A new year a new challenge!

It's been almost a year since I last blogged and a lot has happened. First I had a terrible surgery- a septoplasty. Second, I was diagnosed with Celiac and Third I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. My future blogs will focus on having TS and Celiac.
First- I was diagnosed with Celiac by my GI dr. who discovered it from biopsies taken during a endoscopy. The day I got the phone call was the day my husband was in the ER with bronchitis (he would later be admitted and kept at the hospital for 2 days). When I got the news I wanted to cry and felt like another huge blow and been given to me. My thoughts were "great something else I'm going to have to deal with for the rest of my life". I had first heard of Celiac from one of my friends from high school, Stacey. I thought then it sounded very bizarre and extreme. How could one take wheat out of their diet".
That was then- this is now. I know see it as a blessing.Though it has been a rough road. I am getting better at reading labels on EVERYTHING and taking no food for granted as gluten free. Even the frozen Tyson grilled chicken I was eating had wheat, as did the Progresso Tomato Basil soup I liked. I am also starting to see this as a healthier way for me to live not only for my stomach but for managing my weight as well. I've been needing this. I am eating more organic natural foods, with out all the preservatives.
For dinner tonight- I am having pork chops,Lima beans and yes this isn't organic but it is gf- instant mashed potatoes. I have been trying to eat mostly meat and veggies. So far I have lost 11- 12 pounds since November.I'm also forcing myself to drink diet sodas only.
I have seen a change since I've been trying to go GF. Besides the weight. I have more energy and no stomach issues( ESP. After I eat). I just feel overall better.
I trying to learn as much as I can about being gf and celiac. I ordered a bunch of books ( info and recipe) from the library. I've met some fellow celiacers on Facebook as well as some great Fb pages and blogs I've been following. One fb friend even gave me a pile of gluten free living magazines to read. Besides wonderful helpful websites, I found some gluten free shops/bakeries/ stores I look forward to checking out soon.
My goals are to drink more water and try to get more exercise....Stay tooned it is another new beginning for Sara!

Stubbornness and independent

These are two words that I choose to describe myself. I think a lot of it has to do with TS, but so much of it has to do with my personality. Because of this, it makes it extremely difficult to ask for help on this diet. You see, so much of my life I had to prove my accomplishments and show the world (so to speak) that I can do it on my own. I'm the one that even though she's married, isn't afraid to go to a movie or anywhere by herself. Why not? If it's something I want to do- I'm going to find a way to do it. I'm the one who went to Europe by herself, when a friend backed out. Walked around London by herself and loved it!!! I don't let anything stop me and that's what I need to keep reminding myself on this journey to lose weight.
The TS stubbornness comes from the fact that I never wanted to be treated any differently and I praise God in the fact that I had parents who supported that. I remember in Elementary, I was the only one in Gym who couldn't make a basket in Basketball. It drove me nuts, but I practiced and practiced until I got it. Now I know there were situations in my life that worried them- driving a


car, going to college, etc.. But the thing is, I always knew I could do it, I knew I had to do it. Noone was going to tell me I couldn't.
With TS, you here all kinds of things from the doctor - she's going to have trouble with this and difficulties with that.I was so sick of it. I never wanted to be treated any differently. I hated getting shots and having to go to the doc so much. Yes, math was difficult for me and I wasn't inthe top math group, but I made darn sure I wasn't in the lowest class.
Now here I am 34 years old and 50 pounds overweight. And I feel like I am lost. I don't know how to do this the correct way.

What to say

I'm writing this on my iPhone durin my planning period at work, so please excuse any spelling or grammatical errors.
So last week wasn't a good week for me. I only went to Jazzercise once and I actually gained a pound. It's totally my fault and I feel like I'm back on track now. Most of last week I suffered from ocular migraines and didn't feel like doing much at all. I had pizza one night and Sat. Night I fixed a meatloaf. I am not happy with myself, but like I said, I'm back on track since yesterday. I went to Jazzercise yesterday and ate healthy. I still am drinking water daily and have not ha any regular sodas of any kind, so that's good.
Sometimes Ijust feel like I just don't know how to do all this. I think I am eating healthier and getting exercise, but am I doing it correctly.
I am still proud of myself in many ways, but find myself getting impatient. Though I have to admit, the lifestyle changes are becoming more routine. Maybe I ask for too much too quickly.
I need to pray to God for strength, support and diligence.
I don't know why I feel this way. Deron has been very supportive and my wonderful friends have been to. I guess I need to find that inner strength, but how? This does not mean in anyway that I am giving up in this battle. I will not quit.

TS and Pelvic exams.... For Women Only

   Over the past 10 years, I've had several pelvic exams (my last one was yesterday afternoon). For a TS woman this is usually a very interesting and  funny situation. The first time I had one, the tech gets started on the exam and I begin to notice she's taking a llllooonnnggg time. I can tell she's looking and looking and looking for something. Finally, after a good 20 minutes or so, I ask, "Is everything OK". She says, "I can't find your ovaries", to which I replied, "Good luck there, you're not going too either.". I then offered to educate the woman on Turner Syndrome. She continued with, "Just to be sure, I'll be right back". After about 15 minutes, she returns with another tech (one I'm assuming that is over her), who continues the exam and says, "I can't find it either".  After 10 more minutes of the exam and trying to explain to the both of them, they finally ended the exam and I left.
    Needless to say after that experience, I let the tech know first thing before he/she starts the exam. I tell them that I have Turner Syndrome and that they won't see much "in there". The tech's only response to me yesterday was, "Wow, you're right"- lol. 

Just another reason why doctors and others in the medical field need to be educated more on Turner Syndrome.
   

Still going!!!

Sorry it's been awhile since I've blogged. I feel like I should be making a confession to a priest or something.
Anyways, though I haven't felt very great this week and I've only done Jazzercise once so far this week, I have lost 11 pounds so far. I can tell the Jazzercise is paying off in my legs ( no more rubbing together) and I'm starting to get my oval shaped face back slowly but surely. I love it!! I'm still eating healthy and keeping busy.
Like I've said I haven't been feeling too great this week. I think I pulled a muscle in my back at Jazzercise (which is better now by the way) and I've had some female issues related to HRT( I'm hoping). I did have two dr's apt's Yesterday. The first apt. was my new primary care dr., who just happens to be a college friend of Deron's. Let's just say that Deron's friend and I became practically close enough to be married in some states after that apt.( she did a pelvic exam and another exam, then sent me down the road for a pelvic ultrasound). Yep, we became pretty close - lol.
My 2nd apt. was with the dentist. I found out the damage drinking regular sodas has done on my teeth. I also may have to have a root canal in a couple of weeks. If you've ever had a root canal, please let me know what it was like- please!! I'm terrified and have major dental fear.well...I'm at school and need to go. Have a great day everyone.

A Confession

Okay.. I have a confession to make to everyone.. I ATE CHIPOTLE last night. I felt very guilty. My stomach was nauseous all day and I didn't feel like cooking anything when I got home. Anyway, I'd promised Deron that we could eat Chipotle every other week, as long as that was the ONLY place we ate out for the entire week. I got a chicken burrito and I know that I need to figure out a healthier choice there ( I don't like the Burrito Bowl). Even though I didn't eat the best dinner yesterday, I still have NOT had any regular soda, since I started my diet. And that means a lot to me. If it means anything, I spent  a lot of the evening suffering from GI issues- UGHHHH.
     Anyways, I have done EXCELLENT today. I drank all my water, went to Jazzercise, and ate well today!! Here's what I had today:

Breakfast- 2 Bananas

Lunch- part of an Apple, a few fat free crackers (not Saltine), and a couple slices of min-turkey sausage (no carb)

Dinner- Once Deron gets home, I'm making EggBeaters for the both of us. Topped with a little cheese and may have 2 slices of bacon (going low carb here)

Back on Track and Week 1 over

Well.. SUCCESS!!! I've lost 8 lbs. I now weigh 166 lbs. But even better than that to me, I have 't had regular soda,eaten fast food and been too lazy.
   I went to the grocery store today (good thing since we're expecting a snow storm tom.). I don't know what smells better than a bag of mixed apples (I bought 1 yellow,1 red and 1 green- what can I say, I couldn't decide). YUMMMY! One of the things I'm trying to come up with are ideas for snacks. I don't have trouble coming up with meals. I just would love to come up with some good ideas for snacks between meals. I'm not much of a sweet person. I did buy some string cheese at the store and I know that'll make a great snack. So if anyone has any ideas, please feel free to pass it on.
  THANKS AGAIN FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT!!!