Doing pretty good!

Well I went into L.A. Weight-loss yesterday not expecting to get measured, but I am glad I did.  For one I wasn't feeling well.  I somehow managed to get the stomach flu a couple of days ago.  Thankfully, it only lasted 48 hours and I am feeling better this morning.  Anyway, I went in yesterday and found out I had lost 5 inches from my bust, waist, hips, and thighs.  I am also down to 201.5 this morning!  I am very happy.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my good news.

Sharika

Sorry for being MIA!

Hey Gang!

Well insomnia got the best of me.  So much so that for the last 2 weeks I have been drained of all energy.  I had one episode (lasted 2 nights) where I was up just about every 1-2 hours the entire night.  The I had a second episode where I didn't sleep for almost 3 nights.  Well it all caught up to me and guess what?  I was down for the count.  I spent just about a week in bed every day and night.  I was up long enough to eat, drink, and go to the bathroom.  It was only the last couple of days that I was able to sleep and get up long enough to get my daughter off to school.  Thankfully my son is able to walk her in the mornings.  I was able to lay back down for a couple of hours or more.  My husband has been able to pick our daughter up from school in the afternoons.  This is the first morning that I am up at a good hour for me.

I did go to my PCM this last week regarding my insomnia.  He's placed a referral request for a sleep study to be done on me.  He also put me on some other meds, but they don't work all that well.  I am trying to practice good sleep hygiene until I have my sleep study.  By that I mean I am going to bed and getting up at a set time every morning.  I am going to try really hard not to nap during the day.  The hardest part is trying to not use the bedroom for other than sleep or sex.  I usually end up watching TV in the bedroom because hubby and I are watching different things.

I was just watching a video clip on CNN.com about obesity and sleep (or lack thereof).  There is a correlation between not enough sleep and a higher hormone level that controls appetite (I cannot remember the exact name of the hormone).  I knew the lack of sleep affected my fatigue, but I had no idea as to how much.  I am interested to find out what the doctors uncover during my sleep study.  I think I am going to do a little research on what they do because going in there blindly kind of scares me.

Anyway,  I hope to be back on track with the exercise and diet this coming week.  Just pray that the insomnia stays at bay for a little while longer.

Sharika

The Crud!

Just when my energy was back and I was doing okay I got hit with the flu!  I love my children, but the things that they bring home from school is almost frightening.  My daughter brought this one home with her last week.  I was hoping and praying I wasn't going to get it and then BAMM - I was down for the count.  Today is the first day in 2 days that I have not been stuck in bed.  So what did I do today?  I ran errands.  I went grocery shopping at Super Wal-Mart.  I went to Petco to buy dog food and a new bed for my baby (hubby would beg to differ as "baby" is over 90 pounds).  Then I stopped by L.A. Weight-loss to do my check-in and pick up some more supplements.  Oh, and I also put gas in my van.  All in all a very productive day... then I slept away the early afternoon.

Well enough about me.  I hope all of you are having a great Friday (and staying warm to boot).

Sharika

I HATE INSOMNIA!!!!!!

Last night was the worst night's sleep I have had in about 2 weeks.  I couldn't get comfortable.  This is even having taken my Lunesta.  I am up now with the power of coffee, but not in the mood to get on the treadmill right now.  I am debating taking today to rest or trying to get my walk in later on today.  I'll just have to see how I feel.

Sharika

Done with the TakeOFF Diet... for now

Well I completed my 2-day special diet.  It really wasn't that bad.  I didn't get hungry like I thought I would.  I am happy to say that I am down to 200.5.  I am hoping to hit the 190s sometime during the week.  Here's to hoping.  I do plan on doing the TakeOFF Diet again in 2 weeks - which I am allowed to do under my program.

I am really glad that I am back to being able to walk for 90 minutes.  If you would have asked me to do it a month ago I would of said "I can't."  At that time I had extreme lower back pain and would get winded by even a 5 minute walk.  I can honestly say that I am proud of myself.

I am thinking that once I hit my first goal (getting to onederland) I am going to treat myself to a manicure and facial.  I figure I'll do something for myself every goal I hit (which is every 0 pounds lost).  Being that I am a stay-at-home mom, I really don't get out much and do things for myself.  I do know that my final goal - to be down to 130 pounds - I am treating myself to new clothes.  Honestly, I really won't have a choice in the matter because none of my current clothes will fit.

Anyway, I am off to have some breakfast.  Then I might just climb back in bed for a couple more hours of shut eye.  Until next time...

Sharika

Almost to onederland!!!!!

I weighed myself this morning before I got on the treadmill and I am down to 201.5 pounds!!!!!  I am so happy I am having a hard time not waking my husband up to tell him.  I have one more day of this TakeOFF menu plan and then I go back to my original menu plan.  I am allowed to do the TakeOFF plan every 14 days.  With the results that I am seeing I am probably going to do it every 2 weeks.

Interestingly enough, I didn't have any hunger issues yesterday.  I just kept sipping my juice like the instructions say to and drinking lots of water - 120 ounces to be exact.  I also didn't wake up hungry this morning.  I will eat something though after my body finishes cooling down from working out.

Well I hope you all have a safe and happy Saturday.  Later!

Sharika

The TakeOFF Challenge

So I have decided to do a 2-day program for L.A. Weightloss called "TakeOFF."  Basically I am limited to only protein and veggies for two days along with the L.A. Lite bars (which are yummy) and a specialized juice for the program.  It is a way to kick start my metabolism.  It should prove interesting as my food intake is a lot less on this program.  Oh the things we do to lose weight...

Anyway, I have already gotten in my exercise for the day (yay me).  I am also working on my second 20-oz bottle of water.  All in all I feel really good and have a sense of accomplishment for the day.

BTW, back to the TakeOFF plan.  Hubby said that he's going to stay far away from me the next two days for fear of me getting bitchy.  I just told him thanks and that I loved him too.  Hopefully I don't get "bitchy."

Well in any case, I'll let you all know how I did after the 2-day program.  Have a great Friday!

Sharika

I have my energy back!

Finally, I can say that I didn't wake up tired this morning.  I woke up energized and ready to go.  First thing I did was get the workout clothes on and jumped on the treadmill.  An hour passed like it was not even a bother.  Hopefully this energy lasts me the day.

I did manage to get in all my water and keep to my food program yesterday.  I do have to say that I was very tempted to snack on some graham crackers with my daughter.  But, I didn't.  But boy was the temptation there.

Right now I am trying to not get sick.  My daughter, Serena, has the flu and my husband, Don, has a bad cold.  So I have been spraying down almost everything with Lysol and letting the house air out as best I can.  Here's to hoping they get better soon (and my son, Isaac, and I don't catch any of it).

Well, it's time for me to hit the shower and get some breakfast.  I'll check back in with you all later.

Sharika

Good Morning!

I just wanted to stop in and say "good morning" to everybody.  My day is starting off slow.  I'm not really complaining because I have been so tired lately.  I know it is from the change in medications, so I am just hanging in there waiting for this side-effect to pass.  I did manage to get in my walk today.  I will admit though that I wasn't walking nearly as fast as I usually do.  But that's okay.  At least I got up and did my exercise.

As for yesterday, I got in all my water and stuck to my diet plan.  I think I am really getting the hang of this.  My counselor will be taking my measurements on Friday.  Hopefully they show something better than the scale has been.

Well I am off to get breakfast ready for the kids and me.  Have a great day!

Sharika

Hitting a plateau early

Well I don't know what's going on with me, but my weight seems to have hit a plateau.  It doesn't want to budge from between 203 and 204.  I am at a loss.  If my weight hasn't budged by Friday, I think I am going to do the Take Off plan for L.A. Weightloss.  It is meant especially for times like this.  I'd just rather do it over a weekend when I can just take it easy and rest.

Well the combination of all of my meds has made me very groggy in the morning.  It's only been 4 nights since I started taking the new medication, Cymbalta.  I am trying to be patient and taking it easy.  I still haven't decided if I am going to work out today.  I am just so tired.

In any case, it's lunch time for me.  I hope you all have a great Tuesday and stay warm.

Sharika