I can't believe we are already 2 months into 2024! It doesnt help that I am working on project plans with deadlines in March, August and a major one in October ... but it feels like the year is slipping away already.

As I noted in last week's thread, I did some real soul searching on my very slow to lack of progres s with weight loss. ALL healthy changes are beneficial but weight loss is key for me. I had identified 3 things I could change right now and I have committed to them. So far so good lol ... and to set myself up for success for the next week, I am taking Yeonassky's suggestion to stick to a standard meal plan-- at least for the work week. I am making a pot of soup soon that will cover lunches for the first half of the week and I have a delivery planned for Tues that will cover the rest of the week. I can DO this!

The trickiest part will be sticking to the commitment to get outside and active 3x in the week. It helps a lot that we have more daylight hours .. but still my workdays are long, hectic and not completely predictable. This is part of the reason I started out with only committing to 3x a week. If the week is insane, well -- there are 2 days in the weekend.

Already I notice a big attitude change in myself ... that gets me part way there!

How are you doing? What are you focused on this week?

Funky- I read your goals from last week and I think you’re onto something! You clearly know what works for you, so stepping it up will hopefully get you the results you’re looking for. Sometimes you just have to buckle down.

I came home from another trip the same weight, so clearly I’m at a break even point - which is good- but I’ll have to decide if I want to step it up enough or not to make progress.

This week I will take your lead with goals though- Mine will be one 24 or 36 hour fast and at least two sessions of weight training. I am trying to get to 100 hours outside by the end of the month, but that’s almost 2 hours a day this week which I doubt I’ll make. It’s going to be warm, but rainy. I will try a long walk today though while it’s nice outside.

I will continue 32 ounces of water before breakfast or other drinks and no wine in the house.

Well, I'm back at WW again. I was doing really well at maintenance for a few years, then it went awry...between healing from my bleeding ulcer which made it easier to eat, to being sick for months, and having to cut out so much exercise due to my back and hip, my weight blossomed. Do I want to be back at WW? No. Do I have to be there? Yes. I know when my weight is down, so much in my health is so much better. I've also started back at the gym on the elliptical anyway which is one way of getting my heart up without aggravating my back/hip too much. But it's going to be a *lot* of work to get back to where I was. At least I'm moving in the right direction again and am feeling more empowered doing so.

I’m doing ok—not losing nor gaining this week. Had a rough week in NYC last week taking care of Mom and Dad. Required lots of phone calls, appointments and mostly patience with my memory-challenged Dad and my mom’s debilitating cognitive issues. I did sneak away one night to meet a friend for dinner which was a welcome reprieve. I’ve basically stopped drinking in October, but I made an exception that night over dinner and enjoyed two glasses ofcwine. I sluggish the next day but it was worth it .

Sorry to hear of your setbacks, Annie ... but the key thing is that you aren't going to let them keep you from getting back on track! Do you swim? You may find that is something you can add to your routine without exacerbating your back or hip issues.

Oh, Lego! I am stealing the idea of 32 oz of water before eating or drinking anything else... well, anything other than coffee. I definitely need to increase my water!

I am impressed that you can drink almost half of your daily intake before breakfast, Legomom!

Funky, when trying to lose I have had success with standardizing meals, even if its a rotation of the same two or three breakfasts, 2 or 3 lunches and the same number of dinner choices. It makes meal prep much easier and IMO that helps in part because you aren't constantly having to think about food. Tracking is also easier and your body gets used to that quality and quantity.

Jojoco, so glad you were able to slip away for a bit and enjoy the company of a friend., I can imagine how much you needed it. And I am sorry your mom’s condition has not improved as you’d hoped.

i am going to the gym twice a week for the eliptical and so i can supervise my mother on the recumbent bike. Her cardiologist is insisting she exercise more regularly and I’m making sure she gets on and off the bike safely. She has become much more hesitant and is reassured if I spot her.

We had a lovely and very filling brunch after church at the golf club and I’m making a pot of chicken and vegetable soup for dinner.. our masterworks choir was cancelled for tonight so I was able to take the dogs on a long walk and spend time with DH. Looking forward to the coming week with walks, arm exercises and the trips to the gym.

Thanks funky, but the last time I was in a pool, I was in agony. I can't bend my back backward at all, which is how I hold my head up out of the water. I see the hip surgeon tomorrow and will know more then.

Annie, my favorote exercise was always swimming. I swam three days a week for years without incident. When we moved here four years ago I joined a water aerobics class and developed very painful bursitis in my left hip that lasted a year and a half. It was agony— if I turned over in bed I would wake up crying. I avoided the pool after that, but finally went back early last summer to swim laps and after less than 20 min I was feeling it in my hip again! Just that much stress on the joint made it hurt for a week. I still go to the pool but will not swim.

I hope all goes well with your appt with the hip surgeon, Annie. Not sure if a hip replacement is part of what you will be discussing ... if so, my bff had a hip replacement 2 yr ago and she said it was the best thing she's done. She had considered putting it off (she was mid 50s then) but she's so glad she went through with it. Her quality of life was much improved!

Interesting that swimming sparks bouts of bursitis, Kswl. I have had bursitis since I was in 3rd grade (the youngest case my ortho had ever seen) and it has continued through my adult life. I was a competitive swimmer when I was young so perhaps they were linked-- I could definitely see the switch from indoor heated pools to outdoor pools triggering an issue. My training was pretty intense -- warming up with a 2mi swim-- so it surely could have been that too? I was a breaststroker and butterflyer both of which have pretty major hip involvement.

This is the time of year that I have the most trouble as an adult-- fall and late winter/early spring when temps are shifting. So far, I have been able to manage it pretty well with aspirin but once it hits, it definitely brings a week of agony.

Sorry you had a rough week, @jojoco -- but so glad you had a night to relax with your friend. I think maintaining your weight through such stressful times is an achievement! Keeping giving yourself little breaks to take good care of yourself as you are taking care of your parents and everyone else ❤️

32 oz of water before I eat .. I should be able to reach it no problem-- I start the day at 5am and dont eat until 11. It is going to take some work. I didnt hit it yesterday. Today I started out with 12 oz before coffee. That should help.

Annie - I hope you can find some pain relief and get helpful news form your dr on your hip. The elliptical and ww will both be helpful I'm sure. Jojo- sorry for your tough week. You are in a stressful place with your parents. Please continue to take care of yourself alongside them. It is a hard season of life.

I made the stew from my frozen vegetable thread and it was really good. Grilled up some chicken breasts so I should be good for a few days. I've walked once today and hope to go again this afternoon. It's 60 today! Just realized yesterday the time changes in 2 weeks! That will make evening walks more convenient.

As far as the water - I wake up really thirsty in the mornings, but I'm not a coffee drinker. Before I would start out with diet coke, now I've moved on to zevia brand, but both are kind of thirst quenching and then I would drink those instead of water. So, now I try to do this water challenge instead. It helps me wake up and stay hydrated. And since I'm so thirsty, it goes down pretty easily. It also helps delay my breakfast until I'm hungry.

Ok, I’ve tried to post 3 times and no idea why my message isn't going through. Trying a short one.

No idea why my other post didn't go through - but good for you on the water funky! I know one before coffe and one with coffee is often recommended. I wake up so thirsty, I can usually just chug the first one without issue. I hear a lot of recommendations for electrolytes in one of them as well. Sometimes I do that too. I've found it really wakes me up.

Sending support to JoJo and Annie. i hope you get some relief soon.

I've had a super busy week at work. Lots of grading to do and other committee work. Meals have been Ok though! I've been tracking!

I've had my Pilates private session and my small group reformer for the week. I am feeling pretty strong. Consistency is so important. I moved back to 8 lb. dumbbells today, which I still need to get a pair for home (maybe over spring break I can shop). Not much scale movement, but I will keep on keeping on.

Keep on keepin' on....gscience, that describes it perfectly!!!

If one needs to tone one's lower ab's, lie flat on the mat, lift the legs striaght up, and use a ball or ring to reach for the feet!!! I did this in 2 classes yesterday, and that is how I know!!! I am sore!! Sore is a rarity, unless it is in the glutes after one of my studio owner's daughter's classes!!! I do not even know what we do to get that!!

I am giving up several anxiety-inducing stressors this next week. One is a side gig that I have had for 7 years. I just do not make enough anymore to give up 8 Saturdays per year, plus keeping up with all the current products and out-of-stock items.

Yes! Reducing stress is a part of a healthy lifestyle! Good for you, Springroz! I hope to get some of my stress under control ... just extended an offer to a person to fill one of my team roles. That should help. I also try to start the day before 5am and that helps soooo much. I get so much done in the quiet of the early morning.

I am doing fairly well with eating this week and good but not great with my water consumption. I have NOT gotten outside and active 3x this week. Not even once. I woke up this morning and got dressed for an early walk-- and was bummed to discover it is raining pretty heavily. It is still dark out so maybe it will stop or slow soon. (edited to add that I checked the weather and it is going to continue all day.. boo. I will see if there is a lull later this morning ... if not, maybe I will jump rope on the covered patio)

I did indulge last night-- I got my BIL 60 fancy pance burgers for his 60th birthday. I gave him a "burger comparison" kit from the same company for christmas last year and this year I did the same again for all of my siblings. I knew he (and his whole family) love them ... also knew his favorite was the dry aged beef so I ordered them as well as a new blend of brisket and short rib. Last night they had me over for cocktails and burgers (I've been sending them as gifts for 2 yr but never had one for myself!). We had the brisket and short rib burger with mushrooms on an onion roll. Very much a caloric splurge but omg! It was soooo good! I didnt eat prior to going over so I basically put all my calories into that burger (and salad) lol. It was so worth it. Everyone liked the short rib and brisket -- and really, it was *very* good but they all agreed that the dry aged burgers are significantly better. I will be going over next week for the dry aged version! I will have to be especially good all this week-- and maybe commit to 4 days active and outside!

Aside: I have to say, the 60 burgers was a last minute gift idea ... but it was a perfect. He knew it was from me as soon as he saw the debragga box delivered lol ... but he was definitely surprised and delighted to find 60 burgers!

GS .. feeling strong is a win! I have lost a lot of strength this last 10 yr and especially the last 5 yr. I am eager to get that feeling back. You and Feathers are inspiring! A workout at lunch? It sounds so refreshing!

How was your week? Pretty sure I haven't lost weight but I feel good about making better choices (even with the indulgent burger last night!)

It's been a couple of weeks since I checked in when my A1C was an astonishing 300. I had complete blookwork done the same day which I'll get to. Even with an up in my diabetes meds my readings were going between 200 and 300 daily. 100 is normal, and I've been in the normal range for the past 6 years. And I was starving myself the first two weeks.

I told the doctor the meds didn't help and as some of you know he put me on Ozempic, and I get it from a compound pharmacy shipped from TX, because Medicare only pays half ....for diabetics only...and that would cost $400!

A few days later my all the results from the bloodwork came in & the doctor said my white blood count, WBC, was high. 12.4. Crap. He suggested I need to go to a hematologist and I said give me time to think this over. Remember, I'm the Runaway Patient...long story.

I'm a bit angry with him but I like him and I do my own research from notable websites. The first course of treatment for a high WBC are antibiotics because it means I have an infection/cancer going on. He didn't prescribe an antibiotic.

It dawned on me after I got my WBC results that when I had the test, I had THREE infections going on that I was treating myself! Actually 2 infections and scalp psoriasis which plays havoc with WBC and fatigue. My fatigue was alwfu.

Oh, low in Vit. D again which I chalk up to being lactose intolerant. I'm taking and sitting in the sun daily.

At the time of my appointment I didn't even think to tell the doctor I had Nasal Vestubulitis (bacterial infection) which I had two years ago, but the last one turned into staph. I caught this one before a boil...gross, I know...developed and had Mupirocin ointment on hand and treated it twice a day. It's almost gone away.

Second infection was Bacterial Paronchia which is weird because I got it on two fingers during the winter last year no matter how much lotion I used. This time it was 3 fingers which I was treating myself.

I called and told him about the infections and psoriasis & asked for an antibiotic which he prescribed, both infections are gone, my psoriasis is under control at the moment, and today I had good energy for the first time. Right now I'm on a wait and see about the WBC.

Oh, I am "borderline thyroid" and I have no idea about that one.

Next reply is about the Semaglutide aka Ozempic.

Because the upped meds didn't help my glucose numbers I began Semaglutide a week later. BTW, if you're interested in the cost, the first 6 week dosage vial and syringes cost around $129 which included s&h. One shot a week. Yesterday I ordered my next vial and the price went up because my dosage will be higher, & s&h was free and the total was around $130.

The pharmacist told me they're getting between 400 and 600 new prescriptions daily!!

The first two weeks on I I was so tired I basically starved. Glucose slowly slowly began dropping, but still above 200. Hey, better than 300! What little I ate it did make me feel full.

Until last week. :) I was feeling better because of the antibiotics, and I pigged out constantly.

One afternoon I couldn't stand it so I made myself not one, but two Jack Daniels read to eat BBQ beef, on Keto hamburger buns that DH happened to buy. They were good!

Two hours later I checked my glucose and it was only 112. Keto bread? I even rechecked it.

Fasting numbers went down but still too high and I know it was my catching up with something good to eat!

Today I screwed my head back on and am eating the right things.

I did read the med can make you hungry at first, then when I begin my higher dose it will taper down.

DH gives me the shot in my abdomen, the needle can't be more than 1/4" long, and I don't feel a thing.

So now is the real test for glucose and weight loss which I could stand to lose 30 lb.

Oaklry, are you exercising? That can help with numbers too.

And how can I forget this one? Appointment day I had a row of spots on my shoulder that I assumed were psoriasis spots which I have cream for. Two days after my appt. they turned into blisters then scabs. Shingles. I didn't want to bore the doctor with it. lol I will be getting the Shingles vaccine when I'm cleared. Shingles also causes fatigue.

HU, I get a lot of exercise but the numbers were caused by something going on in my body. Shingles, Psoriasis, bacterial infections, they can all make glucose numbers skyrocket.

My numbers have been in the high normal range and it was late last summer until a month ago they went from 115 for a 3 month average to 300 for a three month average. So it wasn't carbs or lack of exercize.

I'm certain it's psoriasis that caused it because late last year is when I first noticed it, and no telling how long I had it before then. Psoriasis can lead to glucose intolerance.

Feb 3, I was working on a rental before the new tenant moved in & tore my PCL, back of my knee. Here it is a month later and I walked 3.25 miles yesterday and went to Yoga two days before. Yay! It's healing quickly! I haven't gained any weight, I'm just not in "bounce-a-quarter-off-my-butt" shape. Running gets me in shape & I eat less preparing for the next run....if I can't run...I eat too much. Vicious circle. I'm just happy I have some long T-shirts to cover up the lumps. 😂 I need to ride my stationary bike more next week....that's the goal.