Lord, you are good and your mercy endureth forever!
I admonish my son to consider how blessed he is when I think he's behaving in a selfish, self-centered manner. At times, I have to admonish myself too. We've been through a lot as a family and it would be so easy to dwell on the negative, to focus on the things we've lost, to remember that which is no more.
But God is toooo good for that.
Israel Houghton and New Breed brought something new and fresh to the worship scene in recent years. A mix of Latin, soul, and contemporary Christian music with loads of energy and wonderful instrumentals.
If I can't get near a large body of water, the other thing that never fails to center me and refocus me on God, then an Israel song will serve me well.
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Go To the Doctor
Yesterday I mentioned that I had a doctor's appointment over the weekend. No major issues but I've got some things I need to address, like my weight, that are affected by things I'd never have known about with a doctor's help. Here's some of what I've learned from regular doctor visits:
1) CONTROLLING BLOOD SUGAR
After two bouts of gestational diabetes, I knew I would be at pretty high risk for developing Type II diabetes in my lifetime. After injecting myself within insulin five times a day during one of those bouts, I swore to do everything in my power to avoid or delay the onset of this disease.
I honestly can't say I've done everything in my power. That's turned out to be a lot harder than I imagined. Managing diabetes requires constant vigilance to food intake (what I eat and how much) as well as regular exercise.
I've done okay on the what I eat, not so great on the how much, and terribly on the exercise until recently. I'm definitely making strides now on all three fronts.
My doctor has me do blood tests every three months to measure my A1c level. The best description I've heard of this test is that it's like a batting average for blood sugar. It reflects the average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. So one good day or one really bad day doesn't affect the result.
From this, I know that I'm in the prediabetic range. Not quite there but I need to be alert and take dietary precautions. I also know, from those earlier bouts, that I have to eat protein the morning and have a small protein snack before bedtime.
But on Saturday, the doctor also told me to switch my lunch and dinner. For lunch, I typically eat a salad and some type of protein. If I have any carbs, it's usually with dinner. She told me I should get my carbs earlier in the day, which will help with controlling the blood sugar as well as weight loss.
2) IRON DEFICIENCY
Back in January, I was tired and sluggish all the time, no matter how much sleep I got. I tried to donate blood at work and they refused me, telling me that my iron count was so low, it didn't register on the meter.
A doctor visit and another blood test confirmed this. I now take daily iron supplements. In the first three months, I was less than consistent and there was no change. The doctor threatened me with iron injections.
Say "needles" and you get my attention!
As soon as I got consistent, I felt a change in my energy levels, even before I started exercising in earnest. In the last three months, my iron levels have doubled and my energy level has skyrocketed. With that, I'm less cranky, more patient, and I hope, more fun. I'm more inclined to go outside with my family and do something active than lounge around because I'm too tired to imagine moving.
3) B12 DEFICIENCY
My newest discovery, this past Saturday, is that I'm also deficient in vitamin B-12. This was masked in part by my iron deficiency but now that the iron levels are up, the B-12 levels are glaring. My count is less than half of what it should be for an adult woman. To make matters worse, B-12 regulates the...metabolism! So I'm trying to lose weight and getting no where in part due to my extremely low B-12 level.
Got a booster injection and now will take daily supplements of this nutrient as well. If my levels aren't up significantly in a month, I'll have to start regular injections. The doctor says she suspects that once my B-12 level starts to rise, as I continue exercising and working on my diet, I should start to see the weight come off a bit faster.
Hoo-ray!!!
Of course, once the B-12 level is up, she might find something else. But hey, I'd rather find these things one by one and address them, than not know and beat myself up for working hard and getting nowhere.
Every adult man and woman should get an annual checkup. However, II can tell you that I've had doctors in the past that were not quite as thorough as this lady. So my annual checkups told me nothing. If you're less than satisfied with your doctor, don't forego your exams. Get another doctor!
In addition to getting annual checkups, ask questions. Find out if there is anything detected in your blood work--high cholesterol, low or high blood sugar, vitamin deficiencies, low thyroid, etc.--that you need to be concerned about. Even if you're not in the danger zone now, are you borderline for anything?
The Lesson: Be diligent about your health.
Regular doctor visits, with the right doctor, can make a world of difference to your day to day existence. It has for me.
And anyone trying to lose weight should definitely see a doctor and ask for extensive blood work. In addition to helping you lose weight, it might also help you to live a longer, healthier life.
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
1) CONTROLLING BLOOD SUGAR
After two bouts of gestational diabetes, I knew I would be at pretty high risk for developing Type II diabetes in my lifetime. After injecting myself within insulin five times a day during one of those bouts, I swore to do everything in my power to avoid or delay the onset of this disease.
I honestly can't say I've done everything in my power. That's turned out to be a lot harder than I imagined. Managing diabetes requires constant vigilance to food intake (what I eat and how much) as well as regular exercise.
I've done okay on the what I eat, not so great on the how much, and terribly on the exercise until recently. I'm definitely making strides now on all three fronts.
My doctor has me do blood tests every three months to measure my A1c level. The best description I've heard of this test is that it's like a batting average for blood sugar. It reflects the average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. So one good day or one really bad day doesn't affect the result.
From this, I know that I'm in the prediabetic range. Not quite there but I need to be alert and take dietary precautions. I also know, from those earlier bouts, that I have to eat protein the morning and have a small protein snack before bedtime.
But on Saturday, the doctor also told me to switch my lunch and dinner. For lunch, I typically eat a salad and some type of protein. If I have any carbs, it's usually with dinner. She told me I should get my carbs earlier in the day, which will help with controlling the blood sugar as well as weight loss.
2) IRON DEFICIENCY
Back in January, I was tired and sluggish all the time, no matter how much sleep I got. I tried to donate blood at work and they refused me, telling me that my iron count was so low, it didn't register on the meter.
A doctor visit and another blood test confirmed this. I now take daily iron supplements. In the first three months, I was less than consistent and there was no change. The doctor threatened me with iron injections.
Say "needles" and you get my attention!
As soon as I got consistent, I felt a change in my energy levels, even before I started exercising in earnest. In the last three months, my iron levels have doubled and my energy level has skyrocketed. With that, I'm less cranky, more patient, and I hope, more fun. I'm more inclined to go outside with my family and do something active than lounge around because I'm too tired to imagine moving.
3) B12 DEFICIENCY
My newest discovery, this past Saturday, is that I'm also deficient in vitamin B-12. This was masked in part by my iron deficiency but now that the iron levels are up, the B-12 levels are glaring. My count is less than half of what it should be for an adult woman. To make matters worse, B-12 regulates the...metabolism! So I'm trying to lose weight and getting no where in part due to my extremely low B-12 level.
Got a booster injection and now will take daily supplements of this nutrient as well. If my levels aren't up significantly in a month, I'll have to start regular injections. The doctor says she suspects that once my B-12 level starts to rise, as I continue exercising and working on my diet, I should start to see the weight come off a bit faster.
Hoo-ray!!!
Of course, once the B-12 level is up, she might find something else. But hey, I'd rather find these things one by one and address them, than not know and beat myself up for working hard and getting nowhere.
Every adult man and woman should get an annual checkup. However, II can tell you that I've had doctors in the past that were not quite as thorough as this lady. So my annual checkups told me nothing. If you're less than satisfied with your doctor, don't forego your exams. Get another doctor!
In addition to getting annual checkups, ask questions. Find out if there is anything detected in your blood work--high cholesterol, low or high blood sugar, vitamin deficiencies, low thyroid, etc.--that you need to be concerned about. Even if you're not in the danger zone now, are you borderline for anything?
The Lesson: Be diligent about your health.
Regular doctor visits, with the right doctor, can make a world of difference to your day to day existence. It has for me.
And anyone trying to lose weight should definitely see a doctor and ask for extensive blood work. In addition to helping you lose weight, it might also help you to live a longer, healthier life.
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Monday, September 8, 2008
Weekly Check-in: September 8, 2008
Week of September 1, 2008:
Weight Loss: 0 lbs.
Average water per day: 4 cups
Number of exercise days: 5
Total min exercised: 150 min (avg of 30 min per day)
Another zero lb week. Aaarrrgh!
Two weeks of political party conventions definitely took its toll. Yes, although I am an Obama supporter, I watched a good portion of the Republican National Convention too. Good to hear for yourself what the other side is saying, before the pundits slice and dice and serve it to you...their way.
Anyway, I'd normally be a bit down this morning. After all, I'm working out 5 days a week consistently now. Forget that my minutes are going in the wrong direction. That's from being up too late and that's over and done with now that the conventions have ended.
But, as I was saying, I should be down but I'm not. That's because I went to the doctor over the weekend. She shed some light on what might be contributing to my weight-loss stall. I'll go into more detail tomorrow, because I think it's worth sharing. I'm just I'm thankful that even though I realize this weight-loss thing might start with me, there's so much that I don't know or control about the process and I have people like my doctor to help me.
I also didn't get in my usual longer, 45-60 min workout this weekend. Got my hair done on Friday evening. When that happens, which is every other Friday, weekend exercise is out of the question! I don't pay all that money to sweat it out the very next day. So I give myself the weekend off, resuming exercise on Monday, as I did this morning. But I'm resigned that it's more important overall to have a healthy body than beautiful hair.
Michelle Obama, as reported in the recent Ebony magazine that featured her on the cover, feels the same way. She said she had to decide that she wasn't going to let her hair dictate her health. 'Cuz you know how Black women are about their hair! It's a contributing factor to so many women in the African-American community being overweight. We don't want to do anything that might cause us to sweat, ruining our perms/weaves/braids/rolls...whatever.
But I'm with Michelle on this thing, which is why I'm keeping the hair simple and resigning myself to not winning any 'Do of the Month contests. I'll take 70 lbs lighter and toned with less than cute hair!
The focus for the week is:
Get to sleep earlier.
Get up earlier.
Exercise longer. (But not so long that the hair is totally unkempt!)
How'd you do?
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Weight Loss: 0 lbs.
Average water per day: 4 cups
Number of exercise days: 5
Total min exercised: 150 min (avg of 30 min per day)
Another zero lb week. Aaarrrgh!
Two weeks of political party conventions definitely took its toll. Yes, although I am an Obama supporter, I watched a good portion of the Republican National Convention too. Good to hear for yourself what the other side is saying, before the pundits slice and dice and serve it to you...their way.
Anyway, I'd normally be a bit down this morning. After all, I'm working out 5 days a week consistently now. Forget that my minutes are going in the wrong direction. That's from being up too late and that's over and done with now that the conventions have ended.
But, as I was saying, I should be down but I'm not. That's because I went to the doctor over the weekend. She shed some light on what might be contributing to my weight-loss stall. I'll go into more detail tomorrow, because I think it's worth sharing. I'm just I'm thankful that even though I realize this weight-loss thing might start with me, there's so much that I don't know or control about the process and I have people like my doctor to help me.
I also didn't get in my usual longer, 45-60 min workout this weekend. Got my hair done on Friday evening. When that happens, which is every other Friday, weekend exercise is out of the question! I don't pay all that money to sweat it out the very next day. So I give myself the weekend off, resuming exercise on Monday, as I did this morning. But I'm resigned that it's more important overall to have a healthy body than beautiful hair.
Michelle Obama, as reported in the recent Ebony magazine that featured her on the cover, feels the same way. She said she had to decide that she wasn't going to let her hair dictate her health. 'Cuz you know how Black women are about their hair! It's a contributing factor to so many women in the African-American community being overweight. We don't want to do anything that might cause us to sweat, ruining our perms/weaves/braids/rolls...whatever.
But I'm with Michelle on this thing, which is why I'm keeping the hair simple and resigning myself to not winning any 'Do of the Month contests. I'll take 70 lbs lighter and toned with less than cute hair!
The focus for the week is:
Get to sleep earlier.
Get up earlier.
Exercise longer. (But not so long that the hair is totally unkempt!)
How'd you do?
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Friday, September 5, 2008
Choosing Not
I learned one of my biggest life lessons at a women's ministry conference some ten years or more ago.
It was about choices.
Now of course the concept of making choices wasn't anything new to me. But what the speaker enlightened me about was "choosing not to".
As in choosing not to get upset or angry when someone says something you don't like.
Choosing not to be offeneded when someone does something unkind to you.
Choosing not to feel slighted when someone leaves you out, inadvertently or on purpose.
Choosing not to fly into a rage in the heat of a disagreement. (Particularly useful for married couples.)
Choosing not to be vindicative or spiteful, not to retaliate in kind when you've been hurt.
Choosing Not.
The choice is yours.
This was eye-opening and life-changing for me. I was never one to hold grudges but after a disagreement, it might take me a while to cool off.
I'd never thought about having the ability to control my emotions simply by thinking in terms of making the positive choice of choosing not.
Not to be angry.
Not to be frustrated.
Not to be fearful.
Not to be cynical.
Not to be distrustful.
Not to be hurt.
Not to be offended.
Not.
The choice is mine.
This made a huge difference in my life. Initially, I had to talk myself through situations, and occasionally I still do. I found myself saying, "Maybe she meant to hurt my feelings but I choose not to be hurt." Then I took a deep breath, exhaled...
And I'm wasn't.
Do this enough times and it starts to become second nature.
Talk about powerful. It's one of the most freeing concepts I ever learned.
If you want to know more, you can get the tapes here.
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
It was about choices.
Now of course the concept of making choices wasn't anything new to me. But what the speaker enlightened me about was "choosing not to".
As in choosing not to get upset or angry when someone says something you don't like.
Choosing not to be offeneded when someone does something unkind to you.
Choosing not to feel slighted when someone leaves you out, inadvertently or on purpose.
Choosing not to fly into a rage in the heat of a disagreement. (Particularly useful for married couples.)
Choosing not to be vindicative or spiteful, not to retaliate in kind when you've been hurt.
Choosing Not.
The choice is yours.
This was eye-opening and life-changing for me. I was never one to hold grudges but after a disagreement, it might take me a while to cool off.
I'd never thought about having the ability to control my emotions simply by thinking in terms of making the positive choice of choosing not.
Not to be angry.
Not to be frustrated.
Not to be fearful.
Not to be cynical.
Not to be distrustful.
Not to be hurt.
Not to be offended.
Not.
The choice is mine.
This made a huge difference in my life. Initially, I had to talk myself through situations, and occasionally I still do. I found myself saying, "Maybe she meant to hurt my feelings but I choose not to be hurt." Then I took a deep breath, exhaled...
And I'm wasn't.
Do this enough times and it starts to become second nature.
Talk about powerful. It's one of the most freeing concepts I ever learned.
If you want to know more, you can get the tapes here.
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Do You Value You?
So we all KNOW what we need to do, in most cases to...
Lose weight.
Get promoted at work.
Write and publish that book.
Be healthier.
Argue less.
Pray more.
Demonstrate love.
Repair and renew broken relationships.
Get closer to God.
(Fill in the blank) ____________________________
So why don't we do whatever it is we need to do?
What is willpower?
What is discipline? Are they the same?
I've been thinking on this subject and God is whispering to me. As I get clarity, I'll share what I'm learning.
In the meantime, what about valuing yourself? Do you value you?
We say we do and we certainly want to believe we value ourselves but do our actions always support our belief?
Another subject I'd like to explore. For now, let's spend some time thinking about it.
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Lose weight.
Get promoted at work.
Write and publish that book.
Be healthier.
Argue less.
Pray more.
Demonstrate love.
Repair and renew broken relationships.
Get closer to God.
(Fill in the blank) ____________________________
So why don't we do whatever it is we need to do?
What is willpower?
What is discipline? Are they the same?
I've been thinking on this subject and God is whispering to me. As I get clarity, I'll share what I'm learning.
In the meantime, what about valuing yourself? Do you value you?
We say we do and we certainly want to believe we value ourselves but do our actions always support our belief?
Another subject I'd like to explore. For now, let's spend some time thinking about it.
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Mid-week Worship: I Am That I Am
This one is for the young people and anyone who can appreciate a wide variety of musical genres.
Hubby and I introduced our now teenager to Christian rap when he was still a toddler. We were determined that he would not be cut off from the musical style of his generation but that what he listened to had to be uplifting.
When we discovered Christian rap, we were all over it. Even now, Hubby and I enjoy it. In fact, we're excited to see how the genre has evolved and grown over the last decade, with more artists, better production, and more lyrical styles within the genre, from a Northeast sound to a "Dirty South" sound.
Doesn't matter to me because these guys, and a few gals, are serious about praising God in a way that speaks to their generation.
This is an early song by one of my favorite Christian rap artists, The Cross Movement. It's called "I Am That I Am".
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Hubby and I introduced our now teenager to Christian rap when he was still a toddler. We were determined that he would not be cut off from the musical style of his generation but that what he listened to had to be uplifting.
When we discovered Christian rap, we were all over it. Even now, Hubby and I enjoy it. In fact, we're excited to see how the genre has evolved and grown over the last decade, with more artists, better production, and more lyrical styles within the genre, from a Northeast sound to a "Dirty South" sound.
Doesn't matter to me because these guys, and a few gals, are serious about praising God in a way that speaks to their generation.
This is an early song by one of my favorite Christian rap artists, The Cross Movement. It's called "I Am That I Am".
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Weekly Check-In: September 2, 2008
Hope everyone enjoyed their Labor Day. Please continue to pray for the people of the Gulf Coast who were displaced or otherwise impacted by Hurricane Gustav. Pray for the people of Florida and the Atlantic region who are now threatened by Hurricane Hanna. And Ike is forming right behind these two!
Week of August 25, 2008:
Weight Loss: 0 lbs.
Average water per day: 4 cups (need to get up to eight)
Number of exercise days: 5
Total min exercised: 180 min (avg of 36 min per day)
Second week of school, the first full week for all of my boys. Was I tired! A couple of days I had to talk myself into getting up, going into the bathroom, putting on my workout clothes, and heading down the stairs. A few times I found myself 10-15 min into my routine before I even felt awake.
But I'm definitely getting into the swing of it. Again, I did five days of exercise. Since I work up at 5 on Labor Day, when I didn't have to, I'm thinking my body is adjusting to the new schedule, which should allow me to be less sluggish and work toward lengthening my workouts.
Eating was good until mid-week when I baked a double layer, chocolate fudge cake for Hubby's birthday. I rarely ate a whole piece but I found myself eating more slivers than I should have. Then Hubby took me out to dinner for our 17th wedding anniversary on Sunday and we ate well, including fresh baked bread dipped in seasoned olive oil and creme brulee for dessert. Not to mention that about a third of that cake is still in the cake keeper on the counter.
But I've had my fill. It's a new month and I'm really committed to continued progress. I'm more toned than I've been in a long time, even if the pounds aren't falling off just yet. If I keep my workouts going and lengthen them, then it comes down to calories ingested. And aside from my Middle Son's birthday later this month, we won't have any more celebrations involving food until Thanksgiving!
The whole family went to the track yesterday so that Hubby and I could work out, making it easier for me to keep to my 5 workouts a week minimum this week.
Bottomline, to lose weight, it's simply calories out must exceed calories in. Or, to put it another way, not even considering what kind of calories I'm eating, I'm going to have to eat less.
Knowing and doing are two different things.
Perhaps I shouldn't use words like "simply" because I find weight loss to be anything but simple.
But I'm encouraged. And I've got a buddy in this battle, my crit partner, Chicki, who is walking her way to good health on her new walking treadmill.
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Week of August 25, 2008:
Weight Loss: 0 lbs.
Average water per day: 4 cups (need to get up to eight)
Number of exercise days: 5
Total min exercised: 180 min (avg of 36 min per day)
Second week of school, the first full week for all of my boys. Was I tired! A couple of days I had to talk myself into getting up, going into the bathroom, putting on my workout clothes, and heading down the stairs. A few times I found myself 10-15 min into my routine before I even felt awake.
But I'm definitely getting into the swing of it. Again, I did five days of exercise. Since I work up at 5 on Labor Day, when I didn't have to, I'm thinking my body is adjusting to the new schedule, which should allow me to be less sluggish and work toward lengthening my workouts.
Eating was good until mid-week when I baked a double layer, chocolate fudge cake for Hubby's birthday. I rarely ate a whole piece but I found myself eating more slivers than I should have. Then Hubby took me out to dinner for our 17th wedding anniversary on Sunday and we ate well, including fresh baked bread dipped in seasoned olive oil and creme brulee for dessert. Not to mention that about a third of that cake is still in the cake keeper on the counter.
But I've had my fill. It's a new month and I'm really committed to continued progress. I'm more toned than I've been in a long time, even if the pounds aren't falling off just yet. If I keep my workouts going and lengthen them, then it comes down to calories ingested. And aside from my Middle Son's birthday later this month, we won't have any more celebrations involving food until Thanksgiving!
The whole family went to the track yesterday so that Hubby and I could work out, making it easier for me to keep to my 5 workouts a week minimum this week.
Bottomline, to lose weight, it's simply calories out must exceed calories in. Or, to put it another way, not even considering what kind of calories I'm eating, I'm going to have to eat less.
Knowing and doing are two different things.
Perhaps I shouldn't use words like "simply" because I find weight loss to be anything but simple.
But I'm encouraged. And I've got a buddy in this battle, my crit partner, Chicki, who is walking her way to good health on her new walking treadmill.
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
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