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I just finished two agility runs and wasn't completely out of breath!
I'm even down another half a pound.
Some of the best things is that I am not noticing gastric reflux symthoms as much. Mostly chest pains, but nothing bad. I haven't woken up in the middle of the night especially.
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From my Treo
MSNBC - Think twice about weight-loss surgery
Think twice about weight-loss surgery
In many cases, the risks outweigh the benefits
I took TWO dogs today to an agility trial today, and I think the workouts are finally paying off.
Marcie and I haven't tried Excellent since the beginning of December, and I found that both courses were much easier to run. She didn't qualify but the OTHER dog did.
Maggie's courses were a piece of cake and I was even able to keep up with her -- or was she keeping up with me like her sister does? Novice is MUCH easier than Excellent.
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I'm several years ahead of him on this -- was hoping to comment on his blog, not sure if his blog allows track backs, but I invite him to take a look at my journey, he might be able to take some short cuts.
Animas is taking orders for the new pump. I like the new features, the IR1200 features were not enough to get me to risk $6000 of my own money but we're coming close on the 1250. I really like have the carb calculations on the pump.
However, the insurance company might not pay for the pump, leaving me with paying for another one out of pocket, and I'd rather not do that this year. We're going to spend a lot of money going to Monte Carlo.
The good news, is that I can buy a new pump any time, but changing my mind once I commit is harder.
Clean Eating 6/25 -- birthday cake for coworker didn't help
Cardio Session 9/35
Strength Session 8/28
One thing I've found through my log books, etc. is that the strength sessions do more to pull my blood sugar levels down long term than just about anything I do. Cardio helps short term, and don't I know it. I went from 50 minute sessions per iShape to 20, and from 6 a week to 4 and man am I seeing higher blood sugars -- not bad just higher - and using more insulin.
Since the second person asked -- first, I think starting later on today I'll expand the entry abit, and I did post when I started it ...
It's something that one of the iShape members came up with, and it's called a Challenge.
CE = Clean Eating
CS = Cardio Session
SS = Strength Session
Over a fixed period, I think we're doing 6 weeks right now, we pick the number of days we'll do each. That's the second number.
The first number is where we are now.
So if you do a cardio session on a day, you add to the first number.
It's a head game, but one I'm finding works for me.
CE 6/25
CS 8/35
SS 7/28
Yesterday was scheduled off on strength and cardio -- but clean eating when out the window with a total stress day.
I had always been skinny as a child and didn't gain weight until my late teens.
And I still think the sleep apnea was a major contributer.
MSN Health & Fitness - Genes May Influence Weight Gain in Adults
Your genes may be one reason your jeans are getting tighter, says a Saint Louis University School of Public Health study that found genetics can play a role in some peoples' weight problems.
Here's someone that gets the Catch 20/20
There is general agreement that -- at least 15 years since everyone has understood the problem -- the health care system suffers from a lack of transparency, information systems, rational incentives, and care quality. Diabetes care is a microcosm of that.
CE 5/25
CS 7/35
SS 6/28
Making good progress!
I'm not sure what is causing the problem -- I'm having a small amount of stress over a writing assignment I'm doing for my master's course. It's difficult to write.
I'm also at lower weight and was at this weight the last time I "blew" everything, so I am suspecting part of the problem is the number on the scale.
So I'm working even harder to keep everything going.in the right direction.
CE 4/25
CS 6/35
SS 5/28
CE 4/25
CS 5/35
SS 4/28
TheDenverChannel.com - Health - CDC Says It Miscalculated Number Of Obesity Deaths
Blaming a computer software error, the government says it overstated the nation's weight problem in a widely reported study last year that said obesity was about to overtake smoking as the No. 1 cause of death in the United States.
CE 3/25
CS 4/35
SS 3/28
I am VERY pleased with this purchase, I was able to sleep all night on battery power. I need to research care and feeding of the gell cell better, but this was an very good purchase.
I was afraid it wouldn't have enough power for all night, because I use a very high pressure, but it works well. Thanks cpap.com!
CE 3/25
CS 4/35
SS 2/28
CE 2/25
CS 3/35
SS 2/28
A good day, all around.
Okay, not the post menopausal -- I hadn't hit that point yet, but I sure can't lose weight without exercise, and mid section weight is the last to go.
This study examined the effects of aerobic exercise without weight loss, a hypocaloric high monounsaturated fat diet (HMF) and diet exercise (D E) on total abdominal and visceral fat loss in obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.
CE 1/25
CS 2/35
SS 1/28
After I went to the dentist I had to eat something chewy and the Diet Gourmet food wasn't. So I tossed it. I did do pretty well, instead of ordering the full dinner with sides from El Chico, I got the Chicken Chimichunga, cheese sauce, hot chips and cold hot sauce. Skipping rice and or bean calories.
So much better choice that in the past. I was good to go on the blood sugar 2 hours after (even a tad low), but was at 235 4 hours after. That's definately a extended bolus meal.
Here's the deal, if you are having trouble sleeping, anything that can help is a good thing. The question is can it help and the only way to find out is to try it.
Can't really call him new.
He snuck up on me today which is actually the right thing to do. He replaced the temporary filling.
I have full confidence now which is a good thing.
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From my Treo
Saw my CDE today and will see her before the trip to Monte Carlo so I warned her.
We dropped my evening bolus since i'm consistantly correcting 180s. I may need to drop it further but I'm into small corrections.
Best news...lost 3 pounds and blood pressure was 116/74
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From my Treo
CE 1/25
CS 1/35
SS 1/28
I'm going to put entries both here and on iShape. It will be good if the host gets behind.
I'm trying to get a free Minimac so login to http://www.FreeMiniMacs.com/?r=14030002 for me. Thanks!
Medco again.
I asked my contact lens doctor to write a 90 script for Restasis and fax it to Medco. He wrote the script for a 30 day script, and they shipped it and charged me for a 90 day.
Sometime the week before last, I called and was told that they would credit my account for the difference between a copay for 30 day. Got my credit card bill today, credit wasn't on there. Checked the Medco site, credit wasn't there either. So I called. The person on the phone claimed the credit happened today. Of course, it happened when I talked to him, but that doesn't really matter as long as I get the credit. Of course, I did get charged interest ....
My husband decided for me, I just ordered a battery for my CPAP -- mostly for the trip, but we've had enough power outages that having it would possibly save a hotel bill or two and will give some peace of mind.
Called American and I don't have to have the CPAP and battery cleared ahead of time. They did say everything had to fit in one carry on bag, so I'm going to look for something on wheels that I can put everything in. Actually my existing computer bag might do the trick.
Also called the hotel today, found out there is a business center available with computer and internet access, but didn't ask for the charge. Something we're better off not knowing.
I got a bit delusional today.
Woke up and blood sugar was in the 90's. Got up, dressed and headed out the door for a private agility lesson. Picked up eggs and bacon at McDonald's. Tested blood sugar after the lesson and was in the 90's still. Ate two square Snickers, did a facility rental and checked the blood sugar again and was at 120.
Got to wondering if the recent walking, sticking to things, etc was working better than expected and did I really need the pump.
Well, I do.
Got a depo shot and then ate lunch. Two hours after lunch, blood sugar was 214.
Good news, is that after 50 minutes of cardio and weights and two hours after dinner, I was back in the 120's.
I "finished" my Challenge today, so I think for the next one, I need to increase my goals. It's especially good, since I started the challenge on a Monday, and "finished" on Thursday.
The first thing I have to decide when to start the next one.
Type of Weight Loss Surgery Determines Insulin Resistance Effect
With restrictive weight loss procedures, insulin resistance drops as weight loss increases, whereas with malabsorptive operations, resistance is completely reversed even before body weight normalizes, new research shows
Today is:
CE 8/8
CT 10/10
ST 7/8
I've met almost all my goals, and I am certain I will get the strength training knocked out tomorrow. Today was interesting ... I had almost decided that I was going to "cheat" on the clean eating, but ended up not doing it. I ended up being 800 calories under goal after dinner, so after a 43 minute cardio session treated myself to a Subway toasted roast beef sandwich and some corn chips. And it was a nice treat. And I am still 100 calories under.
FYI: Posting the challenge has really helped me stick to it, maybe more than the iShape Challenges.
Today is
CE 7/8
CT 9/10
ST 7/8
Much better today, not as tired and didn't feel the need to eat. Didn't get cardio started until after school but get it knocked out.
I finally have the second blood pressure medication being processed by Medco. I'm not sure where the problem happened. I figure I'm going to do something about the Restatis this weekend, especially since I'm still having problems with my contacts and dry eyes.
Today is
CE 6/8
CT 8/10
ST 6/8
Was exhausted today, and just started eating in the afternoon and couldn't stop. I ended up about 200 calories over iShape.
Tough exercise week, I'm doing 50 minutes of cardio almost every day. I'm having to break it up to do it successfully
Animas Corporation (NASDAQ:PUMP) management today increased its revenue guidance for 2004 and provided initial guidance for 2005.
The company also announced that it had received 510(k) clearance in December 2004 from the Food and Drug Administration to market the IR 1250 pump. "We are dedicated to making diabetes management easier for both the patient and the healthcare provider. This product is an important step toward achieving that goal, and receipt of this clearance will allow us to launch this product during this quarter," said President and CEO Kathy Crothall.
Today is
CE 6/8
CT 7/10
ST 6/8
I actually thought today would be bad, because my agility group had their Christmas party today -- yes, Christmas, but we were all too busy in January. It was nice though, because our organizer sent out a list of the food and I was able to plan. I ate two things I hadn't planned, but they were still okay.
And awesome news -- I showed a very large weight loss on the scale.
I'm a bit late in this ...
I've had my insulin pump for 1 1/2 years, and I've had my treadmill for about a year.
I lost about 30 pounds in the last year, my A1C has dropped from 7.0 to a low of 6.2, and last was 6.6
I got my pump in August, and in September my husband broke his hip in September. He was on crutches and in bad shape until December.
I was doing an okay job with working out while I had a gym membership, but didn't get REALLY good at it until I set up the gym in the house with a treadmill and free weights.
I signed up with iShape back in February. iShape has been invaluable in helping me keep up with an exercise program.
A few more milestones
went from 1.5 mph on the treadmill to 2.5
insulin usage from 100-120 units a day to 40-50 units
Today is
CE 5/8
CT 6/10
ST 5/8
I was 200 calories over iShapes plan again. Still less calories than I burned by a substantial amount.
I am losing weight though.
For some reason, not sure why, one of my computers have stopped booting. It appears that the system drive on that computer has gone south.
So I reloaded Windows on it, and when I was trying to recover, my fastest computer lost it's operating system too. Neither computer has anything on it that can't be recovered -- I keep all my data either on my servers or on my file server -- though I DO need to remember to back all that data up soon.
Very weird.
And then when I woke up, my set was disconnected (from my insulin pump), so right now I'm not getting any insulin.
It can't be too long because my blood sugar is 117.
I hate to put it back until I've had a shower, and I don't want to do a shower until I've done my workout, so I think I'll go a little while off pump and maybe do an injection if I need it.
Weird ...
I did sleep until I naturally woke up, in fact, woke up twice and went back to bed, but think I'm going to stay up now. Hopefully I'll get my sleep fixed since I was running short last week.
And finally -- husband is going to book our trip this weekend, so I am DEFINATELY going to Monte Carlo in March.
Today is
CE 5/8
CT 5/10
ST 4/8
I've been very tired today, and ended up about 300 calories over plan which isn't too bad. I did plan for a few days not Clean Eating
Today is
CE 5/8
CT 4/10
ST 3/8
Got a good night's sleep last night, and am heading to bed now, but I've done two hours of dog agility and then drove through very high traffic roads to get home. Hard to fall asleep with this much adrenalin running through the system.
I've on a good streak when it comes to weight loss. The blood sugar is low, and extremely stable. My insulin usage is down pretty low, though was a tad high today. In fact, have had to ward off (but not treat) some hypoglycemic episodes.
Warding off means that I have the first symthoms of a drop in blood sugar, and that I have to shift meal times or eat extra to prevent a true low.
I just wrote my rep and asked about it. I am definately going to go with it. From the FDA information it appears they are going to put a larger cartridge in it and TD, going to put a food database in it.
You are also going to be able to program the pump with it.
510(k)s Final Decisions Rendered for December 2004
DEVICE: ANIMAS MODEL IR1250 INSULIN INFUSION PUMP
ANIMAS CORP. 510(k) NO: K042873(TRADITIONAL)
ATTN: THOMAS L PARKER PHONE NO : 484-568-1257
200 LAWRENCE DR. SE DECISION MADE: 10-DEC-04
WEST CHESTER, PA 19380 510(k) SUMMARY AVAILABLE FROM FDA
Today is
CE 4/8
CT 4/10
ST 2/8
My husband and I are spending WAY too much time talking about the Monte Carlo trip. We keep not sleeping as a result.
It's sad because Medco hasn't gotten a single prescription wrong in a year, and all of a sudden they are screwing up.
First, I went to the eye doctor and asked for a 90 day script on Restatis. He supposedly faxed it to Medco and they filled it as a 30 day script but charged me the 30 day price. NOW, their pharmacists knew that was a screw up and should have followed up on it -- IF he wrote that way.
The almost good news is they are charging me the 30 day price.
Second screw up -- I ordered two scripts at once, which needed to be refilled by the doctor's office. I don't know if the doctor didn't understand their form, or if they fouled it up on there in, but only one of the scripts is being filled. And it's a blood pressure, generic, that costs very little, heck it would be a good candidate for over the counter.
ARGH!
Looks like I am going to Monte Carlo for spring break. Not exactly my first or even second choice, but my husband won a poker tournament through Poker Stars that is sponsoring him to play in the european equivalent to the World Series of Poker.
I have a bunch of issues, like power adapters for my CPAP, can I use it on the airline, etc.
Interesting website on using a CPAP on a airline ... why, next post.
CPAP, Batteries, and Airplanes
CPAP, Batteries, and Airplanes
The New York Times > Health > Fitness & Nutrition > Diet and Lose Weight? Scientists Say 'Prove It!'
But a new study, published today, finds little evidence that commercial weight-loss programs are effective in helping people drop excess pounds. Almost no rigorous studies of the programs have been carried out, the researchers report. And federal officials say that companies are often unwilling to conduct such studies, arguing that they are in the business of treatment, not research.
Today is
CE 2/8
CT 2/10
ST 1/8 (today is a scheduled rest day)
I'm actually having trouble with running low in the mornings. I have my basal set to 50% from 4:00 am - 6:00 am. I didn't do a bolus with today's breakfast and was at 110 at 9:00 am. While I stayed stable throughout the morning, I am not sure I want to be at that level chasing students (today was a workday).
It's raining, I've had to be in and out in the rain a couple of times to replace my parking space == long story == so as a result, I just couldn't get dry enough for the Glucowatch to work.
I do have a call out to the CDE, requesting that we change my basal rates starting tomorrow. I am running REAL low today.
I haven't needed my glucowatch in a while, but since my blood sugars were running low all during break, and I don't have as much time and energy to keep up with them, I'm going to wear my glucowatch most of this week. It will be interesting to see what is really going on.
Yesterday was
CE 1/8
CT 1/10
ST 1/8
A good start.
Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog: Vytorin and the license to eat
As a patient who is on Zetia and Zocor ... and who struggles with controlling blood sugar, lipid levels, etc. and who will soon be on Vytorin...
I don't take any of the advertising too seriously, even though I seem to be on every medication with a serious ad compaign.
For me, the combo has been the end of a long time of frustration. I couldn't, even with high doses of Zocor, control blood sugar AND lipid levels. It was the addition of Zetia that finally brought it down.
Vytorin is great, because it reduces a copay.
One of the things that really keeps me going, is the iShape Challenges. We track three things -- clean eating, strength workouts and cardio workouts.
The lady that does the challenges is going to take a 2 week break, so I think I'm going to track and keep up with my own for the next two weeks, using my blog.
So starting today, my goal is 4 clean eating days a week, 5 cardio workouts and 4 strength workouts,
Sometime in November, I stopped sleeping. As a result, I couldn't control my eating at all, and then I stopped being able to work out. About all I could do, was to control my blood sugar, but my insulin usage spiked up to around 100 units a day. As a result, I regained some of the weight I lost, and was just miserable.
My carb ratio went back to around 1:8, all the gains I had made were lost.
It's taken weeks to recover from that.
I had to get the sleep under control first. I then could start doing strength and cardio, but had to really break up the sessions to even get them done. However, I still wasn't losing weight. I was maintaining, but not losing.
Well, over this break, I've managed to get it just about back. My insulin usage is back down to under 40 units a day, and my blood sugar has been extremely stable. In fact, it's been in the 90's fasting, and staying pretty flat. I've had to do a few almost carb free days to get there, but that's okay.
I still haven't lost all the weight I gained, but I'm getting there.
Yes, my PBM insists that all "maintenance" drugs be done by mail order. Frankly, I would prefer to do the insulin monthly, and locally. Same thing goes for my depo, but there is a HUGE cost difference.
The New York Times > Business > Drugstores Fret as Insurers Demand Pills by Mail
Drugstores Fret as Insurers Demand Pills by Mail