Tag Archives: weightloss

Health Journal weekend summary July 21

On Top of the RV!

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! HEAR YE!
ALCOHOL RAISES FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE!

I’ll research this…..this last weekend has sort of produced my own test. I never have hangovers – even when I was in the Navy and drunk so much that I did not remember getting back to the barracks – I was fine the next day. So – there was no performance reason to avoid alcohol.

Actually – it effects Type1 Diabetics with Hypoglycemia

But mine is a strange version of type2 and I should have read the MedNet article on alcohol before testing!

Alcohol is considered a poison by your body, and all efforts are made to excrete it, including the cessation of maintaining healthy blood glucose levels. Studies have shown that alcohol interferes with all three sources of glucose and the hormones needed to maintain healthy blood glucose levels.

Alcohol can also negatively impact blood sugar levels each time that it is consumed, regardless of the frequency of consumption. Research has shown that acute consumption increases insulin secretion, causing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and can also impair the hormonal response that would normally rectify the low blood sugar. Drinking as little as 2 ounces of alcohol on an empty stomach can lead to very low blood sugar levels. This makes alcohol an even bigger problem for anyone with diabetes. Along with the impact on blood sugar, studies have also shown that alcohol can impact the effectiveness of the hypoglycemic medications, so extreme caution needs to be taken when consuming alcohol by anyone with diabetes.

I respond in the reverse – but, the point is, it effects me.

I have always believed that conservative and moderate alcohol participation was allowable for Christians(this comment to pre-answer the question, “But Christi, you’re a Christian! You drink?”

Yes. I enjoy a drink now and then.
There are some things that I cannot do, but not because of some legalistic application of some interpretation of scripture.
In fact, there are things that I don’t eat that some believe the Bible would tell me to do so – such as bread:

Matt 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.

Some would say that since this is one of the few things that Jesus put into the Lord’s prayer – that he was saying that we should eat bread daily! And, when the Israelites were wandering around in the Wilderness – God fed them with manna – a ‘grain’.

But – I cannot eat bread – at least the bread of this day.

While I do believe that a drink once in a while – for social reasons(the Wedding at Canna) and for medicinal reasons(Paul to Timothy for his stomach) is permissible in the Christian life(self control is one of the 9 fruits of the Spirit), I need to be aware of how it affects my body – and how that affects my abilities, because of my blood glucose, the next day.

I have enjoyed a drink once in a while. Now, it looks like I cannot drink alcohol without an effect to my next day fasting blood glucose, whether I like to or not. (On the other hand – the piece of Key Lime Pie probably didn’t help!)

They key here is –

to thine own self be true

Actually – my truth is this: I am responsible to God for my body, since:

1 Cor 6:19
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Just for good measure – I checked out the effects of alcohol on a fatty liver. Well, I tried.
I have non alcoholic fatty liver. The Mayo Clinic defines it clearly. But one of the symptoms is weight loss!!! Hey guys…what’s up here? On the other hand, they don’t talk much about alcohol and the nonalcoholic fatty liver.

NOTE to self: I will need to do a blog on caring for your liver!

Today’s focus was on my blood glucose.
The American Diabetes Association has done amazing work for Diabetics.

I had forgotten that I wanted to do the Tour de Cure for Diabetes!
This year, that’s not going to work, because I don’t have a bike – but, I have walked for Diabetes before…I’m a Red Strider!
And there is a Step out in Orlando November 8, 2014! 2.6 miles! I can do that!

So – I have fatty liver – I am a diabetic – I say I want to get healthy.
What am I doing about it?

Well –
first, I’m eating better and better.
second, I’m moving – somedays not so much, but I’m moving my body!
third, I’m supplementing with things that help my body work better.

Here’s the summary of the weekend.
Saturday, July 19, 2014, day 10 of PlexusSlim –
no Basal Temp numbers.
Thermometer was posting in centigrade. so, I ignored all the numbers!
RHR 75
FBG 118(second day it was low!)

Began the day with Plexus Slim.
I did eat out twice – careful planning of my breakfast at BobEvans, and then we went out for a salad at Panera for lunch.
I spent the afternoon painting.
Didn’t walk much – because Jim did all the walking, and I was suffering from cramping.

Ended the day with the BioCleanse, ProBio5, the natural anti-inflammatories and my medicine.

Sunday, July 20, 2014, day 11 of PlexusSlim
Basal Temp: 97.2
RHR 75
weight 239.8
FBG 140!!! WHAT?
Saturday night, I drank a Seagrams cooler to relax the cramps in my abdomen. This was the ONLY non paleo item of the day. This has to have effected the FBG.

weight 20JUL2014

Bone % 20JUL2014

BMI 20JUL2014

Began the day with PlexusSlim, added in the B vitamins and the C, as well as the Liver support complex.

I did not do much – we took a long car ride, we took a nap, and we went to friends for a cook out.
Oh, I did climb up the ladder on the RV for a 12 week challenge!(who knew that climbing a ladder could hurt the area around my neck!)

I can do it!

First Step!

Arm work

Footwork

pull it up

Over the Top

Oh, Yes I can!

Ended the day with the BioCleanse, ProBio5, the natural anti-inflammatories and my medicine.

Monday, July 21, 2014, Day 11 of PlexusSlim
My numbers this morning are:
FBG 134(keyLime pie and 1/2 bottle of Seagrams)
Temp 97
RHR 81

I drink my PlexusSlim while typing this blog. That gives me some time between it, my other supplements and food.

My heart rate, while sitting and typing this blog, has stayed steady in the 80’s – so much better than 111 just typing…and no, I didn’t type that fast!

But, the alcohol and the sugar last night have affected my FLIC(Fasting Lower Intensity Cardio) for this morning. I’m dizzy, nauseous, and just plain extra tired.

Therefore – I am going to eat something good – go back to bed…and then, paint.

I pray that this will help!

In His hands and Under His wings,
~Christi

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

If you are interested in more info,
Christine Wildman, Plexus Website

For information on the water I live by:
AlkaViva

Health Journal – day 8 – yeasty beasties fight back!

I’m happy today!

It is day 8 of my Plexus Slim trial.
It is 5 of my BioCleans and ProBio5 trial.
last night, I doubled the BioCleanse at night.
THIS MORNING – MY FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE WAS 118!!!
I have not seen those numbers without medicine!!!

I also was able to walk 1.4 miles this morning, doing a fasting low intensity cardio dog walk. I call this my morning FLIC.

I want to share some information that has been beneficial to me.
I am now taking the ProBio5 as a probiotic to combat candida from the medicines I’ve had to take this past year.

Antibiotics cause yeast overgrowth.
Steroids cause yeast overgrowth.
eating sugar and starches feeds yeast overgrowth.

The only way to heal this, is to replace the good guys.
Lisa Richards, of The Candida Diet, explains why it’s a good thing to take probiotics.

This is the information on the ProBio5 – Probiotics:

Description
Do you suffer from sugar cravings, inexplicable fatigue or bloating, anxiety or a “brain fog”? Fortunately, ProBio5 provides a solution to many of today’s “mystery” symptoms. ProBio5 features five extra strength probiotics, added enzymes, intestinal flora, B6 Grape Seed extract and vitamin C— all in one effective delivery system that supports the breaking down of hostile organisms that negatively impact your health.

Features & Benefits
Yeast organism (Candida) and fungal cleanse
Proper probiotic balance in the intestinal tract
Proper intestinal balance which increases nutrient absorption
Relief from typical Candida symptoms (anxiety, recurring irritability, lethargy, allergies, acne, dry/flaky skin, migraines, and so forth)

– See more at: http://christiwildman.myplexusproducts.com/products/probio5#sthash.qtFfXExO.dpuf

Here is a great resource for fighting candida –
The Candida Diet

Candida is a huge issue in my family…and I have been battling it since the late 80’s.
I’ve used nutrilite, juice plus, young living and other things.
Ask me, I’ve probably tried it.
The biggest issue with dealing with Candida, is the Die Off.
Again, I’m going to refer to Lisa Richards, and her article on Candida Die-Off symptoms.

Die-Off Symptoms
Here is a list of some of the symptoms you might experience during a die-off (otherwise known as a Herxheimer reaction).

Nausea
Headache, fatigue, dizziness
Swollen glands
Bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhea
Increased joint or muscle pain
Elevated heart rate
Chills, cold feeling in your extremities
Body itchiness, hives or rashes
Sweating
Fever
Skin breakouts
Recurring vaginal, prostate and sinus infections

The Die-Off, or Herxheimer reaction, has been documented in research on antifungals. One 1980 study (see here) of the commercial antifungal Nystatin found the following:

“One phenomenon deserving emphasis is seen occasionally when therapy is initiated. It suggests the Herxheimer reaction … The reaction is usually limited to a flu-like syndrome of mild generalized aching and lowgrade fever, but may also encompass an exacerbation of the patient’s allergic manifestations.”

So – working on a yeast die off, while increasing my energy can be an interesting combo.

Even the Whole30 timeline has a week or two of die off symptoms…(I’ll talk about Whole30 in another post).

No doubt. I’m dealing with die-off.
Thanks to Lisa Richards article on die off…here are some ideas to treat the die off!

Coping with Candida Die-Off
These symptoms normally clear up within a week or so, but could last a little longer. However, there are a few things you can do to slow down this reaction or expel the toxins faster.

Take a supplement like Candidate, Molybdenum or Milk Thistle to help your liver expel the toxins.
Molybdenum in particular is very useful for those suffering from Die-Off. It converts the neurotoxin acetaldehyde into acetic acid, which is then expelled by your body or even converted into helpful digestive enzymes.

Cut back or temporarily discontinue antifungal supplements.
Antifungals work by breaking down the walls of the Candida yeast cells, which then release the many toxins that the Candida has been producing. Reducing your antifungal dosage will cut down the amount of toxins being released into your bloodstream. When you feel better, you can start to increase it again.

Reduce your dosage of probiotics.
A course of good probiotics will repopulate your gut, crowd out the Candida, restore your stomach acidity and boost your immune system. Probiotics are less likely than antifungals to cause Die-Off, but if you start to experience the symptoms you can temporarily reduce your dosage.

Increase water intake to flush out the toxins faster.
If you want to feel better, all those byproducts that are released by the Candida yeast need to leave your body. You can give them a push by drinking more water.

Slow down and rest as much as possible.
Stress can weaken your adrenals and reduce your body’s ability to fight pathogens like a fungal infection. Relaxing and taking some personal time will help your immune system to do what it was designed to do.

Try some alternative detox methods like skin brushing, saunas or contrast showers.Most of these treatments are designed to increase your circulatory and lymphatic systems. They help you to expel the toxins that the dying Candida cells have released.

Take 1000 mg of Vitamin C twice daily.
This multi-purpose vitamin boosts your adrenals and helps restore your immune system to health.

For more information on choosing a detox supplement and reducing your Candida symptoms, take a look at my Ultimate Candida Diet treatment program.

I’ll be honest – I got Lisa’s free 8 steps to fight candida(just sign up at her website above)…and didn’t do them well. Now that I am fighting the candida – I’m going to pull those emails back up and read them.

As I’m reading through her website – I’m seeing some other supplements that I’ve done before, but put on the back burner as I’ve tried out these Plexus products.
Milk Thistle Tea – with Dandelion, and Burdock, and Mullein. This is my liver cleansing tea!

My Liver Cleanse Tea ingredients

And then, “Candida causes low adrenal function and low metabolic energy”
I have not been taking vitamin C – or my regular B vitamins.
I haven’t been taking my Liver Blend of dandelion and milkthistle

Candida Support supplemtns

What is becoming clear to me is that I have been on this battle field for many many years – and I have had various attempts.
I have learned many things – indicated by the fact that these items ARE IN MY PANTRY!!! (comeon, Christi – why aren’t you doing what you know to do?)
I wrote about a yeast cleanse – 28 days of grace.
I’m not sure that I ever got anything written up about whole30.
But I did write about the struggle to become the New Me.

The bottom line here is that I have tried, over and over and over, to get control of the sugar dragon(from Whole30) and heal from the candida stuff.
I have fatty liver – because of much of this stuff…
and, today, I see the first evidences of healing…the lowered fasting blood glucose number
Today, I am celebrating! adding the things that I’ve learned over the years to these new products – and thanking God for continuing to give me wisdom – His wisdom!
If Plexus Slim and the other two products give me the edge I need to take down these dragons – Then I thank God for bringing them into my life!

I pray that this will help!

In His hands and Under His wings,
~Christi

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

If you are interested in more info,
Christine Wildman, Plexus Website

For information on the water I live by:
AlkaViva

Plexus Journal day 4

I really meant to do a little more documentation, but I got carried away painting.
Today’s Vitals:
weight 242
Basal Temp 97.2
RHR – 90
FBG – 152

I drank an alcoholic drink yesterday at dinner out – and half of another that I was handed. This could be the reason for the high FBG, and the resting heart rate could be the result of the elevated FBG, causing increased HR.

Comments on the Products effects:
Since taking Plexus Slim, I have turned the corner with the excessive sleep.

Since I didn’t write this up daily, here is a recap of the last four days:

On July 9, I was so sleepy, I fell asleep, slept through multiple alarms set, and even had to be awakened by my friend using the spare key, and coming into my bedroom to wake me up to go to my doctor’s appointment!
On July 10, first day with Plexus – I set up my outdoor studio, and painted…and didn’t take any nap. At all.

My Outdoor Studio

I can tell that the BioCleanse is working, if you know what I mean. Some people would say that I’m full of poo…but, since taking BioCleanse – I’m much less full!

And, I don’t really know about the BioPro5 – that will take time.

One thing I just realized this morning, as I looked at my ‘have to take it’ natural anti inflammatories – FYI Ultra and Zyflamend Whole Body, I had forgotten to take them as I started Plexus. Actually, I had decided to forgo all of my supplements, to see how Plexus Products worked – and not to allow cross reactions.
What does this mean?
Last Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – I had to have friends drive me to doctor’s appointments because I was so tired that I couldn’t guarantee that I’d be able to stay awake to drive.
I only walked Gabriel about 100 feet – and that was just because he refuses to pee and poo in our area!

Thursday,July 10 I set up my outdoor studio…which entailed moving stuff from inside my RV out – several trips up and down, up and down, up and down 4 metal steps – not too mention the carrying of things!
I took Gabriel for several .2 mile walks!
I took down my outdoor studio, because of Florida Afternoon Storms.
Even though I was tired and achy…NO NAPS!

July 11, Friday morning – I work up, on my own, at 6am.
I had a Bible Study with a friend in the Phillipines.
Then, I set up my outdoor studio.
I painted –
I went to the store with a friend, AND I DROVE!
I took down my outdoor studio.
I walked Gabriel multiple .2 mile walks.
I was surprised my hubby’s early return home…but stayed up, visiting, and was achy, tired, but not in an FMS flare!
I asked Jim for some ice cream.
This is NEVER a good idea – but, I was in the middle of a Fibro Flare…and I wanted to see what would happen(since my old habits were to feed the pain, to dull it with endorphins).
I ate the ice cream. Good quality ice cream.
YUCK!
and I don’t want the rest of the container!

July 12, Saturday morning.
I woke up early – around 5:30 AM, and had an online Bible Discussion with another friend!
Then, I wrote the blog!Does God Hear Me?
I showered, and dressed nice for Jim – and we took Gabriel to the vet for a vaccine visit.
We drove…and drove…and drove, exploring!
And, we got home after noon, and I set up my outdoor studio.
THIS is unusual.
I normally have to take naps after our ‘run and find out’ drives.
THIS time, I set up my outdoor studio…AND PAINTED FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS!
That is me at the top, caught off guard by my hubby – painting!

Oh – outdoor studio – minimum temp is 90 degrees.
I have never been able to be out in the heat long enough to do anything without my electrolytes crashing.
They had not crashed until this day…I went two days without supplementing electrolytes!

Downside of forgetting my anti-inflammatory supplements?
After the drive AND painting outside – I had a fibro flare.
Had to lay on the floor, with ice on my neck and a small pillow under my bum to realign my spine.

The upside realization?
I DIDN’T TAKE ANY PAIN MEDS for those three days!!!
I had not taken pain meds since I got up and stared to do things!
The supplements have helped me to avoid the liver and kidney damaging Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen.
Without the natural supplements – I was taking a minimum of 600 Ibuprofen every four hours to maintain lowered inflammatory swelling, and pain.
Without those supplements, if I didn’t want to take the NSAIDS, I had to not do anything! At All! And stay inside away from the heat!
For THREE DAYS, I was out IN THE HEAT, doing things that normally caused pain and inflammation…and it didn’t!
I took my natural supplements – and, no painful cramps or cramping kept me awake. I don’t remember ANY painful cramps or cramping!

Sunday, July 13, Again, I woke up early, and did some Bible Study.
Jim and I had an intense conversation, and we canooddled.
Now, this is very difficult to talk about – because it’s so private…but I had energy to canoodle!
It did not knock me out for the day!
and I was not overcome with pain.
We went out to dinner with friends -this is where I ate the bread and drank a Blackberry Hooch Moonshine Cocktail. (It was delicious!)

Getting home, all I wanted was watermelon to help cleanse my body!
I did not want ANY of the ice cream!
I thought about the seagrams escapes(like a beer) – Jim handed me one, it tasted good – but I just didn’t want it!

I did get the sleepies early, but, as I said above, and with my stats…I had 1 1/2 alcoholic drinks…those would effect my blood sugars, and I ate some bread – grains make me sleepy.

I have added melatonin back to my sleep practice – but it never worked this well! I slept like a baby!

Now, we are up to today:
Monday, July 14
I woke up this morning wanting to document this process.
My weight today is 242.2
I’m not happy with that – but, like I said – yesterday’s intake wasn’t exactly weight loss friendly!

Today – I am going to start taking notes of my food intake on MFP.
Today – I am starting the fitbit for steps again.
Today – I am taking my life, my health back.

Workout:updated at the end of the day
counter pushups – 40

I pray that this will help!

In His hands and Under His wings,
~Christi

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

If you are interested in more info,
Christine Wildman, Plexus Website

Prepping for Tenacious Texas Test of Toughness 2014-

I wrote Welcome 2014 almonst a month ago.
Since that time, I have made a choice to move at least 15 minutes a day, for 100 days – heading to 30, based on the Penguin’s Challenge.

The first few days were rough…5-10 minutes 3 times.
It is only three weeks to the Tenacious Texas Test of Toughness meet up…and I feel like I am a non-athlete. I do not want to go, because I will not fit in…everyone on this NerdFitness forum is DOING SOMETHING. I am trying to just WALK!!!

side note – I had to get back involved with Nerd Fitness because my daughter, my new coach, insisted that I get into a group for accountability. I have avoided this group since my epic failure almost 2 years ago.

By orders of my coach, I am using My Fitness Pal app to track my calories.

I pulled out Map My Walk app, and started to time myself on:
1/8/2014. .26 mile in 7:38 min. I didn’t even bother to calculate the speed. That wasn’t the only dog walk…but, it was a walk.
(computations done at unit juggler)
I pulled out my heart rate monitor, and decided to try a new thing…fasting lower intensity cardio…keeping my HR down to fat burning levels for a fasting period of time.
A.M. Fat burn discusses the pros and cons…and I am doing this to help mobilize the fat out of my liver….and other places. Your mileage may vary

1/9/2014 – I walked a mile for the first time in several years. 1.18 in 26:11. 2.3 mph. Not 5k race material…but a start. I got the 30 minutes in one stretch. I paused the app when the dog had to stop!

1/10/2014 – 1.16 in 25:39. 2.4 mph
1/11/2014 – .83 in 26.57. for some reason that comes up as 2.3mph.
1/12/2014 – I spent hours and hours walking sideways spackling and painting the apartment walls. didn’t take a ‘walk’ – but I got my “30 minutes” in!
1/13/2014 – I CAN’T MOVE! my legs and back are in so much pain that I can barely move myself. Freaking out that I hurt myself AGAIN, but then, dear husband remembered what I did the day before…. that spackling and painting…to the right, to the right, next room, to the right…I just hurt because I worked!

For Monday and Tuesday, 1/13 and 1/14, dog walks added up to 30 minutes, plus stretches…and attempts at squats.

Now we are up to:
1/15/2014 1.15 in 29:30. THAT’S 2.06 MPH!!! I’M WORSE!!! Oh wait – this was recovery from all that pain from Monday! Ok, so I don’t freak out. much.
1/16/2014 – Clean the apartment. My friend, DEAR friend, Mitzi came with me to clean the apartment. 2 hours in the AM, 2 hours in the PM…I got my workout in. No walk, specifically, other than walking the dog!
1/17/2014 – 1.08 in 34:06. 1.71 mph – but I knew that I had forgotten to pause the time when someone stopped to talk to me. I’m ok with this timing.
1/18 and 1/19 were spent at Florida’s RV show…walking around the State Fairgrounds.
Again – I got my walking in…just not documented.
1/20 No idea, I guess I rested…but got the 30 minutes in stretches and strength, and dog walks combined.
1/21/2014 – .52 and .4 – a mile split in two – I got my 30 minutes in…and almost a mile (and definitely if you count the other short dog walks!)

So now I am up to the day we are to fly out to Dallas – and I am still nervous.

I have not done any lifting.
I have not done any squats.
I have not walked a 5k(which was my goal, set to hit on May 31st…or do some Memorial Day 5k).
I am fat.
I am old.
I am certain I will not fit in.
I was falling into a deep dive of depression…and trying to figure out how to get out of going. If it wasn’t for our friends hosting this gig, I may have bowed out!

On the upside…

I have completed 20 days of Paleo in preparation.
I have done movement for 21 days…and
I have added some other goals to this plan.

I am improving myself, by God’s grace, Jim’s support, Rachel’s guidance, and some help from some new friends at Nerd Fitness.

Next – What happened in Texas?

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

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