WTF it's March

Excuse my bluntness, but the aptly title blog post today, addresses my ongoing issue and my apparent ineptness with dealing - if I let myself go all rangy on me, I could say "by now you might have done some good!" When I signed off on the last post you will see that I basically said "to heck with it." It's not that I don't have time to write a blog post! Just search me out and you will find a plethora of words  aplenty in other areas. The publishing business has been extremely busy and rewarding; my job is still a feature of my everyday and I make it there most days; and although you cannot possibly ignore your health situation as you go about your normal day, it is easy to say "I am not going to fret over it either" because frustration leads to failure, at least for me. Since my last post, I have been to the doctor several times and tests show great work on the cholesterol levels - they are down and working with the help of prescription and making some not-so intrusive changes to diet. My blood pressure, however - well, that's another story, being up enough to garner a second prescription. The back is still an issue and my knees continue to bother me. I think the doctors don't take that as serious because they think that if I lose the weight I will not have these problems. It wouldn't hurt to try, I guess, but the conundrum ends up confused with the vicious cycle of pain... I don't cuz it hurts, it hurts so I can't... 

Excuses. But valid from my perspective with all that I do - if I put myself out of commission totally there will be more than just health issues. I take it easy. I rest when necessary and I don't do what I can't do. With spring in the air again, I really, really want to look and feel better. I am cutting down again and hoping that energy can push me to do more = more activity = pain management = a slow push the other way > for the good. 

Here's to spring and here's to trying. Again. Wish me luck.  

Back Again...

Dear Diet Blog readers:

There is an obvious omission of posts from November and a significant lack of content for the surrounding months of October and December. It is not that I am any less concerned with my own health and "just doing it" means that a constant vigil is in order to improve one's lot. The lack of posts has even less to do with perhaps success in my quest to "diet and lose weight" although things look better, off and on... (unless we are referring to clothes, then, there may be some debate)

With recent concerns for others and all that has happened and continues to happen around me, I realize the increased necessity to be more focused and vigilant for my own health and well-being. It will be with renewed vigor that I attempt to tackle this challenge "again" all the while knowing it was ongoing no matter the commotion around me. Life happens and it must be with companionship that we partner our challenges, our choices, our changes, and our chances - all work in combination to provide the best way to live and live healthy.

A doctor's appointment in early December, although with the primary intent to renew my ongoing prescription of Crestor, revealed good news in that I lost another 4lbs. and reduced my cholesterol levels to acceptable by my doctor's levels. With use of the pill, I was able to lower my bad levels below the 2.0 to 1.7... good job - the doc was happy. On the flip side, my blood pressure was elevated but will be monitored as it might have been the bi-product of recent stressful situations and now family history will play an even more important part in monitoring my own health.

Over the Christmas season, which to me is sometimes an over-rated excuse to eat at random and with abandon - okay, it's my excuse, considering all the work lunches and functions and beyond - I more than likely, or if truly honest, definitely - gained back the 4lbs. recently recorded as lost. I would also be so boldly honest as to claim that a few more probably joined ranks and globbed on ... I am keeping my chin up (keeps the doubles from looking so bad) and remaining positive that this is only a minor set back, if I just look forward instead of behind... (no pun intended, hmmm)

On the eve of the New Year, it is time to look at those things that made a difference, reconnect with them and renew with determination the resolve to do what is necessary to gain (no pun intended again!) the upper hand in this battle. There will be no end to it and I win if I continue to address this challenge with the seriousness that it deserves. (Aside, of course, from the little punnings, jabs and jests, here and there) Will it tire me? Yes - but I have to realize that this is a story with no end and a journey that continues on... and I must just write my way along doing what I must do.

Happy New Year to everyone - although your challenges are your own, remember that everyone has them, in one form or another, and you are not alone in your efforts to better your life. Be safe and be healthy.

Week Excuse

There are a million of them - excuses, that is. And I could run the gamut, listing woe and why I have not posted since the end of last week. In my defense, the last thing I remember, August was waning and a hint of Autumn was already hitting the air with a gale force. The sunshine today, brings us back to mellow warmth, but in the back of our minds, sit impending images of falling leaves, heavy sweaters, failing daylight, and scraping the dew encrusted windshields too early in the morning. We won't go further than that as I am sure everyone has a good mental image of what happens next; those seasonal memories do not die. Those things above are well received if only they remained the least of our worries and the calendar year slips closer to the last quarter.

With all this change, comes the need to remain focused on the diet and what is required to meet certain expectations of this challenge. Drink your water! I must post a note or strap that bottle to my hand in an effort to continue drinking the required amount each day. It's easy to get all wrapped up in the warmth of a morning cup of coffee or two, and because it's cooler out, thirst is not as prominent, I find, but the need to keep up the task is something that we must continue, all year round.

I started a new round of diet pills that are bumped up in dosage to 15mg... only on second one today as I wanted to start mid week in case the bouts of insomnia hit - at least, I would have reprieve with an approaching long weekend. So far, there is no significant incline in that direction but perhaps my body is used to the 10mg and the extra 5 doesn't concern it, in that way. I am hoping this helps and I remain optimistic, hoping for more successful results at my next 2 week check in.

In addition to that, I have started the cholesterol pills and will go for a blood test and recheck in 6 weeks. Making things routine, just takes a concentrated effort to create yourself a schedule and sticking to it. I have been able to keep my breakfast regime of a bowl of Fiber 1 with 1% milk and fruit (blueberries, bananas, or strawberries) every morning and was extremely pleased to be able to stock up when one of my favorite shopping spots had the cereal on sale this week. Bonus! More routine - packing a lunch - I have noticed I am not so ravenously hungry when I get home in the evening anymore. Sometimes the urge to "munch" still hits me but I am trying to convince myself that a) I don't really need anything, b) OK, but just a piece of cheese, or c) I might as well just have something little because it will nag me until I do... and if I don't have what the craving is (if it can be identified) then I will chomp through 56 other things, finally relenting on the first thing I shouldn't have to begin with... I am happy to report that the tendency is to go with b, but I have fought myself, lately, and am even able to offer up a few a's.

The most consuming obsession - writing, and now publishing - is actually helping me to keep busy enough to forgo filling the thoughts of filling my face. I will admit, here openly and honestly, that Cadbury's chocolate covered peanuts have fallen into my possession lately, twice, but I really am keeping my off-the-wagon indulgences to a minimum and I am feeling much better for it.

Confessions of a Cholesterol-holic

Not sure if there is even such a thing or person or condition - but it could be connected to the deep feelings we have with things we know are not good for us, yet still devour on occasion. This is where the confession part comes in, and geez, it's out there for all the world to know. I have eaten some things I know are not good for me but can't help myself - every once in awhile I get cravings, okay blind urges to indulge: that croissant with coffee the other day, the chocolate bar from the last stand before the check-out counter with groceries, the piece of dessert with lunch the other day at work, and that scrumptious piece of homemade pie after supper on the weekend... I know we need to allow ourselves that little bit of leeway because if we don't it just nags at us until we really cave.

I also wonder if I am really trying as hard as I can. Sometimes I think wow, victory and other times I feel like I am not really giving this the chance it deserves. I deserve. I am wondering how many little bad things eliminate all the good things you are attempting, achieving, and succeeding at. There have been changes for the better, and yet, there is so much more to do.

Tomorrow I go for the results of my cholesterol re-testing that the doctor ordered. The delay was to allow me to try and bring the numbers down myself with changes to diet, etc. I am not sure how it will go but I will place my prediction here and will compare once I get my results in the morning: I was at 4.0 LDL (bad) which is twice what it should be, although, overall I was told that I was only moderately high. I will predict I managed to bring it to a 3.6. I will also get myself weighed in and will predict that I lost 6 1bs. since my last doctor's appointment on June 23rd. It's not so much that I feel I was trying extremely hard to bring my numbers down, but I did make changes and ensure that some things become habits.

The Mayo Clinic rates the following 5 food categories or items to be the best in an attempt to lower bad cholesterol, while actually leaving good cholesterol alone or even raising it:
1. Eat foods high in fiber, such as oatmeal, oat bran or others - kidney beans, apples, pears, barley, and prunes are very good sources. *Kelsey and I have been watching the labels and trying to up our fiber intake. I believe a previous posting pondered the predicament of making precious pals with fiber packed food. We have bought a cereal that has 14g of fiber in 1/2 c.
2. It is recommended that you have two servings a week of fish and/or omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, sardines, Albacore tuna and halibut are great examples - but remember to bake or grill them so as to not add unwanted fat to the fish. A supplement is good for some of the daily recommended allowances but fish is a better source due to the selenium content. *Although, we have had salmon recently we have not picked up the pace to twice a week yet. We have, however, been taking a daily flax oil supplement which is a source of omega-3 fatty acids. One of her clients recommended it to my daughter - this lady and her mother are living a very healthy life at 80 and 100.
3. Although high in calories, nuts - without salt or sugar coatings - are an excellent choice. Just a handful of walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, peanuts, pistachios, and some pine nuts will do the trick. *We don't have them handy all the time, but I love nuts! Glad they are on the list but I do have to remember "only a handful" ... it's easy to get carried away.
4. Olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil. Use 2 tablespoons per day in place of other fats - saute vegetables, use as a marinade or a salad dressing. The warning is the same as nuts - it's high in calories so keep it to the minimum. *I use olive oil for cooking but must remember its other uses for vegetables and salads. I have a history with olive oil - when I was having problems with gall stones when I was younger, 2 tablespoons per day (right off the spoon!) helped soften stones enough to pass them. It finally got to me - the stones not the oil - and it seems that organ has no real use as I didn't have to be on a special diet in any way. Pity!
5. Foods with added plant sterols or stanols... this is confusing because it seems that common sterols are cholesterol (??? - maybe the good kind) and stanols are naturally occurring substances that block the absorption of sterols (??? - okay, that means they are the bad kind) - if anyone can comment and straighten this out for me - great - otherwise we'll let it be. Anyway, some margarine, orange juice, and yogurt drinks contain these components. *We use Becel (free advertising here, hope someone from Becel is reading this... :) and have tried a few different "blends" including: olive oil, low calorie, vegan, and regular. We prefer anything but the low calorie as that one just leaves your bread surface mushy - what's up with that? The others are great, almost tasting too good.

If we take all things above into consideration, there has been significant movement towards eating healthier. The best insurance is, of course, to cut back on total fat consumption especially saturated or trans fats. Reading those labels can be enlightening and trying to juggle all meals and snacks around what's needed and what's not is sometimes quite an act. But we are managing.

Well, time for the pursuit of another thing that does a body good - sleep. Good night and good cholesterol.