I Got Me A Trainer... YAY!!!!

Small Update, Not Much Going On Here.

Vlog: New Hairdo, Finally Feeling Better

Just a quick Vlog update... nothing overly exciting!

The Big Bad Doctor Visit :-O

I just got home from the Doctor. I went because of my cold... my lungs were feeling so tight, it was hard to breathe. So she gave me a breathing treatment with Albuteral and oh my gosh! I started feeling better... like, I could breathe again... but it made me super jittery. My hands were shaking and my legs felt like jell-o. Plus, it instantly upset my tummy. I had to rush home to get to the bathroom. ICK!

Backing up a bit, the idiot M.A. came in and asked me the typical questions before seeing a Doctor. "Do you have high blood pressure? Cholesterol issues? Allergies to medications?" etc. She asked what medications I was on and I told her Metformin, 1000 mg, two times a day. She then asked me which finger I wanted her to prick. My response was "uhhhhhhh...... why???" She goes "oh, you're diabetic, right? Yunno, since you're on Metformin."

"No, I'm not diabetic. That's for my PCOS". And then.... she says....

"Oooooh, I didn't know you could take Metformin for PCOS." Whaaaaaaaaaaat?!?!!?!?! That was totally reassuring.... NOT!!!

Anyway, so the Doctor came in and she was awesome! I think I may have finally found a Doctor (well, nurse practitioner, actually!) that I actually like. She thoroughly examined me. She asked me a lot of related questions. And vuah-lah... I got a breathing treatment, medication and some good ol' mucinex to help! She asked if I had anything else I wanted to talk about.

Actually, as a matter of fact... I DO!  I talked to her about my weight, my PCOS, and my plantar fasciitis/heel spurs. Regarding my weight, she is having me do a full blood workup and EKG first but then, if all is OK, she'd like to put me on a prescription weight loss pill. I think she said it's Phentermine or something like that.  

Have any of you gone on prescription weight loss pills? Any pros and/or cons to share? I never even knew there were prescription weight loss pills.

I'm not too sure how I feel about weight loss pills. I believe in good ol' fashioned hard work. But then again, look at where it's gotten me. I mean, obviously I haven't given 100% of myself 100% of the time... but maybe the pills might help get a small chunk of me gone and then I can just do hard work.

After the weight talk, we talked about my feet. She ordered x-rays for me. This time I will actually go! She is also going to try getting physical therapy covered by my insurance so I can work through some of this pain. Please, God, oh PLEASE let it be covered!!!!

And then, the whopper of all whoppers.... at the very end, after my breathing treatment, little miss "I don't know what I'm talking about" M.A. came in and said "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but the Doctor wants me to check your blood sugar level so I'm gonna have to prick your finger." I was like "really? Do we have to? I just ate. Will that make a difference? I don't like needles... please not my finger. Can't we do it on my arm? I'll come back and do it later." I tried so hard to get out of it. She just kept rolling her eyes at me.

I have done medical assisting school and have taken dozens of needles to several different parts of my body by some really inexperienced people. I'm so used to needles... they don't bother me much anymore. Yet, somehow the idea of a needle on my finger scared me. But honestly, I think it was more the idea about "diabetes" and "blood sugar" stuff that freaked me out. So anyway...

PRICK....

It was over quickly! It stung but it wasn't that bad. She said my blood sugar was 97. I have no idea if that is good or not but from what I was able to find, thanks to my good pal GOOGLE, that is a normal number. Right? Anyway, she said I am definitely not diabetic... THANK YOU JESUS!!!! However, it really got me thinking, I do not wanna be diabetic... ever! I never want to have to prick my finger or give myself shots. Especially not every day. I have to get healthy. I refuse to eat myself into an early grave. Oh my gosh, y'all. I am definitely scared now! That is so not the life I want to live. NO WAY!

VLOG: Sick Day & "Made To Crave"

I'm home sick today. Boo! I have spent way too much time with my snotty-nosed 5-year-old friends, I guess. But it's worth it... I sure love those kiddos! But anyway, I'm kinda happy to have a BLAH day because I get to stay on the couch with my fluffy pillows and warm fuzzy PINK blanket... and READ!






I rented some movies but I think I am gonna read some first... my new favorite book, of course. MADE TO CRAVE by Lysa TerKuerst... oh my gosh! Such an eye-opener for me. To realize I was made to crave God, and not food... wow! That's an amazing gift of such powerful knowledge. So anyway, have a great weekend!

Quick Update & "Special Guest"

I have a quick update... I'm down 0.6 lbs for the week. Not much but considering my emotional week, I'll take it. Oh, and I had a special guest appearance while I was recording my VLog! It's quite funny if I do say so myself! Enjoy! :-)

The Power of Zzzzzz's & Post Meltdown Recap

I'm still recovering from my shopping meltdown the other day. In the process of researching articles and information (this is how I cope!) to offer encouragement, I came across this little excerpt from one of my very most favorite people on the planet, Michael Scholtz:

10 Ways To Get Quality Sleep 

Research is finding that those who get 7-9 hours of sleep are thinner than those who get less than 7. There are many theories why this may be true. One theory is that less sleep impairs glucose and insulin metabolism making weight more difficult to lose. Another is that inadequate sleep may slow the metabolism by lowering levels of thyroid- stimulating hormone. Another is that not getting enough sleep increases cortisol levels, a stress hormone that can affect appetite and metabolism. Yet another theory is that inadequate sleep has been shown to lower levels of the hormone leptin (this hormone signals fullness) and increase levels of ghrelin (this hormone signals hunger).

In addition to getting 7-9 hours of sleep, I recommend that you focus on QUALITY sleep. Here are ten ways to get a better quality sleep:

1. Go to bed well hydrated (drink plenty of water during the afternoon and early evening)

2. Avoiding bright lights in the evening (bright light interferes with melatonin production which is a hormone we produce that helps us sleep).

3. Avoid eating 2 hours before going to sleep if possible

4. Use white noise, like a fan, to mute out background noises to keep you at a deeper sleep level.

5. Make your bedroom as dark as possible

6. Have exercised that day but not in the evening

7. Avoid stressful things like paying bills or watching scary movies right before bed

8. Try chamomile tea or other non-caffeinated hot beverage in the evening.

9. Take a bath or shower. Light candles if taking a bath is relaxing for you.

10. Stretch or do yoga an hour before bed.

--Michael Scholtz, MA, Biggest Loser Club fitness expert

This, of course, got me thinking. Getting enough sleep has been a big focus of mine during this year of fitness thus far... but I haven't really considered the quality of sleep I've been getting. Sometimes I leave the music on. Often I'm surfing the internet or watching some sort of movie before bed. So even though I may go to bed, as in lying down in my bed, around 9 or 10 pm, I'm not usually falling asleep until closer to midnight. Sometimes I drink tea or take a shower before bed which helps. But then again, sometimes I workout before bed... supposedly good for the body but after reading this article, now I understand why it makes it harder for me to fall asleep after that. And then waking up around 6 am means I'm not actually getting the sleep I need. I am definitely going to be more aware of that now.

How about you? Do you get enough sleep? Do you get quality sleep? What are your bedtime/sleep routines and habits? Feel free to share... I might learn something from you!

On the topic of my shopping day meltdown, thank you all for your comments. (Ben and Shannon, I can't seem to open your blogs. I'd like to be able to follow you... can you post or email me the link to your blog, please?) The shopping trip was completely overwhelming for me and as you all know, I left totally discouraged. But today I understand that's just something I have to get over. I got myself to this point and the only way it's going to get better is if I stay focused and get this friggin' weight off. It's going to be a long journey... not a couple month gig like The Biggest Loser contestants... but I'm worth it! I know that!

I looked alright at my sisters party. There were a couple cute dudes there so I was a bit embarrassed at times, but I just tried to keep focusing on her which totally distracted me. I'm giving myself this year to focus completely on me. I'm not going to worry about dating or fashion or those kinds of things. This year, I may spend the entire year in workout clothes, but not just because of my size... because it will keep me motivated to keep active. If I can stick with it this entire year, I know the rest of the things I want in life will fall into place! So, one month down, eleven more to go! :-)