Low Carb My Way

Last week I went to see my MD and took my notebook where I’d been keeping track of my glucose readings since early July. He was very, very happy about the information and of course the good readings. We discussed the few hypoglycemia problems I’d had. He said that as my body got used to the lower glucose readings I would be able to tolerate the lower readings. We’ll see.

He wanted to do some tests. My A1C was 7.1 which, for me, is incredibly good. I think I was up in the mid-teens a year ago. My cholesterol readings are good – so we don’t have to have the statin arguement again – which makes me happy. He did up one of my blood pressure meds even though I do pretty well at home. Can’t help it – I’ve got White Coat Hypertension and always have slightly high BP – especially right after getting into the room. Anyway, it’s not a big upgrade in my med, so we’ll see what happens. I do have to go get an ultrasound of my thyroid.  I have a slight lump – much like other lumps I have on my upper chest. It’s all part of the fibromyalgia and the arthritis I have in my chest. Anyway, he’s not real concerned about it but it’s better to find out what it might be than just let it go.

Last night my son and I made dinner together. We tend eat carry-out way too much. The problem is, to be honest, is that when I cook I get overheated or something and just can’t eat. So, we came up with a new plan. I get all the ingredients out for the meal and then he cooks it. Now that’s not going to work for a slow cooker meal (which I’m pretty good at since I can do it in the morning) but for Chicken Parm it was great. Also, Dave likes to cook and like just about everything in his life – he likes to Davize it. I told him what the recipe said and he’s already figured out how he’ll do it differently. So, I think this will work and will save us a lot of money – well, will save Dave money – because he won’t be picking up dinner on the way home. Plus, I’ve got a big chicken parm with green beans for lunch. Tonight – Taco Salad for me and Tacos for Dave (he can have the taco shells.) I have some low-carb tortillas so might have one of those with the taco fillings and then eat more as a salad.

Hope to have some good news about the scale next week. I didn’t weigh myself this morning but did the other day and I’d gone up a pound. Going to work hard to finally break that 300lb mark. Also, the doctor’s scale and mine are very close. Just a minor factoid. lol

Just a quickie. I’ve gained back about a pound of those five I’ve lost. Gotta get back on the program. I can definitely tell the difference when I really cut back on the starchy carbs. My glucose readings are still very good. They have been running around 110 most of the week. Giving my fingers a break because I was testing so much my poor little (ha!) fingertips were getting kinda sore. Got “good food” in the house and my goal for this week is to make sure I use all the groceries I purchased.

Also, got one of those pedal things that you use by sitting in a chair and – well – pedaling. My foot is giving me some problems from the break/sprain I had last fall, so this pedal thing should help me get my self moving without putting too much pressure on my foot. Gotta get a rug and comfortable chair – will report on how it goes.

I’m slowly getting back on track after a week or so off the wagon. I’ve got groceries in the house (well, condo, really) and so have no excuse not to cook. Well, I can always find a reason not to cook – mailing I’m so bad at it.

But, I’ve got some good news. I’m doing very well on keeping my Glucose Levels down as long as I don’t overdo the carbs. This morning my Glucose reading was 116 (fasting.) And, I hadn’t weighed myself last Friday because I was just not ready to face what it might say. But, this morning I thought, oh, what the heck – so got on the scale and it’s at 301! Yippee. That’s 9 lbs so far. I really want to be under 300 when I go to see my doctor next Wednesday and it looks like I’m going to make it.

My biggest obstacle right now is getting my butt into the kitchen and cooking. Also, have to find some low-carb snacks besides cheese.

I’d also like to thank anyone who is following this blog. After looking at many of the other LC blogs out there I realize I’m not breaking any new ground with information. This blog is, for now, a record of my personal efforts to get to feeling better and keeping my Glucose under control so I can stay away from Insulin and avoid any of the problems associated with Diabetes.

My weight this morning – after breakfast, forgot to do it earlier – is 305 so I’m back to where I was a few weeks ago. I was kind of afraid to get on the scale since I have been off the wagon quite a bit. But, that will change. Going to have to do some searching for lunch ideas and for some alternatives to eggs for a change.

My glucose readings have been very good this week – around 110 – except for today but that’s because I had way too many carbs yesterday. So, this morning it was two fried eggs and some Activa (low carb cottage cheese with active bugs for good digestion.)

I weighed myself this morning and I was at 305. Yipee. The pointer on the scale is moving. And there’s even more good news, my glucose reading was 111 this morning when I woke up and it was 122 yesterday morning. The bad part is that I’ve kind of fallen off the wagon with LC, but will be getting back to it starting right now. I don’t recommend getting the flu or whatever I had last week, but it at least got things, pardon the pun, moving. Also, I’ve cut one of my Diabetes medications in half and in a month or so hope to get it down to taking only one pill a day (of this particular med that is supposed to interfere with weight loss) and then maybe I can start working on cutting down the other medication I take.

All around, a very good report.

Happy 8/8/08

Well, at least the scale moved this week but not much. 307# is what it looks like. I think I need to get a digital scale because I’m getting tired of the shaky pointer. The only good news about the weight loss is that at least the number changed. This has not been a good week. I’m finally to the point where I feel like I can regular food. Had two lightly fried eggs and a piece of bread for breakfast and that sat well. Time to make plans for next week and see if I can finally get the water and exercise goals accomplished.

Can’t say it’s an effective way to lose weight, but the scale moved about five pounds over the last two days. I guess that’s what happens when you clear out your entire system. Nope, the stomach flu is not the way I wanted to get that pointer to move on the scale, but I’ll take it.

We’ll see if it stays there – might just have been water weight. But, I did get the answer to one question – my scale isn’t broken. lol

I did some reading yesterday and came up with some information about medications that might have an effect on weight loss. One of them is Glyburide, which I take. There are reports that it can keep people from losing weight and I’ve found out that it may be what is causing my very low (for me) readings.

I’ll be honest (what else is this place for but that?) I’ve been talking the medication for years (along with other meds) but still eating chips, candy, and drinking colas. What an idiot – but I lived in denial for a long, long time. But the proof is in the pudding – or more correctly in the blood glucose readings. The scale may not show a difference, but going from a glucose reading of nearly 300 to readings like this morning of 93 is a evidence that what I’m doing is working. Now to just get that dang scale to move. lol I even wiggled around on the scale this morning hoping to shake it into changing.

According to one person who is familiar with this medication (lay person) I’m taking well over four times the amount anyone on a low-carb diet should be on. So, I’m cutting my morning dose in half (only taking one pill rather than two.) I’ll keep track of my BG through the day. I’ll see my doctor in a few weeks and will talk over what I want to do – which is gradually lower my dose – making sure my readings are still low and get the weight coming off.

Sandra

The good news – my glucose reading this morning was 115. I couldn’t be happier with that and it’s atleast one indication that I’m doing something right.

The bad news – the scale is still at 310. Ack. Is it possible that my scale is broken? Gotta find some kind of hope for what’s going on. It’s time to research the meds I’m taking and see if that could be an issue. Then there’s the goals I set out in the previous post.

One thing I am happy with is that I haven’t fallen into the “well this ain’t working so why not have a big bag of potato chips and coke” syndrome. The glucose readings and my sense of general well-being is helping me. And, the biggest surpirse is this blog and keeping an accounting for what is happening.

I wish I had better news on the weight loss.

I’ve got to do something to get that pointer on the scale to get off of the 308 mark. I’m very frustrated right now. Not sure what I’m doing wrong. Well, I sort of do.

1 – I need to drink my water. I got 7 8oz glasses in on Monday but haven’t gotten near that much the last few days. Gotta make a habit of it and then I’ll do it. And it’s not like I don’t like drinking water, I do, it’s just getting myself to remember to do it. My normal drinking glass is just a bit over two cups, and I can easily get four of those down a day. I can do this.

2 – Gotta start walking. I finally got over my procrastination and put on my new walking shoes when I went to see my chiropractor. Haven’t seen him since November and I wasn’t in too bad a shape. Anyway, I planned to start with five minutes a day and he said that it was a waste, to just do 20 minutes no matter how long it took me. So, today one of my projects is to create a playlist of songs that make me want to move and when I’m walking, just listen to them insted of worrying about the clock.

3 – Made an appointment with my doctor. Can’t get into see him until Aug. 22. I’ve got a small bump on my throat in the area that might indicate I’ve got tyroid trouble. Had my chiropractor look at it. I’ve also got all the great glucose readings to show him and maybe I can lower my medication. The meds could also be a possible reason I’m not losing.

I’m not giving up. I’ve got what I think is good control of my glucose readings and I am feeling better. But I want to feel really good – and lose some weight. But I guess for now concentrating on improving my health is the main focus of what I’m doing.

And one last thing – it’s amazing how helpful it is doing this journal. Next week I’m going to do a complete food diary and post it on a page here – just to see what I’m really eating – and maybe get some input.

Sandra