Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Wellness Wednesday 5: Test Results and New Motivation

Hey, remember when I first started this and I told you about missing blood work?  I finally had it redone and got the results on Monday.  There's some good news and some bad news.  The good news is that the results are probably a really good indication of why I've been so tired lately.

The bad news?  Well, there are three parts to it.

First, my fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c tests both came back high.  Not ridiculously high, mind you, but just over the OK limit.  What's the other side of the OK limit called?  It's called prediabetes, folks.  So, yeah.

Second, my Vitamin D is very low.  When I last had these tests done, about 2 years ago, it was low then, too.  I took a prescription D pill and the number went up after three months.  It's back down now, so I'm back on the prescription.  It's a mega dose that I have to take once a week for 12 weeks, then we retest.  Low Vitamin D is linked to fatigue, so it makes sense that no matter how well I would sleep I'd still feel like hell.  What is most disturbing about this is that there is a link between Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis, the disease that killed my mother.  From what I've read it's not clear if it's a cause or effect of the disease, but either way I'm not comfortable with it.  I can't do anything about it except to take better care of myself, so that's what I'm going to do.

Finally, my cholesterol is just inside the healthy range.  Many years ago it was quite high, but with diet and exercise I lowered it.  Last time I had tests it was OK, but it's gone up since.  I haven't been going in the right direction these last few years.

At the moment, I'm still 28 pounds from the top of my healthy weight range (I'm down 5 the healthy way, so yay for that).  Obviously I knew that there was a chance that these tests were going to show signs that my excess weight was starting to really impact my overall health.  Did I think we'd be throwing around the word diabetes?  No, not really.  But we are.

The doctor has advised, again obviously, that I lose weight.  She wants me to exercise regularly (we'll get to that in a minute) and watch what I eat.  She has suggested less carbs, low fat, low sugar.  I'm tempted to ask what that leaves for me to eat, but I know the answer to that even if it's an answer I don't really want to hear.  I know how to eat well, I just don't know how to not get bored.  I don't know how to not eat my feelings.  I don't know how to say no to foods I know I shouldn't eat.

So what about this exercise?  So far this month, I've walked 10.06 miles.  I didn't walk today because it's hotter than the sun out there.  I've done 1,600 jumping jacks and 405 crunches over the last 11 days, which now that I've written it doesn't really sound like a whole lot.  My calves and "abs" would argue that point, though.  I missed one day but made it up the next, which was a terrible thing.  No more missing days.

I've learned two things about jumping jacks:  After having a baby, jumping with anything other than a completely empty bladder is dangerous. Sad but true. I'm considering exercising in the bathroom from now on. Also, I need to wear a bra while doing The Jacks.  You'd think that would be a no-brainer, but ladies, you know how it is when you take that bra off for the day.  It's not going back on no matter what. Must jump before the bra comes off.

One other thing - watching my son do jumping jacks is about the most hilarious thing ever.  I really do love when the wants to jump with me.  If only watching extreme cuteness could burn calories...

Seriously though, I was pretty motivated before this week. Those test results just added fuel to my fire.

8 comments:

  1. Yikes, the word "diabetes" is super scary. I had to have an oral glucose tolerance test a few months ago, so I understand just how anxiety producing those results can be. The good news is there are lots of things you can do, and you are doing them all already. Congrats on being 5 pounds down, and I love how you are setting such a great example for your son.

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    1. I want Nathan to see that living a healthier lifestyle is what we are working on. Eating less junk, exercising, and taking care of ourselves is important. I want him to grow up with good habits.

      I wish there was a way to turn this all around overnight, but there isn't. I am pretty confident that making positive, long-term changes will help since all of the results weren't devastatingly awful.

      Thanks for all the support!

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  2. I love you and love how you are are taking responsiblity for your health. I would rather run a marathon than do a jumping jack. Bad memories from grammar school.

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    1. The JJs are hard, but they feel like good exercise. My shoulders, oddly enough, are what hurt the most after doing them. I may actually keep them up permanently. Ask me again on September 30th though when I have to do 750 in one day.

      And thanks for being such a great, supportive friend!

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  3. Ack!! Girl! Bras are a requirement! Even better, a sports bra! Your tatas will thank you. :)

    I think you are doing GREAT. Love your face. xox

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    1. I have sports bras, they're just all the way over there {points to another room}. This is a big part of the reason working out is such a pain in the ass. Not only do I have to do the actual work out, but I have to change my clothes before, change my clothes after, clean myself up... Who has time for all this?? OK, I know, lots of people do and so do I but I feel like whining.

      Thanks for being there for me, and I love your face right back!!

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  4. You can definitely turn pre-diabetes around so go you! Don't you work from home now? I roll out of bed, put on work out clothes, and stay in them until I exercise. Sometimes I don't take a shower until 3 or 4. Can you just put on workout clothes when you first wake up?
    I know it's hard but try not to worry too much about the vitD thing. MS is still really poorly understood and I would take that type of info with a grain of salt. XOXO

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    1. I do work from home, so theoretically I could do like you do. But I often shower first thing just to wake up. I'm not sure I could get the day going without it. Plus it's really the only time I have, by 3 or 4 I'd be so busy I'd probably forget for days.

      Thanks about the MS. I try not to read too much about it just so I don't get worried. It's hard to not think about it sometimes.
      xoxo

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