Discouraged a Bit

I had thought I'd enter something in this blog--a new experience for me--every day, but I've really been remiss on that. I have been quite faithful to the managed weight loss program, but have held steady at about a lb. a week. I guess I had hoped for something more dramatic. I've been faithful to 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer at least five days a week, which I had abandoned when my feet hurt so much. I now know that this particular form of exercise doesn't require my feet to bend, so it's a good choice for me.
The rheumatologist reassured me that it would be--and he was right.

Forward With Challenges Ahead

All the doctor's appointments have come to this:

Re weight loss: 14.3 lbs. in 8 weeks. Dr. pleased (more pleased than I am).

Re CT scan and ultrasound: scheduled for removal of both ovaries on April 21. Surely, this poses a challenge for weight loss, unless ovaries are REALLY heavy! My sister is coming to help out for a couple of days. I advised her of dietary concerns and she sounds really up for it. Hope I don't gain as a result of rest and less exercise.

Almost back!

I drove to the hair stylist yesterday, first trip since my surgery for a partial hysterectomy. I have been pretty rigorous with logging my food choices and making good ones. I am not resuming my exercise program until the two weeks hiatus in past, but I have worked outside in the yard almost every day. I am continuing to lose weight and bought a pair of capris in a smaller size yesterday.

Settling for Less?

Last weigh-in, I gained 3/4 lb. and it's feeling difficult to continue losing somehow. I've heard the phrase set-point and wonder if I'm at one. On the happy side, I wore a pair of size 14 pants yesterday and they weren't even tight. It seems as though I've never been size 14 in the summer though because my pants seem to go from 16 to 12....certainly not here yet.

Intermission

Since my last post, I've had a ct scan, an endoscopy, colonoscopy and today, I will have an ultrasound. This began with the doctor's hope to discover the cause of anemia, but has resulted in the discovery of a "mass" outside the gastrointestinal tract, thus the ultrasound today. Through what has been an anxious time, I have not gone "off" the food plan, which is somewhat of a miracle. In the past, I've often turned to food for comfort when life's challenges seem difficult. I haven't felt much like posting, I must admit, with all this uncertainty. So far, I've lost 7 lbs. though yesterday's procedures wiped out a few, only to return when I'm not fasting.

anxiety affects appetite

Tomorrow morning I'm supposed to see a gastroenterologist regarding anemia. My ferritin levels are low--over two tests--and my PCP is concerned about the cause. It seems likely that the doctor will recommend discontinuing Celebrex. That relieves about 75 percent of the pain of my arthritis, so I dread hearing this.

Of course, the weather may intervene in this visit as snow is predicted on top of the ice that has already accumulated. Meanwhile I feel hungry and deprived as food has been comfort for worry.

Why oh why did I take an 8 a.m. appointment? The roads might be clear later!!

Adding Exercise

Today, I used the elliptical trainer for 5 whole minutes. Tomorrow, I intend to do 10 and continue up to 30 minutes, though if today is any indication, that's going to be tough. I've been too sedentary too long. But, over the last two weeks, I only lost 1/2 lb. each week and this is too serious to being slovenly about exercise.

Dr. Beers, the rheumatologist I saw on Tuesday, was very kind in advising me on exercise that wouldn't cause my feet to complain. Five minutes doesn't appear to have inflicted any serious hurt.