What I'm Thankful For

I didn’t do the days of Thankfulness not because I’m not thankful but because quite honestly I didn’t need another thing to do every day. And yes, I know that some people did several days at once occasionally, but us type A people put pressure on ourselves to do things.

So what am I thankful for?
I am thankful for friends and family. The ones you see or talk to frequently and the ones you only see occasionally. They provide companionship and comfort, sometimes a hug or a friendly ear to listen to my woes or complaints. I am also thankful for those friends and family that keep us on their prayer list.

Most of all though I am thankful for God’s providence.

He provides blessings, protection, and mercy on a daily basis. Sometimes he doesn't answer prayers or provide exactly the way we think he should but I know without a doubt that he provides for us.

Specific things I am grateful for this year:

That Tyler and Katie didn't have any big upsets in their lives this year. No ruptured appendix, broken bones or anything life threatening. Also that through Katie I have reconnected with my creative side and am scrapbooking with her and others on a regular basis.

That Josh found someone he loves, who loves him too and she brings with her a wonderful little boy.

That last month when Josh got his hand hug up on a rope, that although he may have really hurt himself he didn't lose a finger or worse.





I am thankful that when Jordan got T-bone in his truck this summer that he and everyone else walked away unhurt even though his truck was totaled. On top of that the insurance company paid more that he expected for his truck.

I am also thankful that if Sean had to have cancer, he has a cancer that if diagnosed in the chronic phase, which his was, has a very good prognosis. With the medication he is taking 97% of patients return to completely normal blood work, 76% achieve complete cytogenetic response (no abnormal chromosomes in blood), 63% show a major molecular response and 40% achieve complete molecular response meaning no abnormal chromosomes are found in the bone marrow. There have been major advances made in the treatment of this cancer in the last 10 years and current studies are being done on people who have achieved complete molecular response to see if they can discontinue the medicine.

Last but certainly not least I am thankful for the husband God provided me. We certainly didn't expect the results or should I say non-results of the last six months since Toby finished school. We were certain he would have a job as soon as he got out of school if not before he actually graduated, but that was not to be. However God has provided and Toby has managed to find enough custom welding jobs and farm work that all our major needs have been met. I am not sure what God has in store for us this next year but I do know that if we place our trust in Him, He will provide no matter how tough the times get and I am truly thankful for that.

This is the robot I generated to help chase the dust bunnies from my house.

Round 2

I'm ready to start round two of the HCG drops and hopefully lose another 20-25 pounds.
This morning I was 244.6 when I weighed so only one pound up from my official weight on the last day of round one. I did have pizza twice yesterday; both lunch and dinner and that always makes me weigh a little heavy because it make me retain water.

Today is my first load day and I bought yummy things like Laughing Cow Cheese, Guacamole, and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream.

I really hope I feel better on this round of the diet. My schedule is so hectic between my full time job and teaching a total of five classes this year. Two on Tuesdays, two on Wednesdays, and one on Thursdays when I spend all day [8-5] at our co-op as Student Coordinator. If I don't feel well this round it will be hard to keep up with everything.

My goal is to be done to at least 220 lbs. at the end of this round and then maintain that weight until after the holidays and start round three sometime in January.

Wish me luck.

Maintenance

Finished my drops on August 6 at 243.6 lbs.

That Sunday, August 8 was our annual August Birthday party. We have 3 birthdays within 10 days and combine them into one party. I did okay although I did not hold to the no carb no sugar rule. We had hamburgers, homemade ice cream and brownies.

After that I did lose down to 242.8 and have been down to as low as 241.6 and as high as 244 but I think that is good considering I have a tendency to gain water weight.

This Friday will be 4 weeks since the end of HCG. While I am watching what I eat; I have had some really bad days, the stress at work is a real diet killer, over all I have not had a hard time maintaining the weight loss. I plan to start a second round of HCG in about two weeks not sure if I want to do one bottle which lasted me about 30 days or get two bottles and try for 42 days.

With the schedule I have this year I think I will just do the one bottle. No need to stress myself more than necessary. My goal for this next time is to lose at least 25lbs and then to maintain through the holidays and start again in January.

The side benefit of lower blood pressure has not completely evaporated yet but the really good blood pressures lasted a little over two weeks after I quit taking the drops.

Day 26--Successl at Mom's Lunch

Weight 244.8

Went to lunch with several of my homeschooling friends today and I had worried about overeating. However I did wonderfully! I took 2 tbsp of my organic ranch dressing in a container and used only that on my salad which consisted of lettuce, broccoli, and red onions.
Then I had two very small pieces of pizza. Since we were eating from the buffet, the pizzas are cut in smaller slices.

So a good weight loss and a successful lunch out with friends!

This evening however I was craving something; not sure what but sweets would have worked or even PB&J on toast. But I chose not to eat any of those things, it was pretty much a mental craving and not a real hunger craving anyway.

Day 25

Weight this morning 246.2

I was successful again yesterday in staying on track and only eating the food I brought with me to work, however yesterday afternoon was much more difficult than Friday afternoon. We have a room full of calorie laden snacks; cupcakes, pastries, candy bars and chips which all were very tempting. Then the temptation of all that candy the night charge nurse brought was extremely difficult and in the middle of a pep-talk telling myself I couldn't have any candy I had an epiphany. If I really want to be successful in not just losing my weight but keeping in off I have to make a major change in my mental attitude. It has to become "I chose not to" instead of "I can't" because if I chose not to then it is my choice. I am in charge, not the food, not my emotions or anything else. The focus has to be on good choices, getting to my goal and staying there.

I have decided to continue the HCG until this bottle of drops runs out or until I hit the 40 day mark. Then six weeks off the drops while increasing my calorie intake to around 1500 calories. Ideally I can easily maintain my weight or even loss a little more at that calorie level.

Another good side effect of the HCG is that my blood pressure is better than it has been in a long time.
Friday 117/75
Monday 107/75
According to the research that is temporary and once off the HCG blood pressures tend to rise. Hopefully with the lower weight not as high as before.

Next challeng: Mom's Lunch tomorrow with some of my homeschool friends. *sigh* We are going to Mazzios, so my plan is taking 2 tbs of my healthy salad dressing in a small container to eat salad with and no more than 1 small slice of pizza.

Day 23-- Success and leg cramps

Weight 7/23/10 247.2
Weight 7/24/10 247.0
Weight 7/25/10 246.4


Success! I worked 16hrs on Friday and maintained my diet the whole day!! Was hungry a little in the afternoon but never even really considered cheating. As you can see I have continued to lose weight. Measurements today were kind of weird. Since I measured myself last week and Toby had been doing it and he did it again today, all the measurements seemed off. Most didn't change, a few went down a smidgen, and a couple went up to what they were two weeks ago. Don't know what is going on with that.

The weird thing is that while I was on vacation I didn't have any trouble with leg cramps at night, something I have very frequently. When I started adding half a banana to my smoothies the cramps seemed to subside so I was really worried they would be horrible during the diet. However I didn't have any; one day back at work and I was up at least three times with leg cramps. Wonder why?

My next big hurdle in tomorrow; another 16hr day at work and Monday's are the day that the night charge nurse always brings in lots of candy. She buys those miniature candy bars and brings tons everyday that she works. I am taking my food for the day and planning on being strong. Pray for me.

Do you like my new weight loss banner across the top? I think it is pretty cool.