Going to see my doctor tomorrow and starting testing [Archive] - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

TMunday

09-29-2005, 04:02 PM

I don't have much time before I have to leave to get my kids from school... so I am just going to copy and paste from my notes on my web site and from an email (I hope you don't mind Misty ;)) I sent out today.

I have an appointment for 1 tomorrow. We will start with blood test to test my thyroid.

--------> Does anyone know a web site with information on thyroid problems and weight struggles? This way I can learn a little. TIA.

Notes:
On 09/29/05 I decided to call my doctor. I talked to the nurse (as of typing this in) and asked when I seen the doctor last about my weight and what I weighed in at. It was 08/01/05 and I weighed in at 184. That means I have gained 11 pounds in just under 2 months! Something has got to be wrong! My doctor is in a different office (further away) today so they are faxing a note with that visits notes from my file to the doctor and they are going to call me from there and see what we need to do next.
~ UPDATE ~
I am going in tomorrow to have some blood work ran. The doctors will be checking my thyroid and whatever else is needed. We shall see. Hopefully we can find out what is making my weight loss so difficult and non-existant.

Man, I would be happy if I lost 1 pound at this point. I just got off of the phone with the nurse from my doctors office. Something has got to be wrong! She said my last visit (which was about weight loss) was on 8/1/05 and I weighed in at 184. So in just under 2 months I have GAINED 11 pounds!! And I have been eating better (spinach and brocolli yuck lol) and exercising. My doctor is at the office that is a little far for me right now. So they are faxing over the notes from my last visit and my comments today and weigh in today to the doctor and I should be hearing from the nurse in the other office or the doctor at some point today. Something has got to be wrong!!! On 5/12/05 I weighed 180. Now 9/29/05 (roughly 4½ months later) I weigh 195! That's a 15 pound gain! And I have been dieting the whole time. And exercising for at least a month.

happydaisy

09-29-2005, 05:32 PM

Good luck Tracy... I know this must be incredibly frustrating for you. :mad: Hope they find an answer quickly!

chick_in_the_hat

09-29-2005, 06:03 PM

i was diagnosed with hypothyroid a couple years ago....i'm pretty sure the medication for it was a contributing factor to my weight loss success so far.

it's so frustrating to be working so hard and not seeing results. good luck tracy- we're rooting for ya!!!!!

1dayatatime

09-29-2005, 06:25 PM

While I wish you health, I do hope you find answers. Best of luck and I admire your determination. :)

TMunday

09-29-2005, 09:34 PM

Thanks you guys. I am nervous and excited about my visit to the doctor tomorrow. But I hope to have some answers from the blood work by Monday. My doctor is hoping to have the results in by Saturday... so we shall see. I hope they can figure out whatever it is that is causing me problems. Hopefully once they find the problem there is medicine or something to help with it and make things easier. I will let you all know the results as soon as they come in.

TMunday

09-30-2005, 12:01 AM

Oh, I almost forgot. My doctor asked me today what my goal weight was.... so I told her it was 115. She said that was way to low for me!! She said a good weight for me would be 132. So I changed my goal weight. She said that would be a healthy weight for someone my size (4 feet 11 inches) and age.

Also, my doctor said my BMI was 39.5 which is not very good. If I remember right that is (and my doctor agreed) a dangerous obese level.

So hopefully the doctor will figure out what is wrong and will be able to treat it so I can lose weight. God knows I have tried pretty much everything out there! (not saying that ignorantly! I am a Christian) I will let you all know what I find out as soon as I find out something.

TMunday

09-30-2005, 09:13 PM

Hi everyone. I went to see my doctor today. He would not take my blood today. He asked me a lot of questions though. He wants me to fast for 12 hours and be back at the office at 8 in the morning for the blood tests. He wants to test EVERYTHING!!! Thyroid, diabeties, and whatever else there is. So hopefully they will figure out what exactly the problem is and get it taken care of. I will let you guys know what I find out as soon as I hear something.

beachball_diva

09-30-2005, 11:59 PM

Good luck tomorrow with the testing, here is hoping they find the problem quickly!!!

LovesBassets

10-01-2005, 12:07 AM

Good luck, Tracy :) . I hope everything comes out alright with the tests. I'll be thinking about you :) . Keep us posted, chickie.

TMunday

10-02-2005, 11:42 PM

Thanks! I sure appreciate it. I am nervous and excited both. I should hear from my doctor sometime tomorrow. I will probably be sitting by the phone most of the day! I hope it is nothing serious and something they can take care of.

I will let you all know what the results are as soon as I find out. :) Thanks again.

aphil

10-03-2005, 10:29 AM

~TMunday~

If all of your tests come back okay with no problems, then I think there are other things that you can do to improve your results.

To lose weight you must eat a lower calorie diet and burn more than you eat each day, but the KIND of foods that you eat also make a big, big difference.

I have been looking through your Fitday journal, and there is a lot of room for improvement in the quality of foods that you are eating. I think if you start making healthier choices and eating higher quality foods for your calories, then you will see much better results.

For instance-someone can eat 1400 calories a day, but if they are eating those calories in Little Debbies, chips, and popcorn-then their bodies are not getting the nutrition and proper fuel that it needs. (I am NOT saying that this is what you are eating, I am just making an example. :lol: )

Think of your body as a car, and you need the proper fuel, oil, and other elements for that car to run it's best.

It isn't a bad thing to have a slice of pizza now and then, or a piece of fried chicken, or a serving of white bread or white pasta-but these things should not be taking up the bulk of your diet every day. Lean meat (without breading and frying), fruit, vegetables, and whole grains should be making up the bulk of your diet instead.

There is a lot of room for improvements in your Fitday journal. If you need any help at all, just let me know.

lucky

10-04-2005, 01:33 PM

To tag on Aphil's advice I'll add this suggestion. Consider entering your own nutritional information from packages and recipes into fitday. It appears that you use their default lists quite a bit. In my experience, using their general information is a fine way to estimate if you just want an overview of your intake. But, for the purpose of weight loss (especially if your plan involves calorie counting) the more accruate your information the better. I've calculated the nutritional information of my recipes (using the labels of the products I prepare them with) and compared the results to the same "recipe" that appears in fitday and there is often a vast difference between the two.

It may seem to defeat the purpose of the convience provided by fitday but once you get your standard rotation of foods loaded it isn't any more trouble to chose from your list instead of theirs. So, a little time spent up front could very well make a big difference in your overall success (assuming there are no medical issues which, of course, we all hope is the case for you).

Bobbolink

10-04-2005, 04:28 PM

Hi Tmunday, Sorry I Haven't Gotten Back To You Sooner. I Also Looked At Some Of Your Menus And Pie Charts. Your Fat Intake Is Way Too High Of A Percentage Compared To The Balance Of Your Pie Chart. With Your Choice Of French Dressing, The Calories Are Out Of Sight. Conside Fat Free Or Lite Dressings Or Make Your Own.
I Use The Hazelnut Sugar Free Creamer Too, But I Add Dry Powdered Milk To It For Much Less Calories And It Taste Just As Good. I Also Make My Own Chocolate Creamer, Just Add Cocoa Powder, Splenda And Dry Milk To A Shaker Jar. You Can Experiment With It Or I'll Post My Recipe. One Heaping Teaspoon Has 4.6 Calories In It.
I Love Putting My Sandwiches On Lite Buns, Village Hearth Makes Some Light Italian Buns That Have Only 80 Calories And 3 Grams Of Fiber. Speaking Of Fiber, Are You Getting In Your 25 - 30 Grams Of Fiber Daily? It Is So Important, Check Out The "calorie Counters" Site, Under Lose "n" Win Adventure. I Wrote Some Suggestions On Getting Over Half Your Fiber For The Day In Just Your Breakfast.
Hope Your Test Will Help You Understand How Your Body Works And What You Can Do To Help It Out.
Bobbi

aphil

10-04-2005, 05:10 PM

With all due respect, I don't think that the salad dressing and the creamer are the main sources of the trouble in TMunday's FitDay journal. ;)

Those are smaller things where better choices could obviously be made, but I think the main part of it, is that I flipped through the past few days and saw McDona'ds fries, burger, and a sausage Mcmuffin, as well as pancakes, sausage pizza, mozerella cheese sticks, and other things that are high in fat and low on nutrition being eaten on a very regular basis.

I think that nutritionally speaking, that there needs to be a lot better choices made all the way through. Once the main part of the diet is changed for the better, than the little things like the coffee creamer and salad dressings can be changed to something better as well.

I think fiber is very, very important as well, but if you are regularly eating vegetables, fruits, and choosing whole grain breads, pastas, and cereals over refined products-the fiber levels are usually right where they are supposed to be. :)

TMunday

10-05-2005, 06:02 PM

aphil

10-05-2005, 06:24 PM

Hi all. Sorry I have not been on here lately. I am not ignoring you by no means. Once I get back to normal here I will read and reply to your messages.

Doctors office called today. I have high blood sugar. And there isn't anything going to be done about it! I had read a thyroid problem can go unseen for a long time! They didn't see anything.

I am thinking about a second oppinion. I am not sure yet though. I am really really tired today. I am going to go and lay back down. I will pop back in here as soon as I can.

The doctors cannot do anything about your high blood sugar levels, unless you are a full blown diabetic in which case they will put you on insulin.

There IS something to be done about it though, but it is for you to do, and not the doctors. Right now there isn't anything for them to do-the ball is in your court, and you are in a position now where you need to start seriously taking charge of your own health. I understand fully what you are going through, because I was a gestational diabetic (diabetic when pregnant and at high risk for the disease) and have blood sugar issues as well.

The first thing you should know is that coffee can stimulate the blood sugar levels in some individuals. This does not mean that you have to cut out coffee, but I know you drink a LOT of it, and you should probably limit your consumption to 2 cups a day, rather than 5 or 6.

The second thing you need to do is to eat smaller meals, and eat them more regularly-rather than saving your calories for 2 large meals during the day. When you have issues with your blood sugar-you need to keep it EVEN. By eating large meals with a long time inbetween them, your blood sugar is high~low~high~low and so forth. You want to eat 3 small meals plus a small snack or two and make them HEALTHY.

The third is regular exercise.

You can go for a second opinion if you want to to be safe, but from reading all of your posts on the forum, reading your FitDay journals, and everything else-I doubt that thyroid is the real issue. It all boils down to regular exercise, and making better choices in your diet. We can stick to a low calorie diet, and still not be "healthy". The few days that I read on the FitDay journal are most likely contributing to your high blood sugar problems, not helping, and most likely having other effects, such as a lack of energy.

I am willing to help, but ultimately it comes down to you. :)

happydaisy

10-05-2005, 09:27 PM

TMunday, I feel what you are going through, but I have to agree with Aphil. Paging through your fitday you eat a whole LOT of fast food. Which can be made healthier, but is never going to be as healthy as stuff you make at home. After I saw Supersize Me I quit eating fast food for a month just as an experiment and changing absolutely nothing else in my diet I lost 10 pounds. So while many days you may be meeting a calorie goals there are many days with no fruit and several McD's meals. Not that I can't understand, I (obviously) struggle with these issues as well.

In reference to the doctors office issues: if he's advising you off bloodwork there's only so much of a "second opinion" you can get, you know? Blood work is blood work, there's only so many ways to interpret that. He could send you to an endocrinologist for the glucose issue, but I don't see much else. If your thyroid was bad, it would have showed. I have a low thyroid and it really doesn't make you gain or lose an incredibly large amount of weight. I lost about 10 pounds after getting on synthetic thyroid, but my doctor said most hypothyroid individuals will gain some fat but have a lot of problems with water retention until they're put on meds. Consequently, once you get on the meds you lose the water weight and you have more energy to burn off the fat, but they're no miracle pills. (dang it!! :lol: )

Really no one can improve on aphils advice. Just exercise, eat moe whole foods, drink a lot of water. Your energy will go up, your blood sugar will get under control. If anything, don't let this discourage you, use it as motivation. You could become a full blown diabetic if you don't change your lifestyle. Good luck and keep us posted.

the slim me

10-05-2005, 09:35 PM

You've already gotten excellent advice from the former posts. I'm an RN and I do a lot of diabetic teaching. A lot (actually most) of type 2 diabetes can be controlled with diet and exercise. Right now is the time for prevention. diabetes is a horrible disease, affecting almost part of your body.

I also agree with the thyroid tests. A simple TSH can tell if you are borderline or active and you would have other symptoms besides the weight gain.

Please don't think we're picking on you, we're here because we care and we want to help.

TMunday

10-06-2005, 09:49 AM

Good morning everyone. I will be reading messages (and emails) as soon as I get back from taking my kids to school this morning. Once I read them I will send in some replies. Thanks for your patients.

TMunday

10-06-2005, 10:48 AM

This whole reply below is actually a reply to all.

happydaisy - I am not looking for a miracle pill. I just want to know what is wrong with me.

slimme - Thank you.

The doctors cannot do anything about your high blood sugar levels, unless you are a full blown diabetic in which case they will put you on insulin.I do understand this now. I was reading the diabetes web site yesterday and it stated this.

There IS something to be done about it though, but it is for you to do, and not the doctors. Right now there isn't anything for them to do-the ball is in your court, and you are in a position now where you need to start seriously taking charge of your own health. I understand fully what you are going through, because I was a gestational diabetic (diabetic when pregnant and at high risk for the disease) and have blood sugar issues as well.I also had gestational diabetes. That doctor said I would have full blown diabetes by the time I was 40. I have read that if you lose and gain weight it makes diabetes more likely too. Last August (2004) I was down to 162 pounds! I was around what I am now before that. And here I am. I feel like I have tried everything under the sun! My doctor looked at my fitday site and my web site and never said anything. Now, that man doctor is the one that read the results and told the nurse to call me. The women doctor (which I prefer!!) has not seen the results or anything yet. She won't be in till Friday. She seems to be more understanding and caring. I feel like I am locked in a dang cage and doomed to be this big peice of lard. Yes, my depression has really set in. I went to bed in tears last night at 8. I just don't know what to do anymore. I did not eat hardly anything yesterday and what I did eat is not worth mentioning. I do what I can financially and what I know how to do. I do more for my kids then myself. I have to make sure they have what they need first. I have no one here for support. My mom is sick with lung cancer and she is to judgemental anyway. I don't get out to meet friends. Everything is to far away for me to go anywhere. I just don't know what to do.

The first thing you should know is that coffee can stimulate the blood sugar levels in some individuals. This does not mean that you have to cut out coffee, but I know you drink a LOT of it, and you should probably limit your consumption to 2 cups a day, rather than 5 or 6.My blood tests results were taken from fasting. You would think they would be normal since I fasted wouldn't you? My teeth are very sensitive. Some are broken. So warm drinks and foods and soft foods are really the easiest things I can have. Other things take me forever to eat and it can be painful. This is how I ended up drinking so much coffee. I had a really bad tooth int he past and hot was all I could do. That tooth has been pulled (3 years ago) but I do have others. My teeth break just with a dorito!

The second thing you need to do is to eat smaller meals, and eat them more regularly-rather than saving your calories for 2 large meals during the day. When you have issues with your blood sugar-you need to keep it EVEN. By eating large meals with a long time inbetween them, your blood sugar is high~low~high~low and so forth. You want to eat 3 small meals plus a small snack or two and make them HEALTHY.I have done this. And it didn't show any results. I felt like I was eating all of the time. I asked my doctor about this too. I asked... if I am not hungry why should I eat. He didn't say anything. I have tried this though (3 Hr. Diet) and it didn't do much of anything. I felt like I was eating all day long though. Should I follow the 3 Hr. Diet?

The third is regular exercise.Now this I was doing. And I was doing it pretty well. We even went out on Sunday's (when weather allowed) and walked our whole town... over 4 miles! I was doing Leslie Sansone on a daily basis. I didn't see anything with this either. I still keep gaining weight.

You can go for a second opinion if you want to to be safe, but from reading all of your posts on the forum, reading your FitDay journals, and everything else-I doubt that thyroid is the real issue. It all boils down to regular exercise, and making better choices in your diet. We can stick to a low calorie diet, and still not be "healthy". The few days that I read on the FitDay journal are most likely contributing to your high blood sugar problems, not helping, and most likely having other effects, such as a lack of energy.

I am willing to help, but ultimately it comes down to you. :)I am still waiting for the women doctor to see the results. Maybe she will think of something different. I do understand that I have to make the choice and the change. I just don't know how to anymore. I feel like I have tried everything I can financially and physically. I feel like I am at the end of my rope. No matter what I did I gained weight in the past year. Something has to give. It sucks when you can fit into any of your clothes anymore, so you don't have anything to wear. I am there. I threw away all of my fat clothes last year. I think depression is taking over. I am not thinking very possitive lately. My husband hugged me this morning and said he was worried about me, and said he would love me no matter what, if I was skinny or big (he does want me to lose weight - we have been doing this together) he don't care either way. But I do! I can't stand not being able to get off of the couch, fit into clothes, and so on. I can't handle it.

I am going to close for now. I don't want to depress anyone and I am not sure if this will even post because it is so long. Thanks for listening though.

aphil

10-06-2005, 11:33 AM

I understand what you are going through, and I also read through your Fitday journal for yesterday, and saw what was listed there. I really want to help you, with this, but you have to commit to doing your part.

Your doctor probably didn't say anything to you about your diet. You have to understand how frustrated that doctors get when someone's health is put totally in their hands, and the patient isn't doing their part. You have to understand that every day they see overweight people who want diet pills prescribed to them, but don't want to watch what they eat and exercise, they see heart patients who don't follow their exercise and diet regimes, they see people with bad backs who want pain pills but don't want to lose weight and do the physical therapy to heal their condition. My aunt was a diabetic before she passed away a few years ago at 40 YEARS OLD. She passed away because she continued to lead a sedentary lifestyle, and did not follow her eating plan as prescribed by her doctor, and her blood sugar levels were unstable for way too long.

When I say to eat more often through the day, I don't mean large meals. I don't mean to eat mealsthe size of what you eat now-I mean smaller ones, so you are eating more often, but less food at a sitting. If you are eating properly, you will still be eating around 1600 calories a day, but eating 5-6 times instead of twice.

You don't have to follow the 3 hour diet. Stick with calorie counting, but you need to change how you are eating, period. A low calorie diet is going to do nothing for your health if you are still eating badly.

I understand your situation with your teeth. My husband has bad teeth, and he has many fillings, root canals, and crowns. He has to really stay on top of the situation.

I understand that the coffee is soothing to your mouth, but you are in a situation where you are going to have to make some hard choices, rather than excuses for not changing your lifestyle.

If the warm liquid is soothing to you, you can still have it-but lessen the coffee. Have a cup of hot herbal tea later in the day, or have a cup of warmed up fat free chicken broth. (about 5-15 calories a cup depending on brand.) There are many different choices you can make here.

If you are going to get healthy, you are going to have to change your eating habits. There are many warm, or soft foods that you can eat that are healthier that will not hurt your teeth. Oatmeal, eggs, unsweetened applesauce, yogurt, bananas...these are just a few off the top of my head. Oatmeal and eggs are great for breakfast, and they are CHEAP too-as are bananas.

Your doctor can give you advise, but they can't do it for you. I think you will find that the more YOU put into your own health, the more supporting they will be.

You have tried a lot of diets and not succeeded thus far, but you have to make changes for life here, and make healthy choices. You can eat junk food on WW if you use your points on junk, and you can eat junk on calorie counting if you use your calories on junk. You can eat terrible on Atkins as well if you don't eat the salads and chicken breast and choose to eat bacon and butter all day, too. You can eat terrible on low fat diets if you choose to eat a lot of fat free snacky things in place of real food. You can bend the rules and eat unhealthy on just about any plan.

The key is not to do that. An occasional indulgence is fine. I am not saying to never have a Reese Cup or McDonalds again-but these things should not be in there every day as the main source of your diet. For now, I would be thrilled to see your Fitday Journal filled with healthier choices most of the day, and 1 treat food a day, rather than it all being a treat or fatty food.

It comes down to you in the end. I understand your depression and frustration, but you have to make the choices for yourself.

As far as your feelings of depression go, another bit of advice I have is for you to do your cardio in the am. The chemicals released in your body during cardio exercise alleviate the feelings of depression, and you will feel better during the day if you do it in the morning. I commend you for doing your regular exercise, by the way, and I encourage you to keep it up. :)

I promise you, once you start eating healthier choices in your diet that you will feel better physically, because your body will be getting the nutrition it needs. I am so used to eating healthy that on a holiday or something where I eat a lot of holiday food and dessert-that I actually feel TERRIBLE.

You will feel much better when you start eating foods that your body can actually USE, I promise you. I really need you to commit to a healthier lifestyle completely, and if you do that, then I will be here with you every step of the way, supporting you and rooting you on.

lucky

10-06-2005, 02:00 PM

There is nothing to add to Aphil's post - she's right on the money. But I want you to know that we ALL support your endeavor to lose weight. I too am a stay at home mother and I certainly don't have a money tree growing in my back yard. And, like you, I put my family first without hesitation. These things do not have to be obstacles to weight loss.

My food budget is MUCH smaller than it was before I started to lose weight. For instance, I notice that you eat TGIF cheese stick on a regular basis. I used to love those things. Guess what? You can make mock cheese sticks that are healthier and a heck of a lot cheaper. McDonald's only seems inexpensive. Consider how many hamburgers and fries you can make at home for $5. And they taste better to boot. Plus, I've saved money in other areas since I've lost weight. I take fewer prescription medicines. I spend less on OTC medications for aches and pains. Entertainment costs are less because we have just as much fun at the park or on a bike ride as we do paying to be entertained. I can enjoy a movie without spending $20 on snacks. Really, the list of savings goes on and on.

As far as putting our families first, well, that is what mothers do. But I can assure you that you are in a better position to take care of them if you take care of you first. There is a reason that when you are on an airplane they tell you to put the oxygen mask on yourself before you attempt to put one on your child. I have always been an involved parent but I am closer to my children now than I ever have been. I can go outside and play chase with them. I can get down on the floor and play blocks or dolls. I have the energy to volunteer more at my oldest son's school. Everything I do doesn't revolve around the next meal I'm going to eat so I have time for so much more. My marriage is better since I've gotten healthier and lost weight and it has nothing to do with whether or not my husband loved me unconditionally (he does!). No, it is better because I'm not tired all of the time. I'm not as moody or depressed as I used to be. I've taken time to make myself a better person and by doing so I am a better wife and mother. So, putting your family first doesn't mean being completely unselfish. It means getting yourself into a physcial and mental state that allows you to give them 100%. I used to spend every second of every day taking care of everyone but myself. I felt like such a martyr. But the truth of the matter was that the time I spent on them was of very low quality. Now they might have to manage a couple of hours without me each day but the have ALL of me for the other 22. Trust me, we are a happier family for it.

You are in control of this situation. Obviously what you are doing isn't working for you so try something else. And keep trying until you find what works for you. Losing weight and getting healthy doesn't have to be a miserable chore - and it shouldn't be. But to succeed we have to be willing to be honest with ourselves, keep our minds open, try new things, stop making excuses, talk positively to ourselves, learn from our mistakes, push ourselves outside our zone of comfort, and be willing to give up some of the things that we (think) we love for the sake of getting the health, life, and body that we want. Is it hard? Sure it is. But what in your life that you value isn't?

You can lose weight but you will HAVE to change how you view the process.

happydaisy

10-07-2005, 12:02 AM

Tracy - I certainly wouldn't sugget that you are looking for a magic pill. I don't know how my post came across to you, and if it came across as rude I certainly apologize for that. I'm only trying to say that this is a hard process for all of us, but most of us don't have a medical condition that makes us this way. I have PCOS and hypothyroid, but I know I can lose this weight because I have done it before. I know if I eat like crap and don't exercise like I should I will not feel well and I will not lose weight. I really hope this doesn't make you angry or hurt your feelings but I feel from reading your post that you are looking for an excuse to make it ok for you to give this up right now. I think everyone does it at some point in their weight loss process. It is hard, it is overwhelming and especially if you have compounding issues like depression, the desire to go back to what was "comfortable" even if it didn't always feel good, is overwhelming. I know, I've been there, and I feel for you, honestly I do. But if your teeth are too bad for doritos, how can you eat a pork chop or a big mac? I can't improve upon aphil or jawsmoms advice. They really said all that needs to be said. Everyone here wants to see you succeed, and you can. You have obstacles, but you can tackle them. You obviously have a supportive husband, which is such a blessing. Again, if I hurt your feelings in any way, I do apologize. I didn't mean to and support you fully in your efforts to lose weight.

timmyshawn

10-07-2005, 04:38 PM

I do understand where you're coming from. I have dealt with the same problems in the past and if a doctor can check it my body has had it checked. But other than hypoglycemia there isn't a problem. I've tried alot of different things that never worked and I just gained more weight. I just sat down one day and took a long hard look at what I was putting into my body and realized that although my caloric intake wasn't that high my fat intake was and I also wasn't getting even half of the vitamins and nutrients that I needed. As far as doing what you know how to do and can do financialy, honey you have to learn how to do new things. And I have found that alot of the healthy meals take less time to prepare are easier to clean up than the southern fried food I've cooked all my life. And financially, I only have $100 a week to spend on groceries, toilet paper, diapers, clothes soap, dog and cat food,etc... for a family of 5. But if you look at the numbers it can actually cost the same or be cheaper to eat healthy. Take hamburger helper for example with the helper and meat and a canned veggie for a side dish you're looking at around $5 or $6 for just the helper and veggie, I made veggie pizzas with whole wheat pitas, FF cheese, diced tomatoes,mushrooms, and bell peppers for the same amount of money and not only did they taste better they had a WHOLE lot less fat and calories. Frozen veggies go farther and are better for you and cheaper or almost the same price than boxed potaotes and stuffings and stuff. And think about what you spend at McD's or the pizza place. For the price of one large pizza I could serve chicken breasts with veggies rice and a dessert (low cal of course), and if I am looking at my grocery bill from last time correctly it actually works out cheaper. The $4 you spend on lunch at McD's you could pack your lunch the night before and save that money. Honey I am bi-polar (manic depressive) and know what it feels like to feel hopeless, but it can be done. You can cook a double serving and freeze half for the night you don't want to cook, or go ahead and have the occational eat out, just have a salad and soup before you have that pizza or whatever that way you don't eat as much of the high fat stuff. And I don't doubt that you take care of your kids and make sure they have what they need first, but what your kids need more than anything else is a good role model for their eating habits so they can grow up healthy and not going through what you are and they need their mom to be healthy and be around for their lives cause let's face it honey obesity carries big risks health wise. If you really want this you will find a way to make it happen. We will all support you and help you any way we can but we cn't do it for you. And it will come off slow it will take a while to see results but you have to stick to it and the payoff is better than any food could ever taste.

happydaisy

10-07-2005, 09:24 PM

Heather - I just wanted to congratulate you on all the creative ways you've found to stay healthy and thank you for the new dinner ideas! ;)

LovesBassets

10-07-2005, 09:56 PM

Hi Tracy :)

I just want to say that we all believe in you! You can do it, chickie, you really can! And I know deep inside that YOU believe in you, too!

I know how hard it is when you feel like you've been working so hard and yet you aren't seeing results. I ALSO know how :censored: hard it is to do ANYTHING when you feel the depression taking over...how the :censored: exhaustion sets in like concrete...how all your motivation flies out the window...and how easy it becomes to kick yourself when you're down. I know ALL of these things, but I ALSO know that you can bounce back from it, Tracy. You really can.

Please don't give up, chickie!! :)

PM me if you want to chat, 'kay? :)

TMunday

10-07-2005, 10:39 PM

This is a reply to EVERYONE:

Good evening everyone. I am not ignoring any of you by any means. And I don't mean to be so rude/ignorant either. I am very sorry if I have come across that way.

I have been doing a lot praying, thinking, reading (Coming Home To Myself by Wynonna Judd... about her battles (weight, depression and so on) in life), and everything else lately. I have been reading and re-reading all of your posts and thinking about each thing you all have said on this board.

I am kind of taking baby steps right now. My biggest issue right this second I beleive is to kick this depression hump. And I do have to say each day is getting easier and more positive.

However, I am trying to eat better as you all have mentioned. Today I mixed up 3 eggs, 3 low calorie sausages, ¼ cup of shredded mild cheddar cheese, and a half of a cup of brocolli and scrambled (I can't make omlets lol) it all together and ate that. Yesterday I did have oatmeal. Tonight I had a hamburger (home made here at home) with a slice of cheese, on a bun. Last night we had baked chicken thighs and legs.... only veggie spray, salt, and pepper and lemon pepper on the chicken with brocolli, cauliflower, and carrots, and a salad with spinach and so on. I don't like any dressings except for french. I am a very picky eater, which makes this a lot harder for me as well I think. But I am hoping at least some of this is an improvement and a step closer to healthier choices.

I did weigh in Thursday like normal. According to the scale I lost 2.4 pounds! I am not sure how.. but that is what the scale said. I stepped on it several times to make sure. So that cheered me up a little bit. But... time will tell for sure.

I think I was able to figure some stuff out these last couple of days!! And some is not so great either! I think I have been counting (calories) my oatmeal all wrong! Someone mentioned (I think it was Aphil) that I should not use fitdays counts all of the time that I should use the labels on the packages more often. Which is true. I do try to do that but sometimes I don't have the time because my family demands my time sometimes (yes I need to put my foot down on that sometimes I know) so I don't have a lot of time. Anyway, I thought the serving of oatmeal I was eating was a serving size! But I don't think so. I make the middle serving which is the heartsmart serving I believe. It is actually a serving and a half I beleive. Plus the fitday counts are based on the oatmeal (which is correct on calories) made with butter. I don't use butter at all with oatmeal! I make it with milk, cinnamon, and splenda... sometimes light brown sugar. So I think my fitday charts with oatmeal is wrong.

Also we normally do not go out to eat as often as we have been. Normally it is once a week at the most. But my family and I were all starving so we had to stop and get something to eat. McDonalds unfortionately takes bank cards now! That makes it much to easy! And the banks says there is money in there even if there isn't because all of your checks have not went thru yet. When I do go to McDonalds lately I have been trying to get the new chicken sandwiches but the last time I didn't have enough money to cover that so I got the cheaper burger.

I am not by any means trying to make excuses. I am just trying to be honest and open about everything. I can't get help unless I am honest.

happydaisy - I didn't mean to come across so rudely in my reply to you. I have just been so depressed lately and I just replied on the magic pill part of the message. I really am not looking for an easy way out. I just want to make sure that there is not anything wrong with me in anyway.

Even if it appears that I may not be listening... I am listening! Sometimes I just think about it a little before hand.

Anyway, I think this is going to be like a book so I better close up. Thank you all for your support and everything! I sure do appreciate it all. Again, I am sorry it took so long to reply. I have just been doing a lot lately to try and get my head back straight again. I am getting more and more positive each day. :)

Edited: About my teeth. I do have a partial on the top but I do not have a lot of teeth left. I use my front teeth more then anything when eating because the few back teeth I have left are sensitive. I just got dental insurance so hopefully I will be able to go in and have them taken care of again. But I have to save some money for this first because my insurance is not that great and don't cover 100%.

lucky

10-07-2005, 11:04 PM

Hi, Tracy. It was me that suggested you enter all of your own nutritional information into fitday. I know it can be time consuming but, again, once you get all of your basic items (the ones you eat week after week) in it is actually faster than trying to search through their vast lists for the most accurate match.

Also, I've looked backed at the couple of weeks that I used their lists and have compared them to my new ones. I had several days that I had eaten significantly fewer calories than fitday indicated. No wonder I felt so sluggish and grouchy! And their are plenty of days that my calorie intake was actually much, much higher than fitday indicated. No wonder the scale wouldn't budge!

When I have add a new food I sit down and entire it right then and there. It usually takes less than five minutes - your family can spare you for that long I bet. And, if they can't, don't entire ALL of the nutritional information right then. Just use the few basics that are required - calories, fat, carbs, protein, and sodium. It will only take a couple of seconds and you can always go back and edit the rest when you have a little more time.

I'm mention this again because the bottom line of weight loss really is as simple as calories in versus calories out. I 100% agree with Aphil and everyone else that whole, unprocessed foods are the best choice and that they will make a big, big difference in your overall weightloss - not to mention your health. Given that you are at risk for diabetes this is super important. But, as far as shedding pounds I would bet my very last nickel that the reason you aren't losing weight has to do with you consuming a lot more calories than you think you are.

As for your depression, I just want to say that I've been there and I've done that. Even with medication I have bouts of depression. It is the pits. If it is bad and doesn't pass soon or if the feelings are recurring please talk to your doctor. If it is mild and you feel like it is strictly related to stress, weight loss, or something else take some time to yourself and devise a plan to address the issue. A long walk, a hot bath, whatever will help you clear your head and refresh you so that you and tackle the problem head on. You deserve to feel happy. So please don't let your depression get the best of you.

happydaisy

10-07-2005, 11:24 PM

Congratulations on your loss!! :woo: :woo: You can do it, I think you just had some down days. Is it possible for you to get counseling for depression? Because you're so right as long as you're down it's hard to get the weight loss down. And don't worry, you didn't come across rude to me, I just wanted to make sure I didn't come across rude to you. It's so hard to tell how your tone will be taken over email/internet and I just wanted to make sure I wasn't making your hard time worse. Contrats again! ;)

the slim me

10-11-2005, 10:02 AM

Congraluations on the weight loss! Shows you can do it. I have to add one thing to the other posts. Have you talked to the Dr. about the depression? 1 in 10 Americans are clinically depressed. Makes it hard to function on a daily basis.

That aside, how you eat is how you will feel. Eat junk, feel like junk. And the healthy diet isn't just for you, it's for the rest of the family too. You are teaching kids how to eat. You don't want them to grow up with a weight problem too.

I agree also, it doesn't have to be expensive. It just takes some planning. Frozen vegetables are usually cheaper than fresh and just as nutritious. Beans are full of fiber. Catch chicken breast on sale and stock up. Use them for stir fry with lots of vegetables and you don't need so much meat. Serve it with brown rice (more nutritious). A bag of apples is cheap. Also, you mentioned cheese. Do you buy the low fat variety? Every few calories count. As for the omlet, one whole egg and 2 egg whites makes a good omlet, instead of 3 eggs. You don't have to spend your whole day thinking about food, but you do have to plan.

Remember, you have to take care of yourself for your family. And you don't want them to grow up with eating problems too.

We're all here cheering for you, we know you can do it!

I haven't looked at your food plan but it's easy to under estimate how much you eat if you don't measure. If I start to gain it's usually because i'm eating too big a portion.

chick_in_the_hat

10-11-2005, 06:28 PM

Tracy Tracy Tracy

Congrats on your loss!!!! And we won't say we told ya so!! ;)

I am not sure how.. but that is what the scale said. I stepped on it several times to make sure.

:rofl: :lol3: Been there...done that... :lol:

TMunday

10-11-2005, 10:30 PM

Thanks everyone again for all of your support. It has been a rough week for me. I am going to try and respond to each post here in this message.. I hope I don't forget anything.

First off.... I was diagnosed years ago with depression. It was due to my weight issues back then as well. But my current doctor does not consider me to have depression. He said it was mood swings. I have been told by a few people to go and see a different doctor.

The lady doctor finally called me back yesterday. This is the one that told me to eat 1600 calories a day before. My blood sugar was 108. She said I am a prediabetic. I need to eat 6 small meals a day, stay at 1200 calories intakea day, and exercise more each day. I have to be tested twice a year for diabetes now.

I have not been to positive thinking the past few days so I have not done it yet. I have been sleeping a lot, went out with my in laws, and I have been reading articles (online and in magazines) about diabetes. I am trying to learn about diabetes again (I forgot what I learned years ago). But I have not felt like doing much of anything besides sleeping lately.

Eating 6 small meals a day is going to be hard. It was hard to do when I had gestational diabetes! I am never hungry.

I read an article today about a diet called "the reverse diet". Where you eat your biggest meal at breakfast (dinner), a snack, normal size lunch, a snack, then a small dinner (like breakfast) at dinner time. I am not so sure about that.

Anyway, I just wanted to send in an update. I am hoping I get out of this slump soon and figure out what to do so I can do it, and soon. I am getting very tired here so I am going to close up. But thanks again a bunch for all of your help and support. :)

the slim me

10-13-2005, 12:21 PM

Being more tired than usual and sleping a lot if another signe of depression. If it continues you might want to see another Dr. I'm surprised they haven't put you on medication yet. That's usually the first thing a Dr. does, especially with women.

Honey, if you're waiting for "insite" or for it to get "easier" it just isn't going to happen! It's never easy and you just have to take one day at a time and just "do it"! Have you tried writting in a journal? Making a menu for a week and making sure you have groceries to make the meals with? Don't buy the junk and bring it into the house and you can't eat it! And don't make the mistake of saying "it's for my husband and the kids". They don't need it either! I know I used to buy things and say that but I knew they were for me. Don't lie to yourself. Do some soul searching. You can't have it all. You have to make the decision that you really want this and then make a plan about how to do it! You have to make a concious effort "EVERY DAY" to eat right and "EVERY DAY" to exercise. Every once in awhile won't do it!

As you go along you will start to feel better. Your body will be getting the nutrition and exercise it needs to stay healthy. Eventually you will even crave the exercise. Untill then "JUST DO IT".

TMunday

10-13-2005, 02:54 PM

No. I do not take any medicines. I have a prescription for migraine headaches to take when needed... but that is it. My doctor's think all is well or something. They don't see depression or signs of it. They think it is mood swings. I was diagnosed years ago with depression from my old doctor. But that was when I lived far away and had regular insurance. Now I live to far from that doctor and only have a medical card. I am seriously thinking about seeing another doctor or something.

lucky

10-13-2005, 03:18 PM

A journal is a great idea if you are feeling depressed. There is a big difference between situational depression and clinical depression. If your just feeling down because of your weight or something else going on in your life you may very well be able to work through it without medication but you should still discuss your options with a doctor. It does not sound as if the doctor you are seeing believes you suffer from clinical depression (which is a result of a chemical imbalance and, therefore, will not pass on its own).

It doesn't sound as if you are on the same page with the doctors you are seeing. That doesn't necessarily mean they aren't qualified physicians. You will likely find that you get much better treatment from them if you are an informed patient. Do some research on depression, various treatments, specific medications, etc. At your next appointment you'll be armed with proper terminology and better able to describe your symptoms.

happydaisy

10-13-2005, 04:16 PM

Tracy - I'm glad you're doing a little better, but I would agree with your friends that you need to seek a new doctor. You're exhibiting so many signs of depression. No one deserves to go through life feeling that way. Even if it's just situational you could still get counseling or even go on meds short term. When I got divorced I was depressed, anxious and got migraines. I was put on a low dose antidepressant and got counseling. None of it affected my weight, I was actually very thin at the time. Go figure! :dizzy: Anyway, good luck to you. It's so hard to make life changes when just getting by is difficult. Good luck!! ;)

TMunday

10-13-2005, 06:33 PM

Hi guys. Yes, I think I am going to see another doctor very soon. My husband said when I took prozak (years ago) that I was so happy and full of a positive attitude and things did not get to me so quickly. I do think I am going to seek a new doctor. This girl I know thru my kids going to public school also has the medical card. Her doctor takes this so I am going to see if I can see her doctor I think. She said she has been going to him for years and he is good. He is a family doctor.

Also, I am starting to do WW today. Kind of anyway. I am not prepaired.... but I am starting it today. I am going to follow the points plan. I might try the core plan after I learn more about it. I am hoping that will help. So many have told me that WW is great for diabetics.

My mother in law is calling the American Diabetes Association and some other diabetic places so I can get more information. I don't have a house phone or I would call myself. But she is trying to get some information for me so I can learn and make some good changes. Also, she said she was going to buy me that little blood testing machine and supplies so I can keep track of my blood sugars. So hopefully I can handle this before it takes me over. :)

Thank you all though. My head is spinning in so many directions that sometimes I just don't know what to do first... or what to do at all.

chick_in_the_hat

10-14-2005, 03:43 PM

:grouphug:

Just keep plugging away at it - we are here for ya!

TMunday

10-14-2005, 09:01 PM

Thanks Gina! I am learning quick and getting back up and doing things right again! I am trying to keep away from my slump.. and I think that is helping too. :) I know I can do it and I am going to do it. :)

Dinahgirl

10-14-2005, 09:49 PM

TMunday

10-14-2005, 09:58 PM

Tracy, it is important to remember that you are PRE-diabetic. I believe that means that with proper attention to your diet and with some exercise, you can avoid getting full blown diabetes. Many folks are able to control their eating so that they don't get diabetes. So please look at this as something positive that you can do for yourself, not as a prison sentence. You were able to quit smoking -- you can do this, too! Hi there! Long time!! :) Yes, it is prediabetes however the doctor today said with my history I will probably become a full blown diabetic soon and just be a diabetic. However, I am going to control it and make the best of it. I can be a healthy diabetic! :) I was down before.... but not anymore. Now that I am learning more and more.

I also question what the doctor means by "mood swings." What is that? It doesn't sound like a scientific term to me. I think he's blowing you off. Right! I am always shocked they ignore this and push it out like it is nothing. I am hoping that it gets better or they open there eyes and help me with it. We will see.

You have a lot on your plate. But you are doing a lot of positive work on yourself. Remember that a journey of a thousand miles not only starts with a single step, but takes single steps...one foot in front of the other, one at a time.Baby steps to success. They will be small and take time... but they will lead me down a successful road. :)

the slim me

10-15-2005, 11:04 AM

pre-diabetic means just that PRE. It does not mean that you will become diabetic. Lots of people controle their condition with diet and exercise. I know this because I am a nurse and I do diabetic teaching all the time! So, now is the time to get controle of your body. It has to be consistant, not when you feel like it. You will feel more like it when you do it consistantally!! Does that make sense? You probally don't need to check your blood sugar every day at this point. You need to eat right and exercise. If you need a guide to see what you should be eating there are sites you can go to on the computer and get lots of information.

And you can't do WW "sort of". You have to commit. We have a guide line for eating with diabetes it's no more than 2 carbs per meal. I think there is even a site here on "chicks" that deals with dieting with diabetes. I haven't looked into it yet but it's something you should check out.

Your health is up to you. Ultimateally, the only person we can controle is ourselves. Make a plan to walk every day at a certain time and then at that time, JUST GO WALK. Plan a time that is convenient for you. And make a menu in advance. It doesn't do any good if you don't have the food in the house you were planning to eat. And rummaging throught the cabinet at the last minute looking for something is just asking for trouble.

I wish you luck, but actually, luck has nothing to do with it. It's hard work but I see the devistation of diabetes every day. It effects every system in your body. It can make you lose your legs, cause blindness.....but it doesn't have to. Especially for you. You deserve better and so does your family. Are you willing to fight for it?

TMunday

10-15-2005, 11:19 AM

the slim me,

You betcha! I started fighting full force yesterday! :) I am eating 3 meals and 2 snacks a day! It would have been 3 snacks (doc said 6 small meals a day) but I was not home and was not going to stop at mcdonalds or something like that for an unhealthy snack. So I thought I would skip that one. I did some walking yesterday.... but nothing major. My doctor said to put other exercises (yoga, pilates, taebo, jazzercise) into my daily routine too. :) So I am going to try. I know I can't do WW sort of. It has to be full dedication every day. Thursday was sort of because I had to figure it out again and I just started. Yesterday was 99% better! And I can't wait to get shopping for low point foods. :)

I do have a question though. You said diabetics are not supposed to have more then 2 carbs per meal. Broccoli is a carb. But it is a good carb. Are you talking all carbs or just bad carbs that need to be limited?

I have not been successful at finding to much information online for diabetes. I found www.diabetes.org (http://www.diabetes.org) which has lots of info. But I haven't found anything like a guide to eating or anything. All I have found (in books from the library) is - it said there is no diabetic diet. I am still skimming thru these books though.

I can and I AM going to make a difference in my health. I have learned exactly what diabetes does to people. I am not going to be a "statistic" so to speak! I am going to be a successful weight lossing prediabetic WW'er if there is such a thing lol. I am not trying to be funny by no means... it just looks goofy when I typed it. :D