Stumbling To Bethlehem

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Week 95, Day 4

Calories eaten yesterday: 1184
Fat: 28g (22%)
Carbs: 84g (29%)
Protein: 139g (49%)
Weight this morning: 131.2 (One week ago: 133.4)
Calories burned in exercise today: 348

I haven't posted any recent pictures of my cats, so here's a photo of Abby playing on the cat tree. Click the photo for a larger size. :)

Xena is taking the position of top cat in the house and chases Abby around. I hate it, but I have to let them work it out as long as there's no serious violence. Thankfully, that seems to have passed. Now there is an uneasy peace and occasional swatting, mostly on Xena's part.

As a reminder for anyone who's interested, all of Xena and Abby's photos can be found here.

Foodwise, I failed today. I've been super hungry so I got a cheeseburger next door (no mayo). Later I got a 6 inch turkey sub at Subway (no mayo or oil), plus two cookies. I also ate some candy from downstairs. I feel better, but grrr....I hate being so hungry all the time.

Went to the gym today and did one hour of weight training followed by 30 minutes on the treadmill going between 3.5 mph and 7.0 mph, one minute each. I found I can do 7 mph for one minute intervals, but I need to work up to it starting at a lower speed and going a bit faster with each running interval. Even at 7 mph I couldn't get my heart rate up to 167bpm (my target heart rate that I mentioned yesterday).

I walked to work from BART, though it started raining toward the end. I had to use the heater at work to dry my pants because umbrellas offer so little protection to your lower body. Rain never comes straight down.

Tomorrow is laundry and it looks like I will be working until 3 a.m. L's dad is in the hospital again so she is out tonight (that shift has been covered), and may be out tomorrow night as well. If she is, I'll be working until 3 a.m.

If I have to work until 3, Brad and I will scrap seeing Coraline this weekend (the Regal has it in 3D!) so that we can use Saturday night to do all the stuff we won't be able to do Friday.

I'm still trying to find a place to get Body Gem metabolism testing done. My gym does not do it anymore. I called the YMCA, but they don't do it either.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

HIIT me!

Calories eaten yesterday: 1210
Fat: 18g (14%)
Carbs: 108g (37%)
Protein: 146g (49%)
Weight this morning: 131.2 (One week ago: 135)
Calories burned in exercise today: 175

Slept in today and had a nice hot breakfast at home. I had scrambled eggs made with three egg whites and one whole egg, plus three strips of turkey bacon. Yummy and healthy.

I walked down to BART, but turned and crossed the bridge and made it partway through Alameda before having to take the bus to get to work on time.

I am so sore today from doing lower body work yesterday. Tomorrow I hope to hit the gym again and do upper body and do more treadmill intervals.

From the Googling I did it appears that my running intervals need to be faster than they have been, so I will try that. HIIT is supposed to be best for fat burning. From further research it looks like my target heart rate for a HIIT session is 167bpm.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

Monday, February 09, 2009

Week 95, Day 2

Calories eaten yesterday: 1137
Fat: 20g (16%)
Carbs: 90g (32%)
Protein: 145g (52%)
Weight this morning: 133 (One week ago: 138)
Calories burned in exercise today: 353

Went to the gym today to do my first lower body workout in a while. I did interval work on the treadmill alternating between walking at 3.7 mph and running at 5.7+, 1 minute each for 30 minutes. Felt good.

Tomorrow I can sleep in - no errands or anything to do. :) I'll walk to BART of course, and from my stop to work.

I ate the last of the cooked Cream of Wheat I had in the fridge today. I'm not going to cook more. The carbs are not helping my weight loss and the wheat just keeps me addicted to grains. Not sure what I will do for breakfast without it, though I have several ideas. The "on the go" breakfasts are the most challenging since I can cook any number of things when I am home. Of course I will continue to include my whey protein shake on gym days. I guess I can do turkey and cheese roll-ups or cottage cheese.

I have photos of my new bookcase up on Flickr. Before photo and after photo. Brad did a better job in less time then when I have had to put these things together myself. :)

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Week 94 Weigh-In

Friday I did some basic grocery shopping. Brad and I went for a short walk along the San Leandro shoreline and saw a double rainbow (photo at right - click for a larger size).

Saturday we left church as soon as Bible study was over. Brad said something about wanting to do his breaks but that didn't happen. We prepped food for dinner - Brad cooked ground beef for the pasta sauce. In the evening we hit Costco looking for a bookcase since I am out of book space. They were closing and I couldn't find anything but we shared a "chicken bake." It was actually better than I expected.

Then we went to WalMart and found a prefab bookcase for $29. I also got a few other items, such as the mini waste basket that matches my bathroom decor. (Yay for both!) I don't have any money right now so I put it on my Discover card.

When we got home we assembled the bookcase - mostly Brad did. He did a much better job than I have on these projects, and in less time. I helped a little and drank some wine and eventually started dinner. Brad had the Dreamfield's pasta with meat sauce and I had the shirataki noodles with meat sauce. A little later I craved McDonald's and asked Brad to drive me. We had to go to the one in Alameda since the one by my house wasn't open. I got a cheeseburger mini meal and the guy at the window was an idiot! I asked for Diet Coke and he gave me regular. I asked for one chocolate chip cookie and he gave me three! Brad ate one cookie but wouldn't have any more so I ended up eating two cookies instead of the one I wanted. Grrr....

This morning Brad drove me to the nice gym at High St. I did one hour of weight training and 30 minutes cardio. Afterwords I asked about a shirt on the clearance rack that I liked, but it didn't have a price. They couldn't find a price and the manager doesn't work Sundays of course. They said they couldn't sell it. Grrr....

Brad and I went for a short walk along the shoreline until it was time for work.

Lisa called to say her Dad was in the hospital and she was there with him and couldn't come in. I called around - Brad has his phone turned off, S. is out of town, and Y. has class in the morning. Finally P said he would cover the whole shift. So I don't have to work until 3 a.m. (the max 12 hours allowed), but I sure could have used the overtime.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, overweight, weight loss, obese, fitness, weigh-in

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Week 94, Day 5 (again)

Calories eaten yesterday: 1172
Fat: 21g (17%)
Carbs: 95g (33%)
Protein: 146g (51%)
Weight this morning: 131.2 (One week ago: 131.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 248

Did laundry today - walked down to the laundromat and back. Then I walked up to the bank to deposit my medication reimbursement check. It was pretty high this time because of the Repliva medication along with everything else. Then I walked down toward BART and stopped at Payless for two new pairs of running shoes. I took the bus into work, but got off just past the airport and walked the last 10 minutes in.

Tomorrow I have to buy some basic groceries and I really need to stop at WalMart to see if they have any sugar-free vanilla or caramel syrup. Last week my Safeway only had sugar-free hazelnut.

I'm not sure how Saturday is going to shape up. I think Brad still needs to do his brakes so we may leave early. We're going to do pasta Saturday night and I will use the Shirataki noodles instead of regular pasta. Brad can have the Dreamfield's. I asked him to bring a couple pounds of extra lean ground beef to add to the tomato sauce I have.

Shirataki can be a bit like chewing rubber bands (LOL!), but it's healthy, high in fiber, and low in calories (about 40 calories per bag). :) I avoid the soy shirataki noodles because soy is bad. The texture may be better, but it's not worth the health trade off.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

BodyBugg, and more on Snuggie and Repliva

Calories eaten yesterday: 1130
Fat: 23g (19%)
Carbs: 72g (26%)
Protein: 157g (56%)
Weight this morning: 133.4 (One week ago: 133)
Calories burned in exercise today: 348

I returned the BodyBugg to my gym today. I could tell the manager still thought I was doing something wrong. He says this is the first time anyone has returned the new BodyBugg out of about 13 sold so far. He wasn't sure how I would get my refund. Before he said a check, but he said people have complained about that so I may just get a credit to my account. I'm fine either way. At this point I just want it to be over. He said it would take about three weeks to process through.

By the way, returning the GoWear Fit was almost a pleasure. Except for having to pay for return shipping (which I am too sick of the whole thing to worry about), they did everything perfectly on their end. Rightfully they should pay for everything since the device was broken when I received it so it had to be sent back anyway. At any rate, I got an e-mail saying my subscription was cancelled and when I checked my Discover card balance I found the credit. So that's over with at least.

Re: the whole Snuggie thing, last night I faxed my bank the info. I had, including the backstory behind it. I also included all the BBB info. since it contained more addresses and phone numbers and listed the company as having an F rating. Snuggie promised me a refund and may or may not give it, but if my bank contacts them I have a much better chance of getting it.

The Repliva is coming along well. The drug info. sheet lists both constipation and diarrhea as possible side effects. I seem to have a mild case of the latter. I hope this medication works without hurting my other iron numbers; my ferritin is low, but everything else is fine.

Today I worked out - 1 hour of weight training and 30 minutes of interval training on the treadmill. I alternated walking at 3.5 mph and running at 5.5-5.9mph. I must get this belly fat off! I have also noticed my muscles suffering from the lack of workouts. My arms are not as shapely as they once were. I did a bunch of upper body stuff today including plenty of ab training for my poochy belly.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Shirataki, Snuggies, calories, & metabolism

Calories eaten yesterday: 1100
Fat: 22g (18%)
Carbs: 90g (33%)
Protein: 136g (49%)
Weight this morning: 135 (One week ago: 132.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 175

Today was mail day. I found a package slip in my P.O. box and discovered that the Shirataki noodles I had ordered were mailed to my P.O. box instead of my work address. I am very careful with my online orders because I do not like having to haul heavy package all the way to work. I got Brad to drop it off at my apartment at least.

I can't afford these noodles very often because they are very expensive, but I figured I'd splurge on these after all the overtime I worked.

The Snuggie order also came today. These are the two thin ones I wanted. I haven't opened the package yet, but had Brad drop that at my apartment too.

I skipped my Cream of Wheat this morning to get my carbs down (I really feel I need to do that), but I will have it tomorrow with my protein shake before hitting the gym. My session will be shorter because I'm hoping to return the BodyBugg and it is not a short process. I let the manager talk me out of this once; it won't happen again. It does not work for me so I want my money back.

There may be some more overtime in my future. Lisa wants some days off so I may work 3 pm-3 am. I hate that kind of shift, but I need the money really bad.

I need to get serious with cutting calories again. I found out that the lower limit of 1200 is "an average and there will be some people who can go lower."

This is good to know because I have been gaining weight and need to cut way back. I have put on fat and my belly is showing and it looks really bad. As my stats show, I have gained a couple of pounds in the last week alone. :(

I was also told to have a metabolic test done to find out how many calories I actually burn at rest. Unfortunately, my gym does not offer this test anymore. They say they aren't accurate, but I have found the test to give me results that made sense, so I think they are accurate. I wonder if I can get another gym to run the test on me without being a member. The test usually runs about $50 and would be worth it.

If anyone knows a way I could get this test done in the East Bay area of San Francisco please let me know.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

Monday, February 02, 2009

Horrible weekend and stress binging

Calories eaten Thursday: 1447
Fat: 21g (14%)
Carbs: 118g (34%)
Protein: 148g (42%)
Weight Thursday morning: 131.2 (One week ago: 132.8)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 292

Calories eaten Friday: 1495
Fat: 26g (16%)
Carbs: 99g (27%)
Protein: 123g (35%)
Weight Friday morning: 130.4 (One week ago: n/a)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 73

Weight Saturday morning: 131.4 (One week ago: 132.6)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 0

Calories eaten yesterday: 1105
Fat: 20g (17%)
Carbs: 114g (43%)
Protein: 103g (39%)
Weight this morning: 138 (One week ago: 135.4)
Calories burned in Sunday: 56
Calories burned in exercise today: 184

It was a long, horrible weekend. I didn't weigh-in yesterday and felt so horrible I decided not to post at all. This week will count as week 94 (again).

As most of you know, I try not to eat as I please on Saturday, but I allow myself some treats. To my shame, I got really depressed this past Saturday and ate every bad thing in sight. :( I sometimes stress eat and carb binge when things get really bad.

I didn't feel any less stressed out on Sunday and just tried to convince myself to NOT order pizza and run to the gas station for cupcakes. For the most part I try to keep my eating under control on Saturday and just allow myself more food and calories but still eat healthy. I don't care about mashed or baked potatoes, or rice, but I do love hash browns and french fries.

I felt horrible yesterday with an upset stomach. I slept until noon and had two slices of plain (low-carb) toast for breakfast. At work I continued sipping my black coffee (with a little sugar-free caramel syrup in it). I stopped at Safeway for some Diet 7-Up to help settle my tummy.

Brad and I had a big fight Saturday night (that left me in tears) and I ended up drinking too much and pigging out on cake and candy not once, but twice. First at Safeway and then later at 7-11. I bought ice cream, cake, and candy.

So I was hungover and didn't make it to the gym. I felt fat and bloated on top of it all, and feel the same way today. *sigh* I won't even talk about the hash browns and breakfast sandwich I had before church and the humongous cinnamon roll I had after.

I have a serious sugar problem. I've tried to address it, but fail. I am an addict. If it weren't for needing the Cream of Wheat and liquid iron I could get my carbs down much lower. And I always end up binging on Saturday either because I feel so deprived during the week or because I get stressed. Between the Cream of Wheat, liquid iron, and (especially) the binges I am out of control and gaining.

I'm fat again and must get this under control. I also realize my metabolism is extremely slow and I probably need less than 1200 to maintain even with exercise. I did a basal metabolism test where you plug in your weight and height and age and my number came out to just 1155. The Thyroid Diet book says this should be my calorie target.

Going by this level and the "rule" in the book about getting at least 25% of your daily calories from breakfast, my breakfasts should be just under 290 calories.

Tomorrow is mail and then I might make it to the gym once this week on Wednesday.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Payday (with 20 hours overtime)!

Calories eaten yesterday: 1189
Fat: 18g (14%)
Carbs: 89g (31%)
Protein: 159g (55%)
Weight this morning: 131.2 (One week ago: 132.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 292

I'm soooo hungry today. Bleh. Today was laundry day and payday so I was busy. I had 20 hours of overtime on this paycheck and rent does not have to come out of it so I am stocking up on stuff and paying bills, including my huge cost for the BodyBugg.

Speaking of which, the BodyBugg is still way overestimating what I burn so I think I will have to return it. I talked to the manager at the club and he persuaded me to give it another chance, but it still isn't working right. :(

Today I walked down to the laundromat and back. Then I walked up to the pet food store for cat food and back. Total cost of pet food and treats (including two discounts) - $89. Yike. But my cats are worth it. They need the healthiest food and I believe Innova Evo is that.

I walked down to BART and took that to my stop, then hopped the bus out to WalMart. I picked up my prescriptions and bought a set of three cooking pans. The ones I have are scratched up and no longer nonstick. I opted for a slightly pricier brand hoping they would be better quality than the WalMart brand. I'm planning on having scrambled eggs tomorrow morning and my current pans won't cut it.

I also bought two bottles of liquid iron from Lupe, the woman who administrates the health care at work, along with another box of multi-vitamins packets and more Vitamin D. My cost - $55.

I got the Snuggies box sent back today. I included a nastygram inside demanding a complete refund and that they pay for my shipping cost. I included a copy of my shipping receipt. On the phone yesterday I was told I could get a complete refund, but they would not cover the $16 shipping to mail the box back to them.

The Snuggies I did order have already been mailed and should arrive soon.

Tomorrow's plans - walk up to the grocery store for food. After Brad gets off we will drive to Costco and pick up my two prescriptions there, including the expensive Repliva. I also need to buy salad, Diet Rock Star, and check to see if they have cottage cheese. Their Web site says they do, but Brad hasn't seen it before. Friday night I need to portion the salad and pick out the red cabbage (cabbage is not good for thyroid patients).

Saturday is church and a little splurging on drinks and dinner out somewhere.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Week 94, Day 4

Calories eaten yesterday: 1206
Fat: 23g (18%)
Carbs: 102g (34%)
Protein: 142g (48%)
Weight this morning: 133 (One week ago: 132.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 348

I just can't cut back on my weight training. I love it too much and because I'm usually only making it to the gym twice a week anymore. So today was one hour of weight training and 30 minutes of interval work on the treadmill, alternating between walking and running. I finally figured out how to use the interval training setting! Gotta do more of that. :)

Tomorrow is laundry day and payday. Friday I will pick up my medications from WalMart and Costco including the expensive prescription Repliva iron pills. I'm also looking forward to getting the 25mcg pills of Levothyroxine and be able to take 112mcg every night instead of the 100/125mcg every-other-day thing I've been doing for the past week.

I don't think I mentioned that I didn't feel the doctor gave me enough refills on my Celexa since I have to take 1 1/2 pills a day. So what I've been doing the last week is alternating between 1 pill a day and 1 1/2 (40mg and 60mg) for an average of 50mg per day. I'll see how I do on this slightly lower dose. Eventually I'd like to get back down to 40mg, but we will see. I need to get my thyroid stuff straightened out first since the meds make me edgy. Eventually I hope to adjust.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Walk For Life West Coast 2009

Calories eaten yesterday: 1203
Fat: 23g (18%)
Carbs: 83g (29%)
Protein: 156g (54%)
Weight this morning: 132.8 (One week ago: 134.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 175

I will get to the Walk For Life today, but first, more about BodyBugg and the Snuggies scam.

Use the BodyBugg to track my calories for my walk to BART and then from BART to work. It said I burned about 350 calories. FitDay, on the other hand says the same exercise burns about 175 calories. Somehow I think FitDay is right. BodyBugg seems to be doubling the number I should be getting.

I called Snuggie today about sending my order back. They said they will NOT reimburse me the huge shipping cost and only give me a fraction of my money back. We will see how the dispute with the bank and the BBB that I filed turns out, if at all. But I am livid. The girl at Snuggie told me that they reason they could find my first order was because they had my first and last name reversed. I also noticed the shipping label on the box and my last name was not spelled right either even though I clearly spelled it out on the automatic answering device.

---
Ok, a little on the Walk For Life. The Walk For Life Web site says 30,000 people showed up. Other estimates ranged to below 10,000 for both rallies. Last year there were 25,000 walkers and 250 protesters. I couldn't find a number on how many protesters were there this year. The route was 2.5 miles and wound it's way down the Embarcadero past the piers including the famous Pier 39, eventually ending at Marina Green.

It wasn't nearly as cold this year. The threat of rain and overcast weather kept the temperature much warmer - a thermal underwear shirt and sweatshirt was all I needed. No need for a jacket like last year.

The video of some of the protesters are here. I have two videos of the rally and they are here and here. A link to all the Walk For Life videos on YouTube is here.

The Flickr photo set is here. Keep checking back because I have about 50 photos total and only have 19 up so far.

We arrived about 10:30 am and could here the counter-rally starting as we walked to our rally. I guess the protesters walk the same route we take to the corner that they set up on every year. Our rally started at 11 with several speakers and the walk started at 12. Like last year we saw scattered protesters along the way to the street corner where most of them were. Police (who were facing them) kept us separated. There seemed to be a lot fewer protesters this year. It seemed to take forever to arrive at the Marina Green.

When Brad and I finally arrived I needed to sit down and eat the snacks we'd packed (peanuts and granola bars). Brad needed to use the bathroom. It was a long line and in the end I decided to wait until we started walking back and stopped at McDonald's for a snack. I got a McChicken sandwich without mayo. Brad got a full meal and I shared his fries.

That was all we could afford with both of us being broke right now. We made it back to the BART station and went home.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, pro-life, pro-choice, abortion

Monday, January 26, 2009

BodyBugg, and the Snuggies SCAM!

Calories eaten yesterday: 1164
Fat: 22g (17%)
Carbs: 88g (31%)
Protein: 148g (52%)
Weight this morning: 135.4 (One week ago: 136.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 245

I don't know when I'll get to the Walk For Life stuff; the BodyBugg saga continues. I talked to the manager at 24 Hour Fitness today and he says I should wear it a bit more. It didn't misbehave when he looked at it and showed a rather modest calorie count (1300 for the last day worn). I think it is making up numbers because it most certainly did not show 1300 that last time I looked at it! Using the "trip" feature for my 30 minute walk to work it said I burned 200 calories! I don't think so. FitDay tells me 88 calories and I think that is much more accurate.

At any rate, I have to call tech support, get a return number from them, take that back to 24 Hour Fitness and jump through a bunch of hoops, then wait for a check. The return process is crazy.

I will give the BodyBugg a couple of days of wear and then (most likely) call tech support. I want it to work - I really do. It just doesn't seem to.

I called GoWear Fit but they assured me that all I had to do was send the device back and they will process it. I included the return slip in the package along with my reason for returning it and asking for a refund. They assured me that my credit card would be credited in time. So that is out of my hands.

I don't know if you have seen those commercials on TV for Snuggies. Well, they are a scam. A fraud. Plain and simple. The phone ordering was completely automated. I ordered two blue blankets. I wanted one extra thick and one regular, but they didn't give that option. There was no total quoted at the end.

After going through three phone numbers I finally got ahold of a live person. They say orders can take time to process so I ended up calling several times. Each time I was told that my order was not in the system. I eventually ended up ordering again figuring that my first order didn't go through for whatever reason.

Two days after I placed my new order, four Snuggies arrived in the mail, all super thick. I checked my bank account and I had been charged $99! WTH?!? I have not been able to contact the company since then. Hopefully tomorrow I can contact them. I filed a complaint with my bank saying these were unauthorized charges. I need to send these blankets back since they were not what I wanted.

The box contained no packing slip and there was no return address. The company is clearly making it as hard as possible to return merchandise. I found the company name through a Google search. I have already filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. When I checked out the company's rating it was an F!

At any rate, this company is running a SCAM! Do not fall for it!

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, BodyBugg, Snuggie, fraud, Snuggies, fitness

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Week 93 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) - Week 80: 139.2 (+1)
Week 81: 139.4 (+0.2) - Week 82: 137.6 (-1.8)
Week 83: 137.8 (+0.2) - Week 84: 137.2 (-0.6)
Week 85: 137.2 (-0) - Week 86: 136.2 (-1)
Week 87: 140.6 (+4.4) - Week 88: 138.8 (-1.8)
Week 89: 139.4 (+0.6) - Week 90: 142 (+2.6)
Week 91: 135.6 (-6.4) - Week 92: 140 (+4.4)
Week 93: 138.8 (-1.2)
Total loss: -15.2

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

The stress of the whole GoWear Fit/BodyBugg saga got to me and I ate off plan. :(
Weight Thursday morning: 132.8 (One week ago: 131.2)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 29

Calories eaten Friday: 1404
Fat: 20g (13%)
Carbs: 96g (29%)
Protein: 121g (36%)
Weight Friday morning: n/a (One week ago: 129.8)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 52

Weight Saturday morning: 132.6 (One week ago: n/a)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 254

Calories burned in exercise today: 217

I'm surprised I didn't gain with my little cheat last Thursday, so I guess breaking even is pretty much the best I could hope for.

The BodyBugg is not working well. It gives me an extreme overestimate of what I'm actually burning. I hoped it would pick up on my low metabolism and give me a number that would be closer to the truth. The number it gives me is so inflated that I know it is false.

I decided to return it to my gym. I tried to do that today but they won't take it back without the manager there and told me to come back later. :-p

I'll have to get to the Walk For Life stuff later. It was a very busy weekend so I'll talk about my doctor's appointment on Friday first, and the Walk For Life on Saturday another day. I'm working on getting the videos up. I have a ton of still photos that will take longer.

Ok, Friday's doctor appointment. I told the doctor I felt a little better. At first I thought it was the iron, but since it's still low it must be the thyroid meds. (Come to think of it, it could also be the Vitamin D.)

He agreed that the weird dosing before my last test made the blood tests worthless. I asked for an increase. I wanted to ask for 125mcg but wasn't sure the doc would go for it so I played it safe and asked for 112mcg. He agreed and gave me a 'script for 25mcg tablets that I will cut in half.

I gave the doctor more stuff about TSH that I have found on About.com's thyroid forum and he thanked me for it.

In the meantime I am alternating 100 and 125mcg every other day (by splitting some leftover 50mcg pills in half) to get a 112 average. I won't be able to pay for the 25mcg pills until the next payday.

I asked about my iron. I said I was doing everything I could with the Cream of Wheat and how the carbs in that are messing with me, I'm taking my iron pills, and starting liquid iron. I asked if there wasn't a way to get the levels up more quickly.

I showed him the Repliva ad I saw on this forum and he said he has prescribed it before and agreed to try it. The med costs $95 for 3 months so I have to wait until payday to get it. He wants to run a complete iron panel after two months on the medication.

I asked about getting my female hormones tested due to my periods stopping when I was only 35. He ordered the two I mentioned plus some.

My next blood test panel is going to be super expensive - TSH, Free T3, Free T4, ferritin, transferrin saturation, TIBC, estrogen, something that looks like "testosterone," and two other female hormone tests I can't recall. The girl who admins the health stuff at work is going to have a fit! And my 20% is going to be...YIKE.

So basically, a complete thyroid panel, complete iron panel, and complete female hormone panel. Eek.

I told him I didn't need the female hormone test that day and would just do all of them at the same time in April and get it all over with in one blood draw.

Toward the end of the appointment he palpated my neck but said he didn't feel anything.

So...whew. That's where it stands. My friend submitted all the new 'scripts to WalMart (thyroid and depression meds) and Costco (Xanax and Repliva). I'll get them next Friday after I'm paid.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, overweight, weight loss, obese, fitness, weigh-in

Thursday, January 22, 2009

GoWear Fit a dud, bought BodyBugg

Calories eaten yesterday: 1220
Fat: 19g (14%)
Carbs: 116g (39%)
Protein: 138g (46%)
Weight this morning: 132.8 (One week ago: 131.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 29

The GoWear Fit is a dud. I plugged it in last night. It's supposed to take 3 hours to charge; it took 4. I put it on and within 6 hours it gave me a low battery warning. (The battery is supposed to last 5-7 days!)

I called the company and they said to send it back and they would replace it. I told them I would rather have a refund. I mailed it back today without return authorization since customer service had already closed for the day. I don't work Fridays and didn't want to wait until Monday. I didn't have enough money for the postage so I borrowed some from Brad. It's being sent back the same way it got here - UPS ground. They should have it by Thursday.

I was supposed to do laundry today, but with the GoWear Fit not working and my gym having a special on the BodyBugg, I decided to get that. So I went to my gym instead of the laundromat. At first when I walked in I didn't see the display up and was worried they might not have the special anymore. But I asked at the front desk and they did so I bought it. :)

It comes out to about the same cost as the GoWear Fit. The armband is roughly $250, vs. $160 for the GoWear Fit (with a 12 month commitment). The BodyBugg comes with 6 months included. The watch/monitor is the same as the GoWear Fit - about $100. The special at the gym was that if you buy the BodyBugg armband you get the monitor for free. All together, with tax, it came to $270.79. The GoWear Fit was $282.64 with tax. SO not a huge difference.

The best I can tell the main difference is that the BodyBugg does not have reminders and does not measure sleep efficiency. I can also only log my weight once a week; GoWear Fit allows daily logging if so desired.

I will admit, the stress of today's drama got to me. I needed comfort food and craved a cheeseburger from the burger joint downstairs. I borrowed some money from someone else (Brad was already gone) and got it. But at least I asked for it with no mayo, put my own no calorie ketchup on it, and I didn't get fries or a shake, just the burger. That has to count for something.

So...I'll be back Sunday with a report of whether or not the BodyBugg works the way it's supposed to! Grrr.

Tomorrow I have an A.M. doctor's appointment and I will do my laundry after that. Saturday won't be any more restful due to the Walk For Life. I am looking forward to it and it is certainly good to do something like this on the Sabbath, but it is not restful. :-p I'll give a report of the walk Sunday or Monday.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

It's here!!!

Calories eaten yesterday: 1165
Fat: 18g (14%)
Carbs: 114g (41%)
Protein: 127g (45%)
Weight this morning: 132.6 (One week ago: 134.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 269

My GoWear Fit came today! The armband box doesn't say anything about Mac compatibility, only PCs. I tried to call the company, but customer service was closed for the day. I'll try it out tonight when I get home. I have the Mac software downloaded so hopefully that's all I need.

The armband needs to be plugged in to my home computer to even charge so there's nothing I can do until I get home tonight. It then take three hours to charge. The watch/monitor can't be calibrated until the armband stuff is done, so everything is put away for now. If everything works the way it should I could be wearing the armband and monitor it as early as tomorrow.

I'll give a full update tomorrow. :)

Mom gave me some birthday money that arrived yesterday. I asked Brad to go to Costco tomorrow and get me Alli, salad, cat litter, and if there is enough money, more Airborne.

The annual Walk For Life is this Saturday. I'm excited. Brad and I went last year for the first time and it was so much fun that we are going back this year. I just hope it doesn't rain! Rain is forecast right now. :( Here's the Flickr photos I took at last year's event. This year I hope to do more video.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Waiting with baited breath...

Calories eaten yesterday: 1205
Fat: 18g (14%)
Carbs: 115g (39%)
Protein: 139g (47%)
Weight this morning: 134.8 (One week ago: n/a)
Calories burned in exercise today: 175

My GoWear Fit finally made it to California! It's in San Pablo right now so I will have it within a day or two. :) I read through the online manuals yesterday. It seem that it can only be charged via the USB cord while plugged into the computer. So once I get it I won't be able to use it until I get it home and plug it in, then give it three hours to fully charge. I though it would be more like my iPod that can be charged via a regular wall plug.

I have gained weight over the past few months and I am hoping this device will help me to make better choices and help me to know how many calories I should eat per day.

I am soooo sore from my workout yesterday. After being away from the gym for so long my muscles aren't used to that kind of work. It hurts to walk and my thighs and butt ache. If I sit still for a while (like at my desk) I get stiff. Bleh. Tomorrow I hope to go back to the gym and do upper body.

The only exercise today was walking to BART, and then from my stop to work.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

Monday, January 19, 2009

Thyroid Awareness Month

Calories eaten yesterday: 1188
Fat: 19g (14%)
Carbs: 109g (38%)
Protein: 138g (48%)
Weight this morning: 136.8 (One week ago: n/a)
Calories burned in exercise today: 325

January is Thyroid Awareness Month. Take this opportunity to learn more about Thyroid Disease.

My belly is huge. That little binge on Saturday really did me in. I have gained real fat and it concentrated around my middle. I can't wait for my GoWear Fit to get here so I can see if that helps. I'm going in the wrong direction and gaining weight! :(

Today I went to the gym and did 45 minutes of mostly lower body work, then I just walked on the treadmill for 45 minutes because I was tired. I walked to work from the train station of course.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness, thyroid

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Week 92 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) - Week 80: 139.2 (+1)
Week 81: 139.4 (+0.2) - Week 82: 137.6 (-1.8)
Week 83: 137.8 (+0.2) - Week 84: 137.2 (-0.6)
Week 85: 137.2 (-0) - Week 86: 136.2 (-1)
Week 87: 140.6 (+4.4) - Week 88: 138.8 (-1.8)
Week 89: 139.4 (+0.6) - Week 90: 142 (+2.6)
Week 91: 135.6 (-6.4) - Week 92: 140 (+4.4)
Total loss: -14

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Thursday: 1271
Fat: 17g (12%)
Carbs: 113g (37%)
Protein: 121g (39%)
Weight Thursday morning: 131.2 (One week ago: 131.6)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 277

Calories eaten Friday: 1464
Fat: 20g (13%)
Carbs: 111g (32%)
Protein: 121g (34%)
Weight Friday morning: 129.8 (One week ago: 129.6)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 52

Weight Saturday morning: n/a (One week ago: n/a)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 149

Calories burned in exercise today: 412

140 even this morning. It was because I was a total piggie on Saturday so I deserve to gain 4.4 pounds. :(

I spent Friday cooking and cleaning, then shopping with Brad and more cooking. I now have a ton of chicken breast in my house that still needs to be portioned.

Saturday I ate horribly. The carb demon got me good. Breakfast consisted of eating out and having two petite vanilla scones, a chocolate croissant, a grande skinny latte and a chocolate banana Vivanno, a small hash browns at Burger King, and a glazed donut and two mini donuts at Krispy Kreme. Then at church I ate four granola bars at the break and then ate the potluck lunch! That wasn't everything, but I think I hit the highlights. :-p

After church we had our bi-annual business meeting and I was there with my laptop to take the minutes. Pastor Steve accidentally found out that the church website (bayareasdb.org) doesn't work. I confirmed on my computer today that that address does not work. I went to the actual address that bayareasdb is cloaked from and that URL does work. So now I am charged with getting to the bottom on why it's not working since Becky has been paying the bills.

After this 3 hour long meeting Brad and I went out to New Zealander for drinks, but first we went for a walk in the area since I needed some exercise. When we went back tot eh car for my camera we discovered my blue bag was missing. When we left Pastor Steve's house Brad thought I had it and I thought he had it. Grrrr. He paid for our drinks since he felt guilty over leaving the bag even though I said he didn't have to and certainly didn't ask him to. He felt so bad he hardly sipped his beer.

We stopped at 7-11 for some snacks (I wasn't hungry then but new I would be later), and I am ashamed to say I bought cupcakes and peanut M&Ms. Brad then dropped me off at my apartment because I had stuff to do and he drove back to Pastor Steve's, showing up later with my bag.

This morning he drove me to the gym (the downtown one) because he had to leave to talking to his ex-wife and son. The High St. gym is great and is also closer to my apartment, but there is no public transportation anywhere close. I left my gym bag at home so Brad went back to get it and I did some light walking on the treadmill while he was gone. Some gym felt faint and I watched the fire crew come and take him away in an ambulance.

I did 45 minutes of upper body work. I have really lost strength and stamina from all the overtime - I have only been to the gym one time in over two weeks! For cardio I did the stairmaster at levels 4-5 and then walked at 4.0 mph for 15 minutes.

And oh...after buying the GoWear Fit last week, I found a sale at my gym today on the newest Mac compatible BodyBugg - buy the Bugg and you get the watch monitor free. Grrr. That would have been cheaper. :-p

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, binging, birthday, fitness, weigh-in

Thursday, January 15, 2009

GoWear Fit (similar to Bodybugg)

Calories eaten yesterday: 1104
Fat: 19g (16%)
Carbs: 106g (39%)
Protein: 121g (45%)
Weight this morning: 131.2 (One week ago: 131.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 277

I bought the GoWear Fit "Lifestyle and Calorie Management System." It similar to the more well known BodyBugg. The selling point for me was that the GoWear Fit is Mac compatible; Bodybugg didn't used to be, but I just found out they finally made it Mac compatible. The GoWear Fit is cheaper anyway, and they offer free shipping through the end of this month.

Both systems are supposed to tell you how many calories you burn per day. I suspect my metabolism is very low due to the thyroid disease, but I can only guess at how low. Hopefully this will correct that.

I signed up for the 12 month plan - $259 upfront (for the armband, watch, and Website access), $7 a month after that, and one free month. Bodybugg is $350 upfront, but includes a 6 month subscription. Their cheapest monthly plan (12 month commitment) works out to $8.33 per month. With taxes and everything I paid $282.64 for the GoWear Fit including tax and everything.

I put it on my credit card, and paid off the current balance with my overtime. Hopefully I can pay off a good chunk of the new balance with the overtime in my next check.

I'll let you all know how I like it when it arrives!

Today's exercise was walking to the laundromat and back, then to BART, then from my stop to work, stopping at Pac N Save - an hour 36 minutes. Whew!

Tomorrow I need to get a few more groceries and cook the chicken I bought today. It's on sale this week so I'll buy more.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, bodybugg

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Week 92, Day 4

Calories eaten yesterday: 1151
Fat: 18g (15%)
Carbs: 115g (41%)
Protein: 124g (44%)
Weight this morning: 134.2 (One week ago: 130.4)
Calories burned in exercise today: 190

My birthday caused huge weight gain. :( And I never even had cake and the donuts and peanut M&Ms I wanted!

Slept in today and finally caught up on some much-needed sleep. Tomorrow is laundry, Friday is groceries and cat food and Saturday in our bi-annual church business meeting. I'm the clerk so I have to be there with my laptop.

I decided that with all the overtime I've been working to stop at WalMart and go purse shopping. I found a cute bright pink denim purse for $10 and bought that. I'll post a picture on Flickr in the near future.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness