I can't believe it's been over a week since I've blogged! I guess it's because I don't have that much to say.
I had another fill. Because of a new way of doing them, Tim the PA was able to put in quite a bit more than he normally would have. So now I have 6 cc's of saline. I feel a small difference and yet again I haven't had any issues with it. So that's great. I have "okay" restriction without complications. I would like "good" restriction so hopefully next time I go I'll get that feeling.
I am SOOO close to hitting 50 pounds that I can taste it. I had a personal goal of 48.2 pounds that I hit last week. That was a pretty awesome feeling for me. I know I should share why the funky number, but not right now. It's just a number that I couldn't wait to hit. A number that is special to me. Hopefully I'll hit 50 pounds this week. I'm looking forward to it.
As for my workouts, I've been going to the gym every day and training with Mr. Muscles. I wake up between 4:02 and 4:22 (depending on if and how many times I hit the snooze button). I get ready, wake myself up and head to the gym so I'm there by 5:00am. I visit with Mr. Muscles for about 15 minutes and then we start training. I've been doing upper body which includes arms, chest and back each day. I'm also doing a little leg workout a couple of times a week, but not much since the knee still hurts. And we've added in abs every day. Might as well, right? I'm up to 500 weighted crunches and 300 reverses each morning. I really am going to have abs of steel very soon! :)
I'm going on vacation in less than two weeks and before I hurt my knee I had all these grand plans to be active on my trip. Well, I've really rested my knee for the last two weeks and plan on doing the same before we leave. So I'm still going to be active while in Hawaii. We are going to do some hiking (Diamond Head and Makapu'u Point) and paddle boarding and lots of walking. I'm just going to have to take lots of ibuprofen with me and my ice pack. And maybe a few pain pills for night time.
As for the complaining that I'm trying to stay away from, I think I'm doing a pretty good job. Sure, I complain to Mr. Muscles each morning that he works me too hard, but I don't really mean it. It's more of a friendly banter. :) I appreciate all the hard work he does for me and all the hard work he puts me through. I can't change my circumstances, only make the best of them. So that's what I'm trying to do!
Today is Monday...hopefully by Friday I'll be able to blog that I've lost 50 pounds. I'm really looking forward to putting that in writing.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
I'm bored...
I'm bored. I can't do any cardio and it bores me. I was finally used to getting up every morning at 4am, hitting the gym a few minutes before 5 and working up a really good sweat. Then I would go back after work and get another hour of cardio in.
Now I get up at 4am, get to the gym around 5, visit with Mr. Muscles for a little bit and then do my weight training and abs. Sure, it's challenging and I'm building muscle and toning, but I'm not super sweaty. And sweat burns fat. And burning fat drops weight. So now I'm not dropping any weight. Grrr...
This stupid knee. I would take pain pills every day and work out, but I can't function on pain pills...I get a little crazy. I'm going to try swimming next week. The YMCA has a 7 day free pass so I'm going to go over the weekend and start my free week on Monday. Then I can hopefully get in some good cardio for a week.
My friends are proud of me for not giving up and still going to the gym every day and working out, even with this bum knee. And I appreciate that, but I don't feel like I deserve it. I know it's not my fault that my knee is injured, but all the same, I don't want to hear how well I'm working through this and staying dedicated. Because I'm not happy about it. I'm only doing it because I refuse to give up. But that doesn't mean I don't want to give up all the time.
I've been reading this book called Trusting God Anyhow! each morning at the gym. It's written by Dr. Lavender, the Pastor of Grace Baptist Church who works out at the gym. It's about the Book of Habakkuk. The Book of Habakkuk is all about trying to gain true faith in God by questioning Him. It's kind of the perfect book for me to be reading right now. Mr. Muscles keeps telling me that God has a plan for me and I just need to have faith. Well, it's really hard to have faith when all I see are setbacks.
Yesterday I got to the chapter about complaining. It seems that complaining is really just verbally doubting God's plan. Isn't that so true? I'm going to work on remembering that every day. And since I started this blog complaining, I guess I need to think a little more about it! :)
Now I get up at 4am, get to the gym around 5, visit with Mr. Muscles for a little bit and then do my weight training and abs. Sure, it's challenging and I'm building muscle and toning, but I'm not super sweaty. And sweat burns fat. And burning fat drops weight. So now I'm not dropping any weight. Grrr...
This stupid knee. I would take pain pills every day and work out, but I can't function on pain pills...I get a little crazy. I'm going to try swimming next week. The YMCA has a 7 day free pass so I'm going to go over the weekend and start my free week on Monday. Then I can hopefully get in some good cardio for a week.
My friends are proud of me for not giving up and still going to the gym every day and working out, even with this bum knee. And I appreciate that, but I don't feel like I deserve it. I know it's not my fault that my knee is injured, but all the same, I don't want to hear how well I'm working through this and staying dedicated. Because I'm not happy about it. I'm only doing it because I refuse to give up. But that doesn't mean I don't want to give up all the time.
I've been reading this book called Trusting God Anyhow! each morning at the gym. It's written by Dr. Lavender, the Pastor of Grace Baptist Church who works out at the gym. It's about the Book of Habakkuk. The Book of Habakkuk is all about trying to gain true faith in God by questioning Him. It's kind of the perfect book for me to be reading right now. Mr. Muscles keeps telling me that God has a plan for me and I just need to have faith. Well, it's really hard to have faith when all I see are setbacks.
Yesterday I got to the chapter about complaining. It seems that complaining is really just verbally doubting God's plan. Isn't that so true? I'm going to work on remembering that every day. And since I started this blog complaining, I guess I need to think a little more about it! :)
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Not a tear...
I had an MRI on Thursday and found out that I didn't tear my ACL! YEA! I'm so glad. I really was having a major pity party for myself. I did damage my knee, but hopefully it will heal on it's own. But that means I'm off of it for the next 4 weeks. Once the pain goes away I can do some bike and elliptical work, but no treadmill. Which stinks. It means that the 5k I was planning on doing on August 28th is out and the 5k I was planning on doing in Hawaii on September 17th is out as well.
But if my body will heal the knee on it's own, it's worth it. I'm not sure what will happen if it doesn't heal on it's own, but I'm not going to worry about that. I'm going to follow his instructions and do no walking, no stairs, no leg presses and really baby my knee. He told me not to take any anti-inflammatories because it can't stunt the bone growth. But I can take some pain pills if I need them. Which I'm trying not to take, but it really hurts.
For now I'll be building up my upper body each day at the gym with Mr. Muscles and tightening my core and abs with The Punisher. However, I am worried about my weight loss during this time that I have to stay off my knee. I have always struggled losing weight, surgery or not. And I don't know how I'll lose without the cardio workouts.
But I just can't think about it. I need to be happy that I don't need surgery. I need to think positively about my healing and my weight loss. And most importantly, I need to really focus on my food for the next month. I need to eat well balanced, proper meals. So this afternoon I'll be going to the grocery store and stocking up on good and healthy ingredients.
But if my body will heal the knee on it's own, it's worth it. I'm not sure what will happen if it doesn't heal on it's own, but I'm not going to worry about that. I'm going to follow his instructions and do no walking, no stairs, no leg presses and really baby my knee. He told me not to take any anti-inflammatories because it can't stunt the bone growth. But I can take some pain pills if I need them. Which I'm trying not to take, but it really hurts.
For now I'll be building up my upper body each day at the gym with Mr. Muscles and tightening my core and abs with The Punisher. However, I am worried about my weight loss during this time that I have to stay off my knee. I have always struggled losing weight, surgery or not. And I don't know how I'll lose without the cardio workouts.
But I just can't think about it. I need to be happy that I don't need surgery. I need to think positively about my healing and my weight loss. And most importantly, I need to really focus on my food for the next month. I need to eat well balanced, proper meals. So this afternoon I'll be going to the grocery store and stocking up on good and healthy ingredients.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The return of the knee pain...
Will it ever end? I know I JUST said that I'm so grateful that I am able to have and do good things, but today I'm not feeling it.
On Saturday while in Joplin I hurt my knee a little. I didn't have one moment where I knew I injured it, but just throughout the day it started to hurt. I took it easy on Sunday; caught up on my sleep, visited my great aunt in the hospital, did a little laundry...basically just got ready for the week. Monday morning I woke up and did 2.5 miles on the elliptical in 30 minutes. Then Mr. Muscles had me go through some strenuous leg exercises and abs. Afterwards I was super duper sore, but didn't think much about it. However, I should have. Because while on the elliptical my knee gave out a few times and it was the first time that had happened in a very long time.
I worked all day and went back to the gym for my second cardio session; 3.5 miles on the treadmill. After a few minutes I should have given up because my knee gave out alot, but I didn't. So by the time I got home after a birthday dinner with family, I was really uncomfortable. I fell asleep with my knee propped up and ice on it. Sometime during the night I tried to turn over but my knee didn't move and that was pretty much it. By this morning it was really swollen so I didn't even bother with the gym. During the morning I had it wrapped in a cool wrap but the swelling grew down my leg. I even weighed myself and found that I'd gained 4 pounds. And I'm positive it is all fluid because my skin on my lower leg is tight.
I called the Orthopedic Extraordinaire and he worked me in today at 1:30pm. He felt my knee, the swelling, the painful areas and gave me news I did not want to hear...I could have torn my ACL. So sometime this week I'll have an MRI and I'll know. Until then, no cardio. Tonight I talked it over with Mr. Muscles and I'll do upper body and abs until the knee pain/swelling settles back down.
I'm trying hard not to have a pity party, but I just feel like I've paid my dues with injuries. I just want to lose weight. I just want to get healthy. And I know 'll get there, but it just doesn't look like it will be easy. But really...is anything??
On Saturday while in Joplin I hurt my knee a little. I didn't have one moment where I knew I injured it, but just throughout the day it started to hurt. I took it easy on Sunday; caught up on my sleep, visited my great aunt in the hospital, did a little laundry...basically just got ready for the week. Monday morning I woke up and did 2.5 miles on the elliptical in 30 minutes. Then Mr. Muscles had me go through some strenuous leg exercises and abs. Afterwards I was super duper sore, but didn't think much about it. However, I should have. Because while on the elliptical my knee gave out a few times and it was the first time that had happened in a very long time.
I worked all day and went back to the gym for my second cardio session; 3.5 miles on the treadmill. After a few minutes I should have given up because my knee gave out alot, but I didn't. So by the time I got home after a birthday dinner with family, I was really uncomfortable. I fell asleep with my knee propped up and ice on it. Sometime during the night I tried to turn over but my knee didn't move and that was pretty much it. By this morning it was really swollen so I didn't even bother with the gym. During the morning I had it wrapped in a cool wrap but the swelling grew down my leg. I even weighed myself and found that I'd gained 4 pounds. And I'm positive it is all fluid because my skin on my lower leg is tight.
I called the Orthopedic Extraordinaire and he worked me in today at 1:30pm. He felt my knee, the swelling, the painful areas and gave me news I did not want to hear...I could have torn my ACL. So sometime this week I'll have an MRI and I'll know. Until then, no cardio. Tonight I talked it over with Mr. Muscles and I'll do upper body and abs until the knee pain/swelling settles back down.
I'm trying hard not to have a pity party, but I just feel like I've paid my dues with injuries. I just want to lose weight. I just want to get healthy. And I know 'll get there, but it just doesn't look like it will be easy. But really...is anything??
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Weekend recap...
I spent the day in Joplin, MO on Saturday. I didn't get to the gym, but I did get some of a workout volunteering for the day. I was at Joplin Family Worship helping with their mission. They are a large distribution center for help to survivors. I spent the morning in their big clothing tent, organizing men's pants for people to come in and "shop" for items. I was then able to tour the devastation while I delivered lunches for their meals on wheels program. I was overwhelmed with the destruction.
When the guys in the kitchen at the church were giving us directions on where to drive and the streets that the church has "adopted", he gave me the border on one end, but not the other. When I asked he said, well, the houses just end.
I feel very blessed to be have had the opportunity to do this. I spoke to many people who's homes are still standing...barely...and some of them were even home during the tornado in their basement, praying to live.
Then I spent the afternoon working in their grocery store, helping people stock up on necessities. That was an incredibly humbling experience. I've done quite a bit of volunteer work in my life, but for the most part, when I'm helping people, it's poor people, so I find it hard to relate because I've never been poor/homeless/destitute. However, the folks in Joplin were regular people just like me.
When I was out delivering meals on wheels, one street "ended" with a Catholic Church. And it was the most amazing sight. The front door and the Cross were still standing. It was such a message for all the survivors. And me too.
You know, I've been whining about getting up in the mornings at 4am to work out and how tired it makes me. But really, how fortunate am I that I'm able to do that. That I have a house, a car, a job and money that affords me the ability to do that. So tomorrow morning I won't be complaining that I'm tired, but thanking God instead.
When the guys in the kitchen at the church were giving us directions on where to drive and the streets that the church has "adopted", he gave me the border on one end, but not the other. When I asked he said, well, the houses just end.
I feel very blessed to be have had the opportunity to do this. I spoke to many people who's homes are still standing...barely...and some of them were even home during the tornado in their basement, praying to live.
Then I spent the afternoon working in their grocery store, helping people stock up on necessities. That was an incredibly humbling experience. I've done quite a bit of volunteer work in my life, but for the most part, when I'm helping people, it's poor people, so I find it hard to relate because I've never been poor/homeless/destitute. However, the folks in Joplin were regular people just like me.
When I was out delivering meals on wheels, one street "ended" with a Catholic Church. And it was the most amazing sight. The front door and the Cross were still standing. It was such a message for all the survivors. And me too.
You know, I've been whining about getting up in the mornings at 4am to work out and how tired it makes me. But really, how fortunate am I that I'm able to do that. That I have a house, a car, a job and money that affords me the ability to do that. So tomorrow morning I won't be complaining that I'm tired, but thanking God instead.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Week one...done!
It's Friday night and I just finished my first week of twoadays. And it was great! Wednesday was my day off so Thursday morning was good. I got on the elliptical and kicked a little butt! Then I did some arms and some legs with Mr. Muscles and finished up with some good abs with King Kong.
I have decided to rename King Kong. More on that later...
After my workout I came home and had a little yogurt and a few bites of banana. Then at 1pm I had another fill in my LapBand. I saw Dr. Hoehn yesterday instead of Tim, the PA who usually does the fills. Dr. Hoehn was happy with my progress, he was impressed with my workouts and when I told him my weight goal for Hawaii, he was pretty sure I'll be able to hit it. :) He gave me 1cc of saline, so I'm up to 3.5cc's. For the rest of the day I was on liquids. So Thursday night I wasn't the best on the treadmill. I walked 2 miles, it took me 40 minutes and I was exhausted. I couldn't finish an hour so I just came home. It's hard to work out as intense as I do without any food.
After 6 hours of sleep (not enough) I got up and went to the gym this morning. Since I hadn't eaten since Wednesday night, I literally had no energy. When my alarm went off at 4:03am, I begged for time to stop and let me sleep more. I argued with myself for about 45 minutes and thankfully the good side won out. I put on my workout clothes and headed to the gym a few minutes after 5. I got on the bike for 30 minutes and rode 9 miles. I drank some water and was sick to my stomach instantly. Drinking lots of water makes me nauseous anyway, but this morning I was extra nauseous; I'm assuming from my band fill yesterday.
Mr. Muscles had me do these hamstring things that were brutal. Then I did some bicep curls and triceps things. And I didn't finish. I just couldn't. I didn't have the ability to keep working out. And Mr. Muscles wasn't happy. So he moved me over to some circuit machines and I kept going. But after I was done, he wanted to know what in the world was wrong with me. I told him I hadn't eaten since Wednesday and he about blew his gasket! But then I told him why and although he wasn't happy, at least he understood I wasn't withholding food for no reason.
I finished my workout with him and King Kong came over to get me for abs but I told him no. I had to go home. I went home and napped for an hour and had a scrambled egg. Luckily I didn't have any issues with the egg and I had some noodles and tuna at lunch and did fine with them too. So the band fill so far hasn't affected my ability to eat. :)
Tonight I had way more energy and walked 3.1 miles on the treadmill in 55:30. If I remember correctly, that's even faster than earlier in the week so...Go ME!! Then I started abs with King Kong...or as I'm now referring to him...The Punisher! Something is wrong with this man. He brings me incredibly close to tears and smiles the entire time! He loves it when he pushes me to failure! But you know what? I do too. Ab pain/soreness is some of the best because then I know it's working.
The Punisher and I did some crazy ab work tonight again. I don't know where he comes up with this stuff, but I think it's working so I don't question him. :)
I'm not working out tomorrow. Instead I'm heading down to Joplin, MO for a day of volunteer work. I'm sure I'll get in a full body workout with all the debris that is still all over. Then hopefully Sunday I really will rest. I'll need it for next week; week two of Twoadays!
I have decided to rename King Kong. More on that later...
After my workout I came home and had a little yogurt and a few bites of banana. Then at 1pm I had another fill in my LapBand. I saw Dr. Hoehn yesterday instead of Tim, the PA who usually does the fills. Dr. Hoehn was happy with my progress, he was impressed with my workouts and when I told him my weight goal for Hawaii, he was pretty sure I'll be able to hit it. :) He gave me 1cc of saline, so I'm up to 3.5cc's. For the rest of the day I was on liquids. So Thursday night I wasn't the best on the treadmill. I walked 2 miles, it took me 40 minutes and I was exhausted. I couldn't finish an hour so I just came home. It's hard to work out as intense as I do without any food.
After 6 hours of sleep (not enough) I got up and went to the gym this morning. Since I hadn't eaten since Wednesday night, I literally had no energy. When my alarm went off at 4:03am, I begged for time to stop and let me sleep more. I argued with myself for about 45 minutes and thankfully the good side won out. I put on my workout clothes and headed to the gym a few minutes after 5. I got on the bike for 30 minutes and rode 9 miles. I drank some water and was sick to my stomach instantly. Drinking lots of water makes me nauseous anyway, but this morning I was extra nauseous; I'm assuming from my band fill yesterday.
Mr. Muscles had me do these hamstring things that were brutal. Then I did some bicep curls and triceps things. And I didn't finish. I just couldn't. I didn't have the ability to keep working out. And Mr. Muscles wasn't happy. So he moved me over to some circuit machines and I kept going. But after I was done, he wanted to know what in the world was wrong with me. I told him I hadn't eaten since Wednesday and he about blew his gasket! But then I told him why and although he wasn't happy, at least he understood I wasn't withholding food for no reason.
I finished my workout with him and King Kong came over to get me for abs but I told him no. I had to go home. I went home and napped for an hour and had a scrambled egg. Luckily I didn't have any issues with the egg and I had some noodles and tuna at lunch and did fine with them too. So the band fill so far hasn't affected my ability to eat. :)
Tonight I had way more energy and walked 3.1 miles on the treadmill in 55:30. If I remember correctly, that's even faster than earlier in the week so...Go ME!! Then I started abs with King Kong...or as I'm now referring to him...The Punisher! Something is wrong with this man. He brings me incredibly close to tears and smiles the entire time! He loves it when he pushes me to failure! But you know what? I do too. Ab pain/soreness is some of the best because then I know it's working.
The Punisher and I did some crazy ab work tonight again. I don't know where he comes up with this stuff, but I think it's working so I don't question him. :)
I'm not working out tomorrow. Instead I'm heading down to Joplin, MO for a day of volunteer work. I'm sure I'll get in a full body workout with all the debris that is still all over. Then hopefully Sunday I really will rest. I'll need it for next week; week two of Twoadays!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Day two...
When my alarm went off this morning I was totally in a REM cycle so it was awful to wake up! I was freezing and in a such a deep sleep it took me a solid 5 minutes before I could even open my eyes. I got ready and hit the gym 10 minutes before 5am. I got on the bike and rode 9 miles. It is hard to get my heart rate up to where Mr. Muscles wants it because my knee won't allow it. And the seat hurts my butt. :) So I do it to make riding my own bike easier, but really the best thing to get and keep my heart rate up is the elliptical.
After my cardio, Mr. Muscles and I did some good arm workouts. Bicep curls, overhead shoulder presses, side lateral raises and upright rows. After we were done with arms, he gathered all the ladies around and did some preaching! He feels that it's his responsibility to not only work on our physical well being, but also our spiritual well being. And I like it. It's nice to know that God's on my side during this big transition. At 6:30 quite a few people leave the gym so they can get to work by 8. So then myself and another gal Alisha grabbed some weights and went outside. Mr. Muscles had us lunge all the way across the parking lot and back! It took a good 15 minutes because it's a big lot. The only saving grace was when we got to the other side, we ran through the sprinklers that were on! :) It made it easier to lunge back towards the building with the cool water on my skin.
Then I still had to do abs with King Kong. I was finally done a few minutes after 7am...and I was exhausted! I worked a full day and then went back to the gym for an hour on the treadmill. I did 3.1 miles in 55:20, 40 seconds faster than on Saturday. I'm really going to work on getting my time down for a 5k so on August 28th I can finish with a good time.
After my workout was over, I drove out to the Gap in Blue Springs because with all this working out, I need more workout clothes. As I passed by many fast food restaurants, I thought about getting something because I was hungry. But the thought of eating something bad for me after the last 48 hours of hard core workouts...I couldn't stomach it. I don't want to ruin what I'm working towards just for a cheeseburger. So I didn't. :) Instead I got home and had a yummy salad.
Tomorrow is my day off and I'm going to enjoy the rest.
After my cardio, Mr. Muscles and I did some good arm workouts. Bicep curls, overhead shoulder presses, side lateral raises and upright rows. After we were done with arms, he gathered all the ladies around and did some preaching! He feels that it's his responsibility to not only work on our physical well being, but also our spiritual well being. And I like it. It's nice to know that God's on my side during this big transition. At 6:30 quite a few people leave the gym so they can get to work by 8. So then myself and another gal Alisha grabbed some weights and went outside. Mr. Muscles had us lunge all the way across the parking lot and back! It took a good 15 minutes because it's a big lot. The only saving grace was when we got to the other side, we ran through the sprinklers that were on! :) It made it easier to lunge back towards the building with the cool water on my skin.
Then I still had to do abs with King Kong. I was finally done a few minutes after 7am...and I was exhausted! I worked a full day and then went back to the gym for an hour on the treadmill. I did 3.1 miles in 55:20, 40 seconds faster than on Saturday. I'm really going to work on getting my time down for a 5k so on August 28th I can finish with a good time.
After my workout was over, I drove out to the Gap in Blue Springs because with all this working out, I need more workout clothes. As I passed by many fast food restaurants, I thought about getting something because I was hungry. But the thought of eating something bad for me after the last 48 hours of hard core workouts...I couldn't stomach it. I don't want to ruin what I'm working towards just for a cheeseburger. So I didn't. :) Instead I got home and had a yummy salad.
Tomorrow is my day off and I'm going to enjoy the rest.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Two a days...
Today was my first day of two a days and I feel great! I woke up at 4am and was at the gym around 4:45am. I got on the bike and rode for 45 minutes. I can't remember how far I rode, but I'm thinking it was around 11 miles. Then Mr. Muscles and I did this insane workout where I was fairly certain my lower ab muscles were actually ripping apart! I'm also pretty sure I shed a tear or two.
I went to work for a few hours and then had a cyst removed off my upper lip. Again...I shed a few tears out of pain! HA! The doctor used 4 stitches that I'll have removed next Monday. So for the next week I'll have to walk around with people staring at my face. Oh well.
I went back to the gym tonight at 5:30 and spent an hour on the elliptical. I did 4 miles. That was fun! :) Oh...and even more fun? Deron Cherry was there visiting Mr. Muscles. And you all know I LOVE Chiefs players! :)
I came home, had some dinner and now I'm going to take a quick shower and head to bed! 4am will be here again very soon!
I went to work for a few hours and then had a cyst removed off my upper lip. Again...I shed a few tears out of pain! HA! The doctor used 4 stitches that I'll have removed next Monday. So for the next week I'll have to walk around with people staring at my face. Oh well.
I went back to the gym tonight at 5:30 and spent an hour on the elliptical. I did 4 miles. That was fun! :) Oh...and even more fun? Deron Cherry was there visiting Mr. Muscles. And you all know I LOVE Chiefs players! :)
I came home, had some dinner and now I'm going to take a quick shower and head to bed! 4am will be here again very soon!
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