7-Day Motivational Thread Starting 5/16/11
05-17-2011, 05:30 AM
#31
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,085
Ok...comments a-comin' atcha, starting from the end of last week's thread now that I can read them!
Mike: FL picture is beautiful!! Grouper down here really is awesome -- I get spoiled on the seafood.
Mern: Yes, more than my fair share of fainting experience. All I can say about it now is that it's just another day if/when it happens, and it doesn't freak me out like it used to. And you're right, I was really freaked out when I fainted at mass. I can joke about it now, but afterwards, my parents weren't there (I didn't know anyone) so I was sitting alone in a pew wondering if I was really sick. I know better now, but I remember that awful cold feeling in my gut. It took me awhile to realize that it really and truly was a manageable problem (and that, actually, my grandmother also has low blood pressure. Runs in the family I guess!). I don't have a lot of the symptoms that are associated with the more severe forms of it, so the diagnosis is "chronic low blood pressure" and is considered a non-serious condition.
For managing my low blood pressure - I'm lucky in that I don't seem to have a cardiac problem associated with it (many people with hypotension do). Basically, I need to know my triggers. I seem to have mild vasovagal syncope -- which is a fancy way of saying that exercise and especially heat trigger my fainting spells. It doesn't happen every time, though, and while I've gotten dizzy exercising and had "stage one of three" (tingly limbs), I've never fainted dead away from hard work. I usually just make sure I'm VERY hydrated before I work out (and during) and I slowly work up the intensity, and I make sure my water is icy cold. I can do an hour of HIIT with no problem as long as I prepare well, and I've only had to stop two times due to the tingly limbs. However, if I do feel the symptoms coming on, I IMMEDIATELY stop and sit/lay down. Putting cold water on my neck helps. I also seem to be more sensitive to heat when I just wake up from sleep, so I never take hot showers in the morning, and if it's really hot outside (I check by opening a window) I drink some ice cold water before I make the walk to my car. Now it's just a habit of life - I rarely even think about it
Little tricks like this have me well and truly managed. I can only hope it doesn't get worse as I get older - my grandmother seems to be EXACTLY the same as me (it hasn't gotten worse as she's aged) so I have hope!
I do get my thyroid hormones checked frequently as people with hypotension often have/develop hypothyroidism, but so far I'm in the normal range. My grandmother does have hypothyroid as well, so if I develop it, I wouldn't be overly shocked.
Also, WAY TO GO!!! on your doc's appointment! Your health is improving and that is the PROOF! You're very very inspirational, thank you for sharing!
Cassie: Thanks for the congrats on the book
It's really pretty cool! The cover is colorful, no? I think they did a good job. It hasn't sunk in yet, lol!
Hope: Welcome back!!!
quinn: I hope you were able to swat that bug in its tracks! Respiratory illnesses are awful, they always take forever to go away. At least stomach bugs are there and then emphatically gone.
mhibidon: Welcome back!!!
Jenny: Welcome! Good luck on your goals!
Seems like everyone had a rough 'ol time this weekend, but I'm here from the couch cheering you all on!
As for my current goals
1) Eat something without having it come back up -- yes! I managed to eat crackers, flat gingerale, and a bowl of noodle soup yesterday! Yay!
I had less luck when I tried to eat some grilled chicken (I was seeing how I did with solid food) but I didn't throw up -- was just nauseated and needed to use the bathroom. I'm taking it easy on the water because drinking too much of it makes me feel bloated and blecky. Today (Tuesday) I'm getting off the couch and putzing around a lot more, and I also ate and kept down a whole sandwich (turkey with lettuce and tomato and a smear of honey mustard on whole wheat) so I think tomorrow I'll be back to work and back to making some goals.
We'll see if the weight stays off from the stomach virus...I still say it's not worth it for the weight loss! I was 181.8 this morning, so not much of a difference, but time will tell. I'll weigh again on Friday.
I appreciate the well-wishes from everyone for my health and BF's health. He's acting like he was never sick (he always bounces back really quickly from stomach stuff...COLDS, however, are another matter!!) and his neck is doing much better. It never even bruised, really, just was swollen and the swelling has slowly gone down.
Mike: FL picture is beautiful!! Grouper down here really is awesome -- I get spoiled on the seafood.
Mern: Yes, more than my fair share of fainting experience. All I can say about it now is that it's just another day if/when it happens, and it doesn't freak me out like it used to. And you're right, I was really freaked out when I fainted at mass. I can joke about it now, but afterwards, my parents weren't there (I didn't know anyone) so I was sitting alone in a pew wondering if I was really sick. I know better now, but I remember that awful cold feeling in my gut. It took me awhile to realize that it really and truly was a manageable problem (and that, actually, my grandmother also has low blood pressure. Runs in the family I guess!). I don't have a lot of the symptoms that are associated with the more severe forms of it, so the diagnosis is "chronic low blood pressure" and is considered a non-serious condition.
For managing my low blood pressure - I'm lucky in that I don't seem to have a cardiac problem associated with it (many people with hypotension do). Basically, I need to know my triggers. I seem to have mild vasovagal syncope -- which is a fancy way of saying that exercise and especially heat trigger my fainting spells. It doesn't happen every time, though, and while I've gotten dizzy exercising and had "stage one of three" (tingly limbs), I've never fainted dead away from hard work. I usually just make sure I'm VERY hydrated before I work out (and during) and I slowly work up the intensity, and I make sure my water is icy cold. I can do an hour of HIIT with no problem as long as I prepare well, and I've only had to stop two times due to the tingly limbs. However, if I do feel the symptoms coming on, I IMMEDIATELY stop and sit/lay down. Putting cold water on my neck helps. I also seem to be more sensitive to heat when I just wake up from sleep, so I never take hot showers in the morning, and if it's really hot outside (I check by opening a window) I drink some ice cold water before I make the walk to my car. Now it's just a habit of life - I rarely even think about it
Little tricks like this have me well and truly managed. I can only hope it doesn't get worse as I get older - my grandmother seems to be EXACTLY the same as me (it hasn't gotten worse as she's aged) so I have hope!I do get my thyroid hormones checked frequently as people with hypotension often have/develop hypothyroidism, but so far I'm in the normal range. My grandmother does have hypothyroid as well, so if I develop it, I wouldn't be overly shocked.
Also, WAY TO GO!!! on your doc's appointment! Your health is improving and that is the PROOF! You're very very inspirational, thank you for sharing!
Cassie: Thanks for the congrats on the book
It's really pretty cool! The cover is colorful, no? I think they did a good job. It hasn't sunk in yet, lol!Hope: Welcome back!!!
quinn: I hope you were able to swat that bug in its tracks! Respiratory illnesses are awful, they always take forever to go away. At least stomach bugs are there and then emphatically gone.
mhibidon: Welcome back!!!
Jenny: Welcome! Good luck on your goals!
Seems like everyone had a rough 'ol time this weekend, but I'm here from the couch cheering you all on!
As for my current goals
1) Eat something without having it come back up -- yes! I managed to eat crackers, flat gingerale, and a bowl of noodle soup yesterday! Yay!
I had less luck when I tried to eat some grilled chicken (I was seeing how I did with solid food) but I didn't throw up -- was just nauseated and needed to use the bathroom. I'm taking it easy on the water because drinking too much of it makes me feel bloated and blecky. Today (Tuesday) I'm getting off the couch and putzing around a lot more, and I also ate and kept down a whole sandwich (turkey with lettuce and tomato and a smear of honey mustard on whole wheat) so I think tomorrow I'll be back to work and back to making some goals.
We'll see if the weight stays off from the stomach virus...I still say it's not worth it for the weight loss! I was 181.8 this morning, so not much of a difference, but time will tell. I'll weigh again on Friday.
I appreciate the well-wishes from everyone for my health and BF's health. He's acting like he was never sick (he always bounces back really quickly from stomach stuff...COLDS, however, are another matter!!) and his neck is doing much better. It never even bruised, really, just was swollen and the swelling has slowly gone down.
05-17-2011, 05:55 AM
#32
FitDay Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,742
Thanks for all your discussion about low blood pressure. I have it too. I've fainted a few times I'm not prone to it, but I do get the lightheaded and tingly limb business if I take a hot shower immediately after my work out, so I usually drag out the cool down until I'm ice cold. Until your posts on the topic I never put that together with the low blood pressure issue. One thing I've found that increases my blood pressure to the normal range is Sudafed, so during my high allergy season, it's a non-issue. I hope you feel better tomorrow, stomach bugs are the worst.
05-17-2011, 06:39 AM
#33
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Slidell, Louisiana
Posts: 8,232
05-17-2011, 06:59 AM
#34
FitDay Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 23
A day late, but better to jump in than skip it all together.
My goals for this week are going to be pretty much the same as for last week until I get into a good habit.
1. Enter foods every day - including the weekend.
2. Keep calories under 2,000
3. Physical therapy for my wrist 3x a week
and a new one
4. Prepare & bring lunches from home.
My goals for this week are going to be pretty much the same as for last week until I get into a good habit.
1. Enter foods every day - including the weekend.
2. Keep calories under 2,000
3. Physical therapy for my wrist 3x a week
and a new one
4. Prepare & bring lunches from home.
05-17-2011, 07:19 AM
#35
FitDay Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 23
And here's the update for Monday.
1. Enter foods every day - including the weekend. Yes,
2. Keep calories under 2,000 good lord no
3. Physical therapy for my wrist 3x a week sort of... did some streching and some work with my weights at work but wasn't keeping track.
4. Prepare & bring lunches from home. YES!
So yesterday wasn't that great. I brought food from home but after eating cereal for breakfast I was still STARVING, waited a while, had my yogurt - still hungry... ate some chocolate, waited a while - still hungry, and ended up eating my sandwich a bit early. So then I wasn't totally hungry when my normal lunch time came around, but an hour later I headed to the cafeteria anyway because I needed a break and had a bagel with some veggie soup.
Then I had to work late and on the way home I went into that ironic tailspin of feeling both irritated that I was hungry all morning, and mad that I'd eaten too much, upset that I'm overweight and frustrated at having to count calories etc. and still not losing weight. So naturally I made myself a big dinner of chicken & rice with gravy. No veggies thankyouverymuch. And let's top it off with a glass of wine and really wreck the whole day with a soda. Gah!!
I was smart this weekend and did go to the trouble of prepping my meals for the week. Chicken and veggies for lunch or dinner and sandwiches + super healthy veggie soup for the nights I have class. I just think I need to figure out how to keep from being so incredibly hungry in the morning, then of course how to stop once I've genuinely eaten enough and not go into the 'I give up, give me a cookie' spiral. I mean, it was horrible. After eating dinner I had to run to the store to pick something up and I even wandered over to the donut rack and seriously contemplated buying one. WHAT was I thinking!? Fortunately I walked away from the donut. But man. I consider myself an intelligent and reasonable woman... but food can cause me to completely ditch my sanity and operate on a completely emotional level. I really need to get that part under control.
I don't even feel like I have any major emotional issues going on at the moment. I'm super busy at work, mildly stressed about that. I've got a lot to memorize for class - again, it's a lot of work but I'm getting an A in the class so it's not like I'm in danger of failing. And I've started dating a new guy - there's a little anxiety there but things are going well so far. So I don't know where the emotional tailspin came from.
Anyway... after not even wanting to face the damage by logging in my food last night or posting my goals... at least I'm coming clean today. And as Scarlet always says - tomorrow is another day!
1. Enter foods every day - including the weekend. Yes,
2. Keep calories under 2,000 good lord no
3. Physical therapy for my wrist 3x a week sort of... did some streching and some work with my weights at work but wasn't keeping track.
4. Prepare & bring lunches from home. YES!
So yesterday wasn't that great. I brought food from home but after eating cereal for breakfast I was still STARVING, waited a while, had my yogurt - still hungry... ate some chocolate, waited a while - still hungry, and ended up eating my sandwich a bit early. So then I wasn't totally hungry when my normal lunch time came around, but an hour later I headed to the cafeteria anyway because I needed a break and had a bagel with some veggie soup.
Then I had to work late and on the way home I went into that ironic tailspin of feeling both irritated that I was hungry all morning, and mad that I'd eaten too much, upset that I'm overweight and frustrated at having to count calories etc. and still not losing weight. So naturally I made myself a big dinner of chicken & rice with gravy. No veggies thankyouverymuch. And let's top it off with a glass of wine and really wreck the whole day with a soda. Gah!!
I was smart this weekend and did go to the trouble of prepping my meals for the week. Chicken and veggies for lunch or dinner and sandwiches + super healthy veggie soup for the nights I have class. I just think I need to figure out how to keep from being so incredibly hungry in the morning, then of course how to stop once I've genuinely eaten enough and not go into the 'I give up, give me a cookie' spiral. I mean, it was horrible. After eating dinner I had to run to the store to pick something up and I even wandered over to the donut rack and seriously contemplated buying one. WHAT was I thinking!? Fortunately I walked away from the donut. But man. I consider myself an intelligent and reasonable woman... but food can cause me to completely ditch my sanity and operate on a completely emotional level. I really need to get that part under control.
I don't even feel like I have any major emotional issues going on at the moment. I'm super busy at work, mildly stressed about that. I've got a lot to memorize for class - again, it's a lot of work but I'm getting an A in the class so it's not like I'm in danger of failing. And I've started dating a new guy - there's a little anxiety there but things are going well so far. So I don't know where the emotional tailspin came from.
Anyway... after not even wanting to face the damage by logging in my food last night or posting my goals... at least I'm coming clean today. And as Scarlet always says - tomorrow is another day!
05-17-2011, 07:53 AM
#36
FitDay Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,269
Goals:
1) drink more water-?
2) stretch- a little
3) walk or gym 3x this week- N
4) eat healthier, less sugar, more veg - until dinner where I went nuts on the Chinese food and then later had cheese (both no nos for me and don't I feel it now)
5) take my supplements (they help!) YES
Non fitness:
1) write - a little
2) meditate - YES
3) don't sucked into DD's moods_ YES!!!!
4) be kind - Yes, for me
5) listen more - ? I tried
Amy, THREE daughters. Bless you. How do you do it? How old are they?
Mern: CONGRATS! CONGRATS! CONGRATS! Bigtime. Isn't it great to get GOOD health news?
1) drink more water-?
2) stretch- a little
3) walk or gym 3x this week- N
4) eat healthier, less sugar, more veg - until dinner where I went nuts on the Chinese food and then later had cheese (both no nos for me and don't I feel it now)
5) take my supplements (they help!) YES
Non fitness:
1) write - a little
2) meditate - YES
3) don't sucked into DD's moods_ YES!!!!
4) be kind - Yes, for me
5) listen more - ? I tried
Amy, THREE daughters. Bless you. How do you do it? How old are they?
Mern: CONGRATS! CONGRATS! CONGRATS! Bigtime. Isn't it great to get GOOD health news?
05-17-2011, 08:29 AM
#37
FitDay Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 23
Hi everyone,
Just a really quick post. I'm sorry for suddenly abandoning the thread last Friday. I've contracted some sort of stomach virus that has had me, to put it delicately, in "emergency evacuation mode" for the past three days. BF had it too, though he's recovered a lot more quickly (of course).
Just a really quick post. I'm sorry for suddenly abandoning the thread last Friday. I've contracted some sort of stomach virus that has had me, to put it delicately, in "emergency evacuation mode" for the past three days. BF had it too, though he's recovered a lot more quickly (of course).
Your weight loss will probably not stay, I lost 8lbs in 5 days of stomach flu one year, and pretty much as soon as I started keeping food down it came back on. It's the dehydration mostly.
Hang in there.
05-17-2011, 08:33 AM
#39
FitDay Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 23
I'm tickled today! Just got test results back--have my pre-diabetic blood sugar down to just 104 with under 100 being normal and my A1C (average blood sugar over 3 months) is NORMAL at 5.8 (normal is 4.0-6.0). My new doc said she'd approve of my 25 net carb diet as long as my protein test came back OK and it did, too. 
05-17-2011, 09:59 AM
#40
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,083
Headed out to final band concert, award ceremony and reception...posting to hold myself accountable to report back any goodies that happen to find their way into my mouth at said reception...
Last night was the academic awards and land o' goodies. Spare me this time of year
Last night was the academic awards and land o' goodies. Spare me this time of year
