Nermie update

Hi everyone! I wanted to do a quick post and explain to everyone how things went at the vet today. 

I talked to two people last night that really helped me. The first was a cat rescue lady in my area. You might remember when we rescued the kittens we found in the woods here; and she was the one who helped us with that. Her name is Margo and she is phenomenal with cat rescue! I also talked to a friend from high school who dealt with a cat with diabetes. She explained how she was able to manage everything and made me feel much better about the situation. They both gave me fantastic tips and tricks to use as well. Also, thank you everyone that commented with their experiences and prayers!! They were soo appreciated!!!

So back to the update…the vet was fantastic… Not that I didn’t always know he was… But they were so amazing today!

I got to my appointment with a huge list of questions… How do I manage this with other cats in the house, do I have to put everyone on only wet food, how many times a day do I do the shots, what if he runs and hides from me every time it’s shot time, how can I afford this while going to school with no income, etc. - I just had so many questions swirling in my head. 

They gave me all the information necessary to make a decision. He explained how simple and doable it is going to be and at this point I believe him. They are going to be available at all times for any questions and issues. They gave him 3 units of insulin before we left the vet and my instructions are to start tomorrow morning and give him 2 units in the morning and 2 units at night (along with his special diabetic food) for the next two weeks. Hopefully this will bring down his level. He was close to 800 when his blood work came back so the vet believes it will be at least two weeks before it can get down to a more manageable level. 

I have an appointment scheduled in two weeks to do a glucose check and make sure his numbers are back near normal or at least heading that way. At that time we’re going to add in something for the infection he has (he has elevated white blood cell counts) but the vet doesn’t even wanna touch that until his glucose numbers come down.

Here is what we went home with…

Special diabetic food from the vet. My vet charged about $2.25 per can and when I checked chewy it was $2.17 so no much savings to get elsewhere. He will get hopefully two cans of his a day and start gaining weight back.

Here are the syringes…I am in nursing school and these are the tiniest needles I have ever seen. When they gave him the shot at the vets he didn’t even flinch. Hopefully that keeps up!

Here is the insulin … super pricy but it lasts a long time refrigerated. It is about $135 and it should be enough for the next three months if his dose of 2 units / 2 times a day remains the same.

And here is my sweet little boy Nermal!!! This is his second major heath scare in his 6 years of life and hopefully he can improve and continue to live a long and happy life!! Love that sweet face!!!!


Thank you again for being so supportive and helpful on my last post! Prayers are still welcome!!!

As with the previous post- any experience with diabetic pets is welcome!! 

So many hugs to all of you!!!

Random Thoughts on Wednesday

Hi everyone!

I can not keep a thought straight in my head! Work is crazy busy - I am a member of the team that is divesting different parts of our company.

Sadly, as the site where I work begins closing, my job will get busier untill they tell me goodbye....so, right now my team is crazy busy!!!

I got my car back yesterday!!! I never realized how much I love my Civic! I was so happy to drive it again!! No charge and it runs like new!! Yay!

Anyone else playing Pokemon Go??  I cannot understand why all of the sudden there are Diglett's and Cubone's everywhere!?!? On Easter there were eggs and bunnies but I can't figure out what the connection is with these guys all of the sudden?!?! If you are a walker you would love Pokemon Go! You walk and hatch eggs and catch fun little critters along the way! HA!

My "humbirds" are back!!!!!!  I had my first hummingbird today!!! YIPPEE!!! Did you notice I said "my humbirds" - LOL!!!  I took this picture as I was pulling out of my parking lot this morning! The hummingbird was hanging around my Fuscia plant but you can hardly see him in this picture. I will be sure to get better photos soon!!!

I am back trying to lost weight again! I am so sick of this struggle and I was just going to ignore it....but I just keep gaining if I pay no attention so it is definitely time!  I am back on Nutrisystem and I will keep you posted as to my progress! Here is breakfast - a yummy blueberry muffin! It kept me full all morning...well, that muffin and an apple. 

I do Nutrisystem and then supplement in fresh veggies and fruit from Aldi's. If nothing else; the food tastes really good, keeps you full a long time (although portions are controlled) and is super convenient (prep is crazy quick and easy). Another thing I like it is can be stored anywhere! Does not take up any refrigerator or freezer space!

If anyone has every thought about it and wants to give Nutrisystem a try...I have a link to save you 40%!

40% Off!!

 That is all of the randomosity I have to give you today...

I have a lot coming up...work trips and personal so things should stay pretty busy around here for awhile.

Hugs to you all - I hope you all have a fantastic week! 

Do you struggle to gain or lose weight? Have you always or is it a recent struggle?  What do you do to lose or control your weight? Do you put out feeders for the birds in the summer? Any Pokemon Goers out there?!?!

Pushing the Re-start Button

Hi everyone!
 

I have been inspired by a few of my blogging friends...

Although my life is amazing right now and I have found the man of my dreams that makes me feel entirely safe, happy and loved all at the same time...

My blog has become stagnant...

and

My workouts have become stagnant...

and I have gained about 15 pounds back :-(

Help friends!

I am starting FRESH!!!! Today!!!

I am up about 15 pounds from where I was a few months ago and I am 60 pounds away from my goal weight so here we go!!!

I will now be working out at least 5 times a week (including a half-marathon training schedule) and will be cutting out white flour and sugar all together!!!

I need to make this goal weight a reality~~

Fingers crossed - - Wish me luck!!!!!

Back on Track and Matching

OK! Today I am linking into the Blog Hump Day Hop with Liz!!!!!

Onto other the news of the day...

I am officially back on track and it feels great!

Now I just have to STAY on track!!! I am currently (this week - ha)...

• Staying under my 1400 calories a day and getting them all in before 7PM (which is important to me).
• Working out each night (tonight is a night off from the gym as I am attending a function with my friends and niece).
•  Drinking a minimum of 84 ounces of water a day...

What do you do to keep on track with your weight loss goals? I would love to hear your ideas as I need all the help I can get and I have never found better advice than from my peeps on here!!!

Annnnnnnnnnnd a little update on my dating front...I have had NO luck finding a partner in life so I have joined Match.com!!!

Anyone else use this and if so, did you have any luck?!?! Please say yes!!  I am getting kind of sick of being single!

I will keep you all posted on my dating antics in the Burgh!!

Hope yinz all have an awesome hump day!!!

I am getting serious, seriously!

This is more than likely the 100th post where I have said some version of that! HA

But, I am serious! I work out like a maniac EVERY DAY and only maintain - that means I am consuming WAY too much food everyday!

For this post on - I am logging everything that passes my lips and finishing this weight loss once and for all! I have about 40 pounds to go and I need this done!!!!!!!!!!

Yea me!!!

PLEASE leave me comments with any tips and tricks you have for this sort of thing!! I am so frustrated that I keep saying this and then do not hold myself accountable and eat whatever I want!

HELP ME!!!! Thanks in advance - you guys rock!!!

CH CH CH CH CH CH Changes...

I decided to make a change in my life on December 9, 1996 when I quit drinking alcohol. I have had not a drop since and life has gotten better (and healthier) every day since. When I quit drinking, a happy little side note came along with it and I lost a lot of weight the right way...cutting out sugar/alcohol, watching what I ate and lots of walking to keep busy and occupied! I went from about 294 (from a last offical doctors office weight in before my honeymoon) to about 240ish in about a year.
Me around May 1996

I decided to make another big change in my life on August 1, 2007 and stopped smoking. I added a few pounds and decided that I should try weight watchers for the first time to get rid of ALL the extra weight finally! I went from 243 to 174 from November 2007 to June 2008.

Me running the Great Race in June 2008

Then I decided I needed a break from Weight Watchers and I could do the rest of the weight on my own. Apparently that is not the case because I have definitely gained and NOT LOST since trying this wayyyyyyy in June 2008. Following ?!?!?!??! HA HA!!

I started back AGAIN at Weight Watchers on 11/28/2009...and have not gotten serious about it and now it is April 2010 (could have already lost 40 pounds) and I have been playing around and losing one then the next week gaining one...not fun anymore!!!! So basically, I have lost NOTHING!!!!!!!

So - I have written this post to RE-AFFIRM my serious attitude toward this weight loss - I will FINALLY address the rest of this weight and lose it FOR GOOD!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to those that have followed this long and I am hoping others will hold me accountable - this needs to be addressed immediately!!!! Thanks for listening!!!

It is time to get serious!!!

BTW - I have an exciting post tomorrow in honor of my 200th post - make sure you come back and check it out!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post of everything!!!

This is a little post about everything!!!

First and formost - even after dinner last Monday at the melting Pot restaurant...I was down 2.8 lbs at weight watchers weigh in on Saturday!!!! Yeah me - I have not been serious for a while and this just shows me that I am finally on track!!! I love my new Saturday meeting also...it gives me something to do early Saturday morning and gets me going!!!

Next - number two - I have taken a few days off from the gym. I was at the gym last week (I think Wednesday) and I had to leave boot camp class half way through as my ears started ringing really badly and I got dizzy and faint...Well, after a minute or two of not feeling like I could catch my breath - I fainted!!! How embarrasing!!!! Anyway, my mom convinced me that I am overdoing the exercise so I took a few days off...has this ever happened to anyone else - This has never happened to me before but it can really scare you!!!!!!!! If it happens again I will haed straight to the doctor!

Third thingy - I am waiting with baited breath for my sister-in-law to finally birth my niece!!! They are in Columbus and she is actually due today but we were sure it would happen last week as she has been dialted forever...anyway I can't wait to meet my new niece (I think her name is going to be Madelyn Josephine or Maddy Jo after my Grandmother). We shall see...hopefully sooner than later!!!!!!!!! They did not go for Annie Jr...oh well, there is always my child, right?!?!?!



WELL EVERYONE, HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!!!!!! I am loving all your post updates!!!!

Show Us Your Weight Loss Tips

Today I am participating in Kelly's Korner "Show us your weight loss tips".
This is a subject near and dear to my heart!! LOL
Here is my before and after....watch out...it is kinda scarrrryyyyyy...
before...

now...

I have struggled with my weight all my life - I do not remember a time when I was not aware that I was overweight.
I began Weight Watchers about 2 years ago and it works!
I think my issue all along has been portion size. I always thought I did not not eat too much but apparently I had NO CONCEPT AT ALL of portion size.
So my number 1 tip is watch and measure your portions!!
Number two is I keep yummy LOWFAT treats on hand (I love Jolly Time popcorn 50 calories, 50 calorie chocolate jello and skinny cow treats)- that way, if I am craving chocolate I can eat something chocolate without having a candy bar! LOL
Number three - get active! I just had to get off the couch and move - once I get to the gym and start moving I feel great!!!! It is just the getting there part that I struggle with - I try to remind myself how good it feels when I am done.
Number four - I have to remember that it is a journey and not a destination...I am learning to "eat to live" and not "live to eat" - some weeks I will gain and others I will lose - there is going to be back steps some weeks but that is ok too.
In total - I have lost over 100 pounds so far with about 40 to go!!
I swear by Weight Watchers now!!!!!!! It has become a HEALTHY way of life!
Tip to myself: don't cheat and you will lose more quickly!!!

New Mind Set!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am trying to enforce a new mind seet in my scarrrrry head!!!!!!
First of all, please pay for Marge L. - she was just a few weeks ago diagnosed with liver cancer. She is an amazing woman and I was informed that she has taken a turn for the worst and is more than likely passing away soon. Please pray that she is welcomed to the next life and her family is comforted as I cannot imagine what they are going through right now. This has all happened in a span of a few weeks - the last time I saw her she was happy and healthy! Please please keep her family in your prayers.
On a lighter note - LIFE IS PRECIOUS!! I have now wasted approx 2 months of mine wallowing about some moron who does not know a good thing when he sees it and who thinks I am just going to wait around and stop breathing until he decides what he needs in his life. I will WASTE NO MORE TIME! I am going to a singles meeting tonight....that ought to be very interesting...I am staying positive and excited about it.
Also, there are some really great new classes at the gym that I am trying so that is something new and fun too!
Again - keep Marge and her family in your prayers and I will post ANY news that happens.
Also - I am down another ten pounds total and can wear one size smaller since X-mas!! Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New to Blogging

Hi! I have decided to start blogging so that family and friends can keep up with my hurried and hectic, full life. Ha-Ha!

Only partly kidding...I just quit smoking a year ago, started exercising, lost over 50 pounds and starting dating someone new.

Things are"A-Changin"!!! Anyway, a friend of my sister's has a blog for her family (recently gave birth to quads) and after reading hers realized what a great way it is to keep track of progress and growth in our lives. Not to mention post pics and share with family and friends. So, hopefully this is just one of the MANY posts soon to come!

I ran the Great Race in Pittsburgh (10K) last Sunday with my mom Janet, sister Kerry and niece Jessica. We all finished. Out of the four of us; Jessica was first with 1:04:12/Kerry second with 1:11:51/mom third with 1:12:04/and me bringing up the rear with 1:14:02. However, just a year ago I had been smoking for 20 years so I am quite proud just to have made it across the finish vertical!!!! I will post pics as soon as I have them.