Health and Fitness December, 2024

[Lady Maverick]

Posting to remind myself of my long-term commitment to do my best in TAKING CARE OF MYSELF.

We have gifts and food packed and are about to be out the door to have Christmas brunch with family.

Merry Christmas to all

[Ramblinrose]

Yesterday I had a taste of everything I made but did not over eat. I have packed up much of what was left over and bring it to my son and his family to enjoy.

I had eggs and ham for lunch today and enjoyed it. Not very hungry ate the moment because I ate late.

Gave Sweetie some cheesecake for lunch and am sending the rest to my son. I save enough so sweetie can still have some for dessert and a bit more for tomorrow.

[Harriet]

Yips and Yipes - been running around the house finding all the nuts and seeds we have according to their potassium for a fast snack right now. My potassium has swung low, dr doesn't want to treat, but to have me eat my way out of it. Evidently this is another thing that happens?

This has become urgent because of c~r~a~m~p~s in hands and feet, ouch ouch, ouch ouch. Almonds are the number one in this house - retrieved from HRH's desk. Then Cashews I have here for my TuNo Casserole recipe, then Walnuts. Next there are the hempseeds for my smoothie and flaxseed for oatmeal. This bothered me during the night last night, but I thought, no big deal. Tonight it is making itself known. We've put the number one potassium-rich nut, pistachios, on the grocery list.

Had beans for breakfast and in Impossible Meat Sloppy Joes for supper, plus whatever veggies today, but I guess not sufficient so far. Yip, Yipe! Certainly gotten worse since I S2Slippers, so I'm sure temperature is not on my side on a cold night. Have now had a mixed snack of all the nuts and remembering the seeds for morning.

I am definitely headed back to Cronometer. No excuses. The cramps will nip at me until I get there. (Imagine me scampering away from cramps to the computer.)

[Ramblinrose]

Harriet…don’t laugh, but a huge spoonful of yellow mustard will help when the cramps hit. It’s what both Sweetie and I take when we get cramps. When I was doing the Spartan races and marathons I carried mustard packets like you get at a fast food place with me in case of cramps. Many athletes do the same.

I am back on course with eating, drinking and getting my steps in. Since the beginning of the week I managed to get 10k steps daily. So here’s to low/no carbs, plenty of protein and veggies. No sense in waiting till the New Years.

Fortunately I ate pretty clean over the last few days… two slivers of cheeses cake, two cups of 5 cup salad and three rolls. Actually I forgot… I got up in the middle of last night cause of heartburn tummy stuff. Took meds, drank some whole milk..1/2 c…and at a small roll to settle everything down.

[Nancy]

vinegar helps my cramps & peanut butter has a lot of potassium in it also.

[Lady Maverick]

It is time for me to put holiday eating aside and return to what makes my body feel good. I am sooo ready to do this.

I know what to do. It is just a matter of repeatedly making the best choice.

Influenced by Harriet at the importance of potassium and how it affects our body. Looking at my Cronometer data for the last 30 days shows I received the highest amount of potassium from these sources. These are percentage of daily amounts needed.
33% from Optimised Nutrition Electrolyte Mix
24% from Folgers, classic roast coffee
11% from Potatoes, baked flesh & skin without salt
4% from Rotel, diced tomatoes & Green Chilis original
Then a multitude of vegetable sources that each provided 3% or less.

I am surprised to see this. Coffee plays that big of a role in my daily potassium intake? Hum...I am immediately suspicious at the results and am doing a deep dive into it. I do drink 1-2 large cups (24oz) of unsweetened black coffee a day.

This is a one of my sources for the highest potassium per serving and highest potassium per calorie.

[Harriet]

Oh, thank you guys. Believe me, I am both learning and counting,. Yes, I had thought to myself that if we do sandwiches, it's heavy on the mustard for me, lol. Nancy, I was amused that peanuts were consistently listed when I checked out nuts last evening, and peanuts are a bean. That sent me looking at other beans, too - a good thing - so that's part of today, with collards. LadyM, I was surprised at coffee, too. I had hot tea this a.m. and I bet that doesn't count the same - shucks, lol.

It took me a bit to get back into the swing of Cronometer, but I've gotten two small meals counted and am well over 50 percent potassium for the day, with Crowder Peas leading the pack of foods at 11 percent. Nothing compares with the potatoes HRH is planning for later, though. They will give me a full third of recommended.

You will be surprised but I have emailed the nutritionist who chatted with me the other day. She had already emailed me once, generally sending printed info on nausea during treatments. I had promised her the Tu-No recipe I took on treatment day for times she has interaction with vegetarian patients. It gave me a good chance to just ask her opinion on this potassium/cramps concern - whether it is common, has she dealt with it before, etc. These are quite severe, keeping me from holding some things in my hands when they hit, or from a good night's sleep.

Last night I slept well without cramps at all - whew. So snacking on mixed nuts must have made a difference. I can only assume this will be an ongoing challenge for me during treatments.

In general, I feel much better and am counting the 13th day (Christmas) as the first of the real, noticeable ease of symptoms. My watch's "body battery" feature hadn't even been speaking to me for at least a week and I noticed today I recouped a lot and by morning I had hit 100 percent on that to awaken.
Yay. So now one normal-feeling week may stretch ahead. Getting housework done, too, with HRH following me frowning, lol.

[Ramblinrose]

Harriet… make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Dehydration will cause cramping to.. that’s what causes mine. Sweetie eats a banana a day and still gets cramps if he doesn’t drink enough water. When our cramps hit.. I get them in my hands, feet, calves and ankles I head for my mustard bottle fast!

[Nancy]

I got 10K steps in today.

[Lady Maverick]

Yesterday I had some successes and some failures.
Today I am trying to increase the successes and reduce the failures.
I seek to be honest with myself and not give up.