I'll explain that statement in a bit, but for now, got to get my ramblings in. :-) You know you have waited an entire day to read those, right?
I got through my HIIT workout yesterday and I was feeling it last night! My entire body was letting me know I moved a muscle in that area - and that is a good thing! Actually, it was kind of cool how God answered my prayers too! It was raining when I left home so I prayed that the rain would stop (and it did) and I could get a 'front' spot, meaning, right in front next to the gym. So I go down the usual row and the car in front of me turned in the 3rd spot on my left from the door. And I laughed and told God "You gave that person MY spot!"! But as I continued down that row, the first spot on the right was totally open! God saved it for me! "I'm His favorite". LOL
Came home and worked until time to head out to Dr. Mark's office. And I got to go alone. I didn't even turn the radio on. I just drove and relished the quiet aloneness. Is that so bad? God also gave me a front row parking spot, but I did have to walk past a few cars to get to the sidewalk, and that's ok. It wasn't raining. My doctor visit went well. Weight same as it was last year (sigh). Can't help it; I love food. Dr. Mark says my intake of calories is the same as the outgo so nothing is coming off. My A1c went from 5.6 to 5.7 so he 'suggested' I start watching my carbs and sugar intake... I do NOT want to be put on diabetic meds so it's up to me to prevent it, right? And I'm not giving up my breads! But here is what is interesting. My sodium level was low. Not by much, but down a number from the lowest range. I would think no big deal, right? But Dr. Mark did make it a big deal. What did he tell me? Quit drinking so much water!! My urine was clear and it didn't have any 'specific gravity' to it. My sodium is low. Hence, I'm drinking too much water and need to cut back so that my sodium level will go back up. It's not the salt part like we all would think. I mean, I thought, ok, I'll just use more salt - but no, it's the sodium retained in the body (unless I misunderstood) from the salt in the foods I've eaten. If it goes lower, it can cause dizziness, and other things, but I forget what he said. So instead of my constantly drinking water, I need to allow myself to cut out a glass or two. Not a lot, he said, don't dehydrate myself, but just cut it back a glass or two. I can do that. I think. I love my water.
And - my BP.... I took my monitor with me so that he could calibrate it with his. I was surprised at the top number on his - and mine! I've never had that top number that high - but account it to being int he doctor's office. Ironically, he said my bottom number on my personal monitor is about 10 points too high. His monitor showed my BP at 147/74. My monitor showed 147/86. So he said mine is calibrated pretty good, but to subtract ten points from the bottom number. But here is what is interesting. I always have thought the bottom number was what was concerning to the doctors. Nope. He said it is the TOP number moreso! At 147 they start prescribing low-dose BP pills. He doesn't want to. Now that I know what it really is, he told me that if I would lose 20 pounds gradually, that it would bring that down. Now that is a novel thought. I've tried to lose weight, but I love food too much I guess. I've always said my weight isn't coming down because I work out and gaining muscle. And that's true, but I'm still eating the same, which means the body may be gaining muscle, but the muscle is just pushing the fat out. Do you hear what I'm saying? Sigh. So, my new goal is lose the 20 pounds and lower the BP numbers. I can cut back on my salt (got to watch those potato chips, I guess!), drink less water (he said my body is holding on to the water too, so less water, the weight will also start to fall off). Who knew? I always thought it was the bottom number, I always thought more water was good, so I guess my thinking isn't always right, huh! I'm a bit smarter now..... I just need to remember that when presented with salty foods and carbs and oh my, December is coming when I do my baking for gifts - how am I NOT going to be eating them too??
Dr. Mark asked when I wanted to come back for a follow-up as he wanted to have labs drawn again on the sodium levels and check my BP .... so I suggested after the holidays. He laughed and commented he guessed he would be my 'accountability partner' in that could I get through the holidays with all my baking and still 1) lose weight and 2) get my sodium level up and 3) get my BP down. Time will tell! I go back the end of January. Oh - and I unexpectedly had a UTI I didn't know I had so got antibiotics for that. I was very surprised to be charged by CVS $16 so I asked if they ran it through my insurance - and they said yes - but it's Amoxicillin! WHEN did they charge that for that? Never before! Either that or I didn't notice. That just proves I have to remain healthy for I won't be able to afford meds if my insurance doesn't pay more, right?! but then too, I think he did say it was amoxicillin with a 'kick', meaning something was added to it.
So we went out for pizza last night after I got off work. Yes, I know, salt. But it was so good! I love the thin-crust New York Combo at Streets of New York - and they loaded it more than they have before. Monday nights it is buy one get a second one for half price. So we got two - and brought home to have today for lunch. :-) so good!!
Today I have my orthodontist appointment early morning, and then a core workout at 11a. Then I'm good until Thursday when I have my bone density and mammogram tests done. Then healthwise, I'm done for another year on that stuff. Two years on the bone density. Oh yeah, Dr. Mark also suggested I walk a bit more every day - at least 25 minutes at a fast pace. My brother's challenge of 5 miles at 3.5 three times a week by Christmas - surprisingly, Dr. Mark said that was pushing it too much. My brother is 81 - does Dr. Mark think I can't keep up with him? Watch this!! LOL
My son posted a song on his blog that I listened to this morning. Yes, it cleared out some tear ducts. I am pretty sure I know what he was thinking when he listened to it, and I found myself thinking about it as well... and about missing my siblings and my mama. Since I was 7 when my dad passed, I don't remember much about him, but I am sure it would have made a difference in my life if he had lived. I remember my brother telling me that Dad always thought he would be going back home and would be ok. But that was years before kidney dialysis was in existence... and he died of kidney failure due to diabetes. I often wonder what would have changed in my life.
I'm feeling kind of mellow this morning, I think. Fighting a dull headache too - from the weather - which is raining - outside, I imagine. May take an excedrin to get rid of it, although I don't like to. But, I have too much to do today to leave it hanging.
So here I am.... thinking how to end the blog today as I have obviously made it 'all about me'.... perhaps I can leave you with this....
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV): Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV): I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
We can do all things - even correcting my health issues - through Him who gives me the wisdom and the strength to complete them. Now to tell my 'don't want to' to 'want to'. Right?
Have an amazing day - be the sunshine in someone's life today.
Blessings!
