I went for the second mammogram and it turns out that I have a lump, but the staff at the hospital still can’t tell me anything. I had to wait another couple of days to see a family doctor. My family doctor passed away a month ago while he was on holidays, so I had to see a total stranger who knew nothing of my history. This stressed me out as well The doctor checked the lump and said I needed to go for another mammogram in 6 months to see it the lump changes. He said it was mobile, which I can only assume is a good thing. I’m thinking I should get a second opinion as the area where the lump is located is quite sore. The mammogram was over a week ago, so I don’t think the soreness is from that. I wasn’t told if the lump is a cyst or what they think it is…I’m really not sure what to do at this point. Should I wait for the six months and hope it isn’t anything serious or find another doctor who can answer more of my questions?

Working out is going to take a bit of time to get back into.  It was 106 degrees farenheit today and there’s no sign of the heat letting up over the next few weeks.  The heat is pretty intense and sometimes it feels as though I’m melting. Thank god for air conditioning

My moods have been all over the place this week. I think my hormones are way out of whack… I feel exhausted and a little depressed on some days and I’m not focusing very well.  I’m also extremely tired.  I’ve been having more hot flashes than normal and I feel like I could have a nap by 2:00 every day and find myself falling asleep right after dinner.  I’ve just started some new vitamins, so maybe that has something to do with it… you figure vitamins should give you energy not make you feel exhausted.

I’ll let you know how this week goes.  I’m determined to get back on track.

I’ve been taking my vitamins everyday and I think that’s making a big difference in the way I feel.  I have more energy and more focus.  I’m also not so moody   Which my family really likes.  I feel like my old self again.

Writing this journal is really helping me stay on track… it makes me feel more accountable and I think that’s making a big difference.  I’ve lost 8 lbs so far and I know I’m a long way from wearing a swimsuit this summer, but I know I will get there in time….one day at a time

Here’s what I ate today.

Cereal for breakfast… Nature’s Path Ultimate Slim again with skim milk.

Coffee (regular coffee with milk and sugar)

Apple for my snack

Baby romaine with tomato, cucumber, apples and tuna with parmesan yogurt cesar dressing for lunch

Lots of water

Another Apple for my afternoon snack

Garden burger on multigrain flax toast with lettuce and tomato served with sweet potatoes and salad

More water

I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow:-)

I had a really tough time sticking to my diet this weekend, but I did manage to make some good choices.  I packed a box of healthy snacks for the trip, including baby cucumbers, dried apples, fresh apples, cheese stings and fruit, nut and seed bars.  Dinner was a complete write off …we ate at McDonald’s and I felt so sick afterward… now I feel like I have to start all over again.

I’m back on track today and even ran for an hour this morning.  We live close to the river and running along the dike in the morning is really great.

This is what I ate today.

Natures Path Ultimate Slim cereal with skim milk

Coffee (still drinking lattes)

Flax Multigrain Toast and an apple

Coffee (another latte)

Water

Veggie Gardenburger with lettuce, tomato and flax multigrain toast instead of a bun.  Potato wedges tossed with olive oil, garlic and rosemary.

More Water

One thing I’m noticing is that since I started exercising and drinking lots of water, I’ve become constipated… even though most of my diet is considered high in fiber.  I’m going to start eating more fresh fruit and veggies, so maybe that will help.  Ever since I had my gallbladder removed last year, my digestive system is all messed up.

I’m planning on running again tomorrow morning. I’ll post again tomorrow and let you know how I’m doing. I going to try and cut my coffee consumption down to once a day.

On the news this evening, My husband and I watched an interview with Kathy Freston. She has a book called Quantum Wellness Cleanse. It’s a 21 day essential guide to healing your body, mind and spirit. What she had to say was very convincing… so convincing in fact that Mike (my husband) and I are buying the book and are going to try the cleanse. It involves giving up 5 things in your diet for up to 21 days. Dairy, Animal Products, Sugar, Alcohol and Wheat Gluten. The idea is to ‘reboot’ your system and give it a fresh start.  Since we don’t drink alcohol and we don’t eat red meat, we’re half way there already.  The hardest part will be the caffeine and the wheat gluten.

Here’s some more about Kathy Freston’s Quantum Wellness Cleanse

Kathy Freston’s appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show prompted Oprah to commit to the 21-day cleanse featured in Quantum Wellness, creating an instant bestseller and a national trend…here’s a quote from Oprah’s blog while she was doing the 21 day cleanse…

Week One: Sunday
There was a passage in Kathy Freston’s book that so related to me, I thought for a moment she was talking about me.

In the passage, Kathy talks about an overweight friend who would gain and lose. She didn’t conquer the weight issue until she became a “conscious” eater.

Conscious eater. That struck a nerve. I had recently come to the conclusion that after spending weeks reading and rereading A New Earth and being on line with Eckhart Tolle that bringing a higher level of awareness to my eating was the solution I’d been avoiding. My idea of a conscious eater, however, was not quite the same as Kathy’s.

To read the rest of Oprah’s 21 day cleanse blog visit Oprah’s Blog

Great News!! I weighed myself today and I’ve lost a total of 6 lbs.  I’m really excited about this and now I’m more motivated than ever to keep going.

Here’s what I ate today.

Kashi Cereal for breakfast with skim milk.

Coffee (still drinking those lattes…but I guess one crutch isn’t so bad)

Chicken salad sandwich with wholegrain bread and sliced tomato

Chicken baked with brocoli, onions, mushrooms, and a little bit of cheese served with brown rice.

Lots of water….it’s 31 degrees celcius and we don’t have an air conditioner!!!

I weighed myself today and was a little disappointed that I only lost 3 lbs, but I’m determined to do better next week.  I think the cold/flu medicine slowed my metabolism down quite a bit.

Another goal for next week is to cut down on my breads and increase my veggies.

I’m starting to take vitamins again after neglecting to take them for the past year or so.  I’m taking a women’s multivitamin with extra calcium as well as a B12.  I’m also taking salmon oil capsules for extra omega 3 and 6. I don’t eat red meat, so I find I need the extra b12 and omega fatty acids.

Here’s what I ate today…

Natures Path Optimum Slim cereal with blueberries and skim milk

Cucumbers, yellow peppers and cherry tomatoes with hummus

A samll piece of left over chicken lasagna with a small bottle of Happy Planet green extreme juice

I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow.  Good night

Since today is day seven and I’m feeling better, I’ll post another update this evening and with todays events.