Lab Work

I recently had labs performed so that I could get better life insurance. I couldn't do that before because I weighed too much. It's great to know that my health is good enough now that I can better take care of my family in this way.

• Blood Pressure: 108/72
• Glucose - 78 (normal 70-110 mg/dL)
• Fructosamine - 1.85 (normal 1.20-2.10 mmol/L)
• A1C Estimated Average Glucose: 5.3 (previously 5.5, normal 3.0-6.0)
• BUN - 20 (normal 6-25 mg/dL)
• Creatinine - .68 (normal .60-1.50 mg/dL)
• GFR - 100.22 (108 previous, normal 68-117 mL/min)
• Alkaline Phosphatase - 65 (normal 30-115)
• Total Bilirubin - .61 (.10-1.20 mg/dL)
• AST - 52 (previous 29, normal 0-41 U/L) - this is high, not sure why
• ALT - 64 (previous 36, normal 0-45 U/L) - this continues to go up, not sure why or if it's something to be worried about
• Gamma Glutamyltransferase - 14 (normal 2-65 U/L)
• Total Protein - 6.2 (normal 6.0-8.5)
• Albumin/Globulin - 2.4 (normal 1.1-2.3) - high, not sure why

• Cholesterol - 158 (previous 157, normal 120-260 mg/dL)
• HDL (good cholesterol) - 65 (normal 25-75)
• LDL (bad cholesterol) - 86 (60-190 mg/dL)
• Cholesterol/HDL Ratio - 2.43 (normal 1.50-5)
• LDL/HDL Ratio - 1.32 (normal 0-3.6)
• Triglycerides - 32 (previous 45, normal 10-200 mg/dL)

Side benefit of losing weight is that my teacher dress up outfits are so much more fun and easy to put together.

Week 66 - Surviving Thanksgiving

I just got my school pictures back. What a difference a year makes!

I didn't realize I'd let a couple weeks slip by without an update. Whoops! Thinks continue about the same. I am still two pounds from my goal. I really need to buckle down and just get there!

I did pretty good over Thanksgiving. I was controlled and kept my weight in check. The only bad thing is that I ate stuffing. After not having bread for a year, eating stuffing about killed my gut. I was in serious pain. 

I shared some advice with my clients that I want to document here just so I have it for the future.

Eating During the Holidays

First of all, remember that everything is a CHOICE. Get rid of thoughts like "I HAVE to eat this." or "I CAN'T eat that." You can do whatever you want. You are in charge of your own life. No one is telling you what you can or cannot do. 

What you can't do, is control the consequences of your choices. Those will come whether you want them to or not. So what you need to do is ask yourself what do you want most? For example, yesterday, they delivered donuts to teachers. They brought them right to our classrooms! I had to ask myself, what do I want most - a donut (which is so yummy and melts on your tongue) or to feel good in 30 minutes (because later that donut sits heavy in my stomach and makes me feel sluggish)? I opted to skip the donut. It was a quick decision, but the consequence stayed with me. We make hundreds of these kinds of decisions every day - and they're not just about food.

So take a minute and think about what you want most over the holidays. How important is the food to you? (There is no right or wrong answer.) How does that play into your traditions and family time? Is there a way to modify current traditions to make them healthier? What will be some of your biggest challenges? Regardless of your choices, make sure they are INTENTIONAL and not REACTIONAL. I'll write more about this next week.

Tips for eating during the holidays.

• Don't put serving dishes on the table. Keep them on the counter and fill your plate from there. You will eat less if you have to get up to fill your plate.

• Only put three things on your plate at a time. Often you will find that you are full after the first three things. 
  
  
• Stop when you are full (meaning satisfied, not like you're going to explode).

• Use a smaller plate.

• Eat veggies and protein first.

• Stay busy. We eat more when we're bored or watching t.v.

• Don't graze. When the meal is over, put food away in closed containers.

• Drink lots of water. Don't drink alcohol, soda or sugary drinks.

Week 63 - 4 Pounds to Go

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 154

Total lost: 82.8 (142.5)

While my weight is the most obvious change in my life, Optavia has brought so much more change. This week I did an analysis of my overall health and then compared it to the same analysis I took when starting Optavia. I have grown a lot. My overall well being is better.

It's taking forever for these final 5 pounds to go, but I'm down to 4 and hopefully they will fall off soon!

Week 61 - Happy Halloween!

For years our family would do a Halloween theme. It was fun to dress alike and I hope it made memories for my kids. But I hated the way I looked. I would find the easiest costume possible and usually it was something huge and shapeless to just try and hide myself. One year I just threw on my daughter's pop up princess castle. My life is so different now. I love dressing up. I love that everythig fits. I like the way I look. There is so much freedom in that.

Today a nurse came to the house to give me a quick physical because I'm getting better life insurance now that I've lost weight. On her scales, I weight 150! That's my goal weight! But I'm still going to go by my scales, which unfortunately still show me at 155. 

She was surprised because my blood pressure was so low. It's never been so low. I don't think it's a concern because my mom's blood pressure is always low and I feel fine. I'll keep an eye on it just in case. She took it three times: 90/58, 80/58, and 86/60.

Week 60 - 5 Pounds to Go!

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 155

Total lost: 81.8 (141.5)

Inches lost: 47.25 (61.25)

BMI down: 14.5 (23.5)

I lost another half pound this week. Not much, but slowly and surely I'm getting to my goal. I've started calling my coach every evening so we can both touch base with each other and share our day. This added accountability has helped me stay on track with the little things. I really want to hit my goal by Thanksgiving and I know it's completely possible.

The dress I'm wearing in the picture is from Walmart. It only cost $1! The cool thing is that I can go to a clearance rack and find things that fit me. My options are so much wider now that I'm smaller. The freedom that has come to so many areas of my life through this healthy lifestyle is liberating. 

I am hoping to be able to share this freedom with others and bring them the joy that I have found.

Week 59 - Creeping Closer

I hit a new low today - in a good way! I'm in the 155's! I'm getting closer and closer to my goal. I know it's within my reach and it's completely up to me to get there. I need to fall back on the habits I've been building and be an actor not a reactor in my life. I plan to be there by Thanksgiving.

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 155.6

Total lost: 81.2 (140.9)

I have decided to try and grow my Optavia business. It has grown so much this year with very little effort from me. I've decided to put some effort into it and just see what will happen. I would love for more people to find the happiness and health that I have found.

A year ago, I had no idea that my life could be where it is right now. I don't take that for granted and I am so very grateful.

Week 58 - Will I Ever Get There??

See that girl in the middle of the picture? Near the back? She looks amazing! She looks confident! She isn't tired. She could do this for hours. She is me! I love that I like how I look.

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 156

Total lost: 80.8 (140.5)

I didn't lose any weight this week. While I'm disappointed, I'm not surprised for a couple of reasons. First, I lost three pounds last week so that was a huge loss and it's common to not have much loss the following week. Secondly, and probably more importantly, I was casual with snacks again. If I am not careful with almonds and cheese, everything slows down. 

I really want to just be in maintenance and sometimes I think I'm living like I'm already there. Six pounds is soooo far away, but yet it's so close. I want to be there by Thanksgiving. I know I can do it!

And in the meantime, I'm going to put this right here to remind me of how far I've come.

Week 57 - Back on Track!

I didn't post last week because I've been overwhelmed and because I'd gained three pounds from my lowest weight and had battled being out of fat burn. I just didn't feel like posting. The good news was that by Friday, I was back in fat burn. This week I really focused on following the plan and I lost those three pounds plus a smidge. So things are back on track!

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 156

Total lost: 80.8 (140.5)

Inches lost: 45.5 (59.5)

BMI down: 14.3 (23.3)

Life has been crazy stressful going back to school in the time of COVID and I am so grateful my physical, emotional and mental health is so strong right now.

Week 55 - Whoops!

 

I actually gained .8 pounds this week. I let my emotions get a hold of me this week. I got myself kicked out of fat burn, which is always a bummer because then it takes four days to get back in. But it's all part of the journey - and the journey isn't perfect. I'm working now to get back on track. Six pounds to go!

Week 54 - Another Pound Bites the Dust

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 156.6

Total lost: 80.2 (139.9)

The photo on the right popped up in my Facebook feed this week. Photos like this always catch me off guard. My whole life I've wanted to look the way I look now. I love how I look and how I feel. It's such a blessing. I have energy, I'm not sore, my clothes fit, and I feel self confident. It's a lovely way to live.

I've been very stressed getting ready to start school in this time of COVID. I second guess my choice to have the kids and myself go back to school face to face instead of virtual. There are no easy choices when it comes to that. I'm so grateful to know that I am healthy. I know that should I get sick, my body is as healthy as it can be in order to fight back against the virus. There's peace in that.

Six pounds from my goal!! It's so close, I can taste it! (Pun intended.) I'm now toying with the idea of trying to get to 135. I don't think I will make it my actual goal, but when I start to transition, I think I'll still try to lose a little. I'm so excited about my future.

Week 53 - Inch by Inch

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 157.8

Total lost: 79 (138.7)

I lost a half pound this week. I know that if I will focus more on staying faithful to program, I will lose faster. I've gotten kind of lazy when it comes to counting my condiments and free snacks. Yesterday I was super focused on it, and I dropped a pound from the day before. I'm ready to hit goal and go into transition!!

Week 52 - 1 Down, 8 to Go

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 158.2 

Total lost: 78.6 (138.3)

Soooo close - 8 pounds to go! This was a great week with a pound loss. Monday is my Optavia anniversary. I thought it was today, but it's Monday. I can't believe how much my life has changed in just a year. I could have never imagined a year ago that I would look like this today. I wish I had found Optavia a decade ago, but I am so grateful to have found it now.

Let's Talk About Skin

One of the questions I get asked a lot when people find out I've lost over 100 pounds is whether or not I have excess skin. Why, yes. Yes, I do! I'm 52 years old and weighed almost 300 pounds. You can't come back from that without stretching your skin out. So here are some gross pictures of my excess skin.

In looking at these, you need to realize that I am currently only 8 pounds over weight. That means these pictures are not of fat, they are of excess skin.You also need to realize that excess skin is not pretty. But then, neither is excess fat. And given the choice, I choose the skin. It is not comfortable for me to post these pictures, but I think it is valuable information to share with others who are seeking weight loss.

This is the excess skin on my arms .

Excess skin on my thigh.

And - worst of all - excess skin on my belly.

The good news is, that unlike fat, skin can be compressed into clothing. So no one needs to see it, but me. I'm proud of my body. It has been through a lot. It is healthy and it is strong. It is not perfect, but it is a gift and being healthy is even more so.

Week 51 - So Close and Yet So Far!

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 159.2 

Total lost: 77.6 (137.3)

I lost half a pound this week, which based on my calculations last week is about my average. At that rate, it will take me two more months to hit my goal. I'm hoping to get there before then, but as long as I'm headed in the right direction, I'm good.

The best part about my Optavia life right now is my dad. I was really worried about him this summer because he was having trouble getting around and he has heart issues. I don't ever push Optavia on people so I was super excited when he asked me about it and I could share. I was thrilled when he decided to join.

I wasn't sure he would be satisfied with the food and giving up some of his habits, but he has ROCKED it. In two weeks, he has lost 18.6 lbs. and his belly is already disappearing. I am so happy to see him getting healthy.

I never planned on being an Optavia coach, but coaching has really been a blessing - especially because it holds me accountable on my own health journey. Being able to coach my dad is awesome.

Week 50 - Home Again!

 

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 159.8 

Total lost: 77 (136.7)

In the past 50 weeks, I have lost 77 pounds. That averages out to a little more than half a pound a week. It has seemed so very slow week to week and yet it has been life altering. So many things in life are that way. The things that really matter take time to happen. They seldom happen as quickly as we would like them to, but if we keep pressing forward slowly and surely miracles can happen.

I am so grateful for this change in my life. I feel like a different person.

As I looked through the pictures of our trip. I noticed how many pictures I am in. I'm no longer afraid of the camera. I went back and looked at our road trip from two years ago. There are not many pictures of me. And in most of them, I'm hiding in the back. I love that I am more actively present in the lives of my children. I love the memories I am building with them.

This summer, three of my family members decided to join me on this journey. I love working with all my clients, but having family members join me is especially moving. I can't wait to see the changes in their lives. 

Week 48 - Fun in the Sun

Normally today would be a day when I would post my measurements, but I'm in the middle of a vacation and that's not going to happen. I have managed to maintain my weight throughout this trip, which is amazing since there have been temptations all around me. I have not been perfect, but I have kept things under control.

I have been comfortable in my body. I haven't been afraid of wearing a swimming suit or having my picture taken. I have been fully involved and active and it has been wonderful..

I  did have one day where I ate way too much garbage. I couldn't sleep because my stomach hurt so badly. My body has grown accustomed to being healthy and no longer enjoys junk food.

Tomorrow we head back to South Carolina with a few stops on the way. We have had such a fun summer, but it will be nice to get back home and back into a routine.

Week 47 - Holding Steady

I have been happy just to maintain my weight while we've been traveling. The change in routine and exposure to food that I'm choosing not to eat right now can present a challenge. So I'm happy to find myself right where I was when we left South Carolina. I haven't been perfectly on plan, but I have learned how to maintain while still allowing myself some freedom to choose different items. It shows me that this plan truly is sustainable for the long term and that's exciting.

Yesterday, I floated down the Provo River with my family and my brother's family. (You may have seen the photos on Facebook.) It was great to feel comfortable in my swimming suit and to not feel strangled by a life jacket. It was great to be able to sit comfortably in a tube for two hours and enjoy the amazing beauty all around me. But the most amazing part happened at the very beginning of the adventure. Everyone got in their tubes and somehow I was the last one in. The current was so strong that the group of tubes got swept down the river and I was just hanging on to the outside of mine. My knees and hip got beat up and I may have broken my big toe - the jury is still out on that one. But the good part is, I had the health and strength to pull myself up into that tube. I knew I could do it because I know my body is healthy and strong. This time last year, I was 75 pounds heavier and there is no way I could have done it. I'm not sure what would have happened. I probably would have had to fight to the shore and then spent the next two hours waiting for my family to finish their run - that is if I could have made it to shore. I'm so grateful for this change in my life.

I'm so grateful that with my healthy body it is so much easier to be active and enjoy the beautiful outdoors of Utah with my family.

This will be our last week of adventure in Utah and then we'll start the road trip home.

Week 46 - What Happens in Vegas

I gained two pounds during the two weeks I was in Vegas. It was temptation city (food wise), so I'm grateful it was only two pounds. So for this week's update, I'm just posting before and afters.

Me and my coach/friend Chari. We've known each other since we were 18 years old.

Me and my mom.

In my wedding dress.

At Bryce Canyon.

So grateful for the new me.

Week 45

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 161.8

Total lost: 75 (134.7)

This has been a crazy, fun week! I love spending time with my sister. That being said, her house is treat heaven and that is not easy for someone trying to eat healthy. It has been a struggle! I haven't totally lost it, but I've had lots of bites here and there of things I should not have eaten. I was down half a pound, but if I end up maintaining overall, I'll be okay with that.

I am getting more exercise than normal. My sister is a runner so we went for a walk and I've walked on her treadmill. I'm not able to run because every time I try, I have hip pain. I've also done some swimming - not workout swimming, but it's still movement.

As I think about freedom today, I realize that one of my greatest freedoms this year is the freedom of health and all the other opportunities that has opened up for me.

Week 44 - 11 Months

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 162.4

Total lost: 74.4 (134.1)

Inches lost: 43.25 (57.25)

BMI down: 13.3 (22.3)

Eleven months in! This month I lost 3.4 pounds and 4 inches. Two of those inches were off my waist. I continue to feel the change in my mindset, which I know will be the key to my successful transition to a new lifestyle after I hit my goal weight. I just want to get there!

We just arrived in Vegas after a cross-country trip. It was so much more comfortable to travel with this healthy body. I could curl up on the seat, bend over to pick up things from the floor, sleep in different hotel beds without being sore in the morning, and actively participate in walking or adventuring. It was much more enjoyable. Another perk was how much room I had in my suitcase. In the past, I had trouble fitting everything. This time, I kept thinking I had forgotten something because I still had room left over. The only bad part is that I don't have padding on my butt so it gets pretty sore.

Traveling is challenging because it's hard not to snack. I ate more calories than recommended by the program, but the choices I made were healthy. I ate almonds instead of chips. I gained .6 pounds. I'm okay with that! I know that will be back off tomorrow or the next day.

In the past when we traveled, I would take lots of pictures, but I avoided being in them. Now I love being in the pictures.

Elvis' pink Cadillac

Missouri

David thought it would be fun to take a picture of me taking a picture since I take so many. I don't even mind pictures of my back side! 

I went to the grocery store with my sister to make sure I have some of the staple foods I need. I love that my plan is adaptable to any time and any place.

Non Surgical Victories (NSV)

Sometimes the focus is so much on weight loss that I forget about everything else I'm gaining from this new life. I thought I had already blogged about my April lab work, but I can't find it so I'm doing it now. At that appointment, my blood pressure was 108/72.  That is well within the normal range. I have never maintained a blood pressure that low before. That is remarkable.

Below is a comparison of my blood work from June 2019 to April 2020.

Hemoglobin A1c dropped from 5.8 to 5.5

Cholesterol dropped from 195 to 157

LDL dropped from 128 to 100

Non-LDL dropped from 141 to 109

Glucose dropped from 96 to 49

eGFR rose from 105 to 108

TSH dropped from 1.9 to .9

T4 increased from 1.4 to 1.64

Vitamin D is 63, which is great

My HDL cholesterol dropped and my ALT went up, so I need to keep an eye on those. I also continue to have a high red blood cell count for some reason. Overall, I'm in excellent health. I imagine my numbers will be even better when I lose my final 13 pounds.

Week 43 - Beach Days Don't Scare Me Anymore!

Highest weight: 296.5

Starting Optavia weight: 236.8

Today's weight: 163.2

Total lost: 73.6 (133.3)

I got new leggings this week and I'm shocked at how skinny my legs look! I have my mom's legs - who knew?!

We went to the beach this week and it was such a different experience for me. Not only was my suit too big, but I could easily walk across the sand. I was confident and not self conscious. It was an amazing day filled with self-realization.

There are few photos of me at the beach because I never wanted a picture of me in a swimming suit. I love being part of pictures now.

I also love that I'm being a powerful role model for my daughter. She is working on improving her own health because of the changes she's seen in my life.

These pictures, however, are way out of my comfort zone. They will not be seen on social media :). But it is pretty amazing that I'm even willing to take pictures like this because I'm no longer ashamed of my body - I'm proud of it.

I have shoulder bones!

We are heading out on a cross-country road trip this week. In the past, this would mean snacking for hours on end and somehow thinking that because I was riding in a car, I wouldn't gain weight from all the food. Not anymore! And because I'm not dieting, I'm making healthy choices for myself, the snacks aren't even tempting.

I LOVE MY LIFE!