Bruising from Injections During Week 3

I have never liked needles...this doesn't help either.

Week 2

Dosage: 1.2mg
Weight: Unknown at the time.

Spring break in the past had normally been filled with over eating and lots of late night wine drinking with my DH's grandmother.  I was terrified on how my system was going to survive this endeavour.  I made sure I had enough of my little nano needles and two pens to cover the break (1 I kept chilled in the cooler since I wouldn't need it until the end of the trip).

Low calorie diet seems to get thrown out the window when you start with a car full of carb snacks and sugary drinks.   I was proud of myself for opting to bring my water bottle and diet raspberry tea.  The snacks got me but I realized I had the ability to say "no" more than I normally had in the past.  Ideally I should have packed some celery sticks, carrots, and maybe fruit to keep in the cooler but...that was not in the cards.  I honestly tried to keep track on MyFitnessPal.  However, that doesn't always work or for me either when I don't have exact details or I forget to log it as I'm eating.   Did I have one or two squares of Ghirardelli chocolate?  The point is I was and am still trying.  I don't use it to dictate what I can and can not eat...more of a analytical approach to see where my bad triggers lie and what I can do to avoid them.

Through the week I enjoyed myself without obsessive snacking and drinking.  I wasn't hung over in the late mornings, dependant on coffee to chase my bitch attitude away so I could get on with the day.  Granted when you are on any vacation, being woken up by "Mommy, I'm hungry," is an acceptable reason to groan a little bit.  Dinners were single servings instead of seconds and thirds.  All starting with a salad and good conversation.  Pork chop spaghetti night did result in my feeling extra full and heading to bed before DH.  Other than a few nights where I snuck a homemade magic bar cookie I can look back and not be ashamed of how I did.

If you look at my fitbit tracker for the week it looks pretty pathetic.  But...there was a ton of swimming.   Now when you have a three year old you don't really get to swim for your own leisure but rather for theirs.  I made it a point to not touch the bottom or sides of the pool unless absolutely necessary.  Staying in motion ensured that I was staying active.   I had fun too.  

I can't wait to get home and check the scale to see if this all made a difference.  I will be happy if I stayed the same.  In my mind it would still be a win.

Until next time...

Week 1

Dosage: .6
Weight: 251

This is going to be short and sweet because I was just starting out and had a ton if things going on.

I will say a few tips...

1.  Stay the hell away from Taco Bell or at least know that you will not be able to eat the same amount of food you once did from the establishment.  Trust me...if you do you won't be making that mistake again.

2.  Get into a routine.  I chose to take my. Saxenda in the morning and keep my pen next to my contact lens case which is also next to my toothbrush.  I see it when I go to bed so that it is still relevant in my mind when I get up in the morning.  I am not a routine medicine person...I admit I'm horrible.

3.  Be prepared for changes even if they are subtle.  I noticed some out of the norm headaches popping up at random.  I used ibuprofen.  I noticed that I actually felt full...something I've not really done at all lately unless I was stuffing myself beyond full.

4.  Water...with a second helping of water, with a side of water, followed by some water and then wash it down with a tall glass of water!

That is pretty much it.

Don't Do What I Did

March 17, 2016

To recap - I began a voluntary weight loss journey the day before St. Patrick's Day with my doctor's permission by using a newer medication called Saxenda.  Well I decided to wait until the next morning to begin using it.

Before I begin on what not to do when beginning this drug please let me explain what you should do.  You need to research everything!  This is a newer drug so not all physicians will be familiar with it.  You need to monitor your progress and side effects as you begin with a minimum dose for the first week and work up to the full dose of 3mg.  The website and pamphlets included in the box both display this chart and it needs to be followed as directed.  Don't do what I did:

I woke up that morning to a full day planned with getting the kids to the sitter, running to the office, heading downtown to the parade, running back across town for an erand and back to pick up kiddos ( 2 DDs) then head home.

I began with my first dosage.   I opened up my box of needles, checked the prescription on the box for my dosage (the full 3mg), dialed my pen, mini hyperventilated due to trying to get over my fear of needless, then stuck myself and breathed a sigh of relief it was over. 

Long story short (because I'm doing this via my cell phone and I've lost 3 drafts already) I didn't eat, had a lot of physical activity, then started getting sick.

Had an overall feeling of just being unwell.   Headache, nausea, then two rounds of vomitting...my DH was thinking I needed to see a doctor.  I told him I just wanted to go to bed and that's what I did.

I had realized my mistake with the dosage about an hour after taking it because I was just messing with the box.  I decided to take a break the next day and would start over on the weekend. 

Ice-T Accompanied Me in the Parade

Ground Zero

You know that feeling like the floor has dropped beneath you but the only thing that is falling are your insides while you stay paralyzed until it passes?  The fear alone causes your heart to race and you can't catch your breath until your mind finally plays 52 card pick up and you regain control.

Pre-diabetic...

Those were the words I read in the email from my doctor on Wednesday March 16th, 2016.  It's not to say I didn't see it coming.  I arrived that morning and weighed in at 256 lbs and being 5'4" which equals morbidly obese.  I have been overweight all of my life...even when I was in my mind "skinny" at 190 just only 2.5 years ago.  I have tried all the diets I am nutritionally able to. I'm allergic to Eggs.  In time they all fail because I make up excuses on the fly.  I am horrible with following medications because I get on them knowing that they are a benefit but then my subconscious shines through with the opinion of, "you don't need that as a crutch!"

The actual reason for the appointment was indeed to talk about weight loss. Go Figure!  What sparked my interest was an ad I came across in Cooking Light Magazine for Saxenda.  I read the ad and wondered, "Could this be for me?"  It is an injectable medication that increases the levels of insulin in your body and slows your digestive tract to reduce your appetite.  When paired with a healthy diet and routine exercise it helps further the results of weight loss.  It of course comes with a list of side effects but honestly when you use anything to alter your own body's chemistry you run the risk of side effects so my advise is read up and learn what you are getting into.  I decided asking my doctor wouldn't hurt, the worst he could do was say no.  So I made my appointment and dropped it in his lap for his approval.

An hour later I was at CVS picking up my pens and needles.  I decided I would start the next day fresh and work on how I was going to start planning my meals and exercise routines.  I am behind on this blog post... 1st one and I'm already late, ya that's me in a nut shell.  ...so I will continue on the next one of what not to do on your first day.

**disclaimer, I am not a paid spokes person for any medication, companies, or businesses listed in this blog as well as any medical references can not be used as advice as I am not a licensed physician, just a patient explaining personal results**