June 30, 2010 - Quick Update

Hi,

No worries.  I just have not felt like writing the past 10 days.  That happens....

1) Today I decided to stick with the Weight Loss Clinic where I was seeing Dr. Pita (today was my last visit).  Primarily, because the clinic does support lifestyle changes not just weight loss. This is what I am more interested in at this time. I saw the new doctor at another place and do not believe he listened to me when I was mentioning how much I currently workout and the diet plan did not include foods that I felt were necessary for some of my individual needs.  It also dawned on me that I need to keep some of my posse the same.  I will see the other doctor in a month.
2) Still sad about Dr. Pita heading to bigger and better things, but a doctor-patient relationship is like any other relationship when they change it is difficult. Especially, when the physician has helped you more than any other.
3) My current fitness goal is to get back to doing the 12 week better body workout and train for a racewalk event.

Stay tuned....this  "living a healthy lifestyle experiment" is STILL just getting started.

Til Next Week,
Kristi

Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

June 19, 2010 - Kung Fu Quotes Irritate Me When I Am Cranky

Good Evening All,

For some unknown reason, I have been in a prolonged funk for about 2 months. I am sure it has absolutely nothing to do with the my lifestyle coach/physician/health mentor/weight loss doc/sometimes buddy moving across country (sigh).  Anyhooo....I have a plan in place that I actually am quite excited about starting.

I am going to start training to racewalk a 5K, which in someways is similar to training to RUN a 5K. I purchased Groupons for a Boot Camp and a Yoga class. I am also meeting with the lifestyle folks at my new Doctors office next week.

Earlier this week, I had my second to last appointment with Dr. Pita.  He mentioned that I have a hard time being complacent. YOU THINK?!?!?!  Of course, anything worth doing is worth doing RIGHT. Sheesh...he did have a good point. I beat myself up a lot if I do not believe I am giving it my all.  This has made my summer funk even worse. Personally, what I am learning is how to deal with these funks and learn that being complacent is perfectly normal as long as it does not turn into a reversal.

I asked what are some of the things that I need to do to keep going.  He gave some good advice that I wrote down on a card that I will share in my next post.

Well, here is where the appointment went EXTREMELY wrong.....

Dr.Pita; "When is your next appointment with 'New Doctor'"?
Me; "Three weeks."
Dr. Pita; "If he wants to be a member of your posse you need to go every two weeks."
Me Thinking; "Please don't start. I can't take it. I already do not want to go back.  I was so upset after my last visit."
Me: "OK"

After the appointment, for the next several hours, I was very disheartened. I started thinking my new posse is not going to be near as helpful as my existing and I got very, very sad.  I do not expect anyone to understand, as very few do, but it is not the weight loss that concerns me it is all the other "stuff" that goes on that I need to keep under control.

Soo...I sent a message to Dr. Pita...(edited to fit in the time allowed)

Me; "Do you know anyone else I can see if my new posse does not work out?"
Pita; "Grasshopper, Teachers appear when the student is ready."
Me Thinking; "SERIOUSLY?!?!?  SERIOUSLY?!?!?! You are using Kung Fu?!?! Are you high?!?! Sooo...not in the mood for this crap right now. PAY ATTENTION. I am in a PANIC!"
Me; "I take that as a no."
(hidden message was "bite me")
Pita; "I recommend (censored for privacy)."
Me Thinking; "Better. Sheesh...Hmmmm....since I was being bitchy I will play along with the 'grasshopper' thing'"
Me; "Master, This Grasshopper will fly. Just need to insure there are some leaves on which to recuperate and gather nourishment, as the journey has only just begun...."
Pita; "Exactly!"
Me Thinking; "Hmph! That was one of the most creative sentences ever! Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Dr. Pins and Needles will like it."

LOL

Til Next Week,
Kristi
Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com

June 13, 2010 -

Hello All,

Note: If you have just started to lose weight or just begun a lifestyle change be forewarned that this blog post is NOT inspiring.  LOL

I knew before starting to live healthier that it was going to be hard, and I was prepared for it, but it does not stop the disappointment.   There is discouragement when the scale doesn't move, when the dress size does not get smaller, or when you do not recognize the changes in yourself.

I am not alone in these struggles.  For instance:

-I have a friend that has lost over 50 pounds on Weight Watchers three times.
-I know another person that had weight loss surgery that gained over half the weight back the year after she lost all of the weight.

Let's be fair though, it is not just about weight loss. There are also alcoholics that hop on and off the wagon. There are many of us that meet the definition of recidivism.

I never started this, nor have I been primarily concerned about "losing weight", but it is something I want and need to do. However, losing weight is a positive side effect of living healthy.  Weight loss is one of the most noticeable affects of weight loss. It is also what gets you both positive and negative attention from others.

One of my rules to myself all along has been I would do this slow and steady in order to create lasting changes. I also never wanted to use anything that I would/could not use the rest of my life.  Primarily, this was the use of weight loss drugs or weight loss surgery. My opinion was; "what does that teach you?" You cannot use both to KEEP the weight from coming back.

 A little more than a year ago is when Dr. Pita and I had a volatile discussion regarding a suspicion he had regarding my moodiness. I bartered with him that I would do whatever it takes to not go see another doctor. Six months later I was not any better (according to him). I blamed myself because I could not choke down the 6 fish oil pills and the other lifestyle changes that accompanied his all natural ideas.  In my mind, I failed.   I went to the other doctor.

I must say that it was one of the best decisions I made. My closest friends say that there is a huge difference. Remember when I mentioned that I thought someone was under my truck or when I thought the water was poisoned?  LOL!!! I do not have those thoughts anymore.  I have been a different person these past 6 months. However, I have "lost" my ability to obsess.

I no longer obsess about my weight every day, meeting my exercise requirement for the day, or documenting my food. Let me explain a bit further, even if you do not understand, there is a HUGE difference is documenting and OBSESSING about documenting. The obsession, I believe, is what helped me lose the weight. I do not believe the obsession helped with the exercise. My external goals help keep me exercising.

Since I quit documenting as faithfully, reading everything I can on healthy lifestyles, and listening to exercise podcasts every day my weight loss stabilized. I also have been more prone to carb binges. Therefore, I gain 5 pounds, I lose 6, I gain 7, I lose eight, etc. My weight fluctuates the same 10 pounds back and forth. 

I have not focused on this up and down of 10 pounds primarily because I feel good. The new pill is working, healthy eating is more of a norm, and I am exercising.  I do still have funks, but I can snap out of them a bit quicker and know how to deal with the residual.

Since Dr. Pita is leaving (no he has not moved, yet)  I had to find another doctor and I did. I chose another doctor that believes in natural remedies first, before giving a pill.  My first visit went well. We were both on the same page. He is no Dr. Pita, but he also does not know me as well.

Thursday I saw the new doctor, he decided I need to take a pill that curbs cravings to sweets and carbs because of the medicine I currently take. He thinks it is worse because the medicine I currently take is triggering something in my brain. I walked out of the office crying.  I cried until I got to work. I was devastated. It took me until today to realize why I was so upset. Again, I feel like I failed.  The binges were something I am having trouble controlling.  This is something I need to learn how to resolve! How can a medicine permanently help that?  I was prone to binges before the other pill.

After a lot of thinking and researching, I have made my decision. I will take the pill.  I will take the "new pill" as long as I take the "old pill."  You see, I will somehow learn and take whatever I need to in order to live my life without the "old pill."  However, if I cannot I will continue to take it, because I do want to live a better quality of life than I was a few years ago.

For now, even though I may not like it, I will take the two pharmaceuticals.  I also will remind myself that it is not a sign of failure, it is just something that will help me reach my ultimate goal of learning to and living healthy.

Til Next Week,
Kristi

June 3, 2010 - Dr. Pins and Needles Referral

Hello All,

I have a funny story to share.

My friend "Portia" is having a bit of trouble with her hip.  She attended Physical Therapy and it still did not get better. Eventually, she decided to try the services of Dr. Pins and Needles.

As you all know, I was quite skeptical of acupuncture until I tried it. Now I believe that it works not only for pain, but for moodiness as well. I am still not sure what Portia believes, but here is the conversation (as best I remember it) that we had immediately after her appointment.

Portia: "I told Dr. Pins and Needles that you would call me when I am done."
Me; "Well, yeah"
Portia; "He gave me a hickey."
Me; "He gave you a what?!?"
Portia; "A hickey."
Me; "???"
Portia; "He put suction cups on my neck and down my back. Now I have a hickey."
Me; "Ohhhhh...that will probably go away by tomorrow."
Portia; "He says it is toxins, not a bruise."
Me; "It does go away very quickly."
Portia; "He said I am irritable.  Do YOU think I am IRRITABLE?!?"
~~~tick, tock, tick, tock, and the sound of crickets~~~
Me; "Ummmmm, No?"
Portia; "Are you saying I am irritable?"
Me; "No. I know people who are really irritable"
Portia; "Well, I am not telling my husband because he will agree with him."
Me; "Probably"
Portia; "Hmmmm...he mentioned that you have great energy because you feel the needles. I didn't feel the "energy"."
Me; "You mean to tell me that you did not feel that zip of "electricity" when he stuck the needles in certain points?"
Portia; "No."
Me Thinking; "I must Google tonight and find out if irritable people can feel their 'Chi'."

Til Later,
Kristi
Published to http://kristiasher.blogspot.com