VeggieWendy’s BodyBlog

I just had to write this down because it’s very exciting. 

This past weekend I traveled down to Nashville, Tennessee to run in the Country Music Marathon.  I know this is horrible, (and not advisable) but I didn’t train before hand.  I had signed up last year, after I completed the half (2:03) and with the wintry conditions Ohio experienced this year and meeting my boyfriend, I didn’t run for months on end.  A couple weeks before the race I did a few 3 and 5 milers, but that was it.  Granted, I was very sore after the race and the soreness lasted 3 days!

For the half marathon last year, my goal was to never stop running, and I met the goal.  This year my goal was to walk the hills and run the flat surfaces, but I was not against walking at anytime I felt I needed to.  At mile 18, I was experiencing pain in my left leg.  I stopped to stretch many times those last few miles and did a lot of walking.  I finished the race at 5:25.  Not the greatest, but now I have times to beat next time.

The most important thing was that I had so much fun and I completed it!  The weekend in Nashville was great as well as the drive home where we stopped in Kentucky and explored Mammoth Caves.

So, I just wanted to share!

Thanks to everyone who has been so kind to send me best wishes and information regarding the disease Hashimoto’s that I just found out I am struggling with.  I am now up to taking 20 mcg’s of Cytomel and have noticed a difference already.

My pulse is usually now 72 upon waking when it used to be stuck at 60.

My temperature which used to be in the 96 degree range is now 97.3-98.6.

I am less tired and finally have the energy to exercise again.  I have missed it!  Now I’m just waiting to see if the medication will help in losing weight as well.  For two years my weight has been stuck no matter what exercise program or diet I tried.  It’s not so much the numbers on the scale, but the FAT won’t budge.  I hope to have more positive updates soon.  I would still love to hear from anyone that knows anything about this disease or the drug Cytomel.  Thanks again!

Test results today.  Turns out the reason three doc’s (gyno’s) said my thyroid is in the normal range is because it is.  The problem I am having is known as Hashimoto’s Disease and this is an autoimmune disorder in which your immune system inappropriately attacks your thyroid gland, causing damage to your thyroid cells and upsetting the balance of chemical reactions in your body.  None of the other doctor’s ever bothered to test for this.  They ignored my symptoms and went on test results alone, but never testing the right things.  Thank god I found an alternative doctor who specializes in this.  I can’t tell you how relieved I am to be on the road to recovery.  I am taking Cytomel, starting at 5mcg’s.

Here’s  a good website if you’re interested.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hashimotos-disease/DS00567

Well, after numerous "normal" gyno’s telling me my thyroid was up to par, I finally found an alternative doc who says, "not so much."  I have been battling unexplained weight gain and challenging weight loss for almost 3 years now.  But when doctor’s tell you you’re fine, you try to believe it.

The symptoms have been getting worse and the bass player in my band took notice.  One day before a show he says to me, "How’s your thyroid?"  I looked at him like he was crazy.  What in the world is a guy doing asking me about my thyroid?  Turns out his wife has had similar symptoms that he noticed in me. (tiredness, lack of energy, prolonged colds.)  He didn’t even know about the missed periods and weight gain.  He recommended I talk with his wife and when I did I found out we did indeed have many of the same symptoms.

So today I went to this alternative doc, and let me tell you, I’ve never been so emotional inside a doctor’s office before.  I have just struggled so long it was nice to hear someone tell you what you’ve suspected all along.  If only the other doctors would have even bothered to take my pulse they would have had a strong sign!  My pulse today was 56 when it is supposed to be high 70’s-early 80’s.  My body temp is 97.2.

I filled out tons of questionnaires, took a 45 min phone interview, and everything points to hypothyroidism.  I’m now waiting on the blood test results I took today, which tests much more involved than the average thyroid blood test.  The doc flat out told me don’t bother dieting or exercising, the weight will not budge.  To that I said, "After 3 years, I think I know that pretty well now."

Oh but the tears just wanted to flow!  All the hard work and dedication!  I feel like I could have been sitting on my ass eating poptarts for dinner and still look the way I look now.  When he told me this I just wanted to eat every bad food I could think of.  I still couldn’t bring myself to do it.  I actually really love healthy food.  I don’t want that garbage in me.  But I want my body to show how hard I work and how healthy I eat.  SO FRUSTRATING!

I love that this doc is all natural.  He’s so knowledgeable and kind.  He’s determined to solve everyone’s root of the problem.  Not just mask it with some prescribed medication.  So, I’ll keep you all updated for sure.  I can’t wait to find out myself.  I can’t wait to just go back to being normal.

If anyone reading this has had a similar experience or know someone who has, I would love to hear about it and any advice you could give.  Thanks!!!

Ok, two things that keep me awake all night: coffee and a loud music.  It’s almost 5am.  I can’t sleep due to being out at a country bar for most of the night.  So wide awake… a few days ago, I drank coffee right before bed and my heart was racing for hours afterwards.  I have to put not being able to fall asleep at the top of my list for "most unpleasant feeling."

So, I haven’t eaten meat or eggs or milk in ions.  I’m starting to feel fat from all the carbs and starting to get a little frustrated.  I eat very healthy, LOTS of veggies and protein sources from veggies.  I don’t want to eat any kind of animal product anymore but it scares me to gain weight by eating too many carbs.  I guess I just have to be extra careful.  I think I am going to add fat-free organic yogurt to my diet and maybe some eggs here and there but that’s about all I can handle.  I’ve read and studied too much about eating animals to ever go back to that…

What’s up with the stomach pouch?  I never had problems with gaining weight in my mid-section till now.  I need to step up the cardio, and will be once winter break arrives.  Woohoo!  Only 3 weeks till I have all the time in the world to workout!

I’m going to force myself to fall asleep now.  ciao!

Many of my blogs have been pretty whiny.  Sorry to put you through all that!  I’m really hard on myself sometimes.  I’m done complaining, bring on the positive thinking!

So, I am in a country band, and we took our first band photos the other day.  I posted some of the pics I took before hand of myself and I am pretty damn pleased with how my body is shaping up.    I just want to remind everyone I am a VEGETARIAN who eats fish every now and then, mostly when out at restaurants or when the wild salmon is on sale at the grocery.  I do eat eggs but I don’t do cheese or milk.  So to everyone who assumes you must consume 3 chickens a day on their high protein diets to gain muscle and tone up, it is just not true!
When I’m going for a higher protein breakfast, I toast a mini wheat bagel, cook up two whole eggs, and slap on a slice of veggie ham and some Dijon mustard.  Otherwise I stick to flaxseed/soy oatmeal and I slice up a small apple, add cinnamon and stevia.  (a natural, plant based sweetener)

Lunch is usually some veggie turkey and spinach in a low carb whole wheat wrap and more mustard.  A side of hummus with carrots, celery, and some whole wheat crackers. Ak Mak are good. http://www.foodlocker.com/brands-a-ak-mak.html  I also love Amy’s veggie burgers. http://www.amys.com/products/category_view.php?prod_category=1 I like the burgers on Ezekiel Bread.  http://www.foodforlife.com/

Dinner is fish when I can with veggies, usually broccoli or string beans, brown rice or small potato.  I have a friend from Japan who is always sending me soup so I eat a lot of Miso soup, seaweed soup, etc.  mmmm!

I snack a lot on nuts, seeds, raisins, hummus, carrots, crackers, dark chocolate.  I usually always drink either soy milk or water.  Every once in awhile orange juice.  I don’t touch pop, it makes me sick.  I’ve been on a Kombucha kick lately, (better than on a Starbucks kick!)  http://www.gtskombucha.com/

So, that’s an idea of what I usually eat.  I try to eat as simply as I can while keeping everything healthy and natural.

I’m training for a marathon now so I’ve upped my running.  I had a great 6 mile run today through the park, on and off trails, and a perfect light rain just when I was finishing up!  The family had Mediterranean out for dinner tonight to celebrate a last dinner before my baby brother moves to the Big Apple.  I had pit bread with Baba, Hummus, Falafel, Grape Leaves, and a yummy spinach and feta cheese dish.  (I do feta every once in awhile!)

Now I can’t sleep because I am so sad my brother is leaving tomorrow.  I have been up all night, it is 4 am!  I just keep thinking about how time passes so quickly and how I wish I would give more hugs and say more I Love You’s to everyone in my life.  I’m going to work on appreciating the moment and spend more time genuinely caring about others before it’s too late and they are gone.

Typing has finally made me tired!  Thanks for listening and good luck with all your goals!

I have heard this question and read many responses over and over again.  I am sure that of course lifting weights can’t turn a woman into looking like a man.  But there is something I am not so sure of.  I feel "thick."  And I think lifting weights, heavy as I do, continues to keep me looking thick.  I have all of this muscle that I have worked hard for but it just seems to be hidden under a layer of fat.  Problem is, the muscle I am gaining is only making me look bigger and bigger because I can’t seem to shred this layer of fat!  I miss my tiny arms and thin thighs that looked good despite not doing much weight lifting at the time.  I miss being dainty and not so woman baseball player-ish!

Now before you think or say, "well you must not be eating healthy," I eat so damn healthy that I am pretty much gawked at like an alien by whoever I’m around.  I am a vegetarian who most always eats natural or organic.  I eat oatmeal with apples and flax seed, low carb wheat wraps with veggie turkey and spinach, lots of hummus, nuts, seeds, salmon and brocolli and my only vices being the occasional Starbucks latte with friends or one square of dark chocolate after dinner.  Before, when my weight never fluctuated and I was 120 lbs, I ate whatever I craved at the time and ice cream was a staple in my diet! (I am now 135-140 and I start a new day wondering if my pants will fit the same they did the other day.  And this is with constant weight lifting, cardio and a healthy diet.)

So before you also think or say, "you must not be working out," I make a point to work out EVERY day.  Even if it’s a walk around the block with my dogs, I am doing something to get my body moving EVERY day.  I lift weights M, W, F, S.  On Sundays, I run steps and do weighted lunges with my friend.  I go out on 3-5 mile runs here and there but I really enjoy the late night speed walk on my treadmill while watching a show for a half hour to 45 min.  My favorite cardio activity is spinning, but I have to join a gym to do that and haven’t had the desire to lay down the cash right now.

Simply put, I have a great workout routine and I eat very healthy and balanced.  So what the hell is going on!!!

I have been to the gyno many times for check ups and blood work.  Everything always comes out normal.  My thyroid, my blood count, all normal.  So no one can explain to me why I can weigh up to 10 pounds heavier in a week and not fit in my jeans or why this layer of fat is hanging around despite my efforts.

If I sound frustrated, a little obsessed, I am.  I do not let it run my life, I enjoy fitness and eating healthy, I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I only get upset when I can’t achieve the much deserved results!

I am trying to keep track of when I feel good, when I fit into my jeans, when the numbers on the scale drops and figure out what I did differently that day or week.  So far, I can’t seem to figure it out.  I do know I always drop about 5 lbs when I go on vacation and DON’T work out and eat CRAP.  This baffles me.  It makes me want to throw in the towel.  But I am reminded how healthy working out and lifting weights is for a body.  I am already completely addicted to my healthy foods and would never trade them in.  So…I guess I shall remain baffled and "thick."

I have considered something new.  I lift heavy weights, usually 3 or 4 sets of 9-12 reps.  I always believed heavy was the way to go but I think I may try light weight and more reps for a bit.  Anyone do this and have good results?  Well it is a beautiful day and my running shoes are calling for me.  Any words of advice are greatly appreciated!  Have a good day!

Not sure how life can change in a matter of weeks, but it has.  I met someone special, and now my future plans seem so different than before.  As I float on my cloud of love and happiness and change, I still feel the need to get in awesome shape. I have been on vaca for 3 weeks.  L.A. and San Francisco.  I ate everything and anything!  I was actually sick for a bit and lost a ton of weight.  I liked being that skinny but I felt very weak as well.  It was weird to look in the mirror and see such a skinny frame; I’ve grown accustomed to my curves.  Since becoming healthy and gaining my appetite back, I have put the weight back on.  I talked with my bodybuilding gal pal Stephanie and she has already started dieting for a show in New York come November.  She is running her own show in my hometown in October and I really REALLY want to do it.  I can’t think of anything better but to be in my first show that is run by her.  It would mean a lot to her I know as well.  So……. that’s not far away at ALL.  I have to start getting strict.  I will keep you updated on any progress.  It’s definitely a goal and a dream, but I am worried how well I can do.  Wish me luck.  I start tomorrow morning!

Yeah, it happened today.  Someone noticed my muscles. (biceps)  FINALLY!!!  That makes me so happy.  Bodybuilding for me is a very slow process.  I guess I could speed it up with a perfect diet… but I’m not ready for that commitment just yet.  I eat extremely healthy and for now that’s good enough for me.

Well, it’s late…2:38am late… and I want to get up tomorrow to workout of course!  Just had to boast…

So I have taken some time off from blogging and YES, (eek!) diet and training.  The truth is, I am frustrated over the lack of results.  I work so hard and eat so well and I am becoming completely BUMMED over the whole thing.  I do see changes, I know they are happening, but sometimes I think I will be 50 before I ever reach my goals.

On top of that, I worry that I have some sort of addiction.  I researched exercise addiction and have almost every symptom!  Who would have thought the more you exercise the lower your self-esteem could become?  I thought a break from only thinking about food, muscles, exercising and weight would do me good.

I ran the Nashville Country Music 1/2 Marathon in 2 hours and 3 minutes!  I felt AWESOME.  It was one of the best times of my life.  Every moment was perfect.  I can’t wait to do another half next year.  And one day, a full marathon.

Other news, I am a vegetarian again.  Yes, I will still allow some WILD salmon or tuna in my diet but that is all.  I will not sacrifice my beliefs for muscle gain anymore.  I will reach my goals while respecting the animals.   I have viewed some vegan bodybuilding sites and am learning more each day.

The new OXYGEN mag is out.  Love it, mostly for the pictures!  Every time I get a new copy I get so pumped to get back on track.  I had the mag at my family party today and most of the guys were appalled by the beautiful women and their "manly" muscles.  I think it is the sexiest, healthiest look ever.  They seem to like the thin, model type with no tone what so ever.  What’s wrong with men!?  Sure the thin models look good now, but how about in 20-30 years when they have no muscle tone to keep them looking so good?  Flab flab flab!

All right, enough from me tonight.  Going horseback riding tomorrow.  yeeee!