One day at a time

Overall, yesterday wasn't too bad!

I found that I did really well for most of the day but struggled at night. It really was my own fault. I got busy and didn't have anything prepped. Goes to show the importance of prepping and planning!

I took my son out for a walk around our little block too. I was a bit nervous about that given the condition of my feet. They were a bit sore last night but are OK today. Maybe the physical therapy is starting to help. I'll be meeting with the physical therapist today, we'll see what she has to say.

My total calories (in) yesterday were 2117

Calories (out) during the walk 107

So, I was over my intake by about 100 calories. I'm OK with that.

Today is a new day and will be even better than yesterday!

I have some concerns about the Wellbutrin too. I have an email in to the doctor to discuss. I have tinnitus along with hearing loss...the Wellbutrin is making the tinnitus worse. I can hardly hear myself think!  My mouth is so dry, my voice is hoarse, I had a sore throat, been getting headaches....wondering how long all this is supposed to last?

Well, the fridge is now chockfull of fresh fruits and veggies. I'm ready to rock and roll. Bring on the day!

Getting Back

Alright. Enough is enough.

That is my mantra every. single. day.

Today isn't much different other than that so far I'm really living that mantra (it's not quite noon yet so I can't be claiming success!). I'm going back to my basics...living moment to moment and going no further than that. I was up on the scale this morning. Big time. No more. I will not gain everything back and start at square one all over again. I will not go back!

As it is, I'm starting to feel like I did a year ago. I'm out of breath and I hurt. Some of my clothes are getting tight. That is so depressing! I need to work hard at finding ways around my pain and get-it-done. I haven't been in the gym for about 6 weeks now!  YIKES!  I wish I could go for a walk or do an exercise tape. I just can't right now with my feet being in pain.

Although, today is the first day in a long time that my feet are pain-free!  I have a physical therapy appointment tomorrow and an appointment with the podiatrist on Wednesday. I'm going to discuss with both of them the idea of having another cortisone shot (ouch!). My thinking is that if I can get my feet to pain free on a more permanent basis (at least 6 months with the cortisone shot), then I can concentrate on working hard to get this weight off. This is my life with plantar fasciitis.

Another possible hurdle is the Welbutrin. I've switched my time of intake (DR suggestion) to before bedtime. Because I tend to remember my meds before bed, I am more likely to stay consistent. And I have been. It's really helped me get my moods back in the right direction. I'm not feeling as moody as I have been, which is great for everyone!  The downside though is that my ears are ringing. Ringing bad. I have partial hearing loss on my left side as it is so hearing nothing but ringing and swishing doesn't help matters. The other issue I ran into last night was that my dreams were out of control!  I was feeling paranoid. Like someone was after me. I was constantly trying to hide. When I finally got myself to wake up, I couldn't shake the paranoid feeling. I'm OK right now. We'll have to see if it was just a fluke last night or if I will need to change things up. Again.

Getting back to the idea of the gym and getting workouts in, I'm trying to sell our treadmill. I can't use it. It's just sitting here collecting dust. I'm hoping to unload it soon so I can turn around and purchase a stationary bike. Having a bike at home will be such a huge help. I'll be able to get cardio in on days where it's difficult getting to the gym. Hopefully we can get that done soon.

Until then, I'm just here dealing with life on a moment-to-moment basis. Back to basics. Logging. No more fooling around. Enough. is. enough.

Gym woes

Thursday nights are a sure thing for the gym and me. My son has tennis lessons which happen to be at my gym. While he is playing tennis, I am in the gym getting my sweat-on. Last night was no different. I dropped him off at the court and then walked into the fitness room. When I got to the door though, I almost burst into tears. All the bikes were taken. All but one lonely recumbent bike. Why would this frustrate me?  The answer is two-fold:

1. I HATE the recumbent bike. I know I am almost alone in this. My belly just gets in the way and I feel like I am going to fall out of the seat; thus putting more pressure on my feet because I squeeze them as if to get a better grip on the peddle.

2. I have to use a bike for cardio. I could swim too, but I can't use the treadmill or the elliptical. At least not right now. My feet aren't in a good spot right now with the plantar fasciitis.

I *almost* walked away. I *almost* went to sit down in a chair to sulk and watch my son play tennis. I didn't though. Wanted to, but didn't. I decided I would do five minutes on the elliptical. I ended up completing twenty. It's not that I can't do the elliptical, it's that my feet "yell" at me for it. I pushed through though and was very pleased with myself for getting on their even though I knew I was going to pay for it later. (I didn't - I did enough stretches after).

 I am going to work on doing the elliptical once a week. I forgot how much I love it!  And I didn't realize how far I have come cardiovascular wise. I usually bring the cross-ramp and the resistance down to 1 to 2. I was able to bring them both up to 4 and get a great workout in. So nice to change things up a bit and see how far I come. If only my feet would cooperate.

The gym and I were friends again this morning as well. Today I was back on the bike though. I pushed myself to peddle faster and harder by really pushing the resistance up. I really worked up a sweat - haven't done that in a while. Felt great.

Week 29

Down 2 pounds this week.
Total: 48.3
Hopefully next week I'll hit the 50 pounds lost mark!

Measurements....
Chest: -2.5 inches since Day One
Bust: -2.5
Upper arm: -1
Waist: -5
Hips: -2
Upper Thigh: -3 (I can really see the difference here and in my waist!)

The biggest number is in the waist. 5 inches! Wow! I have "birthing hips" as my hubs likes to say...am happy to see that area shrink, shrink, shrink. :)

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This morning I ran to the gym after putting my eldest on the bus. I did a quick 10 minute cardio on the bike then onto a full body strength training workout. I really wish I had my monitor on today! I kicked my butt. Would love to know what my burn was because I felt like I worked harder and ever.

After the gym I headed on over to my last physical therapy appointment for the plantar fasciitis. I'm going to miss that...it was a great way to burn a few extra calories during the week. But, I am happy my feet are a bit better. I will still have to do all my stretches and icing. Will probably have bad days, but at least they are a bit better than they ever were. Baby steps.    We were joking about my shoulder though. She was asking when I have my follow up with that issue and wonders if she'll see me soon after that. (hope not!)

And onto the weekend. No big plans. Have a lot of running around to do and will work on getting some activity in. After today's workout, I feel like I could take on the world right now. I love this feeling!  Just have to remember that tomorrow when I don't want to do anything.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Released

I feel like I've been doing nothing but running around all over town today. I started my day with a visit to my therapist (to borrow from a friend's phrase, my "paid friend"). I had postpartum depression with my first son and have just kept seeing her. Anyway, we chatted a lot today about the next chapter for me. I was telling her how I feel like I am in some sort of a rut. Sure, the weight is coming off, but I am just going through the motions. I know I could be doing so much better if I tightened things up with my eating. I guess I am feeling really bored with the gym so I take more liberties with the food. I have to get my head completely back into the game so my weight loss can come a little smoother in the weeks/months to come.

We chatted about how maybe it's [almost] time to close the book on the first 50 pounds and start fresh. I've actually been thinking about that a lot as of late. 50 pounds is a lot of weigh. For me though, it's just about a quarter of what I have to lose. A large mountain to climb. It's almost discouraging to think that I am only a quarter of the way to where I need to be. So, when I hit the 50 pound mark I am closing that chapter and am starting fresh. Onto the next 50. I will keep a total on the side of my blog, but from 51 on it's going to read like I am starting from the beginning.

My next appointment today was with the orthopedist. Turns out I have tendonitis or bursitis. Either way he said I can go back to the gym to continue with my upper body workouts. He said to keep the weights light. Can't do chest flies or anything using the cables. He did say I could do the bench press (which is where the pain first came on), but to not extend my arm all the way and to keep the weights light. He also offered a cortisone shot which I respectfully declined. I think I've had enough of those!  He did say that I will be really sore after starting up again but it should settle down. I go back in six weeks for a follow up.

I did do an upper body workout today. The bench press is right out for me. My arm was in all kinds of discomfort. I used very light weights with everything else I did (about 50% less of what I was used to). I am feeling pretty good as of now. Hopefully this is just what I needed to get my head back in the game 100%.

And onto my final appointment; Physical Therapy.  I am happy to report that I only have one last session. I'm at about a 90% improvement rate from when I first started. I just have to keep up with my stretches and icing and should be pretty good going forward. Yes, my feet are still going to give me some pain. Yes, I am going to be frustrated some days. So long as most days are pain free, all will be right with the world.

Week 23 and 24 Weigh ins

Oh My!  Where the heck have I been?

Let's do business first.
Week 23 WI - lost vaca weight :D
Week 24 WI- down 1 more pound so total is now 40.9 (1.8 to go to hit my first big goal!).

Now, what have I been up to?  Why haven't I been here writing about my journey, which has been a tremendous help to me with keeping me on track?  Well, honestly? I've been lazy with the writing thing. Sure, I can sit on Facebook and browse the internet for hours, but to sit for a few minutes and write? Too daunting lately. Seems silly, I know. But here I am.

So. It's back-to-school time. The first week of school went swimmingly for my second grader. Oh, how the time flies!  I look forward to the start of the school year because I like having the structure to our day. I don't like seeing how fast my son is growing up though!  Time goes too quick!

That being said, I went to the gym on Tuesday after Labor Day and the place was rocking. I have never seen the parking lot so full. Not even on a Saturday morning has it been as full as it was on Tuesday night!  I was in awe. It's almost like New Year's if you think about it. The kids are starting a new year of school, the parents are thinking about getting into better shape for the holiday eating that is soon to follow.

Anyway, I have to take things a little slow in the gym these days. I'm starting to feel like an athlete with all these injuries I'm experiencing!  First an update on the plantar fasciitis. I did start physical therapy (just a side note - the therapist works with my first trainer! We did some dishing on him ;-)). It's going really well. I'm told to keep going to the gym but to keep it easy. No elliptical or treadmill. No jumping or running. The bike it is. I'm going to need PT for my butt after this. ;-)

One of the things I've been noticing for a number of weeks is that my arm feels like it's going to snap off when I bench press and do a few other exercises. She hasn't known what that was all about. While I was at PT, I was looking at a poster of the shoulder and asked about the pain I've been feeling. He told me it's probably my rotator cuff and that I need to STOP immediately and let it heal before doing further damage. Needless to say, I've been a bit bummed. I've done a few workouts using lighter weights and avoiding the exercises that make my arm hurt in the least. The problem is though that my arm has started hurting doing just around-the-house sort of stuff so now I have to stop with the upper body for a while. Not a happy camper. But, I am going to do what I am told so I won't further injure myself.

I'm a little annoyed that my trainer didn't know what was going on with my arm. When I told her what the therapist said, she asked me what exercises I could do. I thought to myself "shouldn't you know?". As helpful as she's been, I was a little taken aback by how little she knew about such a common injury.
Anyway, for now I'm going to be working on my own. I'm out of sessions and am not so sure I want to pay for more at this point with the injuries I have.  She's been nice enough to write up some workouts for me so I know what to do for now.

Lose It! 5K

Yesterday was the Lose It! 5K in Boston. The starting time was high noon. Of course the hubs and I were running a little late getting out of the house but should have had plenty of time getting into Boston on time. We forgot about the construction near the city. Great.

Anyway, we pull into the parking garage a few minuets before noon and hoof it out to the starting point. We get out there to see a small group of people walking toward us and realize it's the group of 5K goers. I was thinking we'd have to register and there would be more people...nope...just a small group. Now they are a good block ahead of us. No biggie. I can catch up. So off we go.

We're high on their tail but end up losing then because of a light. We finally get to cross, climb a big hill (gotta love all the hills in Boston)! My heart rate monitor was beeping like mad. I was walking really fast trying to catch up. I usually slow down a bit on the hills so I don't kill myself trying to climb, but I didn't. I needed to catch up. Alas, we get to the top of the hill, turn the corner and see them standing at the next light. Great! Can catch them now. But wait. My legs are now rubber. Cannot jog to catch up. We miss the light. It's OK though, the lactic acid will dissipate and we'll get 'em at the next light.

Coming up to the next block and we see the first "interesting" person. I am not trying to be disrespectful at all, just telling a story as I saw it. I realize people have issues...it's a whole other discussion for another time. Or not. Anyway, this man is on the sidewalk screaming at people. Calling them names. He clearly had an issue. His back was to me, and then I passed him. Now it's my turn for the name calling. "BOY! You are BIG!" is all I heard. Over and over. I just kept on keeping on. I know I am big, but I am fit.  And the man clearly had issues.

Anyway, we reach the next light and lose the group. Not sure if they went straight or left. Can't see them either way. Stupid lights. Now we're irritated but decide that we are there for fitness so we'll keep on going. We pass a few other "interesting" people, like the man who was panhandling and called my husband names because he wouldn't fork over some cash. Ummm, dude? You're wearing a Patriots Jersey AND smoking a butt...do you know how much all that costs? So not feeling for you at this moment in time, and screaming at us isn't going to make us feel any worse off for you. (Again, I mean no disrespect. I KNOW people are struggling. There are better ways of getting help...)

So we're heading around this corner at a great pace and who do we see stopped having a break at the next light? Yup! That's them! We start high-tailing it over so we could at least finish up the walk with them. As we're stepping up, they start walking again. Great timing. We finished the walk with one of the guys who works at Lose It! Got a lot of great information about the app. and gave some input into what we like, don't like, would like to improve. That sort of thing.

How'd it go? Well, my time according to my fitness watch was 1:02:42. My last time was 1:01:47. I am going to go ahead and call this go around a success. Even with all the lights, my time was only a minute more. My thought is I could shave off about 5 minutes for all the stops we had to make while waiting for a light to change. Not. too. shabby.

After the walk, the Lose It! group gave us lunch and had a giveaway. I won a copy of their book. I'll let you know what I think when I'm done.

My overall thoughts on the walk:
1. I wish it were earlier in the day. The heat/humidity was a bit overwhelming.

2. It still was a very challenging walk. Partly due to the roads we were walking and the heat.

My personal feelings:
3. I was frustrated with my legs. I kept getting a weak feeling in them. It wasn't like a true lactic acid build-up. It felt more like a tickle. Hard to explain. Just a very strange feeling.

4. I was also a bit frustrated because my heart monitor kept beeping at me. I was over the 90% threshold a number of times. I understood it at the beginning on that first hill, but the rest of the time I should have been in the 80% range. When I hit the 90's I didn't feel like I was at that level. I was still able to speak without feeling like I was running out of breath. Not sure what to make of it.

5. After my last 5K in May, I couldn't walk for the rest of the day. The cortisone shot last week coupled with my Strassburg Sock has really helped with the plantar faciitous.

6. This is probably my favorite part. I realized I am fit. My husband is usually fine or nearly fine after doing a lot of activity. He was "hurting" a lot more than I was yesterday. And even today!

Can't wait to do another one!

Note to self

My thoughts and I had a long chat at the gym last night. We talked about all this stalling I'm doing this week. Call it TOM, call it afraid of breaking though, call it excuses...whatever it is here I am trying to figure out how to get my head back in the game. And that's just what it is, a head game. I truly believe a lot of this process is about getting the mind into it.

While I was on the elliptical, I found myself working harder and harder at every turn talking things up about getting things going. I am just a short way from hitting a major milestone for myself. Actually, I am just a short way away from hitting two major milestones. This is the big time. I can't let myself get lax here right now.

So, I worked really hard last night in the gym. I got my cortisone shot this morning in my left foot. Plantar Fasciitis will be at bay at least for a few months on the left side. I found out I can have another shot on the right. I'm holding off on that until I start physical therapy next week. When my feet feel better, there will be nothing that can hold me back. I plan on being as close to my wedding weight on my 10th anniversary in October. That is almost 50 pounds. I realize I won't be 50 pounds lighter in 3 months, but if I can get a little more than half-way there I will be more than happy!

The short term plan is to get my feet in order. Forhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif this week I did a personal training on Monday, did my own workout last night and will be heading in for a bike ride tonight. Tomorrow is a rest day followed by personal training on Friday. There is also a 5K in Boston next week with Lose It!...I'm hoping my feet will be better and I can participate. I think the short term plan looks good.

Rough go

Possible TMI here...just be aware. :D

This week is proving to be a rough one for me. I am getting closer and closer to my first big goal. One would think it would be a "balls-to-the-wall" sort of week. I thought it would for sure. I've been so excited to hit this milestone. I am just about there and here I am fighting it. Almost like somewhere deep inside I am afraid to pass through?

I'm not sure what's worse for me this week. The thought of dealing with my feet (getting a cortisone shot tomorrow - hopefully) or being that it's "that time of the month". It seems since I've started this process, my monthly "friend" has been very "unfriendly" to me. I've been more uncomfortable and hungry. I stepped on the scale this morning because I've been feeling so bloated and gross. Found I was up about 4 pounds. I don't typically gain during TOM, but looks like I may this go-around. No worries. I'm not beating myself up about it at all, just feeling frustrated with myself for not being able to snap out of it and push through this milestone that is starting me right in the face!

And back to my feet issue. The Plantar Fasciitis is actually doing better since I called the Doctor to set up the appointment for the cortisone shot. Murphy's Law, right? I also have my first physical therapy appointment next week. I feel like my feet are holding me back more than anything. I would be more than thrilled to walk on a daily basis but don't because of the discomfort and pain I have in my feet. I can't wait to get going with the PT and hopefully get my feet to a place where I can handle daily walks.

Week 18 Weigh In

Down: 3.9
Total: 37

That's more like it! Tightening up the calories (lowering) and working harder in the gym is really paying off! I am so close to my first big goal. It's a "breaking through" kind of moment. I am looking forward to that day! Until then I'm just going to be here plugging away the best way I can.

I have another two weeks before I take another set of measurements but I'm starting to notice some of my clothes are getting bigger. I even noticed my thighs are looking smaller - nothing can make a girl happier than smaller thighs! :D Don't get me wrong, there won't be a thigh-gap anytime soon. Baby-steps.

The only issue I am having right now is the aches. My feet are in a bad way. This plantar fasciitis is acting up. My feet seem to be worse than they ever have! The good news is my trainer is on vacation next week. She lent me some leg weights and showed me a great workout I can do on the floor next week so I can really let my feet rest. I am to the point that I am contemplating getting a cortisone shot. That thought gives me the shivers.

Week 14 Weigh In

I have no idea what to say.
I accidentally touched the scale while it was "waking up" - stupid digital scales. I realized it when I "lost" 24 pounds. Wouldn't that be a dream.  So I hopped off and tried again. Now I was up 3 pounds. Hrm...that doesn't seem right. Need to let it rest.
15 minutes later I check again.

Looks like I'm down .6
Total 31.1

A small victory that I'll gladly take. Next week it's on though! :D


Non-Scale Victory time!
I did an at home workout last night. One that was devised by my trainer. Not only did I burn some major calories but I also noticed some big changes on the treadmill. I haven't been on my treadmill in quite sometime. Mainly because it's a little rough on the plantar fasciitis.

Anyway, I started the treadmill at a nice 2.0 mph. Just to warm up. I soon realized my heart rate wasn't going up much at all.
2.5...that was a little better, but still not where I should be.

3.0 - yup!  That hit the spot. My heart rate went up, but not too much. Was at a perfect spot for some great calorie burn. And did I giggle and shout a "yes!" in my head (didn't want to scare the children). I've used the treadmill on and off over the last few years. The last time I used it with some sort of consistency, the fastest I could walk on it was about 2.5, sometimes 2.7.  When I would hit the 3.0 mark I would huff and puff and be in all sorts of pain. Not today!  I lasted 5 minutes. I would have continued at that pace but I needed to get on with my other intervals.

And one more to add to the pot.  I did a plank last week while at the gym. Never thought that would happen. Anyway, my time last week was 15 seconds. Last night? 20 seconds. I probably could have held a few seconds longer but my elbows were killing me from the mat. (I know, excuses, excuses).

These are the moments I really need to remember for those days when I am feeling less than stellar about my progress.

5K! Done.

Today was the Weight Watchers Walk-!t 5K challenge.

My time: 01:01:47
(although, I did start my watch a little before the actual starting line and stopped it a bit after the finish line. Still, not too shabby)

This was truly a walking 5K. There were a few runners (of course) but the majority of the crowd walked. The route followed the local bike-path which was converted from an old railway. I've never walked on the bike-path but will soon get myself and the kids on there again. So peaceful.

Anyway, I walked with a three of my friends. I was supposed to anyway. Yes, we all showed up. I decided though that I really needed to break free from the crowds in order to get my heart rate up. Putting all these people onto the bike path made for a slow start. Once I started walking though, I was able to weave in and out of the masses to get a good pace going for myself. I did feel bad for not walking with my friends though. I think they understood that at this point I need to take care of myself and do what I needed to do to get my calories burning (all 1013 of them).

The first mile was a little rough. It was a bit chilly this morning, although I did welcome the overcast and the chill...I don't do well with exercise in the heat! There were also a lot of allergens in the air. I carried my eye drops, my inhaler and was happy I popped some Claritin before hopping on the trail!  (note: I did not need my inhaler. I typically don't and usually wouldn't carry it. Thought I should today with the allergens floating around). First mile time was approximately 21 minutes.

Mile two went a little quicker at just under 20 minutes. It felt like forever though. The route had a "turn around" point somewhere ahead. The runners and faster-walkers were already making the return while cheering "you're almost there!".  Once the turn round happened, I knew the second mile marker wasn't too far away. Once I saw it, I picked up my pace a bit so I would break my first mile time of 21 minutes. And I did it.  *I have a little story to tell about what happened after the turnaround....stay tuned... 

I kept the pace for mile three. My upper thighs were starting to hurt a bit (was a good hurt - just to let me know I was working them), but I wasn't about to give up. I was so pleased with my pace and how far I've come already. Wasn't about to slow it down at that point. Nope. I kept my pace, found some people to chat with and brought it all the way back. I was so pleased with myself for not only completing the 5K, but for not being last. (Although being last would have been OK - just as long as I had finished.)

So, back to the turn-around...Now I am on the way back and at some point see my girl friends. I cheered them on, told them the turn around is just up ahead and I'd see them at the finish line. One wise cracked that I should warm the car up when I got back. Anyway, I cheer them on then I hear a man behind me say "now, who would-a thought THAT would have happened". I took the comment to mean my being in front of my group. Should have been the other way around, right? Maybe. And honestly, probably. I've walked the neighborhood with the girls before - have had a rough-go of keeping up with them. They made a decision early on that it was going to be an easy walk for them- you know, relaxing time without the kids for the morning. I, on the other hand, wanted to really bring. it. on. It was my decision to do so. Wasn't about to let one man's comment tear my down for the day.   I just smiled and picked up the pace. Whatever dude.

My feet aren't doing so well. I am paying the piper, as they say. The plantar faciitious is bad right now. I had to use a tall laundry basket as a walker just to make it down the hallway. It's all good though. I'll call tomorrow morning to make the physical therapy appointment I should have made 2 weeks ago. Sigh.

What a great walk. I'll do more. Next time I'll beat my time and may even take a stab at a light jog.

A walk in the park

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

As you may have noted, one of the many things I enjoy is scrapbooking. (Thus the name of my blog). Anyway, today is National Scrapbooking Day. There are always fun things going on in the scrappers world. For instance, today I've participated in a few blog hops, some online chatter and finished up a few lingering layouts that have been haunting me for quite sometime now.

The gracious people over at Bella Blvd.  are having a give-away. If you're a scrapper, go check out the blog to see what fun they are having over there today. If you're not a scrapper, maybe you should give it a try. ;-)


Now, back to business...

Today we went over to the park for some walking and playground fun. I would love to say I played on the playground while the kids and husband walked, but it was really the other way around.

This is a view of the pond from the walking trail...

I decided one time around was just not enough so I went for another lap. When I got to the end of the pond there is a bridge that takes you back over the pond and out of the park or you can keep heading straight up the hill...

This is the hill...doesn't look too scary in the picture (OK, it's not that scary - it's just a little longer and steeper than what I am probably really ready for, but I tackled it just the same...twice even!). It would have been so much easier to take the right turn over the bridge and head back to the playground to get the kids. But I told my legs to shut-it and kept on going...

This is where my heart rate was at the top of the hill. Can't see it too clearly but it's reading at 90%. That's not such a good thing, but a few deep breaths and some baby steps got the rate back down in no time at all.

Why did I push myself to do two laps?  Well, the first lap was completed in approximatly 20 minutes. That's not enough cardio to keep me through the day so I needed to go for the second lap. To add to that, I do have the 5K coming up. I'm not so sure I'm going to be able to complete the 5K. I have hardly prepared for pounding the pavement with the bronchitis I had last week and the plantar faciitis it's just all setbacks for the prepwork.

My feet didn't bother me at all during the walk. This afternoon though, is another story. I can hardly walk. I have my tennis ball and ice at the ready to work out the knots that are now in my feet.

Hopefully I won't be hurting too much tomorrow so I'll be able to pound-the-pavement again!

Btw...I burned 548 calories on my walk today. Not too shabby.

Bad feet

While working out in the gym yesterday, Edmund had a huge grin. I of coarse asked him why he was looking at me like that. His response got me to thinking...he told me he was smiling because I was walking around the gym like it wasn't a bother. He continued to say that he's seeing such big changes in me.

I do feel the changes. I've said it before, I'll say it again...more to remind myself of these changes so I don't forget how far I really have come. I walk with my head held high. I have much more self-esteem than I did before (kind of strange for me because I've always thought of myself as having pretty decent self-esteem - there is always room for improvement). I am much stronger than I was on day one. I can do squats without having to sit between each one, I'm doing reverse crunches now (boy do they hurt!) just to name a few.

There are a few things I wish would hurry up and change though. My feet, for instance. I have plantar fasciitis. It can be painful and it downright sucks. Before starting the gym, I only had it in my right foot. Now it's in both feet. I have to ice most nights and stretch all day.

I can hardly wait to enjoy playing in the backyard with the kids. I am able to keep up with them a little more than I was able to on day one, however my feet hurt so much I'm forced to sit quite a bit more than I would like. I was thinking about that today while chasing my little guy on his "quad"...about what Edmund had said earlier in the day about my walking around the gym like it wasn't an issue. Wish it was the same for my backyard. If only the lawn was self leveling and was without tree roots and little divots from various animals and such. The reality though is that it will take time for my feet and the rest of me to feel more comfortable walking on unstable ground. Until then I'll just have to muddle through and enjoy every moment I can while playing with the kids.

Walking on pavement is another story. I have a 5K coming up. Zero training for it has happened. Partly due to circumstances beyond my control and partly because I've been focused more on the training that happens in the gym.

I did hit the pavement this morning. (The gym was closed - I was forced to take it to the road) I had a rough time of it too. My feet hurt, my legs hurt and I felt like I was sucking wind a little more than I should be. I did check my heart monitor- I was right where I should be. I just couldn't believe how horrible it felt. I've walked this route many times in the past and have done OK with it. It's been a while though, guess I am a little farther behind the "8-ball" than I thought.

It's all OK though. I know in good time my feet with relax themselves and will hurt less. I realize that I have work to do on the pavement but I know with a little time and effort on my part, the rest will come easily.

Happy Walking.

A little Yoga

I hate my body right now.  Mainly my right foot. The Plantar fasciitis is acting up again in a big way! Last night I hopped on the treadmill armed to do a great workout. During the warm-up I felt a pop in my heal and that was the end of that. I iced my foot and did an upper body workout while sitting in my chair.  

Today I am feeling OK.  Just OK. My heal is sore, it's best that I let it rest. I'm feeling sorry for myself right now.  I need to exercise. Not just for the weight loss, but also for the depression. I find my mood is much improved after a workout. Doing smaller workouts such as the one I did last night, doesn't seem to boost the much-needed endorphins my brain needs. 

That all being said, I decided to pick up a Yoga DVD today. I've done a little Yoga on the Wii.  (just a side note that I love the Wii fit - if only my board would work consistently!).  The pickin's were slim so I ended up going with Rodney Yee's Yoga for Beginners. I watched a good chunk of the video before trying. Wanted to know what I was getting into before getting into it. :) 

Doing the exercises proved to be tougher than I first thought. The instruction is fifteen minutes long. The time went fairly quick, even when I was feeling the burn. I'll add the Yoga to my routine, especially right now when I have very little choices in what I can actually do. I know how important it is for me to stay with some sort of routine. If I don't, I will not only get back into my old eating habits, but will probably also need to start back on the meds. Can't. Have. That.