Health Updates

So I had my physical and received the dreaded lab results. For the tests he ran I'm essentially... perfect. Great blood pressure, cholesterol levels (good and bad), etc etc.

The doc was surprised (but happy) to find that I am not diabetic. As am I. My symptoms are still continuing and it's very frustrating since I still have to deal with school and work. Meantime I'll try to get back on the phase 2 South Beach bandwagon. I'm also still taking 2 dance classes each week, but the practice in between hasn't been happening as much as I'd like. It's a bit hard to motivate myself with the fatigue.

Anyway, Doc did a full physical, and more blood work. Also got my tetanus shot out of the way (arm is killing me today from it). He'll have a better idea where to go from those results hopefully and if it doesn't then he'll send me to an internal specialist. Hooray. At least he's thorough.

"Dwell not upon thy weariness, thy strength shall be according to the measure of thy desire." - Arab Proverb

So I haven't posted in a while...I haven't been very good in a while either.

There were finals, and then Christmas, and then there was Cancun. After that there was little going back. We attempted. We failed.

I've been really bad about being prepared and having meal solutions at hand. The worse my eating gets the worse my attention span, memory, etc. Tomorrow morning (yes I should go to bed soon) I have a doctor's appointment with a new doc. He's just a family practice physician, not an internal specialist. But, I want to address my concerns about diabetes and the fact that I've had some diabetes-like symptoms...well a lot of them actually...and haven't been tested for it in a while.

He may refer me to an internalist.

My motivation right now for being healthy?...success in school. I failed two classes my first semester of grad school and I feel like this is my second (and treating it like my last) chance. I know that it's impossible to attribute all of my problems last semester to health. But, others are convincing me I clearly wasn't myself and being effected by something physical. I'm worried that it is diabetes...I'm worried that its not.

If it isn't...then is it something else physical? What else is it? Thyroid? Or maybe not physical at all and just completely mental (not that far-fetched with my past).

In good news I've turned my indulgences toward a healthier avenue...tea. I've also begun two belly dance classes per week again. More on this later.

Progress!!!

So last night we managed to miss our weigh in.  This morning The Boyfriend left for the land of cold to work for the next week.  I managed to weigh myself today and came in at 155.5 lbs.  That's -2.5 from last week and a total of -7.5.  So even with a bit of cheating it's working.  Not sure how well The Boyfriend will do while away from home.  Most of what he eats in Port Angeles is Indian and Thai, although giving up rice isn't so difficult for him which could help.

If I keep losing about 2 lbs /week then I can plan to be down to 147 by our trip to Cancun.  I don't plan to lose weight while we're on the vacation, but at least maintain.  I think my goal is about 142 for overall weightloss.  I know I can easily get down to 145 but want to be a little better toned than that and under 140 is really difficult for me although about 138 (according to when I was on WW) is close to an ideal weight for me.  I can be happy with 142 as long as I'm fit, healthy, and toned.

I've been a little stressed because of finals.  Okay, a lot stressed.  I'm falling into my old college habit I've noticed of wanting to work out every break I take.  Not a bad habit considering I need to increase my workout regime.  This morning I stretched and then spent 20 min on the elliptical.  I plan to dance a bit this afternoon and maybe go for a walk this evening and then use the weight machines at our apartment's gym.

Not sure how I'll do if I become used to our gym.  We might be moving (about a 50% chance) in February.  If we move into my friend's house we won't have a gym and I'm not sure we want to shell out the extra for a gym we have to travel too.  I should get used to alternate methods of working out.

The Fresh Baked Smell of Phase 2

Well Phase 1 is officially done and Phase 2 is officially begun. Not that I haven't cheated over the past few days. Didn't help much that I made a bunch of not so south beach friendly christmas presents.

We're now allowed to have more carbs in the way of low glycemic fruits, whole grains, carrots, and sweet potatoes. In addition to our now usual haul of fresh veggies, low fat cheeses, beans, nuts, and tofu products we've also purchased apples, oranges, brown rice, carrots, whole grain oat flour, whole grain teff flour (a fantastic tasting and nutritious alternative grain to wheat) and oats. We also bought plain brown ricecakes and some cracker sticks made with whole grains and seeds.

We woke up a little late today so we made the Oat Pancake for breakfast that's in the southbeach book. It's large, in charge, and full of protein. Pretty filling too. They suggest using low fat cottage cheese or low fat tofu. I think next time I'll try the tofu to see how its different. Topped with some sugar free syrup and I cant believe its not butter spray and its tasty and filling.

Since that was a little late for breakfast instead of lunch we had two snacks. We stopped by America's Cup for some no sugar added boysenberry and blueberry frozen yogurt topped with a couple Tbsp of fresh strawberries. Then we had some of the previously mentioned cracker sticks with a couple of carrot and celery sticks and a couple tablespoons of olive and garlic hummus.

Dinner will likely be spaghetti squash topped with tofu cacciatorre and low fat italian cheeses with a salad. Ugh I'm full just thinking about it.

Oh and most exciting of all... Bob's Red Mill makes a whole grain gluten free bread mix. Gluten free breads tend to be the worst about not using whole grains, adding sugar, and are super super expensive. It's a little cheaper to by the bread mix and hey...I have a bread machine to boot so why not? Also we won't be eating that much bread and because of the lack of preservatives gluten free bread (b/c its also often all natural) tends to go bad very quickly. Stuff in the store can be hit or miss with how long it will last you. If I'm making it fresh and then refridgerating it my bread should last a bit longer. Can't wait. Mmmm I love the smell of bread yeast.

Failing But Still Thriving

So I did it. I stress ate. After a late night last night (erm...more like this morning), very little sleep, and a stressful afternoon I managed to convince The Boyfriend it was a good idea to go out for Mexican. We went to Acapulco's down the street and first split nachos (no meat of course), and no refried beans (they didn't have any other kind).

The Boyfriend ordered an Arnold Palmer and 2 ala carte items; a chile relleno and a cheese enchilada. I ordered the gargantuanly proportioned appetizer of taquitos (in my defense the chicken was tequila lime marinated and included in the filling was jack cheese and mushrooms). I did ask for a to-go box right away. 6 large taquitos graced my plate, the sum of their size equalling the size of my head. I placed the first 3 in the box and shut it. I then ate one. Half way through the second, I opened the to-go box and stuffed the third inside. I also knew I shouldn't finish the taquito I was currently working on...but I did.

I did however manage to leave the to-go box at the table rather than bringing it home for my taquito-loving roommate. Probably better this way because there would be a chance she wouldn't take them for lunch tomorrow leaving a chance I would nibble on them....or inhale them whole.

I can say it didn't make me feel very good either emotionally or physically. Forgetting to weigh in before dinner we went afterward and I wanted to shut my eyes. Good thing I didn't or I would have missed the 158 LBS staring at me. That's a 5 LB loss! Yay. The Boyfriend isn't losing as fast as I am but we're going to increase our excercise this week and that will help. He's still losing though so it's the right direction. This evening we went swimming for about 20 min in the heated pool at our apartment complex.

Yesterday I went to the Farmer's Market in Irvine and we did find some yummy things there. It was difficult steering away from all of the tasty fruit samples but we managed mostly. I still think the CFA basket will be cheaper for us once we can have fruit. Also, there website has some random recipes and I tried the eggs baked in tomato cups. Fairly easy but the recipe says to place the tops back on the tomatoes while they bake. My eggs weren't cooked at all. After microwaving them they were fine. I think next time I'll try topless ;)

Happiness And Such

So I wasn't going to weigh myself again until this next Sunday right before dinner (as I did last Sunday), but the temptation could not be resisted. Even though I weighed myself after dinner, and I had some cheese today that was not low-fat, as well as some french fries the night before last...I was not disappointed.

I've lost 3 lbs and The Boyfriend 1 (he cheated a little more than I did by way of ginger bread dough and broccoli cheese soup). But all in all we've been pretty full. I need to get better at remembering when to have snacks. I have been a little headachey and sometimes dizzy when I don't. But that may not be the diet (I don't think it really is because the diet is essentially "EAT HEALTHY DAMN IT!") It may more or less be other health issues and luckily health insurance through my new job should kick in soon, Like within another week or so and once I'm signed up it's off to find a new Doc.

I know I know you're not supposed to start a diet without medical advice to do so first. But, honestly considering this diet was developed by a cardiologist and is essentially just sensible I'm not too worried.

Tonight we had an excellent array of food (except for my bland soup which I won't even count because I didn't eat it). I made sesame ginger garlic marinated tofu, sauteed spinach in olive oil with LOTS of garlic, and the South Beach book stewed tomatoes. Excellent! And then Lime Ricotta Creme for dessert.

Oh and earlier for lunch The Boyfriend and I had egg salad wraps(I added a special touch with green onions) on red leaf lettuce with salad. More excellent things.

Today's tasty treats:

Breakfast: V8 juice, scrambled egg beaters, and 1 vegetarian sausage patty (El Burrito brand)
Morning Snack: Peanuts
Lunch: Salad with mixed greens, red bell pepper, chopped tea eggs, and Asian dressing.
Afternoon Snack: Celery filled with vegan cream cheese substitute (Tofutti).
Dinner: Baked Portabello with feta, pine nuts, and basil. Roasted veggies, and salad with balsamic vinaigrette.
Dessert: Chocolate Ricotta Creme

So as far as meat substitutes go mine are limited since many contain wheat in some form or other. El Burrito makes a Chorizo which we often used in sauces (it's pretty spicy) but they also make a more traditional sausage. The texture is a little on the soft side but you don't lose anything with the flavor. A sausage is more about the spices anyway than anything.

It was my first time using tofutti. I'm not certain why that was suggested in South Beach phase 1 rather than a low fat or fat free cream cheese. The texture was fine however it was a little on the sweet side but still too mild in flavor. Really should be mixed with something I think.

I'd heard mixed reviews about the Ricotta Creme that is reccommended as dessert in its various flavors for phase one. Most people seem to dislike the texture. I love love LOVE ricotta so it works for me. Sometimes the amount of whatever flavor it is needs to be adjusted but that's easy enough.