Yesterday was a much better day. I felt much more myself, my stomach feeling better, and my taste coming back. (The prep solution I had to drink before the procedure really messed with me.) I was feeling healthier and happier... not so sure how much of that had to do with my tummy and how much of that had to do with Queen Bee being gone.
Associate Attorney was so happy she was gone, he offered to take Nice Lady and me out to lunch! We ended up not going, but I completely understood his sentiment, and appreciated that he wanted to include me. That was nice to hear.
Returning back to normal, I feel that I haven't been as mindful or intentional with eating as I want to be. I feel like I eat too much and/or eat too many carbs. Also, I realize that I am not working a true keto plan, as I'm pretty sure I eat over 20g net carbs every day. I'm on 4 keto groups on Facebook , mostly for the recipes, but I'm thinking about dropping them, because I'm not really true to the plan.
SERIOUSLY NEED ADVICE:
I've been struggling with trying to find the right sugar substitute for my coffee. Saccharine (i.e. Sweet n Low) seems to be the only thing that works, but that's so bad for me! Don't like stevia (wish I did; can't handle the aftertaste), monkfruit is only ok - it's bearable, can't do Swerve (erythritol), as the cooling aftertaste is awful.
Also, I use flavor packets in the water I drink. They are sweetened with aspartame (Splenda)... trying to get away from that, but the alternatives aren't as good tasting. When the weather gets warmer, infused water might work - it probably will. Right now, trying to switch to a packet that combines cane sugar and stevia --- GOOD because it's more natural, but BAD because it has sugar which is not keto!
Ideas? Thoughts? Insights?
Progress as of today: 53.5 lbs lost so far, only -3.5 lbs to go!
Yesterday was rough! I was not really feeling well; if I could have called in sick, I would have. But as it was, I came back to 53 emails, some from Monday night! And complete chaos. It's like Nice Lady got caught up in 2 files and let the rest of them go. Can't do that when we're this busy.
And on top of that, my stomach wasn't quite in the right place. I'm still not sure I'm 100% yet. Woke up so tired... coffee tastes ok, but I'm not too crazy about the flavor packet I put in my water this morning. I had hoped that I would be more discretionary with food (choices and quantity), but that didn't happen. Just need to be more mindful, but when I'm stressed out and my stomach is messed up, it's hard to remain focused.
So yesterday, out of the blue, it was announced that Queen Bee will be working from home. This option is not available to any of the rest of us. That means more phones and more marketing responsibilities for the rest of us. I was upset at first, because that's totally unfair, until I learned from Associare Attorney that she's no longer on the payroll! She's more of a contract worker, now, working only on certain files in a commission. Wow!
Regardless, with her out if the office now, I anticipate my stress levels will decrease significantly. At least that's my hope.
Progress as of today: 53.5 lbs lost so far, only -3.5 lbs to go!
my queen bee thinks she's the BEST in the world and wants everyone to watch her and be nice to her. except, she doesn't pay mind to anyone else!~
My scopes are done. Doctor found nothing except a little inflamation in the stomach and small intestine that she biopsied. I had a hard time with the prep solution that is supposed to clean out the GI tract. Oh my that stuff tastes vile. And I had to drink 8 oz (250mL) every 20 minutes. So I did that 12 times-- and couldn't go to the bathroom!!! Oh NO! Not sure if that's psychological or biological, but I just could not go. I thought the low fiber diet would help this cleansing process.... I'm not so sure it was worth it. I called the on-call doctor who said to use an enema to get things started. Well, by then I had already showered (per doctor's instructions) and had my pajamas on. Just as I was getting ready to figure out how to use one, my body kicked in. The bad part is that by then, it was 10:30p. So I was up much too late, going to the bathroom.
I got up extra early and started the remaining prep solution at 4:40a, because I was afraid that I wouldn't be cleansed enough. Fortunately, everything worked out, and now I have 2 enemas for future use. I don't know how Princess Diana used to do enemas on a regular basis as part of her health routine. No thank you.
One thing I learned from this is that fasting is NOT for me. No way.
Rest day today -- no workouts but will do my push-ups tonight. Ate yogurt when I came home and will have a regular dinner. I am so looking forward to getting back into my routine tomorrow!
PS While I'm very glad that this went well and all... There is still no answer to the cause of my anemia problem. So that remains a mystery.
Progress as of today: 53.5 lbs lost so far, only -3.5 lbs to go!
i'm glad it's over for now, so you can put that to bed....
i hope there's a bigger solution for your anemia, but it is quite common in women isn't it?
Today is my last day of solid food before the liquid diet starts tomorrow, so even though I'm not a big fan of eating what I'm eating on this low-fiber plan, I'm grateful that at least I can still eat. My husband says I'm overreacting, but I've done this before and it is HARD. I get very cold and shaky when I don't eat. I also get very crabby, LOL. I bought some flavored coffees for tomorrow, to help, since I cannot have any creamer or dairy product of ANY kind tomorrow. My biggest fear is that I will forget and just slip into my normal routine and then - Ooops!
To put a positive spin on this, I am going to try to perhaps use this experience to broaden my self-awareness and those of others who face starvation on a daily basis. I'm not very good at expressing what I want to achieve in words, but I'd like to incorporate some kind of prayer and/or meditation with the hunger sensation... Kind of like giving it up to God. However, being at work, I do not think the Monday Madness will allow me to explore myself much, as at work, everything is focused on clients and co-workers. *sigh* Okay....
I thought more about chair yoga. After Friday's drama, I was like, "I don't need this kind of negativity in my life" - but then, almost instantaeously, I realized that **I** was the one causing the negativity in my own life! The instructor had said during our last session as she's taking us through de-stressing and re-focusing, "That argument you had earlier today? You can choose to let that negativity go and leave it behind..." WOW! Once I made this connection (yesterday), I decided that I still have something to learn from yoga, so I'll go back next month. :)
I did weight training last night and then finished up with a few exercises I didn't do last night this morning. I'm also sticking with my push-ups challenge. Right now, I'm using lighter weights with more reps, with the honest intention of going back to using heavier weights again, soon.
I went back and re-read that job listing that I had thought about applying for: no health insurance. So I do need to stay with where I'm at, for now, at least.
Progress as of today: 53.5 lbs lost so far, only -3.5 lbs to go!
I'm also like you with the eating thing, getting cold and shaky when i don't. you'll be so happy when this process is over! i'm sending you positive thoughts!
that's thoughtful to incorporate a prayer for others and is such a GREAT idea to take your mind off your own discomfort!
Cheers to another month of yoga. I know it ends later and on a Friday night, try not to let any stress get between you and hubby when you are both tired after the yoga the next time! you've had a long day and week, i suggest not planning too much for after yoga. just to go home and relax for the remaining part of friday night, even go to bed if you want to...perhaps you both are just tired when it's over.
I'm glad that other job isn't even a possibility - it's great to see you keeping the job you have for a longer period of time. :-)
lastly, i have just upped some of my weights. it's about time. i had bought alternate 5lbs higher weights when i started this home workout, and it took me a whole year and a half to even touch the #35's. !!! I was always using #30s for my bicep curls and thought i'd never even take the labels off the #35s, but since i've been doing weights very regularly since my trip to Florida, i am once again improving. i use an interesting form, and some people would tease me that it's not considered a correct move, but i enjoy lifting biceps this way...i also use lighter weights, currently #15s but hoping to move up to #20s for another one of my exercises bc i easily get up to 12 reps, usually moving past that, so i can easily bump those up for the exercise i use them for. those weights are adjustable, so i actually have to take them apart and do the math to get to #20, and requires a hair of thought - that's why it's taking me SO LONG to do it LOL LOL LOL...i will fix them maybe tonight.
Happy to report that my weight has stayed the same and so has my body fat %. I am quite pleased with this.
Today is Day #2 of the low fiber diet. I ended up having the stuffed cantaloupe (stuffed with chicken salad) rather than the low-carb skillet, because I'm supposed to stay away from red meats for this low-fiber thing. So yesterday was a lot of cheese, some scrambled eggs, Greek yogurt, honeydew and cantaloupe. I miss my vegetables something fierce.
Chair yoga was challenging. There was one movement that I felt pain in my left shoulder - like, Yikes! We did another stretch that I was so surprised was a challenge to my upper thighs -- what's that all about? Then had a nice dinner at the local diner with the less-than-satisfying stuffed cantaloupe (normally, I would NEVER order that -- completely NOT my style or taste). Treated myself to sugar free chocolate cream pie for dessert, but ate too much of the crust (has carbs).
Sadly, though, we got home and Husband and I got into an arguement over laundry. He started yelling and banging his cane on the countertop. I'm like, "I'm done, you win" and went upstairs to get ready for bed. So no evening bike-ride to help with digestion, but whatever....
So for the third time in a row, this stupid chair yoga has ended up with me completely stressed out. I don't think it's worth it any more, and I am seriously contemplating whether I will attend any more sessions.
The fatigue - I think - is related to the anemia. I'm still taking the prescribed iron pills but they don't seem to be helping with feeling fatigued. The only thing that they seem to have done is totally mess up my GI routine, with awful nausea in the morning from taking them on an empty stomach (as I'm supposed to do) to constipation.
This sucks.
Progress as of today: 53.5 lbs lost so far, only -3.5 lbs to go!
I am also missing veggies and will find some for dinner ! Oh, I just realized I have tons of cabbage at home ! Woohoo ! That’s what I’ll have :)
Try a few more weeks of the iron pills before giving up.
If you don’t enjoy the chair yoga - or it’s stressful on a Friday, skip it. It’s your life and be true to yourself even before your husband I think !
Sounds like we both indulged in dinner last night :)
I asked the doctor, "How do you know the anemia isn't just diet-related?" and she said that the numbers are too low for this issue to be just food-related (and frankly, I agree because I do eat a lot of dark green leafy vegetables and red meat).
The fatigue has become impossible. I was so tired after work that I had to lie down for about 20 minutes before getting up to eat dinner. And again this morning, like yesterday, woke up exhausted. So hard to get up... instead of feeling recharged, I still feel drained.
Today starts the modified diet to prepare for the colonoscopy cleanse on Monday. Fortunately, husband and I should still be able to go out for dinner after chair yoga. I looked up the menu online and I am torn: should I go for the low carb skillet (not exactly on the modification diet) or do the right thing and order the stuffed cantaloupe?
I just hope that I can leave work on time and have enough energy to do all of this. And remember to do push-ups!
Progress as of today: 53.5 lbs lost so far, only -3.5 lbs to go!
It's ok to be tired. I think over the weekend you should try to sleep a little extra and let your body rest. Let your mind rest / wander in your dreams.
Also, i think emotionally this (fatigue) has something to do with your son being away.
Is the cantalope stuffed with cottage cheese? that will not be enjoyable, i don't think. if i were in your spot, i'd have chosen the meat :)
remember to take each day at a time, do not worry - you will do ok with the cleanse for the colonoscopy. remember to enjoy the moment (the chair yoga, the dinner, and your pushups!)
you can do this. you don't have to regain again the weight you lost and are doing such a great job maintaining. just take this weekend to rest in / sleep in when you need to.
i already feel better today with my decision and i did sleep in a couple hours and i'm glad i made this decision to not go into work today! Today is just a way for me to catch up and have a bit less to accomplish this weekend.
When my trip comes up, i will be really busy and i am glad to have a low key day now, but manage some productivity in also.
I would also choose the skillet over the stuffed cantaloupe :)
As I was preparing my food for work, yesterday, I reread the list of low fiber foods and saw that I only need to eat that way for 3 days before the clear liquid diet the day before the procedure. So I loaded up on raw vegetables, walnuts, and all the other high fiber foods I love to eat. Friday starts the modified diet, thank goodness.
Completed day 3 of my push-up challenge. 3 sets of 20. The last set is still difficult to complete at the end.
Despite going to bed earlier last night, it was so hard to get out of bed this morning, feeling like I could use another hour. So I'm running a little late this morning.
Work was still stressful and busy, even with Mistakes Girl back, handling her own workload. I guess it's just going to be that way until real estate calms down in the fall.
There is a job posting for the job I do, at another firm (a blind ad) but with retirement benefits. I was very tempted to apply, but have decided not to. If we move - which now seems unlikely, any time soon - I want to be able to do that, without feeling inclined to stay because if my job. And if I do end up switching jobs, I am thinking of doing something else.
Progress as of today: 53.5 lbs lost so far, only -3.5 lbs to go!
Had a good day yesterday, but the best part is that it is over, which is kind of sad to say. My work load will go back to normal now that Mistakes Girl is back. Also, no events scheduled for the evenings until Friday when we have chair yoga. Being on a Friday though, is not the same thing as having stuff during the work week.
I was thinking to myself as I was walking into the library last night, that I limit myself by not doing things after work, during the week. Usually, I come home, have dinner, ride my bike while watching TV (usually 30 minutes), weights at home, and then start getting ready for bed, read in bed for about 15 minutes, lights out. Not much time for anything else.
Like Legcramps suggested, I would like to start developing something more for myself, during the week, for myself. Now that the kids are mostly out, I can do this. I don't know what this would be or where to start.
Speaking of kids, we received 2 letters from my son. He's doing well , although it's still very difficult. Not camp is not easy. It's quite different this time, with much less free time, but he wrote that he's feeling more confident, and does pushups and planks whenever he can.
Wish me luck as I start modifying my diet to more easily digestible foods. I guess low fiber foods are easier to digest completely and thus easier to clean out when that day gets here.
Progress as of today: 53.5 lbs lost so far, only -3.5 lbs to go!
Do you mean that Friday activities are better bc you can sleep in on Saturday? I have legs planned for Friday, but sorta frustrated bc i cannot sleep in on Saturday LOL...yes, that's a complaint! LOL
About your son, i love the part he mentions about doing planks and pushups whenever he can! Soon, they'll be one of his strongest suits! Remind him that challenges in life are what make you stronger!!! :) he's doing great, i'm very happy for him. icing on the cake is having a job and not needing to go apply to jobs after being in his current training. as long as he keeps on,he'll make a career of it. that's amazing.
Good luck on your diet - thankfully it's not going to be a lasting thing and you'll be able to get back to your regular menu soon!
We did not get a phone call from our son on Sunday. We hope everything is ok.
Yesterday at work was just too much; I just didn't have the energy to fight back. Queen Bee and Male Coworker were just too much of a force to reckon with, so I stayed as low as I could. Got 5 contracts and was only able to open 2. I will try to open at least one more today, but I do expect to get more contracts today. Mistakes Girl comes back tomorrow.
The client that dumped on me last week is just so overbearing. My involvement with her sale is almost over, and then I will only have to deal with her purchase. That will help a lot, I hope.
Part of the problem this week is that I signed up for 2 free seminars at the library, last night and tonight, so I cannot stay late at work, at all. Well, that's just too darn bad. This is for me. I'm allowed to have a life too . Last night was about investing. When I got home, husband and I had a nice talk. It felt good to know we're on the same page. Tonight is about planning financially for long-term care, i.e. assisted living, memory care, and nursing home.
I have my pre-op consultation with the surgical nurse this afternoon. Waiting to see if s/he will recommend a low fiber diet. On keto, this will be hard to do. I'm absolutely dreading the liquid diet on Monday, and the laxative prep Monday night.
Did my pushups last night.
Progress as of today: 53.5 lbs lost so far, only -3.5 lbs to go!
save your energy, it's not worth fighting or arguing or even making a point with QB or MC. they are typical bullies and aren't changing soon. just be you and be low in the limelight.
great library briefings - that's awesome you got to take advantage of those and yes, it's your life and i'm glad you went. you cannot always but your life on hold...good job doing exactly what you want to do! :) YES YES YES!
sorry for the pre-op. it'll be over before you know it <3 also, i doubt she'd recommend a low fiber? is this is typo??
HAPPY APRIL! A new month, new goals, new opportunities abound!
I heard something last night that really caught my ear and made me think: "Thank you for the privilege of your time." When I woke up this morning, I looked out my window to see perfectly blue sky and thought, I have the whole day in front of me to do something.
Well, as it turns out, the day has started to get cluttered with things to do. I have to vote early today, because I signed up for 2 free seminars at the library on Monday night and Tuesday night (electon day) that I *REALLY* want to go to. So I asked my husband if he'd like to go with me to vote, and he said he would, which makes me happy because it's more of together-thing. I proposed that we stop at the library on the way home so that he can pick up a new library book to read, and he's good with that too. We're becoming an old married couple that you see roaming around town running errands.
I have a few television shows that I'd like to catch today, if I can. One is a travel show on Scotland, one is an interview with the author of the book "Zero to Hero" about a boy who was bullied in school, but went on to be a decorated Vietnam war hero. This is a book that I've wanted to read, but my library system doesn't have it - yet. Depending on the interview, I am thinking about buying this book for my son, since he had a really hard time growing up. I'd like to read it first, though, really, before I give it out as a gift. Anyway, the TV interview is on today, so that I can do most immediately. Because TV is so time consuming, I will also use this time to weight train. I will also fold and put away my laundry while watching TV.
Speaking of laundry... This is not diet-related, but I am washing my son's bedding this weekend, and inadvertently found what ended up to be a load of his clothes (in various places on his floor, LOL), so I'm feeling a little nostalgic today too. We are hoping he will call today. My husband said this morning, "I really hope he's doing well." Me too...
APRIL GOALS:
Progress as of today: 53.5 lbs lost so far, only -3.5 lbs to go!
I hope your son is doing well - did you hear from him?
Did not hear from our son.
Lately the "busy bug" has napped me too...I think my entries might start to get weird on here and also when i respond. Feeling the trip coming as well as typical long weeks mostly until then LOL. wah wah (as you say!)
New opportunities do abound with Spring in Store!
I do think it's nice to do errands with someone sometimes! I have done it, not that often but i used to with a good friend and also here and there with guys but not often as i don't really "date" and it's fun to do things with someone else bouncing ideas and just breaking the monotony of being alone! it's nice.
yes, def read the book to see if it's worthy as a gift to your son and also so you can chat with him about it when he's done! :)
Remember to reach out to your son when you can. Don't guess how he's doing...keep in touch, write letters, send your supportive words along as often as possible encouraging him to keep his head up, act maturely, be responsible for what he says, be professional, and also to be proud of himself, how far he's come, how he'll keep producing success as long as he keeps trying and keeps his head up and studies? just, keep him focusued but also write about some fun things, a joke here or there...things to keep him happy and down to earth i guess!
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I don't know what follow keto, what doesn't, etc. What about natural honey? Coconut oil? For your coffee.
The water, well, i'm not sure about that one. I use flavor shots in my water sometimes. I have tried lemon slices before, strawberries - but it's an annoying process to have to cut it all up every time I fill up a jug of water, etc.
No honey, as that's sugar. I think I'm just going to have to be disciplined about making the move to some kind of unsweetened water. Like I said, I know that once the weather turns warmer, this will be much easier to do.
I'm also giving some serious re-consideration to following a keto way of life. It's not giving me the "lean look" (shedding) or lower body fat that I had hoped.
Horn_of_plenty on 04/13/2019:
i think with keto or anything diet related, it has to be true to yourself more than true to any plan. it has to work for you, adapt to work for you.
i think in terms of the packets that have some real sugar that it's better because it's natural even if it's not pure keto.
i think it's better to find things that work for you, rather than for a diet.
i find a little real sugar during the day makes me feel good, in MODERATION, just like i feel a little carbs at lunch makes me feel good rather than no carbs. that's my biased opinion!