Hello all, BFR returning to the roost.
I have not posted since the 29th of January. I had been on the course of putting on more muscle with different light exercises, weight hanging around 232 lbs, and going to start with the loss again.
But something happened on the way to the fair. My legs were giving out despite my.trying to exercise. And pain returned to my joints making exercise out of reach. My muscles started atrophying again. My ability to think was rapidly diminishing, I was beginning to feel like an idiot. I was sure Oldtimers was setting in fast (thoughts of Reagan) Though I used to have par excellent balance I was staggering around like a drunk, tripping on everything, bouncing off the walls walking down the hall. My nice long fast stride turned into that old man shuffle that I often see and feel sorry for the person with it. My range of movement was severely limited, I could only turn my head about 12 degrees to each side, could not take big steps. I could not believe how fast old age was setting in on me.
I was eating right, had cut out all processed foods, have not had processed foods since last Oct when I learned what they were really about. Cut out almost all dairy, quit buying cheese except for twice buying a block of pepper jack this year so far and still have half a block left. Very little red meat, all fresh. Except for eggs, mostly vegetable eating.
Despite being in that condition I went out in March and started my garden again, if for nothing else kinda therapy. I worked long hours on it best I could. That helped, but little. Little improvement was better than going further downhill.
One day while checking up on different herbs/spices to plant to help keep gophers away from the veggies, I got caught up in reading what the properties of thyme, oregano, mint and basil do for a person. I knew those were very oldtime (ancient) medicinal herbs but like most people discounted most of them in favor of "modern" medicine. I was intrigued but the things they were used for. One day before I went to work (yes, I still managed to do some electrical work, though my helper had to do most of the ladder work, if I did go up the ladder he had to get behind me and PUSH ME UP!!! Honest injun. But it worked. Anyway, before going to work that morning just for the heck of it I decided to eat some of each of those herbs. Green, fresh, straight off the plants in the garden. Now, to get in the truck (I have my helper drive) I would sit on the seat, put my left leg in OK, but for my right leg I had to take both hands and lift it to get it up and in though my work truck is a low Toyota utility bed one ton. I just could not lift that leg to get it in by itself.
After eating those herbs I noticed a few hours later that I had more freedom of movement. And It was much easier to get my leg in the truck, I could take a little bit longer steps and my balance was better. I was even able to go up into the attic to help my helper with some complicated wiring problems. Not easy, but I was able to. The day before I could not have.
I was not sure, but I attributed the change to those herbs. That was two months ago that I started eating them. And what a difference in me. My stride is almost back to normal, I think clearer, faster and better, sense of balance has returned, no more staggering walk. And my joints no longer pop when I move. As a matter of fact I have better joint function now (with the exception of my knees joints need replacement) than I have had in many years. My head turns freely back and forth almost shoulder to shoulder. My feet for the past 15 years, if I rotated them the bones popped in them continuously. Now they do not pop hardly any at all, just once or twice first thing in the morning. And I can bend and touch the floor now. My back hardly ever hurts though it has been injured three times in the past.
I know there are other things I am forgetting to say.... Oh yes, my short term memory had really improved.... anyway I am extremely grateful for this difference in me and now am ready to return to this forum and return to weight loss.
With the symptoms I have/had I checked with the doctor and she agreed it looks like I have multiple sclerosis. They are making an appt for a neurologist for me on that. That may sound horrible, but would rather have that than alzheimers which I thought was kicked me in the azz.
My weight as of last post in January 29 says I was hanging around 232 lbs. And I was. I have picked up 7 lbs this past 5 months, to me that is not very bad. I am now ready to return to weight loss being as it looks like I may live a bit longer
I see many of the original posters are still here and I am very grateful for that. Though I gotta admit I am a tad jealous of Mrs Snark's popping her way through June.
My apologies for not coming on and posting during that time but I just could not come on here sniveling and crying to you wonderful peoples. My ego would not allow that and I was not about to come on lying and claiming something I could not do anymore. Actually, I was too busy trying to figure out what the heck was happening to me and what I was going to do.
My weight will be as of tomorrow morning when I post this for the beginning of the July challenge. (the weight as of July 1 was 235)
Frankly, I do not have a weight loss goal to try to achieve. I still just am not ambitious in that area yet. So my goal is to try to get that ambition back and maybe lose a few lbs of fat while doing it.
My worst problem is of an evening just before going to bed, though not hungry I make a sandwich or two (vegetable) or make some popcorn and share it with my doggies. My goal will also be to start getting that under control or eliminate it.
The above was written as of the night of June 30. This is now the 5th of July. I am doing way better on the late night eating (fingers crossed)
My weight as of this morning was 232, but the July 1 weight of 235 will be my starting weight.
As weight fluctuates so much I will just have to wait and see what it is. I will set a goal this month of 6 lbs but I am not going overboard to achieve it. My real goal is to get back in here with those of you who have been here for so long. It is very good to see those of you, and yall know who you are.
For those of you who are new to weight loss, I wish to remind you that it takes a deficit of 3500 calories below what you need for maintenance weight, and conversely, to gain one lb you must eat and metabolize 3500 calories above (in addition to) what you need for maintenance of current weight. I heavily recommend not being upset/worried/bothered by daily weight fluctuations. If you are eating 3500 calories less per week than it takes to maintain your weight you will lose 1 lb. If your weight goes up 2 or 3 lbs over a day or two, do not be that concerned, it is extremely difficult to eat an excess of 7000 calories in a day or two to make that kind of gain.
Glad to see everyone again and I will try to post at least once a week.
Thanks for still being here Joy, Kelijpa, Sum, Boating Mommy, Woodstock and whoever else is lurking out there. Oh, I know you are Mrs Snark.
And welcome to all the new people.
My apologies for such a long rambling thing here, but I wanted to let you know what happened with me. I figure that should help me to get back going here again.
B F R
Newbie to this forum and the july challenge
