Well, the acid and related stomach problems seem to have abated. That's probably the new drugs I'm taking. I guess I'll be on these for a while, until the healing happens. I need more tests and will be having another gastroscopy at the end of March.
In the meantime, I am managing to stick to the same way of eating. I have had the odd deviation, but nothing major. I can't eat massive amounts in one go any more, and to be honest, foods like bread and pasta hold no attraction for me any longer. I don't miss alcohol all that much, and am quite happy to have one, maybe even two glasses, once a week. I do fancy a pork pie, once in a while, mind. It will have to be a cheat meal.
The weight is still coming off. I've lost another 2lbs since last week. My clothes are getting seriously baggy. I do worry that my skin won't shrink back to my new body shape. I am trying to ex-foliate the skin when I bathe/shower. It helps with elasticity, apparently.
Exercise has been a bit scarce, I'm afraid. I had the bad guts for a few days over the weekend/start of the week. I am also feeling very tired after work. My head stuffiness and the related dizziness just refuses to leave me alone, and I still get headaches now and again. Gotta keep positive!
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Acid House
The doc says I've got severe acid problems in my stomach. Seems there is probably damage in there, possibly even an ulcer. That would explain a fair bit of the way I've been feeling of late, and why it seems to be getting worse and worse. He said that STRESS could well be a factor in the increased acid. So I'm going to be put on more drugs, stronger drugs. I really didn't want to go down this route. I want to be off drugs and pharmaceutical chemicals altogether!
I am a born worrier, I'm afraid. A born stress-head, and it has had some serious implications for my health. I really need to learn to deal with it better. What makes it worse is that having time off work makes my work situation less stable...another stress factor. One of them there vicious circle things.
What's the answer? Anyone who knows....write it on a postcard, please!
I am a born worrier, I'm afraid. A born stress-head, and it has had some serious implications for my health. I really need to learn to deal with it better. What makes it worse is that having time off work makes my work situation less stable...another stress factor. One of them there vicious circle things.
What's the answer? Anyone who knows....write it on a postcard, please!
Sunday, 6 February 2011
THIS is my life...
Self-indulgent rant time!
I think I may be suffering from depression, or something to do with lack of fresh air and sunshine (I invariably feel better when I'm outside, in the air). Despite the fact that I have been on this "diet" for nigh on 3 weeks and have lost over 2 stone since November, I still feel like shite for far too much of the day. Why is that? I worry that I have some horrible ailment that the doctors are missing, as is my way. I'm sure the blood test results I get tomorrow will show nothing untoward, leaving me thinking that it HAS to be all in my head.
It probably is, to be fair.
I watched a programme about people who emigrated to Australia last night. There was this woman who moved there with her son, who had suffered from SAD in the UK. After only a few months she looked better and said she felt better, with more outdoor living and sunshine. It was certainly food for thought...
Not that I am about to bugger off to Australia at the drop of a hat, of course. The big spiders they have there put me right off the idea.
It made me think about what I do with my life. What IS my life. I get up, drive the hour to work, stare at a screen for the best part of 8 hours, wondering how much longer I can blag it, drive back (another hour...I found out I spend more than 12 hours a week in my car), I have my tea, maybe do a bit of Wii Fit if I feel up to it, then get back in front of two screens...TV and laptop...fucking about on stupid games on Facebook or reading pointless posts on messageboards...till it's time for bed.
Weekends offer little in the way of excitement. Saturday is big food shop day. That's half the day gone. Sunday we take the boy to rugby and then we might get some fresh air for an hour or two. Once a month or so we visit my parents for dinner or something.
I'm telling you, whoever YOU are, right now...if this is what is the rest of my life is going to be like...well, I don't think I can face it. There's no point in getting healthy and fit if I don't make the most of it. I have little to no creative outlet at the moment (I am looking at joining a band again...that might help a bit).
So yeah, maybe I am a bit depressed. I honestly can't believe that this is the pinnacle of human life and civilisation. It can't be, surely.
I think I may be suffering from depression, or something to do with lack of fresh air and sunshine (I invariably feel better when I'm outside, in the air). Despite the fact that I have been on this "diet" for nigh on 3 weeks and have lost over 2 stone since November, I still feel like shite for far too much of the day. Why is that? I worry that I have some horrible ailment that the doctors are missing, as is my way. I'm sure the blood test results I get tomorrow will show nothing untoward, leaving me thinking that it HAS to be all in my head.
It probably is, to be fair.
I watched a programme about people who emigrated to Australia last night. There was this woman who moved there with her son, who had suffered from SAD in the UK. After only a few months she looked better and said she felt better, with more outdoor living and sunshine. It was certainly food for thought...
Not that I am about to bugger off to Australia at the drop of a hat, of course. The big spiders they have there put me right off the idea.
It made me think about what I do with my life. What IS my life. I get up, drive the hour to work, stare at a screen for the best part of 8 hours, wondering how much longer I can blag it, drive back (another hour...I found out I spend more than 12 hours a week in my car), I have my tea, maybe do a bit of Wii Fit if I feel up to it, then get back in front of two screens...TV and laptop...fucking about on stupid games on Facebook or reading pointless posts on messageboards...till it's time for bed.
Weekends offer little in the way of excitement. Saturday is big food shop day. That's half the day gone. Sunday we take the boy to rugby and then we might get some fresh air for an hour or two. Once a month or so we visit my parents for dinner or something.
I'm telling you, whoever YOU are, right now...if this is what is the rest of my life is going to be like...well, I don't think I can face it. There's no point in getting healthy and fit if I don't make the most of it. I have little to no creative outlet at the moment (I am looking at joining a band again...that might help a bit).
So yeah, maybe I am a bit depressed. I honestly can't believe that this is the pinnacle of human life and civilisation. It can't be, surely.
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Cheat, cheat, eat, eat...
I had my first cheat meal today for my breakfast. I had to have a blood test at the doctors, for which I had to fast, so hadn't had anything to eat since 8.30pm last night. After the doc I went to a favourite little coffee shop of mine in town and had my cheat meal. It was a bacon sandwich and a large cappuccino. I enjoyed the bacon, but couldn't actually finish the bread. Even though it was supposedly healthy brown bread, it was just too stodgy for me.
I haven't gone off the rails, though. It hasn't made me eat dougnuts, cake, crisps, chocolate and all those other things. I just slipped back into my new mode and ate a lovely ham salad for lunch and chicken wrapped in bacon with home-made tomato and basil sauce for my tea. There was no need for carbs.
I had another half an hour of working out on the Wii Fit tonight. I had weighed myself this morning and it said I was another 2lbs down, at 17st 8lbs. That's ridiculous! Back in October/November I was tipping the scales at 20 stones.
People are starting to notice the difference. My face is slimmer, and my belly is shrinking. It feels good when people notice these things.
I haven't gone off the rails, though. It hasn't made me eat dougnuts, cake, crisps, chocolate and all those other things. I just slipped back into my new mode and ate a lovely ham salad for lunch and chicken wrapped in bacon with home-made tomato and basil sauce for my tea. There was no need for carbs.
I had another half an hour of working out on the Wii Fit tonight. I had weighed myself this morning and it said I was another 2lbs down, at 17st 8lbs. That's ridiculous! Back in October/November I was tipping the scales at 20 stones.
People are starting to notice the difference. My face is slimmer, and my belly is shrinking. It feels good when people notice these things.
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
It's far from over.
This is just the beginning. The battle goes on towards a healthy weight and a healthy life.
I have completed 2 weeks of the detox phase, and haven't eaten an ounce of bread, pasta or other wheaty nonsense, and I haven't had a sip of alcohol. I haven't missed them either, really.
I will continue with this style of eating, but can now have 2 "cheat" meals a week. I'm still unsure how to play that, whether to have them both on a weekend, or split them up through the week. Whatever I do, I am not going to fall off the wagon. I feel much better in myself, although there is still room for improvement. I'm sure that I will feel better and better as the weight drops off and the fitness improves.
I stepped onto the Wii Fit scales tonight and my BMI has dropped again, but only by a few decimal points, and less than a pound. I have lost 13lbs, probably 13 and a half, and now weigh less than 18 stone. That's less than I've been in a long time, and as far as I'm concerned, the only way is down. Coincidentally I have reached the target I set myself at the beginning of November, and have set myself a target of losing another 1 stone and 1 pound in two months, which should be achievable. When that target is reached, I will be out of the OBESE category and into the OVERWEIGHT category according to the BMI scale.
Thanks to my brother, Stephen, for his support and encouragement. Thanks to the wife for cooking my tea when it is often different to what the rest of them have. I hope I can count on continued support from everyone. I also hope I don't bore people at work too much with my new healthy outlook!
Food today:
Breakfast: 3 egg omelette with spinach and peppers
Snack: chicken drumsticks
Lunch: Carrot and lentil soup
Snack: nuts
Tea: pork chop with roasted veg
I have completed 2 weeks of the detox phase, and haven't eaten an ounce of bread, pasta or other wheaty nonsense, and I haven't had a sip of alcohol. I haven't missed them either, really.
I will continue with this style of eating, but can now have 2 "cheat" meals a week. I'm still unsure how to play that, whether to have them both on a weekend, or split them up through the week. Whatever I do, I am not going to fall off the wagon. I feel much better in myself, although there is still room for improvement. I'm sure that I will feel better and better as the weight drops off and the fitness improves.
I stepped onto the Wii Fit scales tonight and my BMI has dropped again, but only by a few decimal points, and less than a pound. I have lost 13lbs, probably 13 and a half, and now weigh less than 18 stone. That's less than I've been in a long time, and as far as I'm concerned, the only way is down. Coincidentally I have reached the target I set myself at the beginning of November, and have set myself a target of losing another 1 stone and 1 pound in two months, which should be achievable. When that target is reached, I will be out of the OBESE category and into the OVERWEIGHT category according to the BMI scale.
Thanks to my brother, Stephen, for his support and encouragement. Thanks to the wife for cooking my tea when it is often different to what the rest of them have. I hope I can count on continued support from everyone. I also hope I don't bore people at work too much with my new healthy outlook!
Food today:
Breakfast: 3 egg omelette with spinach and peppers
Snack: chicken drumsticks
Lunch: Carrot and lentil soup
Snack: nuts
Tea: pork chop with roasted veg
Monday, 31 January 2011
Nearly there...
Tomorrow is the last day of the first phase of this new way of eating. I've felt reasonably good again today, aside from the odd half-hour here or there. I really think it's to do with my sinuses. Maybe my improved diet will help me.
So it was back to work, and today I tried a new approach to the snacking. I took a couple of chicken drumsticks I'd cooked last night with me as a mid-morning snack, and it definitely helped my energy levels stay constant. I had lunch a bit later than normal, then a late-afternoon snack of nuts, before having tea at about 7pm, AFTER a blast on the Wii Fit (step/hula/push-up/box) that was meant to be a quick weight check and 10 minute blast but ended up as almost 30 minutes of working out. Such are my energy levels, I just feel myself wanting to do it.
As for the weight, that's another 1lb off. That makes 13lb since the diet started, and overall since I got Wii Fit, I have lost around 2 stone (28lbs/13kg).
Food diary:
Breakfast: Greek yog, strawbs, bluebs
Snack: 2 chicken drumsticks
Lunch: 3 bean, tomato and bacon soup with side salad
Snack: nuts
Tea: Mackerel stir fried with veg and a few rice noodles.
So it was back to work, and today I tried a new approach to the snacking. I took a couple of chicken drumsticks I'd cooked last night with me as a mid-morning snack, and it definitely helped my energy levels stay constant. I had lunch a bit later than normal, then a late-afternoon snack of nuts, before having tea at about 7pm, AFTER a blast on the Wii Fit (step/hula/push-up/box) that was meant to be a quick weight check and 10 minute blast but ended up as almost 30 minutes of working out. Such are my energy levels, I just feel myself wanting to do it.
As for the weight, that's another 1lb off. That makes 13lb since the diet started, and overall since I got Wii Fit, I have lost around 2 stone (28lbs/13kg).
Food diary:
Breakfast: Greek yog, strawbs, bluebs
Snack: 2 chicken drumsticks
Lunch: 3 bean, tomato and bacon soup with side salad
Snack: nuts
Tea: Mackerel stir fried with veg and a few rice noodles.
Sunday, 30 January 2011
The weekend comes, the motor hums...
bringing more cake to me. Well, near me. It was offered but refused...again. Why does everyone have to have birthdays when I'm doing this diet?
Anyway, I found myself going along to food shopping yesterday, and the shopping bill increased by about 60% on last week. Such is the risk of having me along, seeing this and that on the shelves...new vegetables to try, chicken drumsticks to take to work as a snack...the wife knows that it's dangerous to have me with her now.
It would have been nice to be able to have a cheat meal this weekend. As I said, birthdays were on the agenda (my sister-in-law's), so we had a Sunday roast at the in-laws' house. I had pork, roast parsnips, carrots, cauliflower, 1 small plain boiled potato and NO gravy, stuffing or Yorkshire Puddings to start. I just sat in the living room during the starter. Maybe another time.
More temptation could have surfaced at rugby training (my boy's, not mine, I hasten to add). Bacon sarnies and cups of coffee are the order of the day from the clubhouse on most occasions, but this time I stayed out of the club and went to get the car washed before watching a bit of the training.
It wasn't too hard to resist. My resolve this time has been pretty unshakeable. It's just a shame I still feel crappy for periods of time. I don't know what it is, I just hope they reduce as I get leaner and fitter.
Another week beckons, then. I am looking forward to getting to Tuesday night and feeling like I've achieved something. I'm not going to go crazy, I'm going to stick to the prescribed 2 cheat meals a week.
So, food diary for the weekend:
Sat:
Breakfast: Omelette with bacon, spinach and peppers
Lunch: Veggie soup
Tea: Home-made burgers, sweet potato chips and hummus
Snack: Can't remember if I did, actually!
Sun:
Breakfast: Smoothie (using new smoothie maker procured on Saturday) made with banana, frozen berries and greek yoghurt. Yummy!
Lunch: Roast pork with veg (as described above)
Tea: Small burger left over from last night with small stir-fry veg portion
Snack: rice cakes with PB
Anyway, I found myself going along to food shopping yesterday, and the shopping bill increased by about 60% on last week. Such is the risk of having me along, seeing this and that on the shelves...new vegetables to try, chicken drumsticks to take to work as a snack...the wife knows that it's dangerous to have me with her now.
It would have been nice to be able to have a cheat meal this weekend. As I said, birthdays were on the agenda (my sister-in-law's), so we had a Sunday roast at the in-laws' house. I had pork, roast parsnips, carrots, cauliflower, 1 small plain boiled potato and NO gravy, stuffing or Yorkshire Puddings to start. I just sat in the living room during the starter. Maybe another time.
More temptation could have surfaced at rugby training (my boy's, not mine, I hasten to add). Bacon sarnies and cups of coffee are the order of the day from the clubhouse on most occasions, but this time I stayed out of the club and went to get the car washed before watching a bit of the training.
It wasn't too hard to resist. My resolve this time has been pretty unshakeable. It's just a shame I still feel crappy for periods of time. I don't know what it is, I just hope they reduce as I get leaner and fitter.
Another week beckons, then. I am looking forward to getting to Tuesday night and feeling like I've achieved something. I'm not going to go crazy, I'm going to stick to the prescribed 2 cheat meals a week.
So, food diary for the weekend:
Sat:
Breakfast: Omelette with bacon, spinach and peppers
Lunch: Veggie soup
Tea: Home-made burgers, sweet potato chips and hummus
Snack: Can't remember if I did, actually!
Sun:
Breakfast: Smoothie (using new smoothie maker procured on Saturday) made with banana, frozen berries and greek yoghurt. Yummy!
Lunch: Roast pork with veg (as described above)
Tea: Small burger left over from last night with small stir-fry veg portion
Snack: rice cakes with PB
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