Catching up - weekly reports for Weeks 5, 6 & 7

Sorry that I haven't been active lately -- lots happening. Reports first, then some analysis:
Week 5 weight:

Week 6 Weight:

Week 7 Weight:

So, weight loss has slowed down--not a surprise given some things I'll explain. But 3 pounds in 3 weeks is fine. Bodyfat, by the way, shows just how much this measurement is affected by hydration and other elements, particularly with this kind of scale. In the three weeks: 35%, 36.5%, and 30.5%. I don't think my actual bodyfat changed that much! That's why it's only a good indicator over a long period of time (and I may wish to get bodyfat measured later by another method).

So, what's going on? The good, bad and the ugly (except I'll go in opposite order):

Ugly! This has been an extraordinarily stressful time. School starting back up, usual hyper busy schedule. Stress, as we know, causes the body to release cortisol, which does all sorts of negative things, and stress also causes the body to react by protecting fat stores. My nasal surgery has not been effective, with the right nostril entirely plugged 80% of the time (and almost always at night). This means I've rarely been able to use the CPAP for a whole night, leaving me most of the time with about 4-5 hours of not-very-restful sleep.

Of course, that's what the surgery was supposed to solve! Saw the doctor again Thursday and he thinks the cutting of the turbinate on the right side has caused another problem. For now, I'm on a short course of steroids (prednisone) and a fairly potent antibiotic. We'll see if the prednisone takes down the swelling/inflammation in the right passage and if the antibiotic gets rid of the infection/inflammation behind the turbinate (where the doc couldn't see even with his scope). I'll check back in two weeks with him to see if, once off drugs, I'm getting a better result. If not, it means another X-ray/CAT scan to see what's going on. I don't want that to be another surgery! The prednisone also drives up your blood sugar--not good for me at all.

Bad! One phrase: creeping carbs. A few more carbs each day can add up. A few meals out (including several at a favorite Mexican restaurant where I have some chips and did eat the beans and rice), more of the sugar free (but not carb free!) puddings and nuts at night. Only once had wheat (sub sandwich while out for lunch with colleagues). And protein shakes for breakfast every morning (too easy).

Good! Despite all of this, I've managed to keep calorie counts pretty low with no real breakdowns, binging, etc. That's why, even given all the negatives, I've been able to have a modest weight loss and not lose control. Additionally, I've walked (at the mall--after all, even in the morning it's close to 90 degrees here!) almost every day (23-25 minutes, depending on how fast I get around the mall interior twice). This has made me feel much better. And I've also done my core exercises at least 3 times per week.

So, overall, still going in the right direction. If I can get past the most stressful part of the year and solve my nasal problems, then I should "resume normal operations".