Staying the Course -- 02/12/2018

[Superbob]

Good morning, and welcome to the start of new Staying the Course week.

A week ago, after finally getting my Weight Watchers scales powered up again, I got my weight (*which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be after the Super Bowl feasting), and set an initial goal of losing 6,4 pounds. That would simply get me down to a more pleasing number on the scale,after which I would set a new goal.

Okay after my first week, I am down 3.1 pounds. So just 3.3 to meet that goal. I will report in each Monday. I am happy that Honeybunny has also made this a challenge, though I have all the advantage, given that I have so much to lose. Anyway, if I make this preliminary goal by next Monday (or the following one), I plan to set a new goal of losing 10 pounds from that new set-point. Anyone wanting to join in as a "challenge" would of course be welcome.

Am on no exotic diet -- our meals are usually pretty healthy, Mainly just trying to control my snacking, especially late night. Stocking fruit and veggies (and a little spreadable peanut butter in small containers) -- instead of chips, crackers and the like. (Seems like many of our downfalls are in the "c" category -- not just chips and crackers but cookies and cake and such.

Looking forward to exercise class. Have started practicing planks at home right off the floor, instead of with elbows propped on seat of a folding chair or from leaning against a standing (the way I started as a beginner before progressing to the chair). SO maybe I will go all in tomorrow and get a high-five from my teacher.

Hope all are doing well. Lot of good observations/discussions last week. Look forward to hearing from y'all when you have a minute.

Cheers,

Superbob

 

[FredW]

Hi SB and everyone, my weigth this am was 185.2. I liked that!

Now for confusion: I started at 187.6, went up to 189.2. It was homemade blood orange ice cream, homemade baked maringue, homemade bread and the Super Bowl game that caused that gain. (And a dose of no will power on my part.) Does that mean I lost 2.2 lbs or 3.8? Not sure I care. It is remarkable how better I feel with just a few pounds lighter. Getting under 185 and staying there is hard for me, so this week will be a challenge. What I did right was to cut down on nighttime snacking, eating less, and moving more.

However, I don’t recommend snow shoveling for those of us with back issues. Nor do I suggest we fix broken gutters due to ice dams. Ladders, cold and ice can also be unhealthy for us valve replacement people.

Now, I think Steve should be disqualified because, according to his wife, he eats only bird food. And JCG sounds like a professional weight loss expert, so he should be disqualified as well. And what about those fron the Southern Hemispheres? Don’t they get on the scales upside down, which can hardly be fair. Again?

And on more question, isn’t taking a water pill somewhat like doping in the Olympics? Ann, I love you, but is that really fair?

All of this, of course is all in fun. The only thing I’m serious about is my own weight. I bet laughing helps in weight loss too

Best to everyone this week

 

[Superbob]

Hi SB and everyone, my weigth this am was 185.2. I liked that!

Now, I think Steve should be disqualified because, according to his wife, he eats only bird food. And JCG sounds like a professional weight loss expert, so he should be disqualified as well. And what about those fron the Southern Hemispheres? Don’t they get on the scales upside down, which can hardly be fair. Again?

And on more question, isn’t taking a water pill somewhat like doping in the Olympics? Ann, I love you, but is that really fair?

All of this, of course is all in fun. The only thing I’m serious about is my own weight. I bet laughing helps in weight loss too

Best to everyone this week

Fred -- I literally laughed out loud at this. Speaking of the Olympics, you would make a great Olympic judge. You are of course correct on all points except regarding Southerners who appear to weigh upside down on the scales. The rest of the world is upside-down so naturally we are right-side-up when we weigh with bathroom scales overhead. : ) (Always did wonder about HB and those water pills though. : )

Laughing has to be good in lots of ways, just staying the course.

 

[Superman]

I went up 7 and down 7 in the course of a week. Unfortunately I stayed out of the contest. I think I was 198, topped out st 205.8, then was back to 198.8 Sunday morning. I switched floors at work. I’m with all the revenue producers now. Food seems to find our floor more than where I was before. Not a good situation if I don’t develop self control.

Did a new workout to diversify. Woke up some muscles I haven’t been using. Still sore 3 days out. I’ll probably do it again. Good luck with your contest everyone! I’m holding steady and Staying The Course.

 

[Agian]

I have to do a hand stand to weigh myself.

Did you know that water spirals in different directions down the sink, depending on hemisphere? I lock myself in the toilet on airplanes and can tell the exact moment we cross the equator. People banging on the door doesn't bother me.

 

[honeybunny]

OK guys. Remember that the water pill is meant to alleviate swelling in the legs and decrease the strain on my heart. Not for weight loss! Besides, I discounted any weight reduction due to the water pill. I was at (I think) 154.6 or thereabouts when I joined the challenge and said I wouldn't start from that point because I'd been about 150.4 the week prior and attributed the weight gain to water retention. My goal is to lose 6.4 from a 150.4 starting point. This morning I was 150.6 so I'm actually up 2/10ths. Such is life. At least no gain from the Superbowl because I didn't watch it (though I saw the half-time show).

That said, I am glad to be at my weight - more or less - of two weeks ago. I treadmilled last night, only for 15 minutes, but that's 15 minutes more than I do most evenings I usually sit in my recliner and read the news on my IPad. Hope I can make myself get off my butt every evening for that short while. I think it will help, esp. when coupled with the line dancing.

Speaking of which, I had three ladies tell me last week that I'm a good dancer, which was encouraging.

Staying the course! And SB, how about if I do 5 lbs. to your 10 after I lose the 6.4? That will be more manageable for me.

 

[FredW]

That's funny, Again. I've been to Australia and tested the water spiraling story and can report it is not true. At least not in Sidney or Canberra.

 

[Superbob]

2/10ths is nothing; you're doing great, HB. Your latest challenge is accepted --your 5 to my 10 pound loss sounds reasonable. I have so much more to lose, and no doubt lose it more easily for that reason. Another way life is unfair.

And yes I fully understand the purpose of the water pills. Fred and I were totally kidding. You see he even accused we Southerners of weighing upside-down. ; ) And says we should disqualify Steve because his wife says he eats like a bird. lol Just funning -- while we stay the course.

You are a joy here among our little band, And by all means, keep up that line dancing and tell us about it. I will try to do the same with my core fitness class, which I have this morning (even though I stubbed my little toe in the middle of the night and now it's all bruised and sore. I emailed my teacher and told her that I knew she would tell me just to add it to my collection of "bad body parts" and come to class today and we will make modifications if needed. I think surgery is about the only excuse for missing class she will accept and Lord knows I don't want any more of those. : )

Stay the course!

 

[honeybunny]

And yes I fully understand the purpose of the water pills. Fred and I were totally kidding.

I know Couldn't resist giving you guys a hard time!

 

[epstns]

I really don't understand how you folks do it. Lose weight, that is. I can look back in my journal and see that a year ago I was within 1-2 lbs of my current weight. My weight varies seasonally - about 5-7 lbs heavier in the winter. From year to year, on the same date, the variation is negligible. About the only way I can seem to lose any weight, even temporarily, is to just stop eating - like when you're sick. I caught a cold back in December and lost about 3 lbs. Gained it right back as soon as I felt better. I guess I'm just consistent. I consume about the same caloric content and get about the same exercise every week. Only my outdoor activity, which is near zero in winter but fairly significant in warm-weather months, is making any difference. This situation sure makes semi-retirement look good, as I will be able to get away from this desk a lot more when I'm no longer working every day.

And I think I'm going to smack my computer if it doesn't wise up. When I use the online BMI calculators and ask for instructions, it says "Don't gain any weight."

 

[FredW]

HB, I can only image how well you dance. My dancing ability, according to my wife, is not my strongest suite. When the moment strikes me, I normally close the curtains, make sure nobody is watching and hope to never to be photographed. But, I do believe dancing is good for the heart and sole.

 

[FredW]

Steve, I understand the seasonally variability in weight. I also am about 5 lbs heaver in winter. For me, it is harder to burn calories in winter than summer. My post retirement activities also don't help. Things like reading, playing piano, writing, and technology consulting do little for burning calories and keeping fit. Do you have plans for your post retirement time?

 

[honeybunny]

epstns , that's about the way my weight goes. The least I've weighed in the last 17 years was 135 back in 2003, and that was from a broken heart ;(

Otherwise, I'm like you, hovering within 1-2 lbs. of 150 without going below. Still, I like the idea of setting the 6.4 goal, expecially since I've committed to getting my blood sugar under control, which includes weight loss.

Of course, the Black Forest Cake and Milano cookies my daughter left on my kitchen counter yesterday will not help at all. She tries to do a little something for me every Valentine's Day. I also received potted tulips. Fortunately, the cake is a small one, about 6" in diameter. The cookies I will share at work.

 

[Superman]

I really don't understand how you folks do it. Lose weight, that is."

I can't speak for others, but when I was quickly losing weight, my wife had essentially the same complaint. I would lose, and she would exercise and not lose. She's in much better shape than I am. When you have weight to lose, it tends to come off a bit easier. I lost a lot between August and November. I've stabilized now. I would have to cut back further to continue to lose, but I think I'd be setting myself up for failure. I could do it, but as soon as I hit goal - I'd be done and start gaining. At my current level I've been able to get in better shape and maintain weight. I'm happy with that. I've come to terms with never having 6-pack abs.

 

[epstns]

6-Pack abs, Superman? I'm lucky if I can find mine at all, after having an abdominal hernia repair a few years back. The doc at that time said "You should never do sit-ups or crunches again." The repair did some things to my abdominal muscle structure, making it look like I've never done any exercise, yet I am still pretty solid for an old guy.

I do realize that the "last 10 pounds" are the most difficult, but it appears that I was never more than 10 pounds heavier than I wanted, so it has always been rough to lose any of it. Seasonal weight gain, for me, seems to track with weather-driven activity levels. During the winter, up here in the upper rust belt, there isn't much one can do outdoors for exercise, unless they want to make it a major trip and go cross-country skiing. Here in the city, that would consume a full day, since there are no suitable trails nearby.

Fred - I haven't made any firm plans for retirement. So far, we're still trying to figure out if the company wants me to plan on coming back for one week each month-end to close the books and publish financials. If so, that will be an anchor to my schedule but I will have the other 3+ weeks of the month to do whatever. I have a life-long hobby of amateur radio, so I look forward to more air-time, as well as time to connect with local ham friends socially. I have a retired brother-in-law who lives 10 minutes away from us, so we will probably do the "guy things" while the wives do their thing, whatever that is. My wife has been retired since last August, and she has so many things going on that I never know where she is.

We also want to travel. We have postponed much of the major travel we want to do until retirement, since while I am working it is virtually impossible to take 3 or 4 weeks off to go, and some of the places we want to see are far enough that it is silly to go for short trips. In nearly 50 years of working full-time, I have never taken more than a week and a half off at one time.

I am purposely not making any definitive plans for the first couple of months. I think I will just enjoy not having to get up at 4 AM to get to work, and will enjoy not having any schedules to follow for a while. Then, by summer or fall, I will be ready to organize my new life!

 

[Paleowoman]

Been so busy here, doing lots of 'homework' training walks à la cardiac "help" I'm getting - I don't know what to call it because it's not typical cardiac rehab at all. I do a 'training' walk five days a week and go to London to the cardiac place twice a week for a Bruce test and resistance training. Three more weeks to go until the end of the course....but I'll be sad when it's finished as I've built up a great raport with the clincial exercise specialist who works with me. After the training walk, that is the heart training walk which is keeping heart rate within a very strict 'zone' eg 105 to 110, no higher, no lower, I carry on walking at a 'non zone pace' for want of a better expression, generally doing 7 to 8 miles a day.

Got dental problems now though. I have "inflammatory root resorption' in one of my teeth's roots. No pain, no symptoms, it just shows on x-ray. Apparently it is very rare and the causes unknown. The tooth will almost certainly either fracture or have to be extracted - before it fractures which would be better imho. I cannot believe my bad luck with my teeth :-( I emailed the dentist and asked for copies of the x-rays which he then sent me. I reminded him that I have an artifical heart valve and got a phone call from the dental surgery that he wants to see me next week - he must have suddenly realised there's more to this :-(

 

[honeybunny]

Paleowoman , I’ve always had bad teeth, despite going to the dentist faithfully every six months for most of my life. My oldest daughter is the same (and her daughter) while my ex and son can count their cavities on one hand. I believe it is connected to bacteria and some of us have more than others. I battle gum disease from bacteria, too. Just the top gums. When I asked the hygienist why she said that’s just the way the disease works. If I had a vote I’d say get the tooth extracted before it fractures. Meanwhile, sounds like you’ve got a handle on the training walks. Do you do the 7-8 miles in London, at home, or both? Will you keep up the same pace when the course is done?

On a personal note, I had a good meeting with my nutritionist today. Down 9 lbs from my December 1st visit, about 1/2 lb/week. She was very pleased. She downloaded the readings from my glucose meters and I had a 115 average, which she said was very good. I’ll have my A1C tested next month. My new assignment is to do 15 minutes on my treadmill four times for a week in addition to my line dancing. I’m not going to beat SB in reaching that 6.4 lb. goal before he does but I’ll get there

 

[Paleowoman]

@honeybunny - my teeth have always been bad, ever since I was a young child, but the past 15 years or so I never had much trouble, no decay, everything under control after all the early and often very traumatic dental treatment. I see a hygienist three times a year but I hardly ever have any plaque to clear, basically it’s calculus from behind my lower incisors and stains from tea and coffee - my gums never bleed, though they are receeding due to all the crowns I have. Since heart surgery things not so good at all - cracked filling which let in bacteria and decayed which led to neuropathic pain after the injection to do root canal, which led to the tooth being extracted due to misdiagnosis, dentist thought it was problem with root canal not realising it was neuropathic pain. Now this root resorption issue with one of the upper teeth which is not due to any decay, it’s a complete mystery. Looking on the net it appears to be something dentists rarely see and really dn’t know the cause of. I popped into another dental surgery today and have booked to see their dentist for a second opinion. In the UK there is NHS dentistry but it is very difficult to find an NHS dentist so most dentists are private and it’s easy for patients to see any dentist they like.

I do my 7-8 mile walks near home - would not like to travel into London more than I am doing. I take my walks along the river Thames which is about a 15 minute walk from where I live. Also Hampton Court Palace has a huge deer park behind it - no cars, no playgrounds, no cafés, so it’s just walkers and is like being in the countryside.

Here’s a couple of photos I took on this morning’s walk. One along the towpath - it was just around 8am and, though cold, 1C (34F) it was still and beautiful with the sun shining and warming my face. And another photo later in the deer park, no deer in sight though, just lots of space:




So glad your blood glucose readings are so good !

 

[Greg a]

Get a

Gastroenterologist ​

to schedule a colonoscopy you will drop pounds EEEEEEK

 

[Agian]

Yes, usually the night before. emphasis on 'drop'.