HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!! 2005 is HERE!

This is my new journal! Welcome!

For those that don't know me, my name is Vickie and I am a diabetic. I live in Indiana and I am 49 years old. I am married and I have 3 cats.
I have a substantial amount of weight to lose and I am going to do it THIS YEAR!!!!!!
More than weight loss though, I am planning to accomplish a few more goals

1) Get my diabetes under control
2) Keep my heart condition stable
3) Get my finances back in shape......(I have learned the hard way that a 4 month illness and no work can wipe your savings accounts out in a matter of weeks)
4) Work on my self esteem....(or lack of)

I have other goals but I do not have time to list them here right now.....it IS New Years Day after all and I have some celebrating to do.....:rofl:

Come back tomorrow and I will ramble on....errrr...I mean elaborate on how 2005 is gonna be MY year!!!!!!!!!


To success:cheers:




Blessings in 05,


Vickie:pass:

Happy New Year, Vickie!!

You learned a lot last year & though much of it was hard, it made you stronger. You're ready to tackle those goals, and I'm excited to watch your progress. Go for it!

Lisrey :up:

Goodmorning Lisrey and thanks for being my first visitor in 2005! I appreciate your support and friendship!

I have to get started on my day but I will be back later and post. Make it a great day, ok!


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

Here's to a wonderful 2005 sweetie!
You have made so many positive changes in you life including giving up the night shift..this will be a wonderful year for you, i know it!
hugs bell :)

Good Afternoon Vicki,

I wanted to make sure I could read about your successes for the new year ...

The year 2005 is going to be the year for many of us to achieve our weight loss goals ....

I want to let you know that starting Thursday, January 6th at 9:30 p.m. EST I will be hosting the "I CAN" Chat ..... I have already posted the "I Can" Challenge in the challenge forum ...

And some time during the week I will be posting information in the General Diet Forum what I hope will be information to help insure our success ...

I hope you will join us on Thursday evening .. and you know (I hope) that if I can ever be of any assistance ... I AM HERE FOR YOU.

Make it a great day ... and :cheers: HERE'S TO ALL OF US MAKING THIS YEAR THE YEAR OF OUR SUCCESS .... I am as always, Monica :hug:

As a fellow diabetic I understand your problem. Yes, losing some lbs. will sure help with the diabetes control, and help you feel better about yourself. So the best of luck to you as you continue your weight-loss journey.

Another successful day for me.....I so enjoyed this holiday weekend. Basically, I stayed home and celebrated just with dear hubby.
Did you notice my new stats?????? I am so excited that somehow, I lost 2.5 pounds!!!!!!!!! Hope this trend continues. I know that I can't lose every week and that there will be some gains. I no longer have the desire to be perfect! Its too much work and I am to the part of my life where I want to relax and have more fun! Darn this diabetes. It sure curbs the fun gene.....but I will be successful at controlling it and have fun doing it......one way or another!
I am adding another "resolution" to my earlier list.....stop procrastinating!!!!!!! Sheesh......I am such a procratinator. Gotta get a handle on this problem. And it is a problem!
Back to work tomorrow. Hopefully, not as much overtime this week.
I'll try to stop by again tomorrow.


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

Congratulations on the loss! That is so wonderful to hear! I am embarrassed to say, I first need to get back to where I WAS. The number in my stats is the low I reached a month and a half ago... and I've been going up lately. :o

This is a great time of year to get serious and get things under control. We can both do it, make some good solid habits, and help ourselves get healthier and healthier. Go, Vickie!

Lisrey :coach:

Well at least we both have the procrastination thing in common. Congrats on the weight loss, I am sure you can keep it up!

:wave:

Look at all the cool people that visited my journal. Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you. I truly appreciate your support.

I am home from work sick today. I spent a few hours up and surfing the net for the most part....then back to bed for a few hours for another rest period. I am hoping that I feel better soon cause this sucks!

Elsie: I am making a point to fight this procrastination stuff this year! Its a tough battle though.

Lisrey: Do not feel embarrassed about anything......YOU ARE A ROLE MODEL FOR ME and you have been since I first arrived at Diettalk. You have done a wonderful job of being successful and a few pounds here and there make no difference in the long run. You are always able to correct your weight gain situations and you will continue to do so.

JoThrive: Thanks for the visit. Its nice to hear from fellow diabetics that understand all too well the special challenges we face to lose weight and eat well. Visit again anytime.

Monica: Thanks for the support and encouragement. You know you are always welcome here in my journal. I hope I will be able to make it to at least a few of your chats. I have to figure out how to get into chat first. I tried once a few months ago and it was a very frustrating experience.

Bell: I am doing my best to make 2005 a mostly positive experience. 2004 was certainly a miserably negative one.


I will post again soon!


Vickie:pass:

i am heading out for honeymoon in a few days but wanted to stop in today in case i dont get back. Hope you feel better soon sweetie. being sick is no fun!
i am a terrible procrastinator too..probably why i didnt learn to drive til i was 28..i found every reason under the sun why i was too busy lol.
Great job on the 2.5 pounds eliminated FOREVER! thats wonderful.
i will check back in with you in a week or so!
hugs bell :)

Another day coming to a close. Its been a good day. Verrry cold but I took my walk anyway! It was very refreshing experience. Usually, in the winter time, you will find me vegged out on the couch watching TV and eating potato chips. I am a new me this year.

FBS: 154
Exercise: 30 min walk/1.48 miles/3,363 steps
64 ounces of water so far and a few hours left to get in one more glass.
Daily Devotions completed except for my bedtime prayers.

I am thinking of new goals for the next phase of my Boot Camp experience. I am so happy to be a part of that. If you are reading here and haven't checked out the Boot Camp forum, go see what all the excitement is about. Beth and the crew are doing a wonderful job.

Take care and I will be back soon :laugh:


Vickie:pass:

Way to go on the walking, Vickie! :up: You are doing beautifully. The couch and potato chips describe me from 4 years ago too. I love chips, but I can't believe what I let them do to me. No more! It is health that we're after, and with hard work, what we'll get.

Glad you enjoyed the day!

Lisrey :x

:wave:

As part of my Bootcamp Challenge I have been spending time everyday in daily devotions....reading my Bible, praying and meditating.
Here's what I have learned:

I am FINALLY happy with my life......just as it is right now.
I love my husband, my family, my house, my job, my cats, and every other aspect of my life. This is a revelation for me. I have been searching for happiness my whole life. And right here it is. And nothing is perfect for me but I am still happy! How can that be?????
I have finally realized that I am in control of my "destiny."

If you were "in the trenches" with me last summer as I faced my own personal hell, you can plainly see how far I have come since May. At that time, the desire to lose weight and be healthy and happy was there but the motivation was missing. Then when I found myself sick for the entire summer, I finally knew.....all the doctors in the world couldn't make me well. I had to do it myself. I needed their guidance but I had to do the work myself. At that point, I believe I began to grow up. Slowly, I have gotten to this place.....a place of happiness and acceptance of myself.....just as I am. I am healing from the inside out.
Because of that acceptance, I WILL be successful this time.
I know it! Success has always been here in the palm of my hand....all I had to do was close my fingers around it.


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

It's so good to hear your optimism and determination! I am so pleased and happy for you -- it's wonderful! Remember this feeling & these thoughts. It sounds like a turning point for you, and you'll gain strength from it when going gets tough.

You ARE growing, and getting stronger all the time. Congratulations & keep on going!

Lisrey :dn

Thank You Lisrey! Its great to have your support!


Vickie:pass:

Whewwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hadn't posted in my journal in so long I had a hard time finding it....I need to post more often here. I have a hard time getting any posting done on a regular basis but I do visit here everyday and I do read others journals and challenges. I get alot of motivation and encouragement from here.
I will try to do a better job at PARTICIPATING!

So, I need to get started on my day and I will come back later and post again.
Have a blessed day and stay safe!

Vickie:pass:

Hahaha Vickie! It was only 2 days! It's just that there are so many people actively writing in Journals at the beginning of the year... I post in my journal every day, but when I looked for it last night it was on page 5. You are doing great.

Lisrey :o

your doing great Vickie :cheer:

Beth :peace:


My Daughter & Un Born Grand daughter need on going prayers please (http://diettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45733)

Hi Journal Buddies,
Rain Rain Go Away!!!!! Boy, this rain is never gonna stop!
I guess it is better than snow.
I am doing ok with my goals so far. Its hard with all the 12 hour shifts I am doing now. Especially the exercise goals. So far, I have been lucky enough to get enough exercise in.

I weighed in Sunday morning. I gained 1/2 pound but I am not too concerned. I will just have to lose it again. And I can do it!

I am thinking about new goals for the next phase of the Bootcamp challenge. One of them will be something to do with skin care....I am finding that my face and hands are getting very red and dry after walking outside in the cold weather. The extra water I am drinking has helped alot but I need to probably moisturize or something everyday. I am making a list of things I want to accomplish so I can check them off on a daily basis. I will keep it in my day planner.
It will help me keep track if I am meeting my goals in a timely fashion.

Lisrey and Beth: Thanks for visiting my journal again.....just when I think no one cares if I am getting anywhere in my weight loss/getting healthy journey, one of you stops by and makes me feel cared about again. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love ya both and you are in my prayers each day!


Blessings:spring:

Vickie:pass:

On my way to work this morning. Still raining! Blechhhhh!!!! But its 61 degrees so at least thats good. Tomorrow will be cold again.
I hope that anyone who reads this journal has a GREAT and successful day. Thats what I am planning to have....


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

Rainy and warm here today too, Vickie. The weather just can't make up its mind what to do. I am off to my riding lesson, which will mean one thing today: MUD. 8-| Ought to still be fun, though!

Take care,

Lisrey :)

Hey Vicki,

You are doing just great, congrats on your recent weight losses. Keep up the good work!!!

I hope your riding lesson was good Lisrey. Sounds like some good, "clean" fun....hahahahahahaha!

I was soooo busy at work today but it was a good, productive day. Now if I only had a jacuzzi so I could sit in the warm water all night and relax all these achy muscles..and my feet! They hate my guts right now!!!!!

I have been thinking that I have not been bothered by SAD as much so far this winter. Perhaps it is the outdoors exercise every day that I can possible go. Or maybe it is my attitude about things are really changed. I am knocking on wood....."knock, knock, knock on Vickies forehead"....that I continue this trend!

My blood sugar is coming more and more into line everyday. I am ecstatic about that. I wish my blood pressures were better. It was pretty high in the cardiologists office Monday so he said no to taking me off some of my cardiac drugs. It was a good dream while it lasted. :shrug:

Well, I am gonna finish my water and hit the sack. We are supposed to have some very strong thunderstorms here overnight and I want to sleep while the sleeping is good.....hahahaha!

I'll be back sometime tomorrow....

Love ya,


Vickie:pass:

Oops,
Hi Crazy2! You must have been visiting while I was busy yapping away! Welcome and thanks so much for the encouragement. I need it more and more.


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

Hi, Vickie! That is so great that you are not feeling the SAD symptoms so much. I hope you are right and that your mental approach has changed because of the things you've gone through. You deserve to reap some benefits from that ordeal, and that would be a good one, I'll bet.

One thing I think you'd love about the equestrian center where I go riding -- they have a TON of cats. Most all of them are very loving and friendly and just beg for your attention... When I'm walking to and from the tack room, etc., I always have to stop and pet a few cats!

Take care & don't work too hard!

Lisrey :laugh:

Hi Vicki,

I know what you mean about blood sugars finally staying at a normal range ....

Insofar as your blood pressure, are you monitoring your sodium intake .. I know my doctor says that for diabetics there are certain things that meeting nutritional needs can assist in lowering blood pressure and stabilizing blood sugars ....

I may not post often BUT PLEASE KNOW every time you post in your Journal I READ what you have said .... KEEP THE POSITIVE ATTITUDE ... AND KNOW THAT EACH DAY BRINGS YOU ONE STEP CLOSER .... this is our year .... Have and make it a great evening. I am as always, Monica :hug:

Hello :wave:
Finally the rain is gone for awhile and the sun is so beautiful! It is still cold though and will be for several more days. I will accept the cold as long as I can keep the sunshine.
I went to see my hematologist this morning and found that my hemoglobin is almost normal!!! I am so pleased that it is now 11.8 (low normal is 12.0) so I do not have to worry about transfusions or iron infusions for at least another 6 months. He wants me to have my hysterectomy now though while my blood levels and heart and diabetes are all pretty stable. Says he is afraid that if I get into another heavy bleeding period again, it will mess everything up and I will be facing a major surgery while I am critically ill again. He thinks it would be better to do it now. I see his point and I am thankful for his concern for me, but I really don't want to think about major surgery right now. I can just now see a tiny glimmer of light in that tunnel called "previous medical bills" and I have very little in the way of a savings account. I don't think I could afford to take 6 more weeks off work right now.
I will talk to my gynecologist though and then try to make a decision.
I made my new BOOTCAMP CHALLENGE goals. I am blessed in that I am finishing my phase 1 today if I don't mess things up this afternoon or evening. Tomorrow starts a 3 in a row marathon of 12 hour shifts so I might not be around much until Tuesday......
Have a wonderful weekend...I think I will go take a short nap while hubby gets dinner ready then after dinner tonight I will come back and visit some journals. I will also post my new goals.


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

Okay, I am back to make a quick post before I crawl into bed and try to sleep.
Here are my new goals for the next phase of bootcamp:

1) Continue checking my FBS every morning.

2) Eat at least 2 fruits and 3 veggies every day.

3) Journal my food and drinks..all of it....for the next 14 days. i don't necessarily need to record calories, carbs, etc. I just want to track what I am choosing to eat, how much I eat and why I eat it! I will add calorie counts later maybe.

4) I will do skin care every day.

5) I will do something nice for myself at least once a week, and this will include buying myself something nice every pay period. I never spend money on me anymore.


OK, thats it. Wish me luck. I will let you all know how I am doing.


Have a great weekend!


Vickie:pass:

Good luck, Vickie! Some of your plans sound familiar -- like the fruits one I do, and the journalling of your food. I also have just started using a skin care product... Hey, are you still walking?

Good night, and take care of yourself with those long work shifts coming up.

Lisrey :ghug:

Hey Vickie..
congrats on blitzing Bootcamp Phase One!!!!!!!
So has the rain let up yet? send some my way then i wouldnt have to go out in this humidity to water the garden :)
Thanks for stopping in at my new journal and welcoming me home..i am glad to be back!
hugs bell :)

Bell and Lisrey,
Thanks for the visits. Most appreciated!
Well, Phase 2 begins NOW!

It has stopped raining here for the time being but it is BITTERLY cold and I do not want to go out in it. Gotta go to work though. If only I'd married rich! HaHaHaHa! I am still walking as often as I can. Its hard to get a walk in on those 12+ hour workdays so I did not write it as a goal but I will never give up my walking. When spring gets here it will be easier to get out.

I used to use MaryKay skin care products and I loved them but can't afford them now....maybe in a few months. I will do what I can with what I have for now. The extra water is helping alot!

Better get things ready for work. I will try to stop around after work tonight unless it is really late when I get home.

Take care, and make it a great day!


Vickie:pass:

Hi Vickie,

Just stopping by to say hello and read how WELL YOU ARE DOING ....

Keep :up: the good work ... and I am looking forward to hearing about your mastering your weight loss goals. I am as always, Monica

the water really does help a lot with our skin doesnt it...i think the good health fairy paid me back for me bad eating and no water the week before my wedding..with a pimple..i havent had a spot since starting my new lifestyle..i should have known better lol..
Keep drinking that water..maybe one of your ways to reward yourself for doing well could be some new Mary Kay stuff..maybe put a little money away as a reward every week you do well?? Just a thought.
hugs bell :)

Hi Vickie :wave:

I wanted to drop by and tell you how :super: you are doing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so proud of you ! :D

Beth :peace:

Hello Journal Buddies,
I just finished updating my stats. I am ECSTATIC that I have lost another 2.5 lbs......now down to 229!!!!!!! I hope to never see 230 again.
Work has seemed easier this weekend.....I actually got home at decent hours tonight and last night....last night my computer was on strike or something.....hubby worked on it all day today and I came home to a very well behaved computer tonight.
I am tired and I have one more 12 hour shift tomorrow so I will say goodnight and see ya'll later. Sleep tight for those of you going to bed now....Bell is probably just starting her day! have a good day Bell!!!!
I appreciate the visits!!!!!! Come around anytime!


Blessings:spring:

Vickie:pass:

Congrats on the 2.5 more pounds! :jn That's awesome!

Hope you have a wonderful night's rest & another good day at work. Can't wait to hear more success stories!

Lisrey :D

Good Morning Vicki,

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FANTASTIC TWO AND ONE HALF POUND LOSS ... :cheer: :cheer: .... :jn

This is your year to claim your successes .... I am as always, Monica :hug:

Good Wednesday afternoon to all my Diettalk Buddies....
:wave:

Things are going well with me....dispite some adversity that I will not go into right now. I will not let someone elses opinion of me color how I feel about myself any more!

My BOOTCAMP goals are being met daily...I cannot believe that I am almost through Phase 2. I hope I can keep this momentum going. I am finally putting some of my needs first. Albeit, I do feel guilty about this at times. I feel like great changes have come over me the past few months. Most of them I like.

I will be busy most of the afternoon today.....I must go to the store and get some laundry detergent, and some fruit for me....I am almost out and that is one of my goals.....2 fruits every day!
Then I have some work to do regarding my schedule at work. And making my schedule out for the next few weeks...when will I be working, when can I exercise, when is it my nights to cook and what will I fix. I am doing alot more planning ahead now.

Better get busy......maybe I will visit again later this evening!


Blessings:spring:



Vickie:pass:

PS......Thanks for the visits. They do make a HUGE difference!

Hi Vickie..
women have a way of feeling guilty for not making everyone else their priority..i too felt guilty when i first started putting myself on my to do list..but you know what...it didnt take long for my family to realise that i was a much happier person when i was looking after myself as well as them..i am a nasty, cranky Bell when i dont eat right and exercise..so its beneficial to everyone when i look after me..
Dont feel guilty babe..you need to make yourself a priority,there is no shame in that!
another 2.5 pounds down!!!!!!!!!! Thats absolutely awesome..i am so proud of you!
hugs bell :)

Hi Bell,
Thanks for the visit. Thanks for the encouragement. I am just trying to do the best I can for me AND Kenny! I love to take care of him. But I know I have to take care of me too!
I am so bored today! Eating way to many snacks.....too many mixed nuts....too much popcorn....Its a darn good thing that I am not counting calories as part of my Bootcamp goals or I'd definately be on my way to re-phase land!!!!

Better go find something to do that does not involve the kitchen....OH YEAH.....skin care! Time to do a facial!!!!!:)


Vickie:pass:

Vickie, you said one of my absolute favorite words in your previous post. I think it should be a dieting mantra: Planning. I know you are on your way now that you are thinking creatively about this. You only need to act on it! It is a magical thing when your plans fall into place and "click" for you. It might take a few tries, but when it works, it'll be golden.

You HAVE changed and grown and you are gonna be a tremendous success story. I am super proud of you!

Lisrey :ghug:

BRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!! I must have burned tons of calories today just shivering!!!! It is cold out there! Thankfully, we did not get as much snow as they were predicting. With the neuropathy in my feet, the cold really plays a number on them. It always feels so good to slide them under my blankets and warm them up :)

My blood sugars have slowly been creeping upwards again...this morning the FBS was over 200. I have been having 2 problems with my diabetes lately. One, I have not had my glyburide for a few weeks. I am taking my insulin every night but I haven't had the money to get all my medication at any given time lately....its a hard decision to make. Do I need my diabetic meds or my cardiac meds this week? Lets see: high blood sugars vs chest pain. I am a wuss and I don't like the chest pain so cardiac drugs usually win! Last week when I went to see my cardiologist, I was crying on his shoulder about this and he sent me home with a "care package" of my cardiac drugs....I will not have to buy any for a few weeks so I was finally able to get the diabetic meds this week!
I am aware that not taking my diabetic meds will only make my cardiac problems worse. I will be doing much better soon with my finances. Hopefully, hubby will get his medical problems under control soon and the doctor will let him go back to work....that will help alot. He is having a much harder time with his blood pressure than I ever did!
The 2nd problem I have been having with my diabetes involves getting home too late to eat dinner at a regular time so I end up eating very late and going to bed within a few hours. No chance to exercise anything off. Haven't quite figured out what to do there....how to fix it. The schedule at work is such that I cannot take breaks to eat after 3 PM. Its too busy with my patients medicine passes, dinners, IV's, last assessments, etc. I have been giving this lots of thought lately...looking for a solution. No luck yet! Any suggestions?????

Well, better get the kitchen cleaned up.....

Thanks for the visits.....you guys are totally cool and special!!! I love you all!!!!!


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

Hi, Vickie!

That's scary that you're not able to get all the meds you need when you need them. I hope you can figure something out to remedy that soon. You need to take care of you!

As far as eating late, I have heard a lot of different things about that. I always believed eating late and going to bed on a full stomach was a bad thing. BUT I have heard and read quite a bit lately saying that it doesn't really matter when you eat, as long as you are comfortable when you go to bed. Don't eat a big heavy meal that will keep you awake. You can still eat dinner when you get home and go to bed a couple hours later, but don't make that your big meal of the day.

Not sure if that was what you were looking for, but not eating to overly full has really worked for me.

Take care & keep warm!

Lisrey :flower:

Hi Vickie,

Since I am not in the same situation you are in ... I don't know if what I am going to suggest is feasible .... but here goes ....

For your breakfast and lunch meals (when you are at work) add more to your menu ... and for your dinner have a lighter meal consisting of vegetables (cooked or raw) along with fresh fruit and yogurt .....

I have to be honest I am a little concerned about your not taking meds for your diabetes .. can you speak with your doctor .... and perhaps he/she can give you freebies ...

Also I came across an article this morning at Prevention.com .... and I put the information in the Diabetic Forum ... very interesting and sometime during the coming week I am going to purchase the Alpha-Lipoic Acid ....

Louise wrote in my Journal that she has been taking it and has found it very helpful for the diabetic neuropathy .... you might want to read the info and speak to your physician ....

Take care of yourself little one .... I know that you are doing THE VERY BEST YOU CAN. Love you lots, I am as always, Monica :hug:

:wave:
I have had a wonderful, relaxing day today. The best in a long time!
Slept in just a bit. FBS was 141. High but much better than yesterdays FBS. I took my glyburide and my insulin last night and it helped tremendously.
Hubby and I went shopping together. I love to spend time with him....its relaxing for me. But he hates shopping and rarely will go.
Took a 2 hour nap this afternoon.....best nap in eons for me. I felt so rested and comfortable when I woke up!
I ate well. I met all my goals for the day. Just took a very relaxing shower. It was just a great day!
I have talked to all my doctors about my inability to pay for all my meds right now and they have been quite helpful with supplying me with freebies. I am just so embarrased to go there and say "I am poor again this week and need some samples." Its my fault. And had the cardiologist had not given me a bunch of samples, I would have called my internist and asked for samples when my blood sugar was up this week. I don't even tell dear hubby when I cannot get meds.....and it infuriates him! Its just pride I guess. I love to help others and will do all I can to meet their needs...but I hate asking for help myself. I am a weirdo huh?????
I have been doing a lot of research on nutrition and good health.....I have been diagnosed with 4 major health problems......Diabetes, Caronary Artery Disease, Severe Chronic Anemia, and Clinical Depression. I am trying to make a list of foods that will be good for all 4 problems and a list of foods to avoid! Its amazing that I am told to eat something for my anemia but not to eat it for my heart disease. Or its ok for heart patients but not for diabetics. I could just pull my hair out :rofl:
But I am learning a lot about my health and about how to optimize my nutrition and I am thankful for that! Dear hubby has taken over much of the cooking duties at home but he does a better job of cooking healthier than me anyway. He just cooks way too much and I always want seconds.....arghhhhhhhh!
I think I will go join hubby and watch the rest of the football game....and eat the popcorn.

Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

HI Vicki :wave:

I am so happy to hear how well you are doing :)

GREAT about making that food list - a very good idea !

I too get my meds as samples............. my pills cost 22.00 EACH and I just can not afford them...... and likes your my Dr. office is great about it. Thank God ! :D

Beth :peace:

:wave:
I am finishing Phase 2 today....starting Phase 3 tomorrow in the BOOTCAMP forum...so I have some new goals.

1) Continue daily FBS and do 4 pm blood sugars at least 4 times a week.

2. Continue 2 fruits and 3 veggies a day.

3. Continue food journal. Keep a calorie count this time. Goal is to stay between 1800 and 2200 calories per day.

4. Increase my fiber intake.

5. Continue my skin care routine.

I learned alot by keeping my food journal the last few weeks even though I didn't collect any numbers. I eat "seconds" way too often. I eat way too much fried foods. And I eat way too much salt.
When I cook, I eat a whole meal before the food is even on the table...just by tasting here and there.

I still have lots to work on.


:)


Vickie:pass:

Hi, Vickie, you are looking good there. I hope your blood sugars are within reasonable limits. And when you say that you still have lots to work on, believe me when I say that we all have lots to work on. So we just have to take it a day at a time.

Aha! You are noticing things about yourself and starting to look critically at what you might be able to change. That is so great! Your calorie goal will help you figure out some changes that'll work. I gradually changed my diet over the past 4 years. Didn't do it all at once by any means, just kept adding a little change here and there. It all adds up. You help yourself get healthier and healthier while you do it.

Question: do you eat while your husband is cooking, too, or only when you are? I tell mine that I have to leave the kitchen while he cooks unless he has tasks I can help him with. I go type on the computer or play the piano or other things that are easily interruptable. They keep me busy, I don't pick at food, and I'm at his beck and call if he needs help.

Keep up the great work!

Lisrey :coach:

I'm changing my stats today. I lost another 1.5 lbs last week. Yippee! I am very happy.
I think I made a HUGE mistake in my goals for this bootcamp phase. I set my calories goals at 1800 - 2200, using the numbers given to me by my dietician. The plan was to decrease my calorie limits with each subsequent phase. The last few days I have had a heck of a time getting even 1800 calories in. I am going around in the evening with a "now what can I eat" attitude and I just hate it.
I have discovered that my FBS is much better if I eat my fruits the day before earlier in the day. But I am having no problems with getting my fruits and veggies in. I am really starting to like this veggie thing! :)
Lisrey, I usually stay out of the kitchen when hubby is cooking unless he asks me for help. But when I am in there by myself.....I taste this and taste that, etc...etc etc........But I am learning to expect that of me so I am learning ways to deal with it.
I truly believe that I will be successful this time. And I thank all of you for your support.


Vickie:pass:

i know you will be successful too Vickie! awesome job on another great loss this week.
Just wanted to stop in and say g'day before i head to bed after night shift!
hugs bell :)

Vickie, congratulations on your loss this week. You are doing great!!!

Hidy Ho fellow DT'ers,
It was a beautiful day here today.....lots of sunshine and you know how I feel about that! it is getting closer and closer to spring...I can feel it in these tired old bones of mine....lol!!!!
My blood sugars are responding beautifully to the fact that I am eating better and now taking all the meds I am prescribed.

FBS today:130
4pm BS today:139

My feet are less tingly (neuropathy starting) but they still hurt. I need to be seeing a podiatrist soon.
I am meeting my BOOTCAMP goals....even the calorie count one. I am striving for just above 1800/day for now. Today I went just above 2000.

Our family reunion has been set for June 11 of this year. I would love to be at goal by then but I think that is stretching it a bit. So my goal for June 11 is 199 lbs. I hope I can get there. I cannot wait to get home and see everybody regardless of what I weigh.....I miss them all so much.

Thanks for all the cool visits to my journal. I appreciate your caring about me.


Vickie:pass:

Hi Vicki, :wave:

I read your post and I wanted to ask if you had a chance to read the supplement article I posted in the Diabetes Forum ....

I have for the past week and a half been taking the supplement called "ALPHA LIPOIC" to help with the neuropathy .... I will be seeing my podiatrist in three weeks .... and I will ask him to check ....

Louise informed me she has been taking 600 mg of the Alpha Lipoic and I am taking it in the evening ... lol it is a large capsule .. but if it helps I WILL SWALLOW IT ....

I have confidence in you that in another 16 weeks ... the time of your family reunion .... your goal IS ACHIEVEABLE .... just keep your focus on your goal ... make it a great evening I am as always, Monica :hug:

Hi, Vickie!

I have been thinking spring, too. I noticed last night when I was going to Curves that it was still light out at 6:00! We'll see what that groundhog says tomorrow... It's February already, so we're at least halfway through! I just can't wait until DST returns. I love the longer days so I can walk outside after work.

Your reunion sounds like a wonderful target to shoot for. I know I am working hard thinking of my sister's wedding in a month. Only a month! I will do my best to get a few more pounds off by then... :laugh:

Take care & keep up the great work!

Lisrey :coach:

Vickey, it is sounds like you are doing great, if getting your veggies in has become easy, then you are a rock star :) I am glad that it is working out for you now, and in no time you will be at your goal!

:ghug:
Hi Journal Buddies,
It was beautiful here today! 51 degrees and sunny. Weird weather for February! It sure affects my mood and health for the better! It was a great day to get outside for a walk. I wanted to get out and work in my yard a bit but hubby and I went to Walmarts to shop and stayed there too long!

I weighed myself a few days early and I am almost afraid to say it for fear I will gain it back before Sunday (my official weigh day) but I lost another 2 pounds so far this week. This just blows me away! All it took was a change of attitude....mine! And suddenly, life is great!
My blood sugar continues to respond beautifully to my new lifestyle. I even had a 109 the other day...Even though I still feel like I am consuming a lot more calories than I need, I am losing weight fairly regularly so I will not complain!
I am tired and I need to sleep I-)
ELSIE: I am really liking the veggies now! Go figure! HaHa!
LISREY: Spring cannot come to soon for me. I want my garden back. I wanted to go out today and do some yardwork but even though it was warmer and sunnier, it was still too wet in the grass and flower beds. A few more weeks ought to do it!
MONICA: I always read your posts in the Diabetic forum. I find so much useful information there and I am so thankful that you take the time to post there! Alpha Lipoic sounds good but I am a big scaredy cat when it comes to adding any kind of pills to my mass assortment of heart pills, diabetic pills, anemia pills, blood pressure pills, depression pills, and birth control pills! But I do plan to see my internist soon and I will talk to him. I am also going to see a pretty cool podiatrist soon.

Well, off to I-)



Vickie:spring:

a change in attitude and a belief that we will achieve our goals is a major key to reaching our goals vickie..it sure sounds like you have an awesome attitude going on at the moment and combined with the hard work and dedication you are achieving wonderful things..i am so proud of you sweetie..you are working hard at the program and reaping the benefits!
i am sure you will looking great for the reunion whatever your weight. you are a gorgeous person inside and out already.
hugs bell :)

:wave:
Today was not one of my better days. I am tired and cranky. It has been raining all day. And cloudy. I worked the weekend with Sunday being night shift. Half their nurses are out with the flu so I just filled in. Then Kenny was sick with the flu all weekend. So I was a nurse at home too...I am afraid my food choices suffered and I did not make the healthiest of choices. I am EXHAUSTED!!!!But I did much better tonight so maybe I am back on track.
My blood sugars have been amazing!!!!! Its great. I haven't had blood sugars this good since before my heart problems last spring.

Gotta work again tomorrow. I can't wait till this weekend...I am OFFFFFFFF and I intend to enjoy every minute of it.


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

So wonderful to hear about your improved blood sugar readings. That's great! Are you getting all of your meds now? Don't work too hard!

Lisrey :laugh:

Did ya think I had abandoned this journal???? Nope. Just being lazy lately as far as journalling goes. I am having a hard enough time keeping up with my FitDay journal (food diary).
Lots of stress around me lately. Its been hard but I have somehow managed to meet my daily goals...sometimes just barely scraping in ahead of a deadline. Work was horrible Thursday.....I went to bed with a blinding headache and woke up about 2 am with severe coronary artery spasms. I was sure I was having a heart attack but my nitro tablets under my tongue made that all better. I kept the headache and muscle pain in my back (spine) all day Friday. Dear hubby gave me numerous back rubs that day. I stayed home from work and tried to rest and heal. Now I am off work for the weekend.
I am starting PHASE 4 today. WOWWWW!!!!! I cannot believe it. I thought about taking a few days off but decided I couldn't risk a few days of not holding myself accountable. I slide back into old ways too easily.
I am learning so much keeping my food journal. Its incredible that I can look at a few days of journal entries and pick out mistakes that I was totally oblivious to just a few weeks ago. Who knew that my nutrients were so incorrectly balanced?????? I shake my head in amazement sometimes....like I have made some great and awesome discovery. And I have. I can now start making the little daily changes that will affect my program for the better.
Lisrey, thank you so much for taking the time to visit me again. My blood sugars have for some inexplicable reason jumped back up....I am hoping it is the stress and it will soon be back to normal. I have ALL of my meds for the first time in months now. And physically I am feeling great. Thanks for your concern.

I need to get busy. Lots to do today.


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:
36 days to spring :laugh:

Up with insomnia again. Its been awhile since I experienced it this bad. Its amazing how one little sick day can mess up my routine so badly but hopefully it won't last long.
At least I am not grazing my way through the refrigerator this morning. One glass of water and one serving of almonds.....I LOVE LOVE LOVE almonds. Won't have anything else til much later but I have probably messed up my fasting blood sugar for this morning.
Even the cats are up with me this morning.....they appear to have way more energy than I do though...:rofl:
I need to go back to bed and try to sleep for awhile...we are having company later this afternoon and it will be hard trying to sneak in a nap. I hate having company and needing to fight to stay awake. Its quite rude to be yawning when trying to entertain. LOL!
Its almost 5 am so I will check my blood sugar and head back to bed......

:tongue: FBS 156


Vickie:pass:

Hiya, Vickie!

Sorry you weren't feeling well. Insomnia is no fun on its own, either. Did you have a nice warm day yesterday? It melted a lot of our snow here, but we do still have some left.

Glad your food journal is helping you so much. Mine is really an important part of my plan. I don't look at all of the nutrients breakdowns that much anymore, just mostly the bottom line calories, but I should! You are doing great. Keep up the good (hard!) work!

Lisrey :hug:

Hi Lisrey,
Yes, it is hard work. I have to always be on guard. But I have learned some important lessons over the last few months. I have learned that losing this weight and getting healthy involves more than just the physical. It is a mental, emotional, and spiritual journey too. At least for me it has been. I tried doing the physical part by itself and it didn't work until I started working on the rest of me too. I know I have a looong way to go but I think I am laying a good foundation now and I can accept doing it the slow and "easy" way.
Hubby and I had a little misunderstanding this morning and I have felt kinda blue today...(its also rainy and blechy here today) but I knew how to handle the emotional side today and I did not allow myself to go into my usual emotional eating tailspin. I am proud of myself for that. We have already made up...and I apologized too even though he started the whole thing... 8-| ....I do love him so much. Its hard to stay mad at him for long. He makes me laugh and I can't stay mad and laugh at his antics at the same time.
Back to work tomorrow! I have had 3 days off....although 2 of the 3 I was sick and today I was depressed...at least I rested. Didn't get much else accomplished. I am looking forward to a vacation sometime soon.....

Better get in the kitchen and check on dinner!

Blessings :not:


Vickie:pass:
Spring is 34 days away:spring: YIPPETY YAHOOEY!!!!!!!!

Hi, fellow diabetic. I like your countdown to spring.

As a fellow diabetic I assure you that stress can sure cause those blood sugar readings to bounce around. We just have to do the best we can to keep them as stable as possible. Also being a bit sick can cause stress too.

As for the insomnia, I have had that, wonder if it is a result of the diabetes. I have never given it any thought. But recently I have, with my doctor's OK, been taking two Tylenol PMs before I go to bed, and that helps a bunch.

Being a diabetic gives the individual all sorts of problems. You are handling yours very well, and you should be proud of yourself. I am proud of you. It isn't easy being a diabetic.

Keep smiling -

HI Vickie :wave:

I read several posts back here and want to tell you - how very proud I am of you ! :D

Yes, you have had it rough in many ways and still have it rough in many ways but you hanging tough and I am so thrilled to see this attitude !!!!! :cheer:

YOUR DOING IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beth :peace:

Hi Jo and Beth,
Thanks for the most welcome visit to my journal. :ghug:

I worked the past 2 days....too many hours for my own good....thus the reason for my not making an appearance here during that time. Monday, I worked from 6 am to 9 pm. Tuesday, was even worse.....6 am to 11 pm. Census has been very high for my floor at the hospital and it seems every shift is overworked and short of help. Its very frustrating and my feet hurt!
Well, one good thing about this whole deal.....I don't have time to overeat and I am definately getting some good exercise... :laugh:
Today is my day off and I have stuff to do here at home but I am just relaxing and playing on the computer.
I slept til 10 this morning.
FBS was 125 with a 14 day average of 131 and a 30 day average of 142. Things are looking much better even though I occasionally have those unexplained spikes. I can remember not too long ago, I had a 30 day average of over 250. YIKES!!!!! Imagine the damage being done to my small vessels and nerves during that time period! That was when I was missing many doses of my glyburide/metform. I know my neuropathy in my feet was definately affected. Its not as bad as it could be. My toes tingle and burn but I am not to the point where I cannot feel damage occurring so I am grateful for that!
I think I may start posting my daily blood sugars and menus here in my journal for awhile.....just a bit more accountability. I am making sure I get my monitoring done. It gets easier when I can afford the test strips.....and I make sure I get them every week now. I am amazed that my attitude about my health has improved so much. No more being neglectful of my health. I need to keep myself healthy if I want to take care of my hubby.
Well, speaking of neglect.....my kitchen needs blessed in the worst way this morning so I better get up and get at the dishes. Can't wait to get a dish washer.....hahahahaha!
I will be back later.

OH......32 days til SPRING :spring: Doing the happy dance here :dn


Blessings :cat:


Vickie:pass:

:rofl: my kitchen needs blessed in the worst way I LOVE THAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Happy you are taking care of you my friend ! I know how very hard that is/was for you.....

Sorry to hear work has been so rough - hopefully it will settle down soon.

Just keeping taking care of you !

Beth :peace:

:wave:
Just a gentle bump to move my journal off the dusty back shelves into the sunlight! I have been very neglectful of alot of things the past week...this journal being one of them. My well being another. But I am back. And as strong as ever. I have had my problems and still continue with illness as a result of my neglect but I have learned from my mistakes and am on the upward sweep.
I am starting another rephase of phase 4 today in the Bootcamp forum. I am not a quitter. I refuse to be beaten.
I have new ideas and am excited about them. The sun is shining today. Its just a few weeks til spring and my much anticipated family reunion/vacation is on the horizon. Life is good...errrr....will be good as soon as I get my voice back! Hubby probably thinks it is pretty good right now. :rofl:
Well, I will return!!!! Just like the preverbial "bad penny"!
I will now go stand in a steamy shower and breathe deeply and see if it helps my sore throat and congestion and earache.
Love ya all,


Blessings:spring:

Vickie:pass:

Feel better soon, Vickie! You are right, not that far from Spring now. Can't wait!

Lisrey :spring:

Hello Journal Buddies,
Big :ghug: to all. I have spent the last few days just hanging around doing what I want to do.....lots of sleep...heeheehee....but I am feeling better. I think i caught my inner ear infection just in the nick of time to avoid a perforated eardrum again. I have been on antibiotics only 2 days now and although there is still pain and some hearing distortion and sound sensitivities, it is better!
I go back to work tomorrow and Sunday but weekends are usually a bit lighter so I can hopefully get back into the swing of things in my own pace.
During this last illness I continued to try to eat healthy. I did not try to get any exercise in though. But I have learned that some things I just cannot have near me or I will not control myself and eat a proper portion. That is a big thing with me now.....portion control! I struggle with that everyday!
Well, I need to go check my laundry and see if clothes are dry.
Thanks for visiting Lisrey.


Blessings :spring:

23 days till spring :dn YIPPETY YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Vickie:pass:

:(
Didn't go back to work today after all. I woke up early with a incredibly sore throat and a temperature. Apparently the antibiotic is not working. My ear is still very painful and I am now having some "ringing" in the ear. Arghhhhhhh!
Gotta try something else. I cannot keep missing work like this. Maybe a different antibiotic. Or some kind of drops.

I'll be back later today.


Vickie:pass:

Oh I am so very sorry to hear this Vicki...... :hug:

Beth :peace:

Thanks Beth for your kind visit to my journal. I ended up having a pretty great day afterall despite the sore throat and pain problems.
My blood sugars remained very steady today. 124 both times I checked. I did very good with the portion control aspect of my food today. I am proud of myself even though I had potato chips and even a can of Pepsi today. I did NOT binge on the chips.
I tried to do some light stretching exercises again today. Spring is almost here.....22 days.....:spring: so it should start warming up real soon and I will be hitting the pavement again to walk as many times a week as I can.
I drank a good amount of water today and I always feel good about that.
My "Stress Busters" for the day included a nice long warm shower and shampoo, lying in bed watching TV off and on, working on my home business.....revamping some business forms, business cards, press kits, etc. This is work but it is a relaxing work for me as I love that job. I wish I could make enough money at it to do it full time. One of the shows I watched alot of today was "BIRTH DAY LIVE" on Discovery Health. Watching the births made me so homesick to be in the delivery room again. I loved my OB nurse days so much and I miss it as much as I ever loved it! Continuing to teach my childbirth ed classes is my life joy now. Not counting my husband of course :)

Enough of that!

Blessings to all :ghug:


Vickie:pass:

Well, I don't know where to start to express my feelings today. I am doing very well with all my goals right now and that makes me happy. It suddenly really dawned on me today that spring is almost here. Winter is almost behind me and I have made it thru mostly untouched by depression. I have had a few scrapes.....but this year I had the mental fortitude to direct my emotions in another direction and I am proud of myself for that! It feels like I have grown emotionally by leaps and bounds over the last few months.
At the same time, I am sick and tired of being ill!!!!!!!!! I want to rid myself of this ear ache!!!! I am missing work again and I am just now starting to get where I was feeling a bit of breathing room financially! I know this check will be really short and will not stretch as far as it needs to stretch. I am telling myself that it is only one check and next payperiod will be better. But it is still worrisome for me....having the financial difficulties I have had recently.
Then, just a few hours ago, Tiffany called me in tears. Remember Tiffany? My niece that stayed with me last summer when I was so critically ill? Apparently her boyfriend was driving home from her house last night and fell asleep at the wheel and was involved in a head on collision. He is in Intensive Care and has not regained consciousness and she is blaming herself because she knew he was sleepy when he left her house and couldn't convince him not to drive. She thinks he is going to die and she will never get over the guilty feelings. I tried to reassure her but I don't know the specifics of his injuries so its hard to give her a false sense of security. She tells me that the doctor says so far there is no swelling to his brain but the only response anyone has gotten from him was by his mother and Tiffany. He squeezed both of their hands as they were talking to him. I am asking for prayers please for Tiffany and this young man if you don't mind.

My daily report:
I lost 2 more pounds since my last weigh in. Down to 223. Oh that makes me feel so good!!!!!
My FBS was 112
My 6 pm BS was 122
I ate well. I drank extra fluids today.
I took a nap and got a bit of fresh air.

I still have this *&$^ earache and now a headache.

Now, I am going to immerse myself into another STRESS BUSTING activity.....
A nice hot bowl of homemade chicken noodle vegetable soup and hubby and I are gonna watch INDEPENDENCE DAY! One of my all-time favorite movies.


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

Hi Vickie. Your niece's boyfriend is in my prayers. I hope he will be okay and that she will be able to come to terms with it. Keep up the good work and I hope once your earache goes away that that will be the end of it for awhile. Sue

Hi Sue,
Thanks for visiting. I so appreciate the support.

I went to the doctor today. New meds and off work again til the end of the week. He says he suspects a viral sinus infection instead of bacterial.

Well, I am doing good with food still.....and my bootcamp goals are coming along! I am very pleased with my persistance and successes right now.
I am tired though and wanting to sleep so I will post more later.

Blessings to all visitors to this humble journal offering!
:spring:


Vickie:pass:

Way to go on the consistent eating, Vickie! Take care of that infection & do what your doctor says. I'm going to be away for about a week -- I'm sure you'll be feeling better by the time I get back. See ya!

Lisrey :)

Have a great vacation Lisrey!

Love ya,

Vickie:pass:

I had a pretty good day today. Except I had another hypoglycemic reaction today. My fault. I got busy trying to catch some stuff up and didn't eat lunch. By 4:00 I was feeling it! Lightheadedness, faint, cold sweat, very shaky!!!! I quickly ate a couple pieces of toast with peanut butter and had a glass of milk.
The good thing about this is that just maybe I have lost enough weight that I could get off the insulin. I have losts almost 30 pounds now. I am hopeful!

Todays Info:

FBS: 112
4PM: 72
6PM: 96
Total Calories eaten today: 1746

I am starting to feel a bit better regarding the ear infection. I think this new medicine might just work.

18 days to spring :spring: Back to walking again. :laugh:


Vickie:pass:

I am tired and frustrated tonight. I worked a whopping 16 hours today and it was a miserable experience. I don't even want to go back. But I will cause I can't afford not too! But this experience has started me thinking about other options I may have down the road once I get things caught up a bit!
Today, I felt lightheaded almost the whole day. But basically no ear pain. I am still taking my meds for a few more days. I just hope this dizzyness disappears soon. I really don't like this feeling!!!!

Be back tomorrow!


Blessings :spring:


Vickie:pass:

so sorry to hear your still not fully recovered and had such a hard week.......

Beth :peace:

:wave:

Its been a tough week and I have lots to post but I doubt I get it all done in this entry.

I will be starting Phase 5 in the Bootcamp forum tomorrow morning. I am so happy and excited to be this far along with only 1 rephase so far! Its getting to be quite a struggle to keep up with my goals. I don't even have goals figured out for Phase 5 so I will spend some time this afternoon doing that chore.

My sis and I are going to be doing a 5k walkathon next month. Its been awhile since I did anything this big so I am hoping I do ok. I am excited about this. I used to do several walks like this a year. I did none last year as I was ill all summer. I am hoping to do a few of them this year.

I am meeting my goals with a lot of effort so far this month. My blood sugars are stable and my exercise is starting to pick up again. Hubby and I have decided to give the YMCA a try again. I joined a few years ago but it got boring going alone so I quit. Hubby says he will go with me this time. Our doc has told him to lose some weight too. I hope he will actually go with me.

Well, I need to go back to doing my dishes....I am sleepy and want a nap but I have things to do. I will be back later to post more.


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

Hi, Vickie, I am so glad that your blood sugars are stable. That is so important in the life of a diabetic. Mine are bouncing around a bit these days, but I know that is due to stress. Oh, well. We just do our best.

Have fun with your 5k walkathon.

hi sweetie,
just stopping in to see how you are doing?
Wonderful news about the YMCA and hubby going with you..dont let him get out of it though lol... keep nagging at him, it will be great for both of you.
You are doing so great with the bootcamp..phase 5 already! thats awesome. a 5k walkathon sounds like a great fitness goal to me!
i have just finished 4 nights in a row..i had to train a new person every night..man i am thrilled to see days off tomorrow and my own bed lol.
hugs bell :)

your hanging tough and that is just :super:

Beth :peace:

I am having the hardest time starting Phase 5.....its the very same goals for gosh sakes. I just can't seem to commit to the diet.....and I am eating all kinds of stuff.
I had a great day at work today and I still ate chocolate and potato chips.
Maybe I just need a few free days to recoup and get started. I will try again tomorrow.


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

Whooooooohoooooooo....... :cheer: 8 days til spring....right around the corner.....where's the warmth and sunshine!!!!

Hiya, Vickie!

I am back from my trip & so glad to see your last happy post. I am definitely with you on the Spring thing!! I was away in a tropical locale & I got a taste of some AMAZING weather. I want flowers and warmth here, too! :laugh:

That is awesome about your 5K plans with your sister. Last year my sister & I planned to do a 5K together. I had never done one -- my sister was going to run & I was going to walk. Long story short, she broke her foot & couldn't go. I did a different one on my own in October -- it was rainy and cold but I was so proud for doing it! Great goal, and I love the fact that you & your sister are doing it together. I look forward to hearing all about it.

Keep on trying with the goals -- even if you have some setbacks now & then, they teach you things you can use and you do better next time. Every little bit helps & you are doing great!

Take care,

Lisrey :spring:

:wave:

LISREY: Welcome home!!!!!!! Glad to see you back and to hear that you had such a good time. Thanks for the encouragement. I sure need it sometimes.....like now!

BETH: Sometimes all I can do is HANG TOUGH and hope I don't fall off :)

BELL: I am so happy to hear from you.

JO: Taking care of my diabetes is quickly becoming the most important thing in my life lately. I should have focused on this long ago.


My week:

I finally got started in Phase 5 after 3 rephases in a row. I feel so burned out in everything. I don't want to watch what I eat anymore or exercise or go to work anymore. I keep it up because I have to. I think it might be something to do with my perimenopausal symptoms but I am literally worn out and worn down again. No wonder I have problems recovering from illnesses that others seem to have no problems with.
Well, at least I am eating better now and for the most part my blood sugars are much better!!!!!!!!! Occasionally they bounce around some but I understand that! Over the long run, my averages have been great!
I am marking the days til spring...... :rofl: exactly 7 days!!!! And I am planning on taking some time off this spring and summer to pursue my own activities. So I have things to look forward to!
I weighed again. Down one more pound. 222....wahoooo!!!!
I can't wait to be below 220. Its been eons since I have seen that on my scale! Maybe next week. Hahahahahaha!
OK, probably not, but it can't help to be positive and dream can it????
Gonna go home to see my family in a few weeks....Easter weekend. My baby sister is gonna have some rather serious surgery on the 28th and we are having a big family get together for Easter before she does. Hopefully, everyone will be able to come.

Gotta get busy. Things to finish today.


Blessings:spring:

Vickie:pass:

Yay for Spring! Yay for 222! 220 isn't far away -- you can do it! Set your mind on that goal. 2 pounds! It's right there within your reach and you will have it in no time. When do we go back to DST? That's what I truly can't wait for. :up:

It can be hard to be consistent with the healthy eating and exercise; that's why it's so important to make it a lifestyle change, and to take it as gradually as you need to. Adjust to each baby step before moving on and tackling another... before you know it, you'll be living an entirely different routine. That's the way it's been with me!

Glad to hear you sounding so positive -- have a great week!

Lisrey :*

Hi Lisrey,
Thanks for visiting me again! I appreciate it so much!

I am so excited that spring is only 6 days away! Its still cold here but the sunshine is so much brighter the last few days. It LOOKS beautiful outdoors. And I noticed that it was starting to get lighter as I was on the way to work this morning. We are in one of those oddball Indiana counties that don't change timezones.....yet. Our new governor is trying hard to get the entire state to DST I guess. We will wait and see.

2 lbs.......that is my next goal. It will be so good to be below 220 lbs again. I should be able to start regular exercise again. I think I will take some water aerobic classes at the Y this summer too. Maybe even some sort of strength training or aerobic classes too.

I am tired tonight but I really had a very nice day at work for the most part. Very little stress actually! Thats 3 work days in a row that turned out good. God is blessing me because of all the horrendous days I have endured lately. I was getting to the "burned to a crisp" stage and just wanted to retreat and lick my wounds so badly. Tomorrow I am off again and I intend to enjoy it. Anyone who tries to tell you that being a nurse is a easy job is lying to ya! Ok, vent over!!!!! I'm :D again!!!!!!!!!


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

glad that work is treating you well Vickie..you surely deserve some less stressful days after the stressful ones that seem to come all the time.
enjoy your day off. do you have anything planned?
hugs bell :)

I have had today off work and I have accomplished NOTHING! Just sitting here feeling like a slug. Maybe its a bit of depression or cabin fever or a bit of anxiety. But I just have not felt "good" today. I am ok physically, just emotionally I feel drained. I think I need to get started exercising again. I don't like this "slug" feeling.


Vickie :coach:

i understand what you are saying Vickie..some days i just dont have that good feeling either..getting outside or inside and doing something active..maybe a walk or put a CD on and have a dance around your living room... hope you feel better.
hugs bell :)

Hi, Vickie, hope your tomorrow is a better day. I will remind you that spring is coming, the calendar tells us so, and everyone feels better when spring comes. Have you noticed that? It's true. All the midwinter blues and sluggish feelings drift away when spring comes.

Hi Everyone,
Whew am I tired! The last two days at work have been 16 + hours of being on my feet each day and this old, almost 50 body can't take it! My feet are killing me! I have a small cut or something on the bottom of my right small toe and it is really painful! I think I probably rubbed a sore there and I need to get busy pronto healing it up because of my diabetes. Blood sugar was SKY high this morning.... 197 .....I ate too late last night as I didn't get home till after 10 and I had way too many carbs. Sigh...............

I got a bit of good news today. The director of the OB dept at my hospital asked me if I was interested in setting up a new childbirth education program for the hospital...I have several years experience in the type of classes she is interested in and also teach some independently. I am so excited about this program. I am to call her next week to set up a meeting with her and the other prenatal teachers.
If this works out and I can contract with the hospital to teach some classes, I can cut out a lot of the overtime I am now working!!!! I am keeping my fingers crossed. :laugh:

Ok, I gotta get off these poor old tired feet of mine. It will feel good to get my legs and feet into that nice soft bed......if dear hubby has left me any space :rofl:
I have TONS of stuff to do tomorrow but I will try to get back in here and post more. I am already penciling in a nap appointment for me.


Blessings:spring: 2 DAYS AWAY!!!!!!! Go Spring.........

Vickie:pass:

Just bumping my journal back up where I can find it. I will eventually start posting here again. Nothing much to say today though.


Vickie:pass:

stopping in to say hi, Vickie.
Miss hearing from you. Hope that all is well with you sweetie.
How is Spring treating you?
hugs bell :)

Hi, Vickie!

I'm on vacation right now but wanted to say "hi" since you posted again. Hope things are going well & that you're just busy... miss you!

Lisrey :hug:

PS -- It's Spring!!! :spring: :laugh:

stopping by to say "hi" :wave:

Hope all is well with you and you can update here soon - I miss reading your journal :(

Beth :peace:

Hello,
Lisrey, Bell and Beth.....its so good to see that the three of you have visited me and are still thinking of me. I miss you guys tremendously.
Well, what is new in my little corner of the world??? I should really consider changing the name of my journal to Mindless Ramblings of a Diabetic / Heart Patient...........
A little over a week ago I started having the heavy crushing feeling in my chest again. At first I thought that it was just that the weather was changing and getting more humid but eventually, as my activity continued I would experience the angina and nausea and I knew that something must be wrong. My dear cardiologist.....bless that man.....did a EKG and ordered a Myoview Stress Test which I failed today. I could only walk 6 minutes and then had to stop due to the pain and shortness of breath. So now, I must undergo yet another cardiac catherization to see if I have another blockage..... :c( I am totally bummed by this latest development. But I am determined to make something good come from it. I am not sure what that will be just yet but I will no longer let fear and depression mandate my life.
I will go into the hospital on Thursday the 21st and hopefully get out on Friday. This will be my 3rd cardiac cath in less than a year. Then I will presumably have to start my cardiac rehab all over again and hopefully do it right this time.
Well, on a lighter note.......hahahaha......I have a new puppy named Lucy and she is so cuuuuute! I am having a hard time housebreaking her though. She does not want to go outdoors.......probably figures if the cats can stay in she should be able to too.....
She has to stay in a pet carrier in the kitchen at night due to her unwillingness to cooperate with me in the training routine and she puts up a horrible fuss when the lights go off and the house gets quiet. You've never heard such wailing and crying...... I get up to go check on her and I find all 3 cats sitting there just watching her bawl, so I have taken to putting a cover over her cage. I think the cats are enjoying her misery wayyyyyyyy too much.... I told them last night that I could round up a few more pet carriers if they were that interested in them and they all were in the living room up in their tree in minutes. Who says pets don't understand when they are spoken to........:rofl:
Well, I better get things done around here so I can get to bed. Very busy day coming up tomorrow. Talk about procrastination. We are FINALLY getting to the accountant to get our taxes done. With no time to spare.
I am so tired and ready for bed.


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

Dear Vicki,

I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Love you lots. I am as always, Monica :hug:

Vicki - I am so sorry to hear about your health problems - my thoughts & prayers are with you :cross:

You have been through so very much...... :(

I about busted a gut laughing at your talk with the cats ! :rofl:

Maybe try playing music on low for the little guy - and see if that helps him not to howl so much.

We leave CMT on for Romeo all the time lol

Please try to update us when you can as to how you are doing?

Beth :peace:

i am so sorry to hear of your latest health problems, Vickie. i am keeping you in my thoughts.let us know how it all goes. i will be thinking of you.
hugs bell :)

Goodmorning :spring:
Its a beautiful day in Central Indiana. I have lots to do today. I didn't sleep all that well last night but I will take a nap later. I love my afternoon naps. I-)
On to face the challenges of the day. I will be back later.


Vickie:pass:

Just stopping in to say "HI" ... and see how you're feeling. Glad the weather is cooperating with you today ... that always helps us feel better. If you took that nap this afternoon, I hope you woke up feeling rested ... I hate when I don't sleep well at night.

I'll stop in again soon. We miss you over in bootcamp!

Hello :wave:
Not a bit sleepy tonight as I have spent the past two days just lying around napping. Hubby is a AWESOME nurse.....he takes such good care of me. He is spoiling me with this "everything I want" routine.
Friday afternoon I probably should have gotten my butt to the ER. I had pressure so bad in my chest that I was chewing up aspirin....pffft....and taking nitro tabs....Kenny was out doing yard work or I would have been taken to the hospital. I hate the thought of going to the ER!
Anyhoo, the pressure was relieved somewhat by the time he came in but I still got my lecture about not telling him...and although I still have pain and pressure at times, it is so much better now. I will just be glad to get Thursday here and get this catherization over with and get back to work. This "how am I gonna afford to be off work again" worry is driving me nuts.
Well, even though I have dropped out of bootcamp for the time being.... :c( ....I think I will still take the Life Balance Challenge here in my journal. I meant to do it there and even started working on it. Just never got it posted. So look for my answer to the first question here Sunday afternoon. Then I will answer another of the questions every few days. I think it will help me alot.
I guess I will be moving on to a few online games......hopefully, I will be sleepy soon. Everyone else is sleeping peacefully here......


Blessings :spring:


Vickie:pass:

Goodmorning....errrr....soon to be good afternoon.

I was awake quite late last night but once I finally fell asleep, I was in sleep heaven!!!!! Hubby woke me up at 10 to check my blood sugar and take my meds. He also wanted to "check on me".
Gosh, my kitchen is a disaster area this morning and I desperately need to do some "blessings" in there. It might take me all day but I will get it done. I should have done some of it when I was "sleepless in Indiana" last night! The dishes need to be done, the floor needs to be mopped. Darling hubby is fixing dinner again.......roast chicken and dressing. I am licking my lips in anticipation....:rofl:!!!!!

I do feel better today. Not so much heaviness on my chest and no pain so far today. I am starting to think it has something to do with the fact that I have not worked in a week. What a problem....I HAVE to work.....what will I do if I can't????????? Lots of stuff to think about but not to worry about. Thats a very thin line for me!!

Well, I need to get busy. I have email to send, websites to work on, planning for next week to get done. Lots of housework to get done but that will be slow and easy for now. I WILL be back later today with my first LIFE BALANCE CHALLENGE answer.


Love ya all,


Vickie:pass:

Hi, Vickie,

Take care of yourself and go easy on the housework, okay? Your medical issues sound scary and serious, and you shouldn't over-do!

It's a beautiful day here, and my first tulips are blooming this morning! Spring has finally sprung -- isn't it the best?? Enjoy & take care!

Lisrey :spring:

Hi Vickie. I just wanted to stop and check in on you. I'm so glad your husband is taking good care of you. My heart goes out to you, hon. Know that I care and am keeping you in my thoughts. Sue

Hello Journal Buddies,
I have not been feeling well at all the last couple days.....can't seem to sleep tonight at all. The chest is a bit uncomfortable. I have my nitro tabs within reach just in case.....
Sorry I have not been able to complete my LIFE BALANCE project yet. I will get it done soon though. I have no energy it seems. One or two household chores and I am wiped out. Nap time...... :sigh:
I so want to get this illness behind me again. Hubby has been such a blessing to me the past weeks...well, actually since the day we met, but especially now. I tell him he married a dud but he disagrees with me. I love him so!!!!!
Well, once again I must cancel my participation in the March of Dimes walkathon for this weekend. I was looking forward to going home and walking with my former co-workers from the OB dept where I used to work and with my sis Anna. Tiffany (our neice) was gonna walk with us too but she recently broke her foot while looking for nightcrawlers so she could go fishing. Just the thought of picking up nightcrawlers sends a chill right down my spine....eeekkk!!!
Anyhoo, she dropped a 12 lb cinder block of some sort on her foot. So no walking for her either. Anna is still going to walk. I am so proud of her. She walks 3-4 miles several times a week now. This time last year she was 220 lbs heavier and she could barely walk from her kitchen to her bedroom. She is now my inspiration....although she has always been a role model for me in so many other ways.
Well, I bet those of you who actually took the time to read my rambling tonight are getting bored with it all. :D
Sorry, some nights when I cannot sleep, coming here and rambling is all I can do.


Blessings to all :spring:


Vickie:pass:

Lost in my own thoughts, I rambled on and on and didn't stop to say THANK YOU to the few that come to visit my journal, cheer me up, wish me well. Your visits are always welcome and much anticipated.

SUE: Thanks for caring about me. I will survive this and I will return to bootcamp again...stronger, healthier, more determined than ever to succeed!

LISREY: Taking it easy is a forced issue anymore. Too much activity and I pay for it. You would be surprised though, how much dear hubby is helping out and how many naps and rest periods I take in a days time.

SWEET JEAN: Thanks for stopping by. You are most welcome to come here anytime. And I really will try to get back to your journal soon. Good luck with bootcamp.

BELL: Hi sweet friend. Your support and encouragement means everything to me. I hope life is treating you well too.

BETH: I am holding my own for now. Two more days and hopefully, I will start the road to recovery again. I have fears about my long term prognosis......must I repeat this cycle over and over. After 3 cardiac caths, I am so done with this......I know God is trying to teach me something. I guess I have not learned yet what that is. But onward!!!!!!!!!! HE won't give up on me so I dare not give up on myself.

MONICA: Thanks for the visit and the vote of confidence. If there is anything I need right now its good thoughts and earnest prayers. Thank you so much for caring about me.

My undying love and friendship to all of you :hug: i must lie down awhile now. Lots to do tomorrow in preparation of my little hospital adventure on Thursday!


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

Hi Vickie. You have a wonderful attitude, a loving supportive husband, and the determination to do what is necessary to heal. I have you in my prayers today. :ghug: Sue

Thinking of you today Vickie and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
hugs bell :)

Hi Sue and Bell and all my journal buddies,
Thanks for the visit to my journal. I couldn't sleep so I thought I would give all of you a quick update on my hospital stay. I did GREAT!!!!!
I did have 2 more blockages.......one was 70% and was successfully repaired by balloon angioplasty. The other was a 95% blockage and required another stent. But I seem to be bouncing back much quicker this time.......I am tired but rest periods seems to "refresh me" better. I will be back in the morning to go into more detail. I just wanted to say a quick "I'm ok" !!!!!!!! :laugh:
I so appreciate your support and friendship. Love ya,


Vickie:spring:


Vickie:pass:

So glad to hear that report, Vickie! Do you know what is causing this to happen over and over? Is it something you can do something about with diet and exercise? Seems like excellent motivation if so. I am thinking of you and wishing for your good health! Take care,

Lisrey :hug:

So happy to hear your good news! Those blockages sure explain the way you've been feeling lately. Now take it easy on yourself, recover from these latest procedures, and let your body heal. Having a stent put in has its aftermath ... so please rest! Better circulation means a better Vickie.

I'll be back to visit again soon. I brought you a bouquet: :spring:

Oh Vickie. I'm so happy for you. No wonder you were feeling so bad. I hope this will permanently clear up these heart problems of yours for a good long time now. I'm praying for that.

so happy that you are feeling better already Vickie. i hope that this is the start of a great healthy new life for you sweetie.
hugs bell :)

Hi Journal Buddies,
I DO feel better but I have a long way to go! The hard work starts now. Cardiac rehab.........

The doctor says that this problem likely keeps happening because of my long term diabetes and the fact that I have a strong family history of diabetes and heart disease. Of course, I take the credit for my poor choices in life.....my only redeeming quality is that for the past year, I have been trying at least to make better choices. And I will continue to do so until I get it right. This extra weight MUST come off, I MUST get the correct amount of exercise, I MUST control my diabetes better and eat more heart healthy foods......CONSISTENTLY!!!!!!

Planning in this area starts like this:
I am joining two support groups......diabetic support and heart disease support.
I am looking to take a nutrition class of some kind....
I am rejoining the Y and signing up with their water aerobics program.
I have a meeting on Monday to speak with my supervisor about this and
I plan to tell her I will no longer do all the overtime. The medical bills will take forever to get paid off but at least I hopefully will not be making new ones on a regular basis. Meanwhile I am considering for the first time that I may have to leave nursing altogether. It is such a emotionally stressful job. I love it but I think it is contributing to my downfall in many ways. I am looking at ways to make my "sometimes" home business of prenatal education more profitable. Maybe offer more classes and different types of perinatal education programs or perhaps perinatal and postpartum support programs.
Lastly, I am looking, without much success at the present time, for a class for stress management. I have seen tons of ads for these classes but now that I am interested in one, they seem to have vanished. I will find one somewhere eventually.....

Bell, Sue, Sweet Jean and Lisrey:
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for your support. You ladies are truly angels in disguise...you keep my spirits up when I am at my lowest. I love you all.
BTW: Lisrey, congrats on you Diettalk Star designation. Super Job!


Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

I forgot to mention that my computer died and DH is trying to fix it but all we have is his now. Soooo......I will try to keep up with posting here but if I disappear for a few days, do not worry about me. I will not always have computer access but I will always strive to stay on track.


Vickie:pass:

Sorry about your computer! Glad you still have a way to get online, though.

I am really impressed with all of your plans. You have obviously put a lot of thought into them. How soon after this procedure can you start the water aerobics? That really sounds like fun to me. I know it must be really difficult for you to drop the overtime, and also to consider leaving your profession... Big decisions. I think the overtime one is really smart, though, at least for now. You can't keep repeating this cycle. You have a lot to think about; I am sure you will come to the right conclusions for you.

Good luck, my friend, and thank you for the kudos!

Lisrey :hug:

Hi Vickie. I, too, love your plans. All of them sound sensible and the way to go. I do water aerobics at the Y and I absolutely love them. Less impact but you get a really good workout and can put into it as much as you are able.

I just went to a really good stress management class hosted by our city's recreation department, but put on by a psychologist. It was remarkable. I will be writing about what I learned in my journal and will let you know when I (actually) do that so you can check it out.

I wish you much success with all your plans and for continued good health.

Hi Journal Buddies,
Just a quick update. I am doing good. I seem to have a good amount of motivation after this last episode of illness. I thought cutting back on salt would be my downfall. But I have started salting my food once and putting the salt shaker in the cabinet. It's working. No salt shaker on the table!!!!!!
Eventually I hope to stop adding salt altogether but I am not the cold turkey type. Of course, I am still addicted to my dill pickles......:rofl:
Sweet hubby has taken over one of my most STRESSFUL jobs for the time being. He has started paying all the bills and dealing with any debt collectors. We don't get many calls but they just frustrate the daylights out of me and knowing that for now I don't have to mess with them is heavenly!!!!! They do not seem to realize that I am doing my best to stay afloat and it is not my intention to not pay them. Or that I do not have 1,000 dollars to just magically pull out of my savings to pay them in full. My last illness literally killed my savings accounts and I am just starting to save all over. There is a tiny little shred of light at the end of the tunnel now and I am only praying that it is not the headlights of a approaching train!!!! HaHaHa!!!!
Well, its been cool and rainy out today but I still got outside for 30 minutes of exercise.....actually closer to 45. I am eating much better. Lots of fruits and veggies. I have been bitten by the salad bug. And Kenny is baking or roasting most everything now. Very little fried foods anymore. I am using PAM for that. I am researching recipes for my favorite fried foods to adapt to "oven frying", like chicken, french fries, fish, etc.
Well, I have to work tomorrow so I better get to bed. I am not working any overtime now. It will hurt us financially for awhile but things will work out. I am going to enjoy my time off.....at least thru summer. I have lots here to keep me busy. And maybe I will write that great american novel I have been thinking about!!!!!!! Ha!!!
Thanks for the support and visits. You guys are the greatest!!!!

Blessings:spring:


Vickie:pass:

Oh Vickie I am so happy to hear the positive tone in your post again :)

I have been so worried about you and how this latest problem would effect your attitude.

I just picked up a new oil today after reading an article about how good it is for the heart - it is called Enova - I don't know a lot about it ( yet ) but will share what I find out later. I am going online to look up more information. I do know it is costly :(

Like 5.00 for 20 ozs.........!

Beth :dance:

Article I found: http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/healthandfitness/p/enovaoil.htm (http://lowfatcooking.about.com/od/healthandfitness/p/enovaoil.htm)

A New Kind of Cooking Oil: Scanning the shelves of my local grocery store, I noticed a new kind of cooking oil, one that claims to be very different from the rest, yet it is not a fat substitute. The makers of Enova claim that less of its oil is stored in the body as fat. Let’s take a closer look.

Who Is It Made By?: Enova oil is the product of ADM Kao, which is a joint venture between Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), based in Decatur, Illinois, and the Kao Corporation of Japan.

What Is It?: Enova oil is essentially a blend of soybean and canola oils. Nutritionally, Enova is similar to regular vegetable oils. A tablespoon still delivers 120 calories and 14 grams of fat, so it is not a low fat or low calorie oil.

Is Enova A Heart Healthy Oil?: Most of its fat is unsaturated, with the balance tipped towards polyunsaturated fat (8g) rather than monounsaturated fat (5g). Both types help lower levels of bad cholesterol, but polyunsaturated fat can also lower levels of good cholesterol. The ratio of Omega 6 fatty acids to the more beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids in Enova is 10:1. Ideally this ratio should be closer to 3:1, since excess consumption of Omega 6 has been linked to high blood pressure, inflammation and other chronic diseases.

Are there any Saturated Fats or Trans Fats in Enova Oil?: At half a gram, Enova’s saturated fat content is lower than that of its closest counterparts (canola oil has 1 gram of saturated fat). Enova contains no trans fat or cholesterol.

How Does Enova Oil Work?: The key to Enova brand oil is that it is metabolized differently than other oils, which means more of it is burned and less of it is stored as fat, even though the body absorbs it in the same way as conventional fat.
Enova is produced through a process that increases natural diacylglycerol (DAG) levels, over triacylglycerols (TAG), which are the main components of regular oils. The lower intestine treats these particular DAG fats differently. Instead of being repackaged and stored in the body as fat, these special DAG molecules are filtered into the bloodstream and broken down in the liver instead. Substituting Enova for conventional oils may help lower blood lipid levels, especially triglycerides. Although research is still continuing, initial studies have shown reductions in post-meal triglyceride levels of more than 30%; other studies showed some fat loss, too.

Although Enova oil has been available in the United States since January 2005, it has been sold in Japan under the brand name Healthy Econa Cooking Oil since 1999, and has become Japan's bestselling cooking oil.

Light in color and mild in taste, Enova oil has been given GRAS status—“generally recognized as safe”—by the Food and Drug Administration, which means it can be used for home cooking, as well as an ingredient in salad dressings, mayonnaise, spreads and other processed foods.

For more information, check out Enova’s web site. http://www.enovaoil.com/ (http://www.enovaoil.com/)

Beth :dance:

Hi sweetie,
just stopping in to say hello to you :)
Good for you on not doing the overtime..i know financially its a bit tough but ultimately your health isnt worth jeopardising for all the money in the world.
I am so glad that hubby is helping you by looking after the bills. i am sure that will relieve a lot of stress for you.
Take care of you!
hugs bell :)

No wonder you were feeling so tired. It's amazing that they could help you to feel better so quickly.
That is so exciting to hear about Anna. I remember reading her journal when she was trying to get the weight off on her own and was so excited when she was finally able to drive again. she would never have guessed that she would be walking 3-4 miles at a time. Your niece's injury is painful. I know because I did something very similar when I was her age.
I hope you continue to feel stronger.

Hello :wave:
Update time!!! I am doing very well. I have been busy but I am getting some good rest too. I have had a few slip ups with the diet but overall I am doing much better. And the exercise has been great. I have gotten at least 30 minutes (sometimes more) EVERYDAY since my last stent placement. I mostly have been walking but I have also gotten in quite a bit of yard work.....we are putting out our veggie garden. I have also been mowing the yard. And I have a big yard! Today I might have overdone it a bit cause I am so tired. But it was a absolute beautiful day and I wanted to be outside. Hubby and I
took Lucy outdoors and she played while we worked. He worked in the garden and cleaned the shed while I mowed the grass. It took me an hour and a half to finish and I was ready to shower when I finished. Got dizzy in the shower and had to lie down for a few minutes but have felt fine since except for this fatigue. I have to work at the hospital the next two days then I am off Sunday and I intend to rest all day....except for a 30 minute walk. I am sure I will sleep well tonight.
Thanks so much for the visits again. You girls amaze me.
Its off to bed now to get some rest. I-)


Blessings:spring:

Vickie:pass:

I am sooooooooooooo thrilled to hear how well you are doing !!!!!!!!! :D

Beth :dance:

Hi Vickie ...

Glad to hear you're feeling better ... just don't overdo things. Like a friend of mine likes to say, "The work will be there tomorrow."

Talk to you soon ... :o

OK! Fair Warning! I am about to bust out in song so cover your ears.....heeheehee!

"SUMMERTIME..........AND THE LIVIN IS EASYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Man, Am I loving this weather!!!!!!!!!! We have had a few wet, rainy days but this spring time stuff is my favorite time of year. I feel great.
Hubby and I spent the last week and a half passing some nasty old bug back and forth but we went a few days ago to the doctor together and both got antibiotics and are both finally on the mend!!!
Other than that, I am doing very good health wise. My blood sugars are still oh so good that it scares me! NO chest pain or discomfort or shortness of breath. I am spending lots of time moving now.......yard work, garden work, mowing the grass, tending the tomato plants. Don't get concerned though! I take my afternoon naps when I need them or just want them. I also make sure I get my 15 minute "put up my feet and drink water" breaks every 2-3 hours. At this time I am doing no overtime at work. I don't need that stress just yet.
I am eating well......finally! I am allowing myself one JUNK FOOD SUNDAY a month. Even then, I will watch portion size. I know I can have that cheese pizza I have been craving........but just once a month and not the whole thing! :o
I have been taking Miss Lucy with me on my walks. Boy, is that a workout.....I never believed a 8 lb puppy could drag me around so badly!!!! She sorely needs leash training!! But its lots of fun.
I am finally getting my house back in shape.....such as it is. I still consider it a computer workshop that we happen to live in :laugh: but its home. Eventually, things will be different but I am so happy to be here with my dear hubby and my kitties and my puppy. Life is good!!!!!

Bless all of you who have visited in the last few weeks. I love you all so much and am so proud to call you each a real friend.


Happy Spring Blessings :spring:

Vickie :dance:

Yay, Vickie!

I'm so delighted to hear you're feeling better. And YES springtime is the best! :dn

I think you're wise to skip the overtime. You need to focus on your health and get yourself back on an even keel first. No slipping back into the danger zone. Maybe set some specific goals (pounds lost, blood sugar levels achieved, etc) for yourself to meet before you will consider it?

Enjoy your week!

Lisrey :flower:

How wonderful to hear you sounding so great! The weather being nice sure does improve our mood doesnt it? i know when the weather is gloomy i tend to feel that way..but with a gorgeous sunny day it makes us realise what a great place we live in doesnt it?
Great job on getting the eating in check and with all that exercise and yard work you will be dropping the pounds!
Keep up the great work Vickie.
hugs bell :)

Hi Journal Buddies,
I have had a wonderful, restful day today! I walked for 2 miles this morning and it felt great. The weather was perfect although it is starting to cloud up a bit now. I have just finished lying on the couch and watching movies.
Yesterday was my "work at home day". I accomplished alot of housework yesterday but never did get to my walk. I also spent about 2 hours working in my home office.....working on some contract business. Then I played with Lucy awhile.
All in all, I have had a great weekend.

I am feeling well. I have been trying to take good care of myself. My eating is better every day but I still have this problem with salt! I seem to be addicted to the stuff. I don't know how to adapt myself to eating less salt when I can't seem to get through one low salt meal. Its frustrating to say the least!

The overtime problem at work has taken care of itself for the time being....census is so low that lately we have been required to take a extra day or two off but I don't mind.....as long as it doesn't last long. I am enjoying my home time much more lately. I noticed for the first time in years, the smell of honeysuckle and lilacs the other day as I was driving home from Indianapolis and a doctors appointment. I was cruising along, windows down, listening to the radio and feeling the wind in my face. And I suddenly realized that life is more than going to work everyday and worrying about stuff! Census will pick up again soon and I will be asked to work overtime again. I may pick up some of it but I attend to enjoy life more. I like smelling the lilacs!!!!!

Lisrey and Bell, Thanks so much for visiting me. I think I'll mosey over to your journals now and see whats new with you! Just another way to relax on this lovely Sunday afternoon!


Blessings :spring:


Vickie :)

Hi Vickie,

First of all how many milligrams of sodium are you allowing yourself? ... I work between 500 to 2,400 milligrams daily ...

Are you using a lot of processed foods? If you are YOU HAVE TO BE MINDFUL that EVERYTHING we eat contains salt ... I don't know if you use Fitday .. but if you record your intake at Fitday by giving yourself NUTRITIONAL GOALS .... you can really be mindful of just how much your intake is......

There are some days where I am right on the mark AND then there are other days that I am over by 400 to 600 milligrams ...

I don't know if you are eating CHEESE ... but regular cheese is VERY HIGH in sodium as is luncheon meat .. I hope this info has helped a little. Keep going on your path to success. I am as always, Monica

And I suddenly realized that life is more than going to work everyday and worrying about stuff! Census will pick up again soon and I will be asked to work overtime again. I may pick up some of it but I attend to enjoy life more. I like smelling the lilacs!!!!!

Good for you!!! I like smelling the lilacs, too.

Keep smiling -

Hi, Vickie!

I had the salt problem too. I really like salty things. I tried Morton's Lite Salt for awhile on things like popcorn and that helped. I also started trying to use more natural spices on things -- I really like garlic and oregano and my Sweetie spices meats and pastas very nicely without using salt. There really are a lot of choices; if you experiment a little you'll find some alternatives you like.

Glad you got out walking today -- the springtime is a great time to be outside, that's for sure. Keep on enjoying your free time! I finally have a job with a pretty regular schedule. I work the occasional late day, but I have weekends off now. That hasn't been the case for me for over 15 years. I like it! :laugh: We can adjust to these little perks, can't we?! :D

Lisrey :x

Hi Vickie ...

Just stopping in to say hello ... glad you're taking the time to relax and enjoy yourself. You're doing great! Your description of taking your puppy out on a leash made me smile ... it's been a long time since I've done that but I remember how much fun it was. Have a good Memorial Weekend.

:o

Hi,
I am home from work for the day finally.....and what a trying day it has been!!!!! But I am home now and all that can be forgotten. I am off for the next two days. And vacation is only a few weeks away!

I saw a diabetic educator for some counseling yesterday morning. She had lots of information and suggestions for me in relation to dealing with my diabetes as a patient and not a nurse. And believe me its totally different.
I will be seeing her about once month for the next few months. I also have an appointment to see the dietician on June 10th. My blood sugars remain in the wonderful range. I know that has a lot to do with the fact that I am exercising alot more now and I have lost a fair amount of weight. Hubby and I have started our own little challenge here....who will lose 20 lb