I haven't done a health update in a while so I thought I should do one!
My ankle is doing fairly well. I was diagnosed with tendinitis. Since Physical therapy I can stand for a while now before it starts to hurt. I still wear my brace when we go out just because I am paranoid about hurting it again. I re-twisted it twice between last October to June and I had strained it a few times. Now that my ankle is feeling better I certainly don't want to injure it again!
I finally have an answer to my other health problems, (frequent headaches, fatigue, weight gain etc) I have been diagnosed with a severe hormonal imbalance (PCOS). Long story short this can complicate getting pregnant, but as I am currently not in a rush to have kids it is considerably less upsetting news than if I was.
This situation is treatable although it will take about a year to treat. The good news is that this treatment will not only correct the problem but also help me lose weight!!
Even though I am excited about this, it is still very nerve wracking to me though as I have tried to lose weight several times and I would be doing great for a few months and then have 2-3 weeks of not losing even one pound. I would lose 20 pounds and then no matter what I couldn't seem to get past it. So, I would give up.
I haven't discussed my weight much on here much as honestly I am embarrassed by it. But knowing that this time might be different if I try to lose weight is kind of encouraging. I am hoping that this time will be more successful! I don't know yet what route I will take to lose this weight. I have considered Weight Watchers as I know people who did great on that program.
So that is my health update.
I still have many doctor appointments and tests still, and it can get confusing and overwhelming at times!
Thankyou all for your encouragement and prayers!
So that is my health update.
I still have many doctor appointments and tests still, and it can get confusing and overwhelming at times!
Thankyou all for your encouragement and prayers!
Rebecca, I know exactly how you feel about the weight issue. I have struggled with my weight for pretty much my whole life. I have now hit 240 pounds and began a diet this week (actually, it's a weight loss competition between everyone in my family...siblings, parents and other sibling's spouses/significant others). All I am doing is drinking 100 ounces of water a day, tracking my calories and trying to exercise however I can. You can check out http://www.myfitnesspal.com and they have a FANTASTIC food journal that tracks your calories, proteins, fats, etc. When you start, they get all your stats and then figure out how many calories you need. I would also recommend you getting a diet buddy or someone who can help hold you accountable. Try eating loads of fresh fruits (I like canned too!) and incorporating more veggies into your meals.
ReplyDeleteI would also (again...hee hee) recommend a diet book called "The 6 Day Body Makeover Diet"...this book can help determine what body type you have (My body type is an "A" so eating chicken and fish is REALLY good for me) and what foods can trigger weight loss for you. That is about all I am able to do with that diet until I am done nursing my baby. Both of my sisters have done this weight loss diet and both lose about 10 pounds a week. You do one week on and then one week off (making sure you are not pigging out on the week off, LOL!). It is pretty intense so that is what I would recommend you check out, if you want. :)
As far as hormones go, ask about Progesterone. I have no idea what type of hormone issue you are having but Natural Progesterone is really good.
So sorry to have rambled on and on...hope you transition easily into the needed remedies for your health. I can tell you one thing for sure...JUST drinking more water has seriously flattened my *ahem* second belly. :) Oh...and you will be in the bathroom a bit more but will FEEL so much better!! :)
Thankyou for all of your thoughts and encouragement! :D Justin is going to be my dieting buddy and he has gained a few pounds since this fall! lol
DeleteProgesterone is actual part of my treatment!
I will have to check out that website, I know a cousin of mine uses it and she has lost a lot of weight!
Thanks Sally and blessings on your journey to losing some weight and getting fit!
Thanks for the update Rebecca! I was wondering how you were doing and had been praying for you. :)
ReplyDeleteCan I second MyFitnessPal? I use it too and it's been great at making me see that I've been eating way more than I actually need to eat (even when I exercise like crazy) and it helped me keep the weight that I had lost off when I couldn't exercise this last month due to pneumonia! I didn't loose anything else (hey - it was Christmas and we were all sick, etc.) but at least I didn't gain anything back. I lost 30lbs this last year in combination of exercise and tracking what I eat at MyFitnessPal. It's easy to use - which is the best part!
And don't beat yourself up about your weight, okay? Celebrate every milestone - 20lbs certainly isn't something to sneeze at and makes a huge difference in your overall health. Your hormone issues will have made it very hard to get over that hump (much harder than the average person actually) do what you can and then try something a little more. Change one thing at a time - drink more water, walk a little farther, edit out one fattening item and replace it with something else and you'll see long-term success.
As far as exercise, have you thought about swimming or water aerobics? I know everyone hates being in a swim suit but they're great if you have joint/tendon/leg problems! My cousin and my husband's uncle both lost a ton of weight and my cousin actually became a water aerobics instructor - something that was waaaaay out of her comfort zone but she looks and feels great and is so excited about helping others get fit too. She had been almost 100lbs overweight for years and now is "normal" for someone who is in her mid-50s and very short.
Sorry to be so long. Hope something in that ramble was helpful!
Blessings to you and we'll keep up the prayers,
Lea
I'm glad you have seen your doctor and are moving forward! There are certainly a lot of medical conditions that make it hard to lose weight but at the end of the day, the weight comes off only one way -- more calories burned than calories consumed. Easier said than done. I love Weight Watchers and although my weight definitely goes up and down at times, I am a Lifetime member and have been successful with them. I find that controlling diet is important but the periods where I am most successful are when I am exercising regularly. I LOVE yoga and have found it has helped me in so many ways -- not only physically but it has helped me manage stress, anxiety and a terrible trait I have - impatience. Check out the weight loss yoga DVDs -- I think it might be a great exercise for you since you have that ankle injury which probably restricts walking/jumping/running types of aerobic activity. Yoga moves slowly but WOW it burns a lot of calories. Check out curvyyoga.com -- I love that site! :)
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel with the PCOS, I'm currently on metforim for mine. So far it does help in losing weight but makes me quite sick when mixed with my other fertility meds. I havent heard of using progesterone to help, I may have to chat to my doctor about it. All the best with sorting out your health issues, glad you now have some answers :)
ReplyDeleteRebecca -- the best part about not having kids is that you can hit your weight issues head-on! Your hubby is your dieting partner, and the two of you can plan meals that you like rather than also have to accommodate making food for kids (trust me, that makes it so much easier!). And remember that one of the reasons you are battling a weight issue is that you've had an injury -- it's not like walking 3 miles a day is even possible for you right now. But walking, once you are able, will do a world of wonders to getting you feeling more healthy (and the pounds will go faster, too). Sorry to hear about the PCOS, but sounds like you are on a plan to help with that.
ReplyDeleteThere are many free websites that provide meal-planning and an opportunity to log what you eat. I've found that to be helpful in the past (my personal favorite is Sparkpeople). I don't think plans like Jenny Craig or Nutrasystem are worth the money AT ALL -- it's all processed food! Since you have the time to plan out your own meals and use non-processed foods, sit down with your hubby once a week and plan what you will eat that week. Also, I've found having a good kitchen scale has really helped me understand what a portion size looks like.
Finally, remember that you are beautiful whatever size you are. :)
Rebecca, I could have written your paragraph about hitting 20 lbs and then nothing more happens even though you stay on your diet. It's very hard to stay motivated when you are seeing no results. I haven't been diagnosed with PCOS but my doctor did agree to try me on metformin to see if it helped with the weight loss. Best diet while on metformin is low carb. I still hit the 20 lbs mark and havne't lost anything further but even at that I feel much better and it has been fun to get out clothes that I haven't worn in a while! Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteHi, I've been reading your blog for a while, and I thought, from what you have said previously, that you have PSOS, I also have it, and have had pretty much the same problems you do.
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed a year or so ago, but suspected it for a while. I know how horrible it it to worry about your weight, I used to be really active as a teenager, but once I got to 20, I started putting weight on without even noticing it.
I have tried several different things to to try and lose weight. At the moment, I am trying to eat foods with less than 5% fat, this was something that a diet club in the UK promote, and it does work really well, but it is not always possible. I also keep a diary, other posters have mentioned My Fitness Pal, I think this is perfect.
I have also not let dieting stress me out, I try not to think about it. Some of my symptoms cause me more worry than my weight, which means I am not constantly thinking about it.
I was at the doctors last week and mentioned that I didn't seem to be losing any weight, the doc made me get on the scales and I had lost half a stone (7 lbs) since my previous appointment almost three months earlier, that makes it about 25 pounds in the last 8 months or so. Without really noticing it.
Another sort of good thing that might help. I bought myself a new outfit a couple of months ago, which is two sizes to small for me. Its nothing fancy, a basic top and a pair of jeans. But I am so looking forward to being able to wear them.
Sorry for rambling on :-) Hope it goes well for you
Hi Natalie! I think you are one of my first commenters from the UK! So congrats! :D I really appreciate your thoughts and encouragement! I would not be too concerned about my weight, if it wasn't for the fact that diabetes runs on both sides of my family. For that reason I want to slim down. Blessings to you as you strive to lose a few pounds. :D Thanks again for commenting!!
DeleteRebecca, I'm going to write my comments in a few sections bc my computer seems intent upon deleting them before I can post. First of all, I just want to say I applaud you for putting this all out there despite your embarrassment. I think EVERY woman on here can relate to feelings of self doubt about their health or body image. I don't know a single woman who has always had confidence in this area but by blogging about it, you're opening yourself up to some great wisdom and advice from others and I urge you to take seriously what you read bc I can tell you first hand, it can help.
ReplyDeleteI just want to say you CAN lose weight with hormonal issues. I have! It takes a full blown commitment to diet and lifestyle change and it make take a little longer but you can do it. Before becoming pregnant, I lost 20lbs last year by making small changes. Having Justin as your partner is AWESOME! You have the support you need to do this!!! We have a lot more in common than you think, I was diagnosed with some hormonal problems as well and they affected my weight and fertility but they are surmountable! Its awesome that you're in no rush to have kids because that means you can get these things under control and WHEN you're ready for children, your body will be able to handle it much better.
ReplyDeleteWith PCOS, your worst enemy is carbs, processed foods and sugar. I know this sounds limiting but after even ONE short week of taking these things out of your diet, you will notice a feeling of lightness and energy that you probably never had before. Food will start to energize you instead of zap you dry! I suggest a high protein/low carb diet for at least 6 months and I encourage you to not even look at the scale during this time. Just try to learn healthy portions (brian and I bought smaller plates at the dollar store and still use them). Keep tons of fresh snacks around for when you get hungry (carrot sticks, snap peas, pears etc) and eat them when you start to feel a need to have something. Try to cut sugary drinks out of your system as these are pointless calories that wont even help you feel full. Load up on your water intake! Brian lost 10lbs just by cutting out soda and juices. I encourage this kind of diet specifically because it will help with hormonal problems immensely. Anything processed like crackers, pastas, chips, candy needs to be considered OUT of your diet completely for now. Rebecca, you do this for even a few weeks and I guarentee your mind,body and even your ankle will even start to feel better. Go for organics! Meats and dairy needs to say "hormone free" on it because you dont want cow hormones messing with your system even more!
ReplyDeleteThis is getting disjointed because I had to write it in several comments but I just want to encourage you that you have hope! I remember feeling so depressed about my health before I Started to eat clean and now I'm not only pregnant but skinnier (well minus the baby) than Ive been in a few years. This dx doesn't mean a lifetime of bad health. Make changes now, for you, for justin and for your future children! I love this youtube link bc it shows someone who lost hope and even he was able to change his future! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448
ReplyDeleteIf you want a walking partner this summer, me and the baby would love to join you! We can start slow but make some progress!!! Call or email me with any questions. Sorry if this is jarbled but I can't remember what I already wrote! :)
Hey Rebecca!
ReplyDeleteI love this post, and how you are so transparent...I can definitely relate to a lot of this, because I am battling my own health issues right now and my weight has been a struggle for me all of my life - I remember going on a "diet" when I was only 4!!! I did drop about 40-50 lbs a few years ago but I am trying to lose about 25 more right now, and I can definitely say MyFitnessPal (which is what I'm using) or SparkPeople are GREAT!!!! Even eating ALL the right things (no processed foods, sugars, and starches) I found that I was gaining just because I was still eating too much of a good thing! So that's why tracking calories is so important!
I hope your health gets better soon...stray strong girl!!