Healthy & Fitness - October 2014

[Nancy]

My low tech walking stick worked fine today on my walk.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

RR: About heights - I was challenged on the hike with Lady M last year! Forty feet would definitely make me stop and think. Walking sticks help me a lot so you might recommend that in the future.

I've been off program and not weighing myself either. Probably a very bad combination, especially since I'm off on a trip now. Will do my best to eat carefully and even track.

[Twins' Mom]

Kathryn, I also had not weighed myself from last Thursday a.m. (when I was leaving early on trip to take dmom to see dsis) until I weighed and recorded weight on Sunday. So now I have a streak of three going again.

[Harriet]

I wanted to "review" the more pure stevia packets I am trying - KAL brand, purchased at EarthFare grocery. I like it fine - very pleased. Each packet delivers plenty of sweetness. For my taste, I think 1/2 packet substitutes for 1 packet of other sweeteners. (For instance 1/2 packet in my oatmeal, or my cup of coffee.) It's softly powdery - resembles dry creamer products.

For this brand, each packet has 186 mg of stevia and a little (25 mg) of powdered monk-fruit juice concentrate. So I'm very pleased with the natural ingredients. It has 1 gram of carbs per packet (sugar packets have 6). And I'm using just half that, only getting 1/2 gram of carbs, and I think that pretty much equals the sweetness we expect from packets. So, one-twelfth the carbs of using sugar, for me. Good deal.

[Nancy]

My arm was aching before and during the rains we had today.
I did my walk that was plesant the sun came out.
Took my umbrella with me.

[Norma]

NO Rosie! I won't be asking you if I can come "play" with you! I am afraid I wouldn't make the first block.

Today was my appt. with my GI doctor after all my tests were completed. I had already read my Portal so I knew the results. The fecal test showed that I have very bad digestion and need to take the pills with each meal. The only bad part is that I have to do a "Stool Fat Quantitative 24 hr." test. OH JOY! He knew I would hate that. This will show him whether I need 2 pills or just 1 with each meal. This, to me, is a no-brainer. I will take one a meal and if that doesn't do the job I will take 2! (NO, I will abide by his rules.)

My really great news is that I have lost 6 lbs. in the last month since I saw him. That and my probiotics are doing well for me. I am just staying away from the sugar, but I know I need to do more than that.

[LadyMaverick]

Norma - you are doing awesome! Glad your are getting some answers. Love your sense of humor.

RR - I would love to come "Play" with you. Hiking regularly is on my "want to do" list. I have a place & time (Kathryn did it with me) but I just need to clear my schedule on Saturday mornings and DO IT!

Harriet - thank you for that review!

Nancy - hope your arm feels better soon. (((Hugs)))

My recent healthy habit actions -
** i've been daily tracking weight, treadmill, sleep, meals, water and vitamins. Those are starting to become a do-able. Easy as long as I keep focus upon them. My hourly reward is quick & simple but very effective for me. I get to pump my fist into the air and declare "I GOT THIS". As crazy as that sounds, that reward works for me. Those times when I don't get to do that simple little gesture results in a disappointment and renewed effort to be able to do it during the next hour.
** I'm working on developing a weekly meal plan that incorporates food on hand, nutrition value of the individual dishes and entire meal, cost, ease of prep/serving. I'm comparing the various meals we eat regularly to each other which results in me noticing the meals that are better.

[Ramblinrose]

Y'all are going to think I'm crazy, but what else is new...

My new goal for Feb. 7, 2015 AZ Spartan Race... its a done deal, already sign up for this. And NO I will NOT be competing with Kathryn's son ... he does the Spartan Beast like my son.

This is a five mile event with 15-20 obstacles. I am joining in with a group to do this race. I may be the oldest in the group, but I am determined I will NOT be the weakest link in our chain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYPRMfj5X9U

[Norma]

I forgot to say when I posted this a.m. that what I have (officially) is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. (EPI) Interesting that all along I thought I had Colitis, which was what I was diagnosed with some years back. Now I am so glad that he finally found what it really is. I will be taking Creon. (Lipase)

Rosie, can Mr. Guy and I come cheer you on? Is it where we can ride along in the car and watch you? Hey, seriously, I think it is great that you are doing this. I know you have things on your Bucket List you wanted to do when you retired.

[Nancy]

I had a walk today.