never get on the scale the next day

I don't know if anyone else's bodies are as annoying as mine, but I've begun to notice a trend. I'm not sure if it's scientifically proved yet, but this could help towards "proving".  Any time I run more then 8 miles, I gain weight. It's not noticeable weight, and it's usually anywhere between 2-4 pounds. I get SO frustrated. For example, yesterday I ran 16 miles. I burned a ball park of 1347 calories. That's a ton of calories. Today, I know if I get on the scale I will weigh 2 - 4 pounds heavier then I did yesterday. UGH! It is the ultimate in frustration. Then, by Tuesday, it'll be gone. People tell me it's because the muscles tear and swell and it's probably weight from that. But is that proven? Does anyone else have this issue?? 

Working hard at being an adult

For those of you that don't know, I currently still live with my parents in the house I grew up in. It's convienent, and they are wonderful with the amount of "coming and going" I do. There are days my mom refers to me as a "boarder" because I am only there to sleep and shower, but at least a few days a week I try to be there more often for dinner and other things.

They left for China 9 days ago and so far I've been doing pretty well on my own. My mom doesn't have a job, so for most of my life she has always made various meals throughout the day. I've never really had the opportunity to actually prepare and cook an entire meal for myself and/or someone else. This week was certainly my time to shine, however I never realized how so many "adult" tasks can just burn away your time. I'm now beginning to appreciate people who are married, have families AND go to Graduate school at the same time. I don't have the first two - but the third, along with cooking/laundry/watching my grandmother/paying my parents bills/reading the mail every day/feeding the rabbit and lizards/returning important phone calls/and making sure nothing breaks is exhausting. Oh, I forgot teaching full time and graduate school also tacked onto that list.

My first week without them was certainly jam packed. You know how parents are, they can irritate the hell out of you. Well, I'll certainly admit, now that they are gone, I really do miss them. Not because my mom helps me out with things from day to day, but for the simple fact that the dogs are in the kennel and I'm stuck in their big empty house alone. I don't watch that much TV, so it's fairly quiet. I also am way past the phase of having huge parties simply because I don't want anything to do with cleaning the house the next day. Thankfully, I've been able to spend a decent amount of time with Scott and some friends. They have really helped make things not so lonely. I've also stepped up in the world and started cooking meals! REAL MEALS! Can you belive it? And, they are actually very successful.

I've done a great job sticking to my points, making healthy lunches and preparing WW recipe dinners. I made Baked Mac & Cheese the other night and I also made hamburger helper. Anyone ever used the new Zip Lock Zip 'n Steam bags yet? They are WONDERFUL! I threw enough broccoli in one bag for Scott and I and 3 minutes later had the most beautiful green and tasty broccoli I've ever seen. You can also cook chicken, shrimp, fish and all kinds of other veggies in them. What a great invention, expecially for the novice. It makes cooking things easy.

So, all in all, I weighed myself yesterday and my excellent cooking skills have caused me to lose 3 pounds! Success! I have been doing SOMETHING right and seem to be able to make smart choices. I had been right at my goal weight when my parents left, but often I like to be a few pounds under. When that's the case, I have a little more room for extras or sweets if I'd like to indulge in something small. Today Scott and I took two more WW recipes and made Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies (2 = 1 point) and Chocolate Chip Blondies (1- 2"x2" square = 3 points). Both items turned out to be excellent! I am really proud of myself for reaching this point. Hopefully the next two weeks turn out just as well.

BP, HR and Cholesterol

After five years of avoiding the doctor for a physical, I felt it was necessary. I'll admit, I was scared. First because it had been five years since my last one. Second, I had waited awhile to go to the dentist, and what do I need now? Yes, Oral surgery for receding gum line with bone showing.  So, I can only imagine something has gone drastically wrong with my normal feeling self. 

I had chosen a new doctor, one everyone seemed to know.  Everyone I said his name to responded with a, "oh he's popular!" I thought I would give it a shot. A week ago I went and had my blood tests completed. I went to the doctor on Tuesday and had a really great visit. It was different going to a new doctor, but I really didn't like my other one. For some reason, after I stopped going to a Pediatrician I really didn't connect with any other doctors. My last doctor used to give me this face, that immediately made me feel like a hypochondriac. She always made me feel like I was making it up, but three days later - I would be sick. I knew my own body. 

I showed up at my new doctor and was slightly nervous. He came in, and made friendly conversation. (The male factor also worried me...I am used to female doctors except for my other "dad" my allergist - another story for another day) We chatted and I admitted I hadn't had a tetanus shot in a very long time. He felt that with my line of work, I should get one every 5-7 years. I knew I finally needed to give in and get one that day. After he checked me over, we went into his office and he took down a health history.  I only take meds for allergies now, which he commented on. To be honest, I don't even know if I even need those meds anymore. After my tonsil removal when I was 22, and the elimination a lot of other meds from my life - everything changed. Then, I lost the weight, which I'm sure added to improved health. Most of you know, I have fallen in love with running, which has also caused me to lower my heart rate (I used to have a mild tachycardia where my resting heart rate would often by around 94 bpm). I confessed that I wasn't sure I even needed them anymore - I had taken myself off of allergy shots four years ago and bascally stopped getting sick at the same time. 

This led into my story of my diagnosis of CFS and how sickly I was as a child, which led into the 40+ lbs weight loss, which led into my smoking - which I don't do anymore. Each time I brought something up, he looked more and more surprised. At the end he said, "Looking at you when you first walked in the door, I NEVER would have imagined all of this. Are there any  more weird surprises?!?" I laughed... that was it for now. 

Overall, he told me I looked good. My BP was 118/64. My resting heart rate has dropped from low 90's to mid 50's. My cholesterol is 188 and I am happy about that for now. That night I went to get that tetanus shot and felt really good about myself. Now, my arm has been killing me for two days and hopefully it'll feel better tomorrow. I think something exciting is also happening tomorrow.....!