Water How I Need Thee

Not enough water yesterday. I woke swollen this morning. Darn edema! Fingers look like little sausages. But it is okay. I am going to drink water soon. Now the most disturbing thing is how I gained 15lbs overnight! Sorry ladies and gents, seems my scale is not reliable. I know I have lost though-clothes fit better. Time for a new scale! I am going to spring for a heavy duty one.

I did have two chocolate chip cookies yesterday about mid day. But it should not have caused me to gain that much. :D
Like I said, I am a sugar addict.

I did make a yummy fruit salad for dessert last night:
Sugar Free Ambrosia

1 can pineapple chunks in juice-not heavy syrup
1 can mandarin orages (lite)
1 can whole cherries in water
1 3oz box sf cheesecake jello pudding
3/4 c shredded coconut
1 c plain yogurt

Prepare jello per instructions on box. Add yogurt and mix together. Add remaining ingredients and stir until fruit is completely coated. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

Great Food Tracker Site

There are a ton of food or calorie tracker websites out there but my personal choice is www.fitday.com
This site is free to sign up and it will also keep track of calories burned through daily activities and exercise.
You can set weight loss goals and even post daily notes in your journal.
It is so not easy to lose weight. Especially for those of us with a hormonal or thyroid imbalance. BUT it is doable and you can overcome this.

I will post more about my metabolic regimen in future blogs. It is working!!!

Blessed Be...

Dandelion Tea

One word-Edema. I have it bad. Cankles, swollen legs, fingers, arms, the works. It is always made 10 times worse with eating high sodium foods. No kidding. :) I know it should not take a rocket scientist to figure this out, but hey, I have my vices.

Enter dandelion tea. This not too tasty tea is not one I would consume for pleasure. At least not yet. My taste buds are still working. :) Besides tasting like a mud pie, the tea work wonders for water retention. One cup of this King of the Weeds and you will start to feel and see relief. Yes ladies and gents, it makes your trips to the restroom much more frequent. Essentially, this herb helps to detox the liver and kidneys.
Note: Due to strong detoxing effects possible side effects include gallbladder discomfort and possible kidney stones (if they are already present) So for you "stoner" people out there who suffer, I would not recommend.

Okay so after a night of eating cheese dip, yup, who moved my tea? I need some ASAP. :)

Blessed Be...

Dangers of Sugar

I have told many people now about my sugar obssession. For those who do not yet know. "Hi, my name is Crystal, and I am a sugar addict." Also known as a pre-diabetic. My Mother is a full Type 2 diabetic for almost 20 years now. Shots and all. I do not want to end up that way, but unless I do something about my weight, I am going to join her soon. I have switched from the sugar to the non-sugar alternatives. It does help. The first thing I noticed was I was no longer falling asleep at my desk at 3 in the afternoon. That was bad. I felt horrible and could barely keep my eyes open. Light headed and moody! Boy oh boy I was moody. Blood sugar swings can make a person not too fun to be around. Irregular heartbeats. I noticed when I would eat alot of sugar, namely chocolate, I would suffer from mild tacchychardia. (Heart flutters) Of course I am sure it has more to do with the caffeine in chocolate than sugar.

Now, what am I trying to do...stay away from the sweet stuff. I do like Truvia the best. It is a natural sweetener but tastes great. No aftertaste, at least not to my taste buds. I have gained some weight the past few days (sugar slip) and my scale is showing the lack of discipline. That is okay. I will pick myself up and start over tomorrow.

It is so important for me to succeed. Not just for myself but for so many people I want to help. Going back to medical school is a huge step. (Coming from the Accounting world). But I want to understand the human body and how we can heal ourselves. I am taking this year to heal the ailments in my body. Blessed be.