The first thing was the weigh-in and blood pressure check. My weight was down 2lbs from the last time I had seen Dr. O. Not a huge loss, but a loss nonetheless. I was not excited about the blood pressure check but, to my surprise, that came out good as well! My bp usually runs high at Dr. O's office (usually because I'm frustrated with him) but it was only 120/74 on Thursday. They were extremely pleased with that.
Next, Dr. O did an u/s to check my endometrium and ovaries. Endometrial lining looked good at 4mm. Ovaries both had a few follicles, one on the left at 17mm and one on the right at 13mm and looking a little complicated so we'll be monitoring that one with 6 month ultrasounds. Had my annual breast exam and that was all fine.
We then moved into Dr. O's office to discuss my progress. We talked about how my glucose levels were down considerably (into normal ranges - yay!) and my Hemoglobin A1C level was down to 6.1 (normal, non-diabetic levels are anything under 6.0 so mine are virtually normal, albeit controlled by medication). My blood pressure is showing normal, so he was happy with that. He did mention bariatric surgery again, but I told him I just wasn't comfortable with it and he dropped the subject. I explained to him my new weight loss routine - I'm currently on a 1480 calorie per day diet and am walking a minimum of 2 miles daily. He seemed extremely pleased with this and he finally gave me an amount of weight I needed to lose!! As a minimum, I need to lose 10% of my weight. My weight in his office was 274 lbs, so 27 lbs. He rounded that up to 30 lbs. So, when I lose 30 lbs, we'll start talking fertility treatment options again! Yay! I can do that! Ideally, he would like me to be down around 210 to 220 lbs, but he would be willing to start working on treatment with me when I get down to around 244 lbs.
You may remember I was doing Weight Watchers and going to the gym. I'm no longer doing either of those. But wait! Don't get angry at me! I have a new routine and I'll explain that in a minute. Let me first explain why I stopped the old routine (I also explained this to Dr. O). First of all, everytime I went to the gym, my back would spasm within the next day or so. I just couldn't handle the pain and the missing work, so I opted instead to start walking 2 miles or more daily. So far this is working out great for me! No back spasms and definite loss of inches if not pounds so much yet. Secondly, with Weight Watchers I was paying $17.95 monthly and not using the online food monitoring all that much. I was following the points, just not inputting it so much. During my internet strolls last week, I came across a site that works very similarly to Weight Watchers, only it monitors calorie intake rather than points. It also works like Facebook, so you have friends on the site and you can cheer one another on. I love it! It's called My Fitness Pal. So far, it is wonderful! If you're trying to lose weight and decide to sign up or are already a member, look me up and add me as a friend! I'm wistfulgirl (naturally :D).
My weight loss goal for starting treatment again is 244 lbs, my goal for making Dr. O happy is 210 lbs and my overall personal goal (long-term) for my weight is 170 lbs. Right now I have set myself a mini-goal of having lost 15 lbs by my next visit with Dr. O on July 14. That would mean I have to be down to 259 lbs by then. I'll stop here and say that my home scales (which I'm using to weigh once a week) register 3 lbs less than Dr. O's scales, but this shouldn't be a problem because my aim is to lose 15 lbs by July 14th and then another 15 lbs by my next visit with him. I'm not really registering by the actual weight so much as by the amount of pounds lost, if that makes any sense.
So, lots to work on for me! I'm going to need your help and support! I don't stay motivated very easily, so I'm depending on you all to help me stay motivated. If I seem to be flagging, please, please give me some words of encouragement and remind me what I'm fighting for! You guys are my cheering squad and I'm really going to need you over the next few months! Let me just tell you...a 1480 calorie per day diet is tough to stick to, lol!
14 comments:
That's great news, Lynn!! Walking is really, really good exercise. You definitely don't have to go to the gym to be active and healthy. I have other friends who use My Fitness Pal, and they love it. I'm really glad your appointment went well and that you have goals you can work with. I'll be cheering you on for sure!
That is amazing! I'm a firm believer that any kind of motion is good motion. Walking in the neighborhood is better than getting out to a gym for me.
Way to go! Give yourself a huge pat on the back!!
YOU CAN DO IT!! :) I am so worried about getting back on the weight loss train once I deliver...but I know it is the best for me! The small goals are the best! That is how I lost my 90 lbs...I just set small, small goals and kept hitting them. I did a chart on my mirror in the bathroom so Ken could follow my progress. i never let him watch me weigh in as it stresses me out! BUT, I hung a chart and let him watch the numbers drop. It was good to be held accountable...although in the end it was for me! When I was in the gym and wanting to give up...or driving by McDonald's and wanting to pull in I would just say to myself "You want a baby. You want a baby." over and over again...and that was motiviation enough~
Yayyyyyy!!! You can do it girlfriend!!! Walking is such an awesome exercise! Just wait til u start seeing drastic results. Not only will u feel good on the outside but in the inside even more!!! Don't give up :)
How exciting! You can do this girlfriend!! Hang in there!! and like the previous comment said, just keep thinking "I WANT A BABY.. I WANT A BABY." hehe.. u have lots of support on here!
:)
Go Lynn Go! You can do it sweetie.
I am so glad you had good (and supportive) news from the doctor. It's been long overdue! Walking is great exercise and I'll be here cheering you on every step of the way to your goal.
I understand all too well what you're feeling. I too am trying to loose weight before going back to my RE. It's sooooo hard. I am going back next month, and so far I am down 15 pounds! I know you can do and I know it sucks!!! Cheering you on from the sidelines!!!
You are amazing! It's such an inspiration to see you do all of this!
Awesome! and yay for a goal from your doctor! I'm on MFP but haven't been using it. If I start again I'll look you up. In terms of the walking, could you sign up for a 5k in the next few months? Many are walking-friendly and I found that when I had a certain event I could motivate myself much easier.
Hi! I'm here from LFCA and I'm sort of conflicted because - OMG I think it is wonderful that you have long term plans for your health and wellness and that you are taking action. That is a big deal.
What I keep thinking about is that your RE seems to be withholding treatment until you loose weight. Obviously I am just coming into your story from LFCA so probably not catching everything - but as a plus sized person I can tell you that weight and fertility do not always go hand in hand.
There are fertility problems that can be heightened because of weight, but weight by itself doesn't necessarily create a problem.
I only say this as a person that went through five+ years of fertility treatments and as a person with body issues - but if you feel like your doctor is not treating you fairly because of your weight (& telling you to lose weight before you can cycle with him is unfair) you CAN go to other doctors that are more accepting of women of different body types.
Regardless- total high fives on the walking. That is AWESOME!! And I am right there with you in trying to get healthy.
I've been considering using that site as well. I'm about 241 right now and my "ideal" is 170 as well. Like you, I fall off track easily and need motivation. So I think I'll join and maybe we can motivate each other?
You can do it! My RE would not treat me till I got down to 214. It was hard, and I cried a lot and was very frustrated. However, as he very bluntly put it" I can get you pregnant no problem but I can't keep you pregnant- you HAVE to lose weight". And as painful as it was, I totally agree. Plus, being overweight and pregnant is physically exhausting. I am at 227 now, post baby. I have to get back down to 214 to try again. You can do it!
You can do it!! Stay positive and remain hopeful!! The walking everyday sounds great. Don't give up!! -Randi ICLW
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