I just got back from my follow up Dr. Appointment. I went a few weeks ago to have some blood work done so I could see how my blood sugars were doing, as well as cholesterol and all that.
Well...I'm happy to say that my A1C levels are down to a 5.9. YIPPEE!!!
My good Cholesterol is up as well! It was at a 40 before, and now it's at a 60...DOUBLE YIPPEE! To quote my awesome Dr., "you're no longer in the heart disease range". SO HAPPY!
My bad cholesterol did go up a little, and I know exactly why it did. Since staying away from sugar I have this constant hankering for red meat...and I mean serious hankering for it. I told him I have red meat maybe 3 times a month on average. He said I needed to eat more Salmon.
Salmon?! That's not the red meat I want! But I know it'll be good for me. He also mentioned that the red meat may have not been all that bad for my iron since I was a little low, and my body was craving what it needed.
Now I just need to be more in control of how much I eat. Is once a month ok for a 6 oz. Sirloin? I hope so!
Overall I'm happy. My blood sugars are just about normal (below 5.7 is where I need to be).
He then asked me, "are you trying to start a family?" I said yes. He said, "well now is the time to do it while everything is looking good". SWEEEET!!
Happy, happy!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Good news
So, I went to the Doctor a week or so ago to get an update on my A1C levels for my Diabetes. I'm not gonna lie, I was nervous. Since I've cheated on eating sugar I've been worried that my levels have gone back up. It was time to face the truth.
They called me yesterday with the results. 5.9. YEEHAW!!!
If you recall I started at 8.2, and then after 3 months of crazy focus I got it down to a 6.0. Now after a few more months I got it down a little more. It may not be a lot more, but I'll take it. 5.7 is normal so I'm almost there.
Bad news...I need to work on my cholesterol. I don't understand how it is high? Well, I kind of do. I eat a lot more red meat since getting off sugar then I ever have in my whole life. I told my doctor that I crave red meat like crazy - he said that was normal. Well...it's not normal having high cholesterol, so time to get that taken care of.
I've been battling a nasty virus for the past week and a half. It's driving me crazy because I'm supposed to be running a 5k at the end of this month and I feel like I'm back to square one on the training part of it. Blasted!
Gotta keep going, right?
Hope everyone is having a great Wednesday!
They called me yesterday with the results. 5.9. YEEHAW!!!
If you recall I started at 8.2, and then after 3 months of crazy focus I got it down to a 6.0. Now after a few more months I got it down a little more. It may not be a lot more, but I'll take it. 5.7 is normal so I'm almost there.
Bad news...I need to work on my cholesterol. I don't understand how it is high? Well, I kind of do. I eat a lot more red meat since getting off sugar then I ever have in my whole life. I told my doctor that I crave red meat like crazy - he said that was normal. Well...it's not normal having high cholesterol, so time to get that taken care of.
I've been battling a nasty virus for the past week and a half. It's driving me crazy because I'm supposed to be running a 5k at the end of this month and I feel like I'm back to square one on the training part of it. Blasted!
Gotta keep going, right?
Hope everyone is having a great Wednesday!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
I fell
Well peeps. I fell off the wagon. I did. And I'm not going to lie...I enjoyed it. But it's time to get back on. I can't afford to waste another day not caring what I eat. I stepped on the scale this morning and I have gained a few pounds back.
I gasped when I saw it.
I don't want to be any where close to where I was before...and this morning I felt like if I continued falling off of my hayride then I would be there in no time.
Not good.
So, after getting ready for the day I went downstairs and started doing what I did back in July when I started this journey {again}.
I made a 32 oz. Green Smoothie.
My body loves all the fruits and veggies from this smoothie, and I love the taste. It reacts really well to this and sheds those pounds off like crazy.
I have to keep reminding myself that sugar is not good for me. "white" things are not good for me. I have to keep reminding myself why I'm doing this. Why am I needing to get healthier? Why Shannon?, why?, why? why?? Yes, I know why.
Back on the wagon I go.
I gasped when I saw it.
I don't want to be any where close to where I was before...and this morning I felt like if I continued falling off of my hayride then I would be there in no time.
Not good.
So, after getting ready for the day I went downstairs and started doing what I did back in July when I started this journey {again}.
I made a 32 oz. Green Smoothie.
My body loves all the fruits and veggies from this smoothie, and I love the taste. It reacts really well to this and sheds those pounds off like crazy.
I have to keep reminding myself that sugar is not good for me. "white" things are not good for me. I have to keep reminding myself why I'm doing this. Why am I needing to get healthier? Why Shannon?, why?, why? why?? Yes, I know why.
Back on the wagon I go.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Body Talk: By C.Jane
I read this blog post by C. Jane yesterday and it lit a spark inside of me, a good one. I have never really listened to my body, ever. I've hurt my body in so many ways over the past 20 or so years.
I've done diet after diet
I've starved it.
I put extra weigh onto it by over eating; emotional eating; closet eating.
I let it become lazy, and made a habit of that laziness.
Although I feel like I'm finally getting a hold of things...I still don't listen to my body...and I need to.
Thank you C. Jane for putting this into such beautiful words, and for helping lite that spark.
Thank you {body} for sticking it out with me, and enduring all the crap I've put you through. You've been so good to me keeping me pretty healthy.
It's time to listen to what you have to say. :)
I've done diet after diet
I've starved it.
I put extra weigh onto it by over eating; emotional eating; closet eating.
I let it become lazy, and made a habit of that laziness.
Although I feel like I'm finally getting a hold of things...I still don't listen to my body...and I need to.
Thank you C. Jane for putting this into such beautiful words, and for helping lite that spark.
Thank you {body} for sticking it out with me, and enduring all the crap I've put you through. You've been so good to me keeping me pretty healthy.
It's time to listen to what you have to say. :)
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Stevia
If you follow me on Instagram you know I am a HUGE Vanilla Stevia fan. Here's the thing though...I don't love just any Vanilla liquid Stevia...oh no! It has to be this brand of Stevia, NuNaturals.
I have tried other brands and they all have a funny aftertaste and they just don't taste natural...but this brand does. Hence the name, 'NuNATURALS'. Duh!
Oh! how I love it! You can find it at Good Earth Health Food Store, and I'm sure at any other Health Food Store.
If you're trying to get off of Diet Coke, Coke or any other kind of sugar or aspartame filled soda then here's what I suggest you should do...
1. Go buy a pack of Perrier Sparkling Water (small individual bottles you can take with you).
2. Buy some NuNaturals Vanilla Liquid Stevia (Alcohol free). It's about $15.
3. Drop some Stevia into your sparkling water (as much or as little as you need, depending on your sweetness level - I use 2 droppers 1/2 full)
4. Drink and enjoy!
This is how great it is. Yesterday at work my dear friend Violeta was craving some coke. She has been off coke since January 1st of this year. She'd had too much sleep the night before and was feeling groggy. She wanted a Coke...bad. She begged me to go with her to get one and I said no, but instead said that I would take her to my house to get some sparkling water and Stevia.
She was skeptical and didn't think it would help her. Her first taste she was hooked. "It tastes like real soda!" she said. "why yes, Violeta, it sure does", I replied (ok not quite in that way...but you get the point). I gave her extra bottles filled with Stevia to take back with her to work for when she had those moments where she needed a little "pick me up".
And that's why you should try this stuff.
Also, if you want a good lemonade...get some organic lemon juice, a lot of water, and some Vanilla Stevia. Holy YUM! It's like real, yummy lemonade without all that white sugar.
I'm telling you, this stuff will change your LIFE, man! At least it did mine.
I really don't think you'll be disappointed...nope...you won't.
Now go buy some and tell me what you think. Do it...NOW!
I have tried other brands and they all have a funny aftertaste and they just don't taste natural...but this brand does. Hence the name, 'NuNATURALS'. Duh!
Oh! how I love it! You can find it at Good Earth Health Food Store, and I'm sure at any other Health Food Store.
If you're trying to get off of Diet Coke, Coke or any other kind of sugar or aspartame filled soda then here's what I suggest you should do...
1. Go buy a pack of Perrier Sparkling Water (small individual bottles you can take with you).
2. Buy some NuNaturals Vanilla Liquid Stevia (Alcohol free). It's about $15.
3. Drop some Stevia into your sparkling water (as much or as little as you need, depending on your sweetness level - I use 2 droppers 1/2 full)
4. Drink and enjoy!
This is how great it is. Yesterday at work my dear friend Violeta was craving some coke. She has been off coke since January 1st of this year. She'd had too much sleep the night before and was feeling groggy. She wanted a Coke...bad. She begged me to go with her to get one and I said no, but instead said that I would take her to my house to get some sparkling water and Stevia.
She was skeptical and didn't think it would help her. Her first taste she was hooked. "It tastes like real soda!" she said. "why yes, Violeta, it sure does", I replied (ok not quite in that way...but you get the point). I gave her extra bottles filled with Stevia to take back with her to work for when she had those moments where she needed a little "pick me up".
And that's why you should try this stuff.
Also, if you want a good lemonade...get some organic lemon juice, a lot of water, and some Vanilla Stevia. Holy YUM! It's like real, yummy lemonade without all that white sugar.
I'm telling you, this stuff will change your LIFE, man! At least it did mine.
I really don't think you'll be disappointed...nope...you won't.
Now go buy some and tell me what you think. Do it...NOW!
Friday, February 10, 2012
running - thoughts
If you're following me on facebook you'll know that I've been doing the C25K (couch to 5k) running program.
I wanted to write my feelings about it so that if I ever stop running (heaven forbid) I can come back here and remember why I did it.
Do you ever have those dreams where you are running and running and you don't feel tired? It's almost a euphoric feeling; that you can keep going forever and not stop. I remember one dream in particular I was running on top of a mountain of red rocks, and it was all flat, but I could see everything below. It had a St. George feel to it. I remember running fast and feeling amazing! Little crevasses would creep up and I'd jump over them as if they were nothing, flying through the air and landing back on the rocks in full speed.
I remember waking up from this dream wanting so badly to make all of that a reality. I wanted to run.
Sometimes things seems much easier than they actually are - like running. Who knew it wouldn't be like my dream?! I thought I could do it, no problem. But you see there's something about running...you have to practice. You can't just wake up and decide to run for miles and miles and miles and not be tired, unless you have superhuman powers. But if you're like me, overweight, and have never ran more than a few minutes at a time, then you have to practice. You have to build up to it.
Everytime I'd dream about running I'd go outside and run. But I'd stop after a few minutes because I couldn't breathe, and that ended that dream. "I don't know how people do it", I'd say over and over. It still boggles my mind when I hear about people running a marathon or half marathon...or even a 5k.
I always told myself that when I lose weight I'll start running. Because, I mean, it's got to be easier the lighter you are, right?
47 lbs down and I started running. January 9th was my first week and first day of doing C25K. Now, I had done this program before...but I quit about 3 weeks into it...just when it started to get hard. Something I typically do in any situation.
This time I have a battle buddy with me and a determination like I've never had before. I will complete this program, and I will run a 5k. I have to...because I signed up for the Pink Series 5k in Pleasant Grove, in April.
Week 1 - Jog 60 seconds, walk 90 seconds, alternate for 20 minutes. Wow, I felt amazing! I did it and loved it!
Week 2 - Jog 90 seconds, walk 2 minutes, alternate for 20 minutes. Again, I felt awesome!!
Week 3 - Jog 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds, jog 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes, do two repetitions. Ok, I did it...I jogged for 3 minutes. It was hard but I did it.
Week 4 - Jog for 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, jog 5 minutes, walk 2.5 minutes, and repeat. Whoa! Ok, this is getting to be a little much. The first time I jogged those 5 minutes I wanted to die. I felt like I was going to throw up, my shoulder hurt, my calves hurt, and I wanted to stop. In fact the first day of this week doing the workout I think I jogged for 3 minutes on the last where I was supposed to jog 5 minutes. I didn't push myself as hard as I could have...but I did what I could. I have to be proud of that.
Week 5 - this week. Day one was yesterday. It consisted of Jogging 5 minutes, walking 3 minutes, jog for 5, walk for 3, jog for 5. Here was my thought process the whole time. "Ok, here I go I can do this!..."ok...good job shannon you're jogging and you're feeling good"...."ok, almost done with the first 5 minutes - doing good." Then I walk and try to catch my breath. My chest felt heavy like I wasn't getting enough air. *Note to self, don't wear a sports bra underneath your compression tank that already has a built in bra*. 3 minutes of walking done, time to run 5 minutes again. I was tired. "ok so maybe I just walk the last 5 minutes that I'm supposed to jog - I don't think I can do this"...."oh man, half way mark through second 5 minute jog....I can do this!"..."maybe I'll just jog 3 minutes of the last set instead of walking it". 3 minute walk comes up. I need water, bad. My mouth is dry, my foot is hurting from my dang bone spur. My left shoe feels like there's a crack on the bottom and I can feel it everytime I step. 3 minutes are almost up, some co-workers come and get on the treadmill next to mine...I can't quit now! Last 5 minute jog coming up and I'm not quitting. Here we go, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - jog. "You've got this Shannon, just focus on the music you're listening to, and not the pain, take your mind off the jogging". 3 minutes left and I'm ready to quit...but I didn't. "keep going, shannon, you can do it!".
Guess what? I did it! I finished that workout and it felt good! What an accomplishment for me! It may be silly to other runners but 5 minutes for me was hard. And I just did something hard. Yay!
Today's workout is even harder. I've been scared of this one and tomorrows work out since I looked at the program. 8 minutes jogging, 5 minute walk, 8 minute jog.
I am nervous...I really am. But, I can do it!
I have this quote at my desk that I look at everyday, especially on days I really don't want to work out. It's my mantra.
I wanted to write my feelings about it so that if I ever stop running (heaven forbid) I can come back here and remember why I did it.
Do you ever have those dreams where you are running and running and you don't feel tired? It's almost a euphoric feeling; that you can keep going forever and not stop. I remember one dream in particular I was running on top of a mountain of red rocks, and it was all flat, but I could see everything below. It had a St. George feel to it. I remember running fast and feeling amazing! Little crevasses would creep up and I'd jump over them as if they were nothing, flying through the air and landing back on the rocks in full speed.
I remember waking up from this dream wanting so badly to make all of that a reality. I wanted to run.
Sometimes things seems much easier than they actually are - like running. Who knew it wouldn't be like my dream?! I thought I could do it, no problem. But you see there's something about running...you have to practice. You can't just wake up and decide to run for miles and miles and miles and not be tired, unless you have superhuman powers. But if you're like me, overweight, and have never ran more than a few minutes at a time, then you have to practice. You have to build up to it.
Everytime I'd dream about running I'd go outside and run. But I'd stop after a few minutes because I couldn't breathe, and that ended that dream. "I don't know how people do it", I'd say over and over. It still boggles my mind when I hear about people running a marathon or half marathon...or even a 5k.
I always told myself that when I lose weight I'll start running. Because, I mean, it's got to be easier the lighter you are, right?
47 lbs down and I started running. January 9th was my first week and first day of doing C25K. Now, I had done this program before...but I quit about 3 weeks into it...just when it started to get hard. Something I typically do in any situation.
This time I have a battle buddy with me and a determination like I've never had before. I will complete this program, and I will run a 5k. I have to...because I signed up for the Pink Series 5k in Pleasant Grove, in April.
Week 1 - Jog 60 seconds, walk 90 seconds, alternate for 20 minutes. Wow, I felt amazing! I did it and loved it!
Week 2 - Jog 90 seconds, walk 2 minutes, alternate for 20 minutes. Again, I felt awesome!!
Week 3 - Jog 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds, jog 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes, do two repetitions. Ok, I did it...I jogged for 3 minutes. It was hard but I did it.
Week 4 - Jog for 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, jog 5 minutes, walk 2.5 minutes, and repeat. Whoa! Ok, this is getting to be a little much. The first time I jogged those 5 minutes I wanted to die. I felt like I was going to throw up, my shoulder hurt, my calves hurt, and I wanted to stop. In fact the first day of this week doing the workout I think I jogged for 3 minutes on the last where I was supposed to jog 5 minutes. I didn't push myself as hard as I could have...but I did what I could. I have to be proud of that.
Week 5 - this week. Day one was yesterday. It consisted of Jogging 5 minutes, walking 3 minutes, jog for 5, walk for 3, jog for 5. Here was my thought process the whole time. "Ok, here I go I can do this!..."ok...good job shannon you're jogging and you're feeling good"...."ok, almost done with the first 5 minutes - doing good." Then I walk and try to catch my breath. My chest felt heavy like I wasn't getting enough air. *Note to self, don't wear a sports bra underneath your compression tank that already has a built in bra*. 3 minutes of walking done, time to run 5 minutes again. I was tired. "ok so maybe I just walk the last 5 minutes that I'm supposed to jog - I don't think I can do this"...."oh man, half way mark through second 5 minute jog....I can do this!"..."maybe I'll just jog 3 minutes of the last set instead of walking it". 3 minute walk comes up. I need water, bad. My mouth is dry, my foot is hurting from my dang bone spur. My left shoe feels like there's a crack on the bottom and I can feel it everytime I step. 3 minutes are almost up, some co-workers come and get on the treadmill next to mine...I can't quit now! Last 5 minute jog coming up and I'm not quitting. Here we go, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - jog. "You've got this Shannon, just focus on the music you're listening to, and not the pain, take your mind off the jogging". 3 minutes left and I'm ready to quit...but I didn't. "keep going, shannon, you can do it!".
Guess what? I did it! I finished that workout and it felt good! What an accomplishment for me! It may be silly to other runners but 5 minutes for me was hard. And I just did something hard. Yay!
Today's workout is even harder. I've been scared of this one and tomorrows work out since I looked at the program. 8 minutes jogging, 5 minute walk, 8 minute jog.
I am nervous...I really am. But, I can do it!
I have this quote at my desk that I look at everyday, especially on days I really don't want to work out. It's my mantra.
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