Happy Easter / Resurrection Sunday everyone.
Sorry for not posting of late, but there’s been so much going on . . . as usual. Haven’t even been able to get much reading done lately. 
First off, I’ve got a new position at work. It’s technically not a promotion as it’s the same title / pay. However, it has the potential for opening up big opportunities if all goes well. The good news is that I’m gaining 3 existing Sr. Analysts to manage. The bad news is that the one woman on my team now will be reassigned to another manager. I’m flying out to California Monday night to spend a couple days with my new team / manager. The children were sad to hear I’d be away from home. They’re not used to me traveling. Praying for Jenny while I’m away.
With the new job, I’ve been thinking about how I need to get more expertise in Accounting. I’m a Finance Manager and I’ve been able to get by with minimal actual accounting experience. But if I’m going to take my career to the next level such as a Director or CFO, I’m going to need my CPA. Even though I just finished my MBA last August, I’m looking into going back for a Masters in Accounting to prepare me for the CPA exam. This would be different from my MBA course load which was a crazy 3 x 3 cr hrs each semester. The MS program can be spread out taking only 3 cr hrs at a time. It would take longer to complete, but this way A) my employer would pay for my whole program and B) I wouldn’t have to completely abandon my family again (like I did during my MBA).
Health
So, I’ve been a type II diabetic for over 10 years which means my body produces insulin, but I’m not absorbing / utilizing it enough to keep my blood sugars under control. In 2001, I wasn’t even 30 years old yet and was already taking some serious meds for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. Too many years of fast food, drink, and a sedentary lifestyle. When I was first diagnosed, this is what I looked like:
In 2006 when we moved to TX, I started to see a new general practitioner for normal checkups. For the most part, we maintained the same regiment of drugs to try and keep me going. Here’s what I looked like shortly after arriving in TX:
Then, my GP put me on a medication called Actosplus Met which is a combination of a couple different diabetes medications. The only problem was that it made me hungry ALL the time. Why you would prescribe a diabetic medications that could potentially make him hungry 24/7 is beyond my comprehension. But the result was that I had ballooned up to 210 lbs by the end of 2007.
Finally, my GP was ready to throw in the towel with me and referred me to one of the best endocrinologists in the DFW area. My new doc quickly switched me off of Actosplus Met to a couple injection type meds — Levemir (which is pretty much insulin) and Byetta. The later is probably the most miraculous drug for diabetics made. Not only does Byetta do a fantastic job at keeping blood sugars at normal levels, but it has the added benefit of appetite suppression. When I was on Byetta, I felt fuller faster and probably cut my caloric intake in half.
As I started to shed pounds, I eventually joined a gym and began to exercise. Slowly, the weight started to come off. In about 2 years, I lost almost 40 lbs. For the first time in I don’t know how many years, I was under 170 lbs.
The downside to Byetta is that the appetite suppression effects do not last forever. Eventually, your body gets immune to it. In 2011, my doctor had taken me off of almost everything except for Metformin. My blood pressure was normal. My cholesterol was doing great. Even my blood sugars were under control.
Since then, I started to slide a bit. Stopped going to the gym because I said I didn’t have time. Started overeating again (the holidays are especially tempting for me.)
Well, in late Feb, my endocrinologist told me that I had put on over 10 lbs since my last visit 3 months prior. That was enough for me to get off my tail again. I started watching my caloric intake – especially carbs (which are the killer for diabetics). I started going back to the gym.
It’s now been 45 days of Healthy Living and I’m pleased to say that I’m back to my 2010 weight.
I’m about 1/2 way to my goal. If I can shed another 12 lbs, I will officially be at a normal BMI — something I don’t think I’ve seen since before high school. My goal is to get there before my next endocrinologist appointment in mid-June.
Someone asked me what the secret to my success is this time around (since I don’t have Byetta to control my appetite anymore). I would say the first thing I cut out was eating after dinner. I used to be a terrible late night snacker. That, BY FAR, was the hardest bad habit for me to kick. Secondly, I’ve been really conscious of watching carbs. By no means am I doing the no-carb, atkins diet. But I try to limit total carbs in a single meal to 30-45 g. There’s this great little app that I have on my phone from http://www.sparkpeople.com/ that helps me track calories, carbs, and exercise. Third, I’ve started doing strength / resistance training as opposed to just hours of cardio. In 2010, I used to get on an elliptical or treadmill for 45-60 minutes at a time. Now, I’m doing a quick and hard 15 min cardio with 30 min of strength training.
Jenny’s also been really helpful with cooking more veggies and better quality meats in our meals. We’ve started to buy more organic and locally grown produce, grass-fed beef, and fresh local eggs. Egg white omelets and tuna (in water), btw, are 2 of my staples. Pretty much eat them everyday.
Anyway, will soon return to blogging about Liberty and Freedom.
Have a great day everyone!
txfatherofseven 
Wow, what a transformation! Congrats on the weight loss and new position at work. Sounds like a some exciting changes going on in your life!
I know what you mean about the carbs. I was limiting to 55g per day all winter. I have chronic fatigue syndrome with no identified cause–frustrating. I went on the diet at the recommendation of my nutritionist to improve health, not for weight loss, but I started losing weight like crazy! I lost 10 lbs. effortlessly. Unfortunately it made no difference in how I felt and low-carb dieting is so expensive, so I gave up on it and now the pounds are creeping back.
About the late-night snacking–I read that high-carb snacking before bed is such a diet-killer because it suppresses the production of growth hormone during the night. Apparently it’s okay to have a high protein snack because it keeps the hormone production humming along building muscle while you sleep.
Thanks for the update! 🙂
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Wow. Not sure I could make it on only 55 g of carbs / day. I’ve been pretty good about cutting out most of my bread, but I do love eating fruit and oatmeal. You’re right that low-carb can be expensive, especially if you’re trying to eat organic or grass-fed beef like we are.
Sorry to hear about your chronic fatigue. Have you had your thyroid checked? I don’t know why, but a LOT of women I know have recently been diagnosed with some sort of thyroid disorder with symptoms that appear to be completely unrelated.
I’ve heard the same thing about proteins at night. I’m just trying to not snack at all. It may start out without carbs at night, but pretty soon chips and desserts creep in if I’m not extra careful.
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So glad that you are back on track with your health, Tim – I know Jenny wants you around for a LONG time! And that’s great about your job. And the CPA program – that it won’t take you away from the family as much as the MBA did. 🙂
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My parents keep telling me that I’ve got 8 people depending on me to live a long and healthy life. Plus, I just feel a whole lot better than I did 5 years ago. Much more energy, discipline, and I’m able to go past the buffet line without eating myself to a food coma.
The CPA thing is not for sure yet. Just thinking about it. It is a big commitment and will take a lot of thought and prayer before jumping in.
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Yeah, Mom and Dad! Sometimes when we reach our ages, we forget that they still have great advice, and yours are absolutely right. 🙂
May God show you the right career path as you contemplate the next step. I know He will. 🙂
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