Juicing Day 1

Today, March 23, is my first day of juicing.  I am going to do this one day at a time, and document everything I can.  I woke up and weighed in, and I lost another 1.9 lbs, in one day, just by doing juicing at night, salad and steamed veggies for lunch, and a fruit/veggie smoothie for breakfast (oh, and one mango at night too).  So that is a total of 12.6 lbs lost since March 1, and 3 inches total gone, since I measured on March 15, just by changing my eating habits.

I did promise my hubby that I wouldn't weigh in again until next Saturday, but I couldn't help but peek this morning.  So as of now, there is a sticky note on my scale that reminds me not to weigh in until my next weigh in date!  Dr. Fuhrman said the average on the Eat to Live program, is approx 20 lbs a month.  I can't imagine how much it will be, doing his juicing program.  I have GOT to remember not to get my hopes up.  My bestie keeps telling me it is only water weight.  Ugh I hope not.  I am not going to get down about this.  I am finally losing weight and I want to enjoy every single moment.

So as I said, I was traveling yesterday, all day long.  So I threw in the blender, a protien powder, water, ice, 2 handfulls of spinach, some blackberries and strawberries, and some flax meal.  It was about 16 to 18 ounces, and I drank on that while driving, until lunch time.  (I love that my omnivore daughter is having smoothies with me in the morning, even if she continues to eat her meat and carbs, I love that one meal a day will be a good heatlhy one!!!)  :)

It was hard to drive past all the signs for fast food and restaurants, billboards, and such.  But I just thought of my end goal... to be a healthier me.  When we stopped for lunch, we went into a STEAK house!  OMG there were deer, moose, and all sorts of dead animals hanging on the walls above our heads!!!  UGH!!!  I thought to myself, I will NEVER find something in here to eat.   So I found the salad part of the menu and even the basic salad had cheese and bacon bits, etc on it.  So I asked her if I could get a salad without all the mess on it, and then ordered a side of steamed veggies.  I got oil and vinegar dressing on the side.  So I lived on that and ice water, until I got home so I could eat properly.

I got home last night with all of my yummy produce, and had my friend talk me through my first juice "jug".  :)  I had a glass last night, and that is what I have been drinking today.  This won't be easy.  But seeing the weight come off for the first time in YEARS, I am absolutely determined!!!  I am still drinking my 16 oz from breakfast, so I will be having my second "snack" juice between dinner and bed, since I have already passed that timeframe.  When I travel I get super sleepy, so I did sleep in today, and didn't get started drinking my juice early enough.  Tomorrow will be back on schedule.  Below is a picture of inside my "jug".  What I am drinking today.  It doesn't look green, because I put in red cabbage, and that gave it a little more of a brownish color...  not pretty to look at, for sure.  So I drink it in a pretty coffee mug, so I don't have to look at it.   :)

Already I am looking at those plump strawberries and blackberries in the fridge and would love to take a bite.  But I can't.  Nope.  Not going to happen.

TMI, but have already had two bm's for the day.  And have been going pee non stop (I told you, TMI!!! lol but I am going to document everything, so...)  And it is just now noon!!!  Goodness, this one's gonna clean me out!  But I need it.  I NEED to reboot my system.

While laying in bed last night before dozing off, I did find a few of Joe's juicing recipes.  YUM!  I can't WAIT to try some of them!  :)  This will be fun.  I think today's is a little hard because this juice is WAY too lemony.  Bah.  I may make some other kind shortly so I can have a variety today, because I am having to really struggle to get down just 8 ounces.... It's not BAD... its just whoa pucker factor!  Won't make this mistake again.  I also will not be using as much fruit in future juices.  I do NOT want to get those stupid diabetes numbers back up!!!

Wow, well I tried to follow one of the recipes, and make my own version of a V8 for a snack.  Hmm... ended up adding 2 carrotts to mute it a bit.  It isn't even as red as the one in the example, on the recipe.  I think I am just addicted to the sodium-laden V8 out of a store bottle or can.  I mean it isn't bad... but it isn't the store bought kind for sure.  lol  Hmm, glad I didn't make a ton.  It will take time for me to understand just HOW to juice.  One day at a time.  :)

Woohooo!  I just purchased a new juicer.  The Omega J8005 Nutrition Center.  I am sooo excited.  It should be here on Thursday or Friday.  I am excited to have a juicer that removes all the pulp and leaves my pulp dry, not full of wasted juice.  Thanks so much to my friend Catherine... she is the best!!!

Well day one is complete.  I am not hungry.  But I don't feel "satisfied".  Does that make sense?  I did cave in ... ugh!  And ate eight blackberries, just because they were there and I wasn't going to juice them.  Oh well, I could have caved in and ate the delicious garlic bread that my hubby made earlier today.  MAN did that smell goooood!

I am looking up recipes for tomorrow right now.  I am going to try them in smaller portions, to see what I like and don't like.  I made Mean Green and it was WAY to celery tasting.  I love veggies... I guess this will just take some time.  I am super excited to see how the flavors change once I have a GOOD juicer. I bet it will make things taste better once I can get ALL of the liquid out of the items I am juicing.  :)

TTFN~

Sneakers, Juice and Me

OKAY.... Here we go again.  :)

So during the last part of February 2014, I decided that since I was on the healing end of my ankle, and my Armour was working like a dream, it was time to take that giant step in the right direction, with regards to my diet.  I was vegetarian when I was little, through my teens.  I went back to normal eating during my 16 year marriage to my first husband. Then near the end of our marriage, I went back to flextiarian.  I just hate red meat.  I still do.  But I won't go into that.  So for the past few years, I have maintained my flexitarian lifestyle.  Mostly veggies and fruits, but also very little meat.  Chicken was my primary source of protein, and a little fish as well.

Well when March 1 rolled around I went completely vegetarian.  I decided that was the best thing for me, and honestly I didn't mind it.  I started feeling better right away.  I was incorporating quinoa, beans, lentils, legumes, etc.  for my protein, instead of chicken and fish.  I could tell I was feeling better day by day, with more energy.

I watched my hubby and others follow the "Eat to Live" program.  Hubby lost 30 lbs in no time and has kept it off completely!!!  After a lot of research and talking, on March 13, I became Vegan.  I am going to follow the Eat to Live program by Dr. Mark Fuhrman, AS WELL as incorporate gluten free living.  Is it going to be easy?  Not at all.  I LOVE pasta, bread, fish, cookies, crackers, etc............... but am I determined?  Absolutely!!!  I want to be healthy!!!  So no more gluten, no more dairy, no more eggs, and no more meat!!!

I was talking with a friend and she recommended that I watch "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" on Netflix.  WHOA, the changes people made and how it made them feel was incredible!  What an inspiring show!  It was also by Dr. Fuhrman.  I was inspired to start juicing.  But I had to take a day or two to research it and talk some more to my friend about it.  In the meantime I watched the gurilla type show, called "Vegucated".  I almost lost my lunch on that one.  VERY hard to watch, especially for someone like me who is already against red meat and converting back to vegetarian.  It follows 4 meat eating people, who convert to vegan for a week.  What a story.  Oh my.  I have also watched Hungry 4 Change, which too talks about juicing.  I am ready for the change!!!  It is wonderful just how many great shows are on Netflix that will help you with whatever lifestyle you would like to have.

March 20, I decided that it was time to catch up with my runs.  I went out and did 7.10 miles.  Wow that was hard.  I need to not let time go in between runs, so long like that.  Going to do 8 miles on Sunday since I am traveling on Saturday.

Hmm lets step aside for the moment, and talk about running shoes.  I have been through quite the battle.  In 2013, I was running in Saucony Hurricane 15's for the whole year.  I loved them.  But my feet didn't.. not for long runs, as I mentioned my toes falling asleep during my 15K in November.  Fast forward to January 2014, I bought my first pair of Brooks, because they have a "wider toe box".  I did my 10K on the 11th of January with them and I thought I did well in them... but when I took them into my 2nd podiatrist, she said they just weren't wide enough, and to get a womens wide.  So I went back to the store and bought a pair of Brooks Adrenalines in Mens EE!!  The kid in the store said, why not go wider, so I did.  Well when I ran the 7.10 miles the other day in them, I ended up with a blister on the ball of my left foot.  I called the shoe store and they said oh no, those are TOO wide for you.  So you need to come in and we will put you in a womens wide.  So I did.  I will be running in Brooks GTS Adrenaline's Women's wide on Sunda for my 8 mile long run.  I hope that makes a difference.  :)

On March 22,  I had a green smoothie in the morning, a salad and steamed veggies for lunch (remember I was traveling) and then I had a juiced "green drink" in the evening (photo below), along with one mango because I found out I can't juice those.  Ick too much lemon in my juiced drink.  Note to self, never use a lemon the size of a softball in one jug of green drink lolol  It was fun shopping for all the greens I could find.  I spent 37 dollars and I have more than enough for several days of juicing.  I can't even begin to list everything that I have in my fridge now.  It feels like a garden in there.  Speaking of which, I am starting my garden soon, again this year, and will be planting more "juicing friendly" produce, than I have in past years.  I can't wait to have truly fresh organic greens in my own back yard!!!

I spent the night talking with my friend (who is starting juicing on Monday, so we can do it together!!!) and researching a little more.  I will be taking on full time juicing, starting in the morning.  and I will be taking in about 16 ounces of juice for 3 meals a day, and 8 ounces for my "two snacks" one between breakfast and lunch, and one between lunch and dinner.  I am expecting to get very hungry.  And I know day 3 will be rough, from what everyone is saying (as my body detoxes).  But I am going to try to go one full week and see how it feels.

OH and heres the best news:

From March 1 to March 10, just from going vegetarian (no other changes) I lost 1.5 lbs.
From March 10 to March 15, I lost 5.6 lbs, from going vegan AND gluten free!!!
From March 15 to March 22, I lost another 3.6 lbs, according to my morning weigh in!

That is 10.7 lbs since the beginning of March!!!

Can't wait until tomorrow's sneak weigh in, since that will be my first day with only a salad and a few steamed veggies and a mango... the rest smoothie and juicing.  :)

Determination

SO.  As it left off, I decided that I was going to run 4 half marathons, DESPITE my size and DESPITE my health battles.  To jump back for a few minutes.  I did run my first 15K back in November of 2013.  It was the Hot Chocolate 15K.  I wasn't extremely prepared for it... and my friend and I really battled the ending.  She had a hip injury and my toes were falling asleep (yeah, wrong shoes, so... between the two of us, we ended up seeing the tallywagon behind us .... just once, then we stepped it up and never saw it again.  We weren't last, but we were definitely not liking the fact that we saw that stupid wagon!!!  We finished the race and considered it a success.

After this point, I stopped running.  I wasn't feeling great again, and my weight was going up once again.  I just felt blah. (still fighting the low dose of Synthroid at this point, so that should tell you something.)  I got very very sick as I mentioned in the last blog.  It wasn't until January, when I actually left that Endo, got put on Armour and was seeing my D.O. finally.  So there are a few months of hell that were not really described here in my ramblings.

Forward to December 31, 2013.  My daughter and I ran a mile at midnight to bring in the new year.  I wasn't feeling that great, but I definitely decided to run it with her, as it was truly inspirational.  I got the idea from my friend, whom I ran the 15k with in November.  Great idea!!!  We had a lot of laughs and it was a lot of fun for my daughter and I.

By the end of January, I was beginning to feel the effects of the Armour.  I was loving life once again, and knew I was on the right path.  I even ran (slowly due to shin deep slush and snow) a 10K on January 11, with my friend (again lol, because she is awesome and I love running with her).  She kicked my butt, but then again she had been running, and I hadn't run since that 15K in November, so I was not only out of shape, but definitely out of practice.  I muddled through and got through it, but decided now that I was feeling better it was time to start running again and preparing for my first half, coming up in April.

I signed up for two trail runs in February.  I knew that with those, as well as with my half in April, I would be dealing with a lot of hills, so what do I do?  I spend 4 days, going to the biggest hills in the area and doing hill repeats.  Um... yeah, only there was knee-high snow everywhere!  During my 4 day stint of doing what I knew was right for me, I injured my left ankle.  Wow, can anything else happen???  Two weeks later it wasn't getting better, so I went to a podiatrist whom said I had tight achilles tendons.  He always says that to me.  So I decided to go to another podiatrist a week later because my ankle just wasn't feeling better at all.  She said I had a peroneal split tear tendonitis.  No trail running at all, only flat surfaces.  Hmm.  Well that cut out my workouts with my trainer, doesn't it.  I had to miss both of my trail runs that I had signed up for.  I.Was.Not.Happy.  But I did go support the runners at the second trail run and loved seeing them come across the finish line.

Well I was in a night boot from the first podiatrist, and then a day ankle support from the second.  Two weeks later it wasn't feeling good still so when I went in to her follow up appt, she put me in a walking boot and said no running allowed, MRI to follow.  I had the MRI the follwing week, first week in March. (interesting experience if I must say so myself).

I had a complete melt down.  I did.  No joke.  I was so upset.  After everything I had been through, I didn't understand why I just couldn't run.  I had several talks with friends and my hubby and they told me I NEEDED to start praying for myself, if I was going to get anywhere.  I have always ALWAYS had a hard time praying for myself.  It isn't something I enjoy doing, at.all.  But I did.

One.Day.At.A.Time.

When I went in for my results, my podiatrist was dumbfounded!  She could NOT believe how amazing my ankle and foot looked.  She even told me she would have put money on what I had!!!  Even I was in shock.  I didn't go into the whole prayer conversation (I don't do that with people a lot lol) but I knew in my heart of hearts that I was healed.  She wrote me and Rx for a Dartfish with a physical therapist and I was sent on my way.  She just kept looking at the papers and my MRI shaking her head.

Long Update. Armour Is Here!

Wow, a lot has happened in the past several years.  I will just jump forward, to the recent present... late 2013/ early 2014.  (I knew it had been a long time since I posted, but whoa, not several years!)

Sorry about that.

Ok, so back in 2013, my doctor left for another state, just after she got me on the "right" amount of Synthroid (200) for the moment.  I was on 220, but I started running (see previous blog), and she was able to lower it.  So I was stuck with whatever doctor replaced her.  I was personally glad it was going to be a female doctor, from a very well known University Hospital.  Little did I know, that this doctor was going to get my labs done, take a 5 minute look at me and say, sorry, we need to drop your Synthroid by 50mcg.  FIFTY MCG!  That is CRAZY!  I have NEVER had it that low!  She told me that I was now HYPERthyroid and I needed to get my numbers corrected, and that was what it was going to be, enough said.  My body was screaming at me NO NO NO!!!! But my stupid mind told me that I needed to listen to her, after all, she WAS an "amazing" doctor from a well known hospital.  Right?

With my new Rx I started the 150.  Within a week and a half, I was falling asleep at work, falling asleep at the drop of a hat, falling asleep behind the wheel of my CAR, and my hair was coming out in groves.  I called her and said I am not doing very well this is putting my life and the life of others in jeopardy!  She refused to budge, saying that was where I needed to be on my meds.  By week 3, I couldn't stay awake.  I was completely lethargic and was falling asleep standing up even.  It was scaring my children.  I called her again and she said, ok well if you MUST, we can move it up 25mcg to 175.  I said, and what, continue feeling horrible and letting life pass me by by SLEEPING?

I called her office the next day and told them I wanted every file from the time I started going there, including doctors notes from day one.  I also called Mayo that next day and applied to be seen.  I was accepted, and had an appointment for the week of Christmas.  They said I needed to be up there for about a week or so, to see all the doctors.  I had to do something.  I NEEDED to live!  I NEEDED to find a way to get my life back!  I got all of my files the following week and prepared to fill out all 300 sheets that Mayo Clinic sent me.  I found a hotel that was connected to Mayo and reserved a week there.  I also called and reserved a car to rent, since this was going to be about a 9 hour drive.... if we drove straight through.  My precious hubby said he would go with me.  What a trooper!  Who wants to go sit in a hotel for a week during Christmas anyway???  So it was all set.

I couldn't just sit there and wait for my appointment.  So once again, Dr. Google became my friend.  I had to start researching more, for myself and find out what it would take for me to lose weight and feel alive again, like when I was young.

I ran across Armour files once again.  What exactly IS Armour, I thought, and why in the world is this always running across my path?  I knew that mostly only hollistic and functional doctors would prescribe it...  as every doctor in my past refused to let me try it, because they can't "track" it as well as Synthroid.  Hmm.  So I got onto a few forums and talked in depth with people who were using it, and the results were astounding!!!

I realized that the first doctor I had seen, Dr. M, when I moved to this state, WAS a D.O.  So I immediately made an appointment.  He told me first of all that my "hyperthyroid" result was a complete fluke.  He said I would have NEVER been hyper and for her to cut off my Synthroid in that amount was absolutely wrong.  He agreed with me that there was no way I could function normally, given I don't even have a thyroid.  That amount was entirely too low.  He then told me about T3.  He had mentioned it in the past, several years prior, but I was SURE I had to have an Endocrinologist for a doctor, so I left Dr. M to try to find my answers (and I mentioned my journey in the previous blogs... so yeah, how did that work out for me???)   Ugh.

Dr M. said that he would like to try me on Armour.  I was THRILLED to hear this, as I hadn't mentioned it to him, I just wanted to see what he would say and then I would mention it to him before I left, also to see what he would say.  I took him up on the offer IMMEDIATELY and hugged him and thanked him, just praying that this would make me feel better!  He wrote an Rx for 120grain, but I was to take 60 grain along with 1 of my two Synthroids.  So basically 100mcg Synthroid and 60 grain (100mcg) Armour for a week, to help me wean off the Synthroid completely.  Then after the week, stop the Synthroid and take two Armour (120grain) from there on out until my appointment.

I noticed the effects within the first 4 weeks.  I was no longer having highs and lows... I was no longer having those happy and sad moments.  My mood was stable.  My overall well being was in a straight line finally, as opposed to the previous roller coaster type lines.  I felt stable for the first time since, well, forever!

I went back to him in 6 weeks and he took some more labs.   He said my T4 never looked better, and my T3 was on the high end of normal, but that was a good thing for me, he said.  He told me I am right where I need to be.  SO after another several weeks, I called and set an appointment with him, for a sports physical.

I felt good enough, that I decided I was going to run a half marathon in 2014, despite my weight. FOUR in fact!!!  FOUR IN FOURTEEN!!! (see previous blog)

Running And Apologies

I stopped blogging.  I did.  I felt defeated.  After my last post, I had 3 more doctors tell me I would never lose weight.  Including the Head of Endocrinology at a very well known hospital.  I started believing them.  I had heard it a lot, from DOCTORS.  If you hear something enough, you start believing it.  I felt defeated, and I gave up.

Then in September of 2011 I got Diagnose #4 : Type 2 Diabetes.  What a devastating blow.  I have worked so hard, and that is what I end up with.  So I just stopped blogging.  And really stopped living.  I gave up.  And that is not me.  That is not who I am or what I am about.

So in early 2012, I said ENOUGH.  (again, because I have my moment then I pick myself up by the boot straps and start again).  So in July, I did my first mud run.  From that moment, I was hooked.  I will say, that by August of 2012, I was in complete remission of Type 2 Diabetes.  Dr. M said the running was definitely helping, so don't stop what I am doing, even though I am still not losing weight (in fact I gain weight after each race).

Here are the races I did, since my last post, to present:

2012 RACES

Mudathlon 7/2012

Healthy Hustle 5K 7/2012

5K Fun Run 8/2012

(will find a photo to post)

Run Dirty 5K 8/2012

Popcorn Panic 5K 8/2012

Pretty Muddy 5K 9/2012

5K Walk to Cure Diabetes 9/2012

World Run Day Participation 11/12

(will find photo to post)

2013 RACES

Valentine 5K 2/2013

Brooks Run Happy 5K 2/2013

Tough Mudder 5/2013

Run or Dye 5K 5/2013

Color in Motion 5K 6/2013

M4M 5K 6/2013

Logan's Run 10K 8/2013

Mudathlon 8/2013

SDR 5K 9/2013

Race 5 Miler 8/2013

Warrior Dash 8/2013

Pretty Muddy 9/2013

Women Rock 10K 9/2013

FLAG 10K 10/2013

Monster Dash 10K 10/2013

MR 5K 10/2013

Hot Chocolate 15K 11/2013

So as you can see, I have been working really hard to get healthy.  But still... I just don't have that overall sense of feeling "normal".  Maybe one day.

I will keep fighting!  :)

July 6 Synthroid Update

Well 8 weeks ago, my endo upped my synthroid to 225. In the 8 weeks that I waited to see him, I worked my butt off at the gym, a minimum of 4-5 days a week, sometimes more. I never stepped on the scale, I wanted it to be a surprise to me when I got to his office.

Well I went about a week ago, and only lost 5 lbs. BLAH! 5 lbs in 6 weeks. After all that hard work and eating right? I even went through chocolate withdrawls, on purpose (ugh that sucked!).

Well he said my levels were high but we could lower the dose back to 200 and he insisted I try Meridia. He knew of my hesitation from our last visit, due to dealing with the phentermine. He reassured me that one was dangerous and this one is completely safe. Well I came home with the perscription for 4 months of the 10mg. I took my first one on July 1. Today is 5 days later, and I have minimal side effects (compared to the horrid ones others have) and I have lost 3.5 lbs in 5 days! HOLY COW! No wonder they say this stuff is addicting!

Well, this will really give me the jump start I need for my long term weight loss goal of 87 lbs. I want to thank Dr. F for talking me into this medicine. At least I know I CAN lose weight, even if I need the extra push.

Back to the gym tomorrow. Haven't worked out since July 1, because of the warnings of hypertension and tachycardia with this medicine. But I have been monitoring my pulse at home and daily it is staying right around 72-80, so I feel I am ready to get back in there and simply keep a watch on my pulse while working out.

How exciting!!! Thank You Dr. F!!! That means I have lost a total of 8.5 lbs so far over the past 8 weeks! I'll take it!

to be continued...

Meridia Update

Wow~ well anyway, so as you know I started on Meridia on July 1st. So today is July 5th. I feel great! As you probably know I have been super worried about the side effects.

The first day I had a little dry mouth and felt a little "spacey".

Day 2, I felt great but still wanted to eat. Still dealt with a very mild dry mouth and quite tired. Drinking a LOT which is good. So the dry mouth is actually a blessing as I have always needed to drink more.

Day 3 I was very tired but felt good. Noticed my weight was the same as the starting day, so thinking it would probably just take time to set in.

Yesterday (Day 4) I noticed that my constipation has come back with a vengeance. I finally was able to go, but went out and bought a ton of prunes, veggies and fruits, not to mention fiber bars and cranberry juice. I have always had constipation since my complete thyroidectomy, and only recently had it under control with stool softeners, until I started this medication, of which constipation is also a side effect. But I was aware of this, so now I have to probably start my Metamucil again along with the prunes and stool softeners. Pretty sad too, considering when I weighed first thing in the morning I was DOWN 2.5 LBS!!! Woo! It is starting!!!

Today is day 5. I am super pleased to only have the constipation issues and mild dry mouth, compared to some who have terrible side effects from Meridia. This morning I lost yet another .5lb. So in 5 days I have lost 3 lbs. WOW! That is great!!! All the reviews I have read are averaging about 10 lbs a month, so I might just hit that!

I have noticed yesterday and today as well, that I have an upset stomach when I eat so perhaps I am finally feeling that 'full feeling' only, it is after I eat, not during or before. SO I will just have to cut my portions in half. I really want to stay at 1200 calories, but I am lucky to eat 600 - 800 calories a day. They say that isn't good for you, but when you aren't hungry, it is hard to force yourself to eat.

Anyway, so far so good on the Meridia. Like I said I was really concerned about taking it because of the deadly side effects, but I am taking my pulse regularly and will monitor my blood pressure often. So far pulse is staying right around 72 to 80. Perfect! Don't feel any palpitations or heart racing, but since I started with low blood pressure, Meridia may just raise mine to a "normal" level. Hopefully I won't have to deal with the side effects of hypertension or tachycardia anytime soon. I am just glad I don't have the horrid headaches that others have dealt with using Meridia! I am truly blessed~

Will keep you updated! Wheeee, I am finally losing weight! 8 lbs to date (5 lbs in 6 weeks before and 3 lbs in 5 days now) Love it!!! :) Back to the gym tomorrow. Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!!!

Oh and I found FitDay today. Am excited to get started with that. :)

to be continued...

July 1, 2010 Update

Well it has been about a month since my last post. A lot has happened. First and foremost, my mammogram came back normal!!! It's hard to know what normal is when you are fibrocystic and have a ton of lumps. But hey, that is great news!!!

Of course I had to wait a long time before going to see Dr. F again. But I finally saw him a few days ago. He said that my levels are now on the high side. So he is now dropping me back down to 200mcg of the Synthroid. He said I am doing well otherwise, and advised me to begin taking Meridia. After all the research, I was quite unsure if taking it would be beneficial to me. But in the past 6 weeks since seeing him last, I have only lost 5 lbs and that is with eating right and exercising 4-5 days a week for a minimum of an hour. AND I am finally able to sleep. I feel great on the 225 Synthroid, but if he says the safest way to do this is to lower it to 200, then that is fine with me. Gosh I have worked so hard to lose weight and everyone I talk to, with thyroid issues all tell me it is nearly impossible to lose when you are hypothyroid.

SO I got my (very expensive 139.99/mo) perscription today and took it as soon as I got home. The pharmacist talked with me about it upon my request, because it still makes me nervous after my dealings with the Phentermine that totally screwed me up. He said my biggest concerns on this drug should be raised blood pressure (which I am not worried about, due to normally having low numbers such as 96/64), insominia, fatigue (yes, I was like, ok, so I will be tired but unable to sleep... gotcha. lol and also minor complications such as headaches, constipation (which I already have DAILY due to being hypo) and dizzy spells (I would prefer not to be dizzy, thank you).

I haven't told anyone I am taking this, because I don't want to sound weak for even CONSIDERING taking another weight loss pill, even though my dr highly recommended it. My BMI as of today WITH the 5 lb weight loss (according to the Mayo Clinic BMI online calculator) is 38.1. Holy obese city!!! Not good at all. So I need to lose a minimum of 47 lbs to get into the "overweight" range. That sounds obtainable. So my first short term range is officially going to be 50 lbs. (will most definitely break that down into two 25 lb increments.

SO, today, July 1, I have officially begun a very new "help" for my weight issue. I will continue to research, eat right, work out, and try to keep my stress levels to a minimum. From what I am dealing with right now, eating and working out alone, I am averaging about 1lb of weight loss per week. Which is GREAT, hey, I will take it. Better than gaining right? Supposidly, people on Meridia average about a 5-10% weight loss when taking the 10mg like I am. I am going to take a leap here and say that is for a 3 month dosage. I don't know for sure, will have to keep researching, but I am going to leave it at that for now just to be on the safe side. SO if that is the case, in 3 months I should lose around 20 lbs or so. So on the average, I am going up a half-pound per week, for a weekly weight loss of 1.5 lbs from the Meridia. (again just sticking with this to be on the low side for my sanity's sake. If I lose more than that, I will be thrilled. If I don't, well I won't be disappointed.)

So the way I see it (correct me if I am wrong), if I am already losing 1 lb a week average, then the 1.5 lbs a week (average) from Meridia, would it be safe to say I could lose up to 2.5 lbs a week with Meridia, Eating right and Exercising???

Maybe I am wrong, but that would be GREAT! So 2.5lbs X 12 weeks is around 30 lbs. 10 lbs a month. I will take that!!! (although if you remember, I lost 60 lbs in 4 months doing it by myself last year). So who knows  - where this new journey will take me but you can bet I will be updating here more often, (probably weekly) now that I should actually be seeing some changes. YAY!!!

I measured and weighed when I began working out. I have since been weighed, but in the morning, I will measure and see if any changes have been made there, plus I will have a Meridia starting point on both weight and measurement.

I can't wait to see where I am at, come October 1, 2010 when my 3 month supply runs out. (pending of course I don't have any of the blood pressure issues, etc.

;) To be continued...