I decided to do my weigh-in today instead of tomorrow. The day after cardio always yields a nice low. Today is strength training, so I often don't show as much or sometimes there's a .6-.8 lb gain due to water retention the next day. Folks - I am technically at the high end of my "goal range". Woohoo! That being said, I still want to release 5 lbs so that I can start into maintenance at the low end, which is 147 lbs. I want to try and maintain consistently around 149 for 6 months before losing the last 7 lbs, barring typical fluctuations. I know my water weight fluctuations perty dang good a this point! lol - One of the things I figured out real quick is if I collected enough data on my daily and weekly water weight fluctuations, I can keep a completely unrestricted approach to CICO, because I understand down to the .6th of pound what is a water gain and what is fat or the rest of everything else. I even know how much water I'll gain if I have more than 3 drinks in a night, which rarely happens these days :-) Knowing these fluctuations has also revealed to me what days I'm apt to see the next new low.
It genuinely pays to be come of student of your own body.
Lates pic below. Don't freak out about the collar bones. I was bending over a little to fit in the frame, but those collar bones are connected to some hard earned kick ass muscles.
Last MRI brain scan revealed no significant changes in my lesion count, and everything looks stellar. I am officially using the cane now, and no longer using the walker for mobility. This can change w/MS just depending on the day. I'm glad to know the walker is there if I need it, but damn it feels good to get around without it!
I had a few folks when I was initially diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a year ago trying to push very specific diets on me or wanting me check out folks that had supposedly "cured" the disease through diet. I can only speak for myself, but viewing food as a panacea or cure for anything is wayeeee to limiting a perspective to take when we're discussing a condition that impacts the whole Central Nervous System, demyelination, and what triggers a T-cell to throw friendly fire and start attacking it's own nerve cells in the brain and spinal chord. Trust me, if curing MS were as simple as following a specialized diet, all of us 2-3 million world wide who have the condition would have jumped on that band wagon years ago.
To be sure a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats is important for us regarding vitamins and nutrients (specifically C, D, & B12), because our Immune system and T-cells or WBC's are often compromised if not eradicated by about 30% or more due to the immuno suppressants we take to slow the progression of the condition. Also the pharmaceutical that manufactures the drug I take tasks us to stay away from any fruit or vegetable that is not organic. In fact, Biogen tells us to avoid any organic fruit that is situated next to non-organic fruits or vegetables in the grocery store. I find this kind of disturbing as it always makes me wonder if they know something about the role that pesticides may play in MS that I don't. But, eating an apple a day or simply focusing on macros is not going to keep my neurologist or care team away, LOL.
With regards to all the research being thrown at this condition, which is comparable to the billions they throw to cancer, my focus on the latest research will be in regards to the role that ogliodendrocytes play in myelin regeneration and repair. They've already discovered our OG bands (as I like to call them) attempt to repair the lesion to the best of their ability, but often the repair is incomplete or feeble. They're trying to figure out natural ways to get the Ogliodendrocytes to finish the job so the neural connection can be restored and thus mobility improves.
Word to the wise - exercise is one of those natural processes they're looking at - every wonder why I'm so religious about my workouts? MS society recently sent me an opportunity to be a part of a research/experiment regarding the impact of exercise on folks with MS. Unfortunately, I had already been working out before I was diagnosed. And, one of the stipulations of the research project is that the participant not have done any formal exercise before their diagnosis. Still, they are discovering some amazing things regarding the impact of exercise on the brain and immune system.
I do have a blood test next week to ensure my WBC count is still hanging tough and that my liver function is good, but so far this gal is in stellar condition.
Have a blessed Sunday everyone!
