Heavy Hearted Weigh In

Dave 299
Shannon 215.4

This was not the best week to weigh in. Dave's herniated discs gave out on Tuesday and I pulled a tendon in my hand that also pinched a nerve and I'm in some pain.. we only managed to walk one day. On Saturday we lost Dave's grandfather, and trying to eat healthy when having to eat on the fly and eat out and being upset is just not a great combination, I really dont have the mental wherewithall to stress about it though.

Hopefully we will get back on track this week, though it appears the weather is not going to want to cooperate much.

When I went to the Dr about the pain in my hand (left one) he was looking at the right one and its been supposed I have arthritis because of the way my hand looks and the problems Im having. When I go for my A1C in May, he is going to run a rheumatoid panel to check. Oh Joy

And of course when Im having issues with both hands, I was honored with the request of being a pall bearer(ette) for Dave's grandfather. I managed to do it without major issues though :) PawPaw really went out in style, if I was not going to be cremated I would definitely want this



Im so tired I completely forgot to lay anything out for dinner, hopefully we can throw something healthy together...either that or Im going to skip dinner and go straight to bed and sleep for about 12 hours

Perceived Extertion Scale

I mentioned this in a previous post, so I thought I would post it. No, this is not the real scale, but I like this one better because its funny, and funny is what gets me thru the tough times

* Level 1: I'm watching TV and eating bon bons
* Level 2: I'm comfortable and could maintain this pace all day long
* Level 3: I'm still comfortable, but am breathing a bit harder
* Level 4: I'm sweating a little, but feel good and can carry on a conversation effortlessly
* Level 5: I'm just above comfortable, am sweating more and can still talk easily
* Level 6: I can still talk, but am slightly breathless
* Level 7: I can still talk, but I don't really want to. I'm sweating like a pig
* Level 8: I can grunt in response to your questions and can only keep this pace for a short time period
* Level 9: I am probably going to die
* Level 10: I am dead

Greenway Walk

April 19, 2010

Our city has built a greenway for people to walk/jog/bike on, its really pretty and I've walked it several times in the last couple of years.

Part of our walking plan includes not walking the same place all the time so that we don't get bored, so tonite after dinner we headed to the greenway, which is 1.36 miles one way (and you have to go both ways if you want to get back to where you parked your car). It has a little offshoot track that is .22 miles around, but we didn't walk that part tonite, because just doing the trail would mean we were doing 2.72 miles and we are used to only 2 two. I even managed to jog a few feet on the way back

And BOY, did my legs let me know I was going farther than we usually did. Once we had gone the two miles, I could just hear my leg muscles saying "Yay, we are do....wait why are you still going...stopppppppp, you did your two miles, stop, stop, stop!"

I didn't listen to them, I kept going although the last little bit threw me up to about a 8.75 on the "perceived exertion" chart I use. They got back at me though, they got in cahoots with my back and made moving next to impossible after I got home.

Wonder what they are gonna do when we throw the loop in next time? ssshhh don't tell them I said that.

Adminisrative Asst Week Weigh In

April 19, 2010

Dave 297
Shannon 215.4

I have to say this first weigh in was a huge disappointment for me. I lost a whopping .6 of a pound. But to be fair I have to say (cause if I don't I will get a face from Dave) in all fairness, I'm suffering from PMS, and considering our metabolisms have come to screeching halt because we quit smoking I am lucky I lost ANYTHING. He, on the other hand lost 3 pounds!! I'm so proud of him.

He has really been good this last week with portion control and eating healthier things. We keep food journals online on the Fitday website and we are both struggling with the same problem, we are not eating enough calories for weight loss and finding things to up that number while staying under the fat and carb ratio is NOT easy.

I got to work and one of my co-workers came in with flowers and a card and the announcement that he was taking me to Red Lobster for lunch for Administrative Asst Week...that cheered me right up!!

I was really good, I had broiled flounder, no veggies, shrimp cocktail and salad with vinagrette dressing..and only 2 cheddar biscuits (oh the calories I must have burned restraining my self from reaching for that basket!)

Cajun Shrimp

Recipe I found that Dave would actually eat if modified:

* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 small onion, finely chopped
* 1 can (14.5 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
* 1 cup long-grain white rice
* Coarse salt and ground pepper
* 2 red bell peppers (ribs and seeds removed), sliced lengthwise into thin strips
* 8 ounces precooked andouille or kielbasa sausage, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
* 1 pound frozen large shrimp, thawed, peeled, and deveined

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan with a lid, heat 1/2 tablespoon oil over medium. Add onion; cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add broth, and bring to a boil. Add rice; season with salt and pepper. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil over medium. Add bell peppers and cook until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add sausage and shrimp; cook until shrimp is opaque, 3 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Divide rice among four bowls; top with shrimp mixture, and drizzle with any pan juices. Serve.

I left out the peppers and substituted turkey kielbasa and added chili powder to the rice mixture

It was awesome, but a full serving was too much to eat in one sitting!!

Here is the nutrition for one full serving: 12 shrimp, 16 sausage pieces, 3/4 cup rice

Calories 370
Fat 7 grams
Saturated Fat 1.5 grams
Carbs 40 grams
Protein 36 grams

Hard Labor Creek (State Park #2)

April 17 2010

Today marks the opening day of Renn Fair, it also marks the first time in I don't know how long I wasn't there. We decided to hike instead.

Our plan had been to get up early and get the hiking done and get back home and spend the day chilling out. While we were driving to the park, I told Dave he should call his friend Dan to see if he wanted to go with us. Dave and Dan had always loved doing things outside together, so I thought it might be fun for all of us to go.

After stopping to watch Dan's daughters softball game, taking him home to change clothes and a lunch at Chili's (I had guiltless grill chicken and black beans thank you very much) and driving about 30 miles we arrived at Hard Labor Creek park.

They have two trails that are 1 mile each and if done the right way you can walk both loops to get 2 miles without backtracking.

The hike was fun, lots of elevation changes and we got to see 6 wild pigs!!! The very end was difficult for me as it was a pretty steep incline but I did the two miles only having to stop twice because I couldn't breath.

I honestly think that the day was more fun than if we'd gone to Renn Fair, I felt really good after the hike and Dave got to spend the day with his buddy.

Milestone Day

April 16, 2010

For the first time since I was diagnosed 1 year 5 months and 13 days ago, my morning fasting BS was under 126, it was 115. (for those that dont know about diabetes, 126 is the magical number that you want to be under to show you're under control)

Tax Day Hike

Several places around the US were having "tax day specials". One place was Boston Market, it was buy one get one free, so we went for a turkey dinner which was actually very good, but it had a lot of carbs

After dinner we headed to a county park near our house, Mountain Park Park (no thats not a typo). They have a one mile multipurpose track so we set about to do a mile in 20 minutes!!



We had spent the previous two days resting my legs because to be honest, I had pushed it and could barely move without extreme pain so I was anxious to see how I would handle this mile. Dave set his timer and off we went, it was a fun way to walk, lots of people there. We did surprisingly well, we did a mile in 18:30... I was so excited I insisted we do another one, just to see if I could. I was convinced our time would be much slower. It was indeed slower, BY 5 SECONDS...can you hear the excitement with which that was typed? Needless to say we were both very proud of ourselves and each other

Mr & Mrs. Byers Neighborhood

April 12, 2010

Mondays are our official weigh in day, and it went like this
Dave 300
Shannon 216
(painful, but I have to be honest)

We have lived in our neighborhood for 4 years this month. In all that time we have never ever taken a walk any farther than the house across the street.

We had been marking distances while driving on previous days to see how we would need to walk to do a mile, so after dinner Dave, I and my extremely painful shins and thighs set out on our adventure.

We decided to walk the main street because of the elevation changes it had (thats a nice way of saying the huge friggin hills we were gonna have to go up and down. Starting out we did pretty well, even though we were pretty much breathless immediately. We got down to one corner and found 3 guys hanging out (if you ask me they were all tweaking on some serious drugs) but they appeared friendly.

It was very interesting to view the neighborhood outside the car, but I have to say it was a really really painful walk and add smokers lung to that and it made the hills seem like Mount Everest.

We only stopped a couple of times and managed to do a mile in 26 minutes. We were very proud, but determined to aim for 20 minute miles in the future.

Pork Chop Casserole

This was a recipe Dave found that he wanted to try:


Ingredients

* 4 (1 1/4 inch thick) pork chops
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 3/4 cup milk
* 1/4 cup water
* 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Season pork chops with salt and pepper to taste. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Saute the pork chops in the butter for about 5 minutes per side.
3. In a separate medium bowl, combine the milk, water and soup. Place the pork chops in a 9x13 inch baking dish and pour the soup mixture over the chops.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes.



When I cooked these, I browned them in olive oil instead of butter, and seasoned the chops with pepper and garlic powder. We served over rice

It turned out really well and the nutrition worked out like this for 1 chop, 3/4 cup rice and 3/4 cup gravy

Calories 386
Fat 10.8 grams
Saturated fat 3.5
Carbs 45 grams
Fiber 3 grams
Protein 7.9 grams

Fort Yargo (State Park #1)

April 11, 2010

We got up and left Mama & Daddy's to go home and commence on our hike for the day. After a VERY bad breakfast at the Ryan's in Griffin (never ever ever go there people)we went to Walmart to look for a new bicycle seat for me. Let's just say that the bike seats that come on bikes these days are not made for humans. After riding only a few 100 yards, I had severe bike butt, and was swollen in places that made it impossible to pee without severe pain.

We got me a new seat with no horn and a odometer thingy to hook to it so that next time I would know how far I had gone before crying in pain in again.

We got back up to our neck of the woods and stopped at yet another walmart, the reason escapes me at the moment, other than it was time for a painful pitstop. We looked at "outdoor" things and ended up buying two 5 dollar pedometers to take hiking with us. Hindsight Note: 5 dollar pedometers don't work worth a crap.

After getting home, unloading, taking a shower, setting the stride on the pedometers, packing the backpack and cooler we were off to Fort Yargo.

Note to other Georgia residents. Admission to parks has gone up since we were last there, a day pass is now 5 bucks and a yearly is 50 (comes with one free night of camping though)

We drive around and find where we want to enter the trail and off we go!!! We notice the trail is marked in tenths of a mile, which is cool, we can use that tell if we have the pedometers set right...if the damn things actually worked that is.

I have no idea how far we walked but guessing from the mile markers and the pain in my legs we are estimating approximately 2 miles.

Embarrasing Bike Adventure

April 10, 2010

They say you never forget how to ride a bike...that may be true but nobody ever told me it hurts like hell when you haven't done it for 20+ years.

The day started out fun enough. We met our friends Jay and Ann in Little Five Points to eat at the Vortex, its a place we love but very rarely get to go. When lunch was over we drove down to Mama & Daddy's to get the bike they were giving me!!! I was REALLY excited.

Until I got on it and rode a few feet. I was beyond shocked to find....it hurt

Dave and I took off down the road, I made it about 200 yards before I found I was actually starting to cry from the pain. Laying in the road and dying seemed like a real option at the time. Imagine my big surprise to find that a 41 year old can't ride a bicycle like a 12 year old!

So, the bike adventure did not last long. Talk about having your bubble burst.

That night after dinner we went for a walk to the cemetery in their town so that I could try to stretch out the muscles that were revolting on me, we didn't have a way to figure how long the distance was but we are guessing the trip there and back was about a mile.

One benefit of the day was that I slept ALL night that night and it had been a very long time since that had happened.

In the Beginning

As posted on facebook on April 7th, this is to catch everyone up and it marks the beginning of this journey

I will try to just give the readers digest version of this so I don't bore everyone that knows whats been going on lol

I was diagnosed T2 about a year and a half ago, at that time I had been a non smoker for about 3 months and I had thought all the symptoms I was having was from quitting smoking after 20 years...I was wrong, it was the diabetes symptoms showing up full force (as a joke I tell everyone I quit smoking and got diabetes). I spend a year trying to get regulated, trying different amounts of metformin, etc.

Fast forward a year (last November) My labs came back really weird and I was having really strange symptoms, 8 pound weight gains and losses literally overnite, extreme stomach pains right behind my belly button, hypos as soon as I ate anything. C-Peps came back extremely high at 34 and high insulin levels, almost 200. My doctor, bless her heart, after running the labs 3 times to confirm, tells me we are going to have to do a CT Scan to test for an insulinoma (which is very rare tumor for a diabetic to develop) or possible pancreatic cancer.

Now, my Dave was out in California working (we live right outside Atlanta) for his job for all of November and December (few days home for thanksgiving and back a few days before christmas). So of course Im trying to deal with all of this calmly and not let him know Im freaking out, because he simply can't come home and he didnt need to be out there fretting every day over my emotional state. It took a few weeks to get the CT because my insurance wanted it referred from an Endo, so I had to find one. Due to all the stress and finding out that me and diabetes and alcohol do not make a happy threesome, I had started back smoking, but no where near as heavy as I was previously (yes, I know thats a bad justification).


They told me there was a very low chance the insulinoma (tumor) would show up but they would try. They were right, didnt show up, but neither did cancer. Now that we know its not cancer I just have to deal with the insulin dumps the tumor causes (isnt it great to have something your body already cant handle, dumped in mass quantities into yourself?) and have another scan this coming fall to see if its gotten big enough to see (they cant do surgery until they know where it is). Honestly, Im ok with that, now that I know what it is and what to look for etc.

Fast forward to this week. I did my first post diagnosis hike (2 miles) and was feeling awesome about it. I quit smoking, sunday was the last day (after spending weeks cutting back) (Im using NRT in the way of lozenges). Yay me, right? I guess in a way, but the last 2 1/2 days have been awful. Every single time I eat, no matter what kind of carb it is my sugar jumps to between 200-300, Im so tired I can barely keep my eyes open all day (which is how I get when my numbers go up, so thats no surprising), Im bloated beyond anything PMS ever did to me, even though Im peeing every 20 minutes and Im just so depressed I cant stand it, Im on the verge of tears or ripping someones head off every minute.

When my doctor and I were talking/planning about me quitting smoking again I begged him for something I could do to keep the weight gain I experienced last time from happening (I had been VERY good, only had raw veggies as snack, I lived with celery in my hands lol). He told me there really wasnt anything I could do because my metabolism was gonna change and slow down a LOT. He said the only things he could recommend were the things I'd done last time... at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, snacking on healthy stuff and to start taking a B Complex vitamin (I didnt try that before but I am now).

Now, even my doctor says my diet is good, I managed to lower my cholesterol 41 points in a year with no meds, and I managed to get off the weight I gained by quitting last time, but that was all, with the insulin dumps it makes it almost impossible to lose weight, and Im terrified whats going to happen this time, which isnt helping my mood any. I'm one of the unlucky ones that has never gotten past one of the metformin side effects... I still have to be near a bathroom within 15 minutes after eating or it will be embarrassing, and even despite THAT I can't get the weight off.

I know NOT smoking is supposed to be good for me, but I swear it doesnt feel like it to me right now.

I havent felt like this since the day I was diagnosed, I really really honestly feel I'm back at square one.