[desiree]

Hi How are ya? I am good, hanging in there, day by day! I have upped my calories the 15% and my weight has stablized, so that is a good sign, I think.

1. Electrolytes, how do you know if you are getting the right amount of sodium/potassium, etc, I have tried the ultima replenisher and having some type of allergic reaction to something in it? do you have any ideas, I have been going to the bathroom pretty regular compared to before so I thought I was getting in the right amount with my minerals and I do take a 1grm potassium pill and have being using the Lite Morton salt, But when I went to the gym for my first workout in like 6-7 weeks, It was great first off, used the right amount of weights, I was sweating---which is unheard of for me--I remember running 15miles and never dropped an ounce of sweat when everyone around me was drenched, BUT towards the end of my workout, I got a cramp in the palm of my foot that almost did not allow me to finish my workout? Any suggestions?

2. Maybe you know the answer to this--my Docs just look at me crazy? How do I know referring to my labs if the thyroid is functioning properly because of my medicine increase or because I am eating a proper diet and rest now? The last time I went to my Doc she told me to increase my dose because my FreeT3 was still on the low side, and I told her Are you sure I should do that,maybe I should wait and see what happens when I start eating?? ANd she looked at me real crazy like I was saying a joke, and I said No, really I have been overexercising and undereating for a couple years, which maybe the cause of alll this stuff--She glazed at me again like a joke, and said, no just increase your dose and the worse case scenerio we will have to decrease--They just don't understand--So had my labs done again on Friday, fasting just to double check my levels and my Freet3 is great,my Freet4 is great but my TSH is very low, which tells me that is why my hair is breaking off because I am going the opposite way now, like hyper--but she called me last night and said to stay on the same dose,even with hair breakage, and afternoon sweats,she said we are treating the t3,not the Tsh,---so that brings me to another question?

3. Moisture--I read some where that by week 2-3 you may/perhaps notice more moisture?? I am not--my hair is breaking and my skin is dry--do you have any ideas, I am getting in my fats/ my water, taking 3gms fish oils--maybe we are back to the electrolye thing again?? Could that be it? I remember one day I went to get a colonic when I was having problems with constipation and the girl told me if you are drinking a gallon of water and still constipated, then maybe my whole problem is even with the water intake I could be still dehydrated?? That the water I drink is never really getting to the cells?? With all the running and working out, the running team would ask me where is your gatorade or electrolytes--you just did 7miles of sprints--I would say nah, those have to much sugar--I will just do water--I just did not know any better,my gosh!!

4. Bodyfat vs muscle--I know I am jumping way ahead of myself here, but based on my body composition and how in the past year I have had a metabolic test done and showed that in one year Ihave lost 10 pounds of LBM--that must be the yo yo dieting/undereating, etc, Plus when I first joined the running team back 2yrs ago, I was lean/muscular with 13-15% body fat--now I am 24-26% when I start doing the fatloss plan--will I gain any muscle back or just get the fat off--I want both of course, but if I had my choice of the two I would rather get the fat off first--and then build some muscle up--Not sure if that is the right way, but just don't feel comfortable with this fat on me--I feel heavy sluggish, tired.
I remember my husband saying Are you sure you want join this team? Too much running is not always a good thing and you are going to get skinny--we then went to the first running meeting and all the girls had different frames some were a bit heavy and some were skinny/fat--but the one thing they all had in common was the flabby bodies--Is there some kinda correllation with running and bodyfat?? All of runners were so impressed how I was so tone, because for them that was a big problem?? What is up with that?
Atleast it gave my husband a bit of reassurance that not all runners are skinny/lean--

Which brings back a little of the past--I would go out on Saturdays to run with the team--there was about 80of us, so there were people at all paces, I would run about 9min pace for about 8 miles then 4miles at an 8min pace--we would all go out to breakfast they would eat--eggs, pancakes, waffles, etc--I would order my egg whites--and I would say how can you eat all of that--the only thing going thru my head is that is why I am muscular and lean, and why they are carrying more bodyfat--they responded "we run to eat--not eat to live, haha they would say order some fruit or something--I said no that is ok, I cannot have fruit until 3pm--based on the plan I was on--Gosh how stupid was that--a little more disciple/oc than I need to be--But did not want to give my trainer any reason to say well you did it wrong and that is why you are gaining bodyfat--I had a Garmen watch to measure my pace/mileage/and calories on those days and the days that I would do 7-8 miles of sprints my watch would say that i had burned anywhere from 700-1000calories, and I was only eating about 1300 calories--I remembered thinking to myself wow just burned all those calories, def cannot cheat and then take away all the hard work---DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!hahha!! I was obviously clueless--Ok sorry for that blurb, just venting and remembering--so I WON'T do that again!!

5. Weights--I know I have not trained in 6-7 weeks, and I felt weak, like I had not ever trained--What is the difference now then the past--there was a time when all I was doing was heavy weights/little cardio, still eating in a deficiet, but when I went to the gym I would find my inner strength and would get stronger and stronger each time I went--I was at a point where are the girls in the gym that this little 103 pound girl could leg press 350-400pounds--they would stand around and cheer, etc? And at one point I had to have a surgery and took off 8 weeks, started back at the gym at the same 103pounds, did not gain a pound of fat/same LBM, and started back at the same weight/strength? But I am sure I could not even come close to that now--I felt strong and empowered--even with the food deprevation--What happened--what is the difference now and then?? I guess body just said enough is enough?? I know I will get that back and it just takes time, but I thought with the extra eating an rest my body would respond with great pleasure and happiness, instead it is sluggish like I have a flu/or weak immune system--FRAGILe that is the word

6. Getting my GWF today, but that reminds me of a part of your book you mention the Blessed ones? Those blessed with fast metabolisms/and you mention the ones who have this do not have broken metabolisms just tired--So does this mean we go back to the metabolism we once had--I have always heard that we are born with a metabolism--it is part of our genetics and we can not change that?? Is there any truth to that?? I remember eating anything and everything I wanted, skipping dinner for huge chocolate cake, had no food allergies, like now--Will that come back--oh and no exercise and very little movement?? That word--Neat have never heard that word until now--did not do much of that before--I know what happened, But is it reversable?? Or is the thyroid and other hormones now in the way??

7. Speaking of the thyroid I have asked 3 docs the same question and just wondering what your opinion is? Did I already have underlying hypothyroid and was going to get it eventually but the diet and exercise just brought it on sooner? or did this eating/overexercising thing cause it all?? The docs votes were 2/1-- What do you think?

I remeber lifting weights yesterday and saying to myself--I use to lift such heavy weights--where did that inner strength come from--I must be a stronger person than I think sometimes, because whether it was running/working out, if my coach told me to do something and I was exhausted--I would find the inner strength and do it!! I thought they know what they are talking about and everyone else is doing it--Look at all those runners training hard for marathons, triathalones, etc--I guess the Big difference is that EAT!! Which I really thought I was too!! gosh I hope I get the chance to start all over--

Typical eating plan before: carbs(1/2cup oatmeal,4oz sweet potatoes, 1/2 cup beans) protien: 4oz of meat, or 5 egg whites, 30gm protien, veggies, unlimited fruits:5oz of apples or berries fat: 1tbs nut butter, or olive oil

Meal 1: 1protien/1carb
meal 2: 1 protein/1fruit
meal 3 1 protien/veggies/1/2 fat
meal 4: 1 protein/veggies
meal 5 1 protien/veggies 1/2 fat
Everyone told me that is a great Bodybuilding type diet, but should only be done temporarily--and you were doing it right, just TOOO LONG!!

that is just one example, this is pretty much what I stuck to, just changed around every 12 weeks, sometimes, would do higher carbs/ on workout days, etc?

I would swear that I was doing fine until I added running to the equation, but can't live in the past anymore, sorry for the long Post--just some where to VENT--no one really knows what I am going thru, how I am dealing and would probably not even understand--Even went to a different gym this week, don't want to run into the girls I trained with before--they really looked up to me and admired my training and my strength, they would sometimes follow my workouts and I would teach them different workout routines cause they were different and cool--my trainer was a Professional bodybuilder an had some really cool routines, I am sure the girls would understand they were great, but just don't feel good, I am heavier weaker, etc!! I will wait until I am well again--I know--sounds weak of me--but My hubby and my Dad and now you GUYS are the ones who know what is up!!

thanks for the support and allowing me to VENT--I have not a period in 3yrs but still some how become hormonal??? hahhaha

I should start a log--

Thanks Dessie