Chucky's Confession Time - 22AUG2011

"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not."

 - Mark Twain

Hey my friend!  We made it through another weekend.  Hopefully without damage, scarring, and a smile laid upon our faces?

Let the metrics begin!  As I sit here on Sunday writing these words for Monday, I again don't know what to expect.  I suppose I do not expect a dramatic weight loss but am hoping for something.  I don't see how I could have gained but the body and metabolism plays some pretty funny games sometimes.  

I've made a valiant effort to reduce my calories and give-and-take when I have consumed excess carbohydrates.  Sometimes I've felt guilty after eating a meal but then weigh the true caloric cost of the meal.

For example, let's take last night’s supper that Tiffany and I consumed.  Three QuinoaStuffed Mushrooms are negligible impact.  We also consumed a cup of Cauliflower Mushroom Soup.  Trust me... It tasted as sinful as creamy fettuccine Alf redo sauce but contained only around 100-calories!!!  Basically, it was cooked leeks with cauliflower boiled, then creamed in a blender, with sautéed mushrooms tossed in (recipe blog forthcoming).  It was a dinner around 150- to 200-calories in range as payment towards the Planet Wrap lunch that we enjoyed earlier in the day.  At Planet Wrap we chose a Mr. Gourdini bowl which includes:  mashed potatoes, white rice, pinto beans, Pico de Gallo, Greek dressing, and some of Olga's truly 2-die-4 hot salsa (she needs to sell it to go).

NOTE:  It is with much regret (but many happy memories) that I must report that Wrap Planet is now out of business.

WEIGHT (newest to oldest)

• 8-22-2011, Dr X office visit - 319 pounds
• 8-15-2011, Dr X office visit - 322 pounds
• 8-8-2011, Dr X office visit - 330 pounds
• 8-2-2011, Dr Y office visit - 330 pounds
• 8-1-2011, Dr X office visit - 331 pounds
• 7-25-2011, Dr X office visit - 344 pounds
• 11-1-2010, home scale - 318.4 pounds

BLOOD PRESSURE (newest to oldest)

• 8-22-2011, Dr X office visit - 132/70 mm/Hg
• 8-22-2011, self-test blood pressure - 117/71 mm/Hg
• 8-15-2011, Dr X office visit - 132/80 mm/Hg
• 8-15-2011, self-test blood pressure - 121/76 mm/Hg
• 8-8-2011, Dr X office visit - 136/78 mm/Hg
• 8-8-2011, self-test blood pressure - 120/70 mm/Hg
• 8-2-2011, Dr Y office visit - 122/84 mm/Hg
• 8-1-2011, self-test blood pressure - 125/75 mm/Hg
• 11-1-2010, self-test blood pressure - 123/79 mm/Hg

PULSE RATE (newest to oldest)

• 8-22-2011, self-test pulse rate = 69 pulse/minute
• 8-15-2011, self-test pulse rate = 74 pulse/minute
• 8-8-2011, self-test pulse rate = 79 pulse/minute
• 8-1-2011, self-test pulse rate = 76 pulses/minute
• 11-1-2010, self-test pulse rate = 74 pulses/minute

BLOOD GLUCOSE (newest to oldest)

• 8-22-2011, self-test Glucose (fasting) - 128 mg/dL
• 8-15-2011, self-test Glucose (fasting) - 115 mg/dL
• 8-8-2011, self-test Glucose (fasting) - 117 mg/dL
• 8-1-2011, self-test Glucose (fasting) - 120 mg/dL
• 11-1-2010, self-test Glucose (fasting) - 114 mg/dL

LAB RESULTS (newest to oldest)

• Sugar (< 100 normal)
• 8-16-2011 --> 113
• 6-11-2010 --> 106
• Liver Function
• 8-16-2011 --> normal
• 6-11-2010 --> normal
• Kidney Function
• 8-16-2011 --> normal
• 6-11-2010 --> normal
• Cholesterol (< 200 normal)
• 8-16-2011 --> 208
• 6-11-2010 --> 226
  
• Triglycerides (< 150 normal)
• 8-16-2011 --> 193
• 6-11-2010 --> 120
  
• HDL - good (> 40 normal)
• 8-16-2011 --> 39
• 6-11-2010 --> 45
  
• LDL - bad (< 100 normal)
• 8-16-2011 --> 130
• 6-11-2010 --> 157
  
• Hemoglobin A1C (< 5.7 normal)
• 8-16-2011 --> 5.8
• 6-11-2010 --> 5.9
  
• Vitamin D
• 8-16-2011 --> normal
  

Okay.  Now that doctor's visit is over what are my thoughts?  Better 3 pounds lost than none at all.  I'm not disappointed because it was truly 3 effortless pounds lost.

What is more concerning are the lab results from this past Tuesday's blood work.  I was hoping there might be a relationship or correlation between the testing and treatments that I have been receiving to the sugar and cholesterol levels.  Unfortunately, according to Dr X, there are not.

He agreed that the plant-based (vegetarian) diet is a good start.  However, existing body weight and hereditary reasons might explain the numbers.  However, I will discuss the lab results with Dr Y in November.

All-in-all, I am still quite pleased that the measures I am taking are the correct ones.  It's simply a matter of allowing time for the weight loss to contribute it's part.  Once the excess weight has disappeared the benefits of the diet will then be pronounced in superior lab results.

Hi-dee hi-dee may-the-work-week-pass-us-by-quickly-ho!