suzyQlou, one step at a time

[suzyQlou]

I'm losing track of the number of challenges I've started where my knees were limiting my mobility.  Here's one more.  Instead of beating myself up about being slow and weak, I'm going to focus on the things I CAN to to keep moving this month.

Goal #1: Walking

I'm going to keep my eye on my step count again, shooting for one of three goals a day.  5000 is bronze, 7000 is silver and 10000 is gold.  Biking also counts as steps.  Looking to medal every day with at least 2 silver/gold a week.

Goal #2: Stretching

I will make sure that I stretch 10 minutes a day.  I will upgrade to a full yoga session at least 2 times a week.

Goal #3: Eating

Track it, baby.  I will go back to my roll-the-dice tracking.  I always track on paper, but if I roll a one, I will track in MFP.  I need to get myself back on track with healthy eating.  My points system is still in play (even though I earned a measly 4 points last challenge).  I earn bike accessories for every 5 points.  Points are earned by taking home leftovers from a restaurant, avoiding restaurants for a week, or hitting all my healthy habit goals (fruits/veggies/portion sizes) for a day.

 

Life Goal #1 - Involve family in Christmas prep.  This is my number one rule to avoid holiday stress.  I don't have to do it all alone...and it's more fun to be with loved ones throughout the season.  This includes being flexible to do things someone else's way if that means we get to do it together.

 

Life Goal #2 - Oh, yeah.  Get a job.  This is still a must.  I will spend 1 to 2 hours a day (Mon-Fri) working on career stuff.

 

Bonus Goal:  Volleyball is not healthy for me right now, and it makes me sad.  Jumping is just painful.  If I can find an active replacement for Wednesday nights, I win a bonus this challenge.  This must be low impact.  Ideas in my head include a real yoga class (instead of video), swimming, or martial arts of some kind.

 

And one more - the mini challenge grind (whatever that turns out to be...hope it's pushups!)

[Elastigirl]

I like how you can earn bronze, silver or gold for your steps!

[Salinger]

Cute little Christmas gifs

 

You will do great Suzy, i know you will!! Ill be here cheering you on! x

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

On 11/24/2017 at 6:19 PM, suzyQlou said:

 

And one more - the mini challenge grind (whatever that turns out to be...hope it's pushups!)

It won't be burpees or lunges.

[Elastigirl]

41 minutes ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

It won't be burpees or lunges.

luinges are fine, glad it won't be burpees though.

[suzyQlou]

 

On 11/24/2017 at 8:10 PM, Elastigirl said:

I like how you can earn bronze, silver or gold for your steps!

Thanks. Once I get going, I'm hoping bronze will seem too easy. But until then, 5000 steps is a reasonable goal to get me started. 

 

17 hours ago, Salinger said:

Cute little Christmas gifs

 

You will do great Suzy, i know you will!! Ill be here cheering you on! x

Thanks, Salinger. I'm still a kid around Christmas, and the little gifs still amuse me and make me happy.  Hope I never grow up in that respect!

 

10 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

It won't be burpees or lunges.

PHEW!  Mountain climbers are going to stretch me. Just what I needed to make my fitness attitude grow from 'I can't bend my knee' to 'I'm a ranger and I'll find a way!'

 

9 hours ago, Elastigirl said:

luinges are fine, glad it won't be burpees though.

Me, too!

 

Happy to report I earned an eating point for leftovers last night. We went on an annual journey to a local brew pub for our favorite seasonal beer. It's brewed only for November sales. Usually, I overdo...but not this year!

 

[suzyQlou]

Beautiful day for a bike ride today. I even went back to the route with hills. Feeling good!

 

Job search outsmarted me. I was counting on a very small pool of applicants so that I looked the most qualified candidate to be a children's librarian. Instead of hiring anyone, they decided to re-post the job oppening. DUH!  Officially, I'm still in the running, but I don't get a clean break to start focusing in programming jobs again.  Patience is something I'm working on. 

 

Silver medal for 7000 steps yeasterday. Also a point for healthy eating choices. Nothing like the start of a new challenge to get back on track!

[Salinger]

1 hour ago, suzyQlou said:

Beautiful day for a bike ride today. I even went back to the route with hills. Feeling good!

 

Job search outsmarted me. I was counting on a very small pool of applicants so that I looked the most qualified candidate to be a children's librarian. Instead of hiring anyone, they decided to re-post the job oppening. DUH!  Officially, I'm still in the running, but I don't get a clean break to start focusing in programming jobs again.  Patience is something I'm working on. 

 

Silver medal for 7000 steps yeasterday. Also a point for healthy eating choices. Nothing like the start of a new challenge to get back on track!

 

Well done Suzy, you are doing really well x

[Elastigirl]

Woohoo for a silver medal!

[suzyQlou]

On 11/28/2017 at 2:39 PM, Salinger said:

Well done Suzy, you are doing really well x

Thanks!  It helps to focus on the good stuff!

 

On 11/28/2017 at 10:14 PM, Elastigirl said:

Woohoo for a silver medal!

Double Woohoo...because yesterday was another 7000 step silver medal day!  Christmas shopping at the mall is not something I usually enjoy, but it is a nice flat walking space  

 

Two good things to note today.  I got so fed up with my knee pain yesterday, I called the orthopedic practice where I got a cortisone injection five or so years ago.  It was almost too easy.  They had plenty of appointments available.  I'm going in this afternoon to see if some medicine can help me get over the acute pain.  I know that the long term solution lies with weightloss and exercise, but this might help me get back to a point where I CAN exercise again.

 

The second good thing was that I bought some new boots.  These have a very low heel.  I am hoping that better footwear will help me walk easier through the fall/winter.

 

It feels good to do something proactive.

[Elastigirl]

Double woot! Hoping that the Dr and the new shoes help. Lower heels should really help your knees

[Salinger]

Hope the injection was fine and it has helped with the pain!!! 

[Wild Wolf]

Hi Suzy! I'm glad I found your thread

 

Love the goals and love the attitude of focusing on doing what you can opposed to worrying about what you can't do. When I injured my shoulder I had a hard time with this but it got better eventually and then slowly, I was able to jump back into things I could do. 

 

How did you do on your steps for yesterday?? Gold??  

 

4 hours ago, suzyQlou said:

It feels good to do something proactive.

 

Heck yeah!

 

\

 

Wolf

[Elastigirl]

Did the medicine help you knees? How did your week go?

[suzyQlou]

OOPS...This post from Friday got eaten up by the internet monsters.

 

On 11/30/2017 at 11:04 AM, Elastigirl said:

Double woot! Hoping that the Dr and the new shoes help. Lower heels should really help your knees

Yep.  Big difference today!  The old boots didn't have much of a heel, but the new ones feel better already.

 

On 11/30/2017 at 11:55 AM, Salinger said:

Hope the injection was fine and it has helped with the pain!!! 

YES!  It was wonderful.

 

On 11/30/2017 at 2:34 PM, Wild Wolf said:

Hi Suzy! I'm glad I found your thread

 

Love the goals and love the attitude of focusing on doing what you can opposed to worrying about what you can't do. When I injured my shoulder I had a hard time with this but it got better eventually and then slowly, I was able to jump back into things I could do. 

 

How did you do on your steps for yesterday?? Gold??  

Great to see you!  As a volleyball enthusiast, I shudder at the thought of your shoulder injury.  Glad you recovered...and I will, too!  Slowly.  Step count was not quite gold, but I'm mighty proud of yesterday's bronze.  Luckily, my doctor subscribed pain meds at the local grocery store pharmacy.  Pain was UP after the injection, but I was able to use the grocery cart as a make-shift walker to get the last 2000 steps for the day.  Phew!

 

And, now.  Thanks to modern medicine.  I am dancing for joy!

[suzyQlou]

13 hours ago, Elastigirl said:

Did the medicine help you knees? How did your week go?

Yes!  The injection has been a game changer.  To my family's bewilderment, I keep chanting "Look, no hands!" going up and down the stairs.

 

It's been a great week!  Here's a roundup for me.

Goal #1: Walking - Rangered this one with two silver medals (7000+ steps) and one gold (10,000+ steps) for the week.  All other days were bronze (5000+ steps).

Goal #2: Stretching - Rangered this with 10 minutes stretching every day, and 3 upgrades to full yoga sessions.

Goal #3: Eating - Yes!  Tracking done on two days when I rolled a 1 on the dice.  One point awarded for healthy habit goals.  There is room for improvement, but I'm mostly on track.

Life Goal #1: Involve family in Christmas prep - Yes.  One happy day of decorating the tree and house with the whole family.  Another nice evening creating "festive headwear" for the Cub Scout Christmas party.

Life Goal #2: Oh, yeah.  Get a job.  Missed one day last week, but did some hard stuff.  This week's goals include applying for at least one real full time programming jobs and registering for the Guest Teacher Program which will certify me to substitute teach in local schools.

 

I'm so thankful that my knee feels better, and I must keep active now to keep it that way!  I have an MRI scheduled for later this week to make sure there are no bone fragments floating around.  Chances are, I'll just need to go to the doctor from time to time when the arthritis gets out of hand.

 

I think I'm on the right track switching to lower impact activities like biking.  I'm toying with the idea of going back to volleyball.  If I do, I think I will set a threshold level of fitness going in.  I won't just show up on a week where I don't feel healthy and fit.

[Terra]

Just found your challenge.  I like how you are letting your goals be fluid enough to adjust to your abilities each day.  You are listening to you your body and that is perfect!  

[suzyQlou]

On 12/7/2017 at 12:08 PM, Terra said:

Just found your challenge.  I like how you are letting your goals be fluid enough to adjust to your abilities each day.  You are listening to you your body and that is perfect!  

Yep.  Listening to the body...and hearing less creaking this week  

 

Roundup time for me.  Funny how I feel good about last week...and yet I didn't actually met my goals.  Gonna pay more attention next week so I can ace 'em again.

 

Goal #1: Walking - This is on target.  Two more silver medals (7000+ steps) and one more gold (10,000+ steps) for the week.  All other days were bronze (5000+ steps).  Now that I'm feeling healthier, I'm going to up the levels a bit.  Going forward, bronze will be 5500 steps and silver will be 7500.  Gold stays at 10,000.

Goal #2: Stretching - Oops.  I only stretched 3 days last week.  I did yoga once instead of twice, but I'm ok with that because I also added a strength workout back into my week.  So, I have to remember to stretch even though I'm feeling better.

Goal #3: Eating - Well, technically I did gain one point for a healthy day last week, but I don't feel great about last week's eating.  I really felt like the mini was helping me - I was writing the line "I plan my food.  I don't eat randomly." over and over again.  Then the weekend happened, and I didn't feel very in control at all.  Sigh.  Back at it again this week.

Life Goal #1: Involve family in Christmas prep - Yes.  Every year we vote on what kind of a photo card to send for Christmas.  This year we voted to take pictures while we baked cookies together.  We had a mix of family fun and fighting.  But in the end, we succeeded in making some good family memories.

Life Goal #2: Oh, yeah.  Get a job.  I did hit my two goals of applying for at least one real full time programming job and registering for the Guest Teacher Program.  Unfortunately, I missed two days of job searching because of doctor appointments.  This week's goals include applying for at least three flexjobs opportunities - telecommuting programming jobs that would allow me to work from home.  I also need to finish up the paperwork for the program to substitute teach in local schools.

 

I think I'll be looking for a more structured workout schedule for next challenge.  Right now I'm just sneaking by with a few workouts.  It doesn't feel like I'm progressing to anything.  I can use some time at the end of this challenge to plan for the next one.

[Elastigirl]

Great week 2.   What a fun idea to have Christmas phots of baking cookies!

[suzyQlou]

22 hours ago, Elastigirl said:

Great week 2.   What a fun idea to have Christmas phots of baking cookies!

Yes, it really was fun. Some years I do my Christmas baking stressed out and late at night. This year we took time to do it together. If only the orange shutterfly box of cards would hurry...then I could really relax.

 

Two good things. I walked IN THE FREEZING COLD last night to get my steps in. Good choice!  I also chewed gum while putting away sugary Peanut Butter Bark. I take back anything I've recently said about sugar not bothering me. So tempting!  But chewing gum helps me plan my food...and not eat randomly  

[Elastigirl]

16 minutes ago, suzyQlou said:

Yes, it really was fun. Some years I do my Christmas baking stressed out and late at night. This year we took time to do it together. If only the orange shutterfly box of cards would hurry...then I could really relax.

 

Two good things. I walked IN THE FREEZING COLD last night to get my steps in. Good choice!  I also chewed gum while putting away sugary Peanut Butter Bark. I take back anything I've recently said about sugar not bothering me. So tempting!  But chewing gum helps me plan my food...and not eat randomly  

Good idea on the chewing gum.This is what I find super hard about baking, is the snacking on stuff while I make it. It can be really mindless and add up

[suzyQlou]

On 12/13/2017 at 10:27 AM, Elastigirl said:

Good idea on the chewing gum.This is what I find super hard about baking, is the snacking on stuff while I make it. It can be really mindless and add up

Yes.  I find so much of my life these days is mindless.  Licking the beaters is just the tip of the iceberg on this one!

 

So, what's the best thing to do when you are feeling angry and frustrated?  Post on the internet, of course.  I guess I have a torn meniscus.  Arthroscopic surgery scheduled for Tuesday.  Joy.

[Elastigirl]

Oh no, I am so sorry. The small silver lining is at least you know the cause of your knee pain, and can start work on your recovery.But still, bleck.

[Sloth the Enduring]

Oh no. Good luck with the surgery.


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[Tanktimus the Encourager]

13 hours ago, suzyQlou said:

So, what's the best thing to do when you are feeling angry and frustrated?  Post on the internet, of course.  I guess I have a torn meniscus.  Arthroscopic surgery scheduled for Tuesday.  Joy.

Yuck for surgery, yeah for hopefully feeling good after recovery.