The Reel Godfather

Consecutive day updates, on a roll! Ate well, clean, good deficit, protein macro a tad low, kinda thought I had more, guess that is why ya track those things! PT with the therapist and at home, first 2 day, woot and yikes, felt it in the good and bad ways. At least tried the CPAP but had trouble settling and woke up at midnight, hand cramped, hose dug into shoulder, threw it off and slept solid til 5 AM alarm. Wife said I did not snore at all and was on my back all night, so that is good too, another 20 pounds and I may be able to ditch this contraption. Budget work and catch up coming along, being able to write a little helps, I can do lots of things well left handed, write is not one of them, not that my right hand penmanship is all that hot but I can read it! Had a nice walk at the mall with my buddy, hit 10K steps, first since surgery last week. Really missing Taekwondo the last 2 days, my son is testing for Temp Black Belt in a week and helping is good, but a little jealous I am not prepping myself. Its been fun the last month to just watch him practice since I am usually right there with him but feeling the itch.

Just getting caught up on this challenge and finally went thru the pics and posts, doing great my friend, glad to see you in Ranger Hall!

Thanks Red, the new/temp normal of being a 1 armed man is a hassle. Ate clean, good deficit, protein macro was a bit low but otherwise good. Talked to my therapist about the one exercise that was causing issues and he said skip for now, saw the orthopedist, got my stitches out and xrays to check the screws, all good. Only one PT exercise session, PT with the therapist tomorrow to test the updated exercises. Also got my sling pad removed which made sleeping better and allowed limited typing now, woo hoo! New sleeping setup again due to the changed sling so no CPAP again, filled with water and ready to go tonight, slept better with the smaller sling. Mail and bills sorted, paid a couple med bills, should hit out of pocket max for the second year in a row with the shoulder so kinda woo hoo. Nice weather is gone again but it was nice to get outside for a bit, mall walk on tap for tonight and PT today. Its a marathon, not a sprint, Ortho said slow to no noticable progress for 6 weeks then a nice bump all of a sudden then another 6 weeks til feeling kinda normal then we can judge how long till strength returns fully......

Dang stumbling on updating daily will fix that moving forward. Not being able to type may have something to do no excuse. Ate well Tuesday good calorie deficit and macros trying to get extra water to help flush out the inflammation scale almost back to where I was in surgery date. First PT session Monday went okay ran into a couple issues with take-home exercises. Calling the therapist to get that straightened out. I see the orthopedist on Wednesday. No CPAP just yet still struggling to sleep with the shoulder rig. Going to try again tonight hope springs eternal. Slowly working through bill stack going to attack it with my wife tomorrow morning. A good walk this morning and did a set of bodyweight squats balance still off his damn shoulder rig. Looking forward to seeing the orthopedist today. Have remember this is a marathon not a sprint.

Greetings fellow rangers I see that your hearth is warm and your friendship appears to be fast. I am the Reel Godfather and in search of a new challenge HQ. I spent some time with the adventurers but moved on as that description no longer fit tried a turn with the warriors but alas that did not fit either. As the title states this challenge will be focused on recovery, recovery from rotator cuff surgery on January 28. Goals for this challenge: Maintain present weight at 221. Complete first month of therapy. Wear my CPAP every day for at least four hours. Implement new budget get debt control plan. Methodology: Primal with one planned reasonable cheat meal per week. Walk for 30 minutes six times a week. Mall walk with my friend twice a week. Attend physical therapy twice a week complete exercises twice a day. Suck it up or blow it out as the case may be and wear CPAP every day. As I can’t write well at least very well with my left hand since my right hand is immobilized scheduling a budget/bill review session weekly with my wife and keep quicken and mail updated. Updating: Daily post and update challenges. Well that about does it nothing too exciting just trying to get back to where I want to be.

Final update: Diet – goal was 230 weight final weigh-in to 221.4. A+ Fitness – Cardio – only missed two days day of surgery day after. Did 20 minutes Saturday and managed a flat mall walk on Sunday for 3 miles. A Fitness - Iron - incomplete interrupted by MRI and torn rotator cuff. Successful surgery on 1/28.... To be continued recovery. Fitness/level up – long-term goal Earned Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Torn rotator cuff but training on hold for six months. To be continued post recovery. Thanks warriors it was fun sorry to disappoint with my lack of weightlifting.

Thursday update: Diet - Good all around, macros, deficit, and primal. Hit my gallon water goal, scale did not budge as expected today, it will happen, stay consistent and keep working. Fitness - Cardio - 30 minutes of treadmill with 20lb weight vest. Hit the mall with my buddy, 13k step day, woo hoo! Fitness - Reforge - Squats with the 20lb vest. Miss real iron, soon enough..... Fitness/Level UP - Helping the little guy prep for his bb test is great for keeping the brain sharp, gonna really cram on 1 step sparring this weekend which is good, that is a big weak spot for me. One week from today I go under the knife to got the rotator cuff and labrum repaired. First PT session is Monday 2/1, can't wait and scared to death all at the same time. Mindset and patience.

Sorry been away for a few days, on track just slacked on posting. Diet - Staying clean getting good deficits, macros and pretty good on water. Scale is responding nicely if slowly. Fitness - Cardio - 30 minutes of treadmill time is consistent, got a nice mall walk in Sunday. Fitness - Reforge - Missed Monday, and violated never miss a Monday. Ever forward, back on track. No pre-surgery exercises and a big no on a Passive Motion chair but I do get to start PT the Monday after surgery so that is positive, cant wait to get at it. Fitness/Level Up - Doc said no TKD for 4-6 months and then will check progress and may modify what I can do. Helping the little guy prep for his Temp Black Belt test in Feb. Feel bad that I am the weightless warrior, I will be back at the iron before long.

Diet - Good day all around, really focused on cutting as much weight until my shoulder surgery, 2 weeks to go. Fitness - Cardio - 30 minutes on the treadmill, kicked up the incline, really felt that after squats today. Did 3 miles at the mall with my buddy tonight, 12k step day. Fitness - Reforge - 3 sets of squats with the weight vest. Fitness/Level Up - Did yearly goals for TKD with the little guy and my wife, worked on our black belt test application, basically our history at the school. Got my left handed ergo mouse today, played with it a bit...it was weird, will set it up in the morning and try and go cold turkey to get used to it. Need a new shirt to wear to the hospital day of the surgery. Need something that says Fuck this surgery I am going to destroy rehab and be back better than ever. Those search terms did not work in Google or Amazon so well so guess its going to take a little more digging.

Yum, glad I just ate or I would be hungry!

Diet - Good all around, water calories, and macros. Bacon, fried eggs and sauerkraut for breakfast, YUM! Fitness - Cardio - 30 minutes on the treadmill with the 20 lb vest. Fitness - Reforge - No progress today. Fitness/Level Up - Took the little guy to Black Belt Prep class, sparring night, really missed that. Acted as timer for rounds, helped everyone on/off with gear. Ordered a foam wedge to sleep on once I have surgery, sent my release to the cardiologist. Making progress, never get everything done before the surgery.

Diet - Good calories and water intake, could have used some more protein but was just not that hungry. Fitness - Cardio - 30 minutes on the treadmill with the 20 lb vest. Fitness - Reforge - 3 sets of squats wearing the 20 lb vest. Not exactly deadlifting but it did not rip my arm off, so I got that going for me. Fitness/Level Up - Organized my papers and notes, did some prep on my black belt book, redid my goals for the year. Got Steves book today, looking forward to reading it a bit at bed tonight. Ordered a left hand mouse today and checking out Dragon Naturally speaking, plus did some research on a Positive Motion Chair, going to talk to the ortho about getting a script for one.

Diet - Besides not drinking enough water today, I think because it was so darn cold, calories and macros were good and I had bacon and whey. Fitness - Cardio - 30 minutes on the treadmill with the 20 lb vest, kicked up the intensity a bit. Fitness - Iron, Reforge - Going to do squats and lunges with the weight vest and core on upper body days. Gonna miss deadlifts and arm/shoulder workouts for awhile but I WILL return when I am healed. Fitness/Level Up - Took the little guy to Black Belt prep class today, did knowledge and form motions. Prepping for the recovery phase after my surgery and getting my ducks in a row. Going to really focus on diet up until my surgery so I am in a good place in case the first recovery steps are very slow.

Week 2 already, where does the time go? Diet - Besides the second day in a row without bacon, ate well, good calories, decent macros, and pretty good water. Fitness - Cardio - No treadmill on Sunday but did get a nice mall walk in with my buddy, glad Christmas is over and its just us and a few other finely seasoned folks. Fitness - Iron - This challenge has been interrupted by a torn rotator cuff. Fitness/Level Up - No TKD today, rest/down day. Slow day, thank goodness! Lunch with the inlaws, a couple errands, some laundry and house cleaning.

Day 6, first week almost over: Diet - Planned cheat meal, had pizza for dinner, ate well otherwise, not enough water today. Fitness - Cardio - First time I have missed 2 days in a row, shoulder thing really has me screwed up. Gotta get my head straight. Fitness - Iron - This challenge has been interupted by a torn rotator cuff. Fitness/Level Up - Taekwondo - No class today, testing day. I took photos and was there for the little guy. He demoed and also tested for the leadership/Assistant Instructor team. His second try and he passed this time. He was so nervous especially after failing last time. I reminded him that we only fail when we stop trying. He is the youngest student ever to take the leadership test much less pass. He was pretty thrilled, he was also awarded Student of the year. I came in second in the adult tally behind our Master Instructor. My wife returns from her business trip at zero dark thirty this morning, will be nice to get back in the groove and things finally settle down after the holidays and the first week of the year. Gotta talk thru the shoulder thing with her and make sure all our ducks are in a row. Damn, still pissed this happened, gotta move forward and keep going.

Day 5, not exactly the day I was hoping for..... Diet - Decent day, good calories and pretty good macros, carbs a little high, had a little toast with breakfast, an unplanned treat after my ortho appt. Fitness - Cardio - Got my wife off on her trip at 3 AM and then did not bounce back to hit the treadmill before the ortho appt, did not really have the juice for it afterwards. Fitness - Iron - BONK, those days are in the rearview for a few months, damn, just really getting going. Trying to see the positive and put a happy face on it but I am pretty down today. I am gonna kick rehabs ass and come out stronger and better, the time table just has me pissed. Fitness/Level Up - Taekwondo is also out for months not maybe 6 or more, so much for testing for temporary black belt in Feb. The little guy is disappointed we will not test together. Good news is he is going to try for the leadership team again tomorrow, if he makes it he will be the youngest ever on the team. He barely failed his first try and I think he will get this time, he is a little on the fence and was pretty down when he failed last time, it should be a good exercise and lesson either way. For both of us! Going to have to reevaluate a couple of my challenge items with today's bad news. I will sleep on it and come back fresh tomorrow.

Mini Update; Bad news from the Orthopedist......I have a BIG tear in the rotator cuff and a labrum tear to boot. Surgery is how I will end this challenge, scheduled for 1/28, 3+ weeks in a sling then another 4+ months of PT, 6 months to get back to where I am and possible a year to be 100%. Doc says I have a good chance of being 100%, gotta hit PT like the SMART hammer of an angry god! Diet, mindset, and consistency will be the key. Going to come out better and stronger, its just going to take time. Going to need to adjust item 3 and 4 on this challenge, may keep some of 4 as plenty I can still study for TKD.

Day 4, here we go: Diet - Did not eat enough today, calories were pretty low, so was protein but it was clean and carbs were well in range. Fitness - Cardio - 30 Minutes on the treadmill plus 4 laps at the mall and over 11k steps! Fitness - Iron - 3 solid sets of dead lifts and a set of squats with the vest. See the orthopedist tomorrow, hoping for good news and some speedy recovery. Fitness/Level Up - TKD took a back seat today, got in no training. Good but super busy day, looking forward to the orthopedist tomorrow, at least I will have direction. Until then....

For something seemingly simple it never works out that way, good luck!

Day 3 update: Diet - Ate well, almost good and clean, polished a lingering Christmas cookie but otherwise on track. A touch shy on protein and a touch over on carbs but had both whey and bacon plus flank steak. Fitness - Cardio - 30 minutes treadmill time with 20lb weight vest. Fitness - Iron - Did a little core work plus stretching and range of motion, upper body and weights just not there with the shoulder, can't wait for the orthopedist on Friday to find out my direction. Not too sore from legs yesterday. Fitness/Level Up - Took Black Belt prep with my son tonight, tried to take it easy on the shoulder but feeling it a bit now. Did all our forms, current one step sparring and we even got to spar. Grand Master said we could test for Temporary Black Belt in February. Scary and exciting all at once. Not a bad day all and all, got most of the Christmas decorations down and on the way to being put away. 6 months ago today I was in the hospital with afib and stupid high BP. Still a ways to go but things are getting better everyday.

Lou, thanks, your progress bar is coming along too, good job!

Six months ago to the date I died and if you made it this far you know the story so no need to rehash, this will be my last update post in this forum on this topic as the respawn is complete, from here on out it will be only WOOTS! My BP is stable and in the good range 109/78 this morning. I still take 2 healing potions daily but that is down from 5 and 1 of the 2 is at a reduced dosage. I have lost 3†from my neck and chest and 8†from my waist. I have lost 65 pounds, following the primal diet, walking 6 days a week and lifting weights 5 days a week along with my study of Taekwondo. At my most recent cardiologist visit in November, my cholesterol and triglycerides were both good as well as my AC1 and blood sugar. I was also diagnosed with mild sleep apnea (about 30 pounds ago) and am still struggling to fully use my CPAP but making progress and hopeful that further weight loss and fitness may resolve that issue as well. I feel better than I have in a long time and must look the part as lots of friends and colleagues are giving me positive feedback. I am nearing the waist size I was in college when I was in decent shape. I want to thank you all for your kind words, your support and encouragement as I took these steps in my journey. I still have some pounds to drop, would like to lose another 20 and then shift my focus to building muscle over losing fat. This community means a great deal to me and have helped me on this journey, thank you for everything you have done. Just living to do from here on out, don't plan on dying again anytime soon......keeps eye out for wayward beer trucks and buses.

Right on man, go for what you want and don't take no for an answer! My TKD routine is modified right now due to my shoulder bursistis, my instructors are real good about helping people do what they can without pushing too far. Slow progress sucks, you will get there.

Day 2 can I get a woo hoo? Diet - Good and clean, carbs good, protein and calories a bit low. Fitness - 30 minutes of treadmill time with the 20lb weight vest. Fitness - 3 sets of full weight deadlifts, felt good and did not bother the shoulder, bar squats were another story, did 2 sets with the weighted vest only. Fitness/Level Up - Went thru current and past 1 Step sparring with my son. Scale bounced back nicely this morning after a couple of days go clean eating and plenty of water after a little too much holiday craziness.

Thanks Br0din for the gif-tastic welcome. Day 1 is in the books, Diet - Good primal day, calories a bit low but hit 180 g of protein and 80 g of carbs (a touch high but in the 50-100 range). Fitness - Walk - 30 minutes on the treadmill with 20lb vest. Fitness - Lift - Tried after warming up this morning but right bicep and shoulder still pretty sore after the MRI last Thursday. After some further research concerned I may have bicep tendonitis caused by inbalance between the front and rear deltoid. Just a guess but makes a lot of sense. Fitness/Level Up - Taekwondo - too sore for class but walked thru all the forms with the class and did knowledge. Helped Grand Master in the office some. Got to watch my son practice, hardly ever get that pleasure so that was nice since we are usually side by side.