Gym switch coming!

Yesterday I elected to go to my normal gym since I was just going to do the treadmill. Today, however, I headed to the new gym. I got a free 3-day guest pass. Despite being there on Sunday, I was forced to do an official tour and learn about pricing and membership options. This was a bit of a time suck and it was a busy time at the gym, so I was stressed about whether or not I would get an opportunity to do everything I wanted to do. However, it was worth the time because I learned I could get a discount working for UCHealth that would bring my membership cost to $8.86/month. My mom could also get the top tier membership for free. I currently pay $25/month, so it'd save me some money. I like that. Also, I just feel like my workout was so much better today than it's been at the other gym. So, I'll finish up my free passes and then probably switch to that gym officially.

Tomorrow's going to be a full day and I'm going to have to try my hand at showering and getting ready at the gym after my workout, which I'm slightly anxious about because I prefer to do that at home. But I simply won't have the time to run home. We've got a house showing and then I have dinner at a fancy-ish place in Loveland right after. So, wish me luck! My gym bag is going to be hella heavy tomorrow, lol. Does that count as a pre-workout?

Also, for those of you who need a GI update. The wegovy explosions restarted last night and disrupted my sleep again. However, I took 3 tabs of imodium this AM and haven't had any issues since. I met with my obesity medicine doctor last Thursday and she thinks it's time to switch things up since the GI side effects really aren't sustainable. I'm going to trial Saxenda, which is a daily injection. It's in the same class of drugs, but we're hoping that by switching the actual med that maybe the GI side effects won't happen. I'd prefer not to explode if that's an option, but I really don't want to go it alone without meds because these meds really have taken a lot of the mindfuckery away from food. I have to wait until my GI tract recovers before I can make the switch, so I'll keep you updated.

Recent toothbrush photos to keep your interest piqued ;-)

Gym envy

While my mom was here, I took her to my gym to check it out. Right now, she is a happy Planet Fitness member back home. But, the closest Planet Fitness to where we live is about 20-25 minutes away. My gym is more like 8-10 minutes away. So, I was hoping she'd like my gym. But she didn't. My gym doesn't have a ton of machines and it really only has one of each machine, so if someone's using it, you have to wait. She told me that she hated that. And I was like, you know what? I hate that, too. I've left without finishing my workout because I can't get the machines I want. So, I decided to check out another gym today: 24 Hour Fitness. 

This gym is less than a mile from the gym I currently go to and my friend Stephen goes there. He used to go to my current gym but left because they are very slow to fix any of the machines when they break and that annoyed him. Anywho, I texted him Saturday and asked if he'd take me along as his guest and we went today. This gym was so much better. It had tons of machines, more weight lifting benches, and weights that went up by 2.5 lb increments rather than 5 lbs. So, I felt like I couldn't do 20 pounds yet, but was able to do the 17.5, which isn't even an option at my current gym. I'm thinking I'll try to do a guest pass tomorrow during the time I would normally go to the gym to check out what it's like at the time I would most likely be using it.

Today I also did a weigh-in. My weight has been all over the place this week. I had major diarrhea from Wegovy from Sunday to Thursday. It was pretty miserable. I felt fine, but I would just need to explode and it was pretty draining in terms of energy. It also woke me up from sleep, so it caused me to lose some sleep. I also ate hella pizza and some cheesecake once the diarrhea finally stopped. My mom and Nasur decided to do a little birthday celebration while she was here and got cheesecake, which is always amazing.  

I'm hoping for a 1-3 pound weight loss by this time next week. Keep cheering me on!

Gym bros

How ironic would it have been if right after I did my consistency post I didn't do another post? I thought about it, okay? This post is the only thing standing between me and sweet, sweet unconsciousness. And honestly, is it worth it? Who knows!

Today, I was done in the OR around 2pm. I got a car wash, a crumbl cookie (I know, I know), and then stopped and got some gas on the way home. Once home, I got my gym clothes on, dropped off a return at the post office and then went to the gym. On the way to the gym, I was trying to decide what I wanted to do today: cardio? weights? sob in a corner about how out of shape I am? Tough decision. Well, once at the gym, I realized my pixel buds airpod equivalent were dead. Not pleased. So, that meant I was doing weights because there was no way I could do cardio without music.

The gym I go to is down the street from a high school. It's a good 5 minute drive, but the stupid teenage boys from the school go to the gym at the same time I do and it is basically a teenage bro fest: short shorts, tight tank tops, long unkempt hair, only working on getting their muscles to look as big as possible, and insulting each other and laughing as they do. So, what I'm trying to say is: 1) I was very uncomfortable lifting in the near vicinity of them and 2) I really, really wished my pixel buds were working. I tried to tell myself, while very uncomfortable, that I have as much of a right as they do to be there and that they're not actually thinking about me/looking at me/judging me. Because, let's face it, teenage boyhood = prime example of narcissism. But, it took some work for me to stand my ground/lay claim to a lifting bench in "their" area. 

Also while lifting, I really wanted to do the seated leg press. I like to do that exercise because it makes me feel strong af since I can usually do 135 pounds on each side. A duo of teenage douche bags laid claim to it and had it for an extraordinarily long time and the second they were done a middle-aged male hopped in to use it. I went about my way and did other stuff and finally came back and asked another middle-aged male how many sets he still had because, damn it, I wanted to use it too. He said like 6 or 7. So, I went and did some seated lat pulldowns while watching him out of the corner of my eye. He was still going, so I grabbed some weights and did some arms while camped out by the leg press. He told me he only had 2 sets to go. So I waited while doing some weights. Then, once done, he asked me if I wanted him to unload the plates. He had 4 plates on each side. Each plate is 45 pounds. I only need 3 plates on each side. I said, I need three plates on each side. He started unloading them, thinking I wanted 3 plates taken off. I corrected him - that I wanted 3 plates on each side. He fixed it, but I, of course, internalized it as thinking that of course he thought this fat woman wouldn't be able to do 270 pounds. Well, sir, I can. My legs feel like jello, BUT I CAN DO THAT.

At the end of the workout, I did everything I wanted to do and was happy that I was forced into lifting. I want to get stronger and this is a really good way to do that. Had it not been for the headphone snafu, I probably would have just done the treadmill, mostly because I wanted to read my book, but also because it was my first time lifting during a busier time at the gym and I was intimidated. Well, take that, teenage douchebags/gym bros. I deserve to lift too!

I didn't take any photos today, so here's a photo from our recent Disney World trip. Zayd's face still cracks me up.

Dropping a knowledge bomb

I'm just over here killing it with my activity goals and doing mediocre with my food goals. I got my 10k steps in every day last week, which is hard to do, especially on postcall days where I just want to be unconscious. I was also on call on Saturday and didn't get much sleep and I elected to just take my weekend to be lazy. I got back on it today though!

Today, when I got to the locker room at the gym, I realized I didn't bring my bluetooth head phones, my sweat towel, or my locker lock. This was not awesome because the audio quality with the junk pair of headphones I leave in my gym bag for such an emergency is very poor. Also, without my sweat towel, I don't have a good way to block the time or the timer of my work out and it makes the work out seems a million times longer. Also, I forgot my lock (I used it when we went swimming last week). Though I doubted folks would go looking for lockers with stuff in them, I was not thrilled with leaving my stuff unlocked. But, I figured I needed the exercise and I could risk one day. Well, I'm glad I did, because despite all of these things, my workout today felt really good.

In addition to my workouts helping my step count, one of the things my obesity medicine doctor said to me really stuck with me. I was talking about how I am a fairly anxious person, but that I really don't want to try any medications because, as a physician, with the use of medications, it massively increases the cost of my disability insurance and in some states, I have to declare that I'm using such medications. This is garbage, and I know this, but it's how I feel. Anywho, her response was that there is a ton of literature out there that says regular exercise has the same outcomes as medication in the treatment of anxiety and/or depression. So, yes, this is helping me get my steps, but I'm hoping it helps with my mental health too. Good knowledge bomb to drop.

I have been failing abysmally at taking pictures of my food. I'll try to be better tomorrow. I'm in the OR, though, so I don't know what my eating will look like tomorrow.

Weigh-in Wednesday

Today was my day off for the week. Thankfully, as this was not a postcall day, it allowed me to get quite a bit done. I went to breakfast with my one of my pals at a new-to-me restaurant that was excellent, I got a massage at my place, I met with our financial advisor to put some money into some investments, I sorted through some of Reyah's old clothes to pull out anything we could use with Zayd before we sell/donate her stuff, I cleaned up the kitchen, I did a ginormous load of laundry, I scrounged up all our fall décor and put it up/around our house, I programmed the timer for our outdoor lights, I did a workout in the basement (it was cold and rainy and I couldn't muster up the willpower to brave the weather when I have an awesome elliptical and set of weights downstairs), and I got to chat with my mom a bit to tell her happy birthday. Phew. Big day.

Now I'm waiting to put another ginormous load of laundry away once it's done in the dryer and then I need to prep my charts for tomorrow. No rest for the weary!

Today is also my Ozempic dose day, so I just gave myself my second dose. I also took my first dose of spironolactone today (for my back acne). I've had it for a while, but wanted to give my Ozempic enough time by itself before I added in another med to make sure I knew for certain which side effects were coming from which med, if I were to have any.

I also decided to do a weigh-in today. Truthfully, since my last weigh-in, I've been up and down. But, given my inability to eat hard to chew foods and Ozempic helping me control my appetite, I am happy to report, I'm not longer in the 290s!

Also, I want to give a shout out to myself. I really did not want to go to the gym. It's in the 60s today and rainy and I was ready for some veg time since I had been running around all day. But, I told myself that today I was going to lift, so I did an elliptical warm up and some weights in the basement. So, I'm proud of myself. I stuck to "going to the gym [in the basement]" and since I didn't have to add in the drive time, it was an effective use of time too. Also, my playlist was fire and I was really enjoying some dancing inbetween sets.

Weigh-in

The undecided: One traditional benedict, one with sausage and gravy

Side of bacon because I need bacon always

Zayders playing in the basement

Our Old Navy family pajamas arrived today!

Pizza Pizza!

Today was a lovely day. I got to the gym after work and opted to spend an hour just walking because I'm off tomorrow and want to take my time when I start lifting again. Then I went to get the kiddos, but spotted Nasur pulling out of daycare with the kids. So I told him I was craving pizza and we opted to get some Little Caesar's. It didn't hit the spot so great. I wanted something more saucy and more cheesy, so maybe I'll make some pizza myself later on. My brother and mom introduced me to a really excellent Detroit style pizza and I make it when there are special occasions because it's a bit of a time consuming process, but totally delicious. Anyway, I only ate two slices and one crazy bread, which is crazy little pizza for me. Granted, I did have another slice 2.5 hours later, but typically I eat way more than that. 

I also am having some pain in my knee already. I was almost at my hour mark and had to decrease my incline and slow my pace. For our after dinner walk, I wore my brace and will try to start making it a habit to wear at the gym. The extra support really helps. 

Anywho, I'm really looking forward to vegging in front of the TV tonight. Tomorrow I'm off and have a massage planned and a financial planning session planned. That, and my intention to lift and maybe try out a new recipe will keep me pretty busy.

I forgot a lot of food photos today, but I accidentally skipped breakfast and then had a yummy lunch with a cookie. I had a protein drink later in the day on the way to the gym as well.

Today's lunch - I'm really digging this new skinnytaste gyro sandwich

Day 303/365: Making some goals for November

Okay, so since tomorrow is the start of a new month, I'd be amiss to not take this as an opportunity to set some new goals. Last month, I was really on the wagon for some bits. This month, I'd like to be on the wagon for all the bits. My biggest challenge is going to be being on the calorie counting wagon. 

In terms of counting calories, I've always been really successful when using my food scale. So, I'm going to take one to work and leave one at home. I'm also going to be packing my food as much as possible. This month, I'm working in the hospital, which, contrary to popular belief, allows me a lot of opportunities to eat unhealthy stuff. So, packing will really help with this. Also, it will help me limit my desserts this month. I'd like to say no dessert at all, but that just makes me depressed. So I plan on having dessert on Thanksgiving (or whenever we are able to celebrate it since I'll be working), Interview Day, and once or twice on vacation next week.

My other big challenge will be hitting the gym more consistently. Now that I'll be back at the hospital, I'll be out of work between 5 and 5:30 every night. This is a pretty traffic-heavy time of day. Rather than hit the road to sit in traffic, I'm going to take it as an opportunity to hit the gym and then avoid traffic on my way home. I'm also going to try to be consistent with some kind of exercise when I'm on vacation next week. I tend to take a complete break on vacation. I veg out completely and eat anything in front of my face. This is going to be a healthy-ish vacation. 

In terms of weight, I'd like to lose about 10 pounds this month to get myself some momentum to end the year on a high note. 

Also, photos. I'm going to try my best to remember to snap photos of what I'm eating.

That's all! Toodly loo.

Ice cream and overthinking

Today when I was at the gym, the elliptical felt really hard. I was kinda hungry when I got to the gym and I found myself distracted by that and then I just kept overthinking upcoming events - like my oral exam tomorrow, my trip to Disney next week, and what I was going to eat for dinner. I had to constantly remind myself that I needed to push myself. In the end, it was a pretty decent workout, so I'm happy about that. 

The day was otherwise pretty uneventful. I had an OB clinic in the morning and got to see some pregnant ladies and I didn't have any OR cases in the afternoon, so I did some reading/studying, but I also spent some time just laughing and talking with my co-residents. It was nice to relax and laugh - sometimes you need to do that more than you need to read. I also managed a cat nap in there - I completely passed out while reading. Such is the life of a resident - I really need that vacation ;-)

In other news, one of my co-residents told me about a new ice cream called Halo Top. In short, it's a healthy ice cream - it's low in calories and fat, and marginally higher in protein than a normal ice cream. Nasur kindly ran out and got some for me tonight when I realized I had quite a bit of room in my calorie budget. It definitely didn't taste like what I was expecting, but it was still good and it was definitely a good size portion for the calories.

Today's other photographed eats:

Breakfast

Morning snack in clinic

Lunch: grilled chicken wrap + goldfish

Green tea while studying at home

Not pictured:

• Fiber one bar in the AM
• Belvita peanut butter crackers in the AM
• Grapes for a snack in the PM
• Other half of the salad for dinner + cheese stick

Successful first day

So, day one was a success! I tracked my calories all day and hit up the gym. I really didn't want to go to the gym because I have an oral exam on Wednesday (and am obviously nervous about it) and I had a headache, but I was all like, "Danika. It is day one. Get your shit together." So, there you have it - I got my butt to the gym. Also, my weigh-in today was pretty motivating. This is the heaviest I've been since 2010. Yikes.

Next week I'm going to Disney World [WOO!], so I'm setting a two-week goal of a 5 pound loss. If I hit my goal, I'm either going to buy a Happy Lamp or a tanning membership - I'm trying to help myself deal with the shitty lack of sunshine. I'm hoping that motivation and all the walking at Disney will get me back to the 240s.

In other news, my day was super boring. I scrubbed two surgeries and then tried reading at work. I have a hard time reading at work because I'm easily distracted, so I'm going to dig my headphones out of my gym bag and throw them back in my backpack so I can drown out the medical students.

Here are the rest of today's photos:

Breakfast: eggs, grapes, and ham

Lunch: chicken, egg roll, and plate o' salad

Studying and eating goldfish

I went to da gym!

Ate exactly half of this salad for dinner

Dinner: mini pizza + half of above salad

Catch you folks tomorrow!

Drinking from a fire hydrant and banana bread!

Tuesday mornings I'm in clinic and have my own patients to see. I mostly do it by myself and then my supervising doctor comes in at the end with me to answer any questions or help me if I'm having any difficulties. Most my patients were easy peasy, but I'm always learning, so that felt great. The only unfortunate thing about clinic mornings is that you don't have much to do between 7:00 and when clinic starts at 9:00. But, today I kept myself busy following up on labs and helping out in trauma. I'm not someone who likes to sit around idle, so I'm glad I could do something.

After clinic, I grabbed a chicken sandwich from the cafeteria and ate it with honey mustard, which I thought would be healthier than light mayo. I had quite a bit of honey mustard though, so I may not have saved myself any calories. I'm trying to cut down on condiments or make healthier substitutions, like mustard for mayo. So far it's not that hard, but I can't seem to give them up completely - I like a little something on my sandwiches. Then I got to run the board. No one delivered before we had lectures.

After lecture, it was time for sign out and our 5 minute teach moment. Our attending had our fellow residents (interns excluded) give one encouraging piece of advice about intern year. She said that though it often feels like drinking from a fire hydrant, intern year will get better. The only thing that overwhelms me is the amount of time I spend at work. Typically, I'm there by no later than 6 most days (on Thursdays, it's about 5) and then I stay until 5:30/6pm most nights (on Thursdays, it's about 7/7:30). Then I hit the gym and don't get home until 7ish. At that point, it's a rush to get something to eat and then get ready for the next day, wash my face, blog, and then get my butt in bed so I don't feel dead tired the next day.

Tonight, in addition to making dinner, I also made some banana bread. The bad thing about liking spotted bananas is that they quickly become overripe. But rather than waste them, I made a loaf of banana bread that I'll take to work tomorrow so that I can share the banana bread - it's really not that healthy despite the fruit in it ;-)

Breakfast (same exact thing as yesterday)

Ready to eat banana!

Tonight's dinner: chicken parmesan lollipops - SO GOOD

Mango for dessert

I learned to love mango in Africa

Sometime this week I also need to make some zucchini bread, which begs the question: do you prefer banana bread or zucchini bread? For me, it's too close to call.