Friday, October 26, 2012

Pack on the Pounds

Courtesy of Google Images - not my feet!
I didn't realize how long it's been since I've posted until the other day. I've completed my round of Cipro and it totally sucked this time! I'm feeling better, but still tired from working all the time -- I never realized how time-consuming teaching was going to be, but I wouldn't change it for the world (that's an entirely different post though). I had the most side effects from this round of Cipro then I ever have, and it was not fun. I think I've lost a couple pounds from being on it. It made me very bloated and I was not absorbing anything that I ate -- sorry for the TMI. It was a really uncomfortable two weeks, so I wasn't exercising much. Who wants to go run a couple miles when they're bloated and tired?! Not me!!
So my plan is to do what my title says - pack on the pounds! Honestly, I don't think my exercise is affecting my weight too much, because I'm not running consistently. So that's not really helping my lungs a ton either. Once I get these next two 5Ks done, I'll probably put running on the back burner this winter to focus on gaining weight in a healthy way. Ideally for my body to be at it's healthiest, I should probably try to gain 8-10 pounds. I was weighed on Wednesday and I've dropped to 112.7! I haven't seen those numbers in a while. Unfortunately, I am comfortable with the way my body is looking right now (pretty flat tummy!), but that's not important. I know that I need to gain this weight back in case I need to go on antibiotics again over the winter.
One of my friends posted a picture of me on Facebook from a few weeks ago and I've completely lost all the 'chubby' in my face...I kind of looked sickly (in my opinion). That weekend one of my other friends made a comment about how 'super skinny' I looked and asked if I lost weight...so if other people are noticing, I know I need to get back to where I was. It's more important for me a to be a little bit chubby and healthy, than this skinny and getting sick. My goal is to be back into the high 100-teens (116-119ish) by my next clinic appointment in January so my doctor and nurse don't yell at me! :) They don't yell, but you know what I mean....even if it means I go back to Scandishakes...
So as much as I know running was making me feel better, now that it's getting colder and since I've been teaching, I've not been running consistently. Someone on CysticLife did suggest weight lifting to help build muscle which would increase my weight, so that's something I will look into over the winter. I never pictured myself doing any type of lifting, but then again, two years ago I never pictured myself running and I here I am about to complete two 5Ks in the next month!

This brings me to my question/suggestions I'm looking for: More so ladies, (but guys, I'll take your input, too) what do you do for weight lifting AT HOME? I'm not interesting in spending money to join a gym over the winter. Or what other types of fitness activities do you do in the comfort of your own home? I do have Zumba for the Wii which I may need to bust out since we're not living above anyone anymore, but I'd like a variety. Thanks! :)

8 comments:

  1. Good luck!!! I hear you so much on all the weight issues. Losing weight, feeling slightly uncomfortable when you have to gain, etc. It's so frustrating to me that our society has glamorized an UNHEALTHY weight. Ugh!!! Good luck with your 10 pounds!

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  2. Good weight=CF belly, underweight=no CF belly. I totally understand this dilemma! Good luck with the weight gain. Hopefully all the holiday food will give you an advantage!

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    1. I completely agree about the CF belly thing. I don't have one right now, so I know I'm underweight. I haven't had this problem in a while, so I'm hoping the holiday foods will help, too. I've also decided to keep track of my calorie intake for a week or two just to see how much I'm actually taking in on work days.

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  3. I'm right there with you. They like me to be in the 120's, but right now, I'm at about 112. I just know that they are going to be all over that at my doctor's appointment if it doesn't change before that. It is so difficult to deal with the whole weight issue, because I totally understand where you are coming from. I can feel great about how I look, and the doctors will shoot me down and tell me to gain more weight. Ha! So hard to find the balance! :) Good luck! I'm fighting the same fight.

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    1. What kind of weight-lifting do you do? I'm going to try a little of that this winter to get some muscle weight and a little exercise in...without trying to burn too many calories....ugh, CF problems! :)

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  4. I would say the thing that worked best for me was keeping track of my calorie intake. My dietician told me I should be taking in 2500 calories a day. It was a lot of work to do it but it really made a difference. Hopefully you will have success with it, too. I also would chug Ensure Plus like they were going out of style. It helped get in a few extra calories w/o making me feel so bloated. GOODLUCK!!!! Let me know if you need anymore tips. I was in your shoes last year and have managed to keep my weight at 120 for the past 6 months or so. It sucks but will be worth it in the end.

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    1. How long did you keep track of your calorie intake? I just started on Saturday and planned to do a week, but I'm wondering if I could just keep going (if I stay motivated) to see how it varies.
      Does Ensure Plus need to be refrigerated? That might be a good thing to keep in my classroom (or lunch box w/ ice pack) for plan times. I've been trying to get better about snacking during plan times and after school while I'm working.

      It does suck, and I think I've lost so much weight because I've been working like crazy! It's sucks how quickly the pounds fall off without trying and how much work it is to get them back on!! My husband keeps asking me why I'm going crazy over my weight all of a sudden and I told him it's because I haven't been this low since I met him!

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  5. Just wanted to add that I am about to drink an Ensure Plus, my lunch was just not so yummy today. They are nice to quickly take down when you have a down time at school, I know that we don't have too many of those :)

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