[serf]

Hi to all.
I was diagnosed with Insulin Resistance a few years ago, almost by accident! Unfortunately, despite the fact that I was gaining weight and had a range of what I now know to be symptoms, my family doctor missed it.

Regardless, it was "caught", I went on Glucophage, started managing a thyroid problem that also went unnoticed (even though I lost half my thyroid) and getting blood pressure under better control, but apparently too late. I was losing weight for about a year, but then had a frightening episode in the middle of the night, ending up in the ER. After several months of OK tests and missed clues, I decided to see a cardiologist expert, and he found a blockage in one of my arteries; and I underwent an angioplasty and now have a stent. It has been a tough year getting used to having "heart disease" as well as the other health problems; I even went to heart rehab to cope with the fear and managing a new way of life, but it's still tough to take.

Since my stent surgery a year ago, my husband has been diagnosed with diabetes, so even though that is bad news, we are both on the same diet pretty much.

I did real well until the heart problems, losing about 15 kilo--my anxiety led me to be afraid of working out, so I gained a few kilo back, and then lost it; and now I gained a few kilos and am working it off. But I want to get back on track and keep losing.

I am 55; I work out alot, although it is complicated because I have had to have upper spine surgery twice--I have to be careful not to injure myself.

Now I'm pretty much back to working out almost every day, a combo of aerobic, and some light weigh lifting, some classes...

I would love to get ideas on how to cope with times of the day, usually late afternoon, and evenings, when even though I eat, I feel I am hunger, and border on overeating.

[Jennifer 3FC]

So nice to have you here! I'm sorry to hear about your health problems. Do you have cardiac rehabilitation in Jerusalem? We have it at my gym. It used to be at the hospital. I think it normally lasts about 6 months, and it gets you back on your feet. I can imagine it is scary.

I am a huge snacker late in the afternoon and evening! The best things I have found for me are to schedule snacks - I plan on eating less at meals, and eating more often. I try and incorporate more protein and less white carbs, like white flour, etc that leave me starving soon after a meal. Boiled eggs, cheese and apples, and yogurt are some of my favorite snacks. If I know I cannot have a snack, I drink hot tea. Hot tea has saved me many nights!

Good luck to you!

Jennifer

[LookingForHope16]

Welcome!

I'm glad to see someone else here!

I'm sure that you will find lots of support here!

[serf]

Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for the welcome.
I did participate in the heart rehab program--we have several here, connected to the major hospitals.
The best thing about it was being able to start working out, knowing that a full-service catheterization and heart unit was next door:-)
I got great info. about diet, exercise, etc., and it was just a "soft place to fall" after the shock of learning I had heart disease.
It's been a year now, but intermittent chest pain still makes me anxious--I have no idea what is serious or not, and doctors don't seem to be much good at knowing either, unfortunately.
I like your idea about eating less at meals, and moving more food into snacks. We have eliminated all the "whites" here, and only eat full grains, and try to have boiled eggs on hand...but I guess bad habits are hard to break.
The trainer at our gym thinks that the lack of weight loss is just converting fat to muscle, and told me to stay away from the scale, since my clothes are clearly looser. Something to think about...
Thanks for the encouragement!