Jan 12 - Day 3

Today has been a very roller coaster day for me. We began the morning giving blood for more tests. I was second in line and the nurse could not find a vain right away.  Meanwhile there was a long line of folks outside the door waiting to give blood before they could go to breakfast. When I finally emmerged, I was afraid they would throw stones at me, but everyone was cool.

We began the day with an introductory talk by the director of the Center, Dr. Eisenson, then classes on nutrition and fitness fundamentals.  I have begun collecting a lot of great information which I am more than willing to share with anyone when I return.  Next I went to the business office to pay the bill for the four weeks.  When they ran my card, it declined the transaction, twice.  I called the bank and found out we had a maximum withdrawal amount that was less than the bill.  After a long conversation and wait, the bank made a one time exception to the maximum and I was home free. Again folks were waiting outside the office.

After lunch I went down to the gym and used three machines.  I went slowly as instructed and felt fine, but I am feeling some soreness now.  One kernel of information I have learned from the fitness staff is you never stretch before you workout as the muscles are not warmed up and are stiff.  The instructor made a helpful analogy, saying the muscles are like silly putty.  When you first use it, the putty is stiff and hard to use, but as you use it, it warms up and become more malleable. So the word is you should do a warm-up for 5 minutes, then exercise, warm-down for 5 minutes, THEN do your stretching at the end when you are warm.  It does  makes sense when you think about it.

I met with my fitness counselor and I am thrilled that after asking questions about my medical history and limitations, he has suggested 14 different activities that will be fine for me, both in the water and in the gym. I will begin tomorrow between my classes with them.

You are all on this weight loss journey with me so I want to be upfront with some bad news I got today as a result of my tests over the last two days. Though very personal,  it is a direct result of my weight problem and I feel it should be documented in this blog as it now becomes part of my journey.  Actually I see this as a huge motivator for losing weight so it is a very positive thing in my eyes. I was called down to the medical office this afternoon, and the tests show that I am most likely diabetic - not so I have to use injections, but if at the end of my time at Duke I still show high Glucose levels,  medications can control the problem.  BUT weight loss will most likely solve the problem.  So now I am really motivated to lose this weight!!  All I ask is that you resist from spreading the news ,"Hey, did you hear the news about Peter?" I have asked your support on my life changing journey, because I trust you, and I know you will do right by me. You can spread the news to God if you wish, as I do believe the power of prayer.

I went to the mall tonight to buy some more workout shirts and went to two  stores.  Each time my card was rejected again, so I paid with a check.  Tomorrow I will need to call the bank again. I went to a Rite Aide pharmacy to pick up some soap (I have been using  some I found here.)  It was interesting to walk amongst all the rows of junk food and candy.  I wasn't tempted once :-) As a matter of  fact for the first time, I wasn't able to finish my supper tonight.  I was too full. I think my craving for food has diminished as I have been eating less sugar, fats and salt.

I want to end by reassuring you that I am not in any way depressed about the news I received today. How fortunate I am that I am at such a wonderful medical facility.   I will take it one day at a time and see how things pan out at the end of my time here at Duke.