Finally, I am getting to my monthly update! It seems like a long time since the March update and life has been busy.
We received a full diagnosis of Jeff's mass and it appears to be very good. It is an "extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma." This basically means ~cancer made of cartilage cells found outside of the skeleton~
It is a very rare tumor that does not respond to chemo or radiation. It also has a very low rate of returning. Jeff has to return to the doctor every 3 months for the next 2 years and he needs a leg MRI and chest CAT every 6 months for 2 years. He must also report any strange lumps or bumps immediately. This is all very good news.
I gave my testimony at a T.O.P.S. meeting, as planned, on March 18. It went well. My weight loss story is based on the ongoing release of my will and my many "issues" to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. So my speech was as much about my Christian testimony as the nuts and bolts of how I lost the weight. That part of it made it a Spiritual battle and believe me, Satan really tried to keep me from doing it. Ha ha! Satan looses again :)
Weight loss seems to have slowed down a bit. Not sure if it is slowing down because I am getting closer to my goals or if it is just a temporary thing. It is hard not to get discouraged when I seem to be doing everything right but don't have the results I expect. I am not giving up though. I want these changes to be for a lifetime so in the long run it really doesn't matter how long it takes to get to the goal weights. Slow progress is still progress :)
I have been trying to add legumes to my regular eating routines. This has been challenging and fun as I try to think of ways to include them in my existing recipes and finding new meals to try.
We still have tickets to Women of Faith!! If you are interested in going (or know someone who is) let me know as soon as possible. It is going to be a great time!
Weight loss status...
Started June 3 268.0 lbs 39.58 bmi "obese" (body fat 44% "poor")
Today April 23 180.2 lbs 26.61 bmi "overweight" (body fat 30.5% "fair")
87.8 lbs down!
(less than 12 lbs from goal #2)
GOALS REVIEW (updated)...
1st goal (lose 65lbs) 203 lbs 29.98 bmi "overweight" ACHIEVED Jan 17, 2010
2nd goal (lose 99lbs) 169 lbs 24.96 bmi "healthy" by July 2010
3rd goal (lose 111 lbs) 157 lbs 23.18 bmi (qualify for the 100 lb Club at Curves)
4th goal (lose 121lbs) 147 lbs 21.71 bmi by Dec 2010
5th goal achieve "Very Good" body fat % (22%-26%)
PLANS/GUIDELINES...
1. Never Skip Breakfast! (well-balanced & trying for 1/3 of my daily calories before noon)
2. take good nutritional supplements every day
3. eat 5-9 servings of fruits and veggies per day
4. eat at least 25 g of fiber per day
5. continue Curves 3 times per week
6. Water only when out to eat... and minimum of 64 oz water each day
7. Daily monitoring myself with Fitclick.com (maintaining a healthy calorie deficit)
8. no eating after 7:00pm (with a few exceptions)
We received a full diagnosis of Jeff's mass and it appears to be very good. It is an "extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma." This basically means ~cancer made of cartilage cells found outside of the skeleton~
It is a very rare tumor that does not respond to chemo or radiation. It also has a very low rate of returning. Jeff has to return to the doctor every 3 months for the next 2 years and he needs a leg MRI and chest CAT every 6 months for 2 years. He must also report any strange lumps or bumps immediately. This is all very good news.
I gave my testimony at a T.O.P.S. meeting, as planned, on March 18. It went well. My weight loss story is based on the ongoing release of my will and my many "issues" to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. So my speech was as much about my Christian testimony as the nuts and bolts of how I lost the weight. That part of it made it a Spiritual battle and believe me, Satan really tried to keep me from doing it. Ha ha! Satan looses again :)
Weight loss seems to have slowed down a bit. Not sure if it is slowing down because I am getting closer to my goals or if it is just a temporary thing. It is hard not to get discouraged when I seem to be doing everything right but don't have the results I expect. I am not giving up though. I want these changes to be for a lifetime so in the long run it really doesn't matter how long it takes to get to the goal weights. Slow progress is still progress :)
I have been trying to add legumes to my regular eating routines. This has been challenging and fun as I try to think of ways to include them in my existing recipes and finding new meals to try.
We still have tickets to Women of Faith!! If you are interested in going (or know someone who is) let me know as soon as possible. It is going to be a great time!
Weight loss status...
Started June 3 268.0 lbs 39.58 bmi "obese" (body fat 44% "poor")
Today April 23 180.2 lbs 26.61 bmi "overweight" (body fat 30.5% "fair")
87.8 lbs down!
(less than 12 lbs from goal #2)
GOALS REVIEW (updated)...
1st goal (lose 65lbs) 203 lbs 29.98 bmi "overweight" ACHIEVED Jan 17, 2010
2nd goal (lose 99lbs) 169 lbs 24.96 bmi "healthy" by July 2010
3rd goal (lose 111 lbs) 157 lbs 23.18 bmi (qualify for the 100 lb Club at Curves)
4th goal (lose 121lbs) 147 lbs 21.71 bmi by Dec 2010
5th goal achieve "Very Good" body fat % (22%-26%)
PLANS/GUIDELINES...
1. Never Skip Breakfast! (well-balanced & trying for 1/3 of my daily calories before noon)
2. take good nutritional supplements every day
3. eat 5-9 servings of fruits and veggies per day
4. eat at least 25 g of fiber per day
5. continue Curves 3 times per week
6. Water only when out to eat... and minimum of 64 oz water each day
7. Daily monitoring myself with Fitclick.com (maintaining a healthy calorie deficit)
8. no eating after 7:00pm (with a few exceptions)
