December 25, 2008 - Merry Christmas and Weight Update

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I am down another pound! Still retaining quite a bit of water, but that should be gone in the next week or so. Definitely, by the time I get weighed again.

I am signing up for the Bricks to Bricks program to prepare for the Mini Marathon. I also start with my new personal trainer after the first of the year. Of course, that required recalculating the budget!

Til Next Week!

Kristi

December 23, 2008 - Third Times a Charm

Hello All,

Well, I must admit that I was somewhat skeptical, but hopeful when I started the acupuncture treatments. Part of me was convinced that Dr. Pita was getting a kickback for the referral and just wanted to see if he could convince me to do it. After my experiences over the last couple of weeks I am a true believer in using acupuncture.

I am again able to concentrate, act witty, not let as many things bother me, and am truly happy and content (from the inside). At first I was not sure that it would hold, but this has been going on for over a week. A week is a long time for me. At the same time, I do not feel “drugged” and my sister said; “you do not have that crazy look in your eyes.”

Currently, I am still taking prescription help which will continue. However, my hope is that when I feel like this again, I will try the acupuncture first and not need them, but we shall see.

Now, on with the details of my third visit…

Now that I am experienced at acupuncture I ran to the bathroom right before my appointment. No need to have a repeat of last time! I informed Dr. Pins and Needles that my knee was still a bit sore, but I was feeling better.

He always says he is impressed with how well I am responding to the treatment. I still do not know how he determines that by looking at my tongue and checking my pulse, but I do not care anymore.

I think he put in at least 8 needles in my head (I was wondering what would happen if I had a metal plate in my head. Would you hear it scratch?). A bunch more needles went in my knee (If he poked them through my kneecap would it keep my knee in place?). There were a few in each arm (my Chakra got mad at the one on the left this time). He put a couple in for my sinuses (I hate those). He placed a few across my belly (which is A LOT smaller than it was this time last year).

After he was done, I settled in to take a nap…

What lovely music they are playing today….

Nothing…..

That’s nice they have birdies chirping in the music…

Nothing…

I feel as if I am floating on a cloud…

Nothing…

My head feels very light…

Dr. Pins and Needles comes back in the room and asks if I fell asleep. I inform him that I did not, but I felt as if I was floating on a cloud. He told me that is how you are supposed to feel! FINALLY I GET IT RIGHT!

He then says; “Have you ever felt like that before?”

I think about it for a minute and say; “No.”

However, I edited my thought. I truly thought; “Not legally.”

Til Next Week,
Kristi

P.S. I posted this before I got weighed. I will provide a quick update after my appointment tomorrow.

December 21, 2008 - When ya gotta go, ya gotta go..

Hello Everyone,

I am posting early this week because I have to document my second acupuncture appointment while I am thinking of it. I have another one on Monday so there might be another post this week.

I must also tell all of you that I am JOKING in these posts about the acupuncture. A couple of you take me much too seriously. I do believe that the acupuncture is helping. However, the stories are true.

Okay, on with the show...

I was looking forward to my second appointment since I knew what to expect. However, I was going to be sure to tell Dr. Pins & Needles about my knee. Analysis by my friends and family concluded that all of my bad energy was now in my knee.

Upon sitting on the table I tell Dr. Pins & Needles that my knee is bothering me and it got worst after my last appointment. Of course, he had a solution for my knee trouble. He also noticed I was retaining water and decided he would take care of that as well.

Dr. Pins and Needles gets to work. He puts suction cups on my knee to pull the toxins out of my muscles. He also tells me that my energy is stronger and most people do not respond to acupuncture so quickly. Hmph! He must have run a credit check and realized I cannot afford many more of these appointments.

He places the needles and all of the sudden I cannot move my arm. I am in PAIN! Not just a little pain, I am in A LOT of pain. I inform Dr. Pins and Needles that I have shooting pain in my arm. He replied; "that is just your Chakra. It will stop in a moment. That means you are responding well to treatment." What??!?! Well, apparently my Chakra does not WANT anymore treatment. He then places a needle in the same spot on the other side and says; "you will only have the pain on one side." He was right.

He leaves the room....

I settle in to try to take a nap. Everyone tells me most people fall asleep during treatment. I was determined to be one of those people. I move my arm and *OUCH*. PAIN! THROBBING PAIN IN MY ARM! Fortunately, Dr. Pins and Needles returns and removes the needle causing the trouble.

I settle in to try to take a nap....

Uh oh! I had to go to the bathroom. I think to myself; "it will not be a problem I probably only have 15 more minutes."

Tick, tock...

A suction cup pops off.

Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock...

Gotta go to the bathroom...I told myself; "relax, that will help."

Tick, tock, tick, tock...

"Okay, use your muscles to keep it in..."

Tick, tock...

"I gotta go now! Where is that %#$#$^% doctor?"

"Okay, I am going to have to sit up and pull these these needles out."

The door opens and I said; "Gotta go pee!"

Dr. Pins and Needles works as fast as humanly possible to pull out the needles. I almost have an accident, but I make it to the bathroom. I am sure I lost 3 pounds in that 5 minutes.

Upon returning to the room, Dr. Pins and Needles told me; "maybe we should get buzzers for the patients." Ya think!?!?!?! He also informed me that he figures I will be done in 2 more sessions. Oy!

I am thinking Dr. Pita is going to have to be sure to get Dr. Pins and Needles a REALLY good Christmas gift for dealing with me.

Luv ya all!

Kristi

December 17, 2008 - I’m on Pins and Needles

Okay, okay, I cannot take credit for the “pins and needles” title. My sister asked me if I was on “pins and needles” regarding my acupuncture appointment. I had to steal the comment, of course.

Well, I had my acupuncture appointment on Monday. Imagine a high-end setting where the water (if they sold water) would be 5 dollars a bottle. My appointment was at the Spa Chakra in the Conrad Hotel. It is a nice place and definitely worth the money regarding their spa and fitness services.

Before the “procedure” I filled out a form that asked me about my ailments and why I wanted acupuncture. There was not a selection for “The doctor told me to and I do what he says or he will keep asking me about it.” I almost put that the referring physician was Dr. Pita.

Dr. Acupuncture took me back to the room and we had a lovely chat regarding acupuncture. He was very thorough in his explanations. He even had an anatomically correct male doll that showed the “energy lines” and how it is about balancing energy. I kept thinking, I sure hope they do not need to put needles there. Ouch!

Well, I finally got to lie down on the table. I am not sure exactly how many needles went into my feet, legs, arms, hands, head, and chest but it did not hurt. He placed some essential oils on my head and left me to my own devices. He would check my pulse and say “great.” I don’t know what he was feeling, but apparently my good energy was increasing.

I read that many people fall asleep during acupuncture procedures. Nooooo…I did not fall asleep; I had the exact opposite affect. I wanted to scratch my cheek (the needle was tickling me). I wanted to know what time it is (how long have I been here?). I started looking around for the speakers (where is the music coming from?). I wondered how many treatment rooms the place had (can you work on more than one patient at a time?). I started trying to “feel” the needles to see if I could count how many he used (did not get anywhere with this). I wondered what would happen if lightening struck the building (I had needles sticking out of me!). I finally told myself; “calm down”. I started doing breathing exercises (Dr. Pita would be so proud). Then I started to worry I was going to be late for my next appointment (I give up). After about 30 minutes, Dr. Acupuncture came back and asked me if I fell asleep. As much as I did not want to disappoint, I told the truth.

I got off the table and could not put weight on my knee! WTF?!?!? I thought my knee was on the mend. I also felt a bit “weird in my head.” It was a very similar feeling to when I have a bit too much anti-depressant coursing through my veins, but controllable.

Well, Dr. Acupuncture wants to see me again on Thursday. What?!?!? Well, apparently you are not fixed in one visit. Of course not, you have to go for more than one appointment. I almost asked if he had kids. I am sure I am paying for a couple of credit hours for a future college student.

I paid my bill and hobbled on to my next appointment. I could not sleep later that night…apparently, I was energized. Dr. Pita is REALLY lucky I do not have an appointment with him this week.

I am keeping an open mind about the acupuncture. However, sometimes I think that I am a guinea pig for Dr. Pita. I have fears of being in a medical journal article with the title; “The Things I Can Get Some of My Patients To Do.”

Til Next Week,
Kristi

December 10, 2008 - Tiny Tastes

Hello Everyone,

I do not feel like blogging this week. I have Christmas presents to purchase, work to catch up on, clothes to take to Goodwill, exercise to do, dragons to click on, blah, blah, blah... Bloggin is not one of the things on my MUST do list.

I am happy to report I am finally at 4 stone. I am down another 2.5 pounds. Woo hoo!

I have an accupuncture appointment scheduled for next Monday. I will be sure to tell you all about it next week.

Today when I went to see the doctor and nutritionist there were binders in the patient rooms. The binders had some interesting slides to review. I encourage you to check them out by clicking on "Tiny Tastes" below!

Tiny Tastes

Have a great week!

Kristi

December 3, 3008 - The Purge

Hello Bloggerland,

Before I explain about The Purge, I must tell you that my goal to walk the Mini Marathon is progressing nicely. My sister, 3 dogs, and I hiked 6 miles on Thanksgiving. Other than my knee hurting a bit it was quite the success! We walked the Whitewater Canal Trail in Metamora. It was a beautiful walk and I even managed to practice some Breath Walking!

Sunday evening, as I was doing laundry, I began the The Purge. I must get rid of clothes that no longer fit. The professionals at the Weight Loss Clinic believe this is a crucial step to accomplish as you lose weight. It is important to note, I have not sufficiently explained to them that I am a Pack Rat. Therefore, this project is not being accomplished without stress and apprehension. As this is not just a diet, but a positive lifestyle change, getting rid of things I do not need is all part of the process.

The process to rid myself of things I do not want, need, or simply do not have room for will be an all winter project. Much like my goal to take care of myself through healthy eating, I just plan on doing it no matter what the stress. If I run into difficulty I have a support system in place to accomplish The Purge. As with the healthy eating and weight loss, the support system is what carries me through the tougher times.

Til Next Week,
Kristi

P.S. At my official weigh in it was revealed I lost 2 pounds in the past two weeks. I was hoping to be at 4 stone, but not quite.