It's been awhile, hasn't it?

Hey there! Ashley here. It's been awhile since I updated. I've received a few emails and messages on Facebook lately about this blog, and it resulted in me logging back on to realize it's been ten months since I've updated! Wow. Time flies.

I was always motivated to update this blog when I was doing well. This blog was also a motivation for me to do well (and I define doing well by losing weight, which may not be the healthiest way of looking at it, but that's debatable.) But as far as that goes, I'm not doing well. Which is probably a huge part as to why I haven't updated lately.

I've gained 30 pounds in the six to eight months or so. I went from around 175 to 205. Which, in the grand scheme of things... I'm still closer to my goal than where I started, which is good and when I look at the situation objectively, I can see that. However, I'm still not pleased with myself even though it's not 100% in my control at the moment...

A combination of the holidays, and money issues making it difficult to stick to the low carbohydrate high protein diet I had been doing (which worked REALLY well)  were a huge part of my weight gain. Also I switched insurance companies, and there was an overlap of time I wasn't able to get 2 of my medications. I've also been having trouble stomaching one of my medications, which is better now that I've got the prescription changed.. But these are all excuses.

Its just one thing after another honestly and it knocks down your motivation real quick, you know?

I feel like whenever I get my medications under control I'll start to lose again, it's just a matter of getting in the routine of taking them the way I had for years which is something I've been out of practice of for the past few months.  I've never "fallen off" my diet necessarily, I just didn't follow it as strictly as I did in 2013, which is what I need to do again. I had so much more energy and felt so much better about myself when I stuck to Atkins. I hadn't felt that healthy in a long time, and I'm working my way back into it.

As far as the surgery goes.. I'm three and a half years out now, to the day. February 19th, 2015. I had surgery on August 19th 2011. I really don't feel like the sleeve has done much for me other than the lack of appetite and the restriction, which wasn't really much of a problem to begin with.. Not to say it's not a good dieting tool, because it's fantastic. But it certainly hasn't done for me what I've seen it do for other people within the Teen WLS program I went through, you know? And sure I can attribute that to all of my metabolic problems that are somewhat separate from anything the surgery could touch. I don't know the science behind it all, but I know things have certainly worked differently for me than anyone I've met in these support groups on Facebook or the few I've gone to in person at the hospital. I could make guesses, but they wouldn't be educated outside of what I've researched on my own. Obviously everyone's body is different, but when I look at my issues pre and post op, they are nothing like anyone I know. So... Who knows!

I'm sure once I get back into a routine I'll do better, and I do still want to get down to my goal weight. I just need to find the motivation again, so I'm hoping getting back into blogging will help with that!

So if there are any topics anyone wants me to write about, or any suggestions.. feel free to let me know. I have 120+ posts on this site and I feel like I've written the subject(s) dry, but yet I still feel like there's more I could say... So let me know! Message me on FB or e-mail me!

Here's to hoping I get things under control soon. :) Hope you all have a lovely day. Talk to you soon.

-Ashley<3

All About The Medications: Metformin

Most people take medications/supplements at some point in their life, whether it be ibuprofen for a headache, a multivitamin, an antibiotic when you get sick, etc.. But when you have a chronic condition of sorts, or need help controlling something that your body doesn't control itself the way it should (insulin, glucose levels, vitamin levels, stomach acid, pain, etc..) Sometimes doctors prescribe medicine to take on a daily basis for extended periods of time, sometimes forever depending on your situation.

Not everyone chooses to take medications.. There are wholistic approaches to controlling these kind of things too.. but it's debatable under certain circumstances how well they take care of certain things, vs RX medications.

Regardless, I decided to make a few posts about the different medications that are popular/commonly used to control Insulin Resistance, PCOS, Hypothyroidism, Hypertension... basically used to control anything that can cause weight gain or that was caused by weight gain.

This post is about the drug Metformin (aka: Metformin SR, Glucophauge, Glucophauge XR, Riomet, Fortamet, Glumetza, Obiment, Gluformin, Dianben, Diabex, and Diaformin.) ('SR' after a drug means slow release, and 'XR' means extended release... They are typically in capsule form, rather than a tablet.)

Metformin is used as a weight loss aid, along with diet and exercise (and other medications/treatments), to help control whatever condition it was prescribed for.. Which is typically a disease/condition that can be either cured or controlled by weight loss. (Pre-Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, IR, etc..) It's also been used to treat PCOS, NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease), and pre-mature puberty.. All 3 of which are conditions that are associated with Insulin Resistance.

The way it has been explained to me by a couple doctors is, with Insulin Resistance, your pancreas produces insulin.. your cells just don't react to it. So instead of your body metabolizing the food you take in and using it for energy, it gets stored as fat. This medicine helps control high blood sugar by limiting how much sugar is created by your liver, and helps your cells be more sensitive to the insulin your body creates.. That way your body actually uses the food you eat properly, if that makes sense, haha. For some people it also suppresses their appetite, so they aren't always super hungry (which note: can be a side effect of high insulin levels, too). That doesn't apply to everyone who takes the medicine, though.

Side Effects of Metformin: 

• Upset Stomach (diarrhea, cramps, nausea, gas, and vomiting.)
• Lactic Acidosis (Which is a build up of lactate in your liver, that can be harmful.Symptoms of Lactic Acidosis are: Muscle pain or weakness, numb or cold feeling in arms or legs, trouble breathing, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, stomach pain, nausea, slow or uneven heart rate, Anxiety, Lethargy, anemia. Although a rare side effect, it is advised that you get immediate medical help if you experience this.)
• Headache or Muscle Pain

"Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects." **

Info about Metformin:

• Obviously, don't take it if you're allergic to it; or if you're in a state of diabetic ketoacidosis.
• If you need to have an X-ray or CT scan using dye, you should temporarily stop taking Metformin to prevent Lactic Acidosis due to how the liver processes the dye as well as the medication.
• Before you start taking Metformin, make sure your doctor is aware of any liver disease, or history of Heart Disease.
• Metformin should be taken with meals, unless your doctor says otherwise. Follow whatever directions your doctor says, along with whatever is on the RX bottle.
• Don't crush crew or break an extended release pill.
• Don't change your medication dose or schedule without your Doctors knowledge/advise.

That's about it.. (:

If you are prescribed this medication, take it as prescribed and see how it works for you. Keep in touch with your doctor, let them know if you experience any side effects, and ask them any questions that you have about the medicine.

Hope you all are having a great day, and I'll be back on here soon! (: 

-Ashley<3

Sources: 

http://www.drugs.com/metformin.html

http://www.rxlist.com/glucophage-side-effects-drug-center.htm **

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactic_acidosis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metformin