Healthy Weight Loss

[Lizzy]

Originally Posted by Kelt

Howdy,

Well, I was talking with one of you the other day about my calorie balance and while I was able to be very accurate on the calories in, I had to admit that my calories expended numbers were a bit subjective. I use the “activity tracker” area on my fitday.com but have to admit that walking 3.5mph uphill for x hours is highly suspect even though it uses my age, height and weight to calculate. For this to be correct it really needs much more accurate input. So, why care about this, close enough right? First off I am a self confessed analytical data junkie, and frankly when I had over 50% of my total body weight to lose all I really needed to know was; does it produce the results that I want?. I’m getting a bit closer now and have 30-35lbs left to lose and the margin for error is getting a bit tighter.

What better excuse to buy a new toy?!?

I’m ordering a Fitbit to play with just so I can go a little further over the edge. Pretty much a pedometer on steroids. One of the many things I have been tracking all along is the amount of sleep I get each night and this will track my activity and waking during the night in addition to an accurate expenditure calculator.

The other motivation for me is just plain garden variety fear. While I am confident that I will lose the rest of the weight given some time; the prospect of “maintaining’ looms large on the horizon. I have been testing things all along the way and think I know how to handle it, but I’m also sure reality will be different than theory. I hope this will give me another crunch the numbers tool in my arsenal. If nothing else it will be fun to play with.

I am interested to see how you like your fitbit.I have not one but three pedometers.One in my nightstand,one in my car and one at work.The only problem is I can never remember to use a single one of them......

[Leigh]

Originally Posted by Lizzy

I have had some problems with my ankles swelling in the past and everytime it happend I got really scared.It wound up being connected to my thyroid but it was hard to figure out the root of the problem at first as many times it was in the summer after I had been out in the sun for a prolonged period of time.I would also get nausous and really dizzy with a lot of joint pain,muscle pain and stiffness and my ankles and sometimes my fingers would swell up pretty bad.I have an auto immune disorder called Hashimotos's.My body percieves my thyroid gland as an invader and it constantly attacks it so I will be on meds for the rest of my life and I have to be carefull about not having to much sun and I am sensative to the altitude as well.You should ask your doctor(if they haven't already ruled it out)to check your thyroid as some of your symptoms can be related to that.Just a thought.I hope you are feeling better soon.

I have been tested a few times in the past when it came to My thyroid, and it never seemed to be the problem. I know what My problems are, alot of it stems from My depression but it also stems from two other things ~ being teased and tormened in school growing up, and the mental/emotional abuse that I've endured at the hands of My father. That always caused Me to eat, food was always My comfort and it was like no one knew Me better than food did ~ and now looking back at it, its gotten Me to a point where I've let it get *WAY* too friggin far out of control. I may ask for another thyroid test next time I see My doctor, but for now I am going to work on losing weight and combatting My depression in healthy ways like exercising and such. I am feeling abit better tonight, thank you for asking ~ welcome to the thread, I know that you will meet SO many wonderful people :-)

Originally Posted by little_ms_sunshyne

Also, Matthew sending postive thoughts in your direction! Keep us posted.

Thank you for the positive thoughts Sunshyne, it was a trying time for Me today with not knowing what was happening but atleast I know now that its not serious but I *HAVE* to lose weight there is no ifs ands or buts about it

Originally Posted by sweetfemme247

just a update for everyone about matthew,

he is at urgent care waiting to be seen, it could be awhile since there is a few people ahead of him.

I really have to take a few minutes to thank sweetfemme for keeping in touch with Me the entire night, and for keeping everyone updated as best as she knew how. In many ways tonight she kept Me sane through this whole ordeal, knowing how nervous and scared I was she stuck by Me and it really helped a whole lot knowing she was texting Me and helping Me out ~ thank you hun for everything you've done for Me, your amazing and I'd be lost without having you as a part of My life ............ I'm definately blessed

For the update: I spent 2 1/2 hours in the waiting room and then got called in at 11:30 central time, waited like another half an hour and the male doctor that came in was in and out in like two minutes. Basically what he called it was a permanent adema I think was his exact wording; basically because I'm really overweight the veins in My legs and feet are being squished which is whats causing the swelling. His words were pretty much all I can do is take a diuretic to help with the water retention and lose weight ~ thats basically what it boils down to but yes the weight must GO!!!!

I know I can count on all of My friends here to help Me lose the weight ~ I can, and I *WILL* do this :-)

[Lizzy]

I can not stand doctors with no bed side manners.How insensative.When I was pregnant with my second son I had the worst craving for ice cold coke in the red can....it had to be in the can.Needless to say I gained a little more than just baby weight.On one of my visits to the Doctor my primary Doctor was not there and this older doctor saw me instead.He looks at my chart and then my weight and he just went off on me, he said I was much too petite to weigh so much.He told me I needed to move more and eat less.I needed to control myself.He walks me to the lobby and says nice and loud for everyone to hear..."Stop Snickerdoodeling or you will be on bedrest"....I was so embarresed and over a decade later I still remember him to this day.That Doctor needed to remember you went to urgent care because you were scared and concerned for your well being.Treating you as a whole person would have been kind.How do they think spending just a few minutes they have a definitive answer.I can relate to using food for comfort, it has been my "drug" of choice for years.My mother is an emotional eater as well.Medicating with food to relax and let go of her worries.I use to go to Weight Watchers and one of my leaders told us this story,she said her son who was about 4 was riding his bike and he fell and skinned his knee.He came running into the house crying his eyes out.Even after cleaning him up and giving him a bandaid he was still crying.So she gets him a cookie and says"here this will make you feel better"so what does he do.....he puts the cookie on his knee with this confused look on his face wondering why this cookie will help him.I often think of this story when I begin to eat because I am stressed out or upset and I am usually able to reign myself in.The emotional element of my weight problem is the biggest issue for me.I don't overeat because I am hungry or I don't know how to eat properly.I am hoping talking to other people and getting some new ideas will help so I can stay on track.I wish you the best and I hope your feeling better soon.

[Lizzy]

Sweet thank you for the signature pic.I am horrible with technical stuff.

[sweetfemme247]

glad I could help you dear

[Inked_Trinity]

GOOD LORD! Had a new instructor for a conditioning class last night...... I don't think he realizes that us old bastards just don't bend that way anymore! Don't get me wrong, it was a fantastic workout. But a few times I had to look at him and ask .....Are you friggin serious ?????? ( note to self... don't take the class from the Muay Thai fighter )

[sylvie]

i haven't had a weigh in this week, but i soooo want one...
Realistically, i've lost an amount of weight, but not because i've been eating healthy, mostly because i hadn't eaten much period... i had oral surgery last Monday, and of course the first few days i barely ate, and then my appetite diminished.. SO, working on building that back up, though i LOVE having no appetite, lol..it's not the healthy way to go about this.. SO, while doing so, scared i'll gain a few lbs back and don't want that disappointment..(i know i would obsess it, lots)

But ohhhh, sooooo want to weigh in, my clothes feel looser, and 'that' feels great.. But, i am getting back on track, forcing myself to eat and forcing myself to drink (i wasnt even drinking much sadly)..

SO, will report my updated weight loss next week!

[JustJo]

Good morning everyone

Matthew I'm glad you went in and were seen....I'm very frustrated with how you were treated though and the flippant response with no testing. Yikes.

So...again, one diabetic to another, you really really really need a good primary care doctor (or endocrinologist) to make sure that you have all the tests you need on a regular basis to manage your diabetes. Look at me....2 months late on my A1c test and advising Matthew....hmmmm.....obviously, it's tough enough to manage even with a good doctor...like the nice butch I have who is going to lecture me and give me that look...again...when I finally get my test done and get in there.

If you're only on metformin, chances are that your diabetes is not too advanced....or you're getting crappo treatment....and it's impossible for any of us to say which is which.

Like I said, I'm not a doctor or a nurse....I'm just a squeamish, struggling to be compliant diabetic. But I do know that you should be having quarterly blood tests that measure A1c, cholesterol, triglycerides, and kidney and liver function. You should also be seen annually by an opthamologist specializing in diabetes to keep an eye on your vision, and a podiatrist who treats diabetic patients to keep an eye on your feet.

That's the minimum of good care as I understand it as a patient.

I definitely am not trying to scare you. I just want to make sure that you get the care you need to keep you healthy and safe.

I totally and completely applaud your resolve to lose weight and be healthier. It's not easy...as all of us here can attest to...especially when you don't have support at home and lots of emotional stuff attached to food...but it's so, so important...especially for those of us who are diabetic.

I'm in your corner Matthew....keep pushing for the good care you deserve....and treat yourself with love and support as you start this journey. We're all here for you!



And....welcome to the thread Lizzy

Your skinned knee/cookie post made me shake my head and laugh to myself....can't tell you how many times I used food to soothe after injury, neglect, pain, sadness.....and can't tell you when it started...so chances are it was very young, and at the hands of others.

I'm still unlearning it.

I'm a craving snacks late at night person too....my new strategy for dealing with that generally involves going to bed! It works, because I can't eat while I'm sleeping....and I know more sleep helps me be healthier too.