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After high school, my weight was around 135#.... two weeks ago I weighed in at ~156#. I've had no good reasons to have reached this weight (such as having kids) other than really long hours at work... officially I spend between 48-60 hrs/week working; but often actually spend 16-18 hrs/day 4-5 days per week. In addition to getting back to a healthier weight, I need to learn how to manage my time (as well as say "no") at work. I'm feeling frazzled and pretty burned out.

Anyway, about 20 days ago I started Beyond Calories... I've lost only 6# in that time, but I'm seeing a change in my body composition (yeehaw). It's funny how people at work all seem to notice when other people are on a diet... everyone wants to know all the details and of course the mocking/joking ensues when it's discovered that I paid for an online diet. The most positive thing I've noticed is that I'm experiencing an easy time avoiding all the c..r..a..p..(cakes, pastries, candy) that clients are forever leaving for the staff (not to mention the cookies my boss always has available for clients while they wait). The six meals daily gives me a schedule to follow; I'm now eating much more healthy.

I like the idea of this Diary and tracking goals, noteworthy events, etc...... since my life seems to be a jumbled mass of countdowns:

countdown to my new weight
countdown to moving
countdown to my new job
countdown to planning for my next goal in December
countdown to getting to the point of working less (in the next 1-4 years)
countdown to a time when I can spend more time living my life rather than "working" my life...
and on and on and on....

ADDENDUM... interestingly, when I typed in the word c..r..a..p.. (without the periods), the program replaced the word with "#%@&!". I wasn't expecting that.

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Joined:	29 April 2008
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Posted: 1 May 2008 06:05 am

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Starting Wt 156
Current Wt 150
3rd Cycle: Day 1
Total exercise for April: 12 miles

My weekend is over as of bedtime tonight. Today is Day 1 (3rd cycle) for Beyond Calories. Fruit day is my favorite :tongue:

Eating is such a social activity. Dieting --( as Weight Watchers aptly points out )-- is not. Since I do very little social eating, I've decided that when these occasions pop up, I will feel no guilt for my food choices... just won't go crazy. So today I had the "Mean Joe Green" sans the really unhealthy stuff :smile:

... along with a few of the community cajun fries :monkey:

.

Meal 1:    eggs scrambled**
Meal 2:    lettuce + tomato + broccoli +cheese**
Meal 3:    grapes + raspberries
Meal 4:    grapes + blueberries
Meal 5:    hard boiled egg + almonds
Meal 6:    grapes + raspberries
**replaced Meals 1-2 with Mean Joe Green

NOTEWORTHY:  woke up early to release the Canda Goose. A few weeks ago, local police found the goose in the street; lethargic, wing injury with minor bleeding. Determined there was permanent elbow damage = no more flying for this goose. After month-long rehab, she is ready for release back to the wild (as "wild" as you can get in the city)... luckily for her, there's a wildlife sanctuary with adequate protection/food for a flightless goose. On another subject, Aunt Flo showed up today... explains my doom-n-gloom for past couple days. Happily, a new Top Chef is on tonight! Did laundry; cleaned kitchen + 1 cat box; prepared meals for the next few days. Still need to pay rent and get the boring thing completed and mailed.

Last edited on 2 May 2008 06:44 am by Countdown...

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Posted: 4 May 2008 09:42 pm

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Starting Wt 156
Current Wt 150
3rd Cycle: Day 5
Total exercise for May: 0 miles

Today is my only day off this week... and my apt is like an oven!!! Didn't have a chance to get on the scale at work this week, so I'm hoping that I've hit 149. I know why the weight loss is slow... I'm choosing to drink my coffee with flavored creamer (good amt of calories/fat/sugar) because it helps me get up in the a.m. Additionally, I'm not combining my foods as ideally as I could be. I tend to combine with cheese when allowed (my form of "reward" for eating other things I'm not as fond of) rather than following BC Rule #3: "Try to eat half of your daily food intake from vegetables; they are high in fiber and have other fat burning qualities... try to eat about half of your daily food intake from this list (broccoli, green beans, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, spinach, zucchini, navy beans, brussels sprouts, squash, apples, oranges, pears, peaches, plumbs, pinto beans, lentils, onions, peppers, cauliflower, garbanzo beans)."

Meal 1:    eggs scrambled + swiss cheese slice
Meal 2:    salmon + string cheese
Meal 3:    lettuce + tomato + broccoli
Meal 4:    ham + cheese slices
Meal 5:    hard boiled egg + almonds
Meal 6:    cottage cheese + pineapple

NOTEWORTHY: A rabbbit transferred in with GI stasis and possible GI foreign body. It's pretty common for rabbits to develop extreme intestinal gas distension and decreased intestinal motility. There are specific drugs to promote motility (cisapride +/- reglan) and decrease the gas (simethicone aka Little Tummies for children); and just as specifically there are drugs to avoid =>Torbugesic is an opioid that was being given to this rabbit for pain... in all species, opioids decrease intestinal motility and rabbits seem esp sensitive to torb. This rabbit had been hospitalized on poor-choice meds for 3 days with no improvement, no appetite and no defecation (a healthy rabbit it ALWAYS eating and ALWAYS pooping); the transfer-er was going down the path of obstructive etiology, but this rabbit seemed more like a "gassy" bunny not an obstructed bunny. Anyway, I added and removed key meds and otherwise tweaked the treatment plan for an ADR (Aint Doin' Right) rabbit... by the time I left last night the rabbit was eating and I saw in the record this morning that he is now passing fecal balls :grin:

Last edited on 7 May 2008 01:29 pm by Countdown...

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Posted: 4 May 2008 10:19 pm

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Theresa
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Joined:	20 September 2007
Location:	Kampala, Uganda
Posts:	704

Posted: 5 May 2008 12:21 pm

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Hey coundown, good for you on taking care of your weight before it get's too bad. :grin:

Are you a vetenarian's assistant. You job sounds so cool. :dog:

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Posted: 6 May 2008 01:39 pm

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Wow... I actually FINALLY made it out of the 150 range (although it's only one pound... I'm still happy!). :smile:

Hi Theresa... I'm actually a vet... which is a very cool job!! I decided to do this as a second career in my 30s ... very happy I made the change :chicken:

Starting Wt 156
Current Wt 149
3rd Cycle: Day 8
Total exercise for May: 0 miles

Not having enough time during the work day to eat all my meals... plus only getting enough 5-6 hours sleep. I will work harder today to work in all my meals.

Meal 1:    eggs scrambled + swiss cheese slice
Meal 2:    salmon + string cheese
Meal 3:    lettuce + tomato + broccoli + string beans
Meal 4:    ham + cheese slices
Meal 5:    lettuce + tomato + broccoli
Meal 6:    cottage cheese + almonds

NOTEWORTHY:  Therapy for anorexic vomting cat was successful. Kitty went home yesterday with appetite (thank you cyprohetadine-appetite stimulant) and no vomting for two days. Also found what looked like a fatty mass between stomach and liver so FNA'd it. Had to say goodbye to the other cat... he had way too many things going on... hyperthyroidism, emaciated (weight=1.9kg=4.2#), chronic renal failure, heart murmur (probably physiologic), pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disase, anemia due to the CRF. The kidneys produce a hormone (erythropoeitin) that goes to our bone marrow and stimulates red blood cell production. When the kidneys are no longer able to do their job (ie chronic renal failure), they will cease producing erythropoeitin = no stimulation of red blood cell production = decreased # of red blood cells in blood stream = anemia ( = feeling very weak/tired cuz less oxygen is therefore transported thru-out the body). All things combined here make for very circular dysfunctions that feed off each other....

Last edited on 8 May 2008 05:00 am by Countdown...

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Posted: 9 May 2008 07:45 am

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Starting Wt 156
Current Wt 149
3rd Cycle: Day 9
Total exercise for May: 0 miles

Slow day initially that became busy at the end thus did not eat a couple of my meals. And I keep weighing myself daily on the dog scale up front... so change seems very slow BUT I'm seeing the differece in the mirror. I have two days off coming up soon... will jog at least one of those days. Ah... one of my most favorite teas is Good Earth Original Sweet & Spicey Tea and Herb Blend.... THE BEST EVER :star:

Meal 1:    eggs scrambled + swiss cheese slice
Meal 2:    salmon + string cheese
Meal 3:    lettuce + tomato + broccoli + string beans
Meal 4:    ham + cheese slices
Meal 5:    lettuce + tomato + broccoli ****no time to eat
Meal 6:    cottage cheese + pineapples ****no time to eat

NOTEWORTHY:  Saw a star-gazing 11 week old white Pomeranian puppy... she was very cute with a fancy name to boot. As with most puppies we see, she was hypoglycemic... blood glucose too low to register. It is the star-gazing behavior that was most concerning. Star-gazing is a term that describes a specific behavior seen in animal when they are experiencing neurologic dysfunction. The puppy's head and neck would raise almost straight up... as if she was "gazing at the stars." In her case, it was most likely due to a liver shunt (where blood vessels bypass the liver, thus preventing the liver from doing its job of filtering toxins from the blood; toxins remain in the blood and affect the brain). Another possible cause of this behavior is hydrocephalus (build up of fluid in brain ventricles). This puppy had an open fontanelle (soft spot) at top of her skull (~1cm gap between unfused sections of skull bones) with abnormally large ventricles in the brain seen via ultrasound. Weirdness between the owner and the breeder (who recently sold her this young, young puppy) prevented any further treatment or diagnostics.

Last edited on 12 May 2008 06:14 am by Countdown...

jackbenimble
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Joined:	1 May 2008
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Posts:	43

Posted: 9 May 2008 11:22 am

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Hey Countdown,

Cool graph! what is that, six 7 pounds already? I started last Thursday, got from 180 to 175, and am now back at 177. Animals? I like cats, as long as they aren't nasty. I would like to have one, but my wife doesn't like the idea. I'm not to fond of changing the litter myself, used to do it as a kid. But with our daughter off too college in the fall, it might not be a bad idea!

Working so many hours is tough, although a huge factor obviously is that you like your job, which makes it bearable. Plus, I take it you own your own business - huge! My goal is to be my own boss - someday!

Jack B. Nimble

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Posted: 10 May 2008 07:35 pm

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Starting Wt 156
Current Wt 149
3rd Cycle: Day 10
Total exercise for May: 3 miles

Hey there Jack B. Nimble... yes I too very much like the wormy graph. It's kinda nice to monitor my progress this way. I'm also experiencing the annoying up-n-down micro-weights; 149 one day then 150 the next. Nope, I'm not the boss... just another employee. I think my favorite animal is the cat...!!! All the rest are pretty great, but I personally own cats (eat and sleep with them... how much more personal can ya get!). Yeah... litterbox duties are my least favorite... especially when it's time to change out the litter... I have to carry the refuse downstairs which is a hassle. Occasionally I have to sweep up a trail of litter that was escaping from a hole in the garbage bag unbeknownst to me. Hmmmm with one less person in the household, you could really get creative with a "new addition" to the family... so many cool pet options out there! :smile:

Will jog today as this is my day off. Work called me just to inquire regarding how to maneuver around the digital radiology program.  Taking lots of stuff to Goodwill in preparation for moving next month.

Meal 1:    eggs scrambled
Meal 2:    salmon + string cheese
Meal 3:    lettuce + tomato + string beans
Meal 4:    ham + cheese slices + mustard
Meal 5:    lettuce + tomato + broccoli
Meal 6:    cottage cheese + pineapples

NOTEWORTHY:  Little cockatiel came in with seemingly neurologic issues (right head tilt; listing to right; ataxia). He was way too stressed to handle... these little guys will easily expire if you attempt to administer treatments while they're in such a compromised condition. Problem is that meds and fluids are needed to help with shock and possible cerebral edema.... but by treating (meaning using gentle restraint to administer subcutaneous fluids and intramuscular injections), their stress level increases even more so that their body can't compensate and everything shuts down. Catch 22. Sadly, this little well-loved 12 year old cockatiel died within 1.5 hours of presentation. My best guess based on history is possibly a seizure or head trauma.

Last edited on 12 May 2008 06:13 am by Countdown...

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Posted: 12 May 2008 06:12 am

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Starting Wt 156
Current Wt 149
4th Cycle: Day 1
Total exercise for May: 5 miles

Have to go in tomorrow on my day off; plus I have to do the overnights. Kinda bummed cuz I'm so very tired. Went to store today, but still forgot to get a few things (need more tea); was able to find the Sobe Lean that I like and the peach ice tea. Watched a couple movies today and then saw Survivor conclusion (still going right now).

Meal 1:    eggs scrambled
Meal 2:    grapes + raspberries
Meal 3:    lettuce + tomato + broccoli + baked beans ***probably had too much of this***
Meal 4:    grapes + raspberries
Meal 5:    ham + cheese slices *** ate way way way too much of this tonight
Meal 6:    May choose to skip***

NOTEWORTHY:  Nothing comes to mind right now....

Last edited on 12 May 2008 04:56 pm by Countdown...

Theresa
Senior Member

Joined:	20 September 2007
Location:	Kampala, Uganda
Posts:	704

Posted: 12 May 2008 09:46 am

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Hey Countdown you are doing great. I just love reading your Noteworthy's so please don't stop. You sound like a nice vet, but then again I suppose mose vets are nice :tongue:

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Posted: 15 May 2008 05:11 am

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Starting Wt 156
Current Wt 149
4th Cycle: Day 3
Total exercise for May: 5 miles

Hi Theresa... thanks for the encouraging words... :smile:

. I was reading about your "plateau" frustration... egad... no fun to be stuck & seemingly making no progress. Nice job with the consistent exercise!! It's hard to push through the feelings of demotivation.

Just finished my two overnights.... slept a few hours today and will return to my 7am to 7pm schedule tomorrow. I've been hovering between 149 to 150 over the past couple weeks; frustrating. I'd really like to weigh in at 148... and stay in the 140s. I felt that getting into the 140s (no longer the 150+ poundage) was a mini-milestone.... and so every time my weight fluctuates back to 150 I feel a bit deflated. :nono:

Yea -- there's a new episode of Top Chef on tonight. :thumbsup:

Meal 1:    eggs scrambled
Meal 2:    salmon + string cheese
Meal 3:    lettuce + tomato + broccoli + mushroom
Meal 4:    ham + cheese slices
Meal 5:    lettuce + tomato + broccoli + mushroom ***didn't have this meal***
Meal 6:    pinapple + cottage cheese

.... :snail: .... :snail: ...... :snail: ..... :snail: .... :snail: .... :skull: .... :snail: ... :snail: .... :snail: ....... :snail: .... :snail: ...... :snail: .....

NOTEWORTHY: "Shake-N-Bake" is the slang terminology for a specific toxin ingestion: Snail Bait (aka metaldehyde). Shake = tremors, seizures. Bake = very high body temperature. This is one of the common cases that we see on emergency. A Puggle came in with severe tremors and a temperature of 110-F (!!!!). Holy :cow:

Cow... normal temperature for a dog should be 100-102. A 110-F temperature is at the very dangerous level of denaturing the proteins in the body (DNA, enzymes, etc) = badness ensues. We actively cooled the dog (tepid water; NEVER cold/ice water) to 103-F, admin'd robaxin (muscle relaxant; multiple injections) and valium (for seizures) intravenously; performed gastric lavage (pumped the stomach) and a warm water enema (to empty colon, thus decreasing potential re-absorption of snail bait from feces via large intestine mucosa). The last snail bait dog (a black lab) with a temperature that high went into DIC and died despite our very best efforts (plasma transfusions, 24 hour intensive care) to support him thru the crisis.

DIC = Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy = spontaneous bleeding throughout the body sans appropriate clotting mechanism/factors. The informal acronym-slang for DIC is "death is coming" or "dead in cage."

Happily, this Puggle didn't succumb to DIC; however the amount of snail bait that he consumed caused him to exhibit tremors for a good 36 hours after initial treatment. I received multiple Puggle kisses when I discharged him to owner today. For the record, there is wildlife and pet FRIENDLY snail bait available now... this is an indication as to how prevalent --how very common-- snail bait intoxication is. It's very rare that manufacturers will develop and market pet-friendly pesticide/poison products re: profit margins tend to be meager.

.... :snail: .... :snail: ...... :snail: ..... :snail: .... :snail: .... :skull: .... :snail: ... :snail: .... :snail: ....... :snail: .... :snail: ...... :snail: .....

Last edited on 15 May 2008 06:48 am by Countdown...

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