Monday, January 23, 2012

Carbs

So, I am a HUGE fan of carbs.  The bad ones.  More specifically, potatoes, white bread and white rice. Especially potatoes.  I have discovered they don't work too well for me, being a diabetic.  Thankfully I am not taking medication yet, still able to control it with diet.

I have also discovered, if I have too much, especially around dinner, I wake up itching like crazy.  The itching is soooo bad, I don't know where to start scratching first.  I have scratches (drawn blood) on my ankles and the tops of my feet.  The itching is everywhere though.  I experimented last night and had very little carbs and no itching.  Heavy, heavy sigh.  I LOVE potatoes. 

I guess I am going to have to cut back on carbs.  I am not sure how this would work for a diabetic since they need to have a consistant amount throughout the day.  If anyone has any advice on this, I would sure love to hear from you.  Thanks, and have a great week.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Overheard

Haha!  I love it!  I overheard the following comment at work, about me:  "Do you know how much weight she has lost?  She has worked hard.  She has worked her literal ass off!"  That really made my day!

Still not losing.  Just found out the other day, I can't blame menopause or my hormone replacement.  Boo!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!  Stay strong.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

New Books

Hello All,
I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

In my last post, I mentioned my exercise routines.  They are taken from the books shown at left in the column, "Books I'm Reading".  I highly recommend all of them.  They are a straightforward, common sense approach to exercise.  Especially if you don't have access to a gym.  You need only a few items - hand weights and an exercise mat like those used in yoga.

The first, Getting in Shape, is the main book I use.  It is an excellent book.  It teaches you about stretching, aerobics and resistance training.  It has 32 workout programs, but my favorite is a basic, progressive workout program.  It has five levels, each building on the last.  And if you are too out of shape for the basic program, there is even something called, The Program Before the Program, to get you ready for the main one.

The second one, Fresh Start, is the Stanford Medical School Health & Fitness Program.  It has a wealth of information on proper nutrition and exercise.

The last one, The Complete Book of Abs for Women, has a several week program that also builds on the previous level and many other routines so that you can customize a program for yourself.  There is even and entire section for expectant women.  This book is thorough in teaching you about your body and the effects the exercises will have on it.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Update

Hello All,
Sorry I haven't been around in a while.  I have been very discouraged and frustrated.  There are only so many times you can say, "I keep losing and gaining the same 3-4 pounds over and over again".  My plan all along was to not go on a "diet", but to learn how to eat like a non-overweight (I don't want to say "normal") person...portion control, proper nutrition, etc. while trying to fit in the food requirements of high blood pressure and diabetes.  This is turning out to take longer than I expected. 

I haven't given up, quit, binged or anything like that.  Quite the opposite.  I am constantly thinking, tweeking and changing, trying new things.  My body is stronger and I have included more exercise into my routine.  I am still walking at both my breaks at work, and working my chair aerobics dvd on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.  And now I always take the stairs at work to the second floor and 3 times a day I go up to the third floor (have to fit work in somewhere :-) ).  I have added  a resistance routine Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings and abwork  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. 

I'm still not losing, but my shape is changing.  A co-worker told me the other day I looked great and that she hopes she looks as great as me when she looses her weight.  That made me feel REALLY good!  All my blouses are too large and I have been gradually replacing them.  I have gone from a 2X to a large.  My pants have gone from US24 to US18.

Well, I have to get some work done.  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!