Another good day today. Eating was easier as my body adjusts back to where I was before. Last steroid today and I am starting to feel almost normal (whatever that means). I'm back to being cold a lot. The dang steroids made me hot and sweat a lot. Even had night sweats with them. Yuck.
This morning I got up and fixed breakfast for my husband and son. Packed hubbies's lunch. I'm so proud of him because he is really making an effort to eat better. He's not always tracking but he is eating much better and has even lost a bit if weight. He hasn't gotten his act together with exercise but he's starting to talk about a schedule to do it.
He works in downtown Dallas and that is about 45 min to and hour from here depending on the traffic. That means he spends nearly 2 hours in the car each day. Luckily he carpools most of the time. But it does mean that he leaves early and gets home pretty late. He has time and once he sets his mind to it he will realize it. We all have time if we want to. Time is not an excuse not to exercise. There's always time for the important things and I'm pretty sure adverting death is important. He just hasn't got his mind around it yet. I've offered to get up even earlier and work out with him. Just waiting on him to make up his mind.
After getting husband and son off I went upstairs to hit the bike. I'll admit my legs were a bit sore, but I was able to keep up with the program and above so I know things are coming back.
After the bike, shower for me and the girls. Got dressed. Dried hair. Makeup. Blah blah blah. Girls to school. I had egg substitute with veggies and a small packet of oatmeal. 325 cal with my coffee
After dropping the girls at school, I took the car to get it washed and spent about 30 min cleaning it and vacuuming it out. THEN I went to work. No wonder I feel like I've worked a whole day already by the time I get to work most days!
Work was busy this morning, but very slow this afternoon so I had time to catch up of some paperwork.
I went to TKD class at noon and it was a hard one! They worked us out but good! 120 crunches, 20 push ups and the usual other warm ups. Then we spent 30 straight minutes kicking and doing kicking drills. Yikes! My legs are sore from getting back at it this week and I'll bet it will be much worse tomorrow. Despite how strenuous it was it felt great and I was able to do it and breathe well. That's a wonderful change. Been a while for that.
After class, I went home and showered and had lunch. I ate a huge salad and the small piece of salmon left over from last night's dinner. Then back to work. I'm sure it will rain tomorrow since my car is nice and clean. Plus I've had a headache this evening so I can feel that cold front marching across my forehead.
I am so glad tomorrow is Friday. The boys are camping this weekend and I'm looking forward to a girls weekend. I'll have some chores but we will be spending some time just hanging out. I'm sure they'll be movies and nail polish involved at one point or another.
The big thing is to avoid the temptation to eat crap. In the past with no other adult to witness I might have succumbed to a binge. But I think I'm ok as I am really ready to stick to healthy eating AND it's been so long since good food tasted good I'm really enjoying my fruits and veggies!
The big question is when I'll be able to run again. I want to run tomorrow but it will depend on my legs. I'll be biking in the morning and I've planned some arm weights as well. If I can, I'll run at noon and if not I'll shift that to tomorrow. I'm definitely sore in lots of places but I'm enjoying it. I see it as almost a reward for doing the right stuff. Scale is moving downward thank goodness and I'm hoping for a good loss for the week on Monday.
I'm thinking a lot about P90x and I really want to try it I think. But time is an issue and it would require some shuffling of my schedule. Have any of you done it? I know it's hard but I love a challenge.
Anyway I hope all of you are wrapping up the week as a success. Now to just continue that through the weekend. Thanks again for all of your support the last several weeks! 'Night all!!
Disclaimer
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Workouts resume!
So far this week is cruising along and I'm trying hard to get back in the swing. I've been tracking my food and although I've been really hungry I've done pretty well on keeping my calories reasonable. I'm so happy to be able to eat fruits and veggies again!
I'm also so happy that water tastes good again. Thank goodness now it is so much easier to stay hydrated! I'm back to my 100+ ounces again and it really does make you feel better.
I have one more day on the steroids and then I hope to not need them for a VERY long time. My breathing is tons better. I still have a numb spot in my tongue but overall I'm pretty much over the surgery. Now I just have to rebuild my strength.
This week I'm back at it hard on the exercise front. It's not easy going back after nearly 3 weeks of not doing much of any exercise. I certainly learned a few things from this experience. One is that I should exercise even if it is very mild and slow and only a little. Although I'm certainly not back to where I was when I started working out I am definitely way behind where I was. However there really is something to that muscle memory stuff and I can feel my muscles and body waking up and getting going again.
Yesterday I rode the recumbent bike in the morning for thirty minutes. I did get pretty sweaty and my legs definitely felt it even though I did one of the easier programs. That's ok because I love sweating in the morning. It felt good just to get going again and know I'm getting back on track. I attended my TKD class and it was HARD for me. Today my legs and hips and even my feet are sore. The crunches were harder than usual and the push ups a bear, but I was able to do all of them. 20 pushups and 90 crunches. The pushups nearly did me in. I used to be able to do 20 without much trouble. But at least I got through the first 15 pretty easily.
The kicking was great. My body remembers how which is great. I have to admit I was nervous that I'd fall or make a fool of myself. Some of that old fear of exercising in front of people crept back in. But I did all of it, even the 360 roundhouse! The best part is that I could breathe great. I got winded but only because it was normal exertion and I'm getting used to things again. I didn't feel dizzy or like I was struggling to breathe at all. Yeah!
This morning I did another 30 min on the bike. At noon I'd planned to go to the gym but as I drove by the park I used to walk/run at this morning I found myself looking longingly at the path and the pond and wishing I could spend some time there. Then I thought why not just go at lunch. So I changed my clothes and drove back to the park. I restarted c25k AGAIN but I see it as a victory. I really enjoyed it as the weather was great and it felt so good to be able to do it again. Of course it wasn't a picnic as its been so long since I ran. The last 2 intervals were pretty difficult, but I finished it.
Tomorrow I will bike in the morning and then do TKD class at noon. I plan to run again on Friday. Next week I'll add back in some weight training and try to set up a session with my trainer.
To sum up: I can breathe! I'm off steroids tomorrow. My tongue is numb. And I'm working my way back to my regular exercise routine.
Now for the scale to get back where I was. Of course I know if I do the work results will follow. Hope your week is going well. Are you meeting your exercise goals for the week?
I'm also so happy that water tastes good again. Thank goodness now it is so much easier to stay hydrated! I'm back to my 100+ ounces again and it really does make you feel better.
I have one more day on the steroids and then I hope to not need them for a VERY long time. My breathing is tons better. I still have a numb spot in my tongue but overall I'm pretty much over the surgery. Now I just have to rebuild my strength.
This week I'm back at it hard on the exercise front. It's not easy going back after nearly 3 weeks of not doing much of any exercise. I certainly learned a few things from this experience. One is that I should exercise even if it is very mild and slow and only a little. Although I'm certainly not back to where I was when I started working out I am definitely way behind where I was. However there really is something to that muscle memory stuff and I can feel my muscles and body waking up and getting going again.
Yesterday I rode the recumbent bike in the morning for thirty minutes. I did get pretty sweaty and my legs definitely felt it even though I did one of the easier programs. That's ok because I love sweating in the morning. It felt good just to get going again and know I'm getting back on track. I attended my TKD class and it was HARD for me. Today my legs and hips and even my feet are sore. The crunches were harder than usual and the push ups a bear, but I was able to do all of them. 20 pushups and 90 crunches. The pushups nearly did me in. I used to be able to do 20 without much trouble. But at least I got through the first 15 pretty easily.
The kicking was great. My body remembers how which is great. I have to admit I was nervous that I'd fall or make a fool of myself. Some of that old fear of exercising in front of people crept back in. But I did all of it, even the 360 roundhouse! The best part is that I could breathe great. I got winded but only because it was normal exertion and I'm getting used to things again. I didn't feel dizzy or like I was struggling to breathe at all. Yeah!
This morning I did another 30 min on the bike. At noon I'd planned to go to the gym but as I drove by the park I used to walk/run at this morning I found myself looking longingly at the path and the pond and wishing I could spend some time there. Then I thought why not just go at lunch. So I changed my clothes and drove back to the park. I restarted c25k AGAIN but I see it as a victory. I really enjoyed it as the weather was great and it felt so good to be able to do it again. Of course it wasn't a picnic as its been so long since I ran. The last 2 intervals were pretty difficult, but I finished it.
Tomorrow I will bike in the morning and then do TKD class at noon. I plan to run again on Friday. Next week I'll add back in some weight training and try to set up a session with my trainer.
To sum up: I can breathe! I'm off steroids tomorrow. My tongue is numb. And I'm working my way back to my regular exercise routine.
Now for the scale to get back where I was. Of course I know if I do the work results will follow. Hope your week is going well. Are you meeting your exercise goals for the week?
Monday, February 27, 2012
On my way again
Thanks to everyone for their words of support on my last post. It helped just getting those feelings out in the open and I've felt a bit better since. This weekend I've been trying to get back to "normal" and I'm starting to feel better. I have 4 more days on the blasted steroids and I'll be glad to be rid of them. Although there are side effects as you come off of them when you've been on them a while like I have. Still I am happy to be on my way back.
I will be returning to workouts this week and I think that will help immensely. I didn't do much this weekend. We had an event at TKD this weekend which I helped judge for the little kids. That was fun and the girls both got trophies. You'd think they'd won an Oscar they were so proud! Saturday night we went to a friend's for dinner and it was great to just socialize and enjoy the evening. I made my sugar-free fruit pies so I had some yummy guilt-less dessert. Of course dinner was a yummy Stromboli so it was NOT guiltless. I did plan for the dinner though and ate only a protein bar and banana for lunch.
Yesterday I found myself extremely tired again. Likely another side effect on the downside of stopping the steroids. After breakfast, I went back to bed and slept until nearly 2pm! I had planned a trip to Sam's because we're out of LOTS of things, but I just couldn't face the thought of that ordeal and the weekend crowd. Instead I sat around watching TV the rest of the day. I cooked dinner last night and then we all watched some Burn Notice on TiVo since we're still way behind. The kids played outside a lot yesterday and so the girls had to be hosed down before dinner. They were tickled to eat in their jammies and bathrobes.
Son started Track practice this morning so he had to be there by 7:15am. That means we're back to adjusting to early mornings again. That's OK though because I can get back in a routine of morning bike rides on my recumbent. I'm going to start that tomorrow morning. Back to TKD class tomorrow also. I'm looking forward to it and dreading it because I know I'll be so out of shape not having worked out in weeks. BUT, you have to start somewhere, right?
My attitude is improved and that is the key to success. Believing I can do this and keeping my mind right is so important. When they say that this journey is mostly mental, they aren't kidding. Having willpower to eat right and motivation to workout is not just a passive thing. It doesn't just happen. You have to find it in yourself. Good news is I know it's in there, it's just a matter of getting it going again.
So, today I ate a healthy breakfast and tracked my calories. I'm on my way again. Thanks so much for supporting me during this whole thing. I'm catching up on my reading and commenting. I'm so glad to have all of you to inspire me! Have a great Monday!
I will be returning to workouts this week and I think that will help immensely. I didn't do much this weekend. We had an event at TKD this weekend which I helped judge for the little kids. That was fun and the girls both got trophies. You'd think they'd won an Oscar they were so proud! Saturday night we went to a friend's for dinner and it was great to just socialize and enjoy the evening. I made my sugar-free fruit pies so I had some yummy guilt-less dessert. Of course dinner was a yummy Stromboli so it was NOT guiltless. I did plan for the dinner though and ate only a protein bar and banana for lunch.
Yesterday I found myself extremely tired again. Likely another side effect on the downside of stopping the steroids. After breakfast, I went back to bed and slept until nearly 2pm! I had planned a trip to Sam's because we're out of LOTS of things, but I just couldn't face the thought of that ordeal and the weekend crowd. Instead I sat around watching TV the rest of the day. I cooked dinner last night and then we all watched some Burn Notice on TiVo since we're still way behind. The kids played outside a lot yesterday and so the girls had to be hosed down before dinner. They were tickled to eat in their jammies and bathrobes.
Son started Track practice this morning so he had to be there by 7:15am. That means we're back to adjusting to early mornings again. That's OK though because I can get back in a routine of morning bike rides on my recumbent. I'm going to start that tomorrow morning. Back to TKD class tomorrow also. I'm looking forward to it and dreading it because I know I'll be so out of shape not having worked out in weeks. BUT, you have to start somewhere, right?
My attitude is improved and that is the key to success. Believing I can do this and keeping my mind right is so important. When they say that this journey is mostly mental, they aren't kidding. Having willpower to eat right and motivation to workout is not just a passive thing. It doesn't just happen. You have to find it in yourself. Good news is I know it's in there, it's just a matter of getting it going again.
So, today I ate a healthy breakfast and tracked my calories. I'm on my way again. Thanks so much for supporting me during this whole thing. I'm catching up on my reading and commenting. I'm so glad to have all of you to inspire me! Have a great Monday!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Discouraged
I hate to even write this post and in fact that is why I haven't posted all week. I am in a steroid induced depressed, bloated, weight gaining carbohydrate funk that I cannot seem to stop. My only hope is to be off these steroids which will not happen for another week! I haven't posted all week because I hate to see posts from people whining about how bad things are and I feel like that's all I've done lately. But staying away from blogging and all of you doesn't help either. It just makes things worse.
On Monday I was better, but spent most of the day in bed. I was super tired and still having a lot of soreness with my swallowing. Tuesday I went back to work and I barely made it through the day. I was so tired, nauseated, throat sore. By the end of the day my voice hurt and I was beat! I went to bed around 8:30pm that night. Good news is I slept great that night and woke up feeling better. So yesterday I felt like maybe I was turning a corner and starting to feel normal again. But last night I slept like crap and woke up today tired and irritable.
The steroids induce depression in some patients and it is certainly doing it to me. I've gained weight. I haven't weighed this week because I've been so down about it. I realized that I've been on and off steroids since Thanksgiving. Necessary, but frustrating. Of course avoiding the scale doesn't help fix the problem either. I haven't worked out at all yet because I just haven't felt like it physically or emotionally. I feel like I am back to square one. Of course that isn't the case and I know this intellectually, but emotionally I feel like I am in a hole I can't escape. I know this attitude will change and I hope soon. I'm trying very hard today to think positively, but it's been really hard.
My tongue is still numb from the procedure. Feels like there is a rubber band around it all the time. Burns and tingles and hurts. I still have swelling in my tongue, mouth and throat, but it is getting better. I am breathing better although I can't tell the whole effect since I've done basically nothing for the past week. I'm still eating like crap because I can't really eat salad or fruits or anything chunky. Water still tastes like chemical waste. But I'm hoping that when I'm done with the antibiotics that will improve. I won't even go into the the other side effects that the antibiotics are causing, use your imagination.
So overall I had hoped to be better off than I am by now. I just didn't know my surgeon want another 2 weeks of steroids and I was disappointed and that frustrated me. I am committed to getting back to my healthy lifestyle. I want to. I know what to do, now if I can just do it. I'm trying not to beat myself up too much, but it's no good to wallow in it either. So that's where I'm at and that's where I've been. I'm reading all your blogs as usual and I'm living vicariously through your success so don't quit.
On a completely different note, hubbie and I are taking my son who LOVES music to see BB King tonight in concert. I'm very excited as I love the blues and he is an icon. I've always wanted to see him and he is getting older. So hopefully that will take my mind off the other crap at least for tonight.
On Monday I was better, but spent most of the day in bed. I was super tired and still having a lot of soreness with my swallowing. Tuesday I went back to work and I barely made it through the day. I was so tired, nauseated, throat sore. By the end of the day my voice hurt and I was beat! I went to bed around 8:30pm that night. Good news is I slept great that night and woke up feeling better. So yesterday I felt like maybe I was turning a corner and starting to feel normal again. But last night I slept like crap and woke up today tired and irritable.
The steroids induce depression in some patients and it is certainly doing it to me. I've gained weight. I haven't weighed this week because I've been so down about it. I realized that I've been on and off steroids since Thanksgiving. Necessary, but frustrating. Of course avoiding the scale doesn't help fix the problem either. I haven't worked out at all yet because I just haven't felt like it physically or emotionally. I feel like I am back to square one. Of course that isn't the case and I know this intellectually, but emotionally I feel like I am in a hole I can't escape. I know this attitude will change and I hope soon. I'm trying very hard today to think positively, but it's been really hard.
My tongue is still numb from the procedure. Feels like there is a rubber band around it all the time. Burns and tingles and hurts. I still have swelling in my tongue, mouth and throat, but it is getting better. I am breathing better although I can't tell the whole effect since I've done basically nothing for the past week. I'm still eating like crap because I can't really eat salad or fruits or anything chunky. Water still tastes like chemical waste. But I'm hoping that when I'm done with the antibiotics that will improve. I won't even go into the the other side effects that the antibiotics are causing, use your imagination.
So overall I had hoped to be better off than I am by now. I just didn't know my surgeon want another 2 weeks of steroids and I was disappointed and that frustrated me. I am committed to getting back to my healthy lifestyle. I want to. I know what to do, now if I can just do it. I'm trying not to beat myself up too much, but it's no good to wallow in it either. So that's where I'm at and that's where I've been. I'm reading all your blogs as usual and I'm living vicariously through your success so don't quit.
On a completely different note, hubbie and I are taking my son who LOVES music to see BB King tonight in concert. I'm very excited as I love the blues and he is an icon. I've always wanted to see him and he is getting older. So hopefully that will take my mind off the other crap at least for tonight.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Checking in
Slept a lot today. It's amazing to me how sore your muscles are after surgery. My neck hurts so bad, likely from the positioning during surgery. I'm bruised from the IV and my back is achy. Day two is always bad as all the general anesthesia is gone and the post-operative swelling begins.
But I feel somewhat better today over all. Definitely less nauseated and less woozy. The pain meds make me dizzy but that's ok because I'm spending most of my time in bed.
Good news is that even with the terribly sore and swollen throat I can tell there is improvement in my breathing already. I had to restart the high dose steroids today and as much as I hate them they do help.
My tongue is numb from the retractor. It feels like I have a very tight rubber band around it. It's not just numb and tingling but really hurts like when your foot is asleep, only no matter how many times I move it, it doesn't wake up.
My mom came over today to help with the kids. It's great to have her here entertaining them. It's been raining all day so they are a bit crazy with cabin fever. Poor things have to be kinda quiet when I'm trying to sleep. Nana has been playing games with them and now that I'm awake for a few minutes I told them to play Just Dance on the Wii so they can hop around and get some exercise. She cooked a roast very slow in the crock pot for us and it tasted so yummy. The veggies were soft and the meat was tender so I could eat some without hurting my throat too much.
She also was kind enough to pick up my new favorite ice cream. It's a store brand from Tom Thumb. Light mocha almond fudge! So good and less guilt. I'll have some in a bit. Cold stuff helps numb the throat.
Overall I'm doing ok and I can't wait to feel good and normal again! Take care and enjoy your weekend! Thanks so much for all the kind thoughts! It really means a lot!
But I feel somewhat better today over all. Definitely less nauseated and less woozy. The pain meds make me dizzy but that's ok because I'm spending most of my time in bed.
Good news is that even with the terribly sore and swollen throat I can tell there is improvement in my breathing already. I had to restart the high dose steroids today and as much as I hate them they do help.
My tongue is numb from the retractor. It feels like I have a very tight rubber band around it. It's not just numb and tingling but really hurts like when your foot is asleep, only no matter how many times I move it, it doesn't wake up.
My mom came over today to help with the kids. It's great to have her here entertaining them. It's been raining all day so they are a bit crazy with cabin fever. Poor things have to be kinda quiet when I'm trying to sleep. Nana has been playing games with them and now that I'm awake for a few minutes I told them to play Just Dance on the Wii so they can hop around and get some exercise. She cooked a roast very slow in the crock pot for us and it tasted so yummy. The veggies were soft and the meat was tender so I could eat some without hurting my throat too much.
She also was kind enough to pick up my new favorite ice cream. It's a store brand from Tom Thumb. Light mocha almond fudge! So good and less guilt. I'll have some in a bit. Cold stuff helps numb the throat.
Overall I'm doing ok and I can't wait to feel good and normal again! Take care and enjoy your weekend! Thanks so much for all the kind thoughts! It really means a lot!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Made it
Surgery went well. Took about an hour. My airway was 6mm. Bad news is he wants me on at least another week of high dose steroid. Boo! But he says it will reduce swelling and likelihood of scar from the procedure. I've got some good pain meds and a lot of help from husband and my mom so I'm resting. Thought I'd let you all know. I've got some pics and such to post later. Thanks for all the Well wishes!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Surgery-eve
Tomorrow is the big day. Getting my airway back. Yippee! Not so pleased that I have to be at the hospital by 5:30 AM. There's a REASON I'm not a surgeon, people. My mom is coming to stay with the kids and help Nanny get all 3 off to school as neither one of them are experienced in that particular chore. I'm hoping I'll be home well before noon and snoozing in my bed in a drug-induced haze.
This morning I went and bought more soup, crackers and jello for my post-surgery sore throat. I have some light ice cream in the freezer already. I'm not tracking right now and I won't be until I can get through this surgery. I have to admit even I get a bit nervous. I wrote about it on my "real life" blog. If you are interested you can read it here.
Today has been a REAL challenge. Luckily my board (bored) meeting didn't last as long as I was afraid it would. I was home before 9pm and that's GREAT! I really enjoyed all the comments yesterday. I haven't had time to reply yet. I keep forgetting I can do that. I felt better all day yesterday until the evening when my stomach started bothering me and I started getting tired. By the time I got home, I was tired but not sleepy. We watched Revenge, which BTW is a really good show, and then to bed. I couldn't sleep. So I watched Jon Stewart and Colbert. Then I finally dosed off. I slept terribly last night. Tossing and turning and coughing. Fitbit says I woke up 9 times in less than 6 hours.
By the time the alarm went off getting out of bed was almost a relief. Ever have those nights where you just feel like you were in battle all night? Well that was me. I was groggy, and coughing and grumpy. Coffee helped but not a lot. My morning was super busy and by the time lunch rolled around I was beat. I went home had some soup and laid down for about 45min. Didn't sleep but felt better and I've managed to navigate the rest of the day. Now I'm off to pick up kids and the usual routine and I'm hoping early bedtime. My daughter went back to school today so at least that was a relief.
I wish I could think of something witty and inspiring to say, but it's just not in me today. So sorry. Instead I'll just leave you with this. Whatever your goals, whatever your dreams you can have them. You just have to believe you can and then DO what you need to. Notice I said NEED not what you WANT. Doing what you WANT to do rarely gets you anything significant because significant achievements take WORK. I don't know about you but I don't always WANT to do the work. I sure enjoy the rewards when I do though.
Have a good night! I'll post when I can.
This morning I went and bought more soup, crackers and jello for my post-surgery sore throat. I have some light ice cream in the freezer already. I'm not tracking right now and I won't be until I can get through this surgery. I have to admit even I get a bit nervous. I wrote about it on my "real life" blog. If you are interested you can read it here.
Today has been a REAL challenge. Luckily my board (bored) meeting didn't last as long as I was afraid it would. I was home before 9pm and that's GREAT! I really enjoyed all the comments yesterday. I haven't had time to reply yet. I keep forgetting I can do that. I felt better all day yesterday until the evening when my stomach started bothering me and I started getting tired. By the time I got home, I was tired but not sleepy. We watched Revenge, which BTW is a really good show, and then to bed. I couldn't sleep. So I watched Jon Stewart and Colbert. Then I finally dosed off. I slept terribly last night. Tossing and turning and coughing. Fitbit says I woke up 9 times in less than 6 hours.
By the time the alarm went off getting out of bed was almost a relief. Ever have those nights where you just feel like you were in battle all night? Well that was me. I was groggy, and coughing and grumpy. Coffee helped but not a lot. My morning was super busy and by the time lunch rolled around I was beat. I went home had some soup and laid down for about 45min. Didn't sleep but felt better and I've managed to navigate the rest of the day. Now I'm off to pick up kids and the usual routine and I'm hoping early bedtime. My daughter went back to school today so at least that was a relief.
I wish I could think of something witty and inspiring to say, but it's just not in me today. So sorry. Instead I'll just leave you with this. Whatever your goals, whatever your dreams you can have them. You just have to believe you can and then DO what you need to. Notice I said NEED not what you WANT. Doing what you WANT to do rarely gets you anything significant because significant achievements take WORK. I don't know about you but I don't always WANT to do the work. I sure enjoy the rewards when I do though.
Have a good night! I'll post when I can.
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