Fourth week update: This week my weight rose the second day, then was stuck for several days and then did a healthy sized drop. My seven day average loss was only .3 lbs from 170.8 to 170.5 lbs. However, my ending weight, both today and yesterday, was down 2.9 lbs from seven days ago from 171.8 to 168.9. My total calorie deficit for the week was 7428 cal which would indicate a 2.1 lbs loss so the actual result is more than expected this week.
The big news is that my blood pressure is consistently good. At the endo six months ago and a year ago it was reading in excess of 150/90. I did talk them out of taking any action but the Dr. was showing concern. Now I measure blood pressure three times a day and keep a record for the Dr. In the past seven days, with 21 records, six have been greater than 120/80 with the two highest measurements at 122/77 and 115/82. The remaining 15 measurements were less than 120/80 with the two lowest at 95/76 and 117/63. All are measured while seated like in the Dr's office. I just hope when I go back to the endo in two weeks I don't get an unexpected spike! I will be taking my BP records along though.
I'm not entirely sure why it has dropped. My weight was not excess the past two visits and I have done several things at the same time to try and drop it. These include reducing sodium, increasing sleep, exercise with an emphasis on low intensity and proper recovery, eating garlic, and drinking chamomile and valerian tea. Maybe they all contribute a little.
I'm posting a collage below to show where I started on the first day of HRT in Jan 15 and where I'm at today. The first pic in the top left is not pretty (LOL) but it is what it is. The other three are from this morning. From the front I think I still have quite a lot to lose, especially on the lower belly. On the side there is still some to lose but a big part of that piece sticking out is my oblique muscle which may be there to stay. The back shows what I am really trying to get rid of, those two fat pads on each side of my lower back. I think they have been there since before puberty and are proving resistant to change so far.
I do have one question for anyone who has been on HRT long term. Can I expect my abdomen to change in any significant way with several more years of HRT? Or will it stay pretty much as is except hopefully with less fat?
So, here is the pic.
So my stats for the past seven days.Seven day average loss: 0.3 lbs
Average weight: 170.5 lbs
Average calories in: 1803 (increase of 100 cal)
Average calories out: 2864 (increase of 255 cal)
Average daily walking & running: 12.5 mi (increase of 2.3 mi)
Average sleep: 6:38 hrs. (decrease of 27 min. I need to go to bed earlier. I try to wake up every morning at 4:00 am since the quiet darkness is my favorite time of the day)
Diet notes:My daily potassium is at 52% RDA.
Protein 137g average daily, 30% (up)
Carbs 173g, 38% (no change)
Fat 65g, 32% (down)
Fiber 36g (down)
Sugar 48g (down)
Sodium 3344mg (A little bit up. Although this may seem low with spiro I am actually experiencing fewer episodes of lightheadedness than I was when my salt was a lot higher. Those episodes are increasingly rare.)
I have gotten pretty hungry a few times in the afternoon this week. My eating pattern is to consume about 700 cal during the day and then the rest in the evening. My will power is at its weakest in the evening and I absolutely hate going to bed hungry. So most evenings I eat 1100 to 1200 cal to keep myself happy.
Sapere Aude