Well, it looks like one of the top weight loss pills has been pulled from the market by the FDA. There are reports are serious adverse side-effects attributed to it so it’s been yanked. Unfortunately a few of the girls that I work with were taking the drug prior to it being taken off the shelves, so I’m a little concerned about them.

I’ve been managing to lose weight the slow and hard way—diet and exercise exclusively. I thought about getting some help with my efforts, but was afraid that the pills would react negatively with FMS medications. Now I’m glad I abstained. I’d rather wait to see with things like this because there is plenty of history where certain medications are suddenly pulled even after they’ve been tested and retested.

There are other weight loss aids that have shown through time to be relatively safe if used properly for a short time. Most of those drugs, though, don’t advertise with Photoshopped models touting their benefit. And some newer drugs seem more promising especially considering they’re not using the Photoshopped models and fake doctors to sell their stuff. Like Alli, for instance. I haven’t tried that, but I feel like it’s probably more trustworthy than this other precisely because of how it’s marketed. Call me a sucker, but…

I have no immediate plans to change my current regimen, of course. I just worry that other women are in such a hurry that they ultimately harm themselves more with the pills they ingest. Everyone trying to lose weight for whatever reason should really research the methods they’re going to use before they start popping just anything into their mouths. Their hearts will thank them more that way.

I’ve been spending a lot of time outdoors. For some strange reason, my illness seems to have gone into remission and I don’t get sick from the sun anymore. As a matter of fact, I don’t even get the rash on my face anymore. I’m not complaining though. I’m thrilled. I love being out in my yard planting flowers or playing or just writing. The writing part is doing a lot better now that it’s done out among the trees¹.

I get a couple of cheap pens, some loose-leaf paper and go to work. As long as I’m not interrupted I can really churn some stuff out. Right now I have a couple of articles in rough draft and those are destined for BellaOnline, but I’m hoping to start putting some gardening articles up on my other blog soon.

I love to garden. I’m not an expert by any means, but I don’t care. I love to plant stuff and watch it grow. So far I’ve only killed one thing, I think, and it was almost dead anyway. Last summer my poor flower beds were horrible. I couldn’t get out to them because I was so sick. Not so this summer. Except for the vegetable garden. Sadly, since it’s been raining so much, the weeds are gaining ground at there. In my defense, that’s supposed to be Grump’s spot in the yard. We say that, but we all know that it’s Lizzie’s job to keep it up. At any rate, my mother brought me a couple of things that she can’t plant at her house and I’ve determined that it’s time to build another bed. I’m hoping I’ll have enough beds soon that I won’t have to mow such a huge patch a grass anymore.

So, back to what I was saying about writing. We have a couple of tables in our yard and I plop myself at one and go to work. Mags will usually find something better to than bug me, but occasionally she’ll sit right with me (trying to get me to identify various insecti). Grump will randomly come over to attempt to start up a conversation about something that makes no sense to me (when he thinks about things he forgets that the conversation was in his head and I wasn’t privy to the first part of it). I don’t mind the small interruptions, though. It’s nice to be able to write like that. This is why I want to move south. So I can have more seasons of warmth and always feel this good.

1. My yard has a lot of trees.

I have been trying to lose some pounds for a while now. I’ve been doing yoga, dancercise and even considered top diet pills. All to no avail (of course, just considering the diet pills doesn’t help, buy you get my gist). I have been steadily gaining the pounds. I was having a difficult time understanding it, but then realized something.

My medication for the FM is probably making this happen.

One of the methods of treating Fibromyalgia is anti-depressants. I can’t take the usual kind- such as Lexapro – because I’m allergic to SSRIs. So I’m taking Elavil in small doses. Still, one of the side effects is, sadly, weight gain. And it’s working a little too well in that area, I think. Yikes!

Another thing that could be working against my efforts to slim down is my reproductive ills. I have a 3.3 cm (1.15… inch) cystic mass on my left ovary. My Gyn says that it’s nothing to be worried about, but that it could be messing with my hormones. That can cause a whole range of issues, most of which I’m certain affect me right now. The solution? Medication, of course. Birth control pills. I think we all know what one of the side effects of those is. That’s right, folks. Weight gain.

I should be thinking about my self in a more positive manner, but I am absolutely convinced that some of my medical issues are stemming from my weight. For instance, my lack of energy. Were I a few pounds lighter I would no doubt have more energy. Also, my hip and ankle issues. Hello? I’m 5 foot 1 inch tall and my poor ankles and hips aren’t designed to carry this much weight. I think if I dropped down to a more healthy weight these issues would resolve themselves. Ya know?

Of course, it doesn’t help that my beautiful daughter weighed in at 161 lbs when she gave birth and almost two weeks later is a svelt 120 lbs. She’s lost 40 pounds and that makes me green, green, GREEN with envy. Seriously, I want to do that. LOL! I would like to mention, though, that I’m happy for her because she’s gotten past the danger of the pre-eclampsia and my jealously is purely selfish wishing. She still looks much better than that cheeky friend of hers that I can’t stand.

Today we go for a long walk and HOPEFULLY I’ll be able to manage my pain afterward.

Keep your fingers crossed.