My Weight Loss Diary

My weight has gone up over the last three years and my already high blood pressure too. My doctor has me on three BP med's now and I'm refusing to have the strength of them increased and or an additional one added, the side effects are getting old. I'm on 10mg of Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker, 40mg of Quinapril, a ACE inhibitor and 25mg of Chlorthalid, a water pill.

I've had high blood pressure as long as I can remember. I begged the doctor to pass me when I went into the Air Force, it was high enough to keep me out. He fudged the readings and I was in. When I was discharged it was still high and I had to go back to the doctor everyday for a week so they could monitor it. They finally signed off a week later and I got my discharge papers.

So, I've come to the conclusion that I will always be on BP med's, even if my weight comes down to a more healthy amount. I'm just hoping that I can come off one or two of them or lower the strengths of them.

What has brought me to this point where I need to make a change? Hauling my lard ass up hills is getting old. The side effects from the BP med's are affecting my riding. Mainly, my quads ache unbelievably when I push my pace or do hills, Quinapril causes the muscle aches, this has been getting worse over time. The water pill, which was added only a few months ago, makes it tuff to stay hydrated properly and I'm waiting for a lab report to see if it's affecting my electrolytes.

SO IT'S TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE, THE WEIGHT NEEDS TO COME OFF!

How am I going to go about this? First, by trying to eat healthier and not consuming as much as I have in the past. Second, by writing updates on this blog, in my Weight Loss Diary. That way, you can all keep tabs on me and chastise me when the weights not coming off.Lastly, bicycling as much as possible, but still having a life too.

So stay tuned, my next doctors visit is 9/30/2009. I'll discuss a few things with him and then start my weight loss program.

10/1/2009

I saw my doctor yesterday for my blood pressure reading, it was 142/80. Not bad but needs to be better if I'm ever going to get off of some of these BP med's. So starting this Monday I will change my eating habits. Notice I didn't say diet, diets are temporary and don't work for me, I have to make a permanent change, that will work for me.

I will weigh myself every Monday morning and log the results here, to keep you all updated. I will also report the total amount of miles I rode on my bicycle for the previous week. Wish me luck!

10/5/2009

OK, I weighed myself this morning, are you ready? 267.2 lbs. Pretty bad, huh? Send me lots of good karma, I'll need it.

10/12/2009

I rode 91.5 miles last week and did a pretty good job watching what I ate, I weighed myself this morning and the scale read 256.6 lbs. I lost 10.6 lbs! That's a lot more than I expected and I'm sure the following weeks won't be as much, but it was a great start. On to week two.

10/19/2009

This was a weird week, I only got 78 miles in because of the rain and I didn't lose anything. My weight stayed the same at 256.6. This week I'll have to do better.

10/26/2009

I rode 84 miles last week. Didn't do as good a job of watching what I ate but still managed to lose 2.4lbs. Current weight 254.2lbs. Total weight loss 13lbs.

11/2/2009

This week sucked big time. I didn't get one single ride in do to weather,commitments and a swollen mouth with six stitches from a dental procedure. Don't ask me how, but I still managed to lose 1.2lbs. Current weight 253lbs. Total weight loss 14.2lbs.

11/9/2009

I rode 106.5 miles this week. Current weight 250.8, I lost 2.2 lbs. Total weight loss 16.4 lbs. Hopefully I can break into the 240's this week.

11/16/2009

I didn't have a good week. I only got two rides in totaling 30.5 miles. My current weight is 252 lbs, I gained 1.2 lbs this week. I'll have to do better this week.

11/23/2009

I rode 104.5 miles this week and felt it after yesterday's ride. My current weight is 249.8 lbs, it feels so good to break into the 240 range. I lost 2.2 lbs this week. Total weight loss 17.4 lbs. I'll have to really watch what I eat this week because I will pig out on Thanksgiving.

11/30/2009

I rode 59 miles this week. Only one ride yesterday, due to rainy weather all week. I also stopped taking one of my BP med's, the water pill. I grew tired of the side effects from it. Thanksgiving came and went,with plenty of food to inhale. I stepped on the scale this morning and my weight is 251.5 lbs. I gained 1.7 lbs. Time to buckle down again.

12/7/2009

I only rode 35.5 miles this week, not good. I stepped on the scale this morning and was up another 1/2 lb to 252lbs. I'm going the wrong way! I've got to get my ass in gear!

12/14/2009

I only got 20.5 miles in this week, pretty sad. My weight stayed the same, 252lbs. On to this week.

12/28/2009

I got zero rides in last week and ate too much junk. I'm up to 255lbs. I've got to turn things around and get back on track. I go see my doctor 1/6/10 and need to be at 250 or less.

1/4/2010

I haven't rode since 12/14/2009. The weather and commitments haven't cooperated. I see my doctor the end of this week for a BP checkup. I'm still at 255lbs.

1/18/2010

I saw my doctor Friday for a BP check up. It was 156/76, a little higher because I stopped taking the water pill. He was ok with that as long as my weight keeps coming down. It's at 253lbs right now. I see him again in the summer for a full physical.

2/15/2010

Ok, I haven't been serious the last month and need to get going again. I'm still at 253lbs. So I haven't gained anything.

3/21/2010

I had a big week riding and I'm down to 250.8 Lbs.

4/12/2010

248.4 Lbs. Gotta keep chugging along.

5/3/2010

246.6 Lbs. It's coming off slowly,but they say that's the best way.

5/24/2010

245 Lbs.A little here, a little there.

6/21/2010

245Lbs.

I've been getting grief because I'm not updating this weekly.
8/9/2010
243.4Lbs
9/21/2010
I had my annual physical today, along with the dreaded finger probe. BP was 138 over 82. Still too high but a little better than last time.
2/25/2011
If your a regular reader of my blog, you know I hurt my back, back in November of 2010. I'm on the slow train to recovery right now and also back on the weight loss game. As soon as I get back to my weight before I hurt my back, I'll start posting my weekly loss, if I lose that week. Don't give up on me, I'm coming back,better than ever.