Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Miscellany, & a rant...

Calories eaten yesterday: 1203
Fat: 28g (21%)
Carbs: 88g (29%)
Protein: 152g (50%)
Weight this morning: 131.8 (One week ago: 132.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 97

Still not feeling 100%, but the Zicam does seem to be helping and I haven't had to call in sick.

I walked down near the BART station to catch the bus, but the first one passed me by. She didn't see me or even look in my direction and just drove right past. I was going to stop at Safeway, but didn't want to risk it since I had to catch the next bus. I gave Brad $5 for the salad I need. I did stop at WalMart and bought highlighters. I printed out an adrenal document, need to highlight certain sections, and my highlighter pen has disappeared.

Still working on uploading photos from last Thursday. They now run onto page 2. I got some more up this morning. Click here to see what I have up so far, and be sure to click on page 2 at the bottom.

I had a whole thing typed about money issues and then Blogger ate it. I'll see what I can remember.

Not only is boss J. mad at me about cashing in one vacation day at a time, but now the lady who administrates this stuff, L., down stairs is on my case too. I need to talk to her today and she got on my case about how it's more work for her and nobody else does this and I need to plan out my budget so i can make it between paychecks.

I am doing the best I can! I have been struggling all year. Rising gas prices mean rising bus fare and rising grocery prices. Some items have doubled over what they were, and healthy eating is not cheap. My move was a big chunk of change.

I also have thyroid disease and depression and am on three medications - Celexa, levothyroxine, and Xanax. I have to see the doctor a lot and have a lot of blood tests until we get the thyroid issue under control. All this costs money, some of it out of pocket (and then I wait for partial reimbursement), and some of it billed to me after my employer pays their part. It's not health insurance; it's health assistance, directly from my employer. I still haven't filled my latest Celexa 'script - just no money.

The lady who does the reimbursement (another L. initial) has been on jury duty so I am still waiting on my check, and waiting for bills from the doctor and the lab for their fees. After this last paycheck I bought some supplements that L. does not sell downstairs and am waiting for partial reimbursement on those, too - a special magnesium that I have only seen at GNC, and Selenium at another health food store. I also had a chiropractic appointment.

Between rent, bills, food, medications, and an endless stream of doctor's appointments and lab tests, I am drowning. I don't want to dip into my vacation time one day at a time just so I can survive, but I am living in a cold, harsh world that doesn't care what your trouble are - they want their money.

When people get on my case like this it depresses me and makes me want to binge. :(

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Monday, September 29, 2008

Sick...

Calories eaten yesterday: 1257
Fat: 32g (22%)
Carbs: 90g (28%)
Protein: 157g (50%)
Weight this morning: 133.8 (One week ago: 135)
Calories burned in exercise today: 106

I forgot to say yesterday that over the weekend I received a message on my cell phone from 24 Hour Fitness that my personal trainer is "no longer with the company." I talked to one of the fitness counselors there today (the people who sign you up for membership) and was told I need to talk to some guy named Alex about getting a new trainer. I still have two sessions left of the four I got when I signed up for the pre-paid membership.

I didn't go into the gym anyway because I am definitely sick. I don't know whether I got it from Brad or picked up something in the City on Thursday. My throat has felt weird the last day or two and last night I started sneezing. I'm taking Zicam. I also have a cold sore so my immune system is definitely down.

I slept in, worked on the photos I took last Thursday (some of them are up on my Flickr photostream now), and then walked down to the BART station to catch the bus. I got off the bus a bit early and walked the rest of the way to work.

I uploaded the one video I made, but it doesn't appear to have worked. I'll try again tomorrow.

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Sunday, September 28, 2008

Week 79 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Week 47: 133.6 (-6) - Week 48: 132.4 (-1.2)
Week 49: 138.6 (+6.2) - Week 50: 138.4 (-0.2)
Week 51: 138.8 (+0.4) - Week 52: 139.4 (+0.6)
Week 53: 137.8 (-1.6) - Week 54: 139.4 (+1.6)
Week 55: 137.6 (-1.8) - Week 56: 136.4 (-1.2)
Week 57: 136.6 (+0.2) - Week 58: 139.4 (+2.8)
Week 59: 136.6 (-2.8) - Week 60: 134.6 (-2)
Week 61: 137 (+2.4) - Week 62: 138.6 (+1.6)
Week 63: 137 (-1.6) - Week 64: 137 (-0)
Week 65: 141.8 (+4.8) - Week 66: 135.4 (-6.4)
Week 67: 136 (+0.6) - Week 68: 139.2 (+3.2)
Week 69: 137.2 (-2) - Week 70: 138.2 (+1)
Week 71: 136.4 (-1.8) - Week 72: 140 (+3.6)
Week 73: 139.4 (-0.6) - Week 74: 140 (+0.6)
Week 75: 137.6 (-2.4) - Week 76: 141.6 (+4)
Week 77: 136.4 (-5.2) - Week 78: 139 (+2.6)
Week 79: 138.2 (-0.8)
Total loss: -15.8

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Wednesday: 1068
Fat: 22g (18%)
Carbs: 75g (28%)
Protein: 144g (54%)
Weight Wednesday morning: 130.6 (One week ago: 131.4)
Calories burned in exercise Wednesday: 228

Thursday was my vacation day so it was a cheat day. :)
Weight Thursday morning: 132.6 (One week ago: 131.2)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 146 (estimation)

Calories eaten Friday: 1066
Fat: 28g (24%)
Carbs: 66g (25%)
Protein: 133g (51%)
Weight Friday morning: n/a (One week ago: 132.4)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 194

Weight Saturday morning: n/a (One week ago: 132)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 326

Calories burned in exercise today: 250

Whew! Thursday was quite the day in San Francisco! I took the ferry in, then the F streetcar (which was packed) down to Pier 39. I did some shopping and took a carousel ride, then walked down to Subway to get my free cookie (I had to buy something to use the coupon so I got two cookies), then next door to Hooters for lunch. I was just going to have the cheese sticks and a couple beers, but I got hungry and had the crab legs for lunch. Disappointing, and very little real meat. I won't order that again. I caved in for dessert and ordered the chocolate mousse cake. It was decadent and great (and BIG!), but ended up just sitting in my stomach like a rock. It was just too big. I had two pints of lite beer and a bottle the the new MGD 64. I also ate the two Subway cookies.

I did some more shopping down the street and back to Pier 39. I signed up for a 1 hour city tour, had enough time to run to the wine shop and buy the clock I've been eyeing since I saw it on my trip last month, then took the tour. The tour was okay. It was just the cheapest one so nothing spectacular.

After this I walked up to Buena Vista and the cable car turnaround. I took the cable car all the way to the end at the Powell St. turnaround. Then I rode back. It was getting dark at this point. I went to Buena Vista for their Irish coffee. In the end I had an Irish coffee, and Godiva chocolate coffee, another Irish coffee, and a Mexican coffee. I was finishing up the Mexican coffee when Brad arrived. He wanted an Irish coffee so I ordered a glass of wine.

Then we walked down to Lou's for dinner. It was just past 9 and they were closed but they finally decided to serve us. Brad just got a beer; I had the rump roast dinner with extra veggies and no potatoes, and a glass of wine. I had another glass of wine after that.

We walked down to BART, but I insisted on stopping at McDonald's. I was still hungry so I ordered the $3 mini meal with the double cheeseburger. At least I got Diet Coke instead of a shake. Brad got a McFlurry.

We took BART to Rockridge where Brad had parked and we ended up stopping at a gas station/7-11. Brad got gas and cottage cheese and bought me a couple of bad snacks that we shared.

Diet-wise, the whole day was a bust.

Friday I got up early and, just to make sure I didn't do anything to skew the test results, I went to Quest labs with no breakfast and no coffee. I had several blood tests. I'll post the results when I get them.

Brad and I did some shopping and walked along the San Leandro shoreline for about 1 hour and 20 minutes. I had no alcohol since I was still recovering from overdoing it on Thursday. I had two sips of Brad's Woodbridge Cabernet.

Saturday after church we drove out to Lafayette and walked on the paved trail system there for 2 hours and 14 minutes. We discovered that the trail system there is really a huge loop of 17.5 miles total. I want to walk that whole loop in one day at some point!

Today (Sunday) I had a hard time getting started. I think I might be coming down with what Brad has, or caught something in the city. I'm dosing on Zicam. I felt I had to do weight training today, so Brad dropped me off and explored the new Catholic cathedral up the street (it's finally open) while I worked out. Then he picked me up, we did some shopping at WalMart, then did some trail walking in the local area - about 50 minutes.

I don't know when I will get the photos up. There are a lot and editing is a time-consuming process and I just don't have the time right now. There are a total of 48 photos and 1 video.

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Half day!

Calories eaten yesterday: 1234
Fat: 34g (24%)
Carbs: 76g (24%)
Protein: 162g (51%)
Weight this morning: xx (One week ago: 131.4)
Calories burned in exercise today: 228

Well, tomorrow is the big day! Relax and play tourist in San Francisco. I am blessed to live so close to a popular tourist destination. :)

I'm working only a half shift today, so I'm off at 7 and then will have time to get stuff prepared for tomorrow. I have to get to bed early since I need to be up about 8 a.m. and out the door no later than 9:10.

Did laundry today and got a little over an hour of walking in - to and from the laundromat, down Fruitvale to the BART station to catch a bus (to save on BART fare), and then got off the bus a little early and walked the last little bit into work. :) I'm very close to my monthly step goal and might make it tomorrow. :)

I won't be posting tomorrow, so I'll be back Sunday with my weigh-in. Since I will be off plan tomorrow I expect a gain this week.

I'll get the Flickr photos of tomorrow up as soon as I can. Photos of my last trip are in the San Francisco set, and photo of this trip will go in the same set as soon as they are edited and uploaded.

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Week 79, Day 3

Calories eaten yesterday: 1328
Fat: 36g (24%)
Carbs: 81g (24%)
Protein: 179g (53%)
Weight this morning: 132.6 (One week ago: 133.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 175

Went into the City to check my mail. I thought about doing this on Thursday when I will be in the City anyway, but decided I didn't want to hastle with that on my vacation day. I bought a Muni day pass so I can get around on the busses and cable cars.

After doing some research on Hooters last night, I stopped by the Subway near here today and bought some dressing packets. I doubt Hooters has any diet salad dressings, so I bought three packets of Subway's Light Italian. I also got two packets of their Light Ranch to dip my cheese sticks in. I don't care for the marinara sauce they serve with the sticks, and if I asked for ranch or blue cheese it would be full of calories.

I can get to the ferry by the 11 bus, but it is quite a walk from there. The 11 lets me off at 8th & Broadway. There's a Starbucks across the street so I will stop there for a skinny latte and something to eat. I'll either walk to the ferry or take the 72R, which I believe has a stop right outside Starbucks.

Tomorrow is laundry day and only a half day of work. I'll get off at 7 and have time to prepare for my City trip. :)

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Monday, September 22, 2008

Personal Training, Session 2

Calories eaten yesterday: 1204
Fat: 32g (23%)
Carbs: 75g (24%)
Protein: 161g (53%)
Weight this morning: 135 (One week ago: 134.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 285

I had my personal training session today. We first met in his office and he was making out a plan for that day and I noticed we were doing 15 reps of everything. I reminded him again that he said to do 6-8 reps. He said, "Oh yeah. You want to build muscle," and sat down and fixed it. :)

We started with ab and back work on a mat. The ab exercises were a three-fer - straight leg raise, then holding hands above head and reaching for the ceiling, then doing both at once - 15 of each, no rest. I always had to rest during the third part.

We also did a back exercise he called "Cobra." It's like the Superman move except that your feet stay on the floor, your arms are out to your sides, and you move your arms back and try to squeeze your shoulder blades together.

He tried to get me to do lateral raises with a 10 lb. dumbbell, but had to help me lift it. We finally discovered the 8 lbs. was just about right for 3 sets of 6-8 reps.

We did the incline dumbbell press and we finally decided on 25 lb. weights. We also did a bent-over dumbbell row (palms out) with a straight-legged (Romanian) dumbbell lift (palms in). 10 lb. dumbbells for those.

We tried a delt exercise on the cable machine (bend over and lift arm back), but the lowest weight was 10 lb. and he had to help me. The freestanding cable machine allows you to go down to 5 lbs., but it was occupied.

This will probably be my only gym session this week. Tomorrow I am doing a mail run into the City. Hopefully I can buy a bus day pass while I'm there to use on Thursday. Then Wednesday is laundry since I can't do it Thursday, and Thursday is my (hopefully) vacation day. I'll be sure to get plenty of walking in all days.

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Sunday, September 21, 2008

Week 78 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Week 47: 133.6 (-6) - Week 48: 132.4 (-1.2)
Week 49: 138.6 (+6.2) - Week 50: 138.4 (-0.2)
Week 51: 138.8 (+0.4) - Week 52: 139.4 (+0.6)
Week 53: 137.8 (-1.6) - Week 54: 139.4 (+1.6)
Week 55: 137.6 (-1.8) - Week 56: 136.4 (-1.2)
Week 57: 136.6 (+0.2) - Week 58: 139.4 (+2.8)
Week 59: 136.6 (-2.8) - Week 60: 134.6 (-2)
Week 61: 137 (+2.4) - Week 62: 138.6 (+1.6)
Week 63: 137 (-1.6) - Week 64: 137 (-0)
Week 65: 141.8 (+4.8) - Week 66: 135.4 (-6.4)
Week 67: 136 (+0.6) - Week 68: 139.2 (+3.2)
Week 69: 137.2 (-2) - Week 70: 138.2 (+1)
Week 71: 136.4 (-1.8) - Week 72: 140 (+3.6)
Week 73: 139.4 (-0.6) - Week 74: 140 (+0.6)
Week 75: 137.6 (-2.4) - Week 76: 141.6 (+4)
Week 77: 136.4 (-5.2) - Week 78: 139 (+2.6)
Total loss: -15

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Thursday: 1362
Fat: 27g (18%)
Carbs: 83g (24%)
Protein: 165g (48%)
Weight Thursday morning: 131.4 (One week ago: 129.8)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 405

Calories eaten Friday: 1499
Fat: 24g (14%)
Carbs: 85g (22%)
Protein: 160g (42%)
Weight Friday morning: 132.4 (One week ago: 128.4)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 0

Weight Saturday morning: 132 (One week ago: 129.8)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 275

Calories burned in exercise today: 248

A crazy weekend. I got my vacation and comp time check on Thursday and cashed it Friday. I saved out $200 for my upcoming vacation day (take #2 since the first time failed), leaving $150 for groceries, etc.

Friday I had a doctor's appointment. He asked me how I felt and I said nothing, like I'd been taking a placebo, except that I was much more edgy. He upped my thyroid dose to 75mcg and my Celexa from the standard 40mg dose to the maximum 60mg dose. He ordered a ferritin test and a "TIBC with Iron," whatever that is.

I started the higher dose of Celexa that very day (19th) by taking an extra pill. A slight overdose one day won't hurt me. Now I am cutting the pills in half and taking 1 1/2 per day. I'll start taking the higher dose of the thyroid med after my blood tests next week.

We discussed Vitamin D, since mine is a bit low, and he agreed that a supplement was fine. He also gave me the go ahead on selenium. I asked for and he ordered a free and total cortisol test and a low dose ACTH test.

I forgot to ask about retesting my TSH, and Free T3 and T4. The doctor was no longer available, but one of the office staff marked T3 Uptake, TSH, and Free T4 on the form, which I was told today is wrong. T3 Uptake and Free T3 are not the same and Free T3 often has to be manually noted on the form. Oh well. I'll be sure to ask the next time I see him.

We meet again in about 3 weeks to go over the results. The adrenal tests have to be done in the morning and again in the afternoon (I don't understand it all yet), so I'll just get everything done in one fell swoop next Friday. (Edit: I ended up just writing "Free T3" on my lab sheet and crossing out the T3 Uptake.)

After the doctor we went to the bank and cashed my check, then ran errands all over. Groceries were first. I got Vitamin D from Lupe on Thursday, so there was no need to go to Costco. I got magnesium and selenium at GNC, but when we checked Brad's health food store they had a better kind so I bought that and returned the GNC one. We also got Walden Farms jellies at another health food store for toast and jam. :) We hit WalMart but they didn't have hardly any of what I needed. Friday night the shelves are picked clean.

In the middle of all this I had forgotten my chiropractic appointment. We called him, when in, and I got my adjustment. My back was seriously out of whack and I really needed the adjustment. When I laid down on the table he said that he could see that my hips were out of alignment.

By the time we finished at the last health food store it was getting late and I still had work to do at home so we nixed any walking.

Saturday we were up early to pick up Abraham and Regina and take them to church. Abe was supposed to meet with Pastor Brent about math tutoring. Regina was ready, but Abe was still in bed when we arrived. Brad finally got him up. He had been up until 3 or 4 a.m. doing homework. After the service and Sabbath School Brad drove him home because he was too tired. He said maybe they can work out something by e-mail.

Regina stay for lunch, Brad drove her to Safeway for groceries and I spent the last of my $150 on a Diet 7-Up and two packages of coffee. I now have zero spending cash until payday.

Food-wise I was bad on Saturday. Friday I bought a box of Cookie Crisp cereal and some wine coolers because I have been craving them. I'm ashamed to say that on Saturday I ate the entire box of the Cookie Crisp (in two sittings - breakfast and dinner) and drank all four wine coolers. Brad bought a burrito and taco when he dropped off Abe and the burrito was sitting on the floor of the car so I ate that, too. In addition, Becky had baked her homemade cinnamon and regular bread. I had one piece of cinnamon bread and two pieces of regular bread. Bad, bad Victoria. I am on-plan today, though!

Saturday evening we walked along the San Leandro shoreline. We couldn't go for as long as I wanted, but we did get in just under 2 hours, so that helped make up for Friday.

Today I just could not get my butt in gear. I finally nixed the gym and just did a nice walk with Brad along the San Leandro shoreline again (1 hour 42 minutes).

And there is yet more because my life is insane! I asked Brad over the weekend about getting this coming Thursday off to redo my failed vacation day. He said he could work until 7 pm on Thursday, though he really didn't want to. He also suggested I take an extra 1/2 day vacation by coming it at 7 p.m. one day (I would guess Sunday to lengthen my vacation?). I decided it would be better to get off early on Wednesday to get to bed earlier and get up earlier on Thursday to start my vacation day.

I called L. and she couldn't do Thursday night from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. because of her other job, but she could do it on Wednesday, so I wrote her down. Brad said to throw S. a bone so I asked her to do the last half of Thursday night from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. I sent the required e-mail to all parties and Brad said to be sure to totally follow through and call everybody the night before to remind them.

So that's where it stands now, and now I wait and work and watch. And try to deal with the edginess this thyroid med gives me. The side effects are worse than the disease at this point!

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Thursday, September 18, 2008

Book review - Unification Church

I recently read Unification Church by J. Isamu Yamaoto. It is a short book (85 pages), but is well organized and uses an outline form to pack as much information as possible into a small space. This book is just one in a series put out by Zondervan on cults and religious movements.

It starts off with an introduction - historical background on the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, how he started the church, and statistics on the church.

Part 2 is the main part of the book - theology. The book talks about various aspects of Unification theology and how it differs from historical Christianity, using the Bible to refute Moon's teachings. It covers divine revelation, sin, salvation, Christ & the Trinity, resurrection, and heaven & hell.

Part 3 is witnessing tips - how to approach a Unificationist, and what approaches to avoid. Very good suggestions here if you plan on witnessing to a church member.

Part 4 is a bibliography - books for further study, both from the Unification perspective and the Christian perspective.

Part 5 is a sort of summary of part 2 - an at-a-glance chart with Unification theology on one side and Bible verses refuting it on the other.

I recommend this book for anyone wanting to know more about the Rev. Moon and his church.

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Week 78, Day 5

Calories eaten yesterday: 1387
Fat: 34g (22%)
Carbs: 98g (28%)
Protein: 175g (50%)
Weight this morning: 131.2 (One week ago: 129.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 236

Just a lot of walking today - to the bank, to the laundromat and back, to the bus, from the bus. :)

I cashed in some vacation and comp time money so I have about $150 to get me through the next week. I need to buy supplements and groceries tomorrow. Brad also gave me some money and I am trying to spend that wisely to make it go as far as possible, but I do have so much stuff I need.

I need the selenium for my T4 to T3 thyroid conversion, magnesium for my headaches (I've been taking this a while and it really does work), and Vitamin D because I'm a bit low in that. We'll check Cosco first, but I'll probably have to get the magnesium and possibly the selenium at GNC.

So tomorrow's plan - see the doctor in the A.M., then run errands, such as getting the supplements and groceries. Then I see the chiropractor at 2 p.m., and then finish any errands and Brad and I can go walking.

Today I found out for sure (though I sensed it before) that my boss, J., is mad at me. I don't know why. I try to do my job. It all goes back to S. flaking on me and I got all the blame. That's the only reason I can think that he's mad because really, I'm trying the best that I can.

Maybe he's mad that I want another vacation day and refuse to ask S. to be my fill-in? Hello? She flaked on me and doesn't deserve to be rewarded by being given another shift (that she could flake on). If anything, she owes me. I don't owe her anything. I certainly don't owe her what she's already been shown to flake on.

So a lot of stress at work right now. Having the boss angry at you is never a good thing, especially when there's no good reason for it. He's out to get me and I don't know why. :(

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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Week 78, Day 4

Calories eaten yesterday: 1169
Fat: 28g (21%)
Carbs: 79g (26%)
Protein: 152g (51%)
Weight this morning: 131.4 (One week ago: 129.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 405

Went to the gym today. I did an hour of weight training, some upper body and some lower since I didn't get a lower body day this week. Then I ran on the treadmill for 30 minutes but I was tired and couldn't maintain anything above 5.5 mph. Total of 2.77 miles. I walked to work from BART for extra exercise.

Tomorrow is laundry. Friday I have another follow-up appointment with my doc. I am hoping he will run the thyroid and ferritin tests again. Then I have to get some shopping done, and then a chiropractic appointment in the afternoon. Then I guess Brad and I will walk.

I'm hoping to get to GNC and get more magnesium/potassium, Vitamin D, and selenium. I suspect I may be low in selenium and it can help convert T4 hormone into T3. My T4 levels were low but in range, but my T3 was in the basement, so I may have trouble converting. I am currently just on T4 hormone therapy.

Saturday Brad and I are supposed to pick up Abraham and Regina and take them to church with us. Abe needs to meet with Pastor Brent about tutoring, but it will mean an early morning and a long day with Abe and Regina with us.

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Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Personal Training, Session 1

Calories eaten yesterday: 1410
Fat: 31g (19%)
Carbs: 110g (31%)
Protein: 175g (49%)
Weight this morning: 133.8 (One week ago: 132.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 125

I slept until about 11:30 today. I walked down toward the BART station, but when I was almost there I realized I'd left my coffee mug at a convenience store near my house. Argh! So I walked back to the store and got my mug, then took the bus to BART, caught BART, and took the bus to work. I had been hoping to walk to BART and take the 50 bus to work to save the BART fare. But leaving my coffee mug ate up all my extra time. I am so out of it.

The personal training session yesterday went well. We worked on delts by bending over and lifting a dumbbell straight out (EVIL EVIL!), lateral raises, ab crunches, and a cable machine move that was supposed to work my abs but I only felt it in my lower back. We also did the barbell press (not I know how to hold a barbell so it doesn't wobble!), and a shoulder exercise where I bent over, knees slightly bent, and lifted the barbell from my knees to my hips (EVIL EVIL!). I asked him how much the barbell weighed for those exercises and he said 45. Wow. I'm impressed with myself.

He had me doing three sets of 10 on most exercises. I asked why he wasn't using the 3-4 sets at 6-8 reps that he laid out for my at our first meeting and he said it was to gauge my strength.

We meet again next Monday.

---

I got an e-mail recently linking to the article 25 Diet Tricks to Convince Your Body It’s Not Hungry. I don't usually link to articles I get by e-mail - most are self-promoting and often have nothing to do with the topics I cover here. But I liked this article since I already do many of the things it talks about. So check it out. It might give you some ideas on how to manage your own hunger pangs. :) The one thing I disagree with is "celery" under #5 - even celery has calories and the link given says that the only truly negative calorie "food" is cardboard. Celery is very low in calories, but it does not meet the definition of a "negative calorie" food.

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Monday, September 15, 2008

Work Woes

Calories eaten yesterday: 1156
Fat: 31g (24%)
Carbs: 70g (23%)
Protein: 158g (53%)
Weight this morning: 134.6 (One week ago: 136.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 227

I had a personal training session today, but I will have to cover that later. I'm too upset. In case anybody wonders what I'm doing getting personal training when I'm broke, it's simple. I used my deposit refund from my last apartment to get a pre-paid gym membership so I won't have to pay dues for the next three years. Overall it will save me a ton of money. Anyway, the personal training came as part of the package. It wasn't something extra that I bought.

More shenanigans at work. First, as I blogged about before, they screwed me out of four hours of sick time because I happened to get sick right on my anniversary date. That's about $50 gone right there. If you don't use sick time, it evaporates, never to be seen again - money they get to keep. There is no compassion. I don't blame the people directly above me. I blame the people who make the rules and enforce them ruthlessly - those who truly don't care.

Then today I found out I can't take the four hours from my new supply of sick time after the anniversary date because I accidentally signed off on the time sheet I needed to write it on and you can't go back. In other words, I'm human and because I am not perfect they are screwing me out of another $50. Then someone actually has the gall to say, "You live on the edge (money-wise), don't you?" Um...when I keep getting screwed out of the money I need to pay the bills?...Um, duh!

God expects better from them, but He doesn't seem to care that I'm having to cash in my vacation time just to buy groceries because they can't do the right thing. And He just lets them get away with it. Every penny they screw me out of they use to "spread the Gospel." But whatever happened to "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10)? Does that not apply to them? :(

So first I can't even get one day off for a mini-vacation out of an entire year, and when they called me in and I became sick they found a loophole so they don't have to pay me for being sick. The moral - they don't want to give me paid time off for anything - no vacation, no sick time. The result is a stressed out employee who doesn't get any time to destress, relax, or otherwise do anything to remain sane. They keep hitting me so hard and so often that I'm needing more medication just to function.

But they don't care about that either.

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Sunday, September 14, 2008

Week 77 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Week 47: 133.6 (-6) - Week 48: 132.4 (-1.2)
Week 49: 138.6 (+6.2) - Week 50: 138.4 (-0.2)
Week 51: 138.8 (+0.4) - Week 52: 139.4 (+0.6)
Week 53: 137.8 (-1.6) - Week 54: 139.4 (+1.6)
Week 55: 137.6 (-1.8) - Week 56: 136.4 (-1.2)
Week 57: 136.6 (+0.2) - Week 58: 139.4 (+2.8)
Week 59: 136.6 (-2.8) - Week 60: 134.6 (-2)
Week 61: 137 (+2.4) - Week 62: 138.6 (+1.6)
Week 63: 137 (-1.6) - Week 64: 137 (-0)
Week 65: 141.8 (+4.8) - Week 66: 135.4 (-6.4)
Week 67: 136 (+0.6) - Week 68: 139.2 (+3.2)
Week 69: 137.2 (-2) - Week 70: 138.2 (+1)
Week 71: 136.4 (-1.8) - Week 72: 140 (+3.6)
Week 73: 139.4 (-0.6) - Week 74: 140 (+0.6)
Week 75: 137.6 (-2.4) - Week 76: 141.6 (+4)
Week 77: 136.4 (-5.2)
Total loss: -17.6

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Thursday: 1310
Fat: 19g (13%)
Carbs: 89g (27%)
Protein: 139g (42%)
Weight this morning: 129.8 (One week ago: 130.4)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 217

Calories eaten Friday: 1356
Fat: 20g (13%)
Carbs: 70g (20%)
Protein: 149g (44%)
Weight Friday morning: 128.4 (One week ago: 129.2)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 85

Weight Saturday morning: 129.8 (One week ago: 134.2)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 729

Calories burned in exercise today: 70

Brad and I didn't get much walking in on Friday (only about 35 minutes) because we had so much shopping to do. It was payday and I needed to get stuff while I could - Farmer Joe's for Kombucha for Saturday, Trader Joe's for wine, Safeway for groceries, and Costco for Crystal Geyser water and my medications. We couldn't get the meds at Costco that day, but they said they would be ready Saturday. We couldn't go Saturday so Brad will pick them up for me on Monday. We went to bed early because we had to be up at 7 a.m. on Saturday.

Saturday we had early church due to Pastor's Steve's daughter getting married in Sacramento. Brad and I were up at 7 and out the door by 7:30 or so. We stopped at one Starbucks. They said they never carried the breakfast sandwiches and that they were discontinued. We went to another Starbucks and bought every single low-fat turkey bacon sandwich they had - 13 total. An unexpected expense and big shock to my checkbook, but I had to do it if they will not be carried anymore. Brad and I got lattes and I got a hot sandwich to go and we headed to church.

We got there before anyone else, but Pastor Brent soon arrived. I got him to let me into the cabinet where the snacks are kept and took a bunch of stuff for Brad and I's hike. We had church from 9 a.m. to a little before 10 and then Brad and I headed for Lake Chabot.

We hiked the 12.5 mile bicycle loop around the lake, and also did a little side loop to make the hike a bit longer - probably close to 14 miles total. We stopped for lunch at the stone bridge, the furthest point from the start and about halfway. I carried the backpack to that point and Brad carried it from there to the end. We took a bunch of photos that I haven't even downloaded off my camera yet.

After we finished I was craving a Mochatini so we went to Applebee's and I had a Mochatini, a lite beer, and a Caramel Appletini. Also a chocolate mousse dessert shooter. I wanted ice cream so then we went to Lourd's and got a junior hot fudge sundae with rocky road ice cream of course.

Brad really wanted to go to New Zealander so then we hit there. He got me a cheese plate, a glass of wine, and a glass of sparkling wine, and he got the Ba-Ba Burger with potatoes. I was hungry finally so then we went next door to McDonald's and got a cheeseburger Happy Meal for me with a small chocolate shake. I don't know why I was craving chocolate so bad yesterday. Went we got home Brad cooked me up a cheeseburger from the low-fat beef we have. I had a little wine (very little) and a lite beer.

I cooked the chicken that I meant to do Friday but didn't have time because we had to get to bed so early. I still have to portion the breast out into baggies, but the hard part is done. :)

We slept in very late this morning because we were both totally wiped out. We only got in a short walk and of course there was no way I was going to make it to the gym.

Off topic, I think it might be time for the depression med dose change. Some of my depression symptoms are coming back. It could just be stress, but it might not be too. I see the doctor this coming Friday and will talk to him about upping my dose from 40mg of Celexa to 60mg. 60mg is the highest safe dose.

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Thursday, September 11, 2008

Patriot Day


Calories eaten yesterday: 1369
Fat: 32g (20%)
Carbs: 109g (31%)
Protein: 170g (49%)
Weight this morning: 129.8 (One week ago: 130.4)
Calories burned in exercise today: 217

circle heart 9/11Well, it's 9/11 - Patriot Day. I came into work via Alameda and the airport. The flags at the airport were flying at half staff. I wish I'd had my camera with me and wasn't on a moving bus!

Last night I took 1mg of the melatonin before bed. It seemed to make me sleepier, but I still had trouble sleeping, and when I woke up around 7:30 I had difficulty getting back to sleep. I only got 7 hours of sleep instead of my usual 7 1/2. *sigh*

Lots of walking for exercise today. Down to the laundromat and back, then up to the bank, then all the way down to BART. I caught the bus instead of BART to save the $1.50 fare.


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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Melatonin, and possible (?) adrenal issues

Calories eaten yesterday: 1103
Fat: 26g (20%)
Carbs: 78g (28%)
Protein: 147g (52%)
Weight this morning: 129.6 (One week ago: 131.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 203

Had my first personal training session today. He said this would not count toward my four. It was just a short appointment where we talked about my medical issues, goals, and diet. We meet again next Monday at noon.

After this I managed to squeeze in 55 minutes of upper body weight training. No time for cardio, but I did walk to work from BART.

I read about melatonin to help with sleep on About.com's Thyroid Disease forum. It's supposed to help a person sleep better and I have a lot of trouble falling asleep. It may also help convert T4 hormone into T3.

After five weeks on T4 and not feeling any better I want to ask my doctor for adrenal testing at my next appointment. I did some online research today so I know what to ask for. Since 95% of thyroid patients have Hashimoto's and I fall into the 5% that doesn't, I would like to rule this out or in. My thyroid could be wacky simply from long-term dieting and too much soy, but I want to make sure there's no adrenal problem.

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Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Week 77, Day 3

Calories eaten yesterday: 1333
Fat: 31g (21%)
Carbs: 99g (30%)
Protein: 166g (49%)
Weight this morning: 132.6 (One week ago: 132.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 172

Nothing much today. Walked to the BART station from my apartment, took BART into the City and got my mail, took BART back, and walked to work from the station. I was starving and did give in to a 50 calorie beef jerky pack, but it didn't totally kill my calories for the day.

In the mail today was the latest issue of Muscle & Fitness Hers, as well as the check from the property Dad gave me, and my dues refund from 24 Hour Fitness. So I deposited that, bought Chaser pills at GNC, paid off my Direct TV bill, and still have some money left for groceries. :)

So about an hour of walking for exercise today. Tomorrow I hope to go back to the gym and do upper body work again, then Thursday is laundry, Friday is walking with Brad, and Saturday is early church at 9 a.m. (due to pastor's daughter getting married), and then Brad and I hope to walk the 12.5 mile bicycle loop around Lake Chabot. I hope to swipe some granola bars from church for energy, and we'll pack sandwiches.

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Monday, September 08, 2008

My response to more anti-low-carb nonsense

Calories eaten yesterday: 1241
Fat: 32g (23%)
Carbs: 83g (26%)
Protein: 161g (51%)
Weight this morning: 136.8 (One week ago: 135)
Calories burned in exercise today: 332

As you can see from my weight I have been off plan so much lately that I am steadily gaining. Thankfully there shouldn't be any more "special" days for a while now so I can work on getting this excess weight off.

I did one hour of lower body weight training followed by 30 minutes on the crossramp elliptical. I walked to work from the train station for a little extra exercise.

Ok, today's post is going to be a rant about carbs and the anti-low-carb nonsense out there.

The following is from a discussion on Flickr, where PhillyFoto (a frequent commenter on my photos) said that my YouTube diet videos are "misinformed" and that we need carbs for energy (he probably commenting on this video).

The following is my reply to him, taken verbatim from the discussion below the photo. I have only fixed some spelling errors. If it seems disjointed, you might want to read his comments first.

First, the frozen yogurt above (this photo) is low-carb - i.e. NO SUGAR. That's why I get the toffee nut instead of the chocolate because only the toffee nut has no sugar.

Second, I binge on high carb foods because humans are hardwired to crave sweets. Back in hunter/gatherer days that sugar was few are far between. Today it is everywhere around us and we as a nation are addicted. Wheat actually is PHYSICALLY addictive and when I started Atkins I went through physical withdrawals like any drug addict (just milder).

Carbs are the one macronutrient that is not necessary. I would not recommend a zero carb diet (because veggies are good for us with vitamins and fiber), but I know of people who eat no carbs whatsoever and they are alive and well.

We NEED fat and protein. Do a zero fat or zero protein diet and you will diet. Eat too little of those things and you'll die. Eat zero carbs or very few and you will not die. The traditional Inuit diet was 97% animal based with a few berries only in summer. They thrived on this diet until modernization came in with all the fast foods restaurants and such.

There are essential fats and essential proteins (amino acids), but there is no such thing as an essential carbohydrate. I dare anyone to produce just one essential carb that we need to stay alive.

I don't starve my body of carbs. I currently eat about 100 net grams a day, mostly from vegetables, salads, and dairy (I eat a ton of cottage cheese). But I will NEVER go back to how I used to eat.

The more carbs I eat, the more I crave them. When I cut back, I actually have reduced cravings. Binges have more to do with psychological addiction (I like the taste) rather than a physical addiction (which I have broken).

Run down and sickly on just fat and protein? Actually, after the initial body shock, I felt great. I ate a few carbs in the form of veggies and salads - maybe 30g a day total. Those menus are still online. During that time I regularly went to the gym and carried on with my normal life. I felt fine, and my blood tests showed I was perfectly healthy. I have those numbers posted online somewhere, too. No clogged arteries and my cholesterol and triglyceride numbers were great. And um...no diet recommends trans fat. Atkins bans that fat entirely and teaches you how to spot it hidden in products.

The only time I purposefully fuel up on carbs for energy is the day before the annual 12k race. As you said, carbs give energy. Actually, they give EASY energy. The body can burn fat and protein for energy, too, it just takes more calories to make that conversion.

I have read and studied this issue at length and read five low-carb diet books, plus a few more general diet books. I have picked up quite a bit of information on nutrition and know what is essential and what is not. So, no, I'm not misinformed. I just look beyond what the media and dietitians tell us. The government recommendations are what they go by and the government is lobbied heavily by the grain industry. I like to look deeper and learn about how macronutrients are processed by the body. For example, the liver can balance blood sugar much better than the pancreas. It's the difference between a gentle tap vs. banging away with a sledgehammer.

By the way, I eat 6 snacks a day. I'm hypoglycemic and at risk for diabetes if I don't watch my carbs (predisposition and family history). If it weren't for Atkins I would very likely be diabetic by now. That diet literally saved my life.


Let's get one thing straight, dear readers, we do not need carbs for energy. The body is perfectly capable of running on protein and fat. We are designed to eat a diet high in fat and protein with only some carbs.

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Sunday, September 07, 2008

Week 76 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Week 47: 133.6 (-6) - Week 48: 132.4 (-1.2)
Week 49: 138.6 (+6.2) - Week 50: 138.4 (-0.2)
Week 51: 138.8 (+0.4) - Week 52: 139.4 (+0.6)
Week 53: 137.8 (-1.6) - Week 54: 139.4 (+1.6)
Week 55: 137.6 (-1.8) - Week 56: 136.4 (-1.2)
Week 57: 136.6 (+0.2) - Week 58: 139.4 (+2.8)
Week 59: 136.6 (-2.8) - Week 60: 134.6 (-2)
Week 61: 137 (+2.4) - Week 62: 138.6 (+1.6)
Week 63: 137 (-1.6) - Week 64: 137 (-0)
Week 65: 141.8 (+4.8) - Week 66: 135.4 (-6.4)
Week 67: 136 (+0.6) - Week 68: 139.2 (+3.2)
Week 69: 137.2 (-2) - Week 70: 138.2 (+1)
Week 71: 136.4 (-1.8) - Week 72: 140 (+3.6)
Week 73: 139.4 (-0.6) - Week 74: 140 (+0.6)
Week 75: 137.6 (-2.4) - Week 76: 141.6 (+4)
Total loss: -12.4

Body fat on Tanita scale:
Year start: 26.6%
Last month: 24.9%
This month: 23%

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Thursday: 1262
Fat: 19g (13%)
Carbs: 93g (29%)
Protein: 148g (46%)
Weight this morning: 130.4 (One week ago: 129)
Calories burned in exercise: 208

I gave blood Friday so I was off plan.
Weight Friday morning: 129.2 (One week ago: n/a)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 352

Weight Saturday morning: 134.2 (One week ago: 136.2)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 141

Calories burned in exercise today: 419

So I'm up 4 lbs. from last week. Doesn't surprise me. I gave blood on Friday so I binged on all the cookies and crackers they have for snacking afterwards so I was off plan for two days in a row. Body fat is down. It bounces around a lot - up to 2 percentage points a month, up or down, but 23% is the lowest reading this year so that is good. Hopefully the trend will continue down overall, even if it bounces up since the scale is not the most accurate method.

Mom called me Thursday night. She and Bill are in town for their yearly visit and wants to meet me for lunch on Saturday after church. Brad can tag along if he pays for his own meal of course. She and Bill wanted to go to Quinn's Lighthouse, but I suggested The New Zealander since it's another good restaurant and they have never been there. I wanted to introduce them to it.

Friday I gave blood and binged on bad carbs - tons of cookies, crackers, and bars. I hate being off plan for two days whenever I give. I asked them about Saturday hours and that might work. They said they are open from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday so I could go before church, or we could leave right after Sabbath School. This would leave me off plan for just my one usual day and be much better overall for my diet. Plus, I think giving blood on Sabbath would be in keeping with the day since Jesus said that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:12).

However, my next available date for giving is Halloween, which is a Friday, and I think it would be very apropos to give blood on Halloween. :)

After giving blood Brad and I hiked the East Ridge Trail for about 2 hours and 20 minutes. I usually feel drained after giving blood, but this time I felt awesome and had plenty of energy. I hope it is the thyroid and/or iron pills kicking in and not some temporary thing.

One other point. When they tested my iron it came up 12.5 on their machine. The guy said that I was right on the border and I asked what the border was. He said 12.5. Boy, was I close! I have been taking my iron pills every day, sometimes doubling up. I think I need to double up and take two every day because I have got to get my iron levels up.

me with my MomSaturday Eleanor called me at church and said she was leaving for New Zealander. This surprised me because nobody said anything about her coming. I thought it was just supposed to be Mom and Bill, and Brad and I. It put me in a bad mood, but Eleanor hasn't seen me in a long time. You can't tell an older lady no or that you don't want to have lunch with her that day, so I had to acquiesce.

I did well with my meal (bunless lamb burger with a side salad instead of fries), but I caved in for dessert and ordered the chocolate torte. It was a huge cake layered with chocolate mousse and it was divine! It was also totally illegal for me. I have been slipping more and more lately and have got to get a grip! Someone slap me back to reality please!

The restaurant was hot (they did not care for it or the food), but my apartment was hotter so we hung out at the restaurant for a long time, eventually moving out to the cooler patio area. We finally went to my apartment. They haven't seen the new one so I had to show it to them. They were totally unimpressed since it is so small. Eleanor even asked me if I liked the place! They all live in big places and don't understand that a poor single woman with two cats can do quite well in a tiny place.

After that Brad and I showed them the way to the freeway (they followed us), and then we went for a walk around the lake.

This morning Brad drove me to the gym and then walked around the area. I did a full workout (1 hour upper body weight training and 30 minutes running on the treadmill, 2.92 miles). I met Brad back at the car and we drove toward work.

I wanted to walk in to work from the Damon Slough Staging Area and Brad said he would walk a short while with me. I realized that if we just did about 15 or so minutes out and then back, we could do the whole walk together and still get me to work on time. We did about 20 minutes out and 20 back to the car, and then he took me to work. :)

So a very eventful weekend. Next weekend the pastor's daughter is getting married so most people are just going straight to Sacramento for the wedding. Brent said he would do church (with no Sabbath School) an hour and half early for anyone who wanted to come. A few of us will be there. Since church is early and I do not care to go to the wedding, Brad and I are hoping to do the Lake Chabot bike loop that day (about 12.5 miles). We'll need to get to bed early Friday night to be at church by 9 a.m. and have enough energy for our hike.

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Thursday, September 04, 2008

Week 76, Day 5

Calories eaten yesterday: 1300
Fat: 30g (21%)
Carbs: 94g (29%)
Protein: 165g (51%)
Weight this morning: 130.4 (One week ago: 129)
Calories burned in exercise today: 208

Nothing much today in terms of exercise. I walked to the laundromat and back, then from my house down to the main street near BART to catch the bus. I got off the bus just outside the airport and walked the rest of the way to work. 1 hour 15 minutes total. :)

I'm supposed to give blood tomorrow. We will see if they will accept me with this thyroid condition. In case something happens I am sticking to plan until I actually donate. If I do donate I will allow myself the cookies and such on the snack area.

See you all on Sunday with my weigh-in. Even if I end up not giving blood and sticking to my diet tomorrow I will still show a gain this week because 1) my off plan days last week really messed me up and packed on the weight, and 2) I was dehydrated last Sunday morning.

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Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Week 76, Day 4

Calories eaten yesterday: 1180
Fat: 25g (19%)
Carbs: 93g (31%)
Protein: 151g (50%)
Weight this morning: 131.6 (One week ago: 129.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 326

I think I might have found a gym routine that works. I can still get up at 9:30; I just have to be out of the house about 10:15 and catch the 10:35 bus. Take my coffee and breakfast with me instead of drinking my coffee at home. I did that today and got a full workout in without losing any sleep.

So I did this today and got in a full workout (lower body plus cardio), and then walked to work from the train station.

I'm trying to get away from the energy drinks. The last two workouts I've done without my Diet Rock Star. Maybe my thyroid meds and iron pills will eventually kick in and help me feel more energetic.

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Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Prepaid three years at my gym! :)

Calories eaten yesterday: 1223
Fat: 22g (17%)
Carbs: 112g (38%)
Protein: 132g (45%)
Weight this morning: 132.6 (One week ago: 131.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 170

Only a short workout today because the bus didn't come and I had to wait for the next one. I got in 35 minutes of weight training and the 30 minute walk to work.

I got a good deal on my prepaid membership at the gym. The breakdown was funky, but in the end I got a three year prepaid membership with four 50 minute personal training sessions for $650. After the 3 years are up I can sign up at the rate of $99 a year ($8.25 per month). So I'm pretty happy with this. I used my security deposit from my old apartment and still had money left for Alli pills at WalMart and gave Brad some money to buy me cat litter at Costco.

Breakdown of fees:
Initiation fee: $210.11
Prepaid dues: $239.88 (for 12 months with 24 "bonus" months)
Personal training: $200
Total: $649.99

All three come as a package so you can't pick and choose what you want or don't want. Still, $650 for three years works out to about $18.06 per month. I was paying $31.99 a month so this is a great deal. And the prepaid is an all-club membership. At $31.99 a month I had only a one club membership; before that I paid $41.99 a month for an all club membership.

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Monday, September 01, 2008

Health club membership, and some thoughts on pets

Calories eaten yesterday: 1128
Fat: 22g (18%)
Carbs: 111g (40%)
Protein: 118g (42%)
Weight this morning: 135 (One week ago: 133.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 167

My weight was barely down today so I did gain a lot from my off plan days and I was seriously dehydrated yesterday morning. As you can see, I am way above where I was this time last week.

Got a call this morning from the guy at 24 Hour Fitness. My membership doesn't run out until the 10th, but he swears that if I prepay three years tomorrow that I can get a great deal. The deal sound good, but I'm trying to get ahold of him to ask about initiation fees, whether I have to pay for the personal training, processing fees, etc. In other words, how much more will I have to pay over the quoted price? Anyway, I have an appointment with him at 1:15 tomorrow and hopefully I can do some weight training before that.

I'm still wiped out. I was totally overcome with tiredness by 1:30 this morning and I'm usually still quite awake then. This was after about 10 hours of sleep the night before and only light exercise. I was even so far out of it that I missed my bus stop and had to walk back. :-p

Boss "J" isn't here today because it's a holiday, but I will have to deal with him tomorrow. :( I'm still too far out of it to care about eating very much. It's part 4 pm and I haven't even had breakfast. I'll eat some green beans soon.

A co-worker in my department "Y" made me really angry last night with his comments about cats. He mentioned he finally got his cat spayed (and when they did it they found she was pregnant again) and we talked about prices. I mentioned that Xena's pain meds cost $12. "Y" doesn't believe in pain meds because, in his words, "It's just a cat. It doesn't have a soul."

Excuuuuse me? First, the Bible doesn't say if animals have souls. Second, why should it even matter? It's a living, breathing creature. God set us as caretakers of the earth and all it's creatures. We should do our best to take care of the ones we adopt. Cats feel pain just like people. Cats need the see the doctor just like people. Cats need dental care just like people. Why should the fact that it is a "lesser" creature matter one whit?

I just don't get people like that, especially a Christian. I've seen the same with my pastor's family's pets. I don't feel they take nearly as good care of them as they should. As Christians we should care more than anybody else as we have to answer to a higher power.

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