It looks like it will be soon that I will no longer have to get injections in my eye. My doctors say that my eye has been doing extremely well and is very stable. Hopefully, the next time I go in for a visit (April 12, 2012), it will be the last of the injections.
The scale was acting all weird and giving random results (probably due to operator error) every time I got on it. I think I finally got it right the last time, so I'll go with that number; 235.7. It's not a huge loss from last time, but the good news is that I have kept the weight off for a month.
Today, I'm back on my strong weight loss diet and will continue to use it during the work week. With the wife pregnant, it's impossible to diet at home for meals. I just have to restrict my extra food intake when at home and use portion control.
The baby shower is tomorrow, so it'll be a busy day with family.
I'm hoping to go by Fifty Fathoms and check out an 18" fire eel that a friend told me they have.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Progress Report 1
February 9, 2012 I went to the doctor for my every two weeks appointment and received some good news on two things. My eye has progressed very much, so much so that my appointments will now be once a month instead of every two weeks. My vision isn't any better, but that may come in time as my eye heals. The second good news is that I lost 9.2 pounds in two weeks and weighed in at 236.4.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Sixty Pound Take Down - Ready, Set, Lose...Weight
Sixty (60) pounds is what needs to come off, so I've started the Sixty Pound Take Down posts to keep track of my progress over the next few months and beyond. Today has been very busy at work, so I didn't even get to think about eating anything until right before noon today. Other than medication, I had some green grapes (about 15) and just about have finished a can of Progresso Rich & Hearty Steak and Vegetables soup at around 260 calories.
My plan is to walk, do 6 sets of 10 15 pound dumbbell curls, and eat 5 - 6 times a day averaging 200 - 250 calories per meal. This should stoke my metabolism and build some fat burning muscle and reduce calorie intake to lose weight. I'll build up my exercise appropriately as things become less of a challenge i.e. increasing weight of dumbbells, walking further/longer, bicycling, and other exercise. My weigh in will be every two weeks when I go to the doctor. Last weigh in was 245.6 on January 26, 2012.
My plan is to walk, do 6 sets of 10 15 pound dumbbell curls, and eat 5 - 6 times a day averaging 200 - 250 calories per meal. This should stoke my metabolism and build some fat burning muscle and reduce calorie intake to lose weight. I'll build up my exercise appropriately as things become less of a challenge i.e. increasing weight of dumbbells, walking further/longer, bicycling, and other exercise. My weigh in will be every two weeks when I go to the doctor. Last weigh in was 245.6 on January 26, 2012.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Gearing Up to Get Down
I'm gearing up to get down. You might ask, "What the heck does that mean?" Well, let me begin by saying that my doctor has now prescribed some cholesterol lowering medication on top of the Metformin 500 mg twice a day, Benazepril, and Amlodipine Besylate that I'm already taking for diabetes and high blood pressure.
This is on top of the Dipyramole (Persantine) that I've been taking to thin my blood due to the retinal artery occlusion I had in my left eye back in July 2011. I'm also taking 325 mg of aspirin every day for the same reason. My doctor who has prescribed the blood pressure and diabetes meds has also prescribed 1 gram 3x day of Omega 3. I was taking Omega 3,6,9, but that was not at the level of 1 gram 3x a day that she wanted me to take back in October.
As you can see, that's a whole lot of crap to be putting in my bloodstream on a daily basis. I'm sick of it! I'm tired of having my live revolve around taking medications and I'm going to do something about it. My cholesterol, diabetes (only borderline with A1C from 6.8 to 7.1), and high blood pressure can all be eliminated by weight loss and diet changes. I'm gearing up to get down off the meds and lose weight. I want a clean bill of health and want to prevent any further damage to my eyes as a result.
Here is where I am and where I will be with BMI, Weight, and how much lost.
Powered by Everyday Health.
This is on top of the Dipyramole (Persantine) that I've been taking to thin my blood due to the retinal artery occlusion I had in my left eye back in July 2011. I'm also taking 325 mg of aspirin every day for the same reason. My doctor who has prescribed the blood pressure and diabetes meds has also prescribed 1 gram 3x day of Omega 3. I was taking Omega 3,6,9, but that was not at the level of 1 gram 3x a day that she wanted me to take back in October.
As you can see, that's a whole lot of crap to be putting in my bloodstream on a daily basis. I'm sick of it! I'm tired of having my live revolve around taking medications and I'm going to do something about it. My cholesterol, diabetes (only borderline with A1C from 6.8 to 7.1), and high blood pressure can all be eliminated by weight loss and diet changes. I'm gearing up to get down off the meds and lose weight. I want a clean bill of health and want to prevent any further damage to my eyes as a result.
Here is where I am and where I will be with BMI, Weight, and how much lost.
| BMI | Weight | Loss |
| 34.2 | 245 | |
| 32.8 | 235 | 10 |
| 31.4 | 225 | 20 |
| 30.0 | 215 | 30 |
| 28.6 | 205 | 40 |
| 27.2 | 195 | 50 |
| 25.8 | 185 | 60 |
| 25.1 | 180 | 65 |
| 24.9 | 178.5 | 66.5 |
| 24.0 | 172 | 73 |
The plan is based off of something I've known for a long time and have read recently in my quest to lose 50 pounds quickly. The idea is to lose a pound a day for the next ten days then get down to 185 in the next 9 weeks or essentially lose 60 pounds before April 15, 2012.
It takes burning 3500 calories to lose 1 pound. I am not in the physical health to be able to exercise at that level, so I'll have to reduce my intake as well as increase my output.
Exercise will begin with walking (distance to be determined) and lifting a 15 pound dumbbell 6 sets of 10 daily. I think I may try to start riding my bike to and from work if the weather is cooperative.
Diet will consist of eating 1200 to 1500 total calories in 5-6 meals per day of healthy foods. I will limit sodium, cholesterol, saturated fat, and sugar from my diet. Each meal will consist of carbs, protein, and good fat to reduce sugar crashing.
Tomorrow will be the practice run and February 1, 2012 will start the quest to get free from all these health issues.
I found some interesting calculators.
I found some interesting calculators.
| Calories Burned Calculator | ||
| Estimate the calories you burned walking: | ||
| Pace: | ||
| Weight: | ||
| Time: | ||
| Calories Burned Calculator | ||
| Estimate the calories you burned on your bike ride: | ||
| Pace: | ||
| Weight: | ||
| Time: | ||
Powered by Everyday Health.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Weekend is Almost Here!
This has been such a long week even though it is the third of the year that I have not worked a full week. The first week of the year I was off in observance of New Year's holiday and took off to go up to Natchitoches deer hunting with my cousin, so that was a 3 day week. The second I had two doctor's appointments, so that was a 3.5 day week. This week I had another doctor's appointment, so last week was my only full week of work for the year.
My friend's dad had to go to the hospital on Wednesday, so we postponed our drywall work until Saturday. Hopefully, we'll be able to get everything done in that bathroom except for painting and installing the cabinet and sink. I'll be glad to have that bathroom finished. Tonight, I'm going to remove the toilet, install the tile on the floor, and get everything else together that we need to get the job done.
I've been working on the Breeders Awards Program for the Southeast Louisiana Aquariums Society. I based it off of the North American Native Fishes Association and Ohio Cichlid Association BAP guidelines documents. I think that the program can help develop SELAS into a better organization and involve more of the members. We'll certainly see as the year goes on.
Weighed myself at the doctor's office yesterday to get a baseline weight: 245.6
My friend's dad had to go to the hospital on Wednesday, so we postponed our drywall work until Saturday. Hopefully, we'll be able to get everything done in that bathroom except for painting and installing the cabinet and sink. I'll be glad to have that bathroom finished. Tonight, I'm going to remove the toilet, install the tile on the floor, and get everything else together that we need to get the job done.
I've been working on the Breeders Awards Program for the Southeast Louisiana Aquariums Society. I based it off of the North American Native Fishes Association and Ohio Cichlid Association BAP guidelines documents. I think that the program can help develop SELAS into a better organization and involve more of the members. We'll certainly see as the year goes on.
Weighed myself at the doctor's office yesterday to get a baseline weight: 245.6
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Childbirth Class
Last night's childbirth class was on infant care. It is simply amazing the things that you learn about in these classes even when you've already had children. The actual reason to use A&D ointment on the baby's skin is to make the poop easier to get off of them. I always thought it was only to protect their skin from diaper rash.
I didn't know (or remember) that you can only sponge bathe a baby until their umbilical cord stub falls of. Neither of us knew that you should bathe a baby in sections and dry each section before moving on to the next. I didn't know that meconium was swallowed amniotic fluid. I always thought it was like a cork in the baby's butt.
A lot of the things we did know though and weren't surprised with. It's really like being a parent for the first time again since it's been so long for me and it is my wife's first child.
Tonight, my friend is coming over to help me drywall the downstairs bathroom. Oh what a relief it will be to have my wife happy that it is finally done after over a year of sitting gutted. I had initially started tearing out the drywall after the hot water heater leaked and wicked up the wall and destroyed the vanity cabinet. My friend who is coming over to help was my best man and I couldn't have picked anyone better. He's helped me with so many projects.
Tomorrow is yet another doctor's visit to my ophthalmologist to get my left eye checked and get another injection of Avastin. It's the lesser of the two drugs that I get every other week (Lucentis is the other) in an attempt to stabilize my eye after having a retinal artery occlusion July 19, 2011. Hopefully, things will be better to the point of him extending my appointments to once a month instead of every two weeks.
I did however have a ghostly or wispy looking capital G start floating around in my eye a few days after the last injection of Lucentis. I thought at first it was just one of the bubbles that appear after some injections that go away after a few days. This isn't going away and is very unnerving every time it moves. It follows my pupil wherever I move my eye. Sometimes I can focus on it, but most times it is like a shadow.
The house is getting cleaner as we continue to work together to declutter as much as possible and stay on top of things. I didn't get to do my 5 in 25 plan the past two nights, but hope to get back to it tonight after my friend and I finish the bathroom.
I didn't know (or remember) that you can only sponge bathe a baby until their umbilical cord stub falls of. Neither of us knew that you should bathe a baby in sections and dry each section before moving on to the next. I didn't know that meconium was swallowed amniotic fluid. I always thought it was like a cork in the baby's butt.
A lot of the things we did know though and weren't surprised with. It's really like being a parent for the first time again since it's been so long for me and it is my wife's first child.
Tonight, my friend is coming over to help me drywall the downstairs bathroom. Oh what a relief it will be to have my wife happy that it is finally done after over a year of sitting gutted. I had initially started tearing out the drywall after the hot water heater leaked and wicked up the wall and destroyed the vanity cabinet. My friend who is coming over to help was my best man and I couldn't have picked anyone better. He's helped me with so many projects.
Tomorrow is yet another doctor's visit to my ophthalmologist to get my left eye checked and get another injection of Avastin. It's the lesser of the two drugs that I get every other week (Lucentis is the other) in an attempt to stabilize my eye after having a retinal artery occlusion July 19, 2011. Hopefully, things will be better to the point of him extending my appointments to once a month instead of every two weeks.
I did however have a ghostly or wispy looking capital G start floating around in my eye a few days after the last injection of Lucentis. I thought at first it was just one of the bubbles that appear after some injections that go away after a few days. This isn't going away and is very unnerving every time it moves. It follows my pupil wherever I move my eye. Sometimes I can focus on it, but most times it is like a shadow.
The house is getting cleaner as we continue to work together to declutter as much as possible and stay on top of things. I didn't get to do my 5 in 25 plan the past two nights, but hope to get back to it tonight after my friend and I finish the bathroom.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Reality Check
Sunday I went to have some blood drawn for a lipids test ordered by my doctor to check my cholesterol levels. She was concerned about my last cholesterol levels, so she had said to start taking Omega 3 at the end of October. I have been taking Omega 3, 6, 9 for the past couple months once daily, but I think I need to switch to just Omega 3 and to do that three times a day as indicated on her October message.
I received my cholesterol results this morning and was not to happy to see that she wants to put me on Lipitor. I refuse to take that drug based on the many side effects listed. Almost all of us have seen the commercials for Lipitor and similar drugs. Sure, they promise the world in regard to reducing cholesterol, but at what price. Robin Williams Fukitol video says it all.
I'm not saying that I don't need to do something about my cholesterol and don't take for granted that it is indeed a serious health issue.
Total Cholesterol Ratio: 5.8 (2-5 range)
HDL: 35 (40-75 range) Optimal >60
HDL Cholesterol Ratio: 17.2 (20-50 range)
Cholesterol: 204 (120-199 range) 200-239 is borderline high
Triglyceride: 249 (30-150 range) 200-499 is high
LDL: 119 (63-159 range) less than 130 is optimal
As shown above, I need to work on this.
In October, this is what they were.
Total Cholesterol Ratio: 5.8 (2-5 range)
HDL: 41 (40-75 range) Optimal >60
Cholesterol: 198 (120-199 range)
Triglyceride: 156 (30-150 range) 150-199 is borderline high
LDL: 126 (63-159 range) less than 130 is optimal
I honestly think that some things that I may have eaten in the past week before the recent test threw off the numbers, especially the Triglyceride. I'm unwilling to take on the potential risks and side effects with that in mind and will be calling my doctor this morning.
The latest on the home front is that we just reached 10 months of being married and have a baby due in mid May. We've been working on the house trying to get it completely organized before the baby arrives. It's lots of hard work considering we're combining my stuff, her stuff, and the stuff she took from her Dad's bakery before he sold the building (they lived in part of the building when she was a child).
I read something a while ago about spending 5 minutes a day in each room doing as much as you can. I have set out to get the kitchen, dining room, living room, her bathroom, and our bedroom touched on a daily basis and kept immaculate (as possible for us). It's my 5 rooms in 25 minutes plan. I think that if I can keep those 5 rooms done during the week, it'll make it easy to do thorough cleaning in those rooms and get more rooms done to add to my plan.
We're starting to really mesh together as a couple in just about every area of our relationship. Finances, while tight and a struggle for us, have become less of a source of tension between us. We're working together now and making decisions together. We have a deep hole to dig out of, but we're doing it. Some day we'll look back at this time and hopefully be able to smile and say we did it!
I received my cholesterol results this morning and was not to happy to see that she wants to put me on Lipitor. I refuse to take that drug based on the many side effects listed. Almost all of us have seen the commercials for Lipitor and similar drugs. Sure, they promise the world in regard to reducing cholesterol, but at what price. Robin Williams Fukitol video says it all.
I'm not saying that I don't need to do something about my cholesterol and don't take for granted that it is indeed a serious health issue.
Total Cholesterol Ratio: 5.8 (2-5 range)
HDL: 35 (40-75 range) Optimal >60
HDL Cholesterol Ratio: 17.2 (20-50 range)
Cholesterol: 204 (120-199 range) 200-239 is borderline high
Triglyceride: 249 (30-150 range) 200-499 is high
LDL: 119 (63-159 range) less than 130 is optimal
As shown above, I need to work on this.
In October, this is what they were.
Total Cholesterol Ratio: 5.8 (2-5 range)
HDL: 41 (40-75 range) Optimal >60
Cholesterol: 198 (120-199 range)
Triglyceride: 156 (30-150 range) 150-199 is borderline high
LDL: 126 (63-159 range) less than 130 is optimal
I honestly think that some things that I may have eaten in the past week before the recent test threw off the numbers, especially the Triglyceride. I'm unwilling to take on the potential risks and side effects with that in mind and will be calling my doctor this morning.
The latest on the home front is that we just reached 10 months of being married and have a baby due in mid May. We've been working on the house trying to get it completely organized before the baby arrives. It's lots of hard work considering we're combining my stuff, her stuff, and the stuff she took from her Dad's bakery before he sold the building (they lived in part of the building when she was a child).
I read something a while ago about spending 5 minutes a day in each room doing as much as you can. I have set out to get the kitchen, dining room, living room, her bathroom, and our bedroom touched on a daily basis and kept immaculate (as possible for us). It's my 5 rooms in 25 minutes plan. I think that if I can keep those 5 rooms done during the week, it'll make it easy to do thorough cleaning in those rooms and get more rooms done to add to my plan.
We're starting to really mesh together as a couple in just about every area of our relationship. Finances, while tight and a struggle for us, have become less of a source of tension between us. We're working together now and making decisions together. We have a deep hole to dig out of, but we're doing it. Some day we'll look back at this time and hopefully be able to smile and say we did it!
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