Slowly But Surely

Several members of my family are participating in a family version of The Biggest Loser. Basically, whomever has lost the largest percentage of weight by October 31st wins. I am slowly but surely doing it. I have lost 9.8% of my body weight.

I had two very rough weeks during which I ate everything in sight. I am hoping that I can kick it back in gear now and start dropping some pounds again!

You must unlearn what you have learned

Vampires Strike Again

Well, on Friday, I visited the "vampires." They attempted to draw my blood for some tests. I say attempted because it took them FOUR tries to get enough.

Today, I got a call from my doctor. My A1C, a test that measures your average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months, went from 6 (which is considered early diabetic) to 5.5 (which is considered COMPLETELY within normal limits)!!!

That is one of those things that I referred to in my earlier post. I did not want to have to fight diabetes as well as MS. Through diet and exercise, I was able to bring it down!

It hasn't been easy, but it is working. And I am not done yet. I will continue. I HAVE to do so. I have to stay as healthy as possible for my family! I have learned a lot of unhealthy habits throughout my life. I am trying hard to unlearn them. That is not an easy task.

AND - 21 pounds gone!!

Goal: Met or Failed?

FIRST POSTED AS A NOTE ON FACEBOOK:

I have been saying for over a year now, that I may have MS, but it doesn't have me. For many aspects of my life, that is true. But, I realize that there is at least one area in which MS was controlling me. Since I was diagnosed, I let my physical limitations (or perceived limitations) keep me from physical exercise.

In February, after a doctor's visit, I realized that I wasn't taking shots every week for my MS just so I could kill myself in other ways. So, I set a goal. I was going to train and walk/jog the Illinois Marathon 5K. I was doing well but my left foot started dropping as my leg became fatigued. I started using kinesio-tape to help with that. While it helped, I had to quit jogging. But I kept on walking. Being outside in the humidity is not good for my MS, and some days I did an indoor walking program. Not knowing what the weather would bring during the Illinois 5K and not knowing how my foot would be doing, I did not register. I was in quite a mood yesterday. I felt like I failed. I did not reach the goal I had set. But, then I realized, that I really had met that goal. I can walk 3.3 miles in the time I set as my goal. So, I may not have the bib and medal, but I DID IT!! I went from being a couch potato in February to power walking and meeting my goal time. What now? I am setting a new goal time, and I am going to keep walking until the weather forces me inside for good. On those days, I will use the indoor walking program.