My Intention is to live a healthy, active lifestyle.

Thank you for your support.


Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The Colonoscopy Diet





Ewwww! I can't believe what I'm reading. Three days before "the procedure" I need to start a low fiber diet. The day before I'll be on a clear liquid diet. The first thing I see on the instructions is:

Discontinue all vitamins for one week before your colonoscopy.

Discontinue roughage from your diet (fiber, oatmeal, bran, wheat, fruits, and vegetables). What? These are the foods I have been working on including in my diet for the past year.

Although I only have to do this for three days, I am not thrilled about the list of foods on this recommended list. The majority of the items are foods I have been working on eliminating from my diet for the past year.

Breads, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta: white bread, rolls, biscuits, croissants (made of white flour), pita, waffles, French toast, pancakes, white rice, noodles, potatoes, etc.

Strained Fruit Juice: custard, ice cream (without fruit or nuts), etc.

Meat and other protein: I'm fine with these suggestions so I won't list them.

Fats, Snacks, Sweets, Condiments, Beverages: margarine, butter, oils, mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, honey, syrup, plain cakes, cookies, hard candy, etc.

Okay....the thought of eating a slice of white bread makes me gag. I've never been a bread eater so most of that stuff is out for me. However, I'm all about the pasta. Now, we're talking. Lol!

Truthfully, I don't have much of an appetite these days. Since I can't take any pain killers, I've been kind of nauseous from headaches and cramps. I wish I could just drink protein shakes during this time. I'll probably eat a lot of plain baked fish and chicken, clear broth, noodles, potatoes, scrambled egg whites, creamy peanut butter, saltines, and clear Jell-O next week before "the procedure."

Fitness Quote of the Week

The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.

~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Forward March

I love my new doctor. I love the way she has created a spa-like atmosphere for her patients. There’s light, meditative music playing throughout the place. The receptionist offers you a beverage. Instead of hospital gowns, they have bath robes you can wear. The whole experience was like night and day from the previous Oncologist. Anyhow, she seems to think we’re most likely dealing with endometriosis. She also thinks the mass is more the size of a football. This probably explains why I was losing inches everywhere except my waist.

Due to the strong family medical history, she’s recommending a colonoscopy before surgery. Tomorrow I have a consultation with a Gastroenterologist.

Speaking of family, I made it through my mother’s birthday okay. I didn’t do anything special this year. I spent some time talking to her about what’s going on with my health. I wish she was here. I could really use a hug and smile from her these days.

***

I’m moving forward slowly but surely on the fitness front. Even though I’m not able to work out like I would like to right now, I continue to make a conscious effort to do something. Last Sunday, I went to Crystal gym with her and did two 10 minutes workouts on the elliptical. This week I did some walking and dumb bell workouts.

Yesterday, I wasn’t feeling so well but I made myself go for a walk anyhow. I really wanted to walk a mile so I pushed myself. It was a mistake. I was so miserable on the way back. My body was already sore from working out with weights on Tuesday and Thursday. I’ve been having cramps here and there, and haven’t been sleeping so well. It’s probably one of the reasons why I wasn’t feeling so well yesterday. I should have been satisfied doing a half mile. But oh no….I had to push. The doctor said she was fine with me exercising but nothing too strenuous.

I really need to practice what I preach and put my ego in check. Truth is I do not think I’m exercising sufficiently unless I breaking a sweat or feel sore afterwards…this from a person who not too long ago hated to sweat. Even though I knew I had overdone it, I had this wicked little smile on my face as I wiped away the sweat on my face.

Today I’m pulling out my mat and yoga DVDs. I think I should stick with yoga until my surgery is scheduled.

***

I spent a good part of this morning catching up on blogs. I want to give a huge shout out to Greg who was recently featured on his local news. There are so many quiet heroes out there. Greg on the Run was one of the very first blogs I starting following. Reading his story is the main reason I set a goal of getting off my diabetes medication. Until then, it never occurred to me that I didn’t have to take the medication for the rest of my life. It also helps that I now have a doctor who supports this goal. Congratulations Greg!

I also want to send some love into the Universe for the BIG fat truth. She hasn't been posting regularly. I wish her well on her journey.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Fitness Quote of the Week

The good Lord gave you a body that can stand most anything. It's your
mind you have to convince. ~ Vincent Lombardi

Monday, March 15, 2010

Fitness Quote of the Week

Obstacles are those frightening things that become visible when we take our eyes off our goals. ~Henry Ford

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

What's Going On?

Where to begin? Let's see. I "fired" my surgeon on Monday. Although I really liked the doctor, I could not deal with his staff. As a patient, I deserve to be treated with respect and compassion. I'm sure these people get desensitized to working with people at times but their behavior was inexcusable! They were nonresponsive. When they finally returned my calls, they were rude. It took them over one week to find paperwork they claimed my general doctor never sent. My general doctor faxed the paperwork three times! A whole red flag should have went up when my brother and I walked into the office and the receptionist was selling Girl Scout cookies in the waiting area. Lol! Even though I'm a bit upset that I had to find a new doctor, I do feel empowered because the situation was becoming so stressful. I plan to compose a nice, scathing letter to his office soon.

I've been excercising here and three. I'm able to walk a mile. I also work out with light weights from time to time. I'm loving the green smoothies. They primarily consist of greens and fruit. Now, I plan to start experimenting with protein powder.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Fitness Quote of the Week

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow. ~Mary Anne Radmacher

Monday, March 1, 2010

Fitness Quote of the Week

“Fitness is not an end to a means. Fitness is an evolving process of self-development.” ~Louis Moore