It's been over a month since I last posted to this blog - what can I say. I can't say that I've fallen off the wagon, I honestly believe that I have burned the wagon!!! I am at the point that I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I've had a bad cold, followed by the flu, and then closely behind - another cold with a nasty cough. You know what most people do before Christmas?? THEY BAKE - not a good think for a diabetic trying to take off a few pounds!! The twins have been here nearly every evening baking cookies, making candy, and all those other fattening things we associate with Christmas. And now the sideboard in my kitchen is loaded with boxes, buckets, and bowls of cookies. And they whisper my name. And if I don't listen, they shout. And if I continue to ignore them, they seek me out and tap me on the shoulder. I considered suggesting that Pat and Pam make mostly cookies that I don't care for, but quite honestly, I've never met a cookie I didn't like. Even in a cookie drought, I will eat one of those nasty figgy newton cookies. Me and the Cookie Monster - we give each other a run for our money! And before you make suggestions, know this -- I HAVE NO WILLPOWER. There it's out in the open for all to read. None, zip, zilch, zero.
Rather than beat myself up over this, I've made a decision. I will roll with the holidays. But while I'm rolling, I will read the book on Willpower that I downloaded to my Kindle. And after the first of the year, I will start over again with a renewed determination. This will NOT be a New Year's Resolution because in the past I have learned that those resolutions are made primarily to be broken. The next couple of weeks will be spent in reading, planning, researching new recipes and ways to cook veggies to make them a little more interesting to the eye and the palate. So, check back after the first of the year and see what I manage to come up with.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Monday Weigh In
Here it is, another Monday. It's been a hectic week with lots of fast food, not a good thing for dieting or stomach problems. But surprisingly, I've lost two pounds in the last week. It was a welcome surprise, and a great incentive to try harder this week.
Over the weekend, daughter Mary introduced me to a new facebook page, EasyLunch Boxes. Lunch time seems to be a really busy time here, and I usually end up eating whatever I can grab in a hurry. And sometimes it results in blood sugar lows. I found this easy lunch box idea quite appealing, and made some notations of different lunches that I can pack ahead for Izzy and I. So I ordered some of these containers which are recommended on this page, and look forward to trying some of the ideas I have found here.
Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, and I need to start working on a delicious, but healthy menu. Have a healthy, but yummy week.
Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, and I need to start working on a delicious, but healthy menu. Have a healthy, but yummy week.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Latest Update
Yesterday was my scheduled appointment with the doctor. Lately, "Vic" and I haven't been getting along so well. I have had a lot of side effects that weren't pleasant. It seemed like the longer I was in the Victoza, the worse I felt. Constipation and a lack of energy were some of the side effects that I could have lived with; however, when I started with the pain in my right abdomen just below my rib cage, I started to worry. I no longer had the desire to eat, certain smells like coffee and cigarettes made me nauseous. And I started to have seriously low blood sugars in the afternoon. So when the doctor told me how well I had done on the Victoza, I began telling him about my side effects. He gave me a definite "Stop taking it now". I had lost only 3 pounds in the past 4 months, nothing compared to stories from others. So now, I have to make some important decisions. I had done pretty well a couple of years ago on the Glycemic Index diet, so yesterday I got my books back out, made a shopping list, and sorted out some recipes to help me. Friday is payday, and I'll go grocery shopping this weekend. And now it's back to square one. I haven't given up, just made a fresh start.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Monday Weigh In
Yesterday I weighed myself for no good reason. Yipee, I had lost a pound. This morning was my official weigh-in and when I stepped on the scale, I had gained two pounds. I stepped off, reset the scale and stepped back on. I had gained 3 more pounds in less than a minute. I don't need the aggravation. I have my check up next week - I'll get weighed then.
The past two weeks I've been having some issues with my Victoza. I've had pain in my stomach, lots of gas, back pain, leg cramps, nausea and an all around feeling of yuckiness (a medical term, I'm sure). Saturday night I had decided to stop taking it. While googling to see if I had to wean off it, I found a message board for people who are taking Victoza. I started reading posts. Some people are losing as high as 10 pounds in a month (No me.) And I learned that others have had the same problems that I've been experiencing. One thing I learned was that I needed to drink more water. Dehydration is a side effect of the Victoza. I've been taking my injection in the morning after breakfast -- big mistake. Others who had similar problems switched and starting taking their injections at 10:00 p.m. So yesterday, I did not take a shot in the morning and had no stomach pains, no nausea and I started to feel better. But when 10 o'clock rolled around, I was apprehensive. What if this didn't solve my problems. But, I took the injection and went to bed around 10:30. I got up about 7:15 this morning, and still had no stomach pains or nausea. And, my blood sugar was 92, a really great number. Two food items that I really miss since being diagnosed are bananas and grapefruit. My medication says not to eat grapefruit, but when I checked with my pharmacist, he told me I could have a grapefruit on occasion, just not an entire case! And over the weekend, we bought three bananas. Since my fasting number was so good this morning, I decided it was time for a banana. Since Izzy was here, I asked her if she wanted to share my banana. I cut it in half -- wasn't I a good girl. And with my banana I had a hard boiled egg (protein) and a can of tomato juice (veggie). But, since the banana is high in natural sugar, I didn't eat any carbs for breakfast. And we'll see what my numbers are like in a couple of hours. I'm learning that diabetes is basically trial and error. Each person's body is different, and what works for one may not work for others. I will eventually get the best of this, I know I will.
The past two weeks I've been having some issues with my Victoza. I've had pain in my stomach, lots of gas, back pain, leg cramps, nausea and an all around feeling of yuckiness (a medical term, I'm sure). Saturday night I had decided to stop taking it. While googling to see if I had to wean off it, I found a message board for people who are taking Victoza. I started reading posts. Some people are losing as high as 10 pounds in a month (No me.) And I learned that others have had the same problems that I've been experiencing. One thing I learned was that I needed to drink more water. Dehydration is a side effect of the Victoza. I've been taking my injection in the morning after breakfast -- big mistake. Others who had similar problems switched and starting taking their injections at 10:00 p.m. So yesterday, I did not take a shot in the morning and had no stomach pains, no nausea and I started to feel better. But when 10 o'clock rolled around, I was apprehensive. What if this didn't solve my problems. But, I took the injection and went to bed around 10:30. I got up about 7:15 this morning, and still had no stomach pains or nausea. And, my blood sugar was 92, a really great number. Two food items that I really miss since being diagnosed are bananas and grapefruit. My medication says not to eat grapefruit, but when I checked with my pharmacist, he told me I could have a grapefruit on occasion, just not an entire case! And over the weekend, we bought three bananas. Since my fasting number was so good this morning, I decided it was time for a banana. Since Izzy was here, I asked her if she wanted to share my banana. I cut it in half -- wasn't I a good girl. And with my banana I had a hard boiled egg (protein) and a can of tomato juice (veggie). But, since the banana is high in natural sugar, I didn't eat any carbs for breakfast. And we'll see what my numbers are like in a couple of hours. I'm learning that diabetes is basically trial and error. Each person's body is different, and what works for one may not work for others. I will eventually get the best of this, I know I will.
Monday, October 10, 2011
A Little Disappointed
Today is my weigh in day, and I'm a little disappointed. I've gained .3 pounds. It's not a big gain, but it's not a loss. I did increase my water intake, and I tried to eat more veggies. But last night, I splurged on a hot fudge sundae. Maybe that's responsible for my small gain.
All in all, it was an upsetting week. First, my mom fell and broke a rib. She's badly bruised and very sore. I cry when things like this happen to her. She took unbelievably great care of my dad before he died. My dad went into the hospital for surgery, and came out 13 months later with no spleen, a colostomy, and being unable to walk independently. His colostomy was in a very awkward place since it was supposed to be only temporary. However, he never gained his health back to be able to have that surgery. Every time you turned around, it would blow loose and my poor dad was just covered in waste. While he cried, my mom would clean him up and change his clothes, all the while talking softly to him and reminding him how much she loved him. Mom lost him and my sister within two years of each other, and has suffered through breast and rectal cancer herself. And it's difficult for me to understand why, after all she did to take care of my dad, she needs to go through so much physical pain.
I heard that Dr. Oz was having a show on boosting your metabolism. I figured this was a must-see for me and so I DVR'd it. I had good intentions, but it didn't turn out that way. Dr. Oz advised to take zinc 12 - 15 mgs. daily. When I went to the store to purchase the zinc, I couldn't remember how much to take, so I bought 50 mg. tablets, and started taking two a day. I also started to eat the pistachios and dried apricots he recommended. And started drinking the iced water he recommended. Not a good thing for Linny. Too many pistachios caused major belly problems - if you get my drift! And I started to experience a tingling in my hands and feet. At first I chalked it up to diabetic neuropathy. But it kept getting worse. And I started to feel really tired, and not so chipper. So, I googled zinc overdose, and discovered that some of the symptoms were diarrhea, tingling in the extremities, and tiredness. Seems I get the suggested amount in my daily vitamin, and by taking the extra (way too much extra) I was overdosing myself. So, the zinc tablets have gone by the wayside. Please know that I don't blame anyone but myself for this. It was a lack of proper education on my part. So, my advice is that before you start some of the things you see on TV, educate yourself. Know what you take already and consult you own doctor before taking the advice of celebrity doctors.
I'm not discouraged. This week I need to try harder, trust my own judgement, and stick to my guns. See you next Monday.
All in all, it was an upsetting week. First, my mom fell and broke a rib. She's badly bruised and very sore. I cry when things like this happen to her. She took unbelievably great care of my dad before he died. My dad went into the hospital for surgery, and came out 13 months later with no spleen, a colostomy, and being unable to walk independently. His colostomy was in a very awkward place since it was supposed to be only temporary. However, he never gained his health back to be able to have that surgery. Every time you turned around, it would blow loose and my poor dad was just covered in waste. While he cried, my mom would clean him up and change his clothes, all the while talking softly to him and reminding him how much she loved him. Mom lost him and my sister within two years of each other, and has suffered through breast and rectal cancer herself. And it's difficult for me to understand why, after all she did to take care of my dad, she needs to go through so much physical pain.
I heard that Dr. Oz was having a show on boosting your metabolism. I figured this was a must-see for me and so I DVR'd it. I had good intentions, but it didn't turn out that way. Dr. Oz advised to take zinc 12 - 15 mgs. daily. When I went to the store to purchase the zinc, I couldn't remember how much to take, so I bought 50 mg. tablets, and started taking two a day. I also started to eat the pistachios and dried apricots he recommended. And started drinking the iced water he recommended. Not a good thing for Linny. Too many pistachios caused major belly problems - if you get my drift! And I started to experience a tingling in my hands and feet. At first I chalked it up to diabetic neuropathy. But it kept getting worse. And I started to feel really tired, and not so chipper. So, I googled zinc overdose, and discovered that some of the symptoms were diarrhea, tingling in the extremities, and tiredness. Seems I get the suggested amount in my daily vitamin, and by taking the extra (way too much extra) I was overdosing myself. So, the zinc tablets have gone by the wayside. Please know that I don't blame anyone but myself for this. It was a lack of proper education on my part. So, my advice is that before you start some of the things you see on TV, educate yourself. Know what you take already and consult you own doctor before taking the advice of celebrity doctors.
I'm not discouraged. This week I need to try harder, trust my own judgement, and stick to my guns. See you next Monday.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Weigh In Monday
Yep, it's Monday - my day to weigh in. It's a nasty day out there. Rainy, gloomy, chilly - the kind of day that makes me sad. But in here, it's bright, sunny and warm. When I got on the scale this morning, I had lost another 2 pounds. Maybe not a huge loss, for sure. But as the turtle in the story of the Tortoise and the Hare said, "Slow and steady wins the race". So, I'm pleased. Very pleased!!
It gets easier. I'm eating a good breakfast every morning. Previously, there were a lot of mornings that I just didn't want to go through the movements and so would grab a hard boiled egg and a breakfast bar. But now, it's either oatmeal or shredded wheat for me. The exception is on the weekends when my hubby cooks bacon and eggs - still on program, two eggs, two slices of bacon, one slice of toast with diet jelly. But still a treat. Evening snacks have changed also. No more cookies, cake with milk on or candy bars. Now, it's fat free yogurt, sugar free pudding, or Laughing Cow cheese and Triscut crackers. My swollen feet are down, and my energy levels are up. I love how much better I feel. See you next Monday.
It gets easier. I'm eating a good breakfast every morning. Previously, there were a lot of mornings that I just didn't want to go through the movements and so would grab a hard boiled egg and a breakfast bar. But now, it's either oatmeal or shredded wheat for me. The exception is on the weekends when my hubby cooks bacon and eggs - still on program, two eggs, two slices of bacon, one slice of toast with diet jelly. But still a treat. Evening snacks have changed also. No more cookies, cake with milk on or candy bars. Now, it's fat free yogurt, sugar free pudding, or Laughing Cow cheese and Triscut crackers. My swollen feet are down, and my energy levels are up. I love how much better I feel. See you next Monday.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Failure or Success??
That is the question of the day!! Last week, I watched what I ate, followed Weight Watchers, weighed and measured my food, and didn't cheat. For me that was the hardest thing -- no cheating. I can find ways to excuse eating what I shouldn't better than anyone I know. This morning I stepped on the scale and had lost 2-1/2 pounds. Not a lot, that's for sure. But it's a start. And I feel better. My blood sugar numbers have been good, and so I guess it's success.
After Retired Knitter posted about the WASA crackers and Laughing Cow cheese, daughter Mary picked up the crackers and two kinds of the cheese wedges - the French Onion, and the Mozzarella with Sun Dried tomato and basil. For my snack in the evening, I take two crackers and spread them with one wedge of the cheese. And it's so good and it's satisfying. Thanks, RK for this suggestion.
I think I probably would have shown more of a loss had I consumed more water. I'm not a big drinker and I think that's part of my problem. I know that I need water to cleanse my body, and my goal for this week is to drink the water suggested by WW. Wish me Luck!
After Retired Knitter posted about the WASA crackers and Laughing Cow cheese, daughter Mary picked up the crackers and two kinds of the cheese wedges - the French Onion, and the Mozzarella with Sun Dried tomato and basil. For my snack in the evening, I take two crackers and spread them with one wedge of the cheese. And it's so good and it's satisfying. Thanks, RK for this suggestion.
I think I probably would have shown more of a loss had I consumed more water. I'm not a big drinker and I think that's part of my problem. I know that I need water to cleanse my body, and my goal for this week is to drink the water suggested by WW. Wish me Luck!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Chubby Bee Meets Chubby Bear
One of granddaughter Izzy's favorite Disney characters is Special Agent OSO. The only present she asked for from our trip was an OSO teddy bear. She got her bear, but I also made sure that we got a photo with OSO and Mary got her an autograph. I'm hoping that the next time I meet OSO, I'm not so chubby.
Yesterday went pretty well. The oatmeal kept me feeling full until lunch time. My tuna pasta salad was delicious and filling. We ended up with waxed beans for dinner because there was no cabbage for cole slaw. The grits were a pleasant and unexpected surprise. We followed the directions on the bag for 6 servings. But we ended up with a huge pot full of grits. We stirred in a can of evaporated skim milk, and before we added the cheese, Pat suggested that we take a bowlful out. She felt they would be good for breakfast with maple syrup. Being northerners, we don't eat many grits, but I was willing to give it a try. While the grits were still hot, I threw in a handful of dried cranberries. And we decided to try it right then and there. I added a little of my sugar-free syrup and it was delicious. We let the rest of the bowl cool off a little before we put them in the refrigerator. So, as soon as I finish this blog, I'm heading to the kitchen for some of my grits. Just the thought of them makes me smile.
Daughter Pam made wedding soup last night and has offered to bring me a bowl for my lunch today. It's chilly and rainy here today, so soup will be very welcome. I cooked a turkey over the weekend, and since it's just Rod and I for dinner tonight, we are going to finish up the gravy and turkey with hot turkey sandwiches. A perfect dinner for a fall evening. Have a healthy day.
Monday, September 19, 2011
A New Beginning
Having just returned from a trip to Walt Disney World, I realize how much I need to be overhauled. As you can see from the photo of me with Donald Duck, it's hard to tell who is the chubbier. Walking is very difficult for me, and so I use a scooter when we travel. And this trip when the scooter broke, I was terrified of how I would manage the rest of my vacation. Renting a scooter solved that problem, but it encouraged me to look inside myself. I am a diabetic, but don't always eat like I should. My biggest problem is that I love food, the look, the smell, and the taste. And so, I have decided to make a conscious effort to eat more healthy and concentrate on eating less and moving more. Hopefully, this blog will help to keep me honest.
Eating is not a problem, food preparation is. I never seem to spend the time necessary to prepare breakfast and lunch. Since returning from my trip, I have made lists (oh how I love to make lists). Lists of breakfast foods, lunches that can be prepared in advance, and healthy snacks. And I added what I need to buy to my grocery list. I've made myself a "diet kit". It's a clear plastic container into which I have put my digital scale, my own set of measuring cups and spoons, and the sheet of meal suggestions that my dietitian gave me. It is sitting on the back of the kitchen table where it is well within reach.
My husband, Rod, makes a mean oatmeal. Last night, he made a big pot of oatmeal to keep in the frig. This morning, I measured out 1 cup and heated it in the microwave. I added some spices and dried blueberries, and it was so good. Not something I would have done before embarking on this journey. Daughter Pat boiled some pasta for me while cooking steak sandwiches yesterday evening. Last night before going to bed, I measured out 2/3 cup of pasta and mixed it with some hard cooked egg, some tuna fish, pickle relish, and a dressing made with 2 tbls. mayonnaise, some cider vinegar and some splenda. Lunch for today is ready and in the frig. Dinner is never a problem, but I am an evening snacker. My list of evening snacks includes sugar free puddings and jellos, yogurt and cottage cheese. For dinner tonight, I have some very lean, boneless ribs in the crock pot with barbeque sauce. Planned sides are cole slaw and a Weight Watchers recipe for Cheesy Grits.
And so, life for me begins anew. I'll need you for support, and to help me stay honest. So, climb aboard and travel with me.
Eating is not a problem, food preparation is. I never seem to spend the time necessary to prepare breakfast and lunch. Since returning from my trip, I have made lists (oh how I love to make lists). Lists of breakfast foods, lunches that can be prepared in advance, and healthy snacks. And I added what I need to buy to my grocery list. I've made myself a "diet kit". It's a clear plastic container into which I have put my digital scale, my own set of measuring cups and spoons, and the sheet of meal suggestions that my dietitian gave me. It is sitting on the back of the kitchen table where it is well within reach.
My husband, Rod, makes a mean oatmeal. Last night, he made a big pot of oatmeal to keep in the frig. This morning, I measured out 1 cup and heated it in the microwave. I added some spices and dried blueberries, and it was so good. Not something I would have done before embarking on this journey. Daughter Pat boiled some pasta for me while cooking steak sandwiches yesterday evening. Last night before going to bed, I measured out 2/3 cup of pasta and mixed it with some hard cooked egg, some tuna fish, pickle relish, and a dressing made with 2 tbls. mayonnaise, some cider vinegar and some splenda. Lunch for today is ready and in the frig. Dinner is never a problem, but I am an evening snacker. My list of evening snacks includes sugar free puddings and jellos, yogurt and cottage cheese. For dinner tonight, I have some very lean, boneless ribs in the crock pot with barbeque sauce. Planned sides are cole slaw and a Weight Watchers recipe for Cheesy Grits.
And so, life for me begins anew. I'll need you for support, and to help me stay honest. So, climb aboard and travel with me.
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