Shampoo, Who Knew?

Oh Dove shampoo.  I have loved you for so many years.  You smell so good and make my hair feel so great.  But we are in an abusive relationship - you are hurting me more than helping me so I must let you go. As I was researching estrogen dominance, I found out that the shampoo I had been using all these years could have been contributing to the hormonal imbalance.  No way?  Yes way!

Most consumer shampoos contain parabens.  Parabens are used as a preservative in a lot of cosmetic products and pharmaceuticals.  They are probably in the shampoo you love, the toothpaste you use, and the make-up that makes you beautiful.  Parabens can mimic estrogen and while there is some debate about whether or not they are harmful, they are thought to contribute to estrogen dominance and breast cancer.  Since I am trying to eliminate all of the factors contributing to my high estrogen levels, it seems logical to get them out of my life as much as possible.  If you give up things containing parabens, you will likely have to give up many of the products you have loved for years.  I have decided that, for me, it is worth the sacrifice.  Now, I haven't gone through the house and found all of the evil parabens and thrown them in the trash but as I finish things up, I am replacing them with items that are better for my overall health.

The first thing I did was change shampoo and conditioner.  I went with a paraben-free, sulfate-free brand, Nature's Gate.  Burt's Bees and Say Yes to Carrots are other brands that are "safe" but I liked the scent and price of Nature's Gate so I went with that one for now.  It took me a few days to get used to it since it didn't lather in quite the same way as my old shampoo but it is acceptable.  It smells great and gets my hair clean and doesn't leave it feeling too greasy.  What more could a girl can ask for?  Of course, you will find that paraben-free brands are a little pricier than drug store brands but if you are used to paying for salon brands, then you probably won't pay much more for a paraben-free brand.

I was also excited to find out that select Wal-Marts will begin carrying a paraben-free, sulfate-free brand called Simply U.  You can actually request a free sample through that link.  Of course, my local Wal-Mart won't have it but there are a few stores in this area that will carry it plus it is available online.  It is very affordable too, which cheap me loves.

DIM Prospects

As I mentioned in my last post, I take a handful of supplements and a few meds every day.  I quit taking several of my medications without consulting my doctor (not recommending this approach - just how I did it).  The metformin made me sick, the birth control pills were just contributing to my high estrogen levels, the thyroid pills because I don't have a thyroid problem and I'm really not sure why I was on them in the first place.  I was also able to quit the daily Prilosec after I gave up dairy.  I had always just taken whatever my doctor gave me without really questioning it.  The only medications I am continuing on are the cholesterol and blood pressure meds (although since I quit caffeine my BP has gone down significantly and is in the "high normal" range now).  I am hoping, eventually, to be able to give these up as well.

I also take several supplements.  Most were recommended by my doctor, but a few I have researched on my own and have added since I started researching estrogen dominance.  DIM-Plus is one of the things I have added on my own.  DIM-plus contains highly concentrated amounts of diindolylmethane, a phytonutrient found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale. DIM has unique hormonal benefits that you don't find in other plant nutrients.  It is supposed to help reduce the risk of breast, cervical and other estrogen-driven cancers cancer by helping your body to make a better balance of the “good estrogen” (2-hydroxy-estrone) compared to the “bad estrogen” (16-alpha-hydroxy-estrone).  It is recommended to help with menopausal symptoms and for those of us who have an imbalance of estrogen/progesterone.  I love veggies but I would have to eat dozens of servings to get the benefits I get out of taking the DIM-Plus caps every day.

The verdict is still out on this one.  I've been on it for about 3 weeks now but it's hard for me to say for sure if it has made a big difference.  My hormones didn't get out-of-whack overnight and it is going to take some time for them to get back to normal.  Hopefully DIM-Plus will help.

Supplementing

Today was my 4 month checkup at the doctor.  I dread these visits but today's wasn't too terrible.

The good news:  My A1C had gone down and I have lost 4 lbs.  The bad news:  My cholesterol was back up some.  How?  I have no idea.  I tend to think last time's numbers were a bit of a fluke.  At any rate, I have already made several dietary changes that should make my next visit numbers much better.  Only time will tell though.

The doctor wants me to add CoQ-10 and Vitamin D to my already vast list of medications and supplements.  Yay.  More pills to swallow.

Phone Guy's cholesterol and triglycerides were all out of whack so he got a firm talking to.  I will be trying to keep him on track but he's a little stubborn in regards to his diet.

We started our "Meatless Monday" experiment today.  We made vegetarian stuffed Poblano peppers.  They were delicious.  We all enjoyed them, although Danger Boy ate the filling and left the pepper and The Pleaser wasn't having any of it so he ate tortillas with peanut butter in them.  Peanut butter is the reason he is alive today so I guess I won't knock it too much.

I am optimistic about my next doctor visit.  I hope to knock his socks off with some great numbers and significant weight loss.  Wish me luck!

It's Alive!

I am once again resurrecting this poor, neglected blog o' mine.  I thought about starting a new one, but I am a little partial to this old gal so I figured I would dust her off and take her for another ride.

I am still watching too much TV and enjoying the adventures of my ever-hilarious children (who are both now teens) and after reading some of the old entries, I realized I missed documenting some of their antics here.

But the main reason I came back is to chronicle a new journey to improve my health and lose some weight and conquer "estrogen dominance."    I was just recently diagnosed with this condition and it explains so much of what has been going on in my life the last 13 years or so.  The list of symptoms reads like a book based on my life.

I have already made some significant changes.  Even before the diagnosis, I had given up most dairy.  I just can't tolerate it anymore.  And it was a chore for me.  I am a chocolate milk girl.  I drank it every morning.  And then, within 20 minutes, I would face some of the worst...uh...let's just say intestinal distress.  It took me a couple of years to admit it was the milk and give it up completely, but let me tell you, I have felt soooo much better since I gave it up.  I don't eat yogurt or cottage cheese either.  I do have cheese sometimes but not nearly as much as I used to.

I also gave up my beloved Dr. Pepper.  And for those who know me, you know this was a big change for me.  I lurve my DP and it was a big decision.  I wanted to give up caffeine because it is a major player in the whole estrogen dominance arena, so I tried the caffeine-free stuff.  Then I decided to eliminate all of the processed and chemically altered things like HFCS so I gave that up.  I did find a soda called Dr. Better made by Virgil's which is reminiscent of Dr. Pepper and made with all-natural ingredients.  It is also caffeine-free and makes for a nice treat once in a while.  It's way too expensive (read: I am way too cheap) to make it a daily thing anyway.  I am, for the most part, a water-only drinker now.

I (mostly) gave up fast food.  I was eating that junk 3-5 times per week.  Now, I have it about once per week - usually when I have failed to plan and don't get away from here with my packed lunch.  On those occasions I try to make smarter choices from the fast food joints but there really isn't much that is smart about those places.

I started exercising again.  Mostly, I am just riding my recumbent bike.  It's a start, it gets my heart pumping and (best of all) it is in the living room, facing the TV, so I can watch Roseanne while I ride.  Plus I need to ride for my torn ACL (a story for another day) anyway.


I am making other changes which I will chronicle here as I go along.  I'd like to say my family is 100% on board with all of this, but The Pleaser has never met a veggie that he liked and Phone Guy (despite his good intentions) is not ever going to be a "health nut."  He wants to be supportive but he also wants to eat bacon cheeseburgers and chocolate ice cream for every meal. Danger Boy is receptive to a lot of things.  He really digs spaghetti squash primavera.   But he thought I was trying to kill him with cauliflower mashed "potatoes."  So it's a battle.

So that's it, in a nutshell.  I came back to blogging in hopes that it will help me be accountable on my journey and let me share a laugh or two...even if I am just talking to myself most of the time. And if someone else finds me in their quest for information on estrogen dominance, then maybe they will find some of the information I have found helpful in their own journey.

On the Way Down

So I wrote a couple of months ago about my cholesterol being up.  Well I am happy to report that as of my last doctor visit, my cholesterol has gone down…a little.

I still have some work to do, but here are the numbers:

3 months ago:
Total: 221
LDL: 144

Last checkup:
Total: 204 (Not too bad if the LDL wasn't so high)
LDL: 133 (he would like it to be in the 70's but def. under 100)

I’ll take that.  I go back in March so we’ll see if I can get it down further before then.

Sidenote:  After hearing numbers from some of my friends and family, I have decided I am very proud of my slightly high numbers.  Tee Hee.

Getting Healthy

So last time I stopped in to make a post, it was because I was trying to make a "healthy lifestyle change." I'm still on track, even moreso than I expected. As it turns out, Phone Guy has had to make some big changes as well.

When I saw the doctor, I made him an appointment. So about 2 weeks after I went in, he went and had a checkup. His blood sugar was very high, as was his cholesterol. The doctor didn't give him the chance to work on his before putting him on 4 different medicines. He is working hard to control the diabetes and by doing so, hopefully controlling his cholesterol.

What is more worrisome to me is that his billirubin and iron levels were too high. This is indicative of a genetic disorder called hemochromatosis. If he has this, the only way to treat it is by bloodletting. Yeah, not fun. He goes back to the doctor next week, so hopefully we will know more then.

I'm anxious for him to find out something definite and start getting treatments so he will be feeling better. He's been sluggish and tired for about 10 months now. Getting the diabetes under control has helped but I hope that he'll be back to his old self soon.

I go back to the doctor in about two weeks myself. I hope I'll have good news about my cholesterol. Keep your fingers crossed.

Lifestyle Changes

I visited my doctor last week and had some bloodwork done. My cholesterol is way too high and in addition to that, I have gained back almost all of the weight that I lost 2 years ago.

My doctor sat me down and explained to me that I needed to make some serious changes for my health. I have a history of heart disease and diabetes in my family so I really need to take care of myself.

My biggest obstacle in all of this is my family. The Pleaser is an extremely picky eater and Phone Guy eats the most unhealthy diet you have ever seen. He thinks three of the four food groups are Bacon, Salt, Cheese. In the 10 years since Phone Guy and I got married I have gained sooooo much weight. He doesn't seem to mind...but it's unhealthy and I feel so bad about myself because of it.

My report from the doctor must have scared Phone Guy though because he has really been trying to help me eat better. We shopped for groceries together yesterday and chose some alternative foods like ground turkey instead of ground beef. He said he's willing to do this and support me the best he can.

I also got some great support from my best friend. She is also trying to lose some weight, though hers is post-baby weight. She and I have made a standing date to walk together twice a week and she has offered up her ear and shoulder for anytime I need some support.

I have 3 months before I go back to the doctor and I want to stun him with how well I have done. I need to do this for me and for my family. I can't stand the thought of not being around for my boys as they grow up and have their own families.

Here's to a new me!

Today's the Day

The day I start exercising again, that is.  I've been slacking the last 2-3 months.  Phone Guy being off work, the kids being home and weird schedules have totally thrown me off.  But I am determined not to gain back all of the weight I worked so hard to lose.  So it's back to the grind today.  I'm going to start out slow with Leslie Sansone and hopefully work my way up to The Firm workouts I bought a few months back.
Oh and I guess I better quit eating all that cinnamon bread and chocolate chip cookies too. 

Just Say No

That's been hard for me...learning to say "no."

I am a control freak.  I really am.  I like to do things myself and see that they're done right.  I am afraid if I turn over any portion of my responsibilities, someone will screw up and make me look like a fool.  I am also a little nosy, so I like being "in the know".  I enjoy being involved in what's going on with my kids and my family.  I don't like being kept in the dark.

But I have recently discovered how liberating it is to actually say "NO" once in a while.  I just resigned after 6 years on the PTA board.  I literally breathed a sigh of relief once I did it.  I'll miss the job.  I'll miss working with a few of the people.  I won't miss the politics and the backstabbing and the pettiness.  I won't miss chasing down people for deadlines.  I won't miss the long drawn-out board meetings that get off-topic and go on forever.  I look forward to a year when I can enjoy my kids and the activities at school without any pressure.  How many more years do I really have to enjoy them anyway?  Not many I am afraid.  :(
So here's to learning to say "NO"!

New Year's Resolution

I'm sure you can guess...lose the rest of my weight.  I did really well until the end of October.  Then the stress of the holidays, my parents' business woes and Danger Boy's school issues really put my exercise regimen on hold.  I only gained 4 lbs (up to 222 now) but I need to get back in the game now.

My deals board is doing a Biggest Loser Challenge, so that should be a good motivation.  At least it will make me accountable since we have to weigh in every Wednesday.  I'm on the Green Team. 

GO GREEN TEAM!

Wish me luck!! 

A Little Less Blubber

As of this morning I am officially down 40 lbs.  I am still having to take pee-pee pills for fluid retention, but whatever works.  If I go off the pills I retain as much as 5 lbs of fluid.  So I guess I'm content to pee every 5 minutes for the rest of my life.

I weigh exactly the same as Phone Guy now.  My #1 goal is to weigh less than him.  Almost there.   I am hoping to be down at least 50 by Christmas although it would be nice to be down that much by Thanksgiving since we are spending it with Phone Guy's family.  I haven't seen most of them since April of 2005 so I know it would be very motivating to have them notice the weight loss.

Weight Loss Update

OK all - it's been a while since I updated.  I really haven't been sticking to my diet very well (hangs head in shame).  I haven't gained but I also haven't lost much in the last month or two.  I'm still working out, but not as religiously as I was.  I need to get motivated again.  I don't want to have a setback for sure.  I've come too far.

I've lost a total of 34 pounds since March (39 pounds lighter than I was this time last year).  I have gone from wearing sizes 24 & 26 to wearing 18's & 20's.  My best friend is also dieting (she started in 18's & 20's and is now down to 12's - go Jamie!!) and is starting to hand down clothes to me so it is a great feeling to fit into smaller sizes. 

I need to get back to blogging so I can keep the motivation!  I think it helps to put it in writing.  ;)

I haven't gone AWOL, Just a Little Crazy

You know, every year I look so forward to my kids getting out of school.  I can't wait to have them home, spend more time with them, not worry about a schedule. 

And then it never fails...every year, mid-July, I am ready for school to start back up!  Don't get me wrong, I love my guys more than anything and I love having them home but honestly, we function so much better on a schedule and there is such a thing as too much togetherness I am afraid.  They fight like crazy and get on my nerves.  So I have one and a half more weeks and then things can be back to normal again. 

Let's see, it's been a while since I updated, so here's the latest.  I haven't lost much weight since school was out (see above:  no schedule!) but I have managed to get down to 30 pounds total lost since March.  I am pretty proud of that and the best news is I haven't gained.  I've been having some issues with swelling in my legs though so I have been going to the doc to figure out what the heck my prob is besides that I am fat and getting old.  :)  So far they have ruled out blood clot but I go back in next week for some blood work.  The doc did give me some water pills and I'm here to tell you - don't take them if you are going to the movies!  LOL

I took Danger Boy off his ADHD meds because he had a big meltdown and totally lost his temper.  It was NOT pretty.  So I talked to the doc and he has switched him to Strattera.  We are on day 3 and so far, so good.  His dosage goes up tonight so we'll see how that goes.  But I haven't seen ANY of the negative side-effects he experienced on the stimulants so that is a win in my book.  I can't really tell much about his focus and concentration yet though.  The real test for that will be school starting up!

Phone Guy has been working non-stop, which is great!  He's gotten a couple of pretty big contracts so I know the house payment will be paid for the next couple of months at least.  ;)

And that's about it for our summer.  Hope your summer has been great too!  :)

Strange Observation

As I have been losing weight, I am noticing the weight loss in the strangest places.  For instance, the elbows.  Why do I have to lose weight in my elbows first?  Nobody notices if you lose weight in your elbow!  Another weird one - feet.  My shoes are too freakin' big?  WTH?  And how about my neck.  I have lost weight in my neck and now I have these weird tan line circles going around a couple of places on my neck.  I didn't realize I had neck fat rolls until I lost them, but apparently I had enough that they kept the sun out of places.  Hello....could we concentrate on areas of LARGER importance....like my ass? 
OK, that was pointless.  But it's been bugging me and I feel better. 

The Peace is Over...and other Random Thoughts

Danger Boy went to stay with the grandparents for a week.  The Pleaser was with his dad for 3 days.  I had glorious peace for 3 whole days.  Everyone's home now.  The Gamecube is blaring, they are fighting over who gets to play and all is back to normal on the homefront.  But I am glad to have them home. Of course, what did I do while my kids were gone?  I spent all of Saturday evening with my next door neighbors playing with babies.  They have been trying to adopt and have decided to become foster parents.  They have a brother and sister 10 months and 20 months right now.  The cutest things you have ever seen!  The 20 month old little girl took to me right away, which is strange because as much as I want them to, girls never take to me.  When it was time for her to go upstairs to bed, she grabbed my hand and said "Go".  She wanted me to come with her.  She was just so sweet!  They are hurricane evacuees and their mom abandoned them.  Thank goodness for wonderful people like my neighbors.  There is so much joy in their house right now.  I hope the mom stays out of the picture so my neighbors can adopt these precious babies.  They would give them such a loving home. 

Weight loss report:  As of today, the plateau is over.  I have lost another 2 lbs since Friday making the grand total (drumroll please)......
22 pounds!

The Dreaded Plateau

I have reached it - The Dreaded Plateau.  You know the one when you diet and you stop losing weight.  UGH it is really frustrating me. I haven't lost anything in two weeks.  It makes it really hard to keep motivated.  It's bad enough that I still look like a fat ass and nobody has noticed the weight loss but now I am not losing.  Someone slap me and keep me motivated.  I am seriously wanting to bake some Snickerdoodles and eat until I puke.  Well, not really the last part so much...but you know what I mean. 
In other news, Danger Boy is in Oklahoma with the grandparents.  As much as he drives me crazy, I miss the little dude.  It is too quiet around here.  Almost creepy.  The Pleaser is still around but he'll be going to his dad's for the weekend so I might actually have some grown up time this weekend.  Ahhhhhh. 

Milestone

As of this morning I am down 20 pounds.  It has taken me about 11 weeks to lose that much but I guess that is the "healthy" way - or so they say (whoever *they* are).

The really depressing thing is not one person, aside from my Mom and Phone Guy, has even remarked that I have lost anything.  And they only say it because they know I am working really hard and they are stroking my ego.  I mean, I know I am fat but damn....you would think 20 pounds would be noticeable.  I hadn't been at my kids school much in months and I went in there and spent lots of time over the last couple of weeks and nobody....NOBODY....noticed. 

I had The Pleaser take my photo today for my weight loss scrapbook and I compared it with a photo taken at my best friend's baby shower in October and I can't see a difference either.  IT SUCKS!
Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled with my results but it would be nice to get a little recognition.

No the 4th Graders Didn't Kill Me

I just realized I never updated after my long (and temporarily insane) trip with the 4th graders.  We all survived and I made it back in one piece. 

It's yearbook time and since I volunteer to put together the school's yearbook (remember - temporary insanity), I have been working non-stop for the last 2 1/2 weeks on that.  Now, if I wasn't such a big procrastinator I would have already had a bunch of it done.  But I work best under pressure - riiiiight.
Two more weeks until school is out.  The last 3 weeks are so hectic that I will be glad when it is over.....for about 3 days.  Then my kids will be driving me crazy and I will be looking forward to the middle of August.

Weight Loss Update:  Due to my hectic schedule, my exercise dropped off a little and I've been eating like shit, BUT I have still managed to lose weight!  I am sitting at 18 POUNDS LOST now!  WooHoo!!

Short and Sweet!

I have lost 12 pounds. 
That is all.

A Sure-fire Way to Lose a Few Pounds in 1 Day...

Get a freakin' stomach bug.    Danger Boy came down with the bug on Sunday night.  I was up all night with him and felt like crap all day Monday.  Well I got my turn yesterday afternoon.  Ran fever and everything.  It's been like 5 years since I have run a fever!  So needless to say, I lost a few pounds yesterday, but I'm sure with one good meal and some fluids in me I'll gain them back (unfortunately).