Finished Item - Knitting - Lady Kina

Ta Da! I finished my Lady Kina on Saturday night. I wanted to wear it to Church yesterday.

I wasn't too sure that I would like it when I tried it on. It was the sleeves and how they felt around my arm. However, as the day went on it was fine and it was definitely warm.

I don't particularly like my photo being taken but I thought I had better model this so I could share what it looks like when worn. Thank you Brodz for taking the photos.

I must admit I do look pretty good in these photos though (~_0)
It must be all the weight I have lost. 36 kg (79.36 lb) in total and counting. I have dropped 4 dress sizes and I feel pretty dang good about it.

Anyway, the Lady Kin pattern, it's a freebie, can be found HERE on Ravelry.

I've Lost MORE Weight

I was looking at some gorgeous dresses and skirts online and wondering about the size I would need to purchase for myself. Considering the weight that I have been losing recently I had thought I better get the old tape measure out and compare my measurements to that on the website for the sizes. Turns out I have lost another inch around the waist, yay! But sadly another inch off the boobs *sigh*

Maybe I should hold off purchasing those clothes for a little while longer. As of this morning I have lost 12.4 kg (27.33 lb) in the last three months. However, the BIG total when I weighed my heaviest & I was diagnosed with Diabetes in July 2011 .. may I have a drum roll please ... is now 33.5 kg (73.85 lb).

It's no wonder some of my pants were falling down if I had my phone in my pocket :) At least all the calorie counting and the walking is paying off big time.

Health Update

As most of you know I have a Fitbit​. You would've have seen my many posts showing my step counts etc over the past few months.

But you haven't know that for the past few weeks I have been really watching what I eat by counting calories v's my energy output by using the fitbit app to record what I eat. I have also minimised my snacking of foods like chips or biscuits but I make sure I don't over do them when I finally eat them. I am happy to say that I have lost 3.5 kilos (7.7 lb) and 2 cm (3/4 or an inch) from my waist.

So you know what that means. I'll need to go shopping for new clothes soon and what girl doesn't like to go shopping for fun?!?!

I also saw my GP on Monday and he is really pleased with my progress. He said he could actually see that I had lost weight and he was also pleased that my blood pressure was pretty good. My new GP is very understanding, encouraging and explains things very well. Even though I was sad to see Dr. F retire my new GP (Dr. MF) is amazing.

The extra bonus about all of this is that my BGL (Blood Glucose Level) has been within the range it is meant to be. Between 3.9 mmol/l and 8.9 mmol/l. No big spikes!

Not being one to talk about my weight very often (it's really a sensitive subject) but since I was initially diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, in July 2011, I have now lost a total of 25 kg (55 lb). I managed to keep 21 of those kilos off for the entire time. I just wasn't motivated enough to do more until recently.

So right now I am feeling pretty good about what I have been doing lately. I am very happy that my boys have fitbits as well and that we encourage each other to walk more. Anything to become healthier is a good thing ☺

Diabetic Cycle of Care

I had my annual Diabetic Cycle of Care check-up last week. Basically that means you get some blood tests done a few days before your appointment to check things like cholesterol, HbA1c (that's the overall average for your blood glucose levels for the past 3 months), iron level, microalbumin (protein in your urine) and any other test that the doctor/nurse has requested. 

You see the nurse who checks your height, weight, blood pressure and feet. Shortly afterwards you see your GP. My numbers were pretty good. My HbA1c was 6.1 mmol, which for me is pretty much where it normally sits. The only problem, for some reason, I had put on a couple of kilos (about 5 pounds). My GP was NOT impressed. Even though I had lost over 22 kilos (48.5 pounds) since I was first diagnosed with diabetes. Of course you can guess what he said next. Lose some weight. I know it is for my own good that he says things like that BUT if you know me I don't like being told what to do, especially where my weight is concerned. It's like this wall of stubbornness goes up and I want to tell people to butt out. Of course I don't say that but I want to so badly.  

Anyway, I have decided to walk a little bit more. Not as much as my GP wants me to, he said 30 minutes every day, but at least I am moving. I've walked 2 km (1.2 miles) to the shops and back a couple of times this week. My thinking is it's better than sitting on my butt like I usually do most of the time. My GP wants to see me in another three weeks. Let's hope that he will be a little bit happier about me next time he sees me. I guess I shall find out soon enough.

* I just weighed myself and I have lost 1.2 kg (2.64 lb) since I saw my Doctor last week. I will accept a small victory

Is Food The Enemy?

Do you ever have those days where you think that food is the enemy? I'm thinking that way today, well most days recently. I think it may have something to do with my getting on the bathroom scales and the numbers aren't going down as I would wish but are slowly creeping up or just hovering around the same numbers.

I know it may have something to do with my blood glucose levels and not always eating as healthy as I should every day. I do it for the most part but occasionally I have that 'something nice' to eat. I know that if my BGL's are lower then the bathroom scales show that I either stay the same weight or slowly go down. The thing is my BGL's have been within my normal range. They've been anywhere from 4.8 mmo/l to 7.9 mmo/l when I've checked it.

Some days are such a battle at the moment. Maybe it's to do with the weather being colder at the moment and wanting comfort food. Maybe its to do with boredom. I don't know. I'm just struggling a little right now. I have every intention of doing the right thing but something just isn't going right at the moment.

Time to be super strict I guess ... no more junk food in the house (sorry boys), lots more healthier stuff and making sure the portions aren't too big. Maybe that will make a difference.

Weighty Matters

When I got on my bathroom scales this morning and thought they were broken. In fact I hopped on them three times before I was convinced that the numbers might be right. Although I did ask Brodie to try them too just to make sure my scales were in fact working properly. The reason is according to my scales I have lost another 2 kilograms (4.4lbs) which takes my total weight loss up to 22 kilos (48.5 lbs) I'm flabbergasted! Yep that's the best word to describe how I am feeling this morning.

Since I hopped on the scales I thought I would go all out and grab the tape measure too. Just to see if my waistline has shrunk as well. This has really knocked me for six. I have lost 7cm (2.75 inches) around my waist. It explains why my pants are feeling loose, my blouses look like there's more room in them and my dresses fit better.

Who would have thought being diagnosed with Diabetes and having to cut sugar from your diet would lead to such a positive change? I know I didn't. I had dieted on and off for years. I was the type of person whose weight is like a roller-coaster ride flowing up and down. It feels funny to say this but I am glad I was diagnosed. It was the push I needed to help me focus on a healthier me.