Cause I'm free. Free fallin'

NOTE:  Again, I must apologize.  My blog has suffered from lack of attention.  As a result, dear reader, so have you.  I will endeavour to do better.  With that out of the way, Allons-y!

We've all seen those movies.  You know, the one where any given character stands and suddenly the room begins to spin without warning.  Often, the dizziness is the result of some drug use or medical condition.

In my case, it's both.

Now, I must explain that the drugs I am referring to are, of course, the prescribed medications designed to combat my high blood pressure and cholesterol.  The medical condition is, well my obesity and heart.

Recently, I began to notice a sharp increase in dizziness and nausea.  I would be getting out of bed or just standing around and suddenly, the room would start to spin like a ballerina... only I am not equipped with their seemingly graceful super powers or pink tutu.  (I hope you enjoy that mental image ;-})

At first, I thought nothing of it, but as the frequency began to increase, I became overwhelmingly concerned as did my family.

So, I spoke with the doctor's office.  I explained to them how much weight I'd lost up until that point and what my current medications were.  The nurse said she would relay the message to the doctor and if he needed me to come in, someone would call.

An hour later, I had an appointment scheduled.

I met with my doctor.  We discussed my diet and my weight loss.  He triple-checked my blood pressure both sitting and standing.  It seemed to be fine, albeit a little on the low side.

In the end, he decided that my blood pressure medication was too powerful for my body.  So he cut my dosage in half.  I didn't do it then, but my mind was doing back-flips of jubilation!

If you remember, dear reader, one of my goals with this weight loss adventure was to rid myself, or at least get as close as I could, of my prescribed medications.  I am obviously making progress with that.

My doctor was very proud of my progress so far and urged me to keep it up.  He said when I meet with him in a few months, he may take me off of the blood pressure medicine.  As for my cholesterol medication, he said he'll have to run some tests first.

I've started taking my reduced blood pressure medication since the appointment.  I have to say, I feel a bit better.  The dizziness and nausea seems to have dissipated for the most part.  So, another small victory.

Diet

I don't have much to report here.  My diet, for the most part, has stayed the same.  I have, however, dropped fat free milk and replaced it with almond milk.  The taste, believe it or not, is better and it cuts out some of the GMOs (genetically modified organisms).  If you're not familiar with them, it wouldn't hurt to take a look at the information surrounding them.  For more, click here.

Exercising

I am still kicking it pretty hard on the exercise.  I've started varying my routine a bit.  I spend some time on the treadmill... mostly running now.  I'm still biking.  And, I've added some exercise with a friend.

For the past several months, my friend and I have been walking together.  I really enjoy it and have come to find it a necessary part of my week.

She deserves major P.R.O.P.S. by the way. (For those unfamiliar with it, P.R.O.P.S. strands for Peer Recognition of Peer Success).  My friend has begun to lose weight as well.  I won't reveal her numbers simply because that's not my story to tell.

Speaking of numbers, I guess it's time to reveal my own.

Even though I know you can read, I still have to say it.

CURRENT WEIGHT:  302 pounds

WEIGHT LOSS SO FAR:  92 pounds

92 pounds down folks!  I'm on the cusp of two big victories.  I'm only a few pounds away from falling below the 300 pound mark.  I honestly can't tell you the last time I weighed less than 300 pounds.  If I had to guess, I would say my late middle school years to my early high school years.

The other victory:  losing my first 100 pounds.

If my progress continues as it has, I should cross those marks in a few weeks.

I feel great.  I feel pumped.  And I feel "smaller".

Until next time... Be infinite.