It has been a while. I'm not going to lie, week 9-37 was the hardest so far of my journey. I have learned so much about myself these weeks.
If you haven't read my 3 previous posts, please do so here:
Disclaimer: I am speaking about my own experiences in all my fitness weight loss journey posts. Please be aware that some of these topics can be triggering. I am not a medical professional and I am not giving medical advice. I do not know if the results of this journey will be success.
LOGGING
I stopped logging my food. It was too hard to keep track of everything I was eating during the brain fog of illness.
At the end of this time period, I started tracking my blood sugar. I went back to something I started doing a long time ago, I don't know why I stopped. I have a basic blood sugar monitor that is very inexpensive. There are so many kits on the market, I bought mine over 10 years ago. Click here to see full kits on Amazon. I don't know why I ever stopped tracking my blood sugar because this is a direct indication of what is happening in my body. I am prediabetic, my blood sugar is above normal range for fasting and tends to stay high a little too long after I eat. This is the most concerning factor for me.
From an article published online by the Mayo Clinic:
Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken after you haven't eaten anything the night before (fast). A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) is considered prediabetes. If it's 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher on two separate tests, you have diabetes.
If I do not figure out how to manage my blood sugar, the rest of my efforts may be moot.
CALORIES Previously I was only eating 1000 calories during the week. This left me so very weak at the end of the 8 weeks. It was affecting my energy levels and workout. I couldn't lift as much, I got tired easily, I had brain fog and even had issues sleeping again. So I changed to just eating whatever I wanted when I wanted.
I still have a reduced alcoholic content, not because of the fear of weight gain but mostly because of the illness. Alcohol doesn't make me feel better, it exacerbates sleepless nights. I have a drink here and there but I still have very little compared to what I did before I started my journey.
One very bad habit my husband has shared with me, is drinking soda and very sugary drinks. This wasn't something I really did that often before but as we were getting takeaways more, we were ordering a soda or getting a slushy because it was hot. We went from having 2 a month to 6 a week. I realized that was happening all too often. Now when my husband has a soda, I would just decline and drink something else.
ILLNESS
During this large span of time my husband and I both got sick, I never get sick right away, my body fights it off a little longer. The first illness was a really bad sinus infection, for that 2 weeks my husband stayed home from work for the first half and I took care of him while I had mild symptoms but after he went back to work I was the most sick I had been. During this time of course I did not work out. I was taking Alka Seltzer to even function.
After this I had a very heavy menstrual cycle, I usually do not work out during this time anyway because it can be very uncomfortable.
Then a week later, we got ill again. It was an odd cold that we both got again lasting a few weeks. After it was all said and done, I decided to give my body some rest, I slowly starting lifting again but only once a week. I ate whatever I wanted when I wanted. I needed to build back up before I could focus on weight loss. I didn't want to stress my body out even more.
*We both tested negative for COVID-19 during both of these illnesses.
PROTEIN
I have stopped taking protein regularly, my main reason was that I didn't need the additional protein because I wasn't working out regularly. I do have my favorite protein coffee I drink occasionally. Chike High Protein Iced Coffee My favorite is Original or Vanilla. One serving is the equivalent of 2 shots of espresso, this stuff is delicious and will wake you up. For me, it's a better alternative to an energy drink.
EXCERCISE
As previously stated, I have not been lifting weights 3 times a week like I was. I let my body rest but toward the end of this span of time, I have been going back to lifting once a week and walking more regularly. It also helps that the hottest part of summer is over and it's no longer over 100 Degrees Fahrenheit in Texas every day so it's easier to go for a walk.
PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES
At 38 weeks, I've gone back to the top end of my set point. I'm not mad and that size and number is okay. Yes my clothing fits a little tighter but I have learned lessons that will help me grow and has given me knowledge to make better decisions in the future.
WEIGHING
I weighted a couple times a week but didn't track it. I know I gained weight, I could feel it, I could see it, I didn't need the confirmation but did it anyway. All seeing the number on the scale did to me mentally was upset me. I know I wasn't in a good place to try and lose weight, so I put myself first and just let me be me. If it really matters to you, I weighted 139 at the end of this time period.
ADDITIONS
I still have issues with my back, so I still see a chiropractor at least once a week. My work, albeit not physically stressful, can be hard posture wise. I usually am sore for a few days after the chiropractor. I still use my Infrared Sauna at least once a week except when I was sick. I love the way I feel when I use it and it helps my muscles from the soreness.
Infrared Sauna. This is not the unit I bought but wish I had because it's nice to have the arm holes. When you're laying for up to an hour, it's nice to be able to check your phone. The heating control unit is the same one that I have though.
I have been struggling with a really bad nail fungus that I got from a salon. In respect to the weight loss, this is nothing but it could be an additional strain on my body that can hamper my growth.
-V
Disclosure: I purchased some of these items with my own money and the company had no prior knowledge to this promotion.
All opinions are my own.
*I make a commission on any purchase you make through my Amazon, Motiv8 & Goli link.