June 12, 2012: Post 518 (2012 Day 164)

June 12, 2012

Daily Comment

The weekend visit with my family is still reverberating pleasantly with me, even after two days have passed.

My brother, who looked a little rocky last time I saw him, was looking very well. Last time, he was still in recovery from a mild stroke that affected his sight, although, thankfully, it did not otherwise impair him. Usually, I hate the idea of 'it could have been worse' as a consolation, but in this case, not so much.

And my sister also looked well. Not to mention my sister-in-law, who, although I haven't spent nearly as much time with her, I love as if we grew up together.

My two siblings have health problems which I do not, although, given our common genetics, these health issues are always lurking just around the corner. Still, I have been massively fortunate, and, I hope, appropriately grateful, to have escaped cardiac problems and to have been cured of the few unique health challenges I've faced in the last 15 years.

For many years, that genetic risk factor has haunted me and modified my doctors' assessment and treatment of anything that presents itself as connected to that threat. It is the reason I'm taking medication for high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol (a statin).

I started this blog with the goal of reducing/eliminating my need for these drugs by losing weight. My previous doctor, back in North Carolina, had told me that weight loss was the key to solving the problems these drugs (which I started taking about 7 years ago down there) were treating. 

In the case of the high blood pressure medication, I have halved the amount I'm taking since I started losing weight, and I don't think I need it at all any more. My doctor disagrees, so I still take it. 

In the case of the statin, my doctor insists it is helpful, necessary, even. I think it is not, that it is treating symptoms, not causes, and that it is possible that side-effects are creating new problems (there's a link to taking statins and developing diabetes, for instance). I'm determined to get away from taking statins.

But, that's all boring stuff. The pleasure of spending face-time with family? Priceless.

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Food and Diet Section

Today's Weight:        204.2 lbs 
Yesterday's Weight:    205.2   lbs  * estimated.
Day Net Loss/Gain:     - 1.0 lbs

Year 2012 daily weight from December 31, 2011.

Diet Comment:

A pretty large amount of food post-fast may have spoiled today's weigh-in, but I'm hoping today's normal, and not excessive, eating will drop a little more weight. Plus, I've sworn off pepperoni (at least for the rest of the week).

Once again, I'm shooting to drop to under 200 pounds by the weekend. Otherwise, I may do something I haven't done in 1-1/2 years: Cancel my cheat.

Food Log

Breakfast
A cocoa-kale protein shake (almond milk, vanilla whey protein (36g protein), raw egg, kale, cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, stevia-inulin blend).

Lunch

Roasted turkey, hard-boiled egg, Spring Mix greens, red cabbage and balsamic vinaigrette. 

Dinner

Sweet Italian-style chicken sausage, spinach and eggs, salsa, and broccoli with tomato-lentil curry.

Snack

Hard-boiled eggs and guacamole.

Liquid Intake

    Coffee:   22 oz,   Water:128+ oz

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