week 41- things happen for a reason.

am weight 132




where do I begin.... so last week I had a gall bladder attack.. probably my worst yet making me feel pretty crappy for about four days. I was so afraid to go to the er.. not afraid of the medical stuff but of the expense. I would never delay seeking life saving treatment because of money, but that was the deciding factor in toughing it out versus going. I did not have a fever... so I stuck it out. If i had been insured I would have gone. I still have bills from the prior er trip. When your a woman in her 40's complaining of a gripping pain in her upper body.. they run a bunch of heart related tests.. cha ching. After the last visit to the ER I provided pay-stubs and they did reduce the bill but it is still very expensive.I know I need to see a specialist and to have a hida test to see how well my gall bladder is working and to get to the bottom of these attacks.


So fast forward to last Friday and I am in a auto accident. Minor fender bender in the grand scheme of things.. the old woman was at fault, Liv was in the car and besides being very upset.. she was fine. I have had minor neck pain, I bruised my knee and bit my lip. Since then I have been trying to navigate the oh so fun roller coaster ride of figuring out insurance claims. Nobody would tell me that I was covered to seek treatment for my neck. Her insurance said they may reimburse my expenses, but that I would have to pay out of pocket first. My insurance said get a lawyer. Finally a kind chiropractor let me know that I am eligible to use my insurances med pay to pay for expenses.. so I filed a claim for that.


In the process of doing all this, I happened upon Cleveland Clinics Financial assistance website and after a intake procedure over the phone, I was told that I am covered 100% except for prescriptions. What a blessing that is. I scheduled a full physical and a meeting with the social worker at CC to provide our family pay stubs and sign forms.I will hopefully get to the bottom of my gall bladder pain. I was feeling so despondent over the whole situation but now am feeling very optimistic. I wish I would have done this sooner. Better late then never.

week 40

weight 133



Yesterday afternoon my gall bladder started acting up.... yikes.... it is a horrible pain... starts as gas & bloating & heartburn feeling, then ache and pains in my upper shoulders & back and then I get the squeezing nagging pain right in my upper abdomen right below/between my ribs, towards the left side. The pain can be sharp or dull.... but it is constant. It was painful all night and is still really tender now. My skin is red & blotchy from the abuse of a heating pad. I was unable to sleep on my usual left side without a sharp pain. It feels like something is blocked and I can actually feel a squeezing/gripping pain. I am frustrated that I am still dealing with this... after all I have done to be in a healthier place. I have had ultrasounds twice... one during an attack, one the day after.. no stones. They can tell from blood work that something is going on. The last ER doc thought Pancreatis and suggested a specialist. I still have not paid the ER bill from last year. When you are a 40 something complaining of squeezing pain in your upper body they think " heart attack" and do every test in the book.... $$$$$$$. I can't go to the Er. My primary doc says there is nothing she can do and to go to the ER during an episode. It would be so nice to be insured and have some help. This has been going on for four years now... I have probably had eight to ten episodes. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it... nothing I can pinpoint in my diet. I know I need to see a specialist and get to the bottom of this once and for all.My stubborn butt even tried working out at the start of an attack.. before I realized what it was.. thinking a 30 min brisk walk on the treadmill would aide my digestion... I got off after 15 min when it got worse.

I called the low-cost clinic...I can come on tuesday or thursday.

I know the ER cannot deny treatment and of-course I will go if it gets unbearable. I am just worried about the bill. They did discount my old bill by 30% but it is still very costly.

Dinner

Presidents day.. home with Liv... so I had time on my hands to blog my meals via my smart phone. enjoy the flurry of pics.. lol

Turkey spinach meatloaf

love sneaking finely chopped spinach in the meatloaf.. the only way John will eat spinach

Green beans

Betty Crocker cheese potatoes

I try hard to avoid processed box foods... but hey.. these are good in a pinch and when I look at the big picture my day was pretty darn healthy.

she eats what I eat

wish I could say the same for my fast food loving husband

I don't know if its luck of the draw not having a picky eater but I guess we are pretty lucky that our 8 year old has always been adventurous. I know that if she is hungry.. she will eat. If I offer her new & different things she tries them. She has to take a tiny taste, but we don't force anything down her throat. I won't cook separate meals or pick out onions or veggies. I am proud that we have taught her not to " yuck anyone's yum"... but instead say " I tried it and I don't care for that"

Typical Day

Am snack
6.30 am- cup of Tassimo coffee w/ 1 sugar & cream
( pick one) belvita cookies, nutrigrain bar, erin baker breakfast cookie, granola bar, today was a homemade muffin.

breakfast
9.30 am- usually a chobani or oikos greek yogurt at my desk or at court.. today I had an egg & toast since I was home.

Lunch
12pm- ( pick one)spinach salad, regular salad, sandwich & soup, wrap with baked chips and a pickle, lean cuisine, usually with a side of cottage cheese. I eat out for lunch one day a week and always something healthy. I try to have a healthy treat for my after lunch dessert... 100 cal pack of cookies, fig newtons, etc. Today I had three little mint chocolates after lunch

PM snack
2.30-3 ish
fiber one bar, pudding cup, sugar free jello with whipped creme, special k bar- If I am going to fall of the wagon this is usually the time. I usually want something sweet. I may snag a some sweets or candy if i have some stashed away.

3.30-4.30 work out

dinner
5-5.30pm- whatever we have as a family- usually your old school meat & potatoes & veggie dinner
ex: turkey tacos, meatloaf,tilapia, baked chicken breast, beef stew,chili,spaghetti- usually served with a fresh or frozen veggie.


7pm snack
usually something salty- baked lays, chex mix, popcorn, 100 calorie packs, skinny cow ice cream


drinks- one cup of coffee a day, occasionally I have a cup of tea at my desk, I drink lots of water and have a glass of wine now & then with dinner.


what does your typical day look like? I am naturally curious and am always interested in how people eat. My coworker eats crackers all day long... i rarely see her eat a balanced meal at lunch or breakfast. Another coworker eats fast food all the time.

I really need to eat more fruit? I love berries & melon when they are in season and bananas... but i don't find myself reaching for fruit to snack on as much as I should.


Being 100% accountable on my fitness pal really helps keep me in line.

Lunch

Breakfast

Lent Dinner

1/2 tilapa ( I normally eat a whole piece but I am kinda over tilapia)
2 pierogis( i would normally eat 3)
Zucchini
Pat of butter split 3 ways on the veggies & starch

338 Calories , 12 grams protein , 33 carbs and 14 grams of fat

Progress pics then & now ( week 2 & week 39)

 The first set of pics were taken on 6/14/12 second set taken on 2/14/13-  eight months apart. 15 lbs lost and 8 inches. Sorry for the blurry quality... but you get the idea.  My cell phone which has a better camera was charging and it's really hard to get decent non-flash pics on my other camera. Take pics of yourself ladies... you will look back and be motivated when your in a slump or feeling down.

Happy Valentines Day!!!!


I showed my husband these pics and later he asked for an invite to the blog... I told him it was public and he was shocked that I was posting pics like this on a public blog...he was all " your half naked"..... If he seriously had an issue I would take them down... he was light hearted about it. In fact I am not posting as many pics with my face . I reminded him that I get like 6- 10 hits a day on average... lol.  so no worries about any pervy people.Over on my fitness pal.. many, many people have similar progress pics. I trust my gut in these aspects. I am not new to blogging... so if something is nagging at me... I take it down. I post these pics to remind myself of the hard work I have accomplished and to inspire others.

week 39

weight 134

All is well over here.... still doing my thing.  My thing is as follows : I am working out 5 days a week, making healthy meal choices, lots of whole grains and veggies. My weight has been 134 for the last few days... don't know whats up with that but it could have something to do with the box of Godiva Chocolates I have been eating with Liv ; ) I have a wicked sweet tooth. I could stand to eat less sugar overall. My daily yogurts for instance are sweet ( greek oikos or chobani) ... I don't care for the taste of artificial sweeteners and plain yogurt is just not for me. I also snack on  fiber bars, belvita bars, luna bars, granola bars which are also sweet. I do not drink soda so that is good.. but I do take 1 teaspoon of sugar in my cup of coffee. Baby steps.. the last nine months on the journey have taught me to appreciate the good things I have changed.... daily exercise, whole grains, no more fast food and not stress over my little caveats.


I am still making good food choices otherwise.I have run out of  My 1st step wellness triple chocolate protein powder, so I have been slacking on my protein shakes. I have some muscle milk banana creme protein powder and while it's ok.. I prefer the taste of the 1st step wellness brand. The muscle milk brand seems to have lots of additional vitamins & stuff and seems to be tailored to more serious body builders. It has an aftertaste that I don't appreciate.I can't wait for spring and to be able to workout outside again.. while I enjoy the treadmill over outdoor running, I enjoy the variety and sunshine.  I want to redo the couch to 5k outside.. train my body to adjust to outdoor running. Winter blahs over here for sure.. spring can't come soon enough.


so who is still following me here? I know readership is down a little...so I would love to know who has stuck it out with me for the long haul?

week 38

am weight 132


I missed a whole 12 days of working out.... yikes. I have not been that sick in a long time.  I also hit my goal weight while being sick.... lol. Happy to be better now and yesterday was my first return workout. It felt  good. I did not get the job I was hoping for. I am trying to trust in the process and that things happen for a reason. There is so much turn over in that position that It makes me wonder why people are not staying, but it was a coveted city job and I am a little crushed as I really wanted the benefits and perks..... ( big sigh)... oh well. I am grateful for the job I do have. Since I am not working full time.. I am going to stick to my five day a week workout schedule.. because my job can be so sedentary.. I really feel I need the extra activity and I really want to kick it up a notch to have some awesome 1 year results pic. May 20th is my 1 year fit anniversary.

I had to turn on comment moderation.. so sick of the spam comments.

130

This is only from not eating enough while sick and not working out....