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There is more to healthy than what is on the scale

February 21st, 2011 | Posted by cindy in dentist | exercise | Glasgow | goals | headache | health | neuro | update - (0 Comments)

While I find myself obsessing over the number all the time, I know there are other things I can do to help get me/keep me healthy.  Today I tackled one of them.

I went to the dentist.

Now, I hate the dentist.  I didn’t really go much as a kid, and as an adult, once I had insurance I was there all the time making up for 15 years + of lost time.  Then in my early 20′s I got braces to fully take care of my very damaged and crooked teeth.

Since then they have been ok, a few cavities here and there.  But when I lost full time employment in MA, I lost dental coverage.  So I hadn’t been to the dentist in about 2 years.  I just couldn’t afford the $60 + for cleanings, not to mention what fillings would cost out of pocket.

I had a consult and some xrays today and found that in one of my upper teeth there needs to be a major filling replacement.  It’s loose and grimy and it is an issue I have had with this tooth before, so it is no surprise.   They are also going to fix my very chipped tooth in front, so finally after 7-8 years without braces, that last bit will be complete.   They are also offering a teeth whitening special, but there is no way I can afford it.  I can hardly afford the treatment I have to have now (169 quid!) but I can tell that the fillings are loose and need to be replaced ASAP before I have more problems.

Tomorrow’s health adventure is my neuro consult (finally).  I got on the phone and called them today asking why I hadn’t been contacted yet, and they had an opening for tomorrow, so I grabbed it.  Hopefully, whoever I see can fix this 4 year long headache, or at the very least, give me some good drugs.  ;)

Let’s hope I can also get in touch with the physio people so I can have my shoulder professionally evaluated as well, so working out is easier, and far less painful.

Sunday walk

February 21st, 2011 | Posted by cindy in Glasgow | grad school | life | Scotland | shopping | walk - (0 Comments)

Steph and I took an almost 5 mile walk today, down Byres Rd, through the Botanic Gardens, up Great Western Road, and back around campus.  We stopped at little shops, for lunch, and then the library, before the final stop at M&S Food for dinner noms (cod and Greek salad).

Pictures from today’s walk….you can even see flowers starting to poke up from the ground!

 

Weigh in #1

February 20th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in calories | fitness | Glasgow | goals | gym | health | update | weigh ins | weight | weight loss | weight watchers | workout - (2 Comments)

Today was my first weigh in.  I lost 1 pound.  :(  I had hoped it would be more.

I am doing ok with the WW points.  I ate all the weekly points, but not all of the exercise points as I was not sure if I was making 100% entries since some things weren’t on the lists and I didn’t always have the calorie info.  Funny, after I entered my weight today, the online system told me I had one less point to eat per day now.

I feel like this will take forever, as WW has me ending up between 7-9 stone as a final weight.  *sigh*

Hopefully next week will be better.

I went to the gym twice, and took a long walk, and another long walk today.   We walked down Byres road, through the Arboretum, and then back up along Great Western Road and then through campus and back home.

Some pics from today’s walk:

Sunday blues and what I got up to Saturday

February 13th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in beauty | Glasgow | grad school | headache | life | life in general | pain | Scotland | shopping | UK - (0 Comments)

I’ve had this headache for what seems forever, only getting minor relief.  All week going to the workshop was torture.  I wasn’t sleeping b/c of the pain (that and my shoulder) which made getting up at 7 not so fun.  I am glad it is over.  I really didn’t get much out of it, until Thursday and I still have no idea what my assignment is going to be on.

I managed to struggle out to the shops w/ Steph yesterday.  First, we went to the farmers market down the hill and it was very cute and I had a lovely fresh scone.  We got some all natural soaps and oat bars as well.

Then we went to Buchanan b/c I needed to pick up my new glasses.  They were there, and I also picked up some makeup and more meds and other assorted things.

We poked around the area for a bit, popped into Forbidden Planet and then headed home.  On the way home I convinced her to stop and be all girly and get a manicure.  :)

I had a plan to finish my paper last night, but my head was being unreasonable in the evening so I spent half the time in the dark, and the other half we watched the first 2 episodes of Sherlock (again).

Today I have to finish my research proposal and read for Tuesday.  Neither of which are at the top of my list.  I hope I can get through at least finishing the paper without my head exploding.

 

Le sigh

February 4th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in Glasgow | health | pain | weight - (0 Comments)

I was feeling good about myself and everything yesterday and had big ideas and dreams of a positive post today.  But now the end of the day has come, and those ideas are gone.

I’m just frustrated.  I’m frustrated b/c even with low carb, counting calories, or Tony Ferguson shakes I’m not losing weight.  In fact, I’m either the same or more every time I weigh.

I’m angry at myself for getting this far behind again.

I’m frustrated b/c it hurts to walk (foot and shoulder) which means working out seems like a far off place.

I hate being jealous of my girlfriend who gets skinnier by the day.

I hate that I had surgery partially to make working out easier, and then never worked out afterwards.

I hate feeling this way.

I know the only way to overcome it is to change with healthy habits and a positive attitude.   If only my heart and desire could make the rest of me do it.

Shopping day

February 4th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in Glasgow | grad school | Scotland | shopping - (0 Comments)

Instead of doing work like I should have today I ran errands instead.

First, we went to Xfeet to get fish pedicures. It was ok but needs to have a salon finish- like scrubbing and polish after.

Then we had a late lunch and wandered ending up at Primark for new pillows. After, we walked through the pouring rain and wind to Buchanan so I could see if my glasses were in and to pick up hair dye and toothpaste. 1 pair of my glasses in the twofor deal were ready.

Im so sleepy right now and I should be writing my last essay that is due next week. But I know I wont make sense so…….

I hope the rain stops soon. I was soaked through by the time we got home.

Update

January 26th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in Glasgow | grad school | life | Scotland | UK - (0 Comments)

It’s been a busy week, starting off with a Burns night supper, lectures and meetings with classmates, and appointments.  I got my big assignment back related to my dissertation and did very well!  I am very pleased.  Now I must finish my proposal and move on to contacting schools and whatnot to get started!

I did finally get an update on my mum.

Ok.  So.  She has undefined carcinoma.  They were unable to find the primary site of the cancer- so the liver seems to be the secondary.  It is very early, but cannot give a stage b/c they can’t find the primary site.  They believe that it was “female cancer” to begin but that it stopped growing and moved on to the liver.  All the other tests are fine and clean and etc.

Chemo will begin 1x/week starting next week.  After they see how that goes it will be 2x/week every 3 weeks.

She seems ok with this, and no one said that there should be any worry at this stage.  Of course it would be nice if they could find the primary site, but….. they are continuing to lool but everything continues to be normal.

So……yeah.

 

medical update

January 26th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in exercise | Glasgow | goals | health | obesity | pain | update | weight - (0 Comments)

Tomorrow it will be six months since my breast reduction.  Scary.  They have healed nicely- some scarring, but I was never worried about that.  They are bigger than I hoped, but I hope some of that can be taken care of with exercise.

I went to the physio open house re: my shoulder today.  I am on the wait list for an assessment and a final determination as to whether or not this is frozen shoulder.    I have all the criteria.  So I have to wait on that.

My foot still isn’t any better even with inserts and wearing trainers instead of fun boots.  *eyeroll*   I will give it another few days and then contact the GP and be like ok, this has gone on long enough.

Still waiting for neuro consult.  *eyeroll*

Weight so far this week is stable.  Yesterday sucked eating wise b/c I overslept and didn’t have time to make anything (not that I had food to make) and had fast-ish food and then by the time I got home from school I was starving and then we fell asleep and ended up getting Chinese takeout.  Mine is noodles and veggies and of course they didn’t listen to NO SAUCE AT ALL and did add it so I had to wash it all off as best as I can, take a ton of antihistamines and hoped for the best.

Right now all I want is a nap

Keep on keeping on…

January 19th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in Glasgow | grad school | life | life in general | Scotland - (0 Comments)

Life is complicated.  My mom is in the hospital back home.    So I have been rather stressed about all of this, obviously.  Some of you are in the loop, and some are not and I am trying not to think about it at the moment, b/c I just get too overwhelmed.  I’m waiting to hear a definite definite and then I can commence freaking out again.

Not to mention the fact I have a ton of school work to deal with and that isn’t helping stress levels.  Part of me wants to jump on the first plane home, but until I have all the facts, it isn’t reasonable.  But the first sign of any issue I will.

So I am just keeping on keeping on.

 

frustrating week

January 17th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in exercise | fitness | Glasgow | update | weigh ins | weight | weight loss - (0 Comments)

This weight loss thing is just not working out for me.  I am trying.  I am eating FAR less, walking around more.  Yet, every day the scale goes up.

I know I shouldn’t worry about the changes in one day but over a week……?  It is just frustrating and stressful.  And we are not talking tons of calories per day 1200-1600 on average which should be showing losses, small perhaps, but not a 6lb gain.

I hope this week is better than last.

This weight loss thing is just not working out for me.  I am trying.  I am eating FAR less, walking around more.  Yet, every day the scale goes up.

I know I shouldn’t worry about the changes in one day but over a week……?  It is just frustrating and stressful.  And we are not talking tons of calories per day 1200-1600 on average which should be showing losses, small perhaps, but not a 5lb gain.

I hope this week is better than last.