Results Are In

My final weigh-in was July 15^th. You might remember that I was required to lose 20 pounds, but I was trying for 30 pounds. Well, I got really sick right at the end of the challenge and I missed the last 2 workouts. I started antibiotics a day too late, and I just couldn't push through.

I went for my weigh-in, and my final weight loss was 28 pounds on the nose. Soooooo close to 30 pounds. If there was any way I could have squeezed in a workout, I would have tried for 30. I just didn't have it in me. Still, 28 pounds in 6 weeks is not too shabby.

I would have loved to do another session, but my body was giving me a hard time the last couple of weeks. I think I'm going to do a session right after Christmas. It really should be sufficiently cool by then, and I should be fairly recovered. I hope.

I'm still experiencing weakness, but I'm working hard not to go back to the sedentary lifestyle I was living before. I'm still using many of the nutrition guidelines from the plan. I've been biking, I park fairly far from my destination so I can get some extra steps in. I'm still drinking my coffee black and really limiting my carbs.

I've gained a few pounds back, but I expected that since I'm not doing the intense workouts I was. I did bike 4 miles and I walked another 2 miles. In fact, my son struggled to catch me on the bike. I was kinda proud of that.

I still haven't decided if it's a relapse, heat related, or the false symptoms from heat. I just keep pushing myself while I can.

I give a lot of credit to my thyroid medicine. I really feel a WHOLE lot better. It hasn't really boosted my metabolism yet, but I don't even care anymore. It's awesome to not feel like the couch is holding me hostage. It's wonderful not to lose enough hair to make a wig with each shower.

This month, I have to get blood drawn to check my thyroid levels. It should be very interesting to see what the numbers are.

I'll keep you all posted with everything.

Because I Can

I am 5 weeks into my six-week challenge. So far, I've lost 19.8 pounds. One week to go to officially lose .2 pounds or 10.2 pounds for my personal goal.

Overall, I feel better since losing some weight. Until I start working out. Then my weakness becomes apparent. I got noodle legs and shaky arms. Instead of it being easier to do overhead presses, I'm finding I can't do them as well as I could 5 weeks ago. I can see my arms shaking, and it's not just a tremor. It's a full-blown shaking; you can truly see my arms straining to complete the exercise.

I knew my balance wouldn't improve, what with my black hole and all, but I can see it worsening. I used to be able to do moves when both my feet were on the floor without losing my balance (except for squats). Now, I'm losing my balance more frequently doing simple things.

Of course, it's getting warmer, too, and that does not help.

My symptoms always worsen when I'm overheated. I posted something earlier today from multiplesclerosis.net called “Is it an MS Relapse or a Pseudoexacerbation?”. Originally I'd been thinking that I was having a relapse, but after reading that article, I'm thinking it might be a pseudoexacerbation. This Friday is my last workout, so I'll see if I feel any different by the following week.

I read a few articles about muscle weakness and MS. The most informative article was also the most disturbing. “Damage to the nerve fibers (demyelination) in the spinal cord and brain that stimulate the muscles can also cause weakness. The muscles are not receiving the nerve impulses they require in order to work effectively – which often results in a reduction in endurance. Because the source of this type of weakness is impaired nerve conduction, weight training to strengthen the affected muscles is not effective – and may even increase feelings of weakness and fatigue.”

I've been wondering why I'm feeling weaker rather than stronger the past week. This might explain it. Or it might be from being overheated. Funny thing, this MS. Even after knowing my diagnosis for close to 13 years, I'm still not sure about what's going on inside.

Essentially, I'm either helping myself or causing more damage. Well, one thing is certain, it's easier moving less weight than more weight.

Still, I'm happy I did this challenge and jump-started my weight loss. In retrospect, a three-week challenge would have been more manageable for me. I didn't start noticing the extra weakness until week 4.

Only 5 more workouts left before my final weigh-in. I won't be skipping any of them, and I will do each one to the absolute limit of my abilities. Because I can.