Posts by pamt1998

My allergies are the worst they've been in YEARS.  I tried Claritin with some success but when the pollen got really bad last week, it didn't touch my allergies.  I've been taking Zyrtec for the last few days and it is doing a much better job.  I've heard that Allegra is good but that's not OTC yet.

Pam

I have been stuck since March - yes, March.  I've lost just over 80 pounds but I can't seem to break the 85 pound mark.  I have tried decreasing my calories, increasing my calories, decreasing exercise, increasing exercise, changing my diet (adding protein, reducing simple carbohydrates) and nothing seems to be making a difference.  It is extremely depressing, to say the least.  And, 80 pounds is just above the half way mark - so it's not like I'm on the last 15 pounds.

 I wouldn't take a break from the exercising not because I think it would hurt your body to rest but because, for me, if I fall out of the habit, I have a hard time getting back to it.  If that isn't a problem for you, you might not have to worry about it.  In places where I haven't had a gym when I'm travelling, I've used Leslie Sansone walk at home videos in my room (my laptop plays DVD's) or I've just taken a walk on the grounds or around the area.

For those that will suggest it, I am hypothyroid - have been for about 9 1/2 years - and my levels are fine (just had them tested two weeks ago).  I have also been tested for insulin resistance but have not yet received the results (my guess is that it will also be fine).

I also know that it's possible that I've gained muscle mass and that I could be losing inches - but the inches haven't changed either.  :(

I hope your plateau doesn't last as long as mine . . .

Pam

The symptoms of Diabetes generally include both excessive thirst and an excessive need to urinate.  That doesn't mean that it's not Diabetes but high sugars causing thirst will generally also cause you to have to go to the bathroom.  It also can cause "unexplained" weight loss.

 I often find that I am "thirsty" but it's not truly thirst.  My mouth gets very dry because of allergies or the air quality in the facility where I am.  Could it be something as simple as the air is dry where you spend most of your time?

Pam

What about using a smaller "plate"?  It makes it seem like you have more food but then if you clean your plate, it's not as big of a deal.  Or, make sure you truly measure the portions you put on your plate, so if you clean it, you'll know exactly how much you eat.

I do agree with monkey08us though - 3 pounds can be just water weight.  It's normal for your body to fluctuate.  It is definitely hard to see on the scale but don't let it deter you from your goal.

Pam

se1289 - I'm assuming based on your age that you were diagnosed with Type I Diabetes?  Have you been put on insulin?

My mother is a Type I diabetic who was diagnosed in her early 20's.  She turned 59 this year and leads a normal life.  She is on an insulin pump and is able to eat, for the most part, just like a non-diabetic person.  She has to be careful about exercising (making sure she has enough to eat before she goes or doesn't take too much insulin).  She has sugar, in some form, with her at all times.

Diabetes can be scary but it also is a manageable disease and you can learn to live with it.

Misconceptions about Diabetes:

"You can eat honey instead of sugar."  The body processes any form of sugar, like sugar.  Your body will need insulin to counteract the honey just as it would granulated sugar.

"You need to look for sugar free foods."  Many foods labelled as "sugar free" contain high amounts of carbohydrates.  Carbohydrates will increase your blood sugar - you should watch them carefully.  There are also lots of foods that contain fairly high amounts of sugar or carbs that you might not initially think about - ketchup, potato chips, as I mentioned sugar free candy.

"Diabetics are sick people."  Diabetes can be life threatening and is something that should be monitored carefully and well-managed.  You don't need to be considered "sick" most of the time.  Manage your blood sugar levels well and you will have minimal interruptions (blood sugar checks are important and can sometimes be inconvenient but well worth the time and effort).

My best advice is to understand Diabetes.  It is unmanaged Diabetes that causes most of the major problems you hear about.  Consistently high blood sugar levels can do damage to your body.  Read as much as you can and gather as much information as you can and you will be better able to manage it.

Feel free to e-mail me if you'd like:  pamt1998@hotmail.com.

Pam

wxforecaster (and anyone else so obliged) - I'm at a loss with understanding how there can BE such a thing as starvation mode.  I have been at a plateau for nearly 6 months after having lost 80 lbs in 9 months.  Initially, I did not change my diet or exercise routine.  After the plateau did not break in a few weeks, I tried increasing my calorie intake, decreasing my calorie intake, increasing exercise, taking a break from exercise, adding more protein, reducing carbs - you name it, I've tried it (or just about).  None of these things has made a bit of difference in my loss - I am still stuck fluctuating between the same 5 pounds and I'm still more than 80 pounds overweight.  The whole idea of starvation mode because of too big of a deficit makes no sense when your bodies should be able to survive off of the fat stores.

If creating too large of a deficit would create starvation mode, how do anorexics starve themselves to death?  Wouldn't the body hold off and keep them from losing weight?  What about others who want to eat but have no access to food around the world?

I can't explain the plateaus but this starvation mode just doesn't make sense to me.

Pam

Not all bees leave stingers in after they sting.   You would see it if it did (it wuld be hanging out of the middle of the "wound."  Unless you are uncomfortable (or have an allergic reaction), you don't really need to do anything with a bee sting.  Immediately after, there are a number of things you could try to reduce the pain and swelling - ice, mud, baking soda paste (baking soda and water) or even holding pennies on the sting for 15 minutes.  Both immediately after and until it is completely gone, Benadryl may relieve the itching and burning of the sting.

As far as allergic reactions, most people who have severe allergic reactions will know immediately.  Swelling would generally include the mouth and throat.  This type of reaction is a life-threatening emergency.  If you have it, take Benadryl immediately and head to the hospital.  People who know they are this allergic often carry epi-pens that allow them to administer epinephrine immediately after a sting to stop the allergic reaction.  This is probably nothing that you need to worry about (most people don't) - but wanted to point it out in case someone thought I was downplaying bee stings.

I am deathly afraid of bees but not deathly allergic.  I have been stung probably 100 times by all different kinds of bees in my life.  My 3 year old was recently stung 8 times by bumble bees after a nest was stirred up either by her or one of us that walked through the area before her.  We put pennies on her stings (although some will say it's a hoax) and her stings never swelled and were barely visible.  she never complained about itching or pain either.

Know that no matter what you do, the bee sting will heal after a few days.

Pam

If I had all my mercury fillings taken out, I think my teeth would just fall apart.  I've had too many fillings to count - at 38 years old, I can only remember two dentist appointments where I didn't have cavities (and those were my last two).

 I'd like to share a funny store from my dentist visit a little more than a year ago.  I was in having my teeth cleaned and the hygienist decided to explain to me how cavities are started with exposure to bacteria.  She told me that if I was going to eat two kisses that it would be better to eat them both at the same time and get the exposure done than to eat them 20 minutes apart which would increase my exposure time.  My sister and I laughed and laughed - because anyone that was looking at me at the time should know I would never eat JUST 2 kisses.  That was BEFORE my journey started at calorie count.

I'm Pam - a 38 year old WOHM of three kids - 9, 6 and 3.  I was brought up in a Baptist church (still go to one - actually a member of two different ones) and accepted Jesus more than 20 years ago.  I know it's God that finally made me see how awful my weight was and helped me to get started.  It is also Him that has given me the strength not to go back to eating while I've been on a plateau since March of this year.

I read through some of the posts in the thread but 320 pages of posts were WAY too many for me to read.  I did come across "to God be the Glory" and now have the song stuck in my head.  I love that song.  I was supposed to have choir rehearsal tonight but had to miss it because my husband went to a trustees meeting and it hasn't ended yet.

Nice to meet you all.

Pam