A few weeks ago I went back to my primary care physcian for follow up. I went into my appointment both confident and nervous all in one. I know that I had made great strides in improving my health, but I also knew that I hadn't been doing as well as I could lately. Old habits are starting to creep back in!
My doctor walked in, looked at me, looked at the chart, and looked back and me and said "WOW, you've lost weight!!". After getting some results, I brought my A1c down to normal levels, my fasting glucose was 46 points lower, my good cholesterol went up 8 points, and my bad cholesterol went down!! I have lost 37 pounds and I do feel so much better!
I am appreciated of all those who continue to encourage me! Thanks Paula!! :)
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
So, It's Been Awhile
Looks like I have been out of the loop for awhile!!
Like anything, there is huge momentum at first ---- and then old habits get ya! Which is what I have been struggling with the last couple weeks.
As of today I am 12 days away from my "90 days". It's getting closer to going back to the doctor and having repeated labs and all of the fun stuff. I have lost a total of 38 pounds since starting my new way of life. I am pleased with the results, but also disappointed. I completely lost motivation in August. Lack of motivation combined with our elliptical machine breaking really slowed me down. I had hoped that by the end of the 90 days I would have lost closer to 50 pounds, but I keep reminding myself that 38 pounds is still an amazing accomplishment for me! I got a membership to Planet Fitness, and I love it there, but having the time to make it to the gym on a regular basis is very difficult for our family schedule combined with my hectic work schedule.
I have recommitted to myself, my health, my future and am looking forward to quickly attaining the 50 pound mark!
Like anything, there is huge momentum at first ---- and then old habits get ya! Which is what I have been struggling with the last couple weeks.
As of today I am 12 days away from my "90 days". It's getting closer to going back to the doctor and having repeated labs and all of the fun stuff. I have lost a total of 38 pounds since starting my new way of life. I am pleased with the results, but also disappointed. I completely lost motivation in August. Lack of motivation combined with our elliptical machine breaking really slowed me down. I had hoped that by the end of the 90 days I would have lost closer to 50 pounds, but I keep reminding myself that 38 pounds is still an amazing accomplishment for me! I got a membership to Planet Fitness, and I love it there, but having the time to make it to the gym on a regular basis is very difficult for our family schedule combined with my hectic work schedule.
I have recommitted to myself, my health, my future and am looking forward to quickly attaining the 50 pound mark!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
THIRTY
I haven't posted in awhile as we have been on vacation. But.... I'VE LOST 30 POUNDS! I hit the 30 pound mark exactly one month into my weight loss journey. I was a bit nervous stepping on those scales given that I had been on vacation and off of my "normal" routine - combined with the issue of our elliptical machine being broken (yikes!!).
I really am feeling the difference in my overall energy level. I enjoyed playing soccer and running around with my 4 year old this week --- I certainly have a long way to being "in shape", but I don't think a month ago I would have had the same energy level to do these things. I ran around with some little cousins at our family reunion today which was a lot of fun!
My short term goal was to lose 30 pounds before July 25th, when I turn 30, and I'm so happy to have met this goal! I still have a few days until my birthday, so hopefully I'll have lost a few extra pounds so I can realllllly enjoy my birthday cake!
I go back to my doctor's on September 10th. I would love to lose another 10-15 pounds before I go back.
It has been very encouraging seeing friends and family this week that we haven't see for awhile and to hear the many compliments and acknowledgements that I had lost weight. Thanks for reading and being an encouragement!
I really am feeling the difference in my overall energy level. I enjoyed playing soccer and running around with my 4 year old this week --- I certainly have a long way to being "in shape", but I don't think a month ago I would have had the same energy level to do these things. I ran around with some little cousins at our family reunion today which was a lot of fun!
My short term goal was to lose 30 pounds before July 25th, when I turn 30, and I'm so happy to have met this goal! I still have a few days until my birthday, so hopefully I'll have lost a few extra pounds so I can realllllly enjoy my birthday cake!
I go back to my doctor's on September 10th. I would love to lose another 10-15 pounds before I go back.
It has been very encouraging seeing friends and family this week that we haven't see for awhile and to hear the many compliments and acknowledgements that I had lost weight. Thanks for reading and being an encouragement!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Ingredients:
Grilled Chicken Breast - I put about half of a small chicken breast on the sandwich
Lettuce
Onion
Tomato
Green Pepper
3-4 Tsp of Raye's Mustard - Winter Garden ( at only 5 calories per tsp spread it on! so good)
2 slices of Ezekiel 4:9 Bread (I prefer mine toasted or on the grill)
This is a filling and delicious sanwich at less than 375 calories!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Yum!
I wanted to share a couple delicious recipes I threw together today! These are going to make really delicious and filling breakfasts on the go (which is important in our family!) or a cool treat on a hot summer day!Almond Banana Smoothies - 230 Calories
1 cup Blue Diamon Almond Breeze Milk - Vanilla flavor
1 banana
1/2 small container of Chobani Greek Yogurt - Plain
Put them in the blender and enjoy!
Fruit Smoothies - 290 Calories
1 cup Silk Fruit & Protein
1 banana
1/2 small container of Chobani Greek Yogurt - Plain
Put them in the blender and enjoy!
Enjoy!
Temptations!!!
I WAS WONDERING WHEN THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN!!!
Friday night Holly and I found ourselves childless.... so what better to do then enjoy a dinner out! We live in a beautiful region of Maine and are fortunate enough to be able to enjoy beautiful Bar Harbor. Holly and I headed down to our favorite restaurant, Geddy's. The most amazing thing about Geddy's is their onion rings -- it's a vegetable right? Not. We did cave and ordered onion rings. A few minute later a heaping mound of fried goodness was staring me down. Only one of us was going to win. Guess who? The onion rings. Now, I must say (as embarrassing as it is) that in the past we have not had any trouble polishing off the appetizer of onion rings (and I'll admit to eating the crumbs - these things are amazing!). We didn't even eat half of the order, and instead of boxing them up to go I had the waitress take the remaining half away. For dinner I ordered a grilled chicken burger with pineapple salsa on a wheat roll - sounds pretty good right? Oh yeah, they served it will piles of chips! Agh! Seriously felt like culinary world was out to get me. The only redeeming part of dinner is that <GASP> Geddy's failed to impress us that night Still not sure why, the food is always amazing --- perhaps given my change in diet my taste buds have completely changed! I only at the chicken out of the sandwich and quickly sent the plate of chips back.
PHEW! Almost out of harms way! Holly and I enjoyed sitting in the park overlooking the harbor. Something wasn't right. If you've ever been to Bar Harbor you know how amazing Ben & Bill's Chocolate Emporium is. Yeah, me too. Holly and I went off to pick out an ice cream. I thought I would be good and order sugar free ice cream - it was pretty good, until I realized how stupid I must have sounded when I ordered "Sugar free butter crunch on a sugar cone" - huh?
Now, I don't know if it was the high of having a "date night" or the fried food / sugar that has been out of our diets for the past 2 weeks but on the way home we were completely silly/crazy - couldn't stop laughing and were acting like crazy teenagers! I think we were definitely on sugar high!
Okay, one night of not perfect eating. It wasn't a complete loss -- a few onion rings and an ice cream. When I started this weight loss journey I told myself that I didn't want to deprive myself of special treats or "free nights". After all this has been more of healthy choice movement. After all, I had lost 24 pounds in the past couple of weeks. I was definitely going to jump back on the bandwagon tomorrow.... UNTIL....
THE ROLE OF TEMPTATION WILL NOW BE PLAYED BY MY WIFE'S CAKE BUSINESS
Yeah, there is that little bit of information that I left out. I love cake. I love my wife. I love my wife's cake. Seriously we're not talking your store bought nasty stuff - this is real, homemade goodness people! In the past couple months Holly decided to really start promoting her cake business and has started making several cakes per week. My official title in the business is "Creative Consultant, Taste Tester, and General Annoyance" :) I love it when Holly makes chocolate cake because I DETEST chocolate cake (weird, I know). But white cake - watch out people, you might lose a finger! Holly's white cake is like a little piece of Heaven on earth. And what was this morning's cake order - white cake with butter cream frosting. WARNING... WARNING... WARNING... I should have immediately walked away from the kitchen and found the nearest elliptical. But, I love helping Holly (even though I'm sometimes more of a hindrance than a help). This is going to be the biggest challenge. I've had an easy time not purchasing unhealthy things when grocery shopping - in fact I've enjoyed the new foods and recipes. I definitely had a few too many "frosting samples" than my "job" "requires".
By midday I was back on track - thanks to a pep talk from Holly. There are going to be times that I "fall off the bandwagon", but getting on isn't always easy. I think that for me personally allowing myself an occasional "day off" will be a factor in my continued success.
At the end of the day I am reminded by why I am making these changes in my health. I don't want my previous poor choices to continue, and ultimately be responsible for irreversible damage like my father experienced. I want to continue on this journey and look forward to posting my next weigh in!
Thanks for reading!
Friday night Holly and I found ourselves childless.... so what better to do then enjoy a dinner out! We live in a beautiful region of Maine and are fortunate enough to be able to enjoy beautiful Bar Harbor. Holly and I headed down to our favorite restaurant, Geddy's. The most amazing thing about Geddy's is their onion rings -- it's a vegetable right? Not. We did cave and ordered onion rings. A few minute later a heaping mound of fried goodness was staring me down. Only one of us was going to win. Guess who? The onion rings. Now, I must say (as embarrassing as it is) that in the past we have not had any trouble polishing off the appetizer of onion rings (and I'll admit to eating the crumbs - these things are amazing!). We didn't even eat half of the order, and instead of boxing them up to go I had the waitress take the remaining half away. For dinner I ordered a grilled chicken burger with pineapple salsa on a wheat roll - sounds pretty good right? Oh yeah, they served it will piles of chips! Agh! Seriously felt like culinary world was out to get me. The only redeeming part of dinner is that <GASP> Geddy's failed to impress us that night Still not sure why, the food is always amazing --- perhaps given my change in diet my taste buds have completely changed! I only at the chicken out of the sandwich and quickly sent the plate of chips back.
PHEW! Almost out of harms way! Holly and I enjoyed sitting in the park overlooking the harbor. Something wasn't right. If you've ever been to Bar Harbor you know how amazing Ben & Bill's Chocolate Emporium is. Yeah, me too. Holly and I went off to pick out an ice cream. I thought I would be good and order sugar free ice cream - it was pretty good, until I realized how stupid I must have sounded when I ordered "Sugar free butter crunch on a sugar cone" - huh?
Now, I don't know if it was the high of having a "date night" or the fried food / sugar that has been out of our diets for the past 2 weeks but on the way home we were completely silly/crazy - couldn't stop laughing and were acting like crazy teenagers! I think we were definitely on sugar high!
Okay, one night of not perfect eating. It wasn't a complete loss -- a few onion rings and an ice cream. When I started this weight loss journey I told myself that I didn't want to deprive myself of special treats or "free nights". After all this has been more of healthy choice movement. After all, I had lost 24 pounds in the past couple of weeks. I was definitely going to jump back on the bandwagon tomorrow.... UNTIL....
THE ROLE OF TEMPTATION WILL NOW BE PLAYED BY MY WIFE'S CAKE BUSINESS
Yeah, there is that little bit of information that I left out. I love cake. I love my wife. I love my wife's cake. Seriously we're not talking your store bought nasty stuff - this is real, homemade goodness people! In the past couple months Holly decided to really start promoting her cake business and has started making several cakes per week. My official title in the business is "Creative Consultant, Taste Tester, and General Annoyance" :) I love it when Holly makes chocolate cake because I DETEST chocolate cake (weird, I know). But white cake - watch out people, you might lose a finger! Holly's white cake is like a little piece of Heaven on earth. And what was this morning's cake order - white cake with butter cream frosting. WARNING... WARNING... WARNING... I should have immediately walked away from the kitchen and found the nearest elliptical. But, I love helping Holly (even though I'm sometimes more of a hindrance than a help). This is going to be the biggest challenge. I've had an easy time not purchasing unhealthy things when grocery shopping - in fact I've enjoyed the new foods and recipes. I definitely had a few too many "frosting samples" than my "job" "requires".
By midday I was back on track - thanks to a pep talk from Holly. There are going to be times that I "fall off the bandwagon", but getting on isn't always easy. I think that for me personally allowing myself an occasional "day off" will be a factor in my continued success.
At the end of the day I am reminded by why I am making these changes in my health. I don't want my previous poor choices to continue, and ultimately be responsible for irreversible damage like my father experienced. I want to continue on this journey and look forward to posting my next weigh in!
Thanks for reading!
Friday, July 6, 2012
24
As of this morning I am down 24 pounds!Great little motivation heading into the weekend! I hope to write a longer post this weekend!
My next mini goal is an additonal 6 pounds by July 25. Why July 25? It's my birthday! I turn the big 3-0 this month and what better gift could I give myself than losing 30 pounds for my birthday!
Fourth of July was a tough day -- too many tempting things to snack on at a BBQ we had at my mom's. I made a tasty alternative to burger/hotdogs that once I figure out the calories too I will post my recipe - It was delicious! Plus I put a little twist on a brocolli salad Holly made - instead of using mayonaise to make a sauce I used some plain non fat greek yogurt ---It's amazing what you can do with that stuff!
Oh, hey Ang - I hear that you are enjoying my blog! :) Feel free to comment and say hello!
- Zack
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)