Wednesday, May 02, 2012

7, and counting...

I donated again, and asked about a donation pin.  The volunteer didn't know what I was talking about.  Hmm.  This wasn't the first time I had asked, and the person at the canteen didn't know.  Odd.

So, I emailed the American Red Cross (ARC), and asked.  I mentioned that I was wanting to make a clock.  They sounded somewhat surprised that I'd not received one, and said they would look into it. (They also asked about the clock. Grin!) I thought nothing more about it.

I checked the mail Monday, and had a card.  It was from the ARC, and they sent a 7 gallon pin, and a note thanking me for my continued donations.  Even said I was an awesome donor...  Crooked grin...

So, I thought that was sort of neat...

_________________________________________________________________
Weigh in stuff for the week.

I decided I would use a scale (for the blog).

*'s for a rating.
0 is Miserable, horrible, bad.
***** is Absolutely awesome, great, terrific.

So.
***     Pain.
***     Food choices.
*         Salt.
***     Exercise.
****   Mood.

The exercise was varied, from helping in-laws move boxes, (they didn't have a dolly, so it was box by box, up some stairs.) to walking, to a little weeding with weed whacker and hoe.   

Food choices were a lot more veggies, but I was getting a lot more portion sizes bigger than necessary.

Salt.  Ahem. I was taking in salt like I was a Salt Vampire.  I hate Auntie Flo.

Pain was less than it has been.  I talked to the doctor, and he said, more or less, go to the bone doc, I don't know what to suggest.  Huh.

I felt pretty good, mentally, pretty happy, not too stressed out.

But I still gained a pound.  Pbbt.  Ok, so, goal for next week, exercise at least 5 times.  Work on portions.

Onward...

14 comments:

messymimi said...

Work on portions, yes, but remember the salt and Auntie Flo might be the reason behind the gain.

Congrats on the 7 gallons! You are a donation star.

Inger said...

Doesn't salt retain fluids? It may have been the salt. I love salt and my bladder loves to go potty all the time, so there may be no truth to the above. Good for the Red Cross.

Cat said...

Yes, that is what I suspect, too. That's why I am not beating myself up too badly. It's annoying, but not insurmountable. And thank you!

Cat

Cat said...

Yes, I believe it does. And that's why I guess I should be more careful about salt. Oh, and even with potty time, it can be a gain. Gotta get rid of the salt somehow! And thanks!

Cat

Andrea said...

Not a big fan of the blood drawing, but so admire those who are willing to donate. My husband has moved on to platelet donation.....eek gads! No pins there apparently!

Callie Brady said...

Congrats on the pin! Sorry about the pain... and I can't deal with salt either. One thing that worked for me when I was trying to cut down on how much I ate was to find things to munch on that filled me up so I wasn't hungry but didn't add many calories. Toasted almonds (unsalted) taste great and also homemade popcorn work for me. And I started using a small pretty china plate instead of a dinner plate... the smaller potion sizes fill up the smaller plate and the china is fun to eat off of. Exercise just makes me hungry. I don't use a scale... weighing makes me nuts. I keep track by how my jeans fit. Enjoy the Spring weather... hope you have some. Take good care of yourself!

stephen Hayes said...

I don't think I have anything useful to say on this subject. I've made my piece with my weight and accept the consequences.

Dreaming said...

Congrats on the pin. I am a huge proponent of donating blood. I've done it for years. More recently they have been fussier about records. I guess it has something to do with privacy. Ach... sometimes I think we go overboard!

Retired Knitter said...

Wow, 7 gallons! That is enormous. I tried to give blood once and it was such an ordeal I said never again, unless they had the most skilled person doing it, and it was going to someone who I cared alot about. Apparently my veins are small and they roll and the ports they use are big. Actually after they "gave up" another tech came by while I was "recovering" checked my arm and said - well you would be a challenge, but I would have gotten you. I remember saying ... maybe another time - and thinking - maybe in another life time.

But it is soooo important that folks do this and I am very proud of you. I am a universal doner blood type so I know they "want my blood", but I will only do this again under exceptional circumstances.

Thank you for your donations - that is most admirable.

Cat said...

Um. I don't know, I think I donated platelets once, you have been basically considered to have donated twice, I believe... (Donate every 16 weeks, instead of 8.) I can't do that, as it makes me feel waaay run down, but if you can do it, great!

Cat

Cat said...

Thank you! As far as the pain, meh. If I worry about it, it hurts worse... I agree with you about finding the lower cal stuff, I need to find something like popcorn or some such for myself. My problem is, if I like it, I won't leave it alone! And I only weigh myself once a week, so I don't go nut(tier)!

Cat

Cat said...

I guess I don't want to accept the consequences, (or at least my knees and ankles won't), so I need to do something about it...

Cat

Cat said...

Oh, yes. I think that is exactly it, privacy. I think sometimes it takes longer to do all the question and answer 'stuff' than it does to actually give blood! (and thanks!)

Cat

Cat said...

I am sorry that you had the problems. One of my family members has small, rolling veins, and yes, it is a major bear to get blood. The techs sometimes put a warm, wet towel on the arm to increase blood flow, don't know if that would help or not. But yes, that would be a definite BAD experience...

And thanks!

Cat