Going strong, a little at a time (Week 25 Update)

Here's my week at a glance:

583 calories under weekly budget
10.4% protein consumed
3,853 calories of exercise done (cleaning, yardwork, gardening, aqua aerobics, weight lifting)
1 pound lost (down to 345.4)

I got a fairly uncomfortable sunburn on my upper back and shoulders from aqua aerobics class. I did put on sunscreen but it's very hard to reach there, and I would feel incredibly weird going up to a random person in the locker room and asking them to do my back for me. In the past I've sometimes worn t-shirts over my suit for protection from the sun; my teacher recommended a certain kind of water wear that doesn't have any elastic in it, is built for wearing in the pool and lasts a long time. I'm thinking about getting one; it's long sleeved with a zipper in the front. But it's about $50 bucks, money I don't have right now, and I also figure I'm losing weight and something to wear in the water you don't really want to be baggy and flowing. I have 2 shirts from REI, one short-sleeved and one long-sleeved that are thin enough to dry quickly and actually have some sun protection. I should probably just wear those for now.

It has been a good week overall. I'm kind of nervous waiting for the results of a job interview I did last week, but there's nothing I can do at this point but wait for a phone call.

My foot is still bothering me. I had been on 500mg of Naproxen twice a day almost the whole last 3 weeks while I was doing physical therapy, and then ran out just before the end. I didn't really realize it was helping until it's gone. I've got a refill on it, I just haven't used it yet. I need to stay on top of my physical therapy exercises and stretches as well. I was thinking last night before bed that I should really bring a rope or something up and put it within reaching distance in the morning for doing my hamstring stretches while still in bed.

I'm a little sad because I feel like I wasted the last 3 months or so that could have been good weight loss months and instead I actually gained. I think it's just really hard for me to stay focused on something like physical health when I feel so blahhhh. I'm back on track now though, so that's what matters.

Cholesterol Update

I had my 3 month check-in with my physician, with accompanying lipid panel. I am on 20 mg of lipitor (the lowest dose) and take a flax oil liqui-gel once per day. Exercise is supposed to help raise HDL and weight loss helps the big picture.

I didn't get a copy of the report like I usually ask for, but here's what I remember:

Total Cholesterol: 167
HDL: 49 (up from 40 in December)
LDL: 99 (about the same)
Triglycerides: don't know.

My doc seamed pleased, and all numbers are within heart-healthy range. I'd like to try going off of the lipitor once I get my weight down and see if I can do without it.

A higher number on the HDL --- maybe 60 would be attainable? -- would be great. If I keep losing weight and getting physical activity, maybe I can get there in time.

Doing a better job now (2011 Week 24 Update)

Here are my stats for the last week:

Calories: 354 under weekly budget
Protein: 10% of diet
Weight Change: -0.3 pounds
Exercise: 2,376 calories worth. yard work, gardening, weight training, stretching and house cleaning.

My mood has continued to improve. I feel more like myself these days; I am able to genuinely smile and laugh. I am still anxious sometimes but doing a better job of coping. I have been sleepier than I am used to though, and I wonder if that might be a reaction to the increased antidepressant medication dose. I suppose it also could just be spring allergies. Here's hoping it passes soon.

I've been going to physical therapy twice per week for my plantar fascitis, to learn and practice stretches and strength training exercises that will make my hips and legs more balanced, and everything stronger and more flexible. I have also been doing some core exercises there, like planks, bridges, etc. It is very hard work but I think it will be a good habit to get into, and not just for my foot problem.

My birthday was last month and one of my gifts was a lightweight, fabric hammock. I just got around to putting it up in a tree in the back yard several days ago and I have really been enjoying hanging out (literally!) outside in it, reading, working on the computer, or just relaxing. And I went back to aqua aerobics again today.

I want to do lap swimming at the pool, but I'm a little intimidated by the crowded lanes, especially since I swim more slowly than a lot of people. I used to go to an indoor pool when I lived in a different city, and it was open all day long, so I could choose non-peak times to go and do some laps. They also had lane markers: "slow", "medium" and "fast", so I felt like there was a spot set aside for me!

I still can't get back to walking and hiking yet (says doc) which is disappointing. Maybe I'll take a cycling class this week at the gym.

Cat's home safe but gained 2 pounds. (2011 Week 23 Update)

Here are my stats for the last week:

1295 calories over budget
3601 estimated calories of exercise done
10% protein consumed (oops)
+1.7 pounds

I have been doing a little better mood wise, and doing alright on exercise, but my diet has been crap. Have to get all the pieces working together again.

I was at the park with my niece last week and a little boy who was playing on the equipment asked what was in my belly, why it was so big. Argh. I know he's just an innocent kid and probably was curious if there was a baby in there or something but comments like that are so disheartening. And I think he said it loud enough that my parents, sitting over on a park bench nearby, could hear.

Speaking of parents, my mom has mentioned a couple times on the phone that she's just about to eat a salad, and it comes out that all she puts in that salad is iceberg lettuce and salad dressing. My dad was talking to her about it in front of me yesterday afternoon, pointing out that she wasn't eating the tomatoes she bought. "What do you put in your salad, M, he said? Just lettuce, cheese, croutons and dressing?"

When I was younger and still lived at home, and I would beg my mom to get some actually fresh produce at the store for me (a fledgling vegetarian) to eat, she'd go, get a head of iceberg lettuce, some tomatoes, croutons, and baco-bits, set aside a small amount for me, then make a huge, literally gallon sized salad for herself, drowned in thousand island dressing, and there would be no more vegetables of any sort left in the house. She felt virtuous when she ate those things; I could see it in her face. Ugh.

Anyway.

I just got a message on my phone this afternoon about an application I turned in *3* months ago. Ridiculous, but hopefully something will come of it. I think getting back on my feet with a stable job to support me would help my mood, and in turn, my weight loss efforts.

But I'm feeling optimistic. I'm going to do my physical therapy exercises tonight, and plan on doing some laps at the pool or maybe a cycling class tomorrow afternoon. It's going to be okay.

Up too late and worried about my kitty.

How has 5 1/2 months passed already since the new year? Where did the time go?

I am up later than I want to be, worried because the more adventurous of my two kitties is outside and no longer within bell jingle's distance. She's very trusting and pretty much fearless about exploring new territory, and it all terrifies me. Meanwhile, I'm keeping the doors shut to keep my other cat inside and I worry that because of the shut doors she won't come check in like she usually would. I've been periodically going outside and calling her name, wiggling a flashlight around to try to get her to come to me (she loves light).

I was reading over a list of physical requirements of nurses a little earlier this evening. I probably shouldn't do anything anxiety-producing like that so late at night. My podiatrist said that people of all sizes and athletic abilities get plantar fascitis; he assured me that it had nothing to do with my weight. And then the physical therapist told me that losing weight would help. So I'm a little confused there. I mean, hopefully he's right. Hopefully, with the physical therapy, and the orthotics, and losing weight and getting in better shape, my foot problem will go away.

I am really tired. I hope she's back soon.

Mood Improvements (2011 Week 22)

Well, I'm kind of late on this post, but I have good things to report. I was under my calorie goal (but not by toooo much) on all but one day last week -- the one day I was over I went to a birthday/housewarming party and I am sure I was over but I didn't keep very good track of various snacks. By my estimate, I was 2,577 under my calorie goal, and I lost one pound.

The good thing is, my mood is improving a little bit. I'm feeling just a bit more motivated, a bit more optimistic.

I was kind of down because I'd really been enjoying hiking, and my podiatrist said I needed to take a break from any hiking or distance walking for a few weeks to let my foot heal, but, well, I've gone to an aqua aerobics class a couple times, and have been using the stationary bike at the gym, and hopefully I can keep it up and still get the exercise I want to get until my foot heals. The aqua aerobics is a little too geriatric for my taste, but I am getting some good stretching in, so I might do some of that and some lap swimming too.

I am also going to a physical therapist for my plantar fascitis issues, and he's having me do a bunch of overall strength training to help my foot, so that's probably a good thing.

Feeling Stronger (2011 Week 21 Update)

In my last week, as summarized by Loseit, I was about 1200 calories over budget, and gained 2.8 pounds. So, all in all, not the best week.

However, I did go on a big hike on Sunday with my Dad. It was a trail that I'd been on before this past thanksgiving with my whole family and in laws, and it took us all over 2 hours to get around the loop. Last Sunday, it took my dad and I about 1 1/2 hours. I did it again today (I'm a couple days behind on this post) and it took me an hour and ten minutes.

The 2.8 pounds last week I feel like I can blame almost entirely on anxiety and responding to that anxiety by binging on ice cream. I'm really stressed out in the rest of my life right now.

But after the hike today I feel a lot better. I know theoretically that exercise helps with stress management and mood issues but I haven't been good in the past at putting that theory into practice. Today's hike was a good move.

Tomorrow I'm planning to get up at a reasonable hour, go apply for another job, and then spend the rest of the day with my niece. Maybe I'll even go to aqua-aerobics in the evening.

I'm feeling a little bit stronger and more capable, a little more like things are going to work out, one way or the other.