Christine's Get Healthy Journal (Definitely Want Comments!)

[sarahsmom73]

How are you feeling today?

 

[Christine]

Well, I get to go into work late today because I have an early morning appointment.

Got up this morning and had another odd bowel movement. Not as green as before, but still strange. I'm really starting to suspect my thyroid medications. I made an adjustment last month and I think it might be too much meds, therefore, my food is moving too quickly through my intestines. Luckily, I had my thyroid levels checked yesterday afternoon and should get the results by Monday. I really hope that's all it is.

I did very little exercise last night--just some light weight work. Feeling a little headachy this morning but, again, this may be the thyroid stuff at work. It's such a fun thing not to have a thyroid gland. I really wish I could get mine back!!!!!

Got on the scale this morning and I'm around 148.5. So, in 13 days I have lost about 5.5 lbs. That is kind of faster than I expected since I'm still eating about 1600-1800 calories per day and doing the minimum of required exercise (30 minutes). Probaby the thyroid meds...

 

[geetey]

Hi Christine!
I am glad to hear you just got your blood work checked. Hopefully they can get things straightened out so you don't have to keep having those yucky poops. Nothing like getting a surprise in the bathroom each day!

I hope you feel better.

 

[Princess Michelle]

Christine, I hope you get to feeling better soon.

 

[sarahsmom73]

Christine

Hope they can get you on the right track!!! Good luck!

 

[Christine]

Got my thyroid bloodwork back and, as I suspected, I am on the HYPERthyroid side. Now, my endocrinologist wants me this way because it is part of the "cure" for thyroid cancer, but I know that I don't do well with suppression therapy. But, it is nice to know why I've been feeling so weird. I'll be backing off my meds a bit to try to get more "normal."

Other than that, I've been doing VERY well keeping on track with food. I think breakfast is my favorite, most satisfying meal. The rest of the meals do leaving me "wanting" but, oh well. Today we were out shopping and I had to figure out what to eat. I ended up at Subway (yuck). Now, I don't like Subway on a good day, when I can eat full fat. I had the Turkey Sub. I got mustard. Egads, the woman must have put TONS of mustard on it because it was all over the place. Don't think I'll be doing Subway again.

One of my other new food finds is Amy's Organic Soup. Now, if you like full-flavored salty soups, these are not for you. Most varieties are low-sodium (I'm also trying to cut my sodium down). They are very fresh tasting and satisfying. The Cream of Tomato is ony 100 calories per cup. It is not Campbell's but it's not bad either. I'm always on a quest to find convenience foods that are not too processed.

 

[sarahsmom73]

I'm glad you got some info! At least you are understanding why your body is revolting!

Have a great Sunday!

 

[Christine]

Here it is--Sunday morning. Two weeks after I started. Yesterday, I was at 147 lbs, which was 7 lbs less than when I started.

Last night, I had my once-a-week meal out. We carried out from our local Greek/Italian restaurant and I got the same meal I got last week (and did so well with): eggplant parmigiana with a serving of pasta on the side in marinara sauce. The eggplant is not breaded (it's only saving grace). I ate it, skipped the bread, and had a bit of salad. This morning, I'm up 3 lbs!! Bummer. I can only pray that it is water retention. You know, that is so discouraging. I've been soooooo good all week. And to think that just one, measly meal can do that to you. Hmmmm.

Guess I will have to go out and walk this afternoon.

I have another question for all of you experts out there. Yesterday morning (Saturday), I decided to get up and do my exercise in the morning. This is something I always want to do but can't since I have to leave my house at 5:45 every morning. Since it was so cold out, I picked my Crunch Fat Burning Pilates tape. I did this tape earlier in the week. It's tough and kicks my butt but I can usually make it through and it is a very good workout.

I was about mid-way through the tape yesterday morning and I felt queasy. I waited a moment and then continued. I got SOOO nauseous, I had to sit down for about 10 minutes. I stopped the aerobic portion of the tape and finished up with what I could of the toning and cool down. I proceeded to get nauseous off and on throughout the day.

So far, today, I seem to be okay. Just wondering what would cause this? I had not eaten or did not drink before I started--I basically just jumped out of bed. But I have exercised on the weekend before and did not eat or drink and I usually exercise better.

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Christine,

I'm glad the the doctor was able to tell you what's going on. I bet that was a huge relief!!

As for your question about working out and feeling queasy~ I'm not sure exactly why that happened, but it happened a couple of times to me. For me, I think it was because I did a heavy workout and hadn't had anything to eat or drink (except water) since the night before. I'm thinking that maybe my blood sugar was way too low and the exercise caused me to be nauseous. I'm not sure if that makes any sense or not....

Have a wonderful Sunday and keep up the good work!

 

[Christine]

Hi Christine,


As for your question about working out and feeling queasy~ I'm not sure exactly why that happened, but it happened a couple of times to me. For me, I think it was because I did a heavy workout and hadn't had anything to eat or drink (except water) since the night before. I'm thinking that maybe my blood sugar was way too low and the exercise caused me to be nauseous. I'm not sure if that makes any sense or not....

Have a wonderful Sunday and keep up the good work!

Yes, that does make sense. I guess it never happened to me before because I was never really restricting my calories when I did a.m. exercise. On the Friday before, I had about 1600 calories that day. So when I got up and exercised (on an empty stomach), my blood sugar probably was very low. It makes perfect sense! Thanks.

 

[Christine]

Weighed in this morning at 150 lb. AGAIN. It looks like that Saturday night carryout really messed up my weight. Now logically, I know I didn't eat enough calories to put on 3 lbs over night. It's got to be water retention but, jeez, I thought it would have dissapated somewhat today.

I'm at work today, even though it is a holiday for most. Got a nice surprise from a co-worker/friend. He got me a copy of the Fitday that you pay for. It is so much nicer; however, I've got to reload all my information. I'll have fun playing with that today.

 

[plutosmyfav]

Hi Christine,

I have had similar experiences when I push too hard running. I think it is too low blood sugar. Maybe have a little fruit and protein before morning exercise and see if it helps.

You are doing fantastic. Your weight loss is really impressive!

Sundie

 

[Christine]

So, it's been 20 days for me on this new eating plan. I weighed in this morning at 146 lbs. I am down 8 lbs from my starting point. Not bad for 20 days, huh?

I even went to the Outback last night. Just ordered the Victoria's Filet (7 oz petite steak), steamed veggies, and had the low-cal dressing on the salad. I did get the butter on the veggies--I've got to have SOME treats right?

I was glad to see that my scale was not up 3 lbs like it was last week when I had the eggplant parmesan/pasta debacle. That 3 lbs, which I thought was water retention and would go away in a few days, never went away until about 5 days later. How did I get it to go away? Well, we had snow here in the D.C. area. I got stuck in the car on the freeway. Had pretty much a major panic attack which involves "gastro" problems for me. Had to exit the freeway and find a place to "go." Found a nice Baptist church and then I went back to work. It then took me another 3 hours to get home. By the next day, the 3 lbs were gone and I was pretty well dehydrated. I've managed to rehydrate myself, but that nasty 3 lbs seems to be gone.

Anyway, I'm sure THAT was TMI for all of you. But, hey, you gotta laugh at yourself, you know?

The point is, maybe the carb overload of last week's Italian extravaganza isn't good for my weight loss. Guess I do better with steak and veggies. I'm not doing Weight Watchers but I do like to go to Dottie's Weight Loss Zone and get an idea of what my restaurant food "points" look like. And they weren't too bad, except for the butter on my veggies.

My next challenge is this weekend. A snowstorm is starting a few hours. I will be trapped in the house until, probably, Sunday afternoon. I hope I don't start nibbling!

 

[swilphil]

Christine--Congrats! 8 lbs. in less than 3 weeks is awesome. I hope I can do as well. I think a small lean steak and lots of veggies is very healthy. I usually only eat steak when I eat out, and I save part of it to eat as leftovers in a couple of days. Keep up the good work!

 

[Christine]

Still trudging on--even through the snow storm. No lapses! Yippee...

Made a very good Weight Watchers recipe--from Takeout Tonight. It is called Black Bean and Sausage Soup. Very easy, very good. I topped it with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese and some fat free sour cream. Surprisingly satisfying.

Discovered that you CANNOT make a good root beer or Coke float with lowfat ice cream. It just doesn't work. The ice cream gets "icy."

Discovered the Smart Ones Ice Cream Bars--the real thick vanilla ones with chocolate crumbles on them. Very good at 120 calories (or 2 points).

Got myself a Brita Water Pitcher and, as much as I don't like water, I find myself drinking more since it is sitting right there on the counter.

Made the strawberry-kiwi Crystal Light in an attempt to get more fluids. But, alas, I'm just not a juice person.

Oh, well, hope everyone has a great week!

 

[kayeandjim00]

Hi Christine! Congratulations on the 8lbs! That's great progress. I recently picked up the Take Out cookbook but haven't made anything yet from it. I'm going to have to check out that soup recipe - it sounds yummy!
I'm a big fan of the cookies and cream WW bars too. I try to always save 2 points so I can have that for my dessert.

 

[Princess Michelle]

Christine, you are doing so great with the weightloss! I'm so sorry that you had some problems with the snow and your car but I'm glad that 3lbs. left you!

Would you be willing to post the recipe for that black bean and sausage soup? It sounds yummy!

 

[Christine]

Christine, you are doing so great with the weightloss! I'm so sorry that you had some problems with the snow and your car but I'm glad that 3lbs. left you!

Would you be willing to post the recipe for that black bean and sausage soup? It sounds yummy!

Yes, I will post it tonight. It is at home in my Take Out Tonight cookbook. It was very comforting and I'll be making it again this week!!

As for the last few days, I'm still very on track with my food intake. I WISH I could exercise daily, but I find I'm only getting it in about every other day. There is either bad weather, or running the kids around--life has just been getting in the way. My body is kind of getting used to my tapes I'm doing. I need to go outside and walk but we've still got ice on the streets and sidewalks so I don't know what I'll do.

My weight has been stuck at 146 since this past weekend. Gets a little discouraging but I'm hoping I'll see a little bump down by the end of the week.

 

[pettyone]

Christine--

Makes you wonder how many calories we burn driving the kids around, doesn't it?? I am convinced that road rage burns calories...

DD laughs when I do aerobics at home...it is hard to concentrate with her hee-hawing at me, so I try to get up super early if I plan to use a video...

I think you are doing great, all things considered!!

 

[Christine]

Would you be willing to post the recipe for that black bean and sausage soup? It sounds yummy!

Here it is:

Hearty Black Bean and Sausage Soup - From Weight Watchers Take Out Tonight

Makes 6 servings

This soup gets its distinctive flavors from sweet Italian Turkey Sausage, jalapeno peppers, and sparkling fresh cilantro. Freeze any leftovers and simply reheat in the microwave.

1/2 lb. sweet Italian turkey sausage links
1 tsp. olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced (I omitted these)
3 (15.5 oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1. Spray a large nonstick saucepan (I used a Dutch oven) with nonstick spray and set over medium-low heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a plate. When the sausage is cool enough to handle, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
2. Heat the oil over medium heat in the same pan, then add the onion, garlic, and peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in the beans and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the flavors are blended, about 8 minutes.
3. Transfer 2 cups of the bean mixture to a blender or food processor and puree. Stire the puree and then the sausage into the soup. Simmer, uncovered, until the soup is heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the cilantro, and serve.

My comments: This was even better on the second and third day so this is one of those do-ahead recipes--better eaten later.

Once it was in the bowl, I added some fresh grated Parmeson and a teaspoon of fat-free sour cream. Very good with that!!

Nutritional info: Serving size = scant 1 1/2 cups. 221 Calories; 6 g Fat, 2g Sat Fat; 18 mg Chol; 582 mg Sod; 25 g Carb; 9 g Fib; 16 g Prot; 67 mg Calcium. 4 Points per serving.