SuzyQlou BETS on healthy choices

[suzyQlou]

2018 is going to be a year of healthy choices.  I'm betting on it!

 

Yes.  Literally.  I'm betting on weightloss this year using HealthyWage.  I am betting $30 a month for the next six months that I will lose 10% of my body weight.  You better believe I'm going to do it!  When I succeed in June, I will be $100 richer.  Whoo Hooo!

 

The problem, of course, is my stupid knees.  They carry more than they should, and I am paying the price every day.  When I started NF, I made similar weightloss promises, and did lose over 10% of my bodyweight...even more.  But I have been a yo yo since the initial push, and it's time for a new beginning.  Ahh, January.  What a good time to go ahead and make a new beginning.

 

Goal #1 Healthy Eating

This is my major focus because my mobility is limited after knee surgery.  I am moving more every day, but I can't count on much exercise to help boost weightloss.  Luckily, exercise is only 20% of the weightloss equation, and I can do plenty with healthy eating.  There is no secret weapon for this one.  I am tweaking my existing plan a little bit.  It is a good plan...when I follow it.  I'm going to use coloring pages to track mini healthy choices through the day.  I will also color for each check mark on my daily healthy habits checklist for portion sizes and fruits/veggies.  Roll the dice MFP food tracking continues-when I roll a "1" on the dice, I track my food.  Prizes will include bike and wardrobe incentives.  I will earn a prize for each full coloring page...and will post a photo here for accountability.  I've been pretty good at intending to award myself prizes...but not so good for following through.  But now that I've written it down, I will follow through!

 

My whole healthy habit tracking system has been out of wack the past week and a half because of knee surgery.  I usually track while I fill the water pitcher to take out to the chickens...but my dear husband has been handling chicken chores for me.  It's weird how hard it is to remember to track without the trigger.  I am feeling well enough to do chicken chores again, but I probably won't take over again until he goes back to work after the holidays.  I'm a lucky girl to have @Mando Baxter in my life...even if he doesn't run challenges anymore.

 

Goal #2 Knee Exercises

Duh.  If I want to recover, I need to do the exercises my doctor/physical therapist recommend.

 

Goal #3 Upper Body Exercises

So many excuses for not exercising these days.  Ok, so I can't bend one knee.  That doesn't mean I can't lift some dumbbells or something.  Cardio is limited, so I'm going to switch my strength days back to MWF.  Upper body exercises are a must during my morning exercise time.

 

Life Goal (yes, still) Get a Job

This includes 1-2 hours of job search activities M-F.  I also have a 2-day training in week three of the challenge for substitute teaching.  This is something I've been considering doing for the next year and a half while my youngest son is still in elementary school.  Otherwise, I'm still applying to flexjobs (with not too much luck) and full time office jobs (with not too much conviction).  It's been a blessing to have knee surgery without worrying about work...but I do worry what will happen in May after my severance runs out.  We can handle me being a stay at home mom for a while, but eventually making lifestyle changes won't be too much fun.

 

Just a quick update before I hit submit.  My knee surgery went fine.  I don't have a followup appointment with the doctor until this coming Tuesday (2 weeks from the surgery).  I am getting better every day, but the progress is slow and frustrating.  I had this idea that I would be on crutches for 3-5 days, and then bounce right up.  Yeah, not realistic, I guess.  I can hobble a bit without the crutches, but am still using one crutch most of the time here on day 11.  Trying to focus on the good and taking things day by day.

[Salinger]

Sounds great Suzy, kinda fun!!!! betting on your weight loss!!! I may look into this.... 

 

Glad the knee surgery went well, and hopefully you will be up and about very soon xx

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following.

[Elastigirl]

Love this challenge. So impressed with your great attitude, and not letting the knee surgery be an excuse.

[Terra]

You got this going in the right direction.  Focus on (1) what you can do right now and (2) getting better.  

 

Wishing you a speedy recovery

[suzyQlou]

On 12/29/2017 at 1:25 PM, Salinger said:

Sounds great Suzy, kinda fun!!!! betting on your weight loss!!! I may look into this.... 

 

Glad the knee surgery went well, and hopefully you will be up and about very soon xx

Good to see you.  Love the new profile pic!

 

On 12/29/2017 at 3:53 PM, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Following.

 

On 12/29/2017 at 4:58 PM, Elastigirl said:

Love this challenge. So impressed with your great attitude, and not letting the knee surgery be an excuse.

The attitude is a work in progress.  But determination will win the day!

 

11 hours ago, Terra said:

You got this going in the right direction.  Focus on (1) what you can do right now and (2) getting better.  

 

Wishing you a speedy recovery

 

Thanks!  

 

Pretty excited about healthy choices yesterday.  We celebrated Christmas with the whole family at my Mom's house yesterday.  I took fruit  

 

[Nymeria]

Following, so I can cheer for you while you conquer that knee rehab!  I found that it helped to make a checklist of all of the PT exercises, and then check them off when I completed them.  It really helped me stay on track with everything.  At first, you'll probably just have a lot of stretches to work on the knee bending and straightening, but as soon as you make reasonable progress, they'll load you up with a bunch of knee strengthening exercises, too.  

[PrincessMononoke]

I have had a couple knee surgeries so I totally sympathize. Don’t worry you will get your groove back. Hugs and prayers!

[Salinger]

Happpppppppy new year Suzy, may you have all the happiness in the world. Love to you xx

[suzyQlou]

On 12/31/2017 at 1:18 PM, Nymeria said:

Following, so I can cheer for you while you conquer that knee rehab!  I found that it helped to make a checklist of all of the PT exercises, and then check them off when I completed them.  It really helped me stay on track with everything.  At first, you'll probably just have a lot of stretches to work on the knee bending and straightening, but as soon as you make reasonable progress, they'll load you up with a bunch of knee strengthening exercises, too.  

Good idea.  I live by checklists these days, and I bet they will come in handy for PT exercises.  I had a run-in with PT last summer.  I'm hoping I can do more at home this time around.  The PT office was nice, but not convenient or affordable.

 

On 12/31/2017 at 3:53 PM, PrincessMononoke said:

I have had a couple knee surgeries so I totally sympathize. Don’t worry you will get your groove back. Hugs and prayers!

Thank you!  While it's not too nice you had to go through it, it IS nice to have company.  Prayers and hugs definitely come in handy!

 

21 hours ago, Salinger said:

Happpppppppy new year Suzy, may you have all the happiness in the world. Love to you xx

You are the best!  Thank you, Salinger.  This year is looking good already!

 

I'm on track with very healthy choices for New Years Eve.  It kinda helps that we spend it at home without too much fuss.  Still, we have a tradition of snacks...and I chose strawberries this year.

 

I've ditched the crutch (at least around the house...needed it at the grocery store yesterday) so that is cause to celebrate!  And I took my first drive down to the bus stop this morning to keep the kiddos out of negative wind chills.  Brrrrrrr to the weather, but YAY to the freedom of driving again.

 

"Cardio" done for the day.  I'm counting 10 minutes of limping on the elliptical since I made the effort.  Getting on and off the thing was an even bigger victory  

[Salinger]

Excellent news there Suzy strawberries, driving and no crutch wooooo xx

[Nymeria]

On 12/29/2017 at 11:50 AM, suzyQlou said:

I had this idea that I would be on crutches for 3-5 days, and then bounce right up.  Yeah, not realistic, I guess.  I can hobble a bit without the crutches, but am still using one crutch most of the time here on day 11.  Trying to focus on the good and taking things day by day.

 

Yeah.  I was walking without crutches maybe 8 days after mine, but I also had one of those huge hinged knee braces to help bear some of the load.  You're doing fine.  Just be patient with yourself.

 

2 hours ago, suzyQlou said:

I've ditched the crutch (at least around the house...needed it at the grocery store yesterday) so that is cause to celebrate!  And I took my first drive down to the bus stop this morning to keep the kiddos out of negative wind chills.  Brrrrrrr to the weather, but YAY to the freedom of driving again.

 

"Cardio" done for the day.  I'm counting 10 minutes of limping on the elliptical since I made the effort.  Getting on and off the thing was an even bigger victory  

 

I hope the follow up appointment goes well.  If you have access to a stationary bike, you should be able to do a lot of the rehab at home or at a regular gym.  Also, hooray for driving again!  For cardio, don't forget that hobbling around on crutches can in and of itself be a workout.  

 

[suzyQlou]

8 hours ago, Salinger said:

Excellent news there Suzy strawberries, driving and no crutch wooooo xx

 

 

6 hours ago, Nymeria said:

 

Yeah.  I was walking without crutches maybe 8 days after mine, but I also had one of those huge hinged knee braces to help bear some of the load.  You're doing fine.  Just be patient with yourself.

 

 

I hope the follow up appointment goes well.  If you have access to a stationary bike, you should be able to do a lot of the rehab at home or at a regular gym.  Also, hooray for driving again!  For cardio, don't forget that hobbling around on crutches can in and of itself be a workout.  

 

Not feeling too patient after today's appointment. I thought I'd come out of it with a plan to get better. Instead I hear I should live my life - do everything I HAVE to do, but no more than that for at least two weeks.

 

I thought at least there would be some more exercises I could do. I am left with three from after surgery - straighten my leg, bend my leg, and lift my leg. I can add ankle weights as it gets essy. Also, I'm supposed to stay off the elliptical and any other exercise equipment. I can do upper body exercises - that's all. I guess it really is a matter of patience, but that doesn't stop me from feeling frustrated right now. I'm considering seaking a second opinion, but my husband thinks I'm nuts.

 

Oh well. Thanks for letting my vent. I have to get over myself a little bit do that the positive vibes can flow again. 

[suzyQlou]

Relaxed a bit after raging yesterday.  Glad I did because now I'm ready to celebrate my first healthy eating prize.  First coloring page is full of healthy choices, and I've ordered my first wardrobe incentive.  Not gonna share a photo of the first prize, though.  It's a new bra, and my online manners are way too preschool to share.

 

Next coloring page has lots more detail.  That's good, though.  Can't break the bank too quickly!

[Nymeria]

On 1/2/2018 at 6:49 PM, suzyQlou said:

 

I thought at least there would be some more exercises I could do. I am left with three from after surgery - straighten my leg, bend my leg, and lift my leg. I can add ankle weights as it gets essy. Also, I'm supposed to stay off the elliptical and any other exercise equipment. I can do upper body exercises - that's all. I guess it really is a matter of patience, but that doesn't stop me from feeling frustrated right now. I'm considering seaking a second opinion, but my husband thinks I'm nuts.

 

Have you been to physical therapy yet?  My surgeon gave me almost no exercises, other than bending, straightening, and leg raises.  Everything else came from PT, which I started maybe 1.5 weeks post-op.  

[suzyQlou]

4 hours ago, Nymeria said:

Have you been to physical therapy yet?  My surgeon gave me almost no exercises, other than bending, straightening, and leg raises.  Everything else came from PT, which I started maybe 1.5 weeks post-op.  

Nope.  No PT yet.  That's probably what's feeding my frustration.  The doctor said I shouldn't try PT for another 2 weeks (that's 4 weeks from surgery).  I'm trying to remember that he knows my knees.  The arthritis he sees in xrays, mri, and arthoscopy camera shows knees that look 15 years older than the rest of me (like 60 year old knees).  I have an appointment for a synvisc injection at the end of the month to help treat the arthritis.  I am thinking the arthritis is fueling my lengthy recovery time.  Maybe?

[suzyQlou]

Feeling good about healthy choices today.  I went winter camping with the cub scouts last night (ok, it was in a cabin...not quite camping) but I still managed to eat a reasonable dinner and breakfast.  Menu was slanted towards kids - burgers and pancakes - but I was able to round it out with salad and fruit.  We cooked the burgers over a campfire in the snow.  The extra effort made them extra delicious.

[TGP]

Winter Cabin Camps with the scouts! Those are old and cool memories for me.  I did the cub scout thing for quite a while too....

what age group do you help with?

 

nothing quite makes you feel Older than running with the hyperactive little guys (ha!) BUT. its very rewarding though.

 

I've had just as much fun with them; at times, as I've had in any of my "adventures'

----

you also get Extra point for burgers over a campfire.,  thats Tricky!  GJ

 

 

[suzyQlou]

On 1/6/2018 at 11:59 AM, TGP said:

Winter Cabin Camps with the scouts! Those are old and cool memories for me.  I did the cub scout thing for quite a while too....

what age group do you help with?

 

nothing quite makes you feel Older than running with the hyperactive little guys (ha!) BUT. its very rewarding though.

 

I've had just as much fun with them; at times, as I've had in any of my "adventures'

----

you also get Extra point for burgers over a campfire.,  thats Tricky!  GJ

Yes!  We are making wonderful memories through scouting.  Glad to see a kindred spirit around these parts.  I should have guessed scouting would line up perfectly for someone like you who grew up walking in the woods!  I do the treasurer stuff for the pack, and I do most activities with my younger son.  He is a Webelo 1 this year.  My husband partners up with my older son who is in his 2nd year of boy scouts.

 

[suzyQlou]

Weekly checkin today.  I'm happy with my progress!

 

Goal #1 Healthy Eating - Yes!  Down four pounds.  Ha!  I know that's just a blip, but I count the lowest number I saw on the scale all week...so I'm keeping it, lol.  If I look at averages, I've lost a more reasonable two pounds.  Either way, I am on target for hitting my 10% goal in June.  I rewarded myself with one prize this week for filling in a coloring page full of healthy eating choices.  Good accountability!

 

Goal #2 Knee Exercises - 6/7 days because of camp.  Knees are feeling much better.  I find that after I do the exercises, I can walk without a limp.  I have to focus on the mechanics of bending the knee to walk, but I can do it.  I'm going to shoot for upping my step count during these times I can walk well.

 

Goal #3 Upper Body Exercises - 3/3 days.  This is nice.  I haven't used dumbbells since my gym closed over a year ago.  My husband's collection is big enough to keep me on top of things until I feel ready to get back to push ups and dips.

Life Goal (yes, still) Get a Job - 5/5 days.  There is so much paperwork involved in substitute teaching!  I have all my fingerprinting, transcript requesting, clearances, health screening, and mandatory online training done.  Last piece of paper is an official application - including an essay.  That will be done early this week.  I also have a programming phone interview on Friday, so I need to brush up on what I used to know about data structures, running times, and algorithms.  My husband interviewed with this company when he changed jobs, so I have a heads up on the academic nature of their interview questions.  Now I just need to remember everything I learned in school!

[TGP]

this IS a good week

you seem to be making Really good progress with the knee surgery! (GJ)

 

Is PT going really well?  Perhaps that you are in such good shape, helps?

[suzyQlou]

On 1/8/2018 at 10:26 AM, TGP said:

this IS a good week

you seem to be making Really good progress with the knee surgery! (GJ)

 

Is PT going really well?  Perhaps that you are in such good shape, helps?

I will admit to feeling frustrated with slow knee recovery early on. But I think I've turned a real corner. I am still puzzled about my doctor's reluctance to send me to PT until a month after surgery. I am not in PT now at 3 weeks from surgery...and I'm wondering if I'll even need it at all. I'm finally thinking of my surgery as a minor one. I'm going to go out and move my chicken coop this afternoon.  Feeling strong again!

[Salinger]

Glad you are feeling strong!!! x

[suzyQlou]

On 1/9/2018 at 5:02 PM, Salinger said:

Glad you are feeling strong!!! x

Yes!  Strong is awesome!

 

Beautiful day today.  I would have taken my bike out for a ride if my neighborhood had less hills.  Instead, I went out for a walk for my "cardio".  My heart didn't beat especially fast, but it felt great to have an outdoor option.  Ahhhh, sunshine!  I love it!

[Salinger]

23 minutes ago, suzyQlou said:

Yes!  Strong is awesome!

 

Beautiful day today.  I would have taken my bike out for a ride if my neighborhood had less hills.  Instead, I went out for a walk for my "cardio".  My heart didn't beat especially fast, but it felt great to have an outdoor option.  Ahhhh, sunshine!  I love it!

 

I miss the sun!!!!! x