Here's my fat self last year.

Around 262 lbs.  Please read my latest post.  

My 1st 10 lbs

Well, I'm down my 1st 10 lbs now and I'm psyched about it.  And my glucose average for the last 30 days is 121 and for the last 2 weeks is 106.  This is major progress for me!  I did pretty good a couple of years ago after I was diagnosed with diabetes and spent almost a week in the hospital.  That got my attention, but it started to wear off slowly.  

I don't know exactly what happened recently, but I got scared and committed myself to getting healthy!  As a result I'm doing all of the things I need to do in order to bring that about.  I have a lot of experience with Weight Watchers and that experience is invaluable to me now.  (After I lost my weight I worked as a leader for them for several years).

What I'm doing, besides monitoring my glucose levels, is mirroring the Weight Watchers approach.  I just don't use any form of points or attend meetings.  Instead, I'm counting calories, some of you are saying ugg, and fat and carbs and protein, etc.  And especially for me, I'm trying to watch my sodium and cholesterol.  I have had high blood pressure since before I got diabetes.  

Another important thing for me is exercise.  It's important for my health and helps facilitate my weight loss.  I do a variety of things including biking, walking, resistance training and housework.  Yes, housework burns calories and it needs to be done anyway.  

Meal planning and shopping for healthy foods is vital for me.  If I have all the wrong foods in the house guess what I'll eat?  Weighing and measuring portions is of extreme value to me, too.  

I do, however, take advantage of and even seek support.  I go out of my way to speak to my no. 1 supporter, and others, on almost a daily basis.  I discuss my struggles, of which there certainly are some, and my progress.  It's the whole 'I can't do it alone' thing.  

When I get down to my healthy weight I will consider going back to work for Weight Watchers.  It was a very meaningful job and I love helping people.  But I will endeavor to encourage and try to help those seeking to get healthier along the way.  

I give high praise for Weight Watchers.  It works.  It really does.  It inniatally help me to lose 72 lbs and keep it off for a couple of years.  But in the years since, I gained it all back and then some.  That's how I got to where I am today.  

I'd also like to give a huge shout out to Dana McDonald, RD.  Also known as the Rebel Dietician.  She posts so much healthy stuff on FB and her blog.  And you should see her.  She is in better shape than anyone I've seen!  She is a vegan and works out like crazy.  It's her life and it shows.  No I don't know here personally nor am I receiving anything from this mention, or from Weight Watchers.  I simply cannot not share what I've learned from them.  

Now, I'm not a vegan, but I am eating less meat and way more veggies and more moderate amounts of fruit, since I'm diabetic.  Also, I'm cooking in healthier ways.  Very limited frying and only using olive oil.  Steaming, broiling, baking and roasting mostly.  Also sautéing with small amounts of olive oil. 

What else can I say?  If you have any questions please don't hesitate to post them in the comments here on the blog.  

A Healthy Dinner

Cod cooked in just a little butter, dill, pepper and lemon.  Broccoli steamed with just a little butter and finished with lemon.  Of course lemon on the plate.  This was preceded by a nice green salad.  Yes, I use butter but not too much.  It's the darn salt that I'm struggling with.  Seems to be in everything.  Anyway, eating better and regular exercise is lowering my glucose levels and my weight.  I'm not dieting.  I'm eating and training for life!  

Update on me and some photos from Cerritos, NM

Good morning!

I'm happy to report that my blood sugars are under control.  I'm exercising regularly and eating better.  Tracking and logging everything is helping a lot!  

Saturday I went up to a old little town called Cerritos, NM with my meetup group for a night shoot.  Before sunset wasn't bad and I got several shots and posted some of them here.  Then a few night shots.  After sunset the wind got really bad and the temp dropped like an anchor!  Brrrr.  We didn't stay long in those conditions.  We will certainly be going back.  It's very a photogenic place!      

A New Regime

Good morning!  

I'm happy to report that I am on my way to better health and a happier life.  I'm commited to it and you can't stop me.  😉.  

I'm testing my glucose 3 times a day and logging it no matter what it is.  

I'm weighing and measuring my food and tracking it.  This is very important for me!  I'm exercising every day.  Wether it's biking, walking or resistance training I'm doing something.  On top of that I'm doing my housework on daily basis.  I'm trying to keep busy and burn calories, too.  Not that my house gets dirty, you understand....😜 

The results are clear.  I'm losing weight, 2.8 lbs already, but who's counting.  Me.  Me.  Plus I'm feeling better about myself and it helps me to stay motivated.  I don't know why it's so hard for me to get back on track ,and more importantly, stay on track, but now that I'm here I am committed!  

I promise I will post more photos.  I'm not giving up on my love for photography.  In fact, here is one of my recent ones that I just ordered as a canvas print.

I seem to have a love affair with the Sandhill Cranes now.  Good in flight shots like this are not too easy so I really appreciate this one!  

Just a gull but it reminds me of my walks on the beach every day in Florida a couple of weeks ago!  That's it for now.  I better get ready for my bike ride and the rest of my day.  Take care y'all and keep coming back!  God bless!

Healthy Breakfast

I had a healthy and tasty breakfast today.  It was a boil in bag omelette made with 2 eggs, chopped veggies and shredded cheddar cheese.  Then I put it in a low carb, low fat tortilla and added salsa.  Yum city!

Soon I'll get my first ride on my new mountain bike.  I love to ride and miss it since I sold my bikes before I moved here last year.  At some point this week I'll get out and do a couple of nature/photo walks.  😎📷  

This is a new routine for me as I vow to myself to get my diabetes under control and more healty overall.  Weight loss is of key importance here so I really am commited to this!