My Last Chance

[Amarylis]

I am going to use this website like a confessional. My goal is to report in daily with my successes and failures.

HEALTH ISSUES:
A little about my journey so far. I had lapband surgery in March 06 and I have lost 39 pounds since then. I am making a choice not to tighten the band anymore. I feel like it is at a good fill level and I plan on using a carb cycling diet and exercise to lose the last 50 pounds. I have two skin conditions which have always gotten in the way of continuous exercise. The first is rosacea - I am just going to have to accept that with exercising, I will have a red face. The second skin condition is Hidradenitis Supportiva (HS). It leads to boils/abscesses under my arms and in the crease of my legs. It is a progressive disorder and I have noticed in the last 2 years is getting worse. I currently have a small abscess in the crease of my leg which has put me off exercise for the last week. I so wanted to run on Thursday after work but I couldn't due to the pain and infection. I started taking tetracycline last week and now I am dealing with nausea, diarrhea and no appetite as well as itchy skin due to yeast infections. I am hoping to taper the antibiotics this week so that I can get off of them. I am also starting the YAZ BC pill this next cycle - it is supposed to help with both skin conditions. I think that is my health in a nutshell.

DIET
I will be doing a carb cycling diet (3 day cycle - No carb, low carb, and high carb). I started the diet today and will be listing my foods and macros to keep me accountable.

Sunday - no carb (woke up late so a late start on my 5 meals)
M1 (1000): Protein shake
1.5 scoops of protein
2 tbsp Natural PB
1 oz heavy cream
8 oz water

M2(0100): 3 oz turkey
I had planned on 5 oz turkey and cup of raw broccoli and cauliflower but just not hungry.

M3 (0230): Liquid whey protein

M4 (0400): 3 oz turkey
cup of broccoli and cauliflower

M5 (0630): Cup of cottage cheese 4%
1 scoop protein powder
3 roma tomatoes

My macros for the day: They are too low but I am fighting nausea and stomach upset.
Cals 1107
Fat 45g (37%)
Carbs 34g (11%)
Protein 142g (52%)

EXERCISE
I won't be doing any exercise today cause my wound is almost healed but I plan on starting back tomorrow.

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS
I plan on weighing officially only every Sunday morning. I will try to stay off the scale through the week but it is almost an addiction for me so I will be working on this too.

Wgt 9/24/06: 170.5lbs
BF% by scale: 43%
BF% by online site: 42%
LBM: 99lbs
Ideal wgt: 121

Neck: 13.75
Breast: 42
Waist: 36.75
Biggest part of hips: 42.75
Smallest part of hips: 40.75
Right thigh: 23.5
Right arm (bicep): 11.75



Well that's everything, I think. I will be checking in tomorrow hopefully with 2-3 of my meals eaten and part of my exercise done for the day.

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

A co-worker has convinced me to do a ketogenic diet again. I have had success in the past on this type of diet so we will be working together to lose our weight. I have to rethink what I am eating tomorrow. So it is off to fitday.com and reworking of my menus for the next couple of days.

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

Well day 2 is done and I realized that I need to work on my goals. I have nebulous goals in my head but I need to write them down so that I can focus on them daily.

HEALTH ISSUES:
Well my abscess is almost healed - I still have a slight twinge here and there but overall, I am happy the antibiotics are working.

DIET:
M1: Protein shake with heavy cream and natural PB

M2: Pepperoni slices - 14

M3: Turkey with cheese and mayo

M4: Skipped due to my work schedule

M5: Parmesan crusted chicken with 5 black olives

This is by no means a good menu - I put it together on the cuff. I plan on having a big salad tomorrow to bump up my veggies. I will try to do a lot of veggies every other day - I am not a big veggie eater.

My macros for the day:
Cals 1670
Fat 110g (60%)
Carbs 28g (6%)
Protein 141g (34%)

EXERCISE:
I am still taking it easy due to my sore but I did get my T-TAPP tape (say that 3 times, I dare ya) so I did instructional part 1. It didn't seem that tough, I might be eating my words tomorrow. I am hoping to get out of bed early so that I can hit the gym before work. I would like to do my full body weight lifting routine.

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:
Well I have managed to stay off the scale today. I will have to be diligent in the next few days. I am going to try to stay off the scale for one week. I plan on taking this goal week by week.



Overall it has been a great day.

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

HEALTH ISSUES:
I still have a slight twinge here and there but overall, I am happy the antibiotics are working.

DIET:
M1: 1 egg with hotdog fried in butter

M2: Missed due to work schedule

M3: Salad with parmesan crusted chicken
Blue cheese dressing

M4: Almonds

M5: Parmesan crusted chicken with 12 black olives
Hot chocolate

My macros for the day:
Cals 1311
Fat 102g (71%)
Carbs 25g (5%)
Protein 77g (24%)

EXERCISE:
I did my run this morning - 2 miles.
I also did my T-TAPP tape instructional part 1.

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:
Well I have managed to stay off the scale again today.

Amarylis

[turtlegirl115]

Hi - I was going to send you a private message but you don't have enough posts for that yet. I hope you don't mind me interrupting your journal. I was reading some journals today and ran across yours. Out of curiosity, I googled HS. I think I might have it. I have been diagnosed with folliculitis for several years now but I think it's getting worse. I've been on antibiotics for 6 days now and I actually have a new sore. In the past I've been diagnosed by my gyno and regular doctor. I'm scheduling an appt with a dermatologist tomorrow just to see what he/she has to say. Do you mind telling me how you were diagnosed? Is there a test? All the info I could find said the doctor would just be able to tell by looking at me and reading my history. Do you know how HS differs from folliculitis? I'm really freaking out today b/c HS seems SO serious and the long term effects or progression I guess I should say really makes me anxious. Is there medication for it? I know there's no cure. I just added red meat back to my diet and it seems to have become worse. I've read that raw/dairy free diets are very helpful to some. Have you tried that? Sorry for all the questions.

[Amarylis]

No problem about the questions.

I was diagnosed this year after switching to a new doctor. For the last 10 years, I thought it was just recurrent boils and even folliculitis. There is no definitive test for HS but your dermatologist should be able to diagnose you based on your pattern of scars and history.

I was petrified when I read about the stages of this disease. I am luckily only a stage 1 - with maybe 2-3 outbreaks a year. They are coming more frequent and I have noticed they last longer. I seem to get them right before my cycle as well as my rosacea flares right before my cycle. That is why I am trying the new YAZ BC pill - some women on HS forums say that it has helped (not cured) the symptoms. Antibiotics generally don't do much for this because for many this isn't about a bacterial infection. I am using tetracycline for my rosacea and it has helped some in healing my latest sore.

As for treatment - unfortunately there isn't a treatment as of yet. They are doing a couple of research trials right now. The first is using Humira/Enbrel (auto immune drug) because they think HS has an autoimmune component to it. The other thing that some doctors are starting - RADIATION THERAPY (how scary is that?). It is not offered regularly but I have read about 10 people who have had it done in the last few years.

Some people have had success with taking zinc - I just bumped up my dose to 100 mg per day. So I am hoping with the BC pills and zinc that I can keep my HS down to a stage 1.

I would print out a good information sheet to take with you to the doctor’s visit - just in case they have never dealt with this disease. Be careful with accutane - many doctors want to prescribe it for this but it doesn't help and the side effects are horrendous.

Hope that helped and I didn't freak you out. Ask if you have any more questions. I am still learning but if nothing else I can give you websites with more information.

Amarylis

[turtlegirl115]

Thank you SO much! I have printed out an informational pamphlet to take with me. I'm really hoping the Dr will have already heard of it though.

That's just crazy that there are no real treatments. Good to know that they are least doing some research studies though. And OMG radiation?! So scary!

I will check my multi vitamin to see how much zinc is included. I'll buy a supplement if needed. Hadn't heard about that suggestion so thanks. I did hear about Yaz and will definitely speak to my Dr about it. I was on accutane once before and I will NEVER take that again. It wreaked havoc on my system.

The main website I've looked at is www.hs-usa.org. If you have any others, I'd love to check them out as well. Again, thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions.

[Amarylis]

The best site in my opinion is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hidradenitis/

Another yahoo group is: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HidradenitisWorldwide/
This is where I learned about the zinc. Search under zinc and sampleldy - she is in remission by just taking zinc daily.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~ruthb/Hi...ppurativa.html
This site has a lot of links for you to look at.

Hope this helps.

Amarylis

[turtlegirl115]

Thank you. Again, I'm so sorry to crowd your journal.

[Amarylis]

DIET:
M1: 1 egg with hotdog fried in butter

M2: Missed due to work schedule

M3: Parmesan crusted chicken dipped in ranch dressing
Medium cucumber

M4: Missed due to work schedule. I plan on being better about getting my snacks in each day.

M5: Fried Turkey in butter with 9 black olives
Diet root beer with 2 tbsp heavy cream

My macros for the day:
Cals 1479
Fat 120g (74%)
Carbs 22g (5%)
Protein 78g (21%)

EXERCISE:
I went to a pilates class today. I enjoyed it and hopefully we will go MWF.
I also did my T-TAPP tape instructional part 1 for the third time. I am hoping that I see a difference in my waist. If I do then I will pass this on to my mother, I think she can do this and get back into her smaller jeans without dieting.

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:
I resisted the siren call of the scale again this morning but I will weigh tomorrow or Friday and check my measurements and body fat percentage on Sunday.

GOALS:
1. I would like to be 158 pounds by Halloween and/or a size 12 in jeans.
2. I would like to be running 4-5 miles 3-4 times a week by Halloween.
3. I want to meet with my personal trainer at least 3 times before Halloween.
4. I would like go to at least 2 AB LAB classes at my gym.

I am feeling so good but I did have a few moments of nausea due to ketosis but I just had more water and that seemed to help with those ketosis symptoms.

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

DIET:
M1: 1 egg with hotdog fried in butter. Only ate half

M2: Ate the rest of the egg and hot dog

M3: Turkey fried in butter with a roma tomato

M4: Cottage cheese with heavy cream, splenda and 6 blueberries

M5: Chicken cooked with butter and green onions.
Roma tomato baked with cheese on top.
Diet root beer with 2 tbsp heavy cream

My macros for the day:
Cals 1486
Fat 114g (69%)
Carbs 17g (4%)
Protein 98g (27%)

EXERCISE:
I ran a little over 2 miles and walked 1 mile. I have to do a big full body weight lifting in the morning to deplete my glycogen before I do my carb up for the day - so I need to get to sleep early tonight.

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:
I got on the scale this morning - I weigh 168 - so I have dropped 2.5 pounds since Sunday. I expect that I will bump up in weight for the first part of the week after I do the carb up but if I can keep 1 pound off for the week then I will be happy.

GOALS:
1. I would like to be 158 pounds by Halloween and/or a size 12 in jeans.
2. I would like to be running 4-5 miles 3-4 times a week by Halloween.
3. I want to meet with my personal trainer at least 3 times before Halloween.
4. I would like go to at least 2 AB LAB classes at my gym.

I ran after work which is hard for me to do because I just want to come home and shower and get in my PJs. It felt so good and my muscles needed the stretch. I was sore all day from the pilates class yesterday. I will go back to that class on a regular basis.

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

Quick happy check in for me. I am down to 167.5 pounds as of this morning. I did sleep in this morning and will miss my workout today but I am not beating myself up about it because I want to be less obsessive about my workout program. I will hit the gym hard on Sunday and I plan on meeting with my personal trainer this next week to change up my routine - It has been about 2 months since I have had this routine. I expect that I will be up a pound or two by Sunday morning due to my carb up today but I have been told to give this diet a 4 week try before getting discouraged. If I can have at least 5-6 pounds off by the end of the 4 weeks then I will be happy. So goal for Sunday weigh in is to still be in the 160s.

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

DIET:
M1: 1 egg

M2: 1 serving of almonds

M3: Mexican food - I ended up doing a dirty carb up.

M4: Nothing

M5: Chicken and dumplings

My macros for the day: I am not even going to try to get my macros for this day due to eating out with no way of calculating the information.
Cals
Fat g (%)
Carbs g (%)
Protein g (%)

EXERCISE:
Due to sleeping late, I wasn't able to get to the gym this morning. My boss was sitting in my office when I got into work today but she was in a great mood so she didn't say anything about being late this morning.

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:
I got on the scale this morning - I weigh 167.5 - so I have dropped 3 pounds since Sunday. I will be doing my measurements on Sunday and my body fat percentage.

GOALS:
1. I would like to be 158 pounds by Halloween and/or a size 12 in jeans.
2. I would like to be running 4-5 miles 3-4 times a week by Halloween.
3. I want to meet with my personal trainer at least 3 times before Halloween.
4. I would like go to at least 2 AB LAB classes at my gym.
5. I want to have a clean carb up next week.

I feel run down today and I think it is due to carbs I am eating. I am hoping to see a difference in my run tomorrow.

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

DIET:
M1: 4 sausage links

M2: Cheese stick and pepperoni

M3: Cheese stick and pepperoni

M4: 2 sausage links

M5: Chicken fried in butter with olives
root beer with heavy cream

I wasn't super hungry today and I wanted to get my fat percentage as close to 80% as I could to help get me back into ketosis.

My macros for the day:
Cals 1481
Fat 131g (79%)
Carbs 16g (3%)
Protein 67g (18%)

EXERCISE:
I did T-Tapp instructional video 1
I also did a pilates tape.

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:
I got on the scale this morning - I weigh 168. I am up .5 pound but am not upset about it. I have lost 2.5 pounds in 6 days so I am satisfied with my progress. I can't wait to measure to see if t-tapp has been effective.

GOALS:
1. I would like to be 158 pounds by Halloween and/or a size 12 in jeans.
2. I would like to be running 4-5 miles 3-4 times a week by Halloween.
3. I want to meet with my personal trainer at least 3 times before Halloween.
4. I would like go to at least 2 AB LAB classes at my gym.
5. I want to have a clean carb up next week.

Today has been a lazy day for me and I have just enjoyed a day off with reading a book.

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

HEALTH ISSUES:
Well this week my TOM is due and my abscess is flaring up again. This sucks - I can't exercise with this pain. Oh well, I will start back hard core as soon as the pain eases - hopefully tomorrow.

DIET:
M1: 1 egg and half hot dog cooked in butter

M2: 1 egg and half hot dog cooked in butter

M3: String cheese and root beer float

M4: Olives - I am a bit addicted to black olives

M5: 1 slice of Linda's White castle pie (Yum)

M6: Ricotta cheese with 1 tablespoon blueberries

My macros for the day:
Cals 1508
Fat 132g (79%)
Carbs 22g (4%)
Protein 63g (17%)

EXERCISE:
I won't be doing any exercise today because of my wound.

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:

Wgt 10/1/06: 166.5lbs
BF% by scale: 43%
BF% by online site: 39%
LBM: 102lbs
Ideal wgt: 124

Neck: 13.5
Breast: 41.5
Waist: 35.75
Biggest part of hips: 41.25
Smallest part of hips: 40.25
Right thigh: 23
Right arm (bicep): 12

I think that the Ttapp tape is working so I will continue to do it but I won't remeasure for at least 2 weeks.

I am finding this diet very appealing due to the loss of cravings. I really don't crave sweets like I normally do. I think it helps that I can have a few (1 tablespoon) blueberries in cottage cheese or ricotta cheese to help with any sugar cravings.

I have lost 4 pounds this week but even though I have been doing a lower carb menu for all of September - I believe this is due to mainly water weight. If I can keep all 4 pounds off this week then I will be happy (of course, I won't turn my nose up on dropping more weight though).

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

DIET:
M1: Ricotta cheese with blueberries

M2: 2 pieces of bacon

M3: Linda Sue's whitecastle pie

M4: 2 pieces of bacon

M5: Turkey fried in butter
Tomatoes with cottage cheese

M6: Root beer float

My macros for the day:
Cals 1582
Fat 124g (71%)
Carbs 20g (5%)
Protein 98g (25%)

EXERCISE:
I went to a pilates class at lunch.
I rode my bike for 20 minutes.

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:
I was a bad girl and stepped on the scale again this morning. I am down another half pound (166).

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

DIET:
M1: 1 egg with hotdog cooked in butter

M2: Stringcheese

M3: Linda Sue's whitecastle pie
Sliced tomatoes

M4: Stringcheese

M5: 1 scrambled egg and 2 sausage links
1/2 cup cottage cheese with heavy cream and 6 blueberries

My macros for the day:
Cals 1580
Fat 133g (76%)
Carbs 19g (4%)
Protein 79g (20%)

EXERCISE:
I ran over 2 miles and walked 1 mile.
T-tape BWO+
I rode my bike for 5 minutes.

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:
I stayed off the scale today. Yeah for me.

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

DIET:
M1: 1/2 cup ricotta cheese with heavy cream and splenda

M2: 1 egg with hotdog cooked in butter

M3: 1 egg with hotdog cooked in butter

M4: Linda Sue's whitecastle pie

M5: Chicken breast cooked in butter with garlic powder
root beer float

My macros for the day:
Cals 1979
Fat 172g (78%)
Carbs 19g (4%)
Protein 90g (18%)

I am going to start cycling my calories to prevent my body from thinking I am starving - so today I am eating close to 2000 calories. I actually enjoyed eating this amount of food and think that I will do a high calorie keto day 1-2 times a week just to give my metabolism a boost.

EXERCISE:
I did a full body weight lifting routine.
I did a pilates class at lunch.

I met with my PT this morning and will plan on meeting her every Friday morning for the next 5 weeks. So by next friday I will have goal number 3 accomplished.

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:
I am 166 pounds still but I am A-OK with it.

GOALS:
1. I would like to be 158 pounds by Halloween and/or a size 12 in jeans.
2. I would like to be running 4-5 miles 3-4 times a week by Halloween.
3. I want to meet with my personal trainer at least 3 times before Halloween.
4. I would like go to at least 2 AB LAB classes at my gym.
5. I want to have a clean carb up next week.

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

DIET:
M1: 1/2 cup ricotta cheese with heavy cream and splenda

M2: 1 egg with hotdog cooked in butter

M3: 1 egg with hotdog cooked in butter

M4: Chicken breast cooked in butter with garlic powder
Sliced Tomatoes

M5: Sausage links
Root beer float

My macros for the day:
Cals 1605
Fat 138g (77%)
Carbs 24g (5%)
Protein 70g (17%)

EXERCISE:
I ran 2 miles and walked a little less than .5 mile

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:
I am 165 pounds so maybe that high calorie day was a good thing.

GOALS:
1. I would like to be 158 pounds by Halloween and/or a size 12 in jeans. (I wore size 12 slacks today but I am not saying this goal is done because I can't wear my size 12 jeans yet).
2. I would like to be running 4-5 miles 3-4 times a week by Halloween.
3. I want to meet with my personal trainer at least 3 times before Halloween.
4. I would like go to at least 2 AB LAB classes at my gym.
5. I want to have a clean carb up next week.

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

DIET:
M1: Slice of cheese

Postworkout: liquid whey

M2: 1/2 muffin and glass of OJ

M3: B-B-Q lunch - celebrating Denim Day (Breast Cancer programs)

M4: Cream cheese and crackers

M5: Mac and cheese
Lowfat ice cream

I am trying to keep fats on the lower side to keep this carb up cleaner than last week. This is the planned meals, we will see how it goes. I won't beat myself up if I have something off this plan as long as it stays in the lower fat region.

My macros for the day: I am not even going to try to get my macros for this day due to eating out with no way of calculating the information.
Cals
Fat g (%)
Carbs g (%)
Protein g (%)

EXERCISE:
I met with my PT again this morning and she kicked my butt. I could tell that my muscles didn't have a lot of energy storage. I struggled to do the last few reps of each set of exercises.

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:
I am 163.5 - YEAH. I was 167.5 on last Friday so that is a loss of 4 pounds. What is great is that I have no desire at this point to eat off my plan. I do expect to go up tomorrow on the scale. Hopefully not more than 3-4 pounds.

GOALS:
1. I would like to be 158 pounds by Halloween and/or a size 12 in jeans.
2. I would like to be running 4-5 miles 3-4 times a week by Halloween.
3. I want to meet with my personal trainer at least 3 times before Halloween.
4. I would like go to at least 2 AB LAB classes at my gym.
5. I want to have a clean carb up next week.

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

I am actually on Day 14 of my journal and not 13 like I thought - I am a bit of a spaz at times.

DIET:
M1: 1 egg cooked in butter and 3 sausage links

M2: 1 string cheese cooked in olive oil with garlic powder

M3: 3 sausage links

M4: Sausage and green beans

M5: Cream cheese with heavy cream and 1 tbsp blueberries and splenda

My macros for the day:
Cals 1537
Fat 143g (83%)
Carbs 14g (3%)
Protein 52g (13%)

I was purposely trying to keep my fat percent over 80% to help get me back into ketosis after my carb up.

EXERCISE:
I ran 3 miles and walked 3 miles

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:
I am 166.5 pounds so I went up 3 pounds from my carb up. Not a problem because I still am down 1.5 pounds since last Saturday.

GOALS:
1. I would like to be 158 pounds by Halloween and/or a size 12 in jeans.
2. I would like to be running 4-5 miles 3-4 times a week by Halloween.
3. I want to meet with my personal trainer at least 3 times before Halloween.
4. I would like go to at least 2 AB LAB classes at my gym.
5. I want to have a clean carb up next week.

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

DIET:
M1: 1 egg cooked in butter with a hotdog

M2: 1/2 cup ricotta cheese with heavy cream

M3: Sausage and green beans

M4: Pepperoni, cheese and mayonnaise

M5: 1/2 cup Cottage cheese with heavy cream
Root beer float

My macros for the day:
Cals 2066
Fat 185g (81%)
Carbs 20g (4%)
Protein 78g (15%)

I was really hungry today - I think it is due to my TOM. I am late by 2 days so I am really frustrated with the bloating and PMS - I wish it would come already.

EXERCISE:
I did 6 days of workout this week and I am using today as a rest day.

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:
I am down 1/2 pound to 166. I am having slight doubts about my diet - to the point where I have been researching other types. I know this is a bad sign and I plan on giving this diet 4 weeks. I believe my PMS is messing with my head.

GOALS:
1. I would like to be 158 pounds by Halloween and/or a size 12 in jeans.
2. I would like to be running 4-5 miles 3-4 times a week by Halloween.
3. I want to meet with my personal trainer at least 3 times before Halloween.
4. I would like go to at least 2 AB LAB classes at my gym.
5. I want to have a clean carb up next week.

Amarylis

[Amarylis]

DIET:
M1: 1 egg cooked in butter with a hotdog

M2: 1/2 cup cottage cheese with heavy cream

M3: Sausage and green beans

M4: Almonds

M5: Hamburger pattie with mushrooms and provolone cheese
plum tomato with cottage cheese

My macros for the day:
Cals 1749
Fat 148g (76%)
Carbs 25g (4%)
Protein 84g (19%)

EXERCISE:
I rode my bike for 1 hour.
I went to my pilates class at lunch
I t-tapped BWO+

WEIGHT/MEASUREMENTS:
I am back up 1/2 pound to 166.5.

GOALS:
1. I would like to be 158 pounds by Halloween and/or a size 12 in jeans.
2. I would like to be running 4-5 miles 3-4 times a week by Halloween.
3. I want to meet with my personal trainer at least 3 times before Halloween.
4. I would like go to at least 2 AB LAB classes at my gym.
5. I want to have a clean carb up next week. (It wasn't as clean as I would have liked but I am going to plan ahead for this friday).

Amarylis