JULY W.I.S.H. Challenge - Summer of Positive Change

[Summer2018]

I'm motivated by health needs.

I'm coping pretty well with the pain. I've gotten used to my very limited diet. I know it is temporary. The challenge is brushing my teeth properly without going near the wound. I still have thrush, and I do believe that the surgery exacerbated it. The surgeon removed the tooth because I would have ended up on another antibiotic if I kept the tooth which would have made my problem even worse. So the tooth is out. Chances are that on Friday I will be calling the dental office to do another two weeks on diflucan. It's terrible on the liver, so I am not thrilled, but this needs to be eradicated once and for all. I'm also staying away from sugar because thrush thrives on sugar. I haven't had added sugar for about a month, and I will stay the course.

This has to get better eventually, right?

 

[Zhoen]

-is Stephen Decatur Rd. by the airport too far for you? We love a barbecue place on that road-and it has the best smoked tuna spread. We’re in north OC but it’s worth the drive.

Yes, Stephen Decatur Rd dead-ends at Assateague Island, where I was. In the end I decided not to go, CONSIDERED getting a site for tonight, but the kids are both sunburned, so I am looking at maybe trying again in a few weeks. Still, it was beautiful to have the choice! So what's the name of this place I need to be checking out?

We have Disney on the brain because two years ago, we arrived at the Polynesian for our 25th wedding anniversary trip.

I was like this a few weeks ago, sulking remembering our trip 3 years ago for DD's 10th birthday

I want to stay active these next two weeks even though it’s hot. I need to get out earlier before it gets too uncomfortable.

Yep... that's the only way! I set the sprinkler on the garden yesterday morning and just left it forever because it was too hot to go out!

Friday I have a hair appointment at an actual hair salon, I've been going to a barbershop, but decided I wanted to start doing the salon experience again. Other than that this week is going to be about doing the little things and enjoying the long lazy days.

You'll have to let us know how it goes! I took DD13 about a month and a half ago and it was a crock... no shampoo (which, with the scalp massage is the best part!!!) They just sprayed her head with a spray bottle then did her trim... Full price, though. Very few places were open, though, so they kind of had a monopoly at that time.

IMy blood pressure rises as soon as I enter the doctor's office, sometimes even driving there.

Hehe! Me too! I was in for an annual today. They always have to take three readings over 10 minutes, hidden from me, then average them. Today the systolic was 149, then 129, then 124.... the diastolic, however, never budged from "bad."



Which brings me to my motivation for this week!!!! I truly intend to get my weight down into at least the "overweight" category, preferably the "healthy" category over the next months-year... and that will probably do wonders for my BP... but I have been saying that for a very long time, so today I told my doctor that I was ready to try a low dose BP medicine, just to prevent damage in the meantime. She also drew blood to see how my glucose and cholesterol are looking. And then I have a follow-up in a month... so my motivation is to do everything I can diet/exercise-wise to complement the medication, with the goal of eventually getting back off the meds. (I already checked that the medication we are trying will not prevent me from giving blood. )

The goal this week is to actually DO all the things I keep planning to do, but I am also going to experiment with meatless Mondays. In my heart, I'd love to be vegetarian for ethical reasons... but my mouth and stomach are not on board at this time... so my brain thinks this is a good compromise and a good first step. I found a recipe for taco bell style red sauce as well as tortillas that are 80 calories each instead of 140... so I had scrambled eggs for breakfast, will do roasted tofu for lunch, and bean burritos for dinner. I am also wanting to add seafood Wednesdays, and my hates-seafood-husband can just deal with it! (First up, steamed crabs!)

A side note, I am changing my official weigh-in day to Fridays... because I can really do well all week, but I get sabotaged a lot on the weekends, salt-wise, and it's amazing what a difference that makes!

I did NOT make my water goal last week, and will try again starting today. But I have faith in all of you, so to whom am I owing pins this week? Don't be shy! We should pick something water-themed!

 

[Oneanne]

I feel your pain. My blood pressure rises as soon as I enter the doctor's office, sometimes even driving there. (TBH, sometimes I wonder if my high blood pressure diagnosis is BS.). The last time I went, I played a relaxation CD as I drove to the office, and then I found a YouTube video of ocean waves crashing on the shore. I brought ear buds, and I watched it in the waiting room. I also smiled a lot which probably made me look wacky, but smiling lowers your blood pressure, so I did it. By the grace of God, my blood pressure was normal for the first time in a doctor's office. I plan on doing the same when I go in August for my annual physical. My weight loss should also help. The one thing that my dental appointments has done for me is to get used to the new procedures, and I don't think that will freak me out as much as it did on my first visit. Let us know what time your appointment is so that we can all send you good vibes.

I do my breathing exercise while I'm in the waiting room... deep breath in, deep breath out and hold on empty counting to 8.

 

[PollyannaMom]

It's good to know I'm not the only one with "white coat syndrome".

Let us know what time your appointment is so that we can all send you good vibes.

11:45, and thanks - I'd love some good vibes!

 

[Summer2018]

It's good to know I'm not the only one with "white coat syndrome".



11:45, and thanks - I'd love some good vibes!

Wednesday, 11:45, I will be sending Good Vibes Only!

 

[sjrec]

Zhoen, this is the barbecue place-


https://www.smokersbbqpit.com/

 

[4Mickeys]

This has to get better eventually, right?

- Yes - but the waiting to get better is always hard isn't it?

I also use deep breathing now with eyes closed. I now have a blood pressure machine at home (they aren't that expensive) I take it morning and night - you could then do your blood pressures for 1-2 weeks before you go for your check-up then your doctor can get a good idea of what your BP is in your home environment where you are calmer and provide a contrast against the 'white coat syndrome'. Although it can take a few goes to get comfortable with doing it yourself and not 'bump' your BP yourself. I also used to have to have them 'hide' my BP especially when I suspected it was going to be high as that would just send it higher!

 

[Oneanne]

- Yes - but the waiting to get better is always hard isn't it?

I also use deep breathing now with eyes closed. I now have a blood pressure machine at home (they aren't that expensive) I take it morning and night - you could then do your blood pressures for 1-2 weeks before you go for your check-up then your doctor can get a good idea of what your BP is in your home environment where you are calmer and provide a contrast against the 'white coat syndrome'. Although it can take a few goes to get comfortable with doing it yourself and not 'bump' your BP yourself. I also used to have to have them 'hide' my BP especially when I suspected it was going to be high as that would just send it higher!

I have a wrist cuff that I use at home that I really like.

 

[MickeyMom76]

It’s Topic Tuesday!

So it’s no secret that I’ve been struggling with my eating. I have been great with exercising. But I am definitely a stress eater and I think we can all agree, this year has been a huge wave of stress! I have actually gained almost all of the weight back that I worked so hard to lose a few years ago. It’s definitely different weight because my body looks and feels different than before. But enough is enough. So I’m off to a good start with my meal plan and sticking to it this week (2 days so far, but gotta start somewhere).

But now for my topic...has anyone ever tried a cleanse?

I have been using Beachbody products and workouts for the last several years. I started with The 21 Day Fix. I have a Shakeology shake every morning for breakfast. I started using Energize (a pre-workout drink) before runs or harder workouts. So now I’m considering their 3 Day Refresh. It’s different from a typical juice cleanse (more protein, less sugar). But what caught my eye was that it was advertised as “a way to jump-start a new healthy-eating lifestyle, help you shed a few pounds, and feel revitalized“. Sounds good, but so do tons of infomercials, right?

So I’m curious. Has anyone tried a detox or cleanse? What did you think?

 

[PollyannaMom]

So I’m curious. Has anyone tried a detox or cleanse? What did you think?

No, I haven’t.

 

[sjrec]

No, but a coworker of mine (she was a runner) would do one periodically-usually after a holiday or vacation. She thought it refocused her on healthy eating after a spell of overindulging.
Not quite the same, but when I want to lose, I only eat my daily allowance of points (23 per day) for the first week and not any of the extra 35 weekly points. I get a nice first week loss (even if some it’s water) and that’s good for my mental outlook. So I think a little “jolt” to your system can be a good thing.

 

[Zhoen]

So I’m curious. Has anyone tried a detox or cleanse? What did you think?

Teehee! Yes and no and maybe.... ;P

I had a friend who just ADORED the Mastercleanse thing, with the lemon juice and cayenne and maple syrup... I couldn't even choke down a single glass!

But once LO-ooooo-oooo-oooong ago I tried one that involved using actual vegetables in a juicer... it SEEMED to be doing something... I mean I was getting a TON of fluids, and yet ... how to phrase--- "there appeared to be a great deal of darkness exiting by body in my urine." I wasn't drinking anything with a lot of color, I was super-hydrated, and I wasn't taking any supplements that would have caused that.... Tragically, about 30 hours into the 72, there was a change-of-life level crisis and I had to drop everything... when the smoke cleared, months later, I had lost the recipes/articles. I will always wonder about that one, but I have never found anything similar...

And then there is the "ideal" diet put forward by the USDA, Harvard, the mediterranean diet-- pick one. I think for MANY Americans, actually following ANY of those for a few weeks would amount to a detox. So "maybe." Maybe just following a good diet is a detox if you do it long term... it sure beats drinking maple-syrup-lemonade for weeks!!!

 

[sjrec]

Master cleanse is what my friend did!

 

[Oneanne]

I've done it several times, at least once using Whole30 guidelines (I got to day 21) and several times by purchasing 3 to 7 day juice kits from JUS by Julie. It can be rough... days 4 and 5 are generally thought of as the "kill all the things" phase, and after going thru it once I knew to plan on those being stay-at-home days. The result has always been positive, feeling lighter, cleaner and healthier... and glowing skin. And there is usually 7 to 10 pounds of weight lost. But of course when you go back to your wanton ways it all wears off. Funny (not funny) how that works.

 

[Summer2018]

View attachment 512105
It’s Topic Tuesday!

So it’s no secret that I’ve been struggling with my eating. I have been great with exercising. But I am definitely a stress eater and I think we can all agree, this year has been a huge wave of stress! I have actually gained almost all of the weight back that I worked so hard to lose a few years ago. It’s definitely different weight because my body looks and feels different than before. But enough is enough. So I’m off to a good start with my meal plan and sticking to it this week (2 days so far, but gotta start somewhere).

But now for my topic...has anyone ever tried a cleanse?

I have been using Beachbody products and workouts for the last several years. I started with The 21 Day Fix. I have a Shakeology shake every morning for breakfast. I started using Energize (a pre-workout drink) before runs or harder workouts. So now I’m considering their 3 Day Refresh. It’s different from a typical juice cleanse (more protein, less sugar). But what caught my eye was that it was advertised as “a way to jump-start a new healthy-eating lifestyle, help you shed a few pounds, and feel revitalized“. Sounds good, but so do tons of infomercials, right?

So I’m curious. Has anyone tried a detox or cleanse? What did you think?

My doctor warned me against them and said that they are risky and can do more harm than good. They can really mess with your blood sugar levels, cause dizzy spells, and other side effects. She said that a better option would be to eat healthier, more fruits and vegetables, no processed foods, etc. I, personally, wouldn't do it, but if I were thinking about it, I would consult my doctor first.

 

[MickeyMom76]

So I think a little “jolt” to your system can be a good thing.

My doctor warned me against them and said that they are risky and can do more harm than good.

I’ve heard both these things, so I keep going back and forth!

I had a friend who just ADORED the Mastercleanse thing, with the lemon juice and cayenne and maple syrup... I couldn't even choke down a single glass!

I would be the same way. I gag a little just thinking about that combo. Interesting that’s the one your friend did @sjrec!

The result has always been positive, feeling lighter, cleaner and healthier... and glowing skin.

That’s great to hear. I hadn’t thought about it effecting the skin as well.

If I end up doing it, it would definitely be to get back on eating healthy more consistently. I trying so hard this week to do that anyway. I’m currently at my mom’s house watching my nephew while my parents are on vacation (they are usually my nephew’s babysitter while my sister and BIL work). I packed my salad with grilled chicken for lunch and brought carrots and hummus for my afternoon snack. But it’s so hard being here surrounded by so many of my favorite treats that my mom always has in the house for when the grandkids visit. The Reese’s are the hardest to resist!!!

 

[MickeyMom76]

It’s Woohoo Wednesday!!!
What are your celebrations?

Woohoo - I’m sticking to my meal plan so far this week!
Woohoo - I’m down 4 pounds simply by sticking to my meal plan!!!!
Woohoo - I started a new 3 week workout and I’ve gotten up early so far each day to get it in!
Woohoo - i spent the day watching my nephew yesterday and we get to watch him again this morning.
Woohoo - kitchen renovation is moving along, new floors are put in and I love the new look (always nervous when picking from little samples).

 

[4Mickeys]

Woohoo - my wrist feels mostly better today - I think I had some tendonitis - I have worn a wrist brace for a couple of days and rested it - almost back to full range of motion with only a twinge of pain. It was really sore 2 days ago.
Woohoo - to working with some great people - had a video conference training day today and it was good chatting and sharing.
Woohoo - The scale has slowly started moving downwards again- I think it is eating smaller meals at night - as I have not walked this week really due to the dizziness and feeling blah in the belly a few days.
Woohoo - I have also not eaten taken out at all this week

 

[sjrec]

Woohoo-I got out for my walk yesterday in the late afternoon. It’s 99% in the shade so it’s tolerable.

Woohoo-a book is ready for me at curbside pickup, so that’s my big outing for today.

Here is my walking trail. If not for all the shade I couldn’t do it, and even though gyms are open, I don’t feel safe going there yet.

 

[Oneanne]

I’ve heard both these things, so I keep going back and forth!



I would be the same way. I gag a little just thinking about that combo. Interesting that’s the one your friend did @sjrec!



That’s great to hear. I hadn’t thought about it effecting the skin as well.

If I end up doing it, it would definitely be to get back on eating healthy more consistently. I trying so hard this week to do that anyway. I’m currently at my mom’s house watching my nephew while my parents are on vacation (they are usually my nephew’s babysitter while my sister and BIL work). I packed my salad with grilled chicken for lunch and brought carrots and hummus for my afternoon snack. But it’s so hard being here surrounded by so many of my favorite treats that my mom always has in the house for when the grandkids visit. The Reese’s are the hardest to resist!!!

Summer makes some good points, so do talk with your doctor... mine recommended it so there are varying opinions out there. I would add that if you are just looking for a reset, a three day cleanses is enough.