Mac has that male weight loss gene thing going on!

Normally, this sort of thing would piss me off if it were my husband losing so easily. But I have to admit I am just so darn proud of what Mac has accomplished thus far this fall.

Over the summer, our very sendentary life style got the better of all of us. In spite of concerted efforts to get us up and moving.. humidity and inertia kept us sitting still..

Well.. once the kids started school in early August... Mac suddenly became Mr. Motivation Man. Suddenly, he was asking for my help and assistance with making better food choices and exercising. He had to take a slight break in late Aug/early Sept when he had what we thought were shin splints, but turned out to be some other syndrome instead (common in adolescent boys). At any rate... at his first visit to the doctor he weighed in at 195 and for him.. that was IT! As soon as the doctor allowed him to go back to exercising, Mac really has kept at it.

He has faithfully walked 2 miles a day, including weekends. He is eating less. Without giving up any of his favorites. He still eats chicken fingers, he still eats dessert (though not as much), he still drinks Mountain Dew. We (Mac and I) have been going to the gym twice a week to strength train and play basketball. He has increased his milk consumption and his water consumption.

Yesterday was his weigh-in. He is now down to 182 pounds. He wants to lose a bit more and he's doing it in such a sensible way. The perfect example of "eat less and exercise more".

He's inspiring ME to step things up a bit.

Research, Research, and oh, yeah, Research

I have spent a few days doing some basic research with respect to the uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts. Not such a drastic concern. Apparently plenty of women have these things just hanging out. If there is no secondary reason for removing them, a "watch and see" attitude is taken.

Apparently the low iron is enough of a secondary reason to at least carry this further. I think my appointment with the gyn will be more productive now. Not so much a need for surgery.. .but one of many options. I'm good. Thanks for the support and I will keep you posted.

Medical Update

As is so often the case, it's never what you expect. I saw Dr. Fontanella today and reviewed my labs and my ultrasound results.

It's not the worst, but it's not necessarily good either. I have a cyst on my right ovary (hmm.. guess that explains the question from the tech), and several fibroids in/on (?) the uterus. While Dr. Fontanella stressed that the radiologist did not think anything was cancerous, he was also insistent that I set up my appointment with the gyn specialist very soon. The way the military clinics work, we have to wait for a referral letter before we can make the appointment (so the insurance will pay). Usually a 7-10 day process. Dr. Fontanella said not to wait longer than 7 days. I'm not exactly sure the reason for the rush if it's not "cancerous".... anyway.. Dr. Fontanella discussed two possible outcomes that the gyn might suggest. And Dr. Fontanella would like to see this situation (surgery) concluded within a month.

Hard to have a warm and fuzzy about the "not cancer" statement when he's being so hurry, hurry, hurry. In the meantime, my iron level is far too low and I have been placed on iron supplements until things are resolved.

Called Paul immediately after I left the clinic (sitting in my car). I have to admit.. I'm kind of nervous about what comes next. I probably freaked him out too.

So I'm thinking that our Christmas plans have changed. No traveling for us. I'd rather change the plans now than have to change them last minute. I'm not sure I could handle the disappointment later. Just better to know I'm gonna be home (here) for the holidays.

For Heather

1. I have several bible verses that I have committed to memory that give me strength when I am discouraged. Can you share a few of your favorite? Or maybe just a quote or passage or song lyric that you find empowering?
Romans 8:28 ;I Corinthians 13: 4-13; Psalms 18:2; Psalm 23 (especially useful during times of great stress) My favorite quote is "God grant me the courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept what I can not change, and the wisdom to know the difference." (paraphrased I am sure)

2. What would you consider your "lean" years as far as finances are concerned? Many might say college - or when they were newly married. Tell me about your hard times and how you survived... ramen noodles? I may glean some tips that help us get through!
Our leanest years were probably the first five or so years of marriage. Paul was still in college when we were first married. To make ends meet, we had "meatless" meals every other day. Used all our leftovers. Stayed in most evenings, but once a month we'd go to the dollar theatre and then play $5.00 worth of tokens at the local game arcade (it was the 80's, after all). Even now, I try to use coupons for products that we use all the time. I also use a lot of generics.

3. I'm interested in your love stories. It's discouraging to not be "lucky in love". My first marriage was abyssmal. My second marriage was, without a doubt, the greatest disappointment I've ever faced. I want to hear stories about how you may have given up on finding someone special and ended up meeting him.
Funny story, although I have always wanted children, I was not so thrilled with the prospect of marriage. In spite of that, I have always had a mental list of the things I wanted in a partner. Whenever I dated, I would compare the guy to my list and make a decision early on if this was for "play" or one that could be for "keeps". My first date with Paul was for a New Year's Eve party in 1977/78. My then boyfriend was pouting and didn't want to go to the party, but since it was being held by my oldest friend, I felt obligated to go, so I called on my good buddy Paul. He went with me, kissed me at midnight and that was it. He was an excellent kisser, a very considerate guy. My boyfriend got the boot after that night and Paul and I began dating. When we were still in the very early stages of dating, my brother got married. I did not take Paul to the wedding. But I caught the bouquet and as it touched my hands I heard a very booming voice in my head say "You will marry Paul Steele." I have always felt that we were meant to be together since that day.
We became engaged at Christmas 1979, married on May 29, 1982. It hasn't always been easy, but we have always tried to respect each other, love each other, and protect each other.

4. I'm loving having TV again after 3 weeks of not really watching. I'm a big tv junkie. My favorite show right now is Jon & Kate Plus 8... what show are you watching obsessively and why?
My absolute must watch TV is The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Bones, Grey's Anatomy, The Ghost Whisperer, Army Wives.
The two reality series I always try to watch are The Biggest Loser and the Amazing Race.

5. I'm also a big magazine reader. I love People, Shape, Self, Weight Watchers, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping... lots and lots of random mags. What magazine do you never miss? Why?
I have subscriptions to Cooking Light (love their recipes), Health, Women's Health, Fitness. I buy regularly People, Smart Shopper.

Quarantine- A movie review/warning

The girls and I had a fab time shopping in Montgomery. Mostly it was books that we purchased, but we did hit a few clothing stores and grabbed a movie.

We saw the new movie Quarantine. I want to warn folks that haven't seen all that much about it yet. It is another of those "hand-held camera" movies. OMG! Both Kim and I walked out of the movie with headaches and stomach upset.

To be honest, I liked the movie itself and really thought they had a good idea here.... just wish they could have shot it with a stationary camera. Without giving anything away.... the movie follows a "reality" reporter and her camera man on what they think is going to be a routine episode of their television show. Along the lines of a "____ for a day" type reality reporting, they are following the Fire Department in Los Angeles. It is anything but typical. As the audience, since we are not as freaked out as the quarantined people, we can slowly deduce what has happened through pieces of dialogue and the series of events that are recorded by cameraman Scott.

Again... I wish that they had used a still camera for many of the scenes. The headache and nausea made it hard to appreciate the action and frightening conditions that were unfolding.

This movie is very intense.... and the jerky hand held camera doesn't help. If you felt ill after Cloverfield, you most likely will after this movie too.

Another hour of shopping helped settle our stomachs, and dinner took care of the headache.

Reviewing, Renewing and Doing

I recently spent a good part of a day reading my old blog on AOL. I started Last Time at Bat (Checking in ) on March 28, 2005. Paul had just left for Afghanistan and I was using the journal to chronicle that year of separation plus keep me accountable during a weight loss plan. It's over three years later and I am heavier than when I started the journal. HA! Guess it didn't work so well for me on the weight loss. But I have certainly had fun being able to write about the family, life and anything else I've wanted.

It's been a busy week. I had an appointment with the Nutritionist at the clinic on Thursday. I have decided that perhaps I need a more solid plan to use. It was a very good visit. I like this woman. She is empowering, rather than treating me like a recalcitrant child, she helped me to realize what I've known all along... that I can do this,that I know how to do this. And now I may be ready to do this all the way through this time.

We set realistic goals and I have all kinds of things to fill out between now and our next appointment (in 4 weeks). I really want to show both her and myself that I can do this. To that end, I'm following what we set up... but I am staying away from my scale until I see her next.

Friday I had my appointment for the Ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries. Dr. Fontanella is concerned about my low iron and RBC. He wanted this test done, but to be honest, I'm not exactly sure what he's looking for. Interesting side note... the technician asked a few questions before starting the scan (expected questions about problems, history.. that sort of thing)... but then while she was scanning the right ovary, she suddenly asked "Do you ever have pain on your right side?"... NO I don't.. but now I'm wondering what she may have seen to prompt the question... OY!

I see Dr. Fontanella next week, so I'm sure if there is anything I need to know about he'll tell me.

Today, I'm heading out for some retail therapy with the girls. Mac has elected to stay home because as he puts it.."you-all just don't know when to come home!"... LOL

Just roll over, show me your belly, and be done with it.

Paul and I are currently engaged in an e-mail argument. LOL.. and only because he can't quite bring himself to say "I'm sorry" and let it go. He has to keep hammering how I am taking what he is writing the wrong way.

At this point, I have decided that no further good can come from continuing on this particular topic with him... so I am now giving him the cold shoulder by not replying to further e-mails on the topic.

In a couple of days it will all be a moot point anyway. He's so funny.