Well I signed up with Snap Fitness today. http://www.snapfitness.com/concordnc/home It is open 24/7 which works out perfectly for me and my after work workouts. It has nice new, modern equipment, and I will be able to get a great workout there.
I was sad to cancel my Peak/ ZX membership, but they were not meeting my needs, and fueling lots of excuses for me. The clubs were older, but I liked them, but only staying open until 10pm just wouldn't work for me. They tried to change my mind (I had already signed up at Snap) but I didn't like the 24 hour club they were trying to send me to. Then they tried to lay a guilt trip on me, why does the fitness industry have to be so sleazy sometimes ? I had a similar experience at Golds Gym back in Georgia.
The trip to the Dr went OK, I didn't gain any weight (but I hadn't lost any either :-( With the way my health has been lately, I was happy with staying the same. I just hope the new medicine will kick this stupid sinus infection.
My plan is to go to the gym after work tomorrow, stay tuned to my twitter feed (@billmdee) for updates. Wish me luck !!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
It's official, I have not had any soda for one week (has the stock price of Coke started to fall ?)
After my post last week, I did a lot of thinking and soul searching.Upon reflection, I determined that I have not made a serious enough attempt to control what I put in my body. My previous efforts were a first good step, but not enough to make a large impact.
Fairly organically, I stopped drinking all soda. I just made the decision not to drink one Coke with lunch, then didn't drink one with dinner. After realizing how (relatively) easy it was to give up, I just decided to not drink any at all. It was very rough for the first three or four days, I was in full caffeine and sugar withdrawal. I had headaches, a lack of energy, and cravings. After they all passed it has been much easier.
I also made several other changes too. I have reduced the amount of carbs I have been eating, no chips, less bread, no sweets, fewer french frys, etc. I have also stopped eating late at night when ever possible, no desert or snacks after 8:00. If I have not had dinner at work on nights I work late, I have a small mini meal, with the healthiest food we have ion the house (Salads, etc.) I did have a Sub from Harris Teeter last night, but it was loaded with veggies. We made a run to BJ's Wholesale Club to stock up on healthier eating options.
I go back to the Doctor tomorrow (stupid sinus infection won't go away) so I will have an "official" weigh in, and see what he says about every thing, so look for another update tomorrow.
Fairly organically, I stopped drinking all soda. I just made the decision not to drink one Coke with lunch, then didn't drink one with dinner. After realizing how (relatively) easy it was to give up, I just decided to not drink any at all. It was very rough for the first three or four days, I was in full caffeine and sugar withdrawal. I had headaches, a lack of energy, and cravings. After they all passed it has been much easier.
I also made several other changes too. I have reduced the amount of carbs I have been eating, no chips, less bread, no sweets, fewer french frys, etc. I have also stopped eating late at night when ever possible, no desert or snacks after 8:00. If I have not had dinner at work on nights I work late, I have a small mini meal, with the healthiest food we have ion the house (Salads, etc.) I did have a Sub from Harris Teeter last night, but it was loaded with veggies. We made a run to BJ's Wholesale Club to stock up on healthier eating options.
I go back to the Doctor tomorrow (stupid sinus infection won't go away) so I will have an "official" weigh in, and see what he says about every thing, so look for another update tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Happy and Sad at the same time
I have been to the Doctor several times over the last two months. I don't usually go that often, but First I needed some blood work to check my Meds (cholesterol, Blood pressure and Diabetes.) Then I was having horrible gagging episodes every morning for a week (Dee thought I was having morning sickness ;-) Finally I had stuffed sinuses for two weeks, and I found out that I had a sinus infection (I am still getting through that one :-(
The Happy Part; On each visit I found out that I had lost weight (see my May 29th Blog Post) 15, 5 and 3 pounds respectively. I was really surprised at each loss, and how they have continued. I have made some decent changes to my lifestyle, but there is sooooo much more I could be doing.
The Sad Part; Now that I seem to making progress on my weight loss, other health indicators seem to be going in the opposite direction.
My A1C has gone up quite a bit (it measures your average blood sugar for the past 2 or 3 months.) It has historically been in the good range, even if my daily blood sugar readings were a bit high. During the past 3 or 4 months I have reduced the amount of soda I drink drastically. I used to drink multiple servings a day (64 ounces or even more.) Lately I have been drinking one or two servings a day (12-24 ounces.) I always thought of my soda drinking as my ace up my sleeve, something I could cut out and have a dramatic impact on my diabetes quickly. Despite those reductions my A1C still went up, and they upped my oral diabetes medicine dosage.
On top of that my blood pressure has been very inconstant. Some days it is OK, then others it is high again. From what I understand I am at the maximum odsage for my current Meds, so we would have to look at more serious medicine if I can't get it under control.
To make matters even worse, it seems my gym has cut back on their hours AGAIN, and now they close at 10pm during the week (they used to be open 24 hours, then close at midnight, then 11:00.) This means that I can't go to the gym work when I am closing, I don't leave the store until 9:30 or so, and it's a 25 minute drive to get there. I love working out after work, I can get all my stress worked out, and Dee and Bailey will already be asleep so I won't be sacrificing any family time. I have a great rate at the gym,. but it isn't so great when you can't get there while it is open (I am NOT a morning person, so working out in the morning before work is not really an option.) I am going to go talk to them later this week and see what can be done, I am not to happy with about going to a more expensive gym that is farther away.
I have started making some changes already. I ordered a new high tech BP monitor (thank you @mrxinu !!) to keep close tabs on my blood pressure. I have also started monitoring my blood sugar more closely. My Doctor didn't want me constantly monitoring my sugar, he says it just makes people depressed about having diabetes, and doesn't have much of an impact on most people sugar levels. I am going to work even harder at cutting out soda (I can't do diet, yuck !) Wish me luck, and if you have any advice or words of encouragement please send them my way (billmdee at gmail dot com or @billmdee on twitter, plus I am on Facebook)
The Happy Part; On each visit I found out that I had lost weight (see my May 29th Blog Post) 15, 5 and 3 pounds respectively. I was really surprised at each loss, and how they have continued. I have made some decent changes to my lifestyle, but there is sooooo much more I could be doing.
The Sad Part; Now that I seem to making progress on my weight loss, other health indicators seem to be going in the opposite direction.
My A1C has gone up quite a bit (it measures your average blood sugar for the past 2 or 3 months.) It has historically been in the good range, even if my daily blood sugar readings were a bit high. During the past 3 or 4 months I have reduced the amount of soda I drink drastically. I used to drink multiple servings a day (64 ounces or even more.) Lately I have been drinking one or two servings a day (12-24 ounces.) I always thought of my soda drinking as my ace up my sleeve, something I could cut out and have a dramatic impact on my diabetes quickly. Despite those reductions my A1C still went up, and they upped my oral diabetes medicine dosage.
On top of that my blood pressure has been very inconstant. Some days it is OK, then others it is high again. From what I understand I am at the maximum odsage for my current Meds, so we would have to look at more serious medicine if I can't get it under control.
To make matters even worse, it seems my gym has cut back on their hours AGAIN, and now they close at 10pm during the week (they used to be open 24 hours, then close at midnight, then 11:00.) This means that I can't go to the gym work when I am closing, I don't leave the store until 9:30 or so, and it's a 25 minute drive to get there. I love working out after work, I can get all my stress worked out, and Dee and Bailey will already be asleep so I won't be sacrificing any family time. I have a great rate at the gym,. but it isn't so great when you can't get there while it is open (I am NOT a morning person, so working out in the morning before work is not really an option.) I am going to go talk to them later this week and see what can be done, I am not to happy with about going to a more expensive gym that is farther away.
I have started making some changes already. I ordered a new high tech BP monitor (thank you @mrxinu !!) to keep close tabs on my blood pressure. I have also started monitoring my blood sugar more closely. My Doctor didn't want me constantly monitoring my sugar, he says it just makes people depressed about having diabetes, and doesn't have much of an impact on most people sugar levels. I am going to work even harder at cutting out soda (I can't do diet, yuck !) Wish me luck, and if you have any advice or words of encouragement please send them my way (billmdee at gmail dot com or @billmdee on twitter, plus I am on Facebook)
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