3 mos doctors appointment

OK, so I had my 3 mos appointment today (3 mos, 1 week, 2 days if you are counting....LOL)....I went over my menu w/ the nut and dr. P.  I explained my problems with flipping my schedule, not knowing when to eat, and therefore most days getting more protein in.  I was told a few things.  

1)  No more than 90gm of protein a day.  My goal is set at 70.  More than that is to "taxing" on the body for me they said and can cause kidney issues (which, by the way, was a topic I was just discussing at work with nurses who were concerned about my protein intake and the effect on the kidneys....)

2)  More fruits and veggies.  I have NOT been getting much in, and I told them that.  So the nut said, especially on my days when my protein count is higher due to being awake for 24 hours and eating more meals, then to replace meals with fruits/veggies and don't worry about the protein for one or two meals, assuming I'm still gonna hit my goal for the day.  Suggestions were to add fruits to my fage yogurt; have salads/veggies and dip (low fat)  I may try my hand at making a spinach dip using fage yogurt as the base (it tastes like sour cream anyway...) Eating that with some veggies or something.  That would kill the protein AND veggie bird both with one stone.

3)  Dr. P wants me eating more red meat.  She said at least 2-3x week.  My iron levels are absolutely NORMAL but she wants them to stay that way.  I currently have red meat maybe 2x a month.  Not because it doesn't sit well - but because hubby has always been more partial to chicken and that's what I've gotten used to cooking.

4)  The constipation thing should be helped by DECREASED protein and INCREASED veggies.  I know the veggies/fruit will help it along - I was however unaware that the additional protein would be adding to the constipation thing.  By the way, I changed my menu around today and went to salad works and had a salad for lunch and bought a veggie soup for work tonight.

5)  I am down 41 pounds per their scale and after drinking fluids all morning.  That equates to 45% of total weight that I need to lose.  Which, they said, was GREAT.  I believe I remember reading that people can expect to lose 50% of excess weight their first YEAR....so I'm almost there at 3 months.  I voiced concerned over this - asking how I would stop losing weight.  They told me not to worry about that - it will happen.  We'll see.

6)  I told Dr. P about my spin class plans for next week (which I'm scared to death of.  My friend is taking me....Wed and Friday mornings....I've heard it's a killer of a class, but willing to give it a go).  She was already happy with my exercise plan - but her eyes lit up when I told her about the spin class.  She said it is by far the best cardiovascular work out, she used to do them and as she put it "I need to go and do that again!  It's a lot of fun!"  She told me expect it to be very difficult, but to keep up with that.  She also stressed varying my routines.

So there ya go.  LESS protein, more veggies/fruit, spin till my legs won't hold me, drink the water, and "keep doing everything else"  All in all, I was quite pleased with the appointment.  But, by the way....the exam rooms seem to be MUCH colder than they used to be.  I froze my hands off in there!!  I say the rooms - but I know it's me!  LOL

Pam

Dear Pam, Your doctor is a quack and a sadistic freak. OK, perhaps I exaggerate, but spin classes can never be classified as "It's a lot of fun". They are good for you, challenging, and all that stuff, and from my VAST experience of going twice, they are not fun!!!!!!!! Anyway,  Congratulations....  you are doing great!!!!  Keep up the hard work!  It's paying off.... (and don't be offended by the crack about your doctor, she's prob a fine, mentally ill exercise nut)               Mary C LOL

I told her almost the same thing - I asked her if collapsing on the floor because my legs can't hold me after the class is just as fun.  She laughed and said I would get there.  I've heard the class is intense, and in all honesty, SCARED TO DEATH about trying it.  But I do need variations in my routine, I need to step out of my little box and a gf of mine wants motivation to get to the gym - so now us taking the spin class together next week is her motivation.  She said we have to at least do it two days a week for lent.  Instead of giving something up we are doing this.  I figure lent is 40 days and we're only doing 2 days a week, so I have only 20 days maximum or so to worry about?  LOL Thanks! Pam

hey pam congrats on your dr. appt!! sounds like everything is going the way it should!! love watching your journey :)  spinning is not for me hahaha but GOOD LUCK to you!!!! i can't even half ass lie and say i would like to try it  -- i watched those people a few times at the gym -- not for me lol it looks tough  exercise this morning was folding the skin into the jeans  take care roberta

Wow, congrats on the weight loss. You are doing GREAT! I took a spin class once, and I was in much better shape then than I am now. (I had been doing step aerobics, eliptical, and interval training.) So one day I decided to try spinning with a friend. By the end, my legs were like limp noodles. The instructor had to come over to me on the bike, put her arms around me in a hug, and drag me off the bike. I literally could not maneuver myself off that machine. Then I practically crawled out of the room. It was hysterical. But, if you keep up with it, and you can get through it okay the first few times, its great exercise, and you will see your strength improving dramatically and quickly.  Good luck! Let us know how you do... Big_Ideas

Hi Pam, Congratulations!!!  You are doing so well.  I hope for continued success on your journey!!!!