The Weight Chasing DIva's Weekly Update 6-18-12

So, I’m sitting here watching Shawn T on Dr. Oz. You know, the handsome instructor of The Insanity Workouts. He is giving exercise pointers from his videos and his 15-minute workout. he said something interesting about carbs. He says that the bulk of your carbs should be eaten at lunch and the least amount should be consumed during dinner.

The breakdown is as follows:

Rule #1: Taper Off Your Carbs

Eat carbs at the beginning of the day, when you really need the energy. Later in the day, your body needs less and the carbs you consume are more likely to be stored as body fat. This rule does not only apply to your meals – but also your snacks. If you want to lose weight, it is important to eat every 3 hours to keep your metabolism engaged. Be sure to choose healthy foods. Shaun T’s morning snack has more carbs than his afternoon snack, and so on.

If you were to abide by this rule, carb-loading earlier in the day and minimizing your carbohydrate consumption as the day goes on, your meals would look something like this:

Breakfast: 40% Carbs, 30% Protein and 30% Fat (600 calories)

·        Whole wheat bagel and 2 tbsp of all-natural peanut butter

·        5 egg whites with a half-cup of bell peppers

·        3 slices of lean turkey bacon

Lunch: 25% Carbs, 45% Protein and 30% Fat (450 calories)

·        Open-faced roast beef sandwich

·        ½ tbsp ranch dressing

·        whole wheat crackers

·        5 oz of low-fat Greek yogurt 

Dinner: 15% Carbs, 55% Protein and 30% Fat (350 calories)

·        Spinach salad with half-cup of fresh tofu and 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar

·        ½ cup cooked zucchini

·        ½ cup cooked asparagus

·        Half a salmon filet

Rule #2: The Secret Ingredient for Success – Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a powerhouse food that also fills you up. A 4-ounce serving of sweet potatoes will provide you with vitamins A, B and C, fiber, potassium and magnesium. Shaun T recommends eating two servings a day. They are versatile too – bake them or mash them. Eat them as a snack or as healthy side dish. Because of their naturally sweet taste, you don’t have to add salt or butter as you would a regular potato. Sweet potatoes have also been found to reduce cancer risk, thanks to cancer-starving properties.

Rule #3: Eat Foods That Expire Within a Week

This is a good rule to follow to help you steer clear of unhealthy and processed foods. If you only eat fresh foods that expire in a short window of time, you can avoid excess salt and preservatives. For example, eat fresh fruit and not fruit cups – these are full of added sugars and syrups.  Instead of flavored instant oatmeal, which has added sugar and salt, try Greek yogurt with fresh fruit. And don’t fall for packaged veggie chips, full of preservatives and minimal nutritional value. Instead, try kale chips, rich in vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese and fiber, which you can even make at home. Click here for an Oz-approved recipe.

Apply these rules to your lifestyle – and try not to look at them as part of a strict diet. There’s plenty of room here to customize the plan to fit your tastes and way of life – the key is using these 3 rules as your foundation, and taking advantage of Shaun T’s workout to maximize your results.

Of course, I copied this from Dr. Oz’s website. After watching this, you can best believe I’ll be working out before the day ends. I had stated in my last post that I would work out 3 times this past week—uh, didn’t happen. But this is a new day and a new week.

Just a few updates: My sugar is still not where I want it to be, but it’s now at 210 fast, down from 215-245. Although my doctor wants me on the insulin and the oral medication, I am going to just take the oral meds and see how I fare with that. I know the damage to my liver and kidneys the insulin can and probably already has caused. Besides, I do not like needles. That’s why if anyone ever tells you that I died of crack, you can debunk that lie quickly, because I don’t like needles.

My weight on the scale has not moved much. I’m up a pound from my 184 to 185, but I’m chocking that up to water retention, which I cannot seem to control, but I’m working on it.

My doctor has given me her latest opinion, when I asked her about diets like Isagenix, Arbonne, Slim Fast and other diet programs. She has voted against them at this current time because of my uncontrolled sugars. On one spectrum, I can shoot up to 600 (hyperglycemia) and on the other hand drop to 40 (hypoglycemia). Both are very dangerous and she is afraid that many of the diets will cause me to go into dangerous hypoglycemia.

So, I’m going to continue with the low-carb diet and start and continue a work-out plan. I know that’s probably 75% of my problem. About six months ago, I was able to lose 20 pounds in a month by going to a 900 calorie a day diet and extensive exercise 5 days a week.

Now, when I go to the store, I look at labels religiously. And, I cannot believe my eyes. Currently I eat sugar-free Jell-O, which has 0 carbs, but regular Jell-O has 8 carbs! And, don’t even get me to talking about Jell-O pudding. DIET JELL-O is 8 grams of carb! Why?????? 

I challenge you to go into your pantry now and look at some of the food labels. I bet, like me, you’ll be amazed at how many carbs you are consuming. A lot!

My goal this week: Work-out 3 times, (I have to start small), get that scale to say 180 and to get my sugar to 200, with the help of the Janumet oral supplement.

Stay tuned!

43 In 5, 4, 3, 2 . . .

Tomorrow I turn the big 4-3 an today my hubby took me to Red Lobster for dinner. Why Red Lobster? Well because I love seafood, and on my low carb diet I can eat all the lobster, crab legs and shrimp that I want. And I did. However, my “coach”, (that’s what I call her) is going to be disappointed to learn that Red Lobster brings you these awesome buttery biscuits with your diet coke. And since they brought four to the table, I didn’t think it was fair to let my husband eat all 4 of them so I had 2. But besides that, I was on my best behavior. I had a garden salad with blueberry vinaigrette and broccoli.

Tomorrow I start my 3x3 workout regimen. I’m starting with 3 days of cardio for an hour. I love to dance so I sprawl out in my master bathroom (it’s THAT big) and in front of the Hollywood Mirror and dance until my heart’s content. THEN . . . I will add 30 minutes of weight lifting three days a week, all, until I can work up to 5-6 days a week without killing myself.

So, the real reason, I wrote this blog post today, in addition to the one I will write tomorrow with my update stats, I wanted to show these photos my husband took of me today. They are a little blurry, because it was raining and they were taken with my cell phone. The photos don’t do the dress OR my figure any justice. But that’s okay, because I have no intention of stopping here. I have sixty more pounds to lose. Funny thing is, I don’t see the pounds disappearing much on the scale, or not like I’d wish them to, but I can tell I’ve lost inches. The dress shown in this photo on this post is a size 9.  I have not worn , or have been able to wear, this dress since 2005. A few months ago, I couldn’t even get it over my hips, let along zipped.

The photo (headshot) with the red background shows the last time I wore this dress and the others are from today. All I can say is Thank you Jesus,  and, size 7 here I come.

Stay tuned for my status report tomorrow. Until then, have a wonderful evening. 

Check in for 6-5-12

Howdy folks! I wanted to check in and give you an update on my transformation process. I have been struggling and struggling hard. Although I’ve never done “crack” or any other kind of drug, I think I have an inkling of a feeling as to what they go through when they go through withdrawals or when they are being weaned off the drug. 

I’m on a low carb diet and if you could be a fly on the wall, you’d swear that I was feigning for some type of drug. I had no idea how dependent my body was on sugar. I didn’t realize how I would be without it. My attitude has been altered, I find myself a little more moody and snapping at my husband. (Poor guy . . . so glad he’s understanding and loves me.)

I was a little disturbed and disappointed that I had not been dropping the pounds as I had hoped that it sent me into a mental funk. Thanks to one of my biggest supporters (B.C.) she triggered a thought during one of our daily talks. My “Aunt Flow” was in town and that very well could be the reason, compiled with the low carb diet, that I was so cranky, so tired and felt like hell. And, the fact that I hadn’t lost much weight didn’t help the situation. 

Well, “Aunt Flow” cleared out this morning and since she’s left, I’ve felt a tad bit better and I lost another pound. So right here, right now, I feel much better than I have in the last week, and I’ll take it!

Hubby and I would walk occasionally, but I had not done any strenuous exercise in the last week because my body was not happy about the low carb diet I had put it on, without its permission, so I didn’t want to do anything strenuous. However, this week, I will add light weight lifting and aerobics three times a week to my plan. I feel that a light workout can only add to the weight loss and get me back into the groove of working out on a regular basis. As for the weights, as I lose weight, that last thing I want to see is sagging skin, so I will add them three times a week as well until I can work up to six days a week. 

I am not past this phase by any means, because if I see anything that looks like chocolate, I’m ready to attack. So, pray for me. LOL. 

My sugars have come down, although, they are not where I want them. I stopped taking my insulin as it puts me into hypoglycemia on the low carb diet. My daily readings have been between 204-215. That’s still too high, however, it’s much lower than the 300-400 it is on a normal basis. And, I have not seen any 500 or 600 spikes. That’s always a good thing. 

One thing I have noticed is that my vision has become a bit blurry. I got new glasses and they are a bit worthless. So, at this point, I cannot tell if the blurriness is due to the new glasses, the high diabetes numbers or the low carb diet. 


Stay tuned. 

Progress Report May 30, 2012

It’s a beautiful day outside, but I won’t be able to get out and enjoy it. I hope everyone is having a great week so far. I’ve had a headache since late yesterday, and I had a big drop (82) in my blood sugar and now it is back to its normal high levels. Can you say yo-yo?

My first day of my progressive transformation went pretty good—until after 11:00pm. This is normally one of my issues with eating. I am a night owl and a work-a-holic, so I may work 12-24 hours a day, but I work most nights through the wee hours of the morning. I’m usually laying down for a nap, when most are getting up to get their day started.

If you lost the link, you can find it here (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ymjauthor). I will also post it on the side bar. Here you’ll be able to see what I eat on a daily basis. As you can see that for the past two days, with the exception of the lifesaver and peach I ate yesterday to get my blood sugar back up, I’m doing pretty well. You should also be able to tell that I am on a high protein, low carb diet.

Monday night, I did about fifteen (15) minutes of weight training. I was to start going to the gym last night, but realize that this diet so far has left me overly tired and with low blood sugars—running on a treadmill or lifting heavy weights at a gym is not the idea thing for me right now. Once my body gets used to this way of eating, I will get back into working out vigorously.

I will say, though, I’ve lost 3 pounds since Monday. That’s good news to my ears. I’ll keep you all updated on my progress. 

Welcome to My New Journey

Taken 5/27/12

Hello Folk I’m back and I’m on a mission. I’m on a journey to improve my life In various aspects to include physically. And here is where I will document my journey of weight loss. In a matter of two weeks, I will be forty-three (43) years old.  More than half my life is behind me and I intend on making however many years I have in front of me the best that I can. My health history has been no secret, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, breast tumors, ovarian tumors and a host of other health issues have certainly  posed challenges for me since 2000. I’ve gone from a size six (six) to a size eighteen (18) and yo-yo’d in between. At current, I am teetering between a size nine (9) and a size twelve (12).

I’m sure you’ve heard the term, “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Well folk, this Weight Chasing Diva is sick and tired of being sick and tired of being sick and tired! I’ve tried diet after diet, after diet.  I did try Weight Watchers and did lose weight on it, at first. After a while, either it stopped working, or I did. Well, as the song goes, It’s a new day! And I want to feel gooooooooooood!

To you, I say, welcome to my journey. Encouragement, enlightenment, affirmation and tips. This is a no negativity zone,

Taken 5/27/12

I will be keeping a good and exercise log at my favorite place, My Fitness Pal http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ymjauthor.  I will be posting progress photos here on the blog as time progresses.

In addition to obtaining the obvious health benefits that come with being healthy, I have set a goal to lose seventy (70) pound by my forty-fifth (45) birthday. That means I have two years to achieve and sustain this goal. This afternoon, I weighed in at a whopping one hundred eighty-eight (188).  So, as you can see, I have a ways to go.

So without further ado, welcome to my journey!

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired!

After much consideration, I have decided to pick this blog back up. I am currently sitting in my office working and watching Oprah. Today her guests are Dr. Oz, Bob Green and Dr. Ian Smith. Their topic: Diabetes.

Many of you know that I was diagnosed with Diabetes in 2005. Currently I am taking an oral medication as well as two types of insulin to control my illness. This has caused me to gain lots of weight. I have said this before, but pray that because I really mean it this time that I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. Something has to give and I do realize it starts with plenty of prayer and me.

Starting today, I am taking my life back and working on ridding myself of this doggone Diabetes. I will be 42 next year and I feel that I am in the prime of my life, but Diabetes is slowing me down. I have moved my elliptical machine from the family room to the bedroom in front of the television. I will exercise at least one hour a day, maybe not all at once, but during the duration of the day, I will get er done. I have gotten rid of sweets, pasta, and bread from my fridge and pantry. I am going to do this. I know it will be hard and emotional, but I am not ready to die. I still have much to give to the world. I would love if you would take this journey with me as I realize I cannot do this alone and I am not afraid to say that I need help. I pray that with your encouragement and support I can kick this habit.

It is also my wish that if you are in danger of developing this pain in the *bleep* disease that you take heed and take care of yourself and educate yourself, your children, family and friends. I believe that had I really known my family health history and had the education to back it up, I would not be in this predicament. I also pray that my children have learned the things I have taught them about our family health history and continue taking the necessary steps to live a long, healthy, and happy life.

 Prior to my diagnosis, I had phases where I had a few extra pounds, but for the most part, I was at an acceptable weight. My size ranged from a size 6 to a size 9. If I gained a few extra pounds, it was always easy to eat salads for a week and not eat as many sweets to lose the pounds. Sometimes I would resort to fasting and the pounds would fall right off. As I got older this became harder and harder.

The day I was diagnosed with Diabetes, I was working at HSBC in Lewisville, Texas. In addition, just as I did every day, I was enjoying a route 44 strawberry fruit slush from Sonic. I had not even drunk half my drink on this day before I found myself passed out on the floor at work. After being rushed to the emergency room, and seen by an emergency room doctor, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

I must admit at first, even though I was somewhat shocked, it still had not hit me. After all, my seventy something year old grandmother has had diabetes for as long as I can remember and she was fine to me. Sure, I witnessed her on several occasions administering insulin via a needle and syringe. I hate needles and watching her give herself this daily drug gave me the creeps. Even so, my grandmother still loved her fried food and her sweets and continued to enjoy them. This was the first time I was exposed to the deadly disease; only then, I did not realize how deadly it was.

After I was diagnosed, I was put on a drug called Metformin. I have to admit that I took the drug here and there and the more I realized Metformin did not agree with my stomach and caused me to accumulate many sick days, I stopped taking it. Each time I kept one of my doctor appointments, my doctor would warn me to take the disease serious. “If you don’t, you will die,” he would say. I somewhat listened to what he said, but after all, Madea, the term of endearment for my grandmother, was able to eat whatever she wanted. What didn’t register with me was that she took several medications but I dismissed them because in addition to her diabetes, she had high blood pressure.

It was not until January of 2006 that I began to take my disease seriously. During one of my doctor appointments, my doctor informed me that the numbness that I had started experiencing in my left leg was due to lack of care for my Diabetes. After several tests, scans and x-rays, my doctor told me something that nearly knocked the air from my lungs. “We’re going to have to take that left leg.” Me, without my leg? I was determined not to let that happen. Then another blow—he explained to me that because I had already experienced two heart attacks, one minor, prior to being diagnosed with diabetes, I had to go on a heart and cholesterol medication.

Now, not only was I suffering from heart disease, which I also did not take serious, even after two heart attacks, but I also had Diabetes and high cholesterol and was at risk for yet another heart attack. I could not catch a break.

Shortly after, I joined Weight Watchers through my company and began to use our on-site gym. I was up bright and early at 4 a.m. and at work by 5 a.m. to get in a good workout before I started my shift at 7 a.m. I attended weekly Weight Watchers meetings and began to drop pounds from my size 12 frame. After a few months, I was able to get back into my size 9 jeans, I was feeling good, and I was looking good. I stopped taking my medications and after many stressful events in my life, I stopped working out and I stopped attending my Weight Watcher meetings.

After I purchased my home in the suburbs of Dallas, I found myself living alone and working a full time job, running a business and writing full time. I can remember working ten to twelve hour days, four to six days a week at my corporate job, then coming home and running my business and writing. Before I knew it, I would look up and it was 4 a.m. and time for me to start the process all over again. There many nights I would get no sleep.

I continued this process for a long time. Many asked and didn’t understand my response when they asked, “Why do you do what you do once put so much on yourself and why don’t you get any rest?”  My response, “Because writing is my passion. Corporate America pays the bills. You’ll find me writing until the day I die.” My doctor eventually told me that I might be getting my wish sooner than I wanted.

I stopped taking care of myself and eventually I found the Little Elm police and fire department or a neighbor or friend, breaking down my door, because my emergency alert monitor had gone off. Once entering my home, they would either find me passed out on the floor or near unconsciousness.

I can remember one morning getting up to head to the gym. I could not feel my right side. I did not realize that I could not feel my right side until I attempted to get out of my sleigh bed and landed flat on the floor. Long story short, I had suffered a mild stroke.  I endured weeks of physical and speech therapy, and to this day, I still have problems with my speech.

As I looked in the mirror this morning I said to myself, my face looks swollen and I look like Petunia Pig!  The buck stops here!

I'm Back!

Well it is the New Year and there are less than 6 months until the Wedding Day. I have recently joined Weight Watchers and started a support group. My starting weight was 200 pounds and Tuesdays are my weigh in days. Last Tuesday I weighed in at 195, which is a loss of 5 pounds. 5 down with 70 more to go. The wedding colors have been altered a bit. Shades of purple, lavender and chocolate brown have been decided. It will be a semi-formal wedding in backyard and will be catered. I'll back in later with my progress!

In the meantime, here is my before picture!