Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Wait, no, weight!

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I have just been so stressed out lately that I haven’t been very chatty. I’m hoping to turn that around. I’m sure part of my mood has to do with our ‘wonderful’ weather that seems to drag out forever. Do you realize that we (Wisconsin) see only white for 5-7 months of the year? Ouch!

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So you could say I have felt a lot like this scruffy little bluebird. Aside from the weather, I have family members who have been let go from their jobs, or had to take a pay cut. In fact, my husband had to take a pay cut, and it’s one we will feel. The only good part of that is that we have been saving money on food lately.

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January 6th, about 3 weeks ago, we (my husband, daughter and I) signed up for our Community Weight Race. Our team name is ‘Fat Chance’. Now Britney, just had a baby so, of course she has a little to lose. My husband and I have gradually added on pounds over the last 6 years.

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Weight is not something I like to talk about and you still won’t see me talking about it constantly, but occasionally I’ll let you know how I’m doing. It’s a big sore spot embarrassment for me. I weighed 125 when I met my husband 7 years ago and when I got diagnosed with cancer 3 years ago I weighed significantly more. Through chemo I would gain and lose and I think that’s pretty normal. After chemo I went back to how I had been before plus a few more pounds and I understand that ‘chubbiness’ is a side effect of the type of chemo I had.

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Over the last 2 ½ years since stopping chemo I have wanted to lose, you may remember my anger at my oncologists for not caring more about my weight, but I knew at first I just needed to try to stay healthy and as long as I felt good, I was semi-content. Last year, I decided to try some SlimQuick, I’m sure you’ve seen the commercials for this weight loss pill, and after day two of taking the medicine I felt horrible! I mean really bad, so I stopped taking them (felt discouraged and nursed myself back to health over the next few days) and my family encouraged me again to just be content that I was cancer free and to leave my weight alone.

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But, this time I decided to try things a little differently. I don’t think my body can handle any weight loss drugs, so I set out to just try watching what I eat. For me that means counting my calories. I have read that the lowest a woman should go is 1200 calories a day, so I aim for that. My daily average is 1170 calories. How do I know this? Well I have been keeping a calorie journal. I found that there are several online, but I’m using My Calorie Counter. I love it and it helps me a lot!  A lot of foods are already there but you can add in your own as well.  Most chain restaurants have their nutritional information on their website so you can scope it out before you go.  And I just found another great site for nutritional information.

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I have found I love salad and I don’t mind the fat free dressing, I can dip my fork in the dressing then stab some salad and cut even more calories without sacrificing the taste. We still have our pizza day on Sundays, we just eat less of it. McDonald’s Bacon Ranch Salad with grilled chicken is to die for! Just substitute half of a packet of Tangy Honey Mustard for the Ranch Dressing. I haven’t really had any cravings, not even chocolate. But I do still allow myself a couple of tall Mocha Frappaccinos (no whip – 200 calories) a week, much better than my 11-15 grande fraps I was having.

Oh! I almost forgot, I drink water now. I never drank water before and now I am up to drinking 8-9 glasses a day, the first week I just tried to get 2-3 a day down, that was plenty, but now I actually don’t mind it. Of course, I’ve added in exercise and know that as I lose it will be easier to do more. I’ve only made one bad choice, which I wrote about but never published, so I’ll add it here. I wrote this on January 9th:

Thanx, but I’ll pass


I decided to try Women's Ultra Mega Active Vitapak from GNC today. I took the pack about 11 am, I did not read the fine print about taking with food, I did eat about an hour later. By 2:30 my tummy wasn't feeling too well, but I figured things would all work out.

I felt very full. About 4:30 we went to get some movies and I started feeling a little worse so, as Dennis checked out, I went to sit in the car. Within a couple blocks of our house I was feeling kinda wonky. Not really dizzy but weird, and I felt a little nauseous. Pardon my giving of possibly too much information, but I thought I needed to use the restroom so I sat down, discovered no that I was going to throw up, grabbed the pitcher I rinse the dogs with and promptly vomited.

The next thing I remember I heard moaning, rather loud moaning and I wondered who was moaning then I realized it was me and I got quieter, then stopped. I opened my left eye and saw the beige rug that is next to the bathtub, I opened the other eye and saw the baseboard trim. I apparently did a face plant – ouch! I pushed myself up a little and discovered blood.

I thought I had given myself a bloody nose and I yelled, “Dennis!”, he was right outside the door (he had heard me fall) and came in immediately and helped me get up and clean up. We discovered the blood was coming from a gash in my lip. (I now have a lovely scar)

The vitapak is the only thing I did different today so I think the two are related. This is only the second time in my life I have ever passed out! The first was when I was a preteen and that time I saw black splotches then went limp and lost vision but could still hear. I felt it coming. This time I was up one moment and down the next, with no memory of the in between – scary!

I guess I really can't take anything for weight loss.  It bites that I have to do it all on my own.  But I'm terrified of passing out again.

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I weighed in yesterday and have lost 11 pounds, so it’s working! Soon, I’ll look like this slim,sleek fellow. :)

29 comments:

  1. When I started drinking 8 glasses of water a day, I would end up losing tons of weight. Have you thought about the weight watchers point system? My babysitter does that and she has been very sucessful on it. And.....no pills.

    Congrats on losing 11 pounds. That is usually a whole pant/dress size!!

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  2. Five to seven months of white is serious. That's enough to make a person laugh while watching an Ingmar Bergman flick. I know this because I know.....I laughed.

    Thanks for this dose of color. So needed here in Connecticut, where the abstract art known as Snow Storm just isn't feeding the muse these days.

    Your photos are like a lifeline.

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  3. Wow, that's impressive. Weight loss gets down to smaller portions and smarter choices. Water always seems to help too. I need to walk the talk a bit more!

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  4. Wow-way to go!! Im trying to lose the last 15 pounds STILL from the baby I had almost 3 years ago. To be honest, I havent tried really hard but I am now. My husband tells me to try things like diet pills but Im not one for taking meds or stuff...now I prob. never will after reading that!! lol I only drin kwater...actually I drink Propel, cant stand the taste of water.
    I love your pictures.
    Good luck on the weight lose my friend!!

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  5. I've passed out a couple of times for dehydration and for that (like when you were a preteen) I see black splotches, feel nauseous, lose vision, but could still hear (so scary!) And then a few months ago I passed out just like you did - I went totally out could with only a second or two of a forewarning.

    Any ways, I wanted to say good luck with your weight loss plan, it sounds like you are taking the right path for you (and the most healthiest.)

    Big hugs!

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  6. those diet pills are nothing but trouble --i hope you continue your healthy route. life is tough enough as it is without starving or neglecting yourself. be sure to take your vitamins and add in some beans or something with a ton of protein, too.

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  7. Hmm... if you start getting the shakes from being hungry it might level the playing field a little! I kid. Seriously, good on ya. I know it seems like it took longer than it should've, but the way you're losing it is the way that will allow you to keep it off too. There's no magic bullet, no matter what people might claim.

    And thanks for adding some color to the world here. Down in this part of the world, we don't even get the white to dress up the landscape... just a lot of bare trees and brown leaves.

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  8. Lisa - If I ever get even close to your beautiful photograph skills, I will be one proud peacock! Such wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

    Also, thanks for the info on the diet. I am going to give this a try I believe. This weight of mind is really getting me down.

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  9. The all white months can be a bit daunting I think. We haven't been too white here, but still colder than I would like. The birds are beautiful though and so nice to see during the Winter.

    Congrats on the 11 pounds! I am so proud of you and jealous! I'd love to lose 11 or even maybe 111! LOL! I started drinking more water again a few weeks ago. It's hard at first, because I hate water, but it's good for me. Or so I tell myself. I wish you luck in this venture and hope to hear about your progress along the way.

    BTW, are you going to be around in the coming weeks?

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  10. WOW! High 5 Lisa!! 11 pounds is a lot!!! Way to go!!
    Scary that you passed out.

    Thanks for sharing the lovely photos.

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  11. Lisa, I hope people read your post and learn something. When I told one of my co-workers that diet and exercise was the only way to lose weight and keep it off, she looked at me (I'm way over weight) and said "If it's that easy why don't you do it!"
    B*&ch. I think people have a messed up idea of easy.
    But I lost 79 pounds when I finally decided I had to (gained ten back, but hanging in there). Hard to do when you have a candy blog and a sweet tooth.
    The consensus between nutritionists, doctors, and fitness experts is that losing between 1.5 and 3 pounds is healthy. And believe me it adds up.

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  12. I'm overweight and have been trying to do Weight Watchers, then I read this article about "heavy thinking" causing weight gain so I've decided to stop thinking :)

    Here's the article. :) :)
    http://aftercancernowwhat.blogspot.com/2009/01/thinking-makes-you-fat.html

    I know, I know, wishful thinking

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  13. congratulations on the weight loss - good for you for not waiting any longer (hehe) .... I'm sorry you fell ... that's scary.

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  14. Congrats! I can't take anything either. It certainly is not easy...but it is the healthiest way!

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  15. Wow CONGRATS, that is certainly progress Lisa! That fruit combo looks divine to me right now.

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  16. Congrats on the weight loss, I wish it were easier,lol. I started doing Weight Watchers and so far I like it and am loosing. It is all about portion and exercise! It's funny that you are growing tired of the snow, I miss the snow and am growing tired of warm and sunny all the time. Although it is a bit cool in Florida right now, I still would like a few feet of snow,lol.

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  17. Congratulations!!!!! Maybe your success will get me started...keep us posted every so often.

    Leedra’s Photos For Fun

    Leedra’s Greeting Cards

    Photography By Leedra

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  18. Awesome job.......keep up the good work! :)

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  19. at least you are trying. I can't seem to summon any thing to get me going

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  20. Thanks for visiting me...I love to visit you & see all of your beautiful photos & now you are spilling your guts (literally) for us...what a gal! Congratulations on your weight loss. Just don't hurry it, if you change your eating habits, the weight will come off eventually. I have always found that the trick is to keep yourself busy so you just stop thinking about food. The problem with dieting is that all you do is think about food. Find yourself a fun distraction so that food just becomes an annoyance!

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  21. Your images are so full of a different season. Love them all !
    congrats on your weight loss, sounds like you are doing good things for yourself.
    Also it is very generous of you to share how to make a light box.

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  22. Good for you. It's such a hard thing, losing weight, but necessary for our health.

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  23. Well, as you saw on my other blog, I've been trying to lose weight too -- well, for quite a few years now. So wow -- 11 pounds is great and it sounds like you are -- for the most part -- doing it sensibly! (No more pills for you, I think! Kind of scary what happened to you.) I should check out Calorie Counter perhaps. I haven't just tried doing calories but perhaps that would work. Who knows ... basically I think my problem is that I need some willpower or self-control --I know what I need to do but I just don't do it. Keep on going! You are doing great.

    And I'm sorry to hear about the job loss and pay cuts. Seems to be happening everywhere. Some close family members were laid off recently and my husband's company isn't doing raises. But that is better than a pay cut or losing a job so I"m not complaining. I hope we get this whole economy thing turned around, but I think it can be a good time to learn how to be less wasteful too (as a country). We still have so much more than so many people in the world.

    Great and thought-provoking posts -- and good photos too!

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  24. Methinks I'd have lots of trouble with 5-7 months of winter white ... seriously. I love the way you have colorful photos to remind yourself and others of sunnier times. Congratulations on getting rid of the 11 pounds so far and much good energy to you on your continuing efforts. Weight Watchers has always worked for me. I've not tried much else because I'm always worried about ill effects of weight loss products. Hope you've recovered from the fall.
    Hugs and blessings,

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  25. Congratulations. I have to lose weight. I didn't lose in the summer and gained 10 pounds this winter. My neighbour and I might have to do something drastic together besides bike riding in summer. I am determined to go to volleyball tomorrow night.

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  26. [...] January 1, 2010 Wait, No, Weight! Posted by fat chance under Lisa's Zone | Tags: calorie counting, diet, exercise, losing weight, overweight, weight loss, weight race | Leave a Comment  Originally posted January 29th, 2009 [...]

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