Hola

There are 103 days left this year.Hard to believe it, this year has flown by. My weight has been up and down the whole year. I would like to fiish the year on a down note. My goal is to be at 155 by year end; that would be very nice But I also have a short term goal of 155 by October 22. That is when the Navy Ball is and I have to fit into a size 14 dress and not look pregnant. I've attached a picture of the dress and shoes.

Right now my stats are as follows:

Weight 175.4 (want to lose 15.4 by the Ball)
Bust 41 (it would be nice to lose an inch)
Waist 34.25 (need to lose @least 4 inches)
Hips 39 (ok for now)
Thighs 24.5 ( they are not pretty)
Calfs 15 (they look pretty good)
Upper Arms 12.5 (can you say bat wings)
BMI 33.7
Body Fat 31.5

Ok, so I have alot of work ahead of me. To meet these goals I'm limiting myself to between 1200 and 1400 calories a day. And am drinking alot of water and getting alot of exercise. I've started running again 3 days a week. That seems to be helping my energy level.

So far it is going good. I'm exercising, I'm eating good and I'm drinking my water. Most of all I'm trying to be good to myself. Because the most important thing is my health.

Have a great day!
Renee

Is that the dress you want to wear? That is GORGEOUS!! I think you will look fantastic. And I hear you on the bat wings, my arms are my least favorite part of my body just because of that.

You can do it.

HI

Raye, thanks, I really like the dress. I felt like the style would hide my stomach some. I've been working my arms exta hard.

Ate good today. Didn't felt wonderful. My chest was tight so I cut my run short. I need to start using my inhaler before I run, that is what the doctor recommended but sometimes I forget. Water wasn't as good as it should have been. I had a lot of running to do. I did get alot of work done. Tomorrow is going to be another busy day but I will get my exercise in. I think if I run first thing in the morning I feel do better but afternoon I"m tired and am ready for a nap. Today I was only home for 3 hours the whole day. Had to go to the bank first thing this morning, they screwed up my checking account royally. It took awhile for them to fix it, had to get a supervisor involved, they cleared a check through my account that wasn't from my checking account but from my line of credit. and then transfer money from my line of credit to cover it. Boy was I ticked. The girl's idea of fixing it is to transfer yet more money out of my account. Duh! Then I owe twice as much to my loc, I couldn't get her to understand it. I finally had to get the supervisor and she fixed it. She was not happy with the teller. Then I went to the library. Got home and started cleaning, hubby calls and needed me to bring him something at his office, got caught in lunch hour traffic. Got home, ran, at lunch and then it was time to pick son up and take him for his allegery shots. Didn't get home until after 4. So much for exercise. But all I'm doing tomorrow is getting the kids rooms cleaned. And try and find the cordless phone. One of the kids misplaced it and I can't find it. Been looking for 2 days.

Anyhow, I'm rambling. I need to get the kitchen clean so I can go to bed. IT is almost 10. I don't get enough sleep so my goal is to try and go to bed earlier.

Have a great day!
Renee

what a beautiful dress and shoes. Good luck you can do it.

Hola

I can’t believe it is October. The weather is absolutely beautiful. It was in the mid 80’s today. I finished September at 176 lbs. My goal for October is to lose as much as possible. But I will be happy to lose some inches. Especially in my abs and arms. Been keeping busy. I started back to exercising with New Beginnings. I’m enjoying it, I like having the support. Next week the indoor pool reopens and water aerobics starts back. The instructor is killer. It will be good for cross training.

I have something going on every day this week and then this weekend we are driving to Lisbon, Portugal for the long weekend. Coming home on Monday. It will be hell on my diet and exercise program but I will do my best. The hotel will are staying at is a 4 star 5 minutes from the beach. It has an indoor and outdoor pool, a gym. So between that and the sightseeing I should get plenty of exercise. Unfortunately, the meals there tend to be on the heavy side with a lot of meat. DH said I should be able to get seafood and lots of fruits and veggies. I’m taking bottled water and diet coke with me. Can’t get diet coke in Portugal, all they have is coke light. That stuff is nasty; it leaves a gross after taste. I will stick to my diet coke in the morning and then switch to water for rest of the day. Maybe a glass of wine. Going to start my Christmas shopping this weekend also. The hotel has a 60 store mall next to it.

Smallfri, thanks!

That is about all that is going on.

Have a great day!
Renee
:ghost:

Oh my goodness, a place that doesn't have diet coke? I would go insane. I HAVE to have my diet Coke in the mornings. That is my caffeine fix.

I hope you have a great time, it sure sounds like a fun place to visit. Make sure you do lots of walking on the beach, that is supposed to be great exercise.

Hi

It has been busy. I’m tired and on bed rest until the doctor said otherwise. Hopefully, it will be today. I’m bored, there is nothing on TV and I’m bored with my DVDs.

Columbus Day weekend we went to Lisbon, Portugal. A lot of fun. Lisbon has a lot to offer, great beaches, good food. While there I had a major problem with swelling. But I did lose 4 oz while on vacation.

Wednesday I went to the doctor about the swelling and my weight. He ran a butt load of lab work. Most are back but the rest won’t be in until next week. Anyways, he put me on a water pill until all of the blood work is back.

Thursday I started running a fever and was exhausted. Friday I work up with chest pains, elevated blood pressure and heart rate. I was lightheaded and dizzy. I though maybe it was a reaction to the medicine. I called the hospital and spoke to a corpman. He said to quit taking the medicine and make an appointment. I asked him to past the information onto the doctor’s nurse and have her call me. She didn’t so around 2 I called to get an appointment. First they told me it would be 2 weeks but when I told the LtCommander what the problem was she told me to come in immediately. 20 minutes later I was hooked up to an EKG. It was abnormal, my BP and HR were abnormal. I was short of breathe so I was admitted to the ER for monitoring. Then the fun started. Heart Monitor, blood work, blood thinner, aspirin, nitroglycerin, and a host of other meds. Another EKG, chest x-ray. Anyways, the EKG was still off, the cardiac enzymes where elevated. So I was admitted. Spent the night in the hospital. I tried to get the doctor to release early so I could go the breast cancer awareness walk. He laughed. More meds, more tests. My arms look like a junkie's. I have a huge bruise on my belly from one of the shots of blood thinner. They ruled out a heart attack. The really don’t know what caused it. Maybe a reaction to the meds, maybe an infection. Anyways, my cholesterol was good but my HDLs and LDLs weren’t so he put me on Zocor. To be on the safe side, I’m on aspirin. I’m on a cardiac diet and bed rest. I go back this afternoon. Then he is going to schedule a stress test and echocardiogram. He may release me to lite exercise. When I asked about spinning class he just gave he that look. The one says are you out of your mind?

The good new is my sugar and thyroid is great.

My family is driving me crazy. They are hovering. I get up to potty and they demand to know what I’m doing. My son keeps asking me what my BP and HR is. My daughter stares at me and won’t come near me like she thinks it’s catching. I am tired but my heart feels find. I have a busy, crazy week planned and I don’t have time for this. The ball is Friday.

The good news is I lost another 3 pounds and am down to 172.

Well, I’ve *****ed enough. It is time for my morning nap. I want to be rested for my doctor’s appointment.


Raye, you can't get diet coke in Europe. At least not on the economy. I can buy it on the base. It kills me when I travel.

Have a great day!
Renee:):water:

OMG, Arf!!!! I am so worried about you!!!! Please listen to the doctor and do what he says. I've been in bed for 12 weeks now, so I know about boredom. Can you learn a new hobby, like knitting? Or read? Or write letters? Do crosswords?

I can't believe you asked to be released to do a breast cancer walk! Are you nuts??? GAH. Some kind of devotion. I'll be thinking about your tests today. Let us know how it goes babe.

Are you ok??? If you can, please come online and let us know how you are feeling. I'm thinking about you!!!

Renee,

Goodness! What excitement you have been having. Glad they got you in quickly and took care of you. HOpe you are feeling better soon!!!

Hi

I’m still waiting on my testes. Since the one has to be done out in town, I’m at the mercy of the Spanish system. I took all week to get an appointment. I go Tuesday at 6:30 pm for the Echo. The appointment is in Cadiz, which is an hour away. I’ve only been to Cadiz once and it was very confusing. Anyway, the doctor is suppose to speak very good English and received it training in the US. After this test the doctor on base will order the stress test. If all goes well with this test, I can resume my exercise. IF not I will got to the Army hospital in Germany for whatever needs to be done. I’m feeling ok, a little tired. I find I need a nap daily. The swelling in my hands and feet has stayed away until yesterday and then returned. My hands, feet and under my eyes are all puffed up. It added 1.4 lbs to my weight. I know it is water weight. I’ve managed to get in a couple of slow walks in this week but had to rest afterwards. I also have to see the dietitian next week.

Last night was the Navy Ball. As tired as I was I went. It was one of those command appearances. Half of the hospital was there, most of the docs. I only danced one slow dance with my husband. And I didn’t partake in any alcoholic beverages. I drank enough water to float an aircraft carrier. I ate very little of the tapas and only half of my dinner. It was grilled chicken breast in a whiskey sauce. It was a little strong tasting. The grilled veggies served with it were good. Only had a couple bites of dessert. Most of the evening I sat and watched people. That is always entertaining. Especially when they are drinking. There are people who probably felt like crap this morning.

Today I’m taking the kids to the gym so they can get their fitness certificates. They can’t use the base gym until they do. Then I have a party I have to go to. At some point I’m going to make some homemade soup and pumpkin muffins.

I need to get moving or I will never get anything done.

Chum, I’m sorry I worried you. I’ve just been tired and haven’t posted. I've been crossword puzzles and word finds until I'm blind. I've done alot of reading. On the walk, I had promised a friend I would be there to walk with her.

Nancy, thanks!

I’ve included a picture of me from last night.

Renee

Well, it is nice to hear from you. I am a worry wart, I'll be the first to admit it. hahaha That is one glamourous dress! Good luck with your tests and take it easy. Do what the doctors tell you, no matter how much you feel like rebelling. Oh! And Happy Birthday to your daughter next week!

HI

I went to the cardiologist and now I can't do any exercise so I'm really depressed. I can't even walk for exercise. I need additional tests. I'm waiting on translations to get the report to the doctor. He said I have a bicuspid valve - I've known that. He also said my aorta was thinning and that is the problem. The doctor in the states said that the aortic stenisos narrowed it. It has never been a problem before. I emailed the report to my mom and she had one of the doctor's she works with translate it. He said what the dr told me in the office does not match the report. That the doctor in the report was worried about infection. And that he was being overcautious in limiting my exercise. Anyways, I don't know what it all means. I go back to the doctor on Nov 1, maybe I will find out something there.

To make things worse, my TOM started today. So I'm dealing with the stress and cramps. Not a very fun day.

Getting to the doctor was an adventure in itself. The directions were lousy. the doctor spoke English but no one else in the clinic did. Trying to find the doctor once we got to the clinic was hard enough, no one spoke English. Lucky for me, my neighbor went with us. She is Cuban so she speaks Spanish.

Anyways, I'm stuck at home watching it raining. It isn't a nice, pleasant rain but it is pouring down. The wind is blowing a gale.

Well, that is about it. It is now a waiting gain.

Have a great day!
Renee:)

Hi


I was a bad girl yesterday and today I'm paying for it. We had my daughter's birthday party at the bowling and I couldn't resist. I bowled 4 games. Today I'm achy, my chest is tight. I didn't sleep again last night and I'm exhausted today. I haven't slept in 6 days. Just an hour or two here and there. I got up this morning, got the kids off to school and then tried to nap. But housing is trimming the palm trees and it is noisy. So I cleaned most of the house. I still need to do the bedrooms but I'm out of energy. My microwave died Friday evening and i've been without all weekend. My hubby is suppose to get another one from housing today. I miss it when I don't have it.

Have a great day!
Renee:)

Came by to tell you our daughter is back at Ft. Campbell, got back from Iraq okay. What do i find you with health issues, has this happened before? Please follow orders and keep us posted! We will be thinking of you....

HI

Judith, I'm glad your daughter made it back from Iraq. I know that is a relief for me.

I went to the doctor yesterday for my test results. My antinuclear antibody (ANA) test came back positive. It is a vague test. It doesn't tell you what is wrong, it just indicts that something is wrong. It is used to dignose lupus and a few other things. The family practice doctor put a referral for me to see the internal medicine doc. I saw him today. It feels that it is a false positve but to be safe ordered another buttload of bloodwork to rule out a problem. Because my hands are swollen and sore, he ordered a xray on my hands. On my heart, he has ordered a CT scan. He feels like there isn't a problem. None of my past test showed any thinning of the aorta. But I still can't exercise until after the CT. He said if it is, then there is a risk of a rupture. I had a chest xray when I was in the hospital a couple of weeks ago so he didn't order another one. I had the xray on my hands today, tomorrow I'm having the CT scan. He is going to call me to let me know the results. The bloodwork is being sent to Germany so it will be a couple of weeks. I go back November 22. After the CT I may or maynot have a stress test. It depends on the CT. He did say the Spanish docs are very conservative. That after a heart attack your life is basically over here. You are put on disability and never work again. You aren't allowed to exercise, etc. Navy docs tend to be cautious but Spanish docs are more so.

So hopefully, after tomorrow I can't exercise. But of course, it is still manana. I was depressed after yesterday's appointment. Today I'm feeling better. This doc wasn't as worried. He encouraged me to keep losing weight. Say he understood that is hard to do when I can't exercise but it was not permanent. He does feel that my metabolism is sluggish but there is not much I can do about that. At least not right now. He told me to take it easy and not to stress out.

So that is what going on. I'm seating on the sofa, watching it rain, playing on my computer. I've got my water and no sweets. I got them out of the house after yesterday. Because I was depressed I had a small lapse in judgement and ate some candy. Then I decided it wasn't worth it and got rid of it.

Have a great day!
Renee

Hi

Had my CT done. There is some enlargement of my aorta valve. The doctor said it is not unusual to see it in paitents with a bicuspid valve. It should be under 4.0, my is 4.5. 6 is deadly, if it gets closer to 5 I have to see a cardic surgeon. I will have another CT in 6 months. So what does it mean now. Nothing really, I live life as normal. No real restrictions. I'm having a treadmill stress test next week. He wants to see how my blood pressure and heart reacts to exercise. I may have to go on beta blockers to control it. My blood pressure is great but it is when I'm active that they worry. Any ways after that I can do what I want. If I have chest pains I'm to see the doctor.

Anyways, I'm ok with it. I've known since I was a kid that I may have to have surgery when I was an adult. I'm ready to get my life back.

Have a great day!
Renee:)

Wow...I"m SO sorry about your heart problems! That really is big! I sort of understand not being able to exercise due to health problems...although mine have NEVER been so serious! Seems like just when you really get into a wanting to exercise groove something like this happens...It sounds like your family will make sure you follow your doctors orders! lol :) good for them! You looked absolutely FABULOUS in that dress, too, by the way! Hopefully I will read soon that you are given the thumbs up for everyday activity and exercise again!
Take care!

Hi

Yogigirl, thanks!

Not much is going on. It is raining. I go tomorrow for the treadmill stress test. Then again on Nov 22 for the blood work. Then I should be done for 6 months. At least I hope so. I'm over all of this.

Have a great day!
Renee:)

HI

I can exercise again. I had the stress test today. The doctor put me on beta blockers to protect my heart while I'm active. But I am allowed to resume my normal activities. I am happy. I walked on the treadmill at home for 20 minutes. I have to slowly build back up to my previous level. I don't want to push it too much and end back up in the hospital. I still have to wait on my bloodwork results, that will be 2 weeks. The xray on my hands came back good. My eating has been good today. I've been so busy that I haven't had time to munch. Tomorrow will be another busy day.

Have a great day
Renee:)

Hi

Since the doctor has said I could exercise again it has been like a huge weight has lifted off of me. I'm still waiting on blood work results but I'm praying that they are going to show that the first was a false positive like the doctor thinks. If not I will deal with it. But for now I can exercise and I know what is going on with my heart. I know what I need to do and I wll do it. I'm taking my meds like I was told to do. I took my bp this morning after I had been up a while and after I had done some work around the house. It was 100/70. Not too bad. I just hope it doesn't drop too low. That would be a bad thing. I've gotten on the treadmill the last 2 days adn will continue to do so. Next week I will add my bike and ab work back in. If my body handles it well, then I will add weights for the rest of the body. I probably won't add aerobics and running back again until after Christmas. I may wait on the running for another 6 months after my next CT scan. I just don't want to push the old heart too much.

It is a beautiful day today, I'm going to try and get a walk in outside, even if it is just around the block. Thanksgiving is almost here and I have alot to do. With all the people coming Thanksgiving dinner, I've got to get the house clean. Real clean. Now it is barely clean. Just the basics done. I need to do some deep cleaning, company cleaning. I'm going to do a little every day.

My eating has stablized and I'm drinking more water. I think beofe I was stressed out and it was hard to stick to a plan.

Have a great day!
Renee:)

HI

Was a busy weekend. Eating wasn't as good as it could have been but I did great with water. I took 2 days off from exercise and when I did exercise yesterday I had more energy.

Got the kid's report cards of Friday and what a pleasant surprise. They both made Honor Roll. Of course it cost me, I told my daughter if she got honor roll we would get her a cell phone. My son wanted an $90 skateboard. Oh well, they worked hard to get their grades.

The weather remains beautiful. It has been cold at night. Last night, my hubby couldn't stand it and turned the heat on. This morning when I went for a short walk I could see my breathe. Thank goodness, I had put my jacket on before I left the house.

So this week I'm adding some light weights and stretching to my exericse. I may ride my bike one day. I'm taking an online spanish class and I need to find the time to study. My least favorite thing to do. I don't know how I made it through high school and college with such good grades exept that I remember what I read and I took good notes and then actually read them.

Anyways, I have no doctor's appointments this week. What a nice change.

Have a great day!
Renee:)

Well, I'm so happy to see he has allowed you to get back to normal (relatively speaking). And I'm even happier that you are taking care to just ease back into things. You are a smart gal (much smarter than me, as I always push it too hard and am sorry).

How was Thanksgiving? Is it hard to find traditional American Thanksgiving foods there? Or do they have everything on the base?

Good Morning

It's been a while since I've made it to the journals. Staying busy. I make sure I get a walk in most days. The weather has been iffy alot. In the 40's at night and 50's daytime. That is cold to me. And it has rained. So far this week the sun is out but it is cold. But then it is December and to be expected. My eating is soso at best. I am eating alot of veggie soup and salads but I'm eating junk also. So far I've been lucky not to gain weight. My blood pressure has stabilized at a below normal rate for me but I'm also never getting the dizzy spells from having such low BP. The doctor had wanted to increase the medicine but because it was already so low, he is holding off. I don't have to go back until May!

Thanksgiving was good. I wore myself out cooking and wasn't hungry by the time it came to eat. I ate some but mostly picked at it. The food was good but I was so tired I didn't care. By the time the guests left and I had the kitchen cleaned I could barely keep my eyes open and it wasn't even dark outside. Needless to stay I went to bed early and slept like the dead.

Now I'm busy with Christmas stuff. Alot of baking going on, cleaning house and such. On the first was the base Christmas parade. The girl scouts were in it and used the truck for a float. They decorated it and rode in the back. They won the creativity prize. I got one of the father's to drive since hubby had duty and I walked the parade route and took pictures.

I am going to be exhausted by the time the holidays are over. But in January the Battle of the Bulge starts at the gym and I'm going to use that to restart my exercise and weight loss. I've got to get a permission form signed by my doctor so I can take classes. I feel like a kid again having to get a permission slip. And to help me revive, I'm doing a Spa day in January at a local spa with the Air Force wifes. We aren't AF but I know most of the officer's wifes so I hang with them. It will be fun.

Chumlette, thanks. I'm trying to be good. Thanksgiving was good. The base has most of the traditional foods. The sweet potatoes are overpriced on base but look better than what I can get off base. I couldn't make squash caaserole because the squash was $3/lb. And they don't have it off base. I guess I will have to wait until I go back to the states for that.

Have a great day!
Renee:)

Hi Renee,

You sure are having a time with heart problem. My goodness that sounds very serious. Please listen to you doc and take care of you.

I have missed you and hope you get well and stay happy.

Take care sweetie.
Love and hugs,
Lizzie :hug:

Hi Arf! Sounds like you really went all out -- even when you get tired easily -- for Thanksgiving! It wears me out and I don't have the health issues holding me back. I'm glad you've been able to keep taking your walks. That probably helps you keep up your spirits. It's funny that the foods on your base are so pricey. I used to go to the base grocery shopping in Virginia with a good friend of mine (I didn't buy anything, just keeping her company) and it had fantastic prices! And they had EVERYTHING you could ever want.

Have you gone over to Tangiers yet?

Good Morning

Chumlette, prices are so high because they have to import them. Alot of food is cheaper. If they can get the produce locally it is cheaper but there is some that comes from the states, then it's real expensive. Most of our groceries come to us via Germany. The bread is made there, the meat is packaged there. When I was it the states it was cheaper to shop at the commissary. Haven't been to Tangiers yet. Went to Gibralter and Lisbon. I loved Lisbon and am going back in the spring. We are going to Arcos this weekend for the Living Nativity. They basically turn the whole town into one big Nativity on Saturday evening. It should be interesting, cold but interesting.

Lizzie, I've also had a heart problem but it was never a problem. It was just recent that I've had trouble. But I am listening to the doctor. I take my meds every day even when the thought of taking them make me gag. I am trying my best to be good. I want to be around to see my kids grow up and have grandkids to torture.

Yesterday was busy. Went to the library and commissary. Didn't make cookies or really cleaned house. Did paperwork. Made phone calls. Looked at my calendar for January and realized it is already starting to fill up. The gym is going to be offering new classes in January and is going to have a yoga/pilates class for free the month of January. After that it will be like $5 a class or $40 for 10. They will be offering a nutrition class also. I've got an advistory board meeting at the hospital at least once. But if I'm doing all that stuff I won't have time to eat. As long as I get my exercise in I will be happy. I think I going to take a couple of ITT trips in January also. There is one that is called Discovering Christopher Columbus. It goes to the town where he set sail from. It's not that far from here. Alot of his crew was from Rota. That would be interesting.

Well, that is about it. I'm going to get moving and try to get some work down around the house.

Have a great day!
Renee:)

Renee,
I am just happy you are feeling better. How is your daughter who had eye surgery?

Hope you have a wonderful day and take care of you.

Love and hugs,
Lizzie

Hi

I keep forgetting my journal.

Christmas was good. My husband has been on leave since before Christmas and we have had alot of family time. The weather has been beautiful and I've enjoyed sitting on the patio reading. This weekend has been busy. Saturday we took the kids bowling for a couple of hours and then went to the sports bar and played the slots for an hour. I won. New Year's eve we had no plans. Went to church in the morning, worked around the house and then went and played the slots for the last time for the year. I won again. Good thing since my hubby lost. Then spent the evening playing board games with our daughter. Son went to a party at the youth center. I started the new year off good by walking to pick him up afterwards.

I'm closing this journal and am opening a new one.

Lizzy, my daughter is doing good. She still is partially blind but otherwise doing good. She has learned to adjust.

Have a great day!
Renee:)