Way to go Shari back at your good number. You are on a roll! Hooray!

I did well with eating and getting a few things done today, but otherwise it was a very rough pain-filled day for me. Sometimes the pain exhausts me, and it did so today. Our Monday evening Bible study was excellent and uplifting. So glad for that.

Keep going Shari. You will see that lower number!

I take generic Celebrex daily and sometimes take 2 extra strength Tylenol if I have a high demand day like going somewhere or having someone here for some reason. But today I ended up at an Urgent Care office after my family practice couldn't see me and didn't want to "risk" calling in a prescription. I started having pain in my left groin 2 days ago, but this morning it was excruciating. I was fairly certain it was a muscle strain but my doc was concerned it could be something else, perhaps a hernia. There was no way I could drive myself anywhere...way too much pain. Craig came and drove me to the Urgent Care and stayed with me for the very long almost 3 hour wait to be seen. The nurse practitioner said it is likely a muscle issue, but if it persists I should get an ultra sound to rule out a hernia. There was no indication of a hernia today. I asked what to do for this and was told to take over the counter meds. I said I took 2 extra strength Tylenol this morning, and it didn't touch the pain. So I asked for a prescription for a muscle relaxer which I got and which Craig went to pick up for me on the way home from the Urgent Care. I am exhausted again. Good news is I have no appetite or interest in food.

Shari, a few ounces at a time add up to pounds. You continue to see progress, and that helps in so many ways! I am not a fan of beer at all, though I was a big fan in my college days and early 20s. I am never sure if the beer changed or if my taste just changed but now I really don't like it at all. John, however, enjoys a beer now and then.

I think the muscle relaxer helped a lot, so much so that I am considering calling my rheumatologist to see if he will give me a prescription to take it regularly. Most of today my pain was minimal, though I had a few instances of slightly more intense pain. I feel major improvement with the muscle pain and a good bit of improvement with my typical RA pain. Since the muscle issue, I am taking 2 extra-strength Tylenol a few times a day. Since I take Celebrex every day I will discuss the Tylenol with the rheumatologist if I call him. My eating was right on track today....no cravings and wise food choices. I want to keep this up!

Hello! Paula, I’m happy that your new medication is helping!! Shari, hang in there! Results are coming!! I hope that your DH is feeling better!!
On Monday we received the results from the culture of her wound and two things grew so she is on 2 new antibiotics. Her wound is a gaping hole that is filling in from the inside out (hopefully!!). I emailed the Dr a photo last night and he called today to say that it looks good ( not to us but he’s the one who’s opinion counts). None of the recent stitches held. She has no extra skin and it is right where her knee bends. He said that we should send weekly photos. That’s all the news. Have a great weekend!!

Hello to all. It’s been quite a while and I am wishing you all well!
I wanted to relate what has happened to me over the last few months. My annual checkup in June, was life changing for me. Over last few years, I had slowly become prediabetic and it was getting worse to point of serious a discussion to avoid diabetes with my long time primary care doctor. I ended up on Ozempic at small dose weekly. My diet remains basically the same, 2 meals a day on IF and calories between 1100-1300 per day. I have eaten this way for three years now and was unable to lose more than a few lbs and always up and down and up again. I was unable to lose weight and unable to resist sweet type snacks that would occasionally put me over my normal calorie range. Now, just by eating my normal way, I have been losing weight at about 1 lb per week.
I have been on it 21 weeks and am down 20.8 lbs. I’m 76 years old, can’t walk far or exercise very much…and sadly my knees are not miraculously better. I have connective tissue autoimmune disorder/fibromyalgia and widespread, various pain since 30’s so I guess it is not going away now, lol. My goal is to lose another 10-15 lbs but I am happier in my own skin today, down one pants size to 12P and if I don’t lose anymore will be fine. There is a lot of negative hype out there and misconceptions about Ozempic. Frankly, I think some people (especially movie stars) become desperate and abuse it and try to speed loss by taking stronger doses than is good for their body. I have had no nausea, no terrible side effects as played up in news, etc. It was prescribed for medical reason for me but has a nice side effect of allowing my body to function hormone-wise like a normal average thinner person.

Hello! Diane, it is so good to hear from you!! Also your message is particularly helpful to me because I just had my fasting bloodwork done Saturday morning and had the results online by Saturday afternoon. I see my Dr on 11/13. My glucose was at the low end of prediabetic and my A1C was at the upper end of "normal". I've been dx'd with insulin resistance for years. I am anxious to discuss my levels with her!
Shari, I'm glad that you were able to get the vaccines! It is always so disappointing to me when the main taste of a food is salt . I hope that you and your DH are feeling better !
Paula, I also can't believe that the President won't deliver the food. The meal from your neighbors sounds amazing and healthy!!
I've had a very busy weekend ... Saturday started with the blood test , then a nail appointment, then the grocery. There were art openings on Friday and Saturday evenings. Today after church, I ran errands with my daughter and did get quite a bit done. My dog is doing ok in spite of the large opening on her knee. I hope to get her into our local vet to have the stitches removed that aren't attached to anything and have her take a look at the wound. No other news here. Let's all have a great week!!

Ladies…it was sooo nice to log in here and see you are all still committed to healthy eating and we are all continuing doing the best scan to lose some weight. You are all inspiring!

DW, you sound about where I was with my prediabeties 3 yrs ago. I am on Medicare and am not sure how long part D insurance will partially cover med….it all changes formulary January 1. Right now I pay $250 each month for the pen with 4 needles. If I have to pay entire total out of my own pocket it would be about $1300-1600, depending where you can find it. Shortages everywhere. (Two reasons why it’s mostly “famous” people using it and publicly saying they are not). I am on a FB support group and so many insurance companies in US have already or are changing to deny coverage in 2024 because of popularity of and cost to them. I read from people with pre diabetes like me who have received letter saying insurance now will only cover full diabetic. Medicines used for weight loss only are completely denied by Medicare and now by increasing number of mainstream insurance plans. So I may not be on this medicine much longer even though it is beneficial in so many areas of my health with weight loss as bonus.

After 10 lb loss I started back at the gym on a machine my knees tolerate. I have not been there now for 2 weeks as I have been at Mayo Clinic in Rochester many, many days with my youngest sister(Robin, 66) who has been diagnosed with lung cancer both lungs, surgery not an option. I will be leaving for there again in a couple hours. It’s always a long drive and a long day. She starts stereotactic radiation today and will have it once daily for 5 days. This is same type of radiation I had in 2016 for my brain tumor and for her type of cancer & found early is hoped to give her a 95% chance of 5 yr survival. It’s the same adenoma carcinoma our mother had in 1985 and back then nothing could be done except terrible and ineffective chemo and she passed in less than a year. Robin is widowed and no children, so she needs me as a medical advocate and support. Therefore, we are still in MN and likely will be for 2-3 weeks or ?? (During a 7 day wait between her appointments DH and I drove 3 days with our car back to AZ and then flew back 4 days later.). We are keeping an eye on flights etc for our trip home to AZ as soon as I feel able to go. Prayers have been so answered along her journey, as cancer has not spread, and she is in one of best places for treatment.
Sorry for long post!