eej5

Sounds like everyone is doing great. My husband and I are in a friendly little weight loss competition at home. Today was official weigh in after our first week. I'm in the lead with a four pound loss for the week.

I'm a medical writer. So not a doctor, but I cover a lot of new research, treatment guidelines, etc.

Obviously, they aren't all quick to treat with meds. Mern's doc obviously didn't.

But in general, I think medical education doesn't cover / emphasize diet, nutrition, etc. in the role of health.

It's time consuming and often trial and error to determine someone's ideal diet. And insurance companies don't reimburse for long discussions about good diet and exercise, so docs often can't afford to spend the time.

cjohnson728

Amen. I wish they would subsidize gym memberships, wellness coaches, nutritionists, exercise classes, etc. As I type this, I notice that it reads dangerously that it sounds like I am looking for a handout; that is not the case. But I wish they would use a little foresight. I see this in my line of work all the time...it is pay now or pay later, and a little preventative investment ahead of the game can save big money down the road. You pay more for insurance if you smoke; why can't you pay less if you are proactive about your health? Insurance is driven by "medical necessity," but why does it make sense to wait that long, if the cost is higher then?

Sorry, this is one of my personal soapboxes. Your mileage may vary.

libby116

Week 2
Day 2

GOALS
1. Stay within calorie limit under 1200 Y Y
2. Eat 4 servings fruits and vegges Y Y
3. Drink 6 glasses of water Y N
4. Lose 1 pound Y
5. Post daily and weigh in on Friday no matter what Y Y
6. Use the treadmill 3 + times a week Y
7. Use hand weights 3 times a week Y

I got pampered with a hair cut and colour and manicure. These were gift certificates that I got for Christmas. Other than no exercise and not enough water I had a good day.

eej5

I agree, Cassie. So much of our health care system is backwards. I will say, there are a lot of people in the medical profession who are trying to change things. There is increasing talk about moving from our "sick care" way of doing things to preventative medicine.

But I think it will be a long, slow change.

jjrudd

I second what Cassie said. My previous GP tried to manage my diabetes with diet and exercise. He retired so now I have one that doesn't take the time to bother. The kidney specialist just gives me a pill. I'm now on my second pill for diabetes because metformin didn't agree with me and this one gives me indigestion.
I go to a dietican every 6 months which doesn't really seem often enough but is probably all that is covered.
Jenn

Mern

Green=on track according to goal Blue=still time to get on track for the week Red=missed goal

Saturday Report:

Had my menu all planned out and pre-logged yesterday and then DH wanted to go out for dinner. I did well except for water again. I know "JUST DO IT!" I just now taped an index card reading DRINK! to my computer monitor and to our white thermostat in the living room. Maybe that'll help.

Calories: 1200-1600 per day 1228, 827, 1370, 1217
Sat fat average: maximum 12% of total calories 11%, 7%, 11%, 12%
Dietary cholesterol average: maximum of 250mg per day 227mg, 145mg, 216mg, 234mg
Fiber average: minimum 25g per day 40g, 17g so average is 28.5g, 33g, 23g
Protein average: minimum 120g per day 127g, 103g, 122g, 121g
Net Carbs average (total carbs less fiber): maximum 25g per day 20g, 19g, 26g, 26g, , so average is 23g per day
Exercise: 3 days per week for first three months. Any extra is a bonus 1, 2
Water 64 oz. per day. Lost track--probably closer to 48 oz., ditto--must work on that!, ditto, ditto

Mern

Libby, your casserole sounds yummy! Thanks for posting that! I love getting new ideas from our group. Great job Friday. Aw, so nice to get pampered with your hair cut, colour, and manicure.

Debbie, my coleslaw is so easy--I just shred cabbage (or sometimes if I see a good sale I buy it already shredded in package) and add a little dehydrated onion and to cut down on dietary cholesterol and saturated fat, I use bottled ranch dressing instead of mayo. Kudos on your workout again! "Super bugs"--are you talking about the different kinds of bacteria that have become unresponsive to antibiotics? Did you enjoy the movie?

Cassie, you have a very valid point on health insurane companies subsidizing gym memberships. I'm lucky my Medicare Advantage pays for my gym membership. Younger people and insurance companies could certainly benefit from exercise as preventive medicine--as could I if I used my membership as I should. Kudos on posting yesterday despite your work load! You are such a good example for people like me who are prone to find excuses for our downfalls. Problem is most of the time my excuses aren't valid. You are so supportive of everyone. Thanks so much. Yes, my doc is a true champ.

Erin, kudos on your loss this week. That's great that DH and you are working together on weight loss. Thanks for letting us know you're a medical writer. Have you ever heard discussion on the dangers of medications possibly contributing to the rise of Alzheimers and other forms of dementia? My mother died of dementia--it was horrible. I won't take any prescription meds without first researching the possible side effects and deciding if I want to accept those risks or seek out self-help of which my doc would approve. But as my doc says, "Sometimes it comes down to a choice of how you want to die." My siblings take multiple meds because they don't want to change their lifestyles, so although it's not my choice, I do respect their decisions.

On doctors: I changed doctors twice before I found one who would work with me. The first just ran tests and didn't even call me with the results. Two months later a receptionist told me my blood test results still were on his desk, so I took it that I wasn't sick enough for him to fool with me. I went looking for another doctor--figuring a woman might be more agreeable to helping me. When I asked the second doctor for help on bringing down my cholesterol, all she could tell me was "cut down on red meat." And when my cholesterol wasn't normal three months later she got really aggravated when I wouldn't accept a prescription. I finally decided she wasn't educated enough to help me. So then I went looking again and found my current doctor who is willing to work with patients who are pro-active. But doc and I agree that though I'm doing really well with dietary lifestyle changes, I do need to be more proactive though exercise and weight loss--which is what I've recommitted to do.

Tori, kudos on your exercise! It cracks me up how you and Mike talk in code. All I can usually pinpoint is Mike's WTF. LOL

lildebbieg

Hi all Woke up this morning not feeling well....I feel an upper respiratory cold coming on I really don't want to skip my workout, so I'll try to get it in....but it may be lower in intensity than I would normally do.

Mern - I love....I mean I LOVE coleslaw! But I can't eat bottled dressings....I have Crohn's Disease, and bottled dressings just set me up for disaster. I'm going to dig out my favourite creamy homemade dressing recipe and post it after this post...in case you or anyone else is interested. I've only used it on greens, but who knows...maybe it would be great on shredded cabbage too! On another topic, I'm so very sorry to hear you lost your mother to dementia. I'm not sure if you read an earlier post of mine...my father suffered from dementia this past spring. It was the most terrifying thing I have ever witnessed! Fortunately, it was a side effect from his illness and chemotherapy...so it was only temporary. I gained a new respect/understanding for anyone who has to witness such a traumatic disease affect their loved one.

Libby - Hey girl! You're doing fantastic sticking to your goals! Keep it up!!

Erin - I read your post about the infertility struggles you and your husband experienced when trying for your first child. I'm so sorry to read that. How excited you must be to working towards baby #2!!! Can't wait to hear all about it in the coming months!!

Have a great day everyone. Hopefully I'll be posting back later to check in with my daily workout. Gawd I wish I felt better though

lildebbieg

I started posting my creamy salad dressing and thought it seemed familiar posting it here on fitday. Turns out, this was the first thing I ever posted here!! Here is the link to the original thread. There were only a few comments on the post...some felt the dressing was a little sour/acidic...I guess that's a personal thing. I love sour!!! But if you don't, sounds like you should reduce the amount of lemon juice I suggest in the recipe. I personally love it as is! Let me know if you try it and what you think! I do love cooking and trying new recipes. If there's any interest, I can start posting recipes. Let me know if that is of interest to you!

Mern

Debbie, best wishes on a speedy recovery from your cold! I don't know anyone else with Crohn's Disease. Are you able to manage that well with lifestyle changes? Do you also need any medication? How do you feel most of the time? I'm glad you found a homemade dressing you can eat. I missed your post about your father's dementia. I'm so happy for you and for him that it was temporary. How is your father now? Was the chemo successful? I love sharing recipes and copied your salad dressing recipe to my hard drive. I will definitely give that a try sometime. I can adapt virtually any recipe to my dietary restrictions for saturated fat, dietary cholesterol, and carbohydrates and I never mind if someone says they changed a recipe I posted to suit their own needs. I have posted a bunch of recipes in the food talk forum Food talk - FitDay Discussion Boards in

http://www.fitday.com/fitness/forums...b-recipes.html that I started and in http://www.fitday.com/fitness/forums...sed-foods.html that our Cassie started. I bumped both of those up for you.

Sounds like your recipes have to be made from scratch to fit your dietary needs, so that category might fit you well. Or you can open your own topic in Food Talk and be sure to let us know so we don't miss your recipes.