Playing catch-up (warning: this is a long one)

So now that I haven't posted in such a long time, it's time for me to play catch up with my progress.  Also, I did promise I was going to come clean with EVERYTHING that happened, so here it goes...

After I had such an awesome beginning, I had some really tough times.  I had some more blood work done and it revealed that my white blood cell count was high again (it's been high the past couple of times I got blood work done and I wasn't sick when my blood was drawn) so my doctor sent me to see a hematologist/oncologist.  That freaked me out really bad, especially when I went online to search for the reasons why someone's white blood count would be high and the number one reason was cancer.  And then add to the mix that I've been getting sick a lot recently and my appointment for the specialist was within two weeks of getting the referral...I think I had reason enough to be worried and stressed out about it.  And unfortunately that took a toll on my will power and my weight loss goals.  I did something that I thought I had control over - emotional eating.  I ate whatever I was in the mood for (burgers, fries, tacos, bacon, etc) but I did so within moderation.  I didn't feel like denying myself anything because, as irrational as it seems, I thought I was going to be told I had cancer, which is a death sentence for me.  The worst part of it all was that I didn't really tell anyone until I couldn't handle the stress and worry anymore.  I was trying to be positive and strong, like a good friend of mine that was recently diagnosed with leukemia (I really admire you Brooke for your courage, strength, faith, and spirit...love you!), but I was worried, weak, and just so scared.  But when I finally spoke to a couple of people and asked for prayers, I was able to release my fears and place my hope and rest in God.  All of this happened in a course of about three weeks.  My results of those three weeks (weeks 4-6) are: Week 4: lost just 0.8 lbs, Week 5: lost 2.2 lbs, Week 6: gained 1.2 lbs (this is where it all caught up to me; my counselor told me that the stress, which makes the body produce enzymes and hormones that causes weight gain, played a major part of the gain)

Towards the end of Week 6, I had my appointment with the hematologist/oncologist.  After a thorough exam and even more blood work (which was tested immediately in the office), the specialist said that my white blood cells are within the normal range now and I was cleared.  I asked what could have caused the abnormality in the first place, especially since I wasn't sick when my blood was drawn, the specialist replied that I could have been fighting a small infection and that he sees this happen often in obese people.  He also recommended bariatric surgery even though I had spoken of my recent weight loss success with Medifast.  Although I have the business card of the surgeon he recommended, I have decided that I don't want to go down that road since Medifast is working for me.  But anyways, when I got the news that there was nothing wrong with me, I felt the burden roll off, I gave a HUGE thank you to God, and took up my journey with new vigor.  And it showed with my next weigh-in at the end of week 7...I lost 5.6 lbs!

But then there were several special events on my calendar for my week 8 (my weeks, for program purposes, start on Friday and end on the following Thursday).  My dept, along with the neighboring dept, had a Cinco de Mayo party on Friday, May 4th; we even had a Dip Contest (which I won with my Chicken Enchilada Dip).  I ate some of the food, although I did control my portions and stayed away from the desserts (I wanted a cupcake SO bad!!!).  The very next night, we took my dad out to dinner for his birthday to Bahama Breeze.  Again, I tried to be good (ordered Caesar salad and a chicken dish with broccoli as my side) but still couldn't help but have a little bit of tostones con pollo (fried plantains with chicken) and two onions rings for appetizers.  Then the very next night was my cousin's bridal shower at Brio's Restaurant (Italian food).  Yet again, I tried to be good and chose the salmon with asparagus (no potatoes or pasta) and stayed away from the bread.  But when they gave me a piece of cake with ice cream, I just couldn't get myself to turn it down.  I attempted to counteract all of this with exercise.  That Monday, I went to my aunt's house and spent about two hours dancing and trying to do Zumba.  Then as a last minute effort, I did Zumba for about an hour on my own in my bedroom on Thursday.  I knew this week would not be a good one for my goals, but I was hoping that I had at least lost just the 2.3 lbs needed to break 330lbs.  Well, I found out that not only did I not lost the 2.3 lbs needed nor did I lose any weight...I had actually gained weight, 2.7 lbs to be exact!  

I was so disappointed and upset at myself when I found out; it ruined my day.  But it also fueled my determination and I told myself that this would never happen again and I WILL break 330lbs.  I started this past week with renewed vigor, determination, and grit...I made sure I was diligent with eating all my meals, drinking all my water, and resisting ALL temptation (apple crumb pie, cake balls, and Rita's water ice to name a few).  The only thing that I didn't accomplish was to do any type of exercise.  But I found out yesterday that it wasn't necessary...I lost 5.7 lbs!  I can only imagine how much I would've lost if I had exercised.  I'll just have to do a little experiment this week! :)

This brings me to the end of my first two months on the program and the beginning of my third month.  At the end of each month, I get a body composition analysis update at my weight control center; it measures lean body mass, muscle mass,  body fat mass, BMI (body mass index), PBF (percentage body fat), BMR (basal metabolic rate), etc.  As I didn't reveal my starting data, here it is along with the data after the first two months...

                                         Beginning                   Month 1                  Month 2

Weight:                              355.8 lbs                   338.9 lbs                 334.9 lbs

Lean Body Mass:               164.7 lbs                   158.1 lbs                 158.5 lbs

Body Fat Mass:                 191.1 lbs                   180.8 lbs                 176.4 lbs

Muscle Mass:                      93.9 lbs                     90.2 lbs                   89.7 lbs

BMI:                                         55.7                          53.1                        52.4

PBF:                                          53.7                          53.3                        52.7

BMR:                                1985 kcal                   1920 kcal               1922 kcal

For all updates, including inches lost over the past two months and how much I have left to lose to reach my goals, please see the tabs on the left of the screen.  

Until next week friends...

This is harder than I thought

Hey everyone...I know it's been awhile.  It's been a tough month or so for me and for some reason I find it a little difficult to share it with everyone.  I knew that when I started this blog there would be no holding back, no hiding, no sugar-coating.  I guess that's why I haven't posted in, what six weeks now?  I've had a couple good weeks, but I've had some pretty bad ones too.  I thought that since the first month went by so quick, so smoothly, so easily, that the whole journey would be that way...I should have known better.  Every journey has it's twists and turns, it's ups and downs, it's hills (or more like mountains) and valleys.  Who was I to think this would be any different?  Especially considering all the obstacles I would have to (and have already) face.

But anyways, I don't have all the information with me now (pounds lost, inches lost, etc) but I will be posting that later on this week along with a synopsis of the past 6 weeks.  And yes, I will be coming clean about what happened.  Until then, please keep my in your prayers!  Thanks!

Weeks 1-3

Okay, I know.  I promised I would update you on my progress last week and I haven't done it.  I've been really sick this week.  But anyways, let me share my first three weeks of my rediscovery with you.  (Because I'm behind on my posts, I won't go into minute details right now.   However, going forward I will post my meals, my blood sugar counts, exercise times, etc.)

The first week went by pretty quickly and smoothly.  I thought it was going to be a lot harder than it was.  I did get sick though...there was a stomach bug/virus going around at my job and I must have gotten it.  It was either that or an allergic reaction to soy, which the Medifast meals are saturated with.  I have yet to get the blood work done, but I'm pretty confident that I'm not allergic to soy.  The food was...okay.  I couldn't stand the eggs or the soups I had chosen but the shakes and bars were really good.  I made sure to keep a very detailed food journal, to my local Medifast Weight Control Center (WCC) consultant's delight.  By the way, I LOVE the people at my local Medifast WCC (Mo, Lori and Jaime).  They are super great and very supportive and encouraging.  I'm glad I decided to join Medifast through the WCC instead of doing it on my own.  Because I was sick, I called my WCC and they had me come in early to check up on me and to see if we needed to make any changes (which none were made).  I did get some pretty good news though at my weigh-in...I lost 5.2 lbs!

The second week was a very long and tough week.  I had my first test that Saturday night (3/24).  My sister (Stephanie) and brother-in-law (Joel) were having a get together with the members of the worship team...a potluck dinner and I was asked to make my famous chili.  At time time, the only people who even knew I was on the Medifast program, outside of the WCC, were my parents.  So, to plan ahead, I made myself something I can eat and still stay on the plan (chicken lettuce wraps).  I was proud of myself for taking that step.  However, when the time came, the others were telling me to try their food.  And being the people-pleaser that I am, I succumbed and ate what they brought...BBQ ribs, crostini with dips, my chili, pizza, tortilla chips, queso dip.  The only comfort I had was that I didn't overindulge myself, like I usually do, and kept control of my portions. 

Then, to make matters just that much better, I got my period the very next day (sorry for any guys reading this).  One of the side effects of Medifast for women is that as you lose fat, your estrogen levels rise which in turn increases PMS symptoms and fertility.  This was both good and bad for me.  Good because it meant that my hormones were normalizing.  I was very surprised that my hormones, and my blood sugars for that matter, were stabilizing and becoming somewhat normal after just a week or so on the program. Bad because it, along with the cravings and the PMS, hit me pretty hard.  I tried very hard to stay on point, but there were a couple days when I snuck a couple of cookies or a good slice of cheese.  Needless to say, it showed in my weigh-in that Friday...I only lost 3.2 lbs. 

So now we come to this third week.  It started off alright but then I got sick...again.  But this time it was a respiratory virus.  I'm still not over it but I'm feeling better (thank God).  I did, however, have my biggest victorious moment so far on my journey.  On Sunday (4/1), it was the turn of the worship team I'm a part of at my church (Maranatha Christian Fellowship) to lead the service.  Since it was also Palm Sunday, there was a drama/sketch that was also part of the service.  Well, the church had provided breakfast for all those involved in the special service.  And I'm not talking about a simple, continental breakfast.  Oh no.  They just had to get one the best cooks in the church to make two types of scrambled eggs (one with peppers and onions, the other with cheese) and there was muffins, danishes, english muffins, bagels, cream cheese, butter, juices, coffee...the smell alone just about brought me to me knees!  My stomach was growling, my mouth was watering...I wanted to eat that food SO bad.  But I just sat down, took out my shaker jar, measured out 8 oz of water and prepared my Banana Creme Shake.  Talk about feeling victorious!  I was also happy that no one really said anything about it or asked me about it or gave me funny looks.  I wasn't really ready to talk to everyone about it, although by this time I have told my sisters, brother-in-laws, and a couple of people from work (supervisor and best friend).

I've actually had a few victories this week.  I've noticed that my blood sugar levels are almost normal.  And to top it off, my doctor actually slashed my medication to half!  I used to take Janumet 50/1000 twice a day.  Now I'm taking Kombiglyze 2.5/1000 just once a day...and my blood sugars are still going down!  I'm still so surprised that I'm seeing the effects of my weight-loss and diet changes so quickly!  Thank you Jesus!!!  Which brings me to my other wonderful moment of this week...I lost 7.8 lbs!!!!!  Go me, go me, go me (as I'm doing the cabbage patch).  This brings me a huge step forward to my first goal of losing 50 lbs by my next birthday and my ultimate goal of losing 200 lbs by the end of my program.

Hi

Finally, after two weeks of debating, I've done it.  I lost my blog virginity and have opened myself to the (unseen) public.  I've decided to chronicle my weight-loss journey, although I'm already behind.  I started the Medifast plan two weeks ago, 3/19 to be exact but I promise to catch you up on my progress.  I'm still working on getting some before pictures and tweaking little things here and there.  Since it's extremely late right now and I have an early and busy day tomorrow (Sunday), I promise to post what's happened the past two weeks sometime in the afternoon.  But I'll leave you with a teaser...I've already lost 8.4 lbs!