It's July 2015 and I'm right around the same weight I was when I started in the beginning of 2013. That is a slap in the face but at least I'm not up a lot of lbs. I did gain back what I had lost this go round in 2013, but am ready to take this on.
I recently started the weight management program at University of Michigan. It's a two year program that is for people that want to lose a lot of weight; which I do. The program consists of 12 weeks of meal replacements (Optifast shakes) and then you transition into foods. This program is heavily monitored by Dr.s and Dietitians. I have to give blood and make sure all of my vitamin and blood sugar levels are good to go. When taking my original blood work it was apparent that I needed to take a Vitamin D supplement. I take an OTC (over the counter) as well as prescription; my levels were extremely low.
I actually have to take a supplement for my gallbladder as well; I guess that the dramatic change to the diet can really take a toll on a gallbladder. I am not going to pretend I even know what the gallbladder does. Looking that up now.... Wow. No gallstones please.
As part of the program I'm also participating in the research part. This part was pretty interesting....
My first appointment was a bod pod & exercise test. This was an interesting day to say the least. The bod pod machine looks like a space ship... funny stuff. Doing this gives you your exact body composition (BMI, body fat, lean fat). Numbers were shocking to say the least. Seeing that your body is made up than slightly less than 50% fat is ALARMING... I knew it was bad but geez. How I have to look at this.... is I'll have some great numbers to compare my "after" information to. I won't just know how much weight I've lost, but how much body fat I've shed and lean mass I've gained.
This is what the weird bod pod test looked like.
I took this test on June 11th. During the duration of the research I'll take this three times total. I do it after I go off of the meal replacement shakes (this takes approximately 12 weeks) and then again after the two year program is over. I'll share my differences when those appointments take place. #letsdothis
Another test I did was to test my bone density (DEXA). Takes this measurement by using a low dose x-ray machine. VERY strange seeing your full skeleton x-ray. Thought it was pretty sweet. I was happy to see that my bone density is fantastic and good for my age.
This machine also told me how much mass each of my body parts was. This, not so happy about. I carry a lot of my weight in my stomach which is terrible. Time to get rid of it... Very hard picture to share but I need to get over that now.
I've been reading blogs, social media posts, watching youtube videos and chat rooms for any type of support that I can find w/ others that are doing this program. There is a LOT out there to find; I'm so grateful. Wanted to see if anyone was struggling and how they coped with it if they did. I read a log of: just have grilled chicken in your fridge, keep spinach on hand. It's important that if you do snack, that what you eat isn't a carb, and no calories. Sounds like some great snacks to me. :) haha
I'm three days in and I did eat some food at a golf outing I was at the other day. Other than that, I've just drank shakes and sipped on soup. Sounds exciting I know.
I made them take some "before" pictures at my appointment... Here's to being positive that in a few weeks I can report some pretty dramatic weight loss.
