I feel skinny again! Low carb was the way to go!

I can't believe the change that has happened to me simply by cutting carbs in my diet. I started yesterday with protein for breakfast and felt great all day. I felt better than I've felt in weeks. No bloating or pain...yay! Today, I had some cheddar cheese and a yummy juicy in season Chilton County peach. I feel mahvelous!

I have to give some credit to my doc. I think he was right about the Metformin, and it was causing me pain, but the big change happened yesterday morning and during the day. I can't believe something as simple as cutting carbs could work a miracle on me, but for all intents and purposes, I am healed! It's a miracle!

Today, I'm taking my friend to get a mammo. She's legally blind, so she can't drive. She also needs a knee replacement, but can't get the health insurance she needs to get it. We'll have lunch and probably do a little shopping. I need to get my Mom a new robe.

I saw my Mom yesterday. I took her lunch. Her shoulder is still hurting and she's still just taking it easy. The other day, a friend was over there doing some work at her house and noticed she was having trouble cutting a banana in half, so he did it for her. That's how bad her shoulder hurts. I did put an icy hot patch on it yesterday. Those seem to help, but she has so much calcification in her rotator cuff, she'll always have pain. Personally, I think she fell and is afraid to tell us.

She is starting to get forgetful with her meds also. She had quit using her pill caddy, so I got it all fixed up for her. Yesterday, all her meds for the day were in there, but she said she'd taken them. I honestly don't think she did, and I got onto her a little bit.

Today is a good day, because I'm feeling good and I'm a non smoker thanks to Chantix and good old fashioned will power. Hope everyone has a fabulous day!

I feel so much better today!

If you've been reading my blog, you've seen that I have been having stomach problems. The doc told me to drop one of my diabetes meds, so I did that. I was still bloating pretty bad, so last night I did some online research. I researched low carb diets, eating grapes, and the glycemic index of foods.

I have been eating lots of popcorn and frozen grapes lately. Those small bites satisfy cravings to smoke I guess, but my research leads me to believe those foods are causing problems for me. I have decided to eliminate those foods and cut back on carbs. I have done the Atkins diet before, but I am not going to go to that extreme. Maybe eventually, I can drop my other diabetes med and my cholesterol med. My new goal to shoot for anyway.

I had a ham and cheese one egg omelet for breakfast this morning instead of my usual oatmeal or cereal, and I didn't bloat or feel bad. In fact, I am feeling great today! Later, I had a peach because my blood sugar was a bit low. For lunch, I had a spinach salad with bacon, boiled egg, and strawberries on it. Delicious and filling. Still feeling good. Could it really be as simple as cutting carbs? Maybe. I am experimenting and will keep you updated.

Wow! I am making some major life changes this year. I only drink alcohol once in a blue moon, I quit smoking, I'm changing my diet, and I'm still not smoking thanks to Chantix and sheer will power. These are huge changes, but I am discovering that I am pretty strong willed.

Staying smober, feeling good, and being happy! I wish all that for everyone.

Thanks y'all!

Judy

I am a quitter! I am a non smoker!

I have not had a great day today, so I'm trying to be a bit positive in my title and my post. I have been under a bit of stress worrying about my Mom and daughter, but I have not smoked. I now feel comfortable saying that I'm a quitter. :)

This evening is uneventful. Dinking around on the computer and have the TV on Hoarders. I always feel better about myself and my home after watching how some people on that show live.

I almost didn't post today because nothing is really going on, but I logged into the GetQuit page at Phizer and it mentioned I am almost 4 months quit. That is a real accomplishment, and I feel really good about that. I guess I needed to pump myself up a bit to feel better overall. GetQuit is online and phone support you have access to when you have a prescription for Chantix.

I still have my reasons for quitting posted up on my computer desk. I see them every day. It helps me stay motivated. I hope people reading this who are thinking about or having trouble quitting will ask their doctor for help. I hope the quitters reading this stay smober!

Peace, y'all!

Doc says I'm normal. Took me off one of my diabetes meds.

That's right...I now have confirmation. I'm normal! Who knew? Anyway, my body sure hasn't been normal lately, and the doc took me off metformin. He said it could be causing my bloating and pain. So far, still bloating, but pain is not as acute. It's just more like discomfort now. I need to quit bloating. There are so few clothes in my closet I can wear now.

It's a hot day, I'm feeling restless, so I'm signing off for now. I just wanted to give a quick update and let y'all know I'm still not smoking. Yay Chantix!

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Stay smober!

Going to the doctor today. Still having stomach problems.

I guess the title says it all. I'm still having stomach problems, so I'm going back to my GP. I'm taking my Mom to the doc at the same time. Her doc is in the same practice, so today will be a twofer.

I am still having pain in the upper right and then lower down in the center. It's very strange. It's like my entire trunk area is sore and hurting. I get more and more bloated as the day goes on, no matter what I eat. It's so frustrating. I guess the next step will be blood work and a CT scan.

As a former smoker, I am very conscious of what is going on in my body. I am always wondering if the big C (cancer) will rear its ugly head. I have been trying so hard to eat right and get exercise, and now I can't do the exercises I really want to do.


I'm hoping further testing will show what is wrong, and it's something that can be fixed. This is very frustrating. Even with the frustration and stress, I'm still not smoking. It CAN be done. All I'm using at this point is will power, but I don't think I could have quit without the help of Chantix.

I've been reading in the forums about people who had quit for years, and then started back up again. They decided at some point during a stressful time or a party, that just one cigarette would be OK, but it wasn't, and they fell off the wagon. I am learning that I should stick to the N.O.P.E. pledge. Not One Puff Ever! I know if I took even a puff of a cigarette, I would destroy my quit. I do NOT want to go through the quitting process again, with the cravings and withdrawal from nicotine.

I hope my blog is helping some people make the decision to quit. It's not easy, but it is sooo worth it. I used Chantix, but I believe whatever works for you is great. Just don't get hooked on another form of nicotine like gum or patches. I've read of people being hooked on the gum for years. If you are going to kick butts, you will need to kick the drug habit. Gum and patches and weaning off them over time works for some people. Just remember, they contain the drug you're actually trying to quit, so use them as directed. The same thing goes for Chantix and other quit methods. Education about nicotine and the effects of it over time are important tools in quitting also. Check out WhyQuit.com.

That's it for now. I'll update about what is wrong with me when I know, and also, you know I have to blog about the new cigarette labels coming out with the graphic pictures like the one below. Pretty graphic, but there are others that are not so graphic.

Still not smoking thanks to Chantix!

I am so grateful to Pfizer and Chantix for helping me quit smoking. After smoking for 35 years, I don't think I could have done it without the help of Chantix. I have been having quite a bit of stress and illness, and even with those, I haven't smoked. I rarely even have the urge to smoke anymore, so it is very easy to envision myself a nonsmoker for the rest of my life. I also have to give some credit to myself for being strong willed about this and to my faith. I picked the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, as my quit date. In my heart, I knew if I smoked during Lent, I would be going against God, so I couldn't do that.

I've been posting about my illness quite frequently, and I don't want to veer away too long from the actual purpose of my blog. It is a Chantix blog and review after all. I am still struggling with my stomach, but I know my docs and I will get to the bottom of it and get it fixed. I'm just not feeling tip top, and I don't like that.

I just wanted to give some props to Chantix today. I had no ill effects from taking it, and it really worked for me. I know some people have had bad side effects and everyone is different, but remember, some of the side effects are caused by nicotine withdrawal and not Chantix. I think some people blame the wrong drug for bad things actually. It can be the nicotine instead of the Chantix. Just something to keep in mind. I have some links over on the right for some online stop smoking support groups. The folks on those are super nice and have heard it all. It really helps to have their help.

I hope my blog is helping you in your quit journey. Stay smober!

Diagnosed with diverticulitis and given antibiotics.

I'm just not so sure about this diagnosis I received from the gastro doc. I've had diverticulitis before, and it always hurts on the left side. The pain I have now is upper middle to right and lower middle. I also have horribly incredible bloating. I haven't had that before with my previous diverticulitis, so I'm just not so sure it is what I have now. I am not having any problems in the bathroom either.

I am hoping that whatever is wrong will be cured with the antibiotics. I'm on a 6 day course of cipro. If I'm not feeling better by the end of the weekend, I'm calling my GP on Monday. This is so frustrating. I can't fit into a lot of my pants, but I am planning on mainly staying in my pajamas this weekend. I don't have to go anywhere anyway.

Still not smoking even with all this frustration, so I'm proud of myself for that. I am trying to keep my sense of humor especially around my Mom. I don't want her to worry about me. She has aches and pains herself, so I don't want her to have stress. She is worried about me, I know, because she's being a real Mama Bear.  I am rambling now, so I'll sign off for now. I just wanted to give an update.

To all who are contemplating quitting smoking, see your doctor and ask about Chantix. For those who have already quit, congratulations, and stay smober!

Peace, y'all!

Ultrasound found nothing. :(

I can't believe it. The ultrasound saw nothing wrong. I know there is something wrong because I am in pain. The doctor is giving me a referral to a gastro guy, so maybe he'll order some test that will see what's going on with my innards.

Even with this stress and uncertainty, I haven't smoked. I haven't even had the urge to smoke. I guess maybe my mind has been occupied with other things, and since I've been quit for over 3 months, a cigarette is not the first thing I think I need to feel calm or to cope. Maybe I have developed some good coping skills. Maybe I am aging gracefully. That's what I'm enjoying thinking at this moment anyway. :)

I hope to hear from the gastro guy today, and the appliance guy is supposed to come to the house this morning to replace my icemaker. It's not a super busy day, but that's OK, because I'm not feeling tip top. I stayed in my pajamas all day yesterday, but obviously, I can't do that today. I'm sure a nice warm shower will make me feel better. I plan on wearing some stretchy workout pants I have because my stomach is still really bloated.

The Albert Camus quote at the top of my blog is becoming more real to me since I quit smoking with the help of Chantix. I know in my heart I have to adhere to the N.O.P.E. philosophy. Not One Puff Ever. If I smoked even a puff, I'd be back to smoking again like crazy. I am staying strong and resolved, and it works for me. I hope anyone reading this who is considering quitting smoking will find an invincible summer within themselves. I also hope for those who have already quit, the strength to stay that way. Stay smober, y'all!

Went to doc yesterday for stomach pains and bloating. Gall bladder?

I was feeling really bad yesterday with stomach pain and really bad bloating. I was also running a fever a little over 100. I got an appointment to see my doctor at 4:15 yesterday, and my daughter drove me. After poking my stomach and hurting me, the doc said he suspected it was my gall bladder. I was lucky enough to get in a late ultrasound last night at the hospital. The problem is I still haven't heard a peep about what's wrong with me.

My Mom is furious and is threatening to call the doctor's office. Wow! Will she blow their hair back! I feel kind of sorry for them up there, but they know her. I'm pretty irritated at not hearing anything, and I've left 2 messages. I'm figuring no news is good news. If there was an emergency and I needed surgery, then I'm sure I would have heard something by now. I'm getting a bit freaked out, because after smoking for so many years, it could possibly be the big C. I can't imagine symptoms coming on so suddenly and strong to be indicative of cancer though. Can you tell I'm typing things that just pop into my head?

I am so glad I quit smoking, and so grateful I had the help of Chantix. Maybe after I've been quit 5 years, I won't be so freaked out by medical problems. I think after 10 years, I become like a non smoker. Boy, I hope so. Anyway, I'll post again with an update soon. Please send some good thoughts for me into the collective consciousness. We need more good thoughts there anyway. There are already too many bad.

Y'all stay happy and smober, ya hear?

Cholesterol and A1C are Ok, but triglycerides are high

The report from my doc is good, but my triglycerides have doubled since last time. Total cholesterol is good, HDL is a little low, and LDL is normal. I am pleased I got my cholesterol down, but I'm not happy with the triglyceride level. It's at about 300.

The nurse who called said I should try getting it down with diet and exercise. I gotta get back on the ball. I've been slacking on my diet and exercise. I have to promise myself I'll do better. When I quit smoking, the reward was so obvious. I felt better. I smelled better, and I didn't wake up coughing. Trying to get this number down has the only reward of getting the number down. Sure, I'll be eating better and feeling more fit, but there must be something more tangible? Any suggestions, contact me and let me know. I guess in a way, I'm a big baby wanting a reward, but I think that's OK sometimes. If all I get is the number down, then it is what it is.

Off to finish watching Ocean's 13. Hope everyone stays smober!

Getting cholesterol and A1C checked on Thursday!

I head to the doctor's office on Thursday to have my cholesterol checked. He's also going to check my A1C. That's a blood sugar test for diabetics. I am a type 2 diabetic. I'm actually very curious to see if the med he put me on for high cholesterol has been working. I was not being very good for a little while with my eating, and I know better. I'm sort of kicking myself now for eating "bad for me" food. I've been being more careful about my food and I've been exercising more though lately, so maybe that will help. My knee still acts up and my hip sometimes, but I just have to deal with that.

I haven't been up to too much. I've been dinking around on Facebook getting to know how it all works. I am over 90 days smoke free now and feeling great. I haven't experienced any 3 month icky three issues, so that's good. I can't believe I've made it three whole months without smoking! That's pretty damn amazing to me, since I smoked for so many years.

I have been making smoothies a lot, and I bought some ice pop makers at Dollar General, so I've been making smoothie pops. They are so delicious. They are so easy to whip up in the blender, too. My favorite so far is vanilla Greek yogurt with strawberries, banana and blueberries. It's pretty standard, but I made it, so it tastes better or something. At least I know what's in it and that it's good for me. Off to get one now.


I'll definitely post what the doc says and any tips he may give me for healthy living. If you are thinking about quitting smoking, go ahead and quit. If you already have quit smoking, stay smober! 

Wow! No smoking for almost 3 months. So glad I quit!

I can't believe I am almost at 3 months in my quit. I am so proud of myself for kicking my nicotine addiction. I am also getting back into the swing of exercising, so I feel good about that, too. I have already done a workout with my Wii this morning and burned 120 calories. I'll be burning more as the day goes on.

I plan on doing some housework today, and actually, I've already started with the laundry and making the bed. Not big things, but everyday activity that does burn a few calories. I plan on doing floors today, so that will really burn up some calories. I've been trying to eat a bit better because I don't like this weight gain. Yes, I admit it! I was being a slacker! No more, though. I am on the ball today. I am back on the good diet train.

I made myself a yogurt smoothie this morning. I used Dannon Fit and Trim vanilla yogurt. It's sugar free and fat free, so it's perfect for me, being diabetic. I threw in some strawberries, blueberries and half a banana, blended in the blender with a bit of ice to make it cold, and voila! I had myself a healthy and nutritious breakfast. It was delicious.

Here it is almost lunchtime now, and I plan on making some grilled chicken with spinach and rice. Simple and quick. I'll probably have some fruit, also. I was checking out the new government nutrition info yesterday. The MyPlate graphic is going to replace the food pyramid. I think it's too simplistic, and I can't believe 2 million dollars was spent in tax dollars to create it, but whatever. There is some good information on the website, but none for a diabetic diet. I'm disappointed in that because diabetes is so prevalent in the US.
Here's the graphic. What do you think?

 

Off my soapbox now, and off to make some yummy lunch and do some housework. Gotta do the floors today. I hope everyone stays happy and smober this weekend!

Getting back to a good diet. I've gained weight...ugh

I was doing so well with my diet and exercise, but lately I've fallen off the wagon. I am going to get back into the swing of things, though, arthritis be damned. I'll just do some different exercises when my knee is really bothering me.

I'll be totally honest. I've been pigging out lately, and it's starting to show in the way my clothes fit. I have stocked the house with fresh fruit and veggies now, and I signed back into myfitnesspal.com. I highly recommend that site. When you get a chance, be sure to check it out. You can see how many calories you're really eating. I have the link in my favorites over on the right. ------->

I had a couple of fairly strong cravings yesterday, but I was in the car with no cigs anyway, so I just kept driving. I am quickly approaching the 3 month mark of my quit...one of the icky 3's. I wonder what that holds in store for me. I hope I don't get weepy or bitchy like I did at 3 weeks. I'll keep you updated on how it's going for sure.

Thanks to all who read my blog. I actually have some subscribers! I hope I am helping in some small way. Peace, y'all!