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...
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