Sorry for the absence lately, having knee surgery and the recovery process has been a lot more difficult than I had imagined it would. Once the surgery was underway, Dr. Walcott discovered that I had torn my meniscus also. He repaired both my ACL and meniscus and I have been doing physical therapy 3 times a week for a few weeks now. I still have a long way to go, but I WILL get there and be back to running in no time.
I haven't had much of an appetite since surgery and I was able to stand on the scale yesterday morning..... down 6 pounds since the morning of surgery! I was so surprised. Now the hard part is to keep in under control while I am not able to get in any cardio workouts. Therapy has surprisingly turned out to be quite a workout! My upper body is sore most everyday from the crutches, so while I'm "down & out" I'm still working a good many of my muscle groups! Good to know!
I have had several bad days since this started and while I find myself crying and feeling sorry for myself I have been able to dig deep and know that this too shall pass. I've had a great support system of friends and family that check on me daily!
Have you ever found yourself going through something that was harder than you expected? How did you deal with trying to remain positive while struggling each day?
Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Summer Goals
Summer vacation is in full swing these days. Although I am teaching summer school 2 days a week for half a day I still have lots of free time. I was hoping this summer was going to be full of working out and eating right, but with my lingering knee injury still getting in the way of most activity, this summer hasn't quite started the way I hoped.
I tore my ACL sometime between November and May. I had injured it originally in November but worked through it until I couldn't stand it anymore. I went to see Dr. Walcott at AOS and he confirmed that I had torn my ACL and surgery was probably the best option. Being the stubborn athlete I am I have continued to try to workout and run with it torn hoping if I ignored it long enough I would eventually just forget about it. Not going to happen. I wanted to postpone surgery so that I could workout all summer and concentrate on losing these last 20 pounds (yes, it's still 20) while I was out of school. Last weekend I went to the gym and ran for the first time in about 3 weeks and finished 3 miles in 30 minutes. I was stoked! But then reality hit later that afternoon with knee pain and swelling. For three days after that run I was unable to do anymore working out. Finally, I made an appointment and now I'm scheduled to have surgery Monday morning.
Surgery! The one thing I've been dreading since I first hurt myself months ago. But I know that after I have this surgery and go through the physical therapy I will be on the road to running again and being able to be active full time!
I not only postponed surgery because I love to workout and other obvious reasons but I'm terrified that without working out I may GAIN weight. I'm afraid old habits may creep back in and I may find myself heavier by the end of the summer. I will not let these negative thoughts and fear of failure stop me from doing what I know I can do. I can plan my meals and eat right! I can go to the gym and work out upper body and abs (hoping to get this 6 pack soon hahahaha)! I will overcome this injury and I will be back better than ever!
So here are my summer goals:
To Recover! I will not feel sorry for myself. I will do what the PT and Dr. tell me to do so that I can get back to activity as soon as possible.
To Plan! I will plan my meals and continue to follow the plan.
To Blog! I have been a terrible at keeping up with this blog. The end of the school year was overwhelmingly busy and didn't make time to keep my readers updated! I will blog once a week this summer so be ready!! :)
What are your summer goals and how are you going to reach them?
I tore my ACL sometime between November and May. I had injured it originally in November but worked through it until I couldn't stand it anymore. I went to see Dr. Walcott at AOS and he confirmed that I had torn my ACL and surgery was probably the best option. Being the stubborn athlete I am I have continued to try to workout and run with it torn hoping if I ignored it long enough I would eventually just forget about it. Not going to happen. I wanted to postpone surgery so that I could workout all summer and concentrate on losing these last 20 pounds (yes, it's still 20) while I was out of school. Last weekend I went to the gym and ran for the first time in about 3 weeks and finished 3 miles in 30 minutes. I was stoked! But then reality hit later that afternoon with knee pain and swelling. For three days after that run I was unable to do anymore working out. Finally, I made an appointment and now I'm scheduled to have surgery Monday morning.
Surgery! The one thing I've been dreading since I first hurt myself months ago. But I know that after I have this surgery and go through the physical therapy I will be on the road to running again and being able to be active full time!
I not only postponed surgery because I love to workout and other obvious reasons but I'm terrified that without working out I may GAIN weight. I'm afraid old habits may creep back in and I may find myself heavier by the end of the summer. I will not let these negative thoughts and fear of failure stop me from doing what I know I can do. I can plan my meals and eat right! I can go to the gym and work out upper body and abs (hoping to get this 6 pack soon hahahaha)! I will overcome this injury and I will be back better than ever!
So here are my summer goals:
To Recover! I will not feel sorry for myself. I will do what the PT and Dr. tell me to do so that I can get back to activity as soon as possible.
To Plan! I will plan my meals and continue to follow the plan.
To Blog! I have been a terrible at keeping up with this blog. The end of the school year was overwhelmingly busy and didn't make time to keep my readers updated! I will blog once a week this summer so be ready!! :)
What are your summer goals and how are you going to reach them?
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| Photo found on Pinterest |
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Back on the Wagon!
Well I took a break from blogging the last few weeks.
I pretty much took a break from everything.
No tracking.
No making good choices.
I did exercise regularly, but there isn't enough exercise in the world to counteract all the bad choices I've made the last couple of weeks.
The main reason I didn't want to blog was that I didn't want to update the fact that I haven't met any of my goals since before spring break. That was 3 weeks ago.
Life does happen. Things do get in the way. Life does go on. I'm back on track and I have done amazing tracking and making good choices this week.
I skipped weigh in for two weeks in a row (which is unheard of for me), though I wasn't blind to the weight. I weighed at home while I was MIA from my meetings.
Needless to say when I went back to my Monday meeting this week, weigh in reflected three weeks of careless choices.
All that is history now. No need to dwell on that fact. What's done is done!
NOW onto some good news!
I received a phone call yesterday asking would I be interested in coaching volleyball!!! Of course, I said YES!!!! I was so honored. No, I don't know much about volleyball except for the key terms that most every knows. I did play volleyball..... in middle school PE! I am so excited and I will do my best to learn as much as I can about volleyball and give these girls a very successful and fun season!
After I got off the phone I couldn't help but think about how thankful I was that I began my weight loss journey and have been so successful! I know that if I was still the 300 pound couch potato that I was 4 years ago I would have never crossed her mind! And I would have never wanted to coach volleyball! This journey truly has changed my life and I'm so excited about the opportunities that are still to come!
What are some exciting things that have come your way since losing weight? What are some things you hope to do once you embark on your weight loss journey!
I have been postponing writing this post for several days because sometimes I feel more like a fraud than a role model. Some weeks I don't do the things I tell so many people to do. I don't take my own advice from time to time. But it's part of the journey. This is a speed bump that I am now over and I'm back on the road to reaching my goals and hopefully encouraging some of you to reach yours. Have a great week.
I pretty much took a break from everything.
No tracking.
No making good choices.
I did exercise regularly, but there isn't enough exercise in the world to counteract all the bad choices I've made the last couple of weeks.
The main reason I didn't want to blog was that I didn't want to update the fact that I haven't met any of my goals since before spring break. That was 3 weeks ago.
Life does happen. Things do get in the way. Life does go on. I'm back on track and I have done amazing tracking and making good choices this week.
I skipped weigh in for two weeks in a row (which is unheard of for me), though I wasn't blind to the weight. I weighed at home while I was MIA from my meetings.
Needless to say when I went back to my Monday meeting this week, weigh in reflected three weeks of careless choices.
All that is history now. No need to dwell on that fact. What's done is done!
NOW onto some good news!
I received a phone call yesterday asking would I be interested in coaching volleyball!!! Of course, I said YES!!!! I was so honored. No, I don't know much about volleyball except for the key terms that most every knows. I did play volleyball..... in middle school PE! I am so excited and I will do my best to learn as much as I can about volleyball and give these girls a very successful and fun season!
After I got off the phone I couldn't help but think about how thankful I was that I began my weight loss journey and have been so successful! I know that if I was still the 300 pound couch potato that I was 4 years ago I would have never crossed her mind! And I would have never wanted to coach volleyball! This journey truly has changed my life and I'm so excited about the opportunities that are still to come!
What are some exciting things that have come your way since losing weight? What are some things you hope to do once you embark on your weight loss journey!
I have been postponing writing this post for several days because sometimes I feel more like a fraud than a role model. Some weeks I don't do the things I tell so many people to do. I don't take my own advice from time to time. But it's part of the journey. This is a speed bump that I am now over and I'm back on the road to reaching my goals and hopefully encouraging some of you to reach yours. Have a great week.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Mud-Mania 2013 & Weekly Weigh-In
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| Here we are before the race ready to get MUDDY!! |
Waiting for the race to start I was so nervous. Almost as nervous as I was on the day of the half marathon. I'm not sure if the nerves were because I was scared of the unknown or if it was because I set a time goal. Probably a little of both.
The race starts off by running through a huge mud pit! For someone who has spent the majority of their life avoiding mud this was an experience to remember!
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| A huge fun slip and slide! |
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| We finished quite MUDDY! |
Now on to Monday's weigh-in. . . Dum dum duuummmmm! I had a big week last week as far as exercise went. I earned 53 activity points (a new high for me), ran over 23 miles, and crushed the mud run! I tracked 6 days and really watched my points (again)! Stepping on the scale I was confident in whatever the number was I determined to not let it get me down.
Another week with a low number, but it is a loss so I can't be too let down. And incredibly I'm back in the 170's! Now to meet my goal of losing 8 pounds in March I have to be able to lose 3.2 this coming up Monday! Seems impossible with the way I've been working this month and the small numbers that seem to show up every Monday. But I will still strive forward and no matter what comes up this Monday I will know I tried my absolute best this month!
How are your March goals coming along? There is less than a week of March left!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Tilapia Salad -- Weekly Weigh-in
Last night was my regular meeting night. I went (even in terrible weather) and stood on the scale, wishing, praying, and hoping I had lost 2.4! I made sure I had on no jewelry and made sure to breathe all the way out (hey I'll do whatever I think might help). My fearless leader, Ginny, wrote down the number and was so happy for me, but it wasn't what I wanted. 1.8. Don't get me wrong I'm happy for the loss. I'm happy to be nearing the 170's again. I'm happy to have lost 3.4 pounds over the past 2 weeks. I'm happy to have not gained.
But I can't help but be disappointed that I missed my weekly goal again this week. I have set this very realistic goal of losing 8 pounds in the month of March. I am trying my best to reach this goal. In the event that I don't reach my goal of 8 pounds I want to look back at this month and think that there was nothing I could have done differently.
NEW RECIPE
Things I did good last week:
I tracked 5 days.
I earned 32 activity points.
I made good choices while out to eat and even found a new favorite dish! (more on that in a second)
I performed the best I've done so far this season for co-ed softball on Sunday! (it was only practice but I'll take it:)
Overall it was a great week and I'll just have to settle be happy with the 1.8.
NEW RECIPE
Last Friday night I ate at Charles Anthony's Pub (off the Mitylene exit in Montgomery). I ordered a Tilapia Salad. It was amazing and I couldn't wait to try and whip up my own version of it at home.
It's quick and easy and only 7 PP without dressing!!
Ingredients:
3 oz of cooked Tilapia (I prefer cajun or blackened)
2 cups of spring mix
1 stalk chopped celery
1/2 diced tomatoes
1 tbsp blue cheese
2 tbsp dried cranberries
1 tbsp chopped pecans
Directions:
Bake tilapia filet on 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes (or until done).
Put all other ingredients in bowl and place cooked tilapia on top.
I found an amazing lemon vinaigrette recipe that you can make in less than 5 minutes with simple ingredients. I put this recipe in the recipe builder and the dressing is 4 points for 2 tbsp (it yields about 12 tbsp).
I hope that your weekly weigh in goes well! If you try this fresh salad please let me know what you think! Have a great and healthy week!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
I ordered that? (Restaurant Nightmares)
A friend of mine recently told me about an app called NutriScore2Go (it can also be used like a website if you don't have a smartphone). NutriScore2Go is an app with many different restaurants neatly organized with the Weight Watchers points plus values for their menus. If you are counting points plus values and you eat out often this app is a must have! I was just browsing through the app and looked up the values for some of my "used to be" favorite meals. Ummmm did I really used to go to a restaurant for dinner and eat 50 or 60 points? Yes, I most certainly did! And sometimes more than once a week!!! I am not a depressed person or not a very emotional eater (aside from the occasional boredom snacking). I became 300 pounds because I love food and made poor food choices daily! Here are some of my old favorites....
Bread and butter: 4 pp
Boneless Buffalo Wings: 32 pp (shared with usually 2 other people)
Fiesta Lime Chicken: 32 pp
Chocolate Chip Cooke Sundae: 44 pp (shared with usually 2 other people)
Total pp value for this meal: 64 Points Plus
Cheddar Bay Biscuits: 4 pp each (always had at least 3)
Salad with blue cheese: 7 pp
Cajun Chicken Pasta: 39 pp (full order)
Bahama Mama: 11pp
Total pp value for this meal: 69 Points Plus
Buttermilk Spice Muffin: 16 pp
Steak Seared Salad: 29 pp
Total pp value for this meal: 45 Points Plus
Bread and butter: 4 pp
Filet Foccacia with Sweet Potato Fries: 34
Total pp value for this meal: 38 Points Plus
Onion strings with fried jalapenos: 29 pp (shared with usually 1 other person)
Buffalo Chicken Ranch Sandwich: 37 pp
Total pp value for this meal: 66 Points Plus
Ice Cream Cone: 4 pp
Beefeater: 20 pp
Blue Corn Tortilla Chips and Homemade Salsa: 7pp
Total pp value for this meal: 31 Points Plus
Looking back at these meals and the amount of calories I was eating for dinner a couple of nights a week is embarrassing! I am writing this blog to show people how these meals with appetizers and drinks can lead to one very fattening meal. I really had no idea these foods had so many points! A dessert that is 44 points! Ridiculous!
Using the Weight Watchers program I have developed a lifestyle that has made me more aware of the food choices I make on a daily basis. I still eat a few things on this list but I almost always half the meal or share it. You don't have to give up everything you love but remember everything in moderation!
What are some of your "worst" favorite meals? And do you never order them anymore or just for special occasions? Let me hear all about it!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
A for Effort
Last week I tracked my food five days, earned 30 activity points, and really felt in control the whole week. Monday night I went to my Weight Watchers meeting and I was down 1.6 pounds. Surprised? A little. Disappointed? No.
I'm planning to make this week even more successful than last week! What are you doing to make your week a success?
I did all I could last week. I gave it my all, and yes I'm happy to see a loss! What that -1.6 does mean is that I'm .4 lbs behind my weekly goal. I really have to step it up and continue to make healthy choices. Those of you who read my blog last week know that one of my March goals is to lose 8 pounds. Just got to keep on keeping on!
My mom has recently started her weight loss journey. She is really determined and it's very inspiring. One of the things that surprises me the most about her new outlook on life is how excited she is about being active. She has already completed a heart walk (around 2.5 miles) through the hilliest parts of Tallassee and we are now registered for the April 20th, Joy to Life 5K. This 5k will be lots of fun and I can't wait to experience it with her!
This past weekend we went to Swayback Bridge Trails in Wetumpka. If you have never been there I highly recommend it! The trails (ranging from 2.5 miles to 11 miles in length) offer beautiful scenery, a sense of adventure, and peace and quiet.
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| Me and Mom |
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