Resolution

I can't believe that tonight it will be ten years since I stood on a hill overlooking the lights of Scranton and told God," Please send my husband. I don't want to be single anymore." I will be married ten years this July!

This year I'm going to say," Please Lord I want to be healthy. Please end my desire to eat the wrong foods and cause myself pain. I don't want to be unhealthy any more." Those of you who know me know that this is a life long battle for me. This new year I am starting over. I may be starting over at other points in the year or maybe next year I'll pray the same prayer. But I am not giving up!

In 2000 I was about to turn thirty. I decided to date thirty guys by my thirtieth birthday. Joe was lucky number 21. This year I want to lose forty pounds by my fortieth birthday. I have signed up for Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Website. I will start with that and improvise along the way.

God Bless you all. Happy New Year.

Frustration abounds!

Okay finding out that I had diverticulitis was a relief! I can't tell you how many nights I woke up in severe pain and wondering what this was. I am glad I now know. However, what do I eat? All the things that are good for me diet wise are not good for the problems I am experiencing. I ate an apple two days ago and had a lot of pain a few hours later. Berries, nuts, whole grains, raw vegetables are all out of the question right now. I haven't lost any more weight. I think I need a nutritionist. It was easier to eat healthy when I could substitute it with a great piece of fruit or some crunch veggies. So to the three people who read my blog. Any ideas?

Ahhh! So that's the problem! ( I hope)

I lost another three pounds. I'm reading a book by the FLYLady called Body Clutter. I'm working on putting those principles in my life.

So I have been having abdominal pain of and on over the last few months. Yesterday it came close to unbearable. I have been diagnosed with diverticulitis and I have some infection as evidenced by my low grade temperature, high blood sugar, and blood work. Some antibiotics and a lack of nuts and seeds and I should be back to my old self.

Hello!

The weight loss has stalled I've neither gained or lost in the last two weeks. I need to rethink my game plan. I'm a little bummed but I'll figure it out. I secretly wanted to be 20 pounds thinner for Easter. Oh well!

I've got my (diet) Orange Crush

This week I've lost another 3 lbs. Yay! The blood pressure is normal. My blood sugar is still up and down but I've had several normal readings and several close to normal readings. I also still have a kidney infection so that may be part of the problem.

My new little treat is Diet Orange Crush. YUM! I go through a 2 liter in a week and a half so it's not a dietary staple. Just a little somethin' somethin' when I need a little sweet. Another neat thing I've picked up is Light Progresso soup and Dannon Light Probiotic Yogurt. If you know of coupons for these items let me know. I've also been introduced to rice vinegar as dressing. I love it!

I live for your comments it's great to have all of your support. Catch ya next Tuesday!

A Diet Consists of Foods that make you Rich

Today's title comes from a fortune cookie I got this week.( NO. I didn't eat it. YES. I went to a restaurant. NO. I didn't cheat.)

I really liked that little bit of cookie wisdom. Let me tell you my diet has not made me rich. It has made me poor. I'm in poor health.  I've made poor decisions. You get the picture.  When I think about this lifestyle change as something that is making me rich  it takes on a whole other dimension that I hadn't previously considered.  I have successfully dieted numerous times. Only to gain it back within a year.  However, I always looked at my diet along the lines of something that was a punishment for my past eating mistakes. I am now dieting to be rich.

Speaking of being rich, somewhere I've always been wealthy is having supportive friends and family.  When I told you of my plan I got such an outpouring of love and support. Thank you so much for this.  It really did strengthen me for my journey.

And now on to the status of my journey. I have LOST  SEVEN POUNDS! ( I bolded this for those of you who want to skim)  My average blood sugar is still high (190) but it is going down from two weeks ago. My blood pressure is 117/76. (that's normal folks). I'm well on my way to Riches!

Praises: Improvement in weight, blood pressure and blood sugar, friends and family who support me, not feeling hungry or tempted (this is a miracle)

Concerns: Kidney infection, blood sugar still high, continued success

Some of you have asked me about my diet plan.  All I have done is eliminated butter, sugar, and flour from my diet.  Some products like ketchup, salad dressing etc. have traces of those products. If there is no alternative I will have some of those items but they are carefully measured and reduced to what I'd normally take.  I'm watching my overall carbohydrate intake and keeping it within the guidelines of my diabetic counseling. And so far it's working so I'm not going to mess with it.

Thank you for taking your time to think of me.  My friends and family are my greatest blessing and I would be lost without you.

I'm on Facebook

I've got my blog linked to my facebook. Anyone who knows me well knows how much I love gadgets but how truly untechnical I am. So I was impressed with being able to figure it out. Today started with a blood sugar of 260 but my blood pressure was 117/80. Rome was not created in a day. I find my bad eating time is at night. I'm okay at work but when I get home I want to gnosh. I'll have to work that in my plan.

The plan thus far is to get ready for February 25th the first day of lent. Right now I'm examining my schedule for lifestyle pitfalls, clearing the cupboards of junk food and just praying that I can get it together this time.

Today I'm going to email my friends and invite them to follow my blog. My plan here is the sheer embarrassment of not succeeding will keep me faithful to my plan. Also, I'm trying to honor my faith by doing this in remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice that was made for me. I'm going to be reading my Bible especially in the evening hours when the hunger pangs start.

Oh, speaking of gadgets, don't you love the virtual weight loss me? Of course I have to say she looks better in a sleeveless dress than I do. Right now my goal weight is 200 pounds. I'd like to be close to that by September 1. Then the next goal is 180. My final goal is 160. This first 40 days is about gaining control. The next 40 will be about refining the plan and adding in some much needed exercise. I'm still looking for buddies to join me. Maybe eating isn't your problem. Maybe you have a different vice but let's work together to take control in the Lenten season.

My Blog is all black. Does it make me look thinner?

Welcome to Fat Tuesday!
I'm a 38 year old mom of two, who needs to make a major lifestyle change. I currently weigh 269 pounds and have the health problems of a woman twice my age. I've decided to use the upcoming season of Lent to jump start this change. Do you want to join me? (I've never been really independent so I'd love the company)

Ages ago a traditional Lenten fast consisted of giving up butter, flour and sugar. This is why in so many cultural traditions doughnuts, pancakes, etc. are a part of "Fat Tuesday". Their plan was to get rid of those ingredients to not have them around during Lent. My plan is to eliminate these items from my diet during the Lenten season and update my progress every Tuesday during Lent. I may post at other times but Tuesday is a definite.

I am going to skip the preparation of doughnuts and spend this week getting prepared for my fast. My stats: Weight 269, BP 146/100, Blood glucose 232. I have met with my doctor and she supports this plan. If you are joining me please be under medical supervision. This is not a weight loss plan. This blog is one day at a time, one pound at a time, inch by inch, step by step, one woman's journey to life change. This will be a time for me to reflect and be held accountable for my lifestyle change.