• About

Grayfeathersblog

~ Diabetes, Cancer Fighter, Father of Twins, Kayak Fishing, Woodcrafter, Lover of Life

Grayfeathersblog

Category Archives: Weight Loss

Trying to Stay Up!

01 Saturday Oct 2016

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Cancer, Depression, Leukemia, Photography, Weight Loss

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Breathing, Cardiologist, CML, Depression, Doctor's, Drone, Employer, Lung, Medical, Photography, Stess

 

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0005.JPG

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 Tim Hughes Living with CML in Cancer, Photography, Weight Loss

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Cooking, Cycling, Eating Healthy, Exercising, Food, Heart Healthy Meals, Hearth Cath, Weightloss

13932875_10153851457488946_4828484199306905584_n

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.

 

 

365 Photo/Weight Loss Challenge

01 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Weight Loss

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

365 challenge, Barefoot, Cancer, carbs, Challenges, Weight loss

Hello.  I’ve debated whether or not to do this or not but here goes.

This is me with all my “glory”.  My current weight as of this morning is 300.4 and as of today I’m doing a 365 day weight loss challenge and I’m going to use the 365 Photo Challenge to help me keep track of my progress.  No, you won’t see a picture of me everyday but maybe once a month or so.  If I were to set a goal it would be about 5 lbs a month.  That’s 60 lbs in a year.  I think I can do it.

I will be taking pictures of my everyday life whether it be at work, home or at play.  I enjoy photography so there’s no telling what you might see.  I have a lot going on in my life so be prepared for some interesting stuff.

Wish Me Luck.

Got to ride today

29 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Cycling, Uncategorized, Weight Loss

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Cycling, Weight loss

The weather was finally warm enough to take a small ride this afternoon.  I think the temperature got up to around 53 degrees so I decided I’d take advantage of the wonderful sunshine and take a spin.  Although the temp was around 53 it was still cold doing 15 or so mph.  I don’t own any cold weather gear so my upper body got quite chilly.  I got 15 miles in before calling it done.  Probably the last time I’ll get in a ride this year.  I can’t wait until spring.

Cycling as a stress reliever?

29 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Cycling, Weight Loss

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Cycling, Exercise, stress relief, time change, Trainer, Weight loss

After a horrid weekend, by the way, sorry for the rant the other day, I went on a short bike ride through my community.  It’s the first one since I broke my rib at work.  It took me a little while to get motivated and I guess that’s because of the mood I was in.

Once I got on the road I started feeling better.  I don’t know if it’s because of the wind in my face or the exercise I was getting but I was a different person when I got home.  In fact, my wife even noticed a difference.

With the days getting shorter and the time change this weekend it will be near impossible for me to get a ride in when I get home from work.  I’ve got a trainer that I’ve been on a couple of times and believe me it’s not the same as being out on the road.

Don’t come between a hawk and his snack.

26 Saturday Oct 2013

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Cycling, Weight Loss

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Bird, Boy Scouts, Hawk

I’m wanting to do some landscaping work our Boy Scout meeting place.  I went by there yesterday afternoon and had taken several photographs when I heard this loud whooshing sound above my head. I looked up to see this large hawk diving toward me with incredible speed.  I ducked down and he flew just above my head as he dropped down low enough to grab this rat that was running across the path.  He flew up and landed on a limb and I was able to capture these images.  I hope you enjoy.ImageImageImageImage

My First 50 Miler

24 Thursday Oct 2013

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Cycling, Weight Loss

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

50 miler, Boy Scouts, Cycling, Exercise, Silver Comet Trail

I met up with another boy scout troop in our district and we took a trip to Dallas Georgia to ride a section of the Silver Comet.  The Silver Comet and the Chief LaDiga Trail is an old railroad bed that has been converted to a very nice bike/  walking trail.  It goes from Anniston, Alabama to Smyrna, Georgia.  It’s part of the Rails to Trails project.  We had 18 scouts ride the trail but only 4 of us made the full 50 miles.  I hope everyone enjoys the pictures.ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageg

Finally!!! Got some exercise in.

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Cycling, Weight Loss

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bike Riding, Cycling, Exercise, Trainer

Although I really didn’t feel like it I got on my trainer tonight and got thirty minutes in.  I haven’t had any real exercise since I broke my rib over a week ago.  I tried riding my bicycle last Saturday but had to stop because it was too painful to continue.

Home sick today

22 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Cycling, Weight Loss

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Cannondale, Cycling, Exercise, Trek, Weight loss, Wrecks

One of my daughters woke up sick yesterday morning now I guess it;s my turn.

I started out in May riding an old 12 speed Trek.  I bought it from a co-worker 15 or so years ago.  According to the serial number the bike is a little over 30 years old.  It served it’s purpose because I didn’t want to go and spend a lot of money on a bicycle if I wasn’t going to stick with it,  Come to find out I love to ride.  In fact, so much so I found a bike on the internet that I fell in love with.   After putting over 1000 miles on my old Trek I purchased a 2013 Cannondal from a guy in Mississippi.

On average I ride about 60 miles a week.  Now that the daylight hours are getting shorter I find it difficult to get my mileage in.  Also, I broke a rib Saturday before last and that too has put a damper on my riding. I have a trainer that I will put to use to help me keep my muscles in shape during the winter months.

Image

My first attempt at riding in the rain.

My riding hasn’t come easy.  I’ve had several wrecks that fortunately only caused minor damage to me and my Trek.   I’ve had road rash, and bent rims but I’ve learned to get back on the bike and keep going and not give up.

A Weight Loss Adventure

22 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by Tim Hughes Living with CML in Cycling, Weight Loss

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Cycling, Diabetes, Medications, Weight loss

As stated earlier, I’ve had a problem with my weight since before I got married some twenty some odd years ago.  In 2009 I was at 345 lbs, my heaviest and at the same time, my lowest in self esteem.  I decided then to start doing something about it.

I can’t give all the credit to my weight loss to diet and exercise.  If you’re a diabetic like I am all you have to do to loose weight is to stop taking your medications.  This was not a good idea and do not attempt if you’re a diabetic.  I did it to save money and I thought I could take care of my diabetes with just my diet and exercise.  There was two major things wrong with this; 1) I didn’t exercise and 2) I didn’t stick to any diet.

Things got a little harry after not being on any medications for a while.  It was only after I started loosing feeling in my feet when I decided to go back under my doctors care. In 2011 I had lost down to 311 with a loss of 34 lbs.  Not bad for weight loss but I wouldn’t recommend loosing it the way I did.

November 2012, my doctor and I had a serious conversation about my sugar levels still being way out of control.  I came home that afternoon and got on my treadmill and have been exercising ever since,

Image

Before/During

I now weight 270 lbs and I’ve still got several pounds to go.  I’ve started riding a bicycle in May of this year and I really love being out doors.  More on my bike riding in my next post.

Newer posts →

Blog Stats

  • 12,871 hits

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 48 other subscribers
Follow Grayfeathersblog on WordPress.com

2015

March 2026
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Feb    

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Grayfeathersblog
    • Join 48 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Grayfeathersblog
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...