…”this life is more than just a read through”

I wish you all a wonderful relaxing day spent with family & friends.  Eat, drink & be merry.  You can always work it off on Friday!!

I am someone who eats pretty much what I want to… in moderation.  I went grocery shopping yesterday instead of going for lunch and then realized that I shopped hungry.  I bought things I would never purchase if I had a full tummy.  One of the things that I bought are the Pilsbury Cinnabon cinnamon rolls.  I made them under much pressure from the children this a.m.  Well, I ate one and then found out that they are 300+ calories each!!!  Oh shit.  Talk about motivation!!  I am now heading upstairs to don my running gear and get my butt onto the treadmill.  I will be running until the calories burned read 400+.   (with a huge, lead fat pill in my stomach).

Well, I managed to eek out 2.5 miles.  Boobs wrapped in the surgical wrap and an ace bandage.  They didn’t budge and didn’t hurt.  This is only the second time I have run since my surgery, and I only ran 1 mile the first time.  I also walked/ran. I walked .36 mile, quite slowly I might add, as a warm up.  For the rest of the sad attempt, I walked at 15:00 min/mi. pace and ran between a 12:00 and a 9:30 min/mi. when I ran.  A good effort I think, considering.  I had breathing issues the whole time since I have this yucky head cold that has been in our house for the last two weeks.  It won’t let go.  But the end result:  Cinnamon Bun GONE!!  And, I am getting re-motivated.  A bikini by the 1st trip to the beach this year.  That gives me, lets see, 5.5 months to get it back.  No problem.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 11/18/2008
• Time: 09:45:00
• Total Time: 00:32:35.00
• Calories: 362
• Distance: 2.5 miles
• Average Pace: 13:02.61/mile

I went to the Dr. yesterday for x-rays of my back and he seems to think due to my description of a week of sheer pain and the fact that nothing really showed on my x-rays that it is a disk that is slipping in and out.  O.k.  sounds reasonable to me and that would surely explain the pain.  Then, he says  something that makes me laugh.  ”You should do some exercise to strengthen your core”.  I had surgery 1 month ago and was told NOT to do any exercise.  I told him that in real life I do pilates and run a few times/week and that I have just been holding off until I am healed from surgery.  I felt like he didn’t really believe me.  Funny, what I wanted to say was “if you don’t believe me, check out my bog on S365″! I am going to  try to ease back into the pilates (barring any pain in my surgical site)- because he is dead on.  Thinking back to my previous back pain, and previous posts: pilates always made it feel a little better.  

P.S. GREAT WORK BRAD!! CONGRATULATIONS!

Well, if I didn’t start running 4 weeks sooner than I am supposed to!  I couldn’t take it any more.  My abs are starting to extend further than my boobs - so, it was time.  

I had on a work out bra, and then wrapped the “operation area” up with the wrappy tube top thingy that they put on after surgery and then added an ace bandage wrapped around about 4 times.  Well I started walking to warm up (about 2 mins.) and then I started running.   I ran at a slow pace.  The fastest I went at one point was a 10:31 min/mi.  I had to get out for a Dr. appt., so I couldn’t go any longer.  I can still run and it felt friggin’ great to work up a sweat and feel that rush of adrenaline again.  I didn’t lose it after all.  It is still only 4 weeks post op and I am really not supposed to run for another 4 weeks.   The nurse at my Dr.’s office said that I really need to pay attention to my body.  I am not a dumb person, I am not going to hurt myself after all I have gone through - so for now, run a mile, walk a mile.   I am just happy to be on the “mill” again!!

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 11/04/2008
• Time: 15:40:00
• Total Time: 00:15:17.00
• Calories: 161
• Distance: 1.1 miles
• Average Pace: 13:53.33/mile

I woke up this morning….. that’s a good thing.  I guess that is how you start to think once you reach 40.  Ugggghhh.  I always thought that I would age gracefully.  Seeing my mom when I was a youngster, in the mirror pulling her face back on each side, always drove me crazy.  Well, it must be in the genes, because I am kicking & fighting the whole way!!  At least I got enough $$ in gifts last night at my lovely family celebration to afford myself some kick ass injectibles for the wrinkles!!  Happy Birthday to me!!

The back is still TWEAKING.  I think I have to call the old orthopedic doc today for an appointment, it is killing me.   I am sure it is a disk thing or something of that nature. (though, I have nothing to base that on).  I am going to get on the treadmill today and walk 1.5-2 miles.  No excuses anymore.  I can walk (still can’t run for another 4 weeks) and the giggling tummy says it HAS to happen - TODAY!  Have a super day!

Wow, I go lazy for a few weeks, the website layout gets totally changed.  I do not like change and I don’t like the new layout.  I did about 1.5 miles last night collecting little fat pills with my children (could have been 2 miles).  However, to get my true mileage I would have to back track and drive up & down all of the driveways with my car and I think that my neighbors would think I have lost it if I did that so…..I will guestimate.

Kim, you are keeping me honest and accountable.  Yea, I have been slacking and using the surgery as a subconscious (& completely conscious) excuse not to take the time to exercise.  At this point (3 weeks) I could do a lot more walking than I have.  I know I can’t run for another 4-5 weeks.  I feel like I will have lost it all by the time I get back to it.  The surgery site is healing exceptionally well.  Although, my back started tweaking and going into that weird thing where I get this painful band around the lower portion and by the end of the day, I can barely move.  The pain was so bad yesterday that I thought I would vomit (maybe it was all the 3 Muskateers bars I ate - -hahaha).  I comes and goes.  I had bad epidural on the last child, the doc went in too far and had to back it out.  I think that is what causes this pain. Any anethesiologists (spelling?) on S365 that would like to let me know off the record if that could be the reason, please do.  

So, no weight gain to date, probably some muscle loss and I have seen fat moving around on my body, but that is it.  I am just so busy with the children, with two birthdays coming up this week (yuck!!!!! I am turning 40 on Mon!), and the holidays, and school, and gymnastics practices and meets.  And my husband on the movie 14 hours a day, so I (we) don’t see him or have any help. That is why I am not walking.  See…I just justified it.   O.k. I will walk again tomorrow.

Workout:

• Type: Walk
• Date: 11/01/2008
• Time: 07:15:00
• Distance: 1.5 miles

Woohoo!!  Today is the day that I can FINALLY take a shower!  2 weeks and 2 days without a shower (YES, I did sponge bathe everyday, I am not THAT gross!).  I can’t wait.

Had some more stitches out yesterday.  It went well.  I have maintained my weight so far and haven’t gained an ounce, I am psyched about that.  I have been doing my usual activity as far as daily routine, I just can’t run.  I think in about 4-5 more weeks I can.  I was reading my Runner’s World magazine yesterday while I was sitting at my daughter’s gymnastics practice.  I cannot wait to get back into it!

“Well, why the hell not” I respond?! Since I am recovering from major surgery, every little bit counts. Big news, I am getting my stitches out today. I can’t wait to find out how many there are, I am guessing between 50-75.

My husband went back to work yesterday, but my mom came over and helped out a lot! Today is my big 1st day back to our usual schedule - one in elementary school, one 25 mins. away to pre-school, one with me (except for having my stitches out) for the day. Then we have a pre-school carpool pick up, drop off, pick up at elem. school. Quick - home for 1 hour, pick up gymnastics carpool, drop off @ gym, pick up @ gym, drop off. A ton of time in the car. When is the healing and resting time today? Oh well, I guess I have to wait until everyone gets to bed tonight to get some rest time in.

Will try to get in some more walking today. Haven’t gained any weight so far in this week of post-op. I have probably traded some muscle for fat. It will all work out. I am having a hard time resisting a peanut butter and fluff sand. before bed at night. Going to find my willpower tonight!

Workout:

• Type: Walk
• Date: 10/14/2008
• Time: 08:15:00
• Distance: 0.1 miles

I did maybe 3/10 mi. today, I don’t know. I keep walking up the driveway, around the cul-de-sac and back down again. I did it a few times.

Feeling good today. Drains are out (gross)! My husband asked what it felt like when they were removed and all I could say was that it probably felt like being circumcised without anesthesia. It hurt, badly - and I have a fairly high pain tolerance. Hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

Workout:

• Type: Walk
• Date: 10/11/2008
• Time: 17:50:00
• Distance: 0.3 miles