50

I have now lost 50 pounds!! I started this new way if life on January 2, 2014 when my doctor called me with blood results. Diagnosis: diabetes. Not the way I thought I was going to start this new year. To say I was devastated is an understatement. But, then I learned (and am still learning) what I needed to do to get myself healthy, and got myself going in the right direction. 
Now 4 1/2 months later, I am very happy to say I have lost 50 pounds! I have a ways to go, but I am proud of myself for getting this far. :0) I also had a check up yesterday. My doctor was very happy with my weight loss and with my day to day blood sugars. Today I got a call with my blood results. When I was diagnosed my hemoglobin levels were 8.1. Normal is 5.6. Today I was told they are 5.9!!! That's a crazy amount for them to drop in less than 5 months. :0) I was told to keep doing what I'm doing. 
So, what am I doing? I do exercise, but probably not as much or with enough variation as I should, but I am doing it, and will work at making that change better. 
My main change has been my eating habits. I now eat breakfast. I used to hardly ever eat it, and that really isn't good for you. I will eat an egg or a piece of 45 calorie toast (from Sara Lee) with butter, Dannon light and fit yogurt ( it has the lowest carbs), or almonds. I switched from flavored creamers in my coffee to flavored coffee (no added carbs or calories) and fat free creamer. I don't snack at all usually and if I do, I make good choices and have small portions. I drink a LOT of water. Seriously. I don't drink as much diet pop as I used to, and I don't drink juice at all. If I want something sweet to drink, I drink Crystal Light drinks. They have no carbs and only five calories! 
As for carbs, I have cut down on them, but not out. If I know dinner is going to be carby, I have no or very little carbs for lunch. When I do have carbs, I try to make good choices on the kind of carbs I eat. I always try to choose foods with natural sugars over processed sugars. Of course, portion size is also a biggie now. I am much more careful about the amount I out on my plate. And lastly, I not only look at carbs, I look at calories. I could eat sausage and cheese everyday (no carbs) but that's not exactly healthy. I have to take calories into account as well.
This hasn't been an easy road. It took awhile to go grocery shopping the first several times. I checked the labels of everything, comparing brands, flavors, etc. I still have to look at some stuff, but for the most part I know what I want when I go to the store. I also have poured over Pinterest, cookbooks, and websites for tasty, healthy meals my whole family will eat, which is not always easy. I have found some I love and some I will never make again. ;0)
Overall I think I have had a pretty good attitude about all of these changes, but there have been days when I just don't want to do this anymore. When I don't think this is fair. When I'm tired of watching every little thing I put in my mouth. Then I have days like today, when I get a call giving me actual results of my hard work, and an affirmation that what I'm doing is the right thing. For me, for Jeff, and for our kids. I know I'm going to keep having days where I just plain hate this card I've been dealt, but I know that I'm healthier now than I have been in a long time. And that makes it worth it. :0)