haPpy hUMp dAy

My stomach ache never did give up last night. I had set my alarm for 5:00 (when I opted not to go to class yesterday evening) but I reset it when I went to bed because I was just really hurting. I ate 6 whole grain saltines for dinner/snack and they seemed to settle it some. Guess maybe my ulcer is kicking it up a notch. :( Anyway ... I watched American Idol, fixed soup for Bert's dinner and bacon and eggs for Josiah, and went to bed about 9:00. Figured that if I naturally woke up at 5:00 I would get up and go to the pool but otherwise I would sleep as long as possble. I woke up at 3:00 (go figure) and realized that was way too early so I went back to sleep! Next thing I knew it was 6:50. Blew it again! :( I did throw my Gym Bag in the truck this morning so I am planning to try to go this afternoon. I KNOW that once I make exercise a regular habit I will enjoy it! But getting started is a real battle!

Had a harsh reminder last night that I have procrastinated way too long on getting my allergy shots! I'm not sure exactly what causes this ... it's almost an asthmatic reaction where I cannot get a breath in. I have been tested for asthma and I don't have it so it seems that it's just a bad allergic response but whatever it is ... it's scary! Hadn't done that in a long time. I was talking to Joe and all of a sudden I couldn't breathe. I was wheezing and trying not to panic and he was pounding on my back (not an entirely pleasant sensation) and it crossed my mind that I really didn't wish to die like this! I finally calmed enough to swallow a sip of water and that cleared it. I just hate it when that happens! Definitely getting my shots started again this week!

I purchased a BodyBugg Wireless Communicator recently to keep at work so that I can easily update my calories burned without waiting til I get home at the end of the day. Not sure what is in the silly little thing to make it worth $50! It may weigh half an ounce! USB cable plugs into the back of it and it reads the data from my armband without my having to remove the BodyBugg from my arm. Actually I would like one for at home too but that can definitely wait a while! I have to take it off my arm and plug it into the USB cable periodically to charge the battery back up anyway! I also got a spare cable (glad I did since I had to plu the wireless communicator into it) and a spare Display Clip and Arm Band. Not the BodyBugg itself but the fabric band that holds it on my arm.
I have been being quite disciplined about entering my Calories Consumed data in the program lately even when I am not thrilled with my choices! (Honesty works best when food journalling!) I wrote a post, on my other blog,  Body Bugg 2 Weeks and Counting, back in October which has more detail about how the device and program work if you're interested.  Except for a couple of days when I made really poor choices (Sunday evening and Monday lunch) I have been exceeding my calorie deficit goal even though I'm not getting the exercise yet. I'm usually about 500 - 750 shy of my calorie burn goal so I don't eat as many calories as I am allowed either. That way everything stays in balance.

I am a bit dubious about the BodyBugg assertion that a calorie burn higher than calorie intake always results in weight loss. Over the long run maybe. But I know from harsh personal experience that physical challenges, hormone imbalances, stress levels, etc. can all affect the scale! Even when calories are in check! And one of the things that Dr. H (Biggest Loser) said that really struck me is that these people who are gentically predisposed to obesity MUST participate in a regular exercise plan for the rest of their lives no matter how closely they watch calories or they will regain the weight! Is it fair? NO! But it is a reality of my life and I need to accept it, embrace it, and work with it!

Tulsa is staying really cold, which makes it difficult for me to work up a whole lot of drive to go to the pool, but at least the sun is shining today! My class options tonight are 5:00 at Hutcherson (closest to home and a smaller YMCA facility) or 5:30 at Thornton or Owasso. The Owasso class is called "Power-Up" so I would assume that it isn't a great starting point! I got gas this morning so that I can go straight to the Gym after work. My inclination is to leave work about 4:30 (if possible) to do the class at Hutcherson but on the other hand ... Thornton has a hot tub! Or they did last time I was there. I love hot tubs! We'll see!

I need to figure out what day this week or next to go in and get my fasting lab work done. Since I am taking a half day Friday for my knee injections anyway I'm tempted to just take the whole day off and spend the day running from one doctor to another. Doesn't that sound fun? I don't know. I guess I'll ask my boss if she has a preference. I'm really quite weary of having to use vacation time for medical stuff! I want a real, relaxing vacation!

Guess that's it for now. More later ...