One Step Forward, Two Steps Back.

One step forward, two steps back. 

I told you guys that I was seeing an Endocrinologist.  I had some blood tests done last week and I met with the doctor about the results.  I was sure that my Vitamin D levels had come down, but to my surprise they actually went up a little.  I'm thinking "Whooo Hooo!".  Then she tells me the results from the other tests and it was not-so-good news.  *sigh*

Apparently, I have one the worst metabolisms of all her patients.  Her words were "I have very few patients with a metabolism like yours."  Not really sure how she came to that conclusion, but alrighty then.  They took A LOT of blood last week, so I'm guessing quite a few things factored into it.  My insulin levels were 3 points away from being classified as Diabetic.  What?!?!  I've been making a lot of effort to cut down on my portions and I thought I was doing pretty good.  Unfortunately, she said that reducing my portions wouldn't help that much.  A person with a normal metabolism could cut back on their portions and lose weight just fine, but mine isn't anywhere near normal.  She put me on Glumetza and told me that I had to make some serious dietary changes to prevent Diabetes. 

Changes I am going to have to make:

1.  No sugar (obviously)
2.  No artificial sweeteners (how the heck am I going to drink coffee now?!?!)
3.  No bread, noodles, etc.
4.  More exercise (another obvious point)
5.  No processed food
6.  No fast food and she even went on to say that eating out, in general, wasn't a good idea for now.

Lots of changes.  Basically, my menu will consist of lean meat, fresh veggies, and fresh fruit only....staying as "natural" as I can. 

I think she spent more time talking about artificial sweeteners than anything.  Studies are showing that artificial sweeteners may even play a role in developing diabetes.  They also make you crave real sugar even more.  I really don't use them that often, but I had gotten back in the habit of buying SF coffee creamer again. 

I am too young to be borderline Diabetic!  She definitely scared me into making some serious changes.  I have too much to live for to risk my health and my life like this!

I would appreciate your prayers and thoughts as I take on this new lifestyle.  It's going to be hard.  I know that I can do it if I set my mind to it.  KEEPING my mind set will be the hardest part. 

One step forward, two steps back.

I look forward to taking some GIGANTIC leaps forward in the coming days.  I can do it!!

Bust a Move

I've been a busy girl the past week or so.  My son went on vacation with his Papa & Nana, so we've been child-less for last 5 days.  Thank goodness he came back today!  I was missing that boy so much!  Despite having a rough couple of days due to double ear infections, I was able to accomplish a lot. 

My goal for this month is to MOVE.  It doesn't matter why or how, I just want to move more and boy did I.  My husband and I went to Tallahassee (or Tally as we call it) on Thursday and we shopped out hearts out.  My husband was a trooper, too.  I had him taking me all over the place!  I wouldn't call myself a regular shopper....normally I hate shopping.  But, every once in a while I get the urge to change things up at my house and shop for new home decor.  This was one of those times.  I was on a mission!   I mainly wanted to get our bookcase with school supplies organized.  I wanted it to look pretty and not like a mess of books thrown every which way.  I got my organization supplies at Target, then we headed to the mall.  I forgot how big that mall was and we walked every inch of it.  So we definitely got our exercise in! 

I also wanted to spruce up our dining room.  Now, we live in a pretty small apartment, so the term "dining room" isn't really accurate.  "Dining Area" might be a better term.  It's a very small space between the living room and kitchen.  I wanted to make it look bigger and prettier.  Before, we had a couple of pictures hanging above the table and chairs and that's it.  Nothing on the table.  It was very blah. 

I found a pretty table runner and flower centerpiece at Kirkland's.  They had a huge sale and I was able to get them both pretty cheap, along with a new shower curtain and a new ceramic owl.  (I love owls!)  I also remembered seeing something cool on Pinterest with cheap full length mirrors hung horizontally on a wall.  So I picked up 3 mirrors from Walmart ($5.00 each!) and I hung them with Command strips on the "dining area" wall.  Yes, I did it myself!  My husband didn't think I could so I had to prove him wrong!  Getting them straight was not an easy task.  I love how it turned out and it really did make the area look bigger. 

                                               Close-up of the runner and centerpiece.

                                                               The total package.


The mirrors made all the difference.  It's still a really small space, but the mirrors trick the eye into thinking it's a little bigger. 

I also rearranged the house while my son was gone.  I had to do something to pass the time! 

Although I didn't do any typical workouts, I busted my booty around the house and walked my little heart out shopping.  I'm sure I burned a ton of calories.  Exercise doesn't have to be- walking on the treadmill, lifting weights, or going to the gym- it can be anything that gets us moving and sweating! 

I hope you are MOVING, as well.  Do whatever you can to get your daily burn.  Your heart will thank you :)

Until next time...

July Challenge

Hello, friends!  I hope all of you are enjoying yourselves this summer. 

Last month's challenge was NO SNACKING AFTER DINNER.  While I wasn't perfect, I can confidently say that I greatly improved on this issue.  That's what it's all about for me...making progress.  Picking myself up when I disappoint myself and getting back on track.  Learning that perfection doesn't exist and dealing with the failures that often come with aspirations. 

My challenge for July is going to be......to MOVE more!  While it's not a detailed challenge, it's still a good challenge.  Especially since I've been sitting on my butt a lot since summer started.  I've set a goal of 7,500 steps per day.  Not a whole lot, I know, but it's a start.  Especially considering I am at home all day. 

I just got an UP wristband by Jawbone and so far I really like it.  I'll put a link at the bottom of the post for anyone interested in learning what it is.  Hopefully, it will aid in motivating me to move more. 

What will you challenge yourself to do this month? 

Challenges don't have to be just physical.  Mental and emotional challenges are equally important in trying to get healthy.  Pick something you really need to work on and go with it. 

Good luck with whatever you decide to challenge yourself with this month!  You can do it! 

Until next time....

Oh, here's the link for the UP wristband....  https://jawbone.com/up

Summer Craftiness

Summer is here!  Although I hate the summer heat, the gnats, and mosquitoes, I love having the summer off.  It gives me more time to craft, paint, and be creative.  I don't have much time for that during the school year, so it's nice. 

I just finished making a wreath for my front door.  I've been wanting to spruce up our "front porch" area for a while now.  I say "front porch" like this because it's not really a porch.  It's a front door and a little bit of space around it.  I bought a cute little plant stand and some potted flowers to go beside the door.  I'm hoping to get some sort of small table and a couple of chairs to go on the other side of the door as well.  I'll try to post a picture of the total package when I get it finished.  For now, I'll just show you the wreath I made. 

It's simple, pretty, and was very easy to make.  It took me all of about 30 minutes to make.  I just bought a simple grapevine wreath, 3 artificial hydrangeas, a wooden "M", and little ribbon.  I painted the "M" the same color green as the ribbon (or pretty close, anyway) and used brown paint and a pencil eraser to paint the polka dots on.  While that was drying, I hot glued the flowers into place.  Then hot glued the "M" on and measured and cut the ribbon.  I wanted to make sure I could still see out of the peep hole, so I measured to make sure it didn't hang to low.  I tied the ribbon and voila.....a new wreath.  I'm very pleased with the way it turned out. 

I am really looking forward to doing more crafty stuff this summer. 

I also got a much needed haircut the other day.  I swear....it was getting so freaking long.  We could have made a wig out of all the hair that was cut off.  She cut lots of layers and it feels so much better.  Long hair and Georgia summers do not make a good combination.

It's still pretty long, but so much shorter than it was.  It's much easier to deal with now.


Thanks for reading.  Hope you all are having a great summer! 

Until next time...