The Countdown Has Begun!

Today was my appointment with Dr. White at Grand Health Partners for a physical and EKG. The meeting went very well and she answered all my questions. She wants me to get labs done again - bummer! I guess my last labs didn't include everything she needed. This seems to be a very thorough program!

One thing I learned is that I have plantar fasciitis in my right foot and I will probably need to see a podiatrist. Dr. White says it is extremely important to fix any problems I might have that will hinder my ability to exercise. I have still been walking, but especially after last Tuesday night's walk, I could barely use my right foot. Dr. White gave me some referrals that I will follow up on.

Finally - a date to start! I have an appointment on Monday to get the actual VLCD program started. I will meet with the nutritionist and behaviorist. When I go home, I'll have the food and everything needed to get started.

Unfortunately, I must admit I've been pigging out. These last few days before the diet, I've been trying to savor everything. I've had Chinese food, Mexican (my favorite!) and Girl Scout cookies! According to my weigh-in this morning, I've gained a couple of pounds despite my twice weekly walks. Seems a little counterintuitive to put on weight before a diet, but I don't want to deprive myself before I have to!

Something I don't think I've mentioned before is that my girlfriend called me up last week and told me about some free diet food she saw on craigslist. I ended up getting a bag of sample food that is actually for my diet! I've been cautiously testing them to see what I like and don't like so I don't waste my money on stuff in the store. This morning, I tried the apple and cinnamon oatmeal (pitiful serving!) and decided this flavor is definitely not for me. The little freeze dried apple bits kept getting stuck in my teeth! But some of the other stuff was ok, like the protein bar and chocolate shake. There are a few more things to try, like spaghetti and meatballs and vegetarian fajita.

I'm so glad this diet allows me to eat somewhat regular food. During my research online, I've found some people on the VLCD only get shakes and bars. That would be a very boring (but convenient) diet. I've found a couple of blogs to follow: "The Skinny on VLCD's" on blogger.com and "Tricia's Blog" at deanrefreshyou.com. It seems these ladies are going through what I'm ready to do, and I need all the inspiration I can find!

Reflections of Frustration

I love to read the blogs where girlfriends and wives are being supported by their significant others. What a wonderful thing. They exercise together, eat healthy together, cheer each other on.

That is definitely not the case with ole' Chrissy Poo. You would think that my husband of 16 years would want to have a thinner wife. After all, I was in a size 12 when I started dating him. But he really doesn't take an active roll in the support category.

After a very sedentary winter, I'm trying to get more active and have decided to go for a long walk with my girlfriend on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Yesterday when I was leaving, my husband said "Oh, you're going to walk your miles?" I said "Yes, two miles." He said "Is that all?" I could just punch him sometimes. When I got back from the walk, he was putting up the basketball hoop for the kids and I asked him if he could get the bikes out of storage because my girlfriend and I would like to go for a bike ride. He said he couldn't because he didn't have anywhere in the garage to put them.

That's definitely not support. Now granted, I've been on a weight loss rollercoaster for a long time. He's seen me on many diet kicks and resulting mood swings. But you would think that someone who you love would be more supportive than knowing you are watching what you eat, then bringing home a pizza. Sheer torture!

Is he trying to sabotage me? Does he think I'm going to get thin and attract other men's attention?

Tomorrow is my doc's appointment at Grand Health Partners. I'm very apprehensive. That will be the beginning of my new weight loss journey with a VLCD. I will be giving up food as I know it. Hopefully I will be successful with weight loss and not letting my DH's comments/actions get to me. If he wants to go out to eat, I'll stay home. If he wants to go to the bar and have a few drinks, I'll stay home or go to my friend's house.

This is going to be a tough 3 months.

Just a quick note

I am so proud of my daughter Rachael. She is number one in her class and made the winning 3 point shot in JV basketball against a tough rival.

I'm actually proud of all 3 of my daughters. My oldest, Jessica is a Freshman at Western Michigan University where she is studying theater. She just got a summer job at Cedar Point. How fun! She didn't want to be a ride operator, so she'll be working in a 50's diner as a waitress.

And my youngest, Emma is doing well in school. She's a huge reader and would rather spend time reading than watching TV. Gotta love that. She is also active outside and loves her friends! She has many close friends that spend a lot of time over at the house. We had 6 girls over all weekend! I don't mind at all, except they eat everything in the house!

Now on to me...I'm waiting for my doctor's appointment which is this Thursday to get a physical and EKG and hopefully be approved for a VLCD through Grand Health Partners. I will be giving up food as I know it and will be down to 800 - 900 calories per day for 12 weeks. That will be tough, but I've heard people lose quite a bit of weight on it and I'm determined to lose quite a bit of weight! Going through the BBQ months will be tough. I'll be limited to pre-packaged foods and shakes that are high in protein. There's no going off plan. No tastes or nibbles. I've got to be firm. Hopefully my hubby doesn't make things too much of a temptation for me.

Wish me luck!

Back in the Land of the Living

I know it's been a while since I last posted. I fell ill with a double ear infection. The doctor told me I had a strep infection in my ears. Have you ever heard of such a thing?! I was completely out of it for three straight days.

The week I was sick, my dog woke me up at 4 in the morning wanting to go outside. I kept telling her to lay back down, but she kept pestering me until I took her downstairs to get let out. When I got to the main floor, a queer chemical smell overpowered me. I woke my husband to check it out. He thought it smelled like a battery burning up. We checked every outlet and battery operated device and couldn't find the source of the odor. I was freaking out thinking my house was going to burn up! Thank God my dog alerted me to it. After being awake for 2 hours, I started to get ready for work. What else could I do? The kids went to school and my husband and I went to work.

On the way home from work, I stopped at the township fire department and asked if a guy could come to my house and check it out. A firefighter showed up with special goggles that have infrared or heat-seeking capabilities that can see right through your walls and he couldn't find anything. Well, at least I felt better knowing I didn't have bad wiring in my walls ready to go! It wasn't until later that night when my daughter went to get some ice cream, and her spoon went right to the bottom of the ice cream container! My electrician husband checked it out and found a relay thingy majig that was black and buring up. After checking to see if we could simply replace that part (fridge was only 7 years old and in otherwise fine shape) we were told that if this part was bad, the compressor is bad. Great. I got to spend $1000 on a new fridge. Of couse my kitchen has all bisque (off-white) appliances and guess what they're not making much of anymore?! Bisque is a special order. Luckily, it's winter in Michigan and I have an attached garage, which is where I had to keep the contents of my fridge until we could get a new one delivered.

This past Saturday we finally got our new fridge and after hooking up the water supply for the in-door water/ice feature, find that the water dribbles terrible. There is something wrong with the valve. We get to have a repair guy show up to fix it! Hopefully all turns out well.

On another note, I found out I've been approved through my insurance for a six month medical weight loss program. I went to a seminar tonight to learn more. My first doctor's appointment is on March 25th. I'm going to try the VLCD, otherwise known as the Very Low Calorie Diet. I will be restricted to 800 - 900 calories/day. I will have to give up most foods and stick to high protein shakes, cereal and prepackaged meals for 12 weeks. I've heard people have lost 50 + lbs on this diet. I hope I'll be able to stick to it. I really need to succeed. I need to make a change.