Finally! An update

Wow! I really haven’t posted anything for a long time!  I’ve been working full time, and haven’t taken much time for anything else.   I’ve not taken me time for a while.  I have actually gained a nice bit of weight back that I had lost.  But, Curves has a new Promotion that started this month!  Free Summer, Don’t Pay till September.  I’ll be heading there to check it out very shortly.  I tried Curves about a month or more ago and I really liked it!

I haven’t really bounced back like I thought I would from surgery.  I still find myself in pain most days.  I’ve noticed too that colds and flus are lasting an awful lot longer then they used to.  What would only be a couple days has turned into weeks of being sick!!  Also, My Scent Allergy has come back double fold!  I had an awful attack on my way to work, and ended up going to emergency.  It was the first time I saw spots before my eyes from lack of air.  I now have a prescription though so I’m hoping that I won’t have to go through that again!

With working, my diet has really suffered.  I haven’t been eating as healthily as I would like.  I do get some fruit in my day, but the food I take to work most times is something quick.  I’m back to using Frozen dinners and things.  Which I know is really bad for me.  A few Days a week I’ll prepare something, and I have been able to make a salad to take to work as well.  So I’m at least getting some greens in my day.    I’ve really let everything slide because I haven’t been feeling well.  But that isn’t working for me anymore.  I’m getting much worse health wise.  And I want to get back to the way I felt back in January!!  I’ve started buying more fruits and vegetables now to add to my diet.  I am cutting back on the canned and frozen foods I buy.  I have mot of the recipes I was eating when I lived with my grandparents so I am trying to work back to making some of those dishes and take that to work.

I’m really looking forward to going to Curves today, and finding out about the new promotion and what I can do there.  I really enjoyed the trial week i had, and have been trying to get back there to join since.  I really think it’s what I need to start taking my health back among other things. Also doesn’t hurt to have the other women as support and motivation which I’m lacking being alone in my apartment!  Where I’ve been sick I’ve fallen into the trap of staying inside my room and resting trying to get well, but the inactivity is creating more problems than helping.

My Work is very understanding, and is working with me to get my health back as well.  They have an EFAP  Program (Employee & Family Assistance Program) that is confidential and can help on a variety of things from health and Wellness, to Stress Management, Financial Planning and Support, Help with Aging family Members, Online Courses to teach you all kinds of thing about Nutrition and handling stress and a lot more.  So I’ve started using that site today too.  I’m using any resource I can get my hands on to help me get back to healthy.  I love my work and I want to continue working, so I’m trying to work my way back to where I was in January.

I know I should be eating healthy and getting out more, I just chose not to do much as I had had surgery and hadn’t  been able to.  But then I got more sicknesses the more I stayed in, until now where I’m so fed up with being inside!!  Well, I think it’s time to go check out Curves!

Surgery :O

February was a really rough month for me!  I missed about half the month from work.  It started in January, I had been having problems with extreme gas pains, or what I thought was extreme gas pains.  Finally Thursday, Feb 6(?) I went to the Hospital.  I fouind out it was my Gall Bladder!  I went through a lot of pain, and a couple more trips to the E.R.  On Feb 23, I had my Gall Bladder removed!  My First ever surgery!  My First organ removal!

I’m now feeling much much better!  I have some tightness as It’s been about 2 weeks since surgery.  But considering the pain I was in before surgery to the pain I have after surgery there is no comparison at all!

I haven’t been able to go to a T.O.P.S.(Taking off pounds sensibly) Meeting since January.  Today I left a message for the Coodinator for my area, I’m trying to find a location that i can attend that has a meeting in the AM to not conflict with my work.  I work afternoon to evening, Mon-Fri with weekends off!  I’m just waiting for her to call back.

My time is almost up, as I am on a break at my work!  A quick post to explain the extreme lapse in time from my last post!  I am doing great now that I know what is wrong.  I have gained a bit of weight now, but I’m OK With that as at the moment I’m vocusing on getting recovered from surgery.  I am trying to eat healthier at work though and that is going well with the new Healthy Steamers and such available now!

Anyways I must return to work!

Some Challenges

I haven’t had much opportunity to post any updates lately as I am adjusting to working full-time.  But, as I have some time before I have to catch my bus home, I thought I’d make a post at work.

I’m having difficulty with my exercise routine as I am now stuck at a desk most of the day,  which hasn’t been good for my weight loss.  I actually had my first weight gain last week at my TOPS meeting.  A little discouraged, but I’m not giving up.  I’m working on ideas to get more exercise into my day.  Like walking around the lunch room for my breaks, at least a little bit might help.  Trying to get some things situated to do some exercises on the weekends.  Still trying to find my walking DVD.  I know I packed it, but it seems to have been eaten by the dust mites or something, it just isn’t in my suitcase .  Gotta dig out the suitcase and go through it totally!! 

Another challenge for me is that my new job has a functioning cafeteria from 8am to 3pm which will make tonnes of food daily:  Bagels, sandwiches, pasta, pizza, fries, burgers, wraps, etc etc.  Anything you can think up they probably will make it.  Which is verry harrd to reeesiist!!  I’ve done good so far, but just coming into the lunch room to eat my meals I can smell everything they cook. 

Another thing I have trouble with now is drinking enough water.  Where I’m at my desk constantly I forget to drink my water, even though I have it there.  I get so wrapped up in my orders that I don’t drink anything.

So, adding all these things up, you can see why I had a gain.  I’m really working on curtailing that in the butt though.  I do more planning at night now, making sure I have enough food with me so I won’t be tempted to eat something from the cafeteria.  I just have to get more exercise!

Well, that’s all for me for the moment, I don’t wanna push the time too much and miss my bus home

Post Interview Information/Settled

Well, I had my interview yesterday and I think it went well!  I went in with a good outlook, and came out feeling like I have the job!  I’ll know for sure later in the week.  The interview was long, but very informative.  I learned more about the job I’ll be doing, and got to meet some of the employees!  I’m looking forward to working there.

On to my new place!  I’m settling into the area again, and getting around quite well!  I’ve been outside more since I came back to Dartmouth than I can remember in a while.  I needed this move to get more out of myself, and to prove to myself that I can do this weight loss on my own as well.  I’ve been doing good so far, the true test will be Thursday night, that’s when I weigh in at my new Dartmouth TOPS Chapter.  I’m looking forward to meeting the new chapter.  A little nervous to see how I did since moving.  I’ve been struggling with drinking enough liquids, it’s always been a problem of mine.  I’ve filled two bottles with water and keep them with me to remind myself to drink!  Started that yesterday and it seems to be working so far!

Now that I am back in the big city, I have to walk everywhere.  I do have a Bus pas I use for longer destinations in the HRM, but mostly I walk when I can.  It’s been chilly, but I found it refreshing to be outside.  Winter is definately settled into Dartmouth/Halifax, unlike in Grand Bank where I was!!  There was no snow and it wasn’t as cold either.  We could still walk the trail without wearing gloves or really buttoning the coats up to the neck so to speak.  But you definately need your winter gear in Halfax!!

I do miss Nan’s Home cooking!  I’m learning to cook for myself, so it’s not all bad, just miss the grandparents.  They helped keep me motivated, moving and active!  Nan’s been emailing me daily with anything she finds interesting, and she’s sent me a number of recipes I wanna try really soon!  It’s something to keep me going down here to the library!!  And as I am at the Library often I can keep track of my posts and such for my blog here!!  Well that’s about all for me at the moment!

Now in NS

I’m now in NS!  First day and all so not much to say.  Still getting settled in my new place and finding things.  I’ve kept myself moving most of the day, so I hope to have some weight loss when I go to the new TOPS soon.  I’ll post a longer entry when I’ve gotten settled a little more.

New Year, New Beginnings

This is a New Year, and with the new year comes new beginnings.  I will be traveling back to Dartmouth NS tomorrow.  I will be returning to work as well hopefully.  I have an interview lined up for Monday afternoon.  I’ve loved living with my grandparents, and learning so much from my Grandmother.  I felt it was time to spread my wings and try to be on my own again after so long.  I’ve been living with other people for about a year or more now because of sickness.  I really want to have my own apartment and try to manage things on my own.  My grandparents are very supportive and are helping me get situated in my new place.  I don’t know what I would do without my family.  They have been such a fount of knowledge and love.

Having spent the last 4 months with my grandparents has really helped my outlook on life.  I’ve learned I am able to do so much.  I’ve now lost 37 and a half pounds since September!  As of yesterday at my TOPS meeting I weigh 217.5!!  First time in years I am in the teens of 200 pounds!!  I am so happy with myself and plan on continuing my weight loss in NS.  The next post will be from my new home in Dartmouth NS!!  I am excited about this new beginning, and am looking forward to returning to work!

The pics above chronicle the weight loss I’ve had since I came in September!  I’m looking great now and I feel great!  Well, I will post again once I am settled in my new place in Dartmouth NS!!

Christmas Day

Today is Christmas Day, and it is a very special day for Christians.  This is the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  It is a time to spend with Family and Friends.  We get caught up in the gifts and the entertaining, that sometimes we forget the true meaning of the season.  This is the time when Jesus became Human.  He is God with us, Immanuel.  He chose to leave Heaven and to come to Earth, to be born into Humanity, to live and grow as we do.  Experience what we experience, be tempted as we are tempted.  To love and to hurt.  How it must have grieved him to be separated from God the Father, and from the splendor of heaven!  And yet, he went through it all, living here amongst us, and chose to die for us.  What Love he has for us, much as God the Father has for us.

My favorite passage has been Romans 8:28  “All things work together for good, to them that love the Lord, to Them that are called according to his purposes.”  It gives me courage to press on, even in something simple as weight loss.  I realize that even if I slip this hour, there is another hour to make a better choice.  I may not always feel great about the choice I made, but I try to do better.  Today, I definitely made some bad choices.  I ate way too much sweets, and in the process made myself sick.  I’ve already planned what I’m doing tomorrow.  I’m mostly having Juices as I feel way too full from today.  Over all today, it was a wonderful day.  I was able to spend it with my family and enjoy their company.

In our home for Christmas, we open our presents one by one.  We watch the person opening the present and we admire the gift.  I really enjoy this way, as everyone sees what you have, and it takes more time to get through the gifts.  Making the time spent together more enjoyable.  You really get a chance to see the reactions of your family as they open their gift and you can really share in their joy.  The gift of giving is really what this season is all about.  On that first Christmas, the greatest gift of all was given from God the Father, to the World.  Jesus was born to us, to be our Saviour.  That is the greatest present I ever received:  God’s Love, Jesus’ Sacrifice, and My Salvation.

Cleaning out the Closet

Today I went through my closet and have gotten rid of a lot of stuff!  There was a lot of clothes that was way too big on me now!  My closet is so much lighter!  I had hangers with two and three items, now I can get everything on individual hangers, which has made a considerable difference to space.  And boy does it ever feel good to get rid of those clothing!!  Just to see something I wore just 3 short months ago, and to see that it really is too big for me now is such an accomplishment!!  And encouragement to continue losing weight.

I have gone back to my original diet we had started in September.  I’m not eating any Gluten or any Starchy Carbs.  I’m eating mostly Low Glycemic items as that will help to get my insulin down, and should help bring my hormones back to normal.  Nan and I read that Insulin is something that drives up testosterone, and if you eat low GI foods, it will help lower testosterone.  All of this will definitely help my PCOS problem.  Since Saturday, my skin has started to clear up again.  And the dryness is now just my forehead instead of my entire face.  I haven’t had any bread in about 5 days, since last Thursday, also true for no starchy carbs like white potato.  I feel really great again now that I’m back to not eating any gluten.

I’ve been working out a lot more lately.  I’ve even started using an E-Z Krunch, which is challenging, but is great exercise for my stomach muscles and legs.

I’m so excited for the Holiday Season!  Being home with Nan and Pop for Christmas is a real treat.  We have a lot of gifts already under the tree!  I can’t wait to see them open their gifts!  We’re also having some Family and Friends coming down in the next little while and we’re going out visiting, so it’s a very nice time of yeat.  So nice to have family around again.  I’ve really missed them all since I had moved away.

TOPS Christmas Party

I had my Christmas Party for TOPS(Taking off pounds Sensibly) last night.  I had a wonderful time!  There was a lot of good food and great fellowship.  We exchanged gifts and also drew door prizes.  The House was beautifully decorated and was warm and inviting.  When you’re among friends it’s always a wonderful time.

We also had a contest for the month of December, if you gained any weight you brought in something of Christmas (A mug, or tray, or decoration), I won the entire bag of items as I haven’t gained any weight this month!  There were a lot of nice things in the bag:  A Christmas tray, Christmas bowl, Oven Mits, a nice travel mug, also a Christmas mug, and  Gingerbread Man Ornament, some Christmas candles, and a couple packs of Christmas napkins.

The things I got from the exchange of gifts are: A nice Santa Knocker, and a stocking with a snowman peeking out of it!  I already told Nan I want my stocking filled!! I also got a beautiful angel ornament our president made for us!  And of course cards from everyone.  I hadn’t even thought of Christmas cards for everyone!  I’ll have to work on that this week as we do have a meeting the 23rd of December.

All in all it was a wonderful evening, and I had a great time with the ladies!  We all spoiled our youngest member of course!  She’s 16 and she’s just about to her goal weight, we’re all so excited for her!  She’s been working very hard and is now very close to the weight she wanted.  She’s beautiful as she is, but then we all have some weight issues.

I did lose 2 and a half pounds,  since I last weighed in at TOPS – we didn’t have a weigh in last week, my current weight is 222.5.  Getting very close to my first goal weight of 200 pounds.  I am so excited to be getting closer to a goal!!  In total I have lost 33 pounds since coming to live with Nan and Pop!!

I look forward to seeing how I manage with all the extra Christmas food, both entertaining our guests and also visiting family and friend’s Homes.

My TOPS Meeting Cancelled!

My TOPS Meeting was cancelled for this week as there are a lot of events happening and everyone seems to have a supper to go to!!  So, Next week is also our Christmas Party, we weigh in at 6pm instead of 6:30.  I’m really looking forward to this, as it gives me more time to get some weight down again!!  I did weigh this morning, I hadn’t been weighing for a few days, I was pleasantly surprised.  I was actually down a couple pounds!!  My weight as of this morning is now 223.6.

I’m actually really happy that with all I am eating that I am not gaining any weight.  Nan’s order of some suppliments have come in and we are now taking a Probiotic packet you mix into a glass of water.  We take a Whole Foods Multi-Vitamin, and also something called Chlorella.  I keep forgetting about the B-12 Spray I have.  So, taking these things also has helped my digestion.  My Symptoms from IBS has been getting a lot better.  I also haven’t been running to the bathroom as often either from the IBS.  My Stomach is very calm since eating healthier foods, and drinking lots of water.  Probably should try to drink more!!

Still haven’t been able to exercise much, but then I am moving around a lot more doing the housework.  I’m standing more than sitting now, and trying to find ways to keep active rather than sitting still.

I’m more content with my body these days.  I’m also noticing that my mind is clearing out of the fog.  I still have some days of negativity, but I find that I am getting to be more positive and cheerful.

Well, It’s just about suppertime, so I will post more another day.