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.

Return to My Kitchen

I've been away from my kitchen, grocery, eating schedule: Away from home in only the second week of this serious, serious attempt at permanent weight loss. Some challenges I faced: two 13-hour road trips (coming and going); a gracious hostess who lays out LOTS of food for every meal at her guest house; the possibility of wine and appetizers before dinner each evening; chocolate candy in the pantry; fried food, including hush puppies, when out at meal time; eating schedule way out of whack.

Weds, we'll see how and if I surmounted this Olympic challenge or if I went downhill, but I certainly bypassed quite a few possibilities for serious challenges. I think it was at least a bronze-medal week!!

Meeting the Dietician

Yesterday, I had an hour-long meeting with a dietician. I'm happy to say I have lost two lbs. this first week. I'm braced for a week out of town with wonderful people who may possibly not be in the weight-loss groove. I'm rather new at this to be letting go of some control!

This morning I had fasting blood work done to track the anemia and cholesterol: two challenges I face.

My mixer for the morning beverage got stuck shut and I had to let it "leak" out into a cup. A rather foolish challenge for early in the morning.

Ordinary Day

It's 4 p.m. and I'm hungry as I write this post. I did pretty well yesterday, despite birthday cake being offered twice. Today, I had egg whites as part of my lunch and I'm not doing that again. It just looks so boring. I do appreciate something hot, though.

Venturing Out of the House

Yesterday Larry and I attended the funeral of a 99-year-old magnificent mother of five great children. In the context of weight loss, however, it seemed challenging to eat away from home. As it turned out, it wasn't so difficult. It would appear that, if I can use my mouth for talking, I don't need to use it as much for eating! This will happen again today, as we travel to celebrate the 80th birthday of one cousin, followed by the 70th birthday of a brother-in-law. My sister says she can always skip cake. Well, I'll have to do a LOT of talking to avoid cake, although I think I did that yesterday. I simply avoided the dessert table. I know I saw cupcakes and peppermints from a distance and a brownie up close (it was being consumed by someone at our table) but I just kept my eyes on people instead.

Day One

Last evening, I attended "New Start" at the hospital and this morning I made my first "artificial" meal, a "supplement" that replaces one meal a day. The program seems very strict and I feel anxious. The supplement was actually so large that it was had to finish it. I'm writing this blog to increase my commitment to the program and to weight loss.

I feel handicapped in that most exercise seems prohibitive because of the arthritis in my feet and hands, but I hope to figure something out--with the help of the people at the hospital. Lack of exercise is one reason I got into this shape--and exercise may have been one reason my feet hurt--and my feet hurting is a reason I don't exercise. Do you see the pattern it will be hard to escape?

I need to go to the grocery to stock up on some recommended foods. My other meals today are actual food that I will prepare. Since my blood work indicates a shortage of ferritin, I'm committing myself to spinach.

I don't know if anyone other than myself is reading this, but if you are, I appreciate your moral support.

Getting on with it

My New Year's resolution was to lose weight. Sound familiar?

But this feels like a final attempt, so I'm using the big guns (and I don't mean big as in weigh-a-lot) to help me.

1. I researched my insurance coverage and asked my doctor's advice.
2. January 15:  I attended an info session for non-surgical weight loss. Made an appointment with the physician in charge of the program.
3. January 27: I kept an appointment with Dr. Troy Schumann, the physician associated with the program. That day, I also was weighed and measured and categorized as obese.
4. January 28: I completed blood work. I was found to be anemic and told to consult my PCP.
6. January 31. Back to my doctor. Perhaps anemic because of donating blood on Jan. 16.
7. February 6. St. E's: attendance at New Start
8. February 12 first meeting with dietician