Category Archives: Weight Loss

Today’s Thoughts 323/2018

23 Friday Mar 2018

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Clyde waiting for me to come home.

 

Good news!!  I’m down three pounds this week.  I’m trying to keep my carb intake to about 35 but I’m not doing so well. Maybe I’ll do better next week.

My meds still have not arrived.  I guess I’ll call my oncologist on Monday if I don’t get it this weekend.

Tomorrow I plan on doing some cleaning up in my backyard.  After which I plan on flying my drone.  My son is coming home tomorrow sometime so I want to make sure I’m here when he get’s here.  Next weekend is Easter weekend and all my kids should be home.  I’m really looking forward to that.  I can’t believe they’ve grown up on me.  Two in college and one living on his own.  They sure do grow up fast.

Today’s Thoughts 3/22/2018

22 Thursday Mar 2018

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My new CML meds have not arrived as promised.  They were supposed to have arrived on Tuesday but alas, not here yet.  My oncologist called this morning to see if I had started taken them yet.  He was not happy that they had not arrived.  He said that he was going to find out where my meds are at and let me know.

I’ve attempted to start dieting again.  It’s been a tough couple of days.  I’m doing the low carb diet.  I lost 60 lbs on it last time I was on it and I’ve still got that and many more to go.  I’m trying to limit my carbs to 35 a day.  Today and yesterday I have gone way over.  Today was better than yesterday and I’m hoping that tomorrow will be even better.  I want to get down to 255 by August 15th and I’m 276 now.  I don’t think I”ll have a problem reaching it if I can gain the willpower to stick with it.  In 2009, I weighed the most I’ve ever weighed. At 346, I came to the realization that I had to do something.  Especially since my doctor told me that I wouldn’t see my kids graduate college if I didn’t do something.

The other reason I’m on the low carb diet is that of my sugar.  My body can’t handle carbs.  I can drink a cup of milk and my sugar will jump from 159 to over 250.  I did well all day today until I got home.  I checked my sugar around 5:30pm and it was 185.  I had a cup of milk, exactly 1 cup, not a glass full, and when I checked it just now, 10:35pm, it was 325.  The last time I did the low carb diet I pretty much did away with carbs altogether.  I went from a 9.6 A1c to 6.7 A1c in six months.  Now that I’ve gotten off my diet, my sugar has gone out of control.

Tomorrow is another day!!

Retirement

06 Tuesday Mar 2018

Posted by in Cancer, Uncategorized, Weight Loss

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Only 163 more days. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, although dim, I can still see it. Some days, like today, it seems that it will never get here. I’m not exactly sure what I’ll be doing once I retire but I’m sure it won’t be dealing with some of the crap that I have to deal with now on a daily basis. I know that I’ll have to find something to do otherwise I’ll get as big as the side of the barn. I have several hobbies that will keep me from sitting on the couch and there’s always yard work to do. Maybe I’ll find a job that I can drive people around a couple days a week. Who knows?

Weight Loss Struggles 2

29 Thursday Jun 2017

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It’s been nearly two weeks and ten pounds since my last post.  This low carb diet seams to be working for me.  I’m no longer hungry all the time and I’m no longer having cravings like I used to have.  This Saturday will mark one month and two weeks since I’ve started this diet.  My starting weight was 295 and today I weighed in a whopping 257 pounds.  There are still items in the frezzer that I should not eat but their voices are not as loud as once before.

One word about my last post.  I stated that I had ridden on my bike some three thousand miles in the past ten years and walked some hundred or so miles during this time.  You can say what you want but I’m damn proud of those miles.  You may do the same in a weeks time but I’m not you.  I’m me.  I’m a lot different than you and nothing you or anyone can change that.  We are who we are regarless of what sickness or disease we may have.  Each of us a has a choice to make whether or not we want to do something about it or not.  I have chosen not to use my sickness as an excuse to sit on the couch but I’m still not able to get out and ride as much as I’d like to so, I walk instead.

I will continue to keep doing what I’m doing.  If and when my breathing gets where it needs to be I’ll hop on my bike and ride like the wind.  For now I’ll walk to the track and walk my five miles before heading home.  In the mean time, if you’re reading this and need a word of encouragement, don’t give up and don’t let others dictate what you can and can’t do.  You can do it, just do it one day at a time.  You didn’t put this weight on in a weeks time so it’s going to take some time taking it off.

Good luck to you!!

Weight Loss Struggles

16 Friday Jun 2017

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Why is it so hard to diet and lose weight? The majority of people I know struggle with losing weight and I know only a few who struggle putting weight on. I can do well with my diet for a week or so and only lose about a pound or two while it only takes one day to screw it up and eat something that I’m not supposed to eat and gain two pounds at one sitting. It doesn’t make since. Why does our bodies hate us so much? I hate with a passion to lose weight that I’ve already lost before. And for some reason I know it will be there when I weigh in the mornings. It’s like it’s got a big sign that says “I’m Back!!” and then it takes me another two weeks to lose it again.

For once in my adult life I’d like to weigh what I did in high school. My metabolism was good and I could eat anything I wanted to and not have to worry about my weight. I can remember going through the lunch room line twice each day because the first lunch didn’t fill me up. The lunch room ladies always had my tray ready for me when I returned. I especially liked pizza days. I weighed a whopping 186lbs back in those days. Of course, I had band, cycling in the neighborhoods and backyard football games to help burn all those calories.

Can you imagine me weighing 186lbs today? Lol, It can be done I guess, if I set my mind to it. I really don’t see it happening though. Afterall, I’ve got to be realisitc.

For me it’s not just losing the weight, as most of you know I’ve got other health problems going on. But, for right now, my sugar is my main concern. Up until three weeks ago 300 was the norm. No matter what I ate or didn’t eat it was always way above normal. I thought my meter was busted at one point. My Dr. put me on insulin and that really didn’t help either. My metabolism had become non existent. I tried walking, riding my bicycle but the weight would not come off.

I’ve got so many support personel that it’s really funny I guess. There’s the wife and kids of course, my parents and then there’s my two cardiologists, my dietitian, my PC doctor, my pulmonologist, and my sleep study doctor all pulling for me to lose weight. Ok, even a few coworkers too, although I dont think they’ll admit to it. I had one doctor who wasn’t “pulling for me to lose weight” he TOLD me to lose weight. It was the surgon who removed my apendix. He told me because I was so LARGE that he spent most of his time in surgery locating my apendix. It’s no wonder I was so sore afterwards. I was really offended by this but do you think that it made me lose weight. Nope. Maybe for a week or two and then I was back on my all you can eat diet.

It wasn’t until my PC told me that he had done all he could do and the rest was up to me. If I wanted to see my son and my girls graduate high school I had better get my weight under control. It was then a light went off and I realized that I had better listen to him. At that point I was at the heaviest weight I had ever been in my life. This was back in 2007

Today, I’m a little over 80lbs lighter. It’s taken me ten years to lose what I have lost. Not just one diet but a multitude of diets, I’ve traveled over 3500 miles on my bike, I’ve walked hundreds of miles either on my treadmill, roads or trails and I’ve eaten and drank stuff that would make the strongest of stomachs puke all because I needed to lose weight. Losing weight is not for the faint of heart. It’s a struggle.

For those of you who read this and are of perfect health, my hats off to you for keeping your body in shape. But for those who are like me and struggle with weight loss, I stand and applaud you. I know what you are going through and I know that you would rather have that chocolate ice cream bar that’s in your freezer right now calling your name than to eat that piece of card board that’s shaped like a piece of bread.

One final note. Find a plan that works for you and stick with it. Right now I’m doing the low carb diet and it’s working. I’ve lost some weight and my sugar is better, still not perfect but getting there. I’m a long way from being where I want to be and I’m not giving up. Neither should you. You can do it. We can do it together. Thanks for reading.

A Little Slow

05 Friday May 2017

Posted by in Cancer, Cycling, Leukemia, Weight Loss

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The weather here in the deep south has been less than perfect for bike riding for me.  The last two days it’s been a rainy, dreary day.  Today the temperature hardly rose above the mid 50’s mark.  Tomorrow is forcasted to be warmer but not until mid afternoon.  My plan is to either get a twenty mile in on Saturday or wait until Sunday when I should have more time.

My last ride broke the 100 mile mark.  That’s pretty good considering that only six months ago I was considering selling my bike because of my health.  I’m looking forward to much healther days along with miles and miles of riding.

Happy Trails

Birmingham Corperate Challenge

29 Saturday Apr 2017

Posted by in Cancer, Cycling, Leukemia, Weight Loss

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I had an opportunity to ride in the 10k bicycle ride in the Brimingham Coporate Challenge. I’ve been able to get some riding done in preporation for this ride.  Just last week I was able to get over thirteen miles in so that really helped.  Our company came in 2nd in the bicyle strole and 2nd overall of all the companies that participated.

All is going pretty well I guess but I had a little scare the other day.  After my longest ride I noticed while taking a shower I was spitting blood.  I washed out my mouth several times and what came out was dark red.  I called one of my cardiologist the next morning and I spend the rest of the day tracking down all my other doctors as well.  I think that the final diagnosis was that I had some sinus issues and my heavy breathing causing my mouth to get dry aggravated it.

Back in the Saddle Again!

23 Sunday Apr 2017

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It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything but my absence hasn’t been anything bad.  My health has steady improved so much so that I’ve tried to start riding my bike again.  I was a bit concerned when I got started because I actually thought that something was still wrong with my breathing.  I talked with cardiologist about  this and he just informed me that I was out of shape.  After all, it’s been nearly two years since I’ve been on my bike.

When I first started back I was in for a huge disappointment.  I heard about a bike ride that is held on every Sunday.  It ranges from 8 to 10 miles.  Remember those 20 mile rides I used to do every day?  Lol.  Not any more.  After about three miles I knew I was in serious trouble.  So many hills and I couldn’t remember how to clip in my peddles.  In fact, before the ride even began I fell flat on my face trying to clip in.  We stopped so many times waiting on the slower people that I think that’s what actually wore me out trying to clip in to those damn peddles.  I realized then that I needed to ride around the house for a bit and get reacquainted with my bike.  Shorted ride 1.34 miles, Longest ride thus far 13.48 miles.  I’m averaging about 10 mph.

There is a ride in June called the Hot Hundred.  You got it, it’s a 100 mile ride with smaller rides available.  The shortest is a 29 mile ride that I used to ride in.  I have my hopes of riding it this year.  After my 13 mile ride I have my doubts.  I still may get to ride it, after all it’s in June.  It’s something that I’m working toward.  If I don’t this year, there’s always next.

 

Trying to Stay Up!

01 Saturday Oct 2016

Posted by in Cancer, Depression, Leukemia, Photography, Weight Loss

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Pleasant Grove High School

This blog was supposed to be able to help others that are going through the same stuff I am such as CML, Diabetes and being over weight, deal with life’s up’s and downs.  However, all I seem to be doing is bringing myself down.  How can I be helping others if I can’t seem to help myself.  I keep telling myself that once I get my health back on track I’ll be able to use  this experience to help others if and when they go through something similar.

First things first.  I’m still dealing with my labored breathing.  I think the last time I posted that I was going to see my cardiologist.  Well I did and he scheduled a echo cardiogram of my heart.  Really!  The problem is not my heart but fluid retention in  my lungs.  Anyway, had the test done and after a few days I got a call stating that all was fine.  Then he scheduled a CT scan of my lungs this past Thursday, nothing heard as of yet.  I have an appointment with my GP on Tuesday and my pulmonary on Wednesday.  Keep in mind that every time I have to take off to go to the doctor I have to work over to make up for the time lost.  I’m so sick and tired of having to stay late it’s about to drive me nuts.  Of course, that’s another story.

In the mean time…my employer is stressing me out.  I’m not exactly sure what I’ve posted about this but my boss has noticed some memory problems going on with me.  I, of course have denied all of it but it turns out that I am having some memory issues.  They’ve run a bunch of tests including some neurological tests that are not covered by my insurance company.  I’ll be paying for these tests for years to come.  But it seems that I’m having some short term memory loss.  The neuro psychologist  has even diagnosed me with amnesia.  Seriously??  Now my employer is wanting to demote me to a lower pay grade because I can’t do my previous job because of some safety issues.  If it wasn’t for the money issues I wouldn’t mind doing the job I’m doing now because it’s a whole lot less stressful.  As of yet the doctors have not determined why I’m having these memory issues.  They’ve done a MRI of my head and of course they didn’t find anything up there. (Pun) and they’ve pretty much ruled out my medications as well.

On top of all this the associate health nurse is telling me to seriously consider disability.  I’ve checked into it and can’t afford doing the things it’s asking me to do.  For instance, if you make more than $1300 a month you will be denied right off the bat. With two kids in college, one at home, a wife and all my bills there is no way I can live off of $1300 a month.  I have got less than 23 months before I can retire.  I told the nurse not to mention disability again to me unless she want’s to pay my bills while I’m off making less than $1300 a month.  She didn’t much like that comment.

Regardless how I feel, I try to do something fun at least once a week.  Tomorrow I’m going to my girls college for some homecoming festivities.  Getting to the place is not the issue, it’s once I’m there having to walk the seven to eight blocks to where I can view the parade, that’s going to be the issue.  I’ll be able to spend some time with at least one of my daughters tomorrow but the other one will be busy with band stuff.  I’ll see her in passing.
I’ve also bought a drone.  It’s a Phantom 3 Advanced and so far I like it.  I’m still scared that it will fly away on me and I’ll never see it again.  It takes pretty good pictures and real good video.  I’ve already been asked to do some aerial photography of some upcoming events so at least I’ll be able to sit down while I do that.

Anyway, that’s what’s been going on lately.  Maybe I’ll get some relief for my breathing soon.  We’ll see.

Another Visit Part 2

14 Sunday Aug 2016

Posted by in Cancer, Photography, Weight Loss

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I got to thinking on the way home from the hospital about just how serious this past visit to the hospital was.  It was just happenstance that they found the blockage and even more so the fluid in my lungs.  I was thinking just how bad I have felt the last few months and that it was the sole reason for me not exercising.  Now that I had all this stuff done I should feel well enough to start walking more and hopefully get on my bicycle soon.

Now comes the hard part.  Wife and I had a discussion about food choices and eating better.  The wife does most of the cooking in the house and she is a working girl too.  She comes home and feels like she’s got to cook something so it usually ends up with hamburger helper or chicken fingers.  Looks like I’ll be searching for heart healthy meals for us to get acquainted with.

All these changes won’t come overnight.  My wife and I have got to start eating better and exercising more if we want to live long enough to see our kids grow up and have families of their own.