me) had Salmon Caesar Salad. I had asked for mine with no carrots, but I forgot to ask them to leave out and "side dishes." I was dismayed to see that wonderful red potato salad in my "container." I resisted the urge to try it, but successfully, although regretfully, disposed of it all after I finished my salad. I also successfully ignored the fabulous soft bread sticks provided with the salad!
Since I had not ordered dessert, I bought frosting covered brownies and sugar cookies for everyone else. Why was I buying things *I* like to eat???? Worse yet, there were leftovers. I packed them up in my presentation box and decided I would either take them into the party or put the in the faculty room the next day. Unbelievably, they made it the whole way through the night in my car and then to the faculty room.
My nephew had made some great barbeque and there was a WHITE sheet cake! I resisted those, for the most part and had some cucumber and tomatoes with the dressing I had brought along for lunch and I was encouraged that morning when I got on the scale and had lost a couple more pounds, so I was able to resist pretty well. I had brought a medifast crab soup, so I made that and when everyone had cake, I ate a Medifast brownie I had ready to go.
Oddly, after I got over my second month need to turn all the Medifast into something else, I am now eating a lot of "pure" Medifast. I have also been very busy, so I don't really have the time to make different things. We'll see what happens as I progress!
Made it Through Some More Challenges
Well, camping out in a tent did prove to have its challenges! I ate my normal Medifast meals during the day on Friday and then joined my sister and her husband for the ride to Lock Haven. I brought a "meal" along for the ride. A couple hours later, when we got close to the place where we would camp, we found a Ruby Tuesday's to have dinner. Although I was prepared with a sandwich with bread made from Medifast soup, I decided I could do a plain meat and salad meal. I ordered the salad bar, so I could pick my own items and order a petite sirloin with grilled asparagus and green beans, which they nicely substituted for the potato ( I DO miss potatoes!). Then we settled in for the (cold) night. Later, when I logged my food into my Lose It app, I realized I had eaten much more food than usual that day, and didn't have any formal exercise to "trade off" the calories. However, when I say I was "way over" my limit, my total calories were 1150. I usually stay in the 800 range. I didn't quite realize this at first, though, since all I noticed was that RED "over" number of 315!
So I tried not to be too affected and determined I would concentrate better on Saturday, eating my pre-prepared Medifast meals and trying to get a healthy and lower calorie Lean and Green. After mt brother in law set off on his 26 mile MegaTransect race, my sister and I set off geocahing. We left about 8 AM and came back to watch my brother in law finish about 2:30. Luckily for me, the caching got us out walking and hiking. What beautiful places there are in the Lock Haven/Montour area! I was happy to note that during all this, my back was not hurting like it had been the last several months with any exertion.
I started the morning with a medifast brownie I had baked and kept on ice. I found these are much better baked, and better still when kept cold. In the car during our travels I had a Mint Chocolate Bar. mid morning. At Lunch time, I broke into the cooler and made myself a ham and cheese sandwich-- Cream of Broccoli Soup, made into a bagel-like round, cut in half with lean mean and reduced fat cheese. Polished if off with a diet Dr. Pepper. This was working well and gave me some hope that my four days out of town later in the month will work out okay.
Back at the race there was food everywhere-- pizza, grilled hot dogs, platters of cheese and crackers, fresh veggies, fruit, and cookies. Plus free beer, soda and water. Okay. This was hard. I do crave a slice of GOOD, real pizza even though my "fake" pizza attempts are somewhat satisfying. Since I wasn't at home, nor had the luxury of a stove or microwave, I couldn't just make myself a fake pizza. So, after sitting around surrounded by this food for a while, I decided it was time to go back to the tent, get into my cooler and put together a salad. So, I did this, ( I had cut up cucumber. peppers, tomatoes and put them in individual container, so all I had to do was combine them) adding a bit of protein left over from my lunch. I had my favorite Newman's Own Light Sundried Tomato dressing. I took this back to the food area and enjoyed it. ( and I DID enjoy it!)
So now it was time to take down the tent and head home. My brother in law had finished this grueling race in 8 hours and 8 minutes and wanted to head home. My sister and I weren't done caching yet so off we set (about 5pm) and did several more caches, some in the area, and some on the way back. This gave me more exercise and I was pleased to be able to climb a pretty steep hill, make it up, and not be breathless at the top.
On the way home, we stopped and McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts. While the others enjoyed treats from these places, I had another sandwich, this time made from Cream of Chicken Soup and London broil and thin Chicken breast slices. I was satisfied. Got home about 10:30.
With all the walking and hiking, which I estimated conservatively, I ended up 385 calories "to spare" so it ended that I was about equal for those two days!
On Sunday, I was trying to get back on track!
So I tried not to be too affected and determined I would concentrate better on Saturday, eating my pre-prepared Medifast meals and trying to get a healthy and lower calorie Lean and Green. After mt brother in law set off on his 26 mile MegaTransect race, my sister and I set off geocahing. We left about 8 AM and came back to watch my brother in law finish about 2:30. Luckily for me, the caching got us out walking and hiking. What beautiful places there are in the Lock Haven/Montour area! I was happy to note that during all this, my back was not hurting like it had been the last several months with any exertion.
I started the morning with a medifast brownie I had baked and kept on ice. I found these are much better baked, and better still when kept cold. In the car during our travels I had a Mint Chocolate Bar. mid morning. At Lunch time, I broke into the cooler and made myself a ham and cheese sandwich-- Cream of Broccoli Soup, made into a bagel-like round, cut in half with lean mean and reduced fat cheese. Polished if off with a diet Dr. Pepper. This was working well and gave me some hope that my four days out of town later in the month will work out okay.
Back at the race there was food everywhere-- pizza, grilled hot dogs, platters of cheese and crackers, fresh veggies, fruit, and cookies. Plus free beer, soda and water. Okay. This was hard. I do crave a slice of GOOD, real pizza even though my "fake" pizza attempts are somewhat satisfying. Since I wasn't at home, nor had the luxury of a stove or microwave, I couldn't just make myself a fake pizza. So, after sitting around surrounded by this food for a while, I decided it was time to go back to the tent, get into my cooler and put together a salad. So, I did this, ( I had cut up cucumber. peppers, tomatoes and put them in individual container, so all I had to do was combine them) adding a bit of protein left over from my lunch. I had my favorite Newman's Own Light Sundried Tomato dressing. I took this back to the food area and enjoyed it. ( and I DID enjoy it!)
So now it was time to take down the tent and head home. My brother in law had finished this grueling race in 8 hours and 8 minutes and wanted to head home. My sister and I weren't done caching yet so off we set (about 5pm) and did several more caches, some in the area, and some on the way back. This gave me more exercise and I was pleased to be able to climb a pretty steep hill, make it up, and not be breathless at the top.
On the way home, we stopped and McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts. While the others enjoyed treats from these places, I had another sandwich, this time made from Cream of Chicken Soup and London broil and thin Chicken breast slices. I was satisfied. Got home about 10:30.
With all the walking and hiking, which I estimated conservatively, I ended up 385 calories "to spare" so it ended that I was about equal for those two days!
On Sunday, I was trying to get back on track!
My 8 Week Anniversary
So, today marked 8 weeks that I have been on the Medifast Take Shape for Life Plan. I know you are wondering if I made my mini-goal of 30 pounds by my second month. Yes, in fact, I lost 32! I think this is pretty good since I have been much busier this month and have not been watching as closely.
I have had some more challenges and face more ahead. This really gives me a picture of what my life is like and how difficult it is to stay on any program. This past Tuesday was another geocaching get together. We met a JoBoy's Brew Pub. The ONLY thing on the menu I could eat was steamed collard greens! No kidding, they didn't even have salad! So I had that and a diet coke ( which WASN'T on the menu, but luckily they had. Then Andy's birthday rolled around over the weekend. I thought carefully about what I could have and how I might "fake" a cake for myself. I ended up making the crockpot chili cauliflower soup again, then serving seared scallops and shrimp etouffe with a "make your own" salad and asparagus. For the cake, I made cottage pudding with nutmeg sauce for Andy and Patty and made a similar version for myself from Medifast Pudding and a Vanilla Shake mix. My sauce was made from Splenda and spray butter instead of the "full octane" sauce. It was pretty good.
My next challenge was a surprise. I got sick! I had some sort of virus and it was hard to get any food down, let alone the 6 meals I was supposed to have. I only made 5 and I had Medifast chicken noodle soup for breakfast! The next day I felt pretty much better, so I got back on track.
Now I am preparing for my next challenge: the camping/caching weekend with Laurie and Gene. Since we won't have electricity (although I understand we now have a generator from Bill) I have planned 10-12 no-cook meals. I will make some things ahead tomorrow night and put things together when I am ready to eat. Other things can just be mixed with water. I will need an entire cooler for two days! Of course, if we stop somewhere to eat, there may be things I can buy, so I won't feel deprived and who knows, there may be more out there than I expect. But--- just in case-- I'll be ready. I'll let you know how it goes!
I have had some more challenges and face more ahead. This really gives me a picture of what my life is like and how difficult it is to stay on any program. This past Tuesday was another geocaching get together. We met a JoBoy's Brew Pub. The ONLY thing on the menu I could eat was steamed collard greens! No kidding, they didn't even have salad! So I had that and a diet coke ( which WASN'T on the menu, but luckily they had. Then Andy's birthday rolled around over the weekend. I thought carefully about what I could have and how I might "fake" a cake for myself. I ended up making the crockpot chili cauliflower soup again, then serving seared scallops and shrimp etouffe with a "make your own" salad and asparagus. For the cake, I made cottage pudding with nutmeg sauce for Andy and Patty and made a similar version for myself from Medifast Pudding and a Vanilla Shake mix. My sauce was made from Splenda and spray butter instead of the "full octane" sauce. It was pretty good.
My next challenge was a surprise. I got sick! I had some sort of virus and it was hard to get any food down, let alone the 6 meals I was supposed to have. I only made 5 and I had Medifast chicken noodle soup for breakfast! The next day I felt pretty much better, so I got back on track.
Now I am preparing for my next challenge: the camping/caching weekend with Laurie and Gene. Since we won't have electricity (although I understand we now have a generator from Bill) I have planned 10-12 no-cook meals. I will make some things ahead tomorrow night and put things together when I am ready to eat. Other things can just be mixed with water. I will need an entire cooler for two days! Of course, if we stop somewhere to eat, there may be things I can buy, so I won't feel deprived and who knows, there may be more out there than I expect. But--- just in case-- I'll be ready. I'll let you know how it goes!
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