Exercise, exercise, exercise

We got our walk in this morning. I have a little pedometer that clips on the waist but I can’t find it. We are pretty sure we walked about a mile though. We took the Beagle – Lucky – this time. He needs the exercise too! Too many milk bones in his fat little tummy. Windom has some wonderful walking paths out at Legion Field near Cottonwood Lake, a small fishing and swimming lake in town. There are four full size baseball fields, one soccer field, a skateboard park and a children’s playground called Castle Kingdom. The city laid out a walking path in and around all this stuff and it’s really nice. There are some small hills etc. but I figured out how to get in a mile without too much of the going up and down. As soon as I find that darn pedometer I will know for sure if we are right about it being a mile. It is getting quite hot out and a bit humid so I doubt we will take the Bassett – Elvis – out later today.

I really need to get focused on using my Resistance Chair though because once winter gets here that will be the end of outdoor walking. Our little town does not have a nice indoor mall where someone can walk in inclement weather. However, a friend said she just goes to the grocery store and walks up and down the aisles a few times – HMMM – never thought of that but it’s a great idea.

Tomorrow we do not have church because of the Jackson County Fair where they have an ecumenical service tomorrow. We will be going to a Pancake fund-raiser for a family in a nearby town. They have a newborn at the U of M hospitals undergoing lots of surgeries etc. He was born without an esophagus and with major issues with his heart etc. They are stretching his esophagus through the numerous surgeries and are almost there. When he reaches 6 months, they can start in on the heart stuff. God surely has a special place for these little ones who go through so much just to live. I hope they are able to raise a lot of money for this family. It’s amazing how much this affects finances – having to be away from home so much and then who watches the children who are still at home while you are gone for days at a time etc. I’ve heard it said these are million dollar babies – I’m thinking more like multi-million dollar babies!

Medicine and the medical field have done so much and there are so many new discoveries and improvements every day. Thinking about all of this – how can one not believe there is a God in charge and providing for us always? Just when things are the bleakest is when God steps in and takes over. His answer is not always what we hope for but he does provide. I’m not sure that Obamacare is one of God’s answers however. Now that comment will surely stir up some opinions :0)! Until later - Tikki

July 29, 2010

Medical, Medical, Medical

Today was medical day in Sioux Falls for both my husband and I. He saw his dermatologist and heart specialist. I saw the Dietitian and the Nurse Practitioner to get my first adjustment of the lapband. Actually the rest of this week is Medical too. I had a blood panel done Wed. and will see my regular doctor tomorrow at 9 AM to discuss that and I have a dental appointment at 8 AM tomorrow. I continue to lose weight, slowly, which is good. My A1C is done to 6.6 and all my cholesterol numbers are well within the normal ranges – Yippee! Overall, the Dietitian, the Exercise specialist and the Nurse Practitioner were all very pleased with my progress. The Nurse put in a fill of 2 CC’s in the band for now and that seems to be OK but I’m back on liquids for today and tomorrow. I am now able to swallow all my medications, vitamins etc. without crushing them – another reason to celebrate! So – all things considered I am doing very well to date.

The one area that needs a lot of improvement is exercise. Although we do go for walks, usually on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, I should try to do more walking. I use my Resistance Chair other times during the week but sometimes that is difficult to fit in. There’s another area, too, that needs improvement – I have a tendency to gulp my food and need to constantly remind myself to chew, chew, chew, and then chew some more. And to put my fork down while I eat and count to ten or twenty before taking another bite. Back to the drawing board I guess.

I always get a good report at the dentist – he has told me I will not lose my teeth so that is good. It’s been years since I had a cavity and when I do need work done, it is usually to replace an old filling or an old filling has cracked or come out. I guess I am blessed with good genes for my teeth.

It’s been a long day so I suspect we will both be in bed early. Hubby got a good report at his appointments too. Looking forward to the weekend and being able to actually spend a good amount of time working on my blogging and websites etc. Until later - Tikki

Where's the Time?

It seems the hurrier I go the behinder I get. I’m really struggling with finding time for everything. My business (day job) is picking up dramatically and I am finding I have more in my schedule than I perhaps want. Balancing that out with my recent move and the need to maintain a certain level of financial cushion for the business and that gets me thinking I need to work as much as possible. I know it will mean I will fall behind in some areas and it will mean later hours at work. So – how does getting home after 6:30 and sometimes 7 PM affect the dinner hour at home and my diet in particular? This week is a good example. On Monday, my husband was gone to a meeting during the dinner hour. That was OK as I had made some egg salad and had some of that for supper. But it wasn’t a dinner so then I added a snack about 7:30 PM. I am allowed an evening snack. Yesterday I got home after 7:15 PM and he had already eaten, which is good but once again, what to fix for one person. I ended up finishing off the egg salad and about 8:30 PM started eating a snack. So I am wondering if having that snack so quickly after finishing dinner was a good idea. I have some fresh fruit in the frig and perhaps I should have concentrated on that rather than the RyKrisp crackers. Tonight I got home about 6:30 PM and found a bowl of pancake batter on the counter and the small griddle on the stove top. He had already made his dinner, which I did not know. I checked the caloric count for pancakes and determined I could have two 5” diameter cakes with blueberry syrup and still be less than 1000 calories for the day. I made enough pancakes for another lunch or dinner for me and another dinner for him so they went in the freezer for another time. Then about 8 PM I measured out a bowl of tortilla rounds and some peach salsa and had the evening snack and still came out under 1100 calories. So now – here I am, finally finding time to write in my journal, which I have ignored for far too many days now. And in about ½ hour it will be time to get ready for bed. I am usually in bed by 9:30 PM and up about 6 or 6:30 PM and at work by 8:45 AM. And I sleep fairly well – sometimes until 6 AM but more likely to 4:30 – 5 AM and then go back to sleep until after 6 AM. So how does my wonderful loving husband handle my evening snacks? Unfortunately he raises his voice, scolds me like I was a two year old child and then adds insult to injury by sending me two emails referring me to lapband websites – just to prove he is right and I am wrong. I know he means well but there are times when…. Now that I have it out in writing, I can deal with it more rationally and not let it escalate into an argument that will serve no purpose at all. I know I have done nothing wrong and I will work through the negative feelings surrounding this. I was not being sarcastic when I said my husband was wonderful and loving – he is. I would not trade him for anything and I/we are very happy together and looking forward to old age together. Everything in due time. So where does that leave me relative to the time issue – perhaps a need to prioritize, set a schedule, time aside for each project etc. Thankfully there is always the weekend for stuff at home. But still - I am still stuck with the hurrier I go the behinder I get!!! Tikki

Did I or Didn’t I?

You Betcha – I DID – Yea for me!!! It took about 20 minutes to go from home to the post office and then to my office. And – Yes – I was colorful – used my cane from Mexico. I took my time and slowed down when necessary. Today has been beastly hot and humid – again – and tomorrow doesn’t look promising either. But I walked around 9AM and it was still tolerable then.

My wonderful, amazing, and handsome husband came down to the office about 11 AM and we cleaned together. Left two rooms to vacuum and sweep but will go back and do that either tomorrow or Sunday. I hitched a ride home with him for Lunch and then made bank deposits and went back to work. Answered the phone and made phone calls and got some intake information out to two new clients. My schedule is really filling up fast – have about twice as many clients next week as I usually have. It makes me very busy but it is also good for the bottom line. Oh – also got some billings out too – that’s always good. Been thinking I should do some kind of Newsletter on my day job website – need to remember to add “email address” to the intake info so I have everyone’s email.

Listened to a webinar from Mail Chimp about how to use their service – very informative – and they provide a link to listen to it again – I like that. I have used Mail Chimp to send out a monthly Newsletter to the customers I have from Resistance Chair System website – you know – www.resistancechairsystem.com. I absolutely love, love, love that chair and the ease of use etc.

Have I mentioned disguising the taste of crushed meds and how difficult, if not impossible, it is to do that? Well – guess what? There is a way to do it so it is at least palatable. Mix them with a tablespoon of Chocolate Syrup – WHO KNEW??? Of course you must still count those calories in your daily caloric count – but come on – 50-100 calories depending on whether or not you use one tablespoon in the AM and again in PM or if you use a teaspoon for each. It is definitely worth it and it just means you cut back on something else. Otherwise, I followed my diet really good today. Seems I have plateaued at the same weight for the last 5 days – good that it is not going up – but I want it to go down, down, down. I need to be patient – hard to do :0)! Hey – thanks for dropping in and I hope you will come back – Karen/Tikki

Lend Me Your Ear!

OK - This is about support and motivation. I missed the exercise this AM - actually the second day in a row. I know, I know - this is an excuse and I just have to get my sorry ass outta bed in the AM so I can do at least 1/2 hour on the Resistance Chair. I've thought about walking to work - it is somewhat uphill and down so it is really uphill both ways but it is only about 1/2 mile - maybe a bit more if I stop at the Post office on the way in the morning. I SHOULD be able to do that - right. The issue for me is my balance. It just simply is not that good that I would trust myself for that distance. And, of course, I won't know unless I try it. I could use my cane that I got in Mexico 2 years ago - at least I would look colorful while walking :0)! I could try this tomorrow AM and see how it goes and ask my husband to come and get me at noon if it proves to be too much. I need to clean at the office tomorrow too and that is definitely exercise. What should I do??? Check in tomorrow night and find out :-)!

I am following my diet so far today and have stayed within my calorie count of 1200 or less. I took out some salmon for tomorrow night. Of course, my husband won't eat that so I have a very small steak thawing for him. One of my goals is to weigh less than my husband at some point in my life. The man eats to live and I live to eat :0)! His nutrition is terrible with all the snacking he does and the Coke he drinks and his smoking - Uffda! He really needs to own stock in CocaCola :0)!

I have been sleeping very well at night - at least 6 hours before I have to get up and use the bathroom. All things considered, it is because of sleeping in Goodnighties PJs and using my Buckwheat Pillow. If you have never heard of Buckwheat pillows or tried sleeping with one - you do not know what you are missing. The first time I heard about them was about 15 years ago or so - give or take 5 years - more likely to be 20 years rather than 10 years. Anyway - I heard they were good for absorbing heat - HOLD ON - a pillow that would absorb all the heat my body would generate during nightsweats - THANKS to menopause!!! We are so blessed as women to have to deal with childbirth and then when the uterus dries up we get menopause - Thanks to Eve and that darn apple :0)! So - naturally I had to try one. After I got it and used it the first night - Well - my guardian angel had to be watching over me that night - no wet pillow - although it did nothing to stop the nightsweats :0(! Not much does - they are just over when they are over and not one minute before - no matter how much we women want them gone! Now that alone sold me on the value of the pillow. But - hang on - there's another benefit here that was immediately apparent in the morning - well -actually the night before when I put my head on the pillow. This pillow molded itself around my head and actually kept doing so throughout the night - no more pluffing and plumping to get it just right at various times during the night. Is that an unexpected bonus or what!!! Since then I have purchased several more pillows for the bed - my side only - a neck pillow for the rocker etc. Here's my saying - You can have my first born but - nobody and I mean NOBODY - touches my pillow. It goes where I go- I don't care if it means another suitcase and a fee for that second bag - it goes - no matter what. If you are interested, you can check out one of my websites - www.buckwheatpillowsonline.com and see what you think. The other product I mentioned earlier is the Goodnighties stuff. You can check that out on www.goodnighties.com. The material feels so great on my skin and it is so soft and silky. I would recommend the PJs as the gown is more like a top than a gown - just not long enough for a gown in my book. However I do wear that under my nightie and that works quite well. This fabric also absorbs moisture and other nasty things floating around in the air that we are most likely not aware of. So it is great that the manufacturers of this product do know about that stuff and have developed a product that works to get rid of the effects on us . Great little product - check them out too.

OK - I've given my sales pitch. What are your recommendations for getting the ass outta bed in the am and for a solution to that walking/balance problem? I need some motivation and support here - Now it's your turn? Karen/Tikki

Just Another Day

The end of Tuesday already! Yesterday was my first challenge with eating out, out of town. I was at a meeting in Mankato, MN a large City (by small town standards) and soon it was noon and decision-making time. I was with 3 others and we all agreed to try Noodles, a restaurant within walking distance of the meeting place. I was going to order the Chicken Noodle Soup (small bowl) but one of the gals started talking about how good the Wisconsin Cheese and Mac was soooo good etc. etc. etc. So I switched and ordered that. It was quite a bit of food, even though I got the small bowl. Well, my friend was right - it was delicious and before I knew it the bowl was gone - well not before I knew it cause I did take my time chewing (and chewing and chewing etc.) When I got home I checked the caloric count for that lunch - which was only that mac and cheese. OMG - large amount of calories - BIG MISTAKE! I'm counting on the walk over and back to compensate for some of that. I should have stuck with my original choice. So - today - back on track! Unfortunately neither my husband nor I got up early enough to go walking this AM either. So - will try for tomorrow. Now they are predicting rain for tomorrow and that means no walking outside, if that's true.

Trumpet Roll Please - toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot, toot: There is something out there to masquerade the awful taste of crushed meds and you will never guess what it is. Plain old Chocolate Syrup - Yeah - Chocolate Syrup - Who Knew!!! Works like a charm - twice a day - 2 Tbsps - well worth the 100 calories in my book. No more nasty taste :-)!!!

Back to that lunch - It was pure and simple temptation and I lost that battle. Now - I could continue to beat myself up for being "weak" etc. etc. etc. and then - since I blew it anyway - continue to overeat the rest of that day. well - that only makes me bigger physically and that is why I had the surgery - to correct that type of thinking and make it possible to become "less" physically. So - that requires an attitude adjustment - getting back on track etc. etc. I think I was able to do that today so I'm hoping to extend my streak to two days by the end of the day tomorrow :0)! Tune in tomorrow for the results. Karen/Tikki

Alert the Media! Alert the Media!

Hey - Guess What? My absolutely wonderful, handsome husband (really a short little bald guy) asked me if I wanted to go for a walk on one of the walking tracks in town and we would take our roly poly Bassett with us? Are you kidding? Is the Pope Catholic? So I grabbed my ever present bottle of water, jumped in the car and off we went. We didn't go far on the walk but it was about 10 minutes, which is all the poor Bassett could handle (and me too truth be known). Our town has a players park out on the edge of town with several ballfields and a children's playground that looks like a castle (appropriately named Castle Kingdom) and they were kind enough to lay down a very large, wide walking path - actually several paths - winding around and about the ballfields etc. So - on the way back my husband - did I mention how wonderful and handsome he is - asked if I wanted to start coming out early in the AM - before work??? Did I hear right??? So I think Tuesday AM we will start that program - hard to do it tomorrow as I have to be out of town for work and will be leaving really early. I still intend to make my resistance chair system an integral part of my recovery. You can check out this chair at http://www.resistancechairsystem.com. It is so convenient and hardly takes up any space in my home. If you need to sit while exercising - this is the only think you will need to get the job done:0)! Onward and Upward friends - Karen/Tikki

Sunday - Sunday

Thought about that wonderful song by the Mamas and Papas - Monday, Monday. Well today is Sunday. I now fit into a pair of jeans again - Yea!!! I tried an old time favorite for Breakfast that I haven't had in a long time. A soft boiled egg with toast strips to dip into that gooey yellow yolk and try to get some of the egg white to stick to each piece of toast. Well - the egg yolk was already mostly cooked but - Oh Well!! Anyway - it brought back some memories of growing up and looking forward to that wonderful egg sitting in the egg cup waiting for my spoon to dig in.

Today I start exercising every day using my Resistance Chair System. My balance is not the best - something I am hoping will go away with the weight. Being seated is important for me at this point. I truly appreciate the resistance bands and what that means for strengthening muscles etc. I can also watch TV while exercising - just like in a gym or wellness center. I would really like to walk outside but I just don't trust myself to go alone yet. Supposed to storm later today too. OK - I know - that sounds like an excuse :0)!

I think I overate my evening meal yesterday. I know it took me longer than 20 minutes to eat it so I probably should have put it away. I still have some left over in the frig so I'm thinking I will split that in half - half for lunch today and the other half for dinner? Sounds like a plan :0)!
I am working on my websites today to clean up stuff etc. I am also working on all the social media websites where I have a presence and making sure they are all up to date etc. Well - time to get cracking - Karen/Tikki

Everything is going well so far. I am now down 32 pounds - 20 of those were lost the month before surgery. I am measuring everything that goes into my mouth. I thought it would be a struggle doing that but I am finding it is easy to do - the scale is always on the counter. I absolutely love my scale - I got it years ago from Pampered Chef (www.pamperedchef.com)but never really used it much until now. I'm so glad I got it way back then. The other investment we made was to purchase an electric counter top meat grinder. That also sits on the counter as we use it at least 2 times a week or more. My husband loves and eats just about any kind of meat - if it is ground up. Otherwise he does not like much meat at all.

The exercise part of this program is not totally functional yet. I forget most days but when I am at work and need to run an errand downtown, I walk rather than getting in the van and driving that block or two. My balance is still not the best though. Maybe I should invest in one of those "magical bracelets" they advertise on TV that are supposed to restore your balance and anything else that is wrong with you :0)! I really need to set up a routine and stick to it - be as diligent with that as I am with the measuring of food and recording it. I really appreciate the Lapband website (www.lapband.com)the doctor recommended. It makes it easy to do daily recordings of just about everything. I have chosen to do monthly recordings of my measurements but daily recordings of my food intake and my blood sugar readings.

The negative stuff right now is that I have a bit of pleurisy going on and that has resulted in feeling very tired, almost exhausted by late afternoon. There really is nothing that can be done to ease the pain I feel in my left lung area when I breathe. I have a prescription for Darvocet for sleeping and that helps. So - since it is Saturday, I may just take that nap this afternoon. Sounds like indulgence - where did that come from - well - how about always hearing "do something productive" and "suck it up and keep moving" etc. You know - things that always made you feel guilty - coming from parents, teachers etc. So - when do I or can I stop listening to those voices from my past and do what I now think is right??? The answer comes from within folks! There is no magic bullet or pill one can take that will provide all the "correct" or "right ways" of doing things. You only have three people you can rely on - the same three I have - me, myself and I. And we are all in agreement on this one - a nap this afternoon will be great - so there :0)! Tikki

Happy Fourth of July! I am celebrating a new lifestyle. Today was my first day on regular food - so far so good. The toast and cheese went down really well as did the 1/2 of banana. We will have chicken tonight - ground up into patties. I am feeling full and satisfied - that's great :0)! I am now back to work full time and that is great also! I'm contemplating what to wear when we go to Mexico next February - it will be here before I know it. I have enough clothes of all sizes in my "closet" that I should not have too much trouble finding stuff to take - swim suits included! I suppose I could almost open a clothing store with everything I have :0)! That would certainly help with the budget!!!

I am learning to chew everything slowly and carefully and to chew a lot - every bit of food. It took me 20 minutes to finish my breakfast - a slice of toast with melted cheese and 1/2 a banana - before I could've downed that in 5 minutes flat. Now being persistent with this change will really help a lot. I think I can have a small 3 oz can of tuna with mayo and 5 crackers for lunch along with a very well cooked veggie - like peas. Will figure that out at noon. I do have to go into the office this afternoon for a bit - just to get ready for Tuesday and to see one client at 2 pm. Then the rest of the day is mine - to do whatever I want to do.

My sleep continues to be good and I am convinced those wonderful Goodnighties PJ's are the trick. You can get your very own at www.goodnighties.com. They feel so good on my skin and are so soft and comfortable. I just wish their gown wasn't so short. It's about an inch longer than the PJ top - hardly what I would call a gown. It does fit nicely under a t-shirt though and makes my skin feel so good.

That's it for today - until later - Tikki

The first of July already. The 4th on Sunday and we are not doing a thing, which is fine with both of us. 3-4 more days of soft foods and then I can try solids - YEA!!!!! The weight is coming off slowly but surely. A bit too slow for me - I want more off NOW!!! Patience is the name of the game and settling into an exercise routine with my Resistance Chair. I just wish I could trust my feet to go out walking alone. Maybe if more weight comes off that might improve - sure hope so. I am finding I have more energy now too. I continue to sleep well every night and I think it is the Goodnighties stuff that is making that happen. I invested in a pair of PJ's from them and I like them as much as I do the very, very, VERY short top they call a gown. I will wear that tonight with the PJ bottoms and see how that works. I need to go to the grocery store sometime tomorrow for some of my "soft foods" for the next 3-4 days. I may just take another 3 days rather than 4. I'm feeling quite well and tolerating the foods and feel like I am ready to move to Stage 3 eating. I still DO NOT LIKE having to crush my meds and mix them in something - whatever I mix them in - well - it ruins the taste of whatever it is. I really need to call the Dr's office and find out when I can switch to taking them whole. And I need to call the Heart Specialist's office and find out what they want to do when my current prescription is up for renewal. I assume they will want to do a blood test and I'm dur for a blood panel in August so it would be nice if they could combine it all into one blood draw - I should be so lucky!!! I have a feeling I am not drinking enough water - not sure if it's because they are pushing the amount you drink every day or if there is actually anything not working just right because of missing some amounts??? I guess time will tell.

My incisions are healing up nicely. There is still one big scab but it is shrinking and hopefully will come off sometime soon. The original scabs have come off the rest but now have newer ones that are not so bulky and rough. I have not experienced any oozing, bleeding or infection in any so far - and - hope that continues. My blood sugars continue to be way down from before surgery so that is good. I have to remember to start taking down my measurements and entering that info on the Lapband Journey website. There will be times when the weight will not show up but a decrease in measurements will and it will be important to have that as a way to remind myself that progress is being made. Almost time for bed so best sign off for the night - Tikki