Loved This Picture

The exercise is helping bring back energy and lifted spirits. Have bumped into some of the gym buddies which is nice. Turns out several have also had things interrupt their time at the gym.  Guess that's summer for you.  Missing yoga class but the work outs in the pool are a good substitute, even if not the same thing.  Getting into the water just seems to send soothing, let it go feelings into me.  Sure helps with stuff as it comes up later in the day.

With this fresh start going started thinking it was past time to get other parts of life going again as well.  Looked into classes at the nearby Jr. college to bring old skills back to speed.  The classes did not really fit with the needs.  Plus $$$s so... picked up some tutorial type books and decide to try it at home for now.  Hoping to lead to a job or freelance work again.  Time will tell.  

Good Day Two FS

Worked it better today. Still no snacks, always a time that was in the middle of something.
BBL
Pool marker board had a new message... Make an effort to find what is good in you and what you can be.

Day One *FS*

Made it to the gym!  Though I am starting to feel sore, it was great being back.  

Could only do the track 15 minutes and the toes went from pain to numb.  Next tried the upright stationary bike.  With the orthotics it was much better than before, did 30 minutes -15 random setting 15 on high pressure.  Used the upper body machines.  Pool 60 minute, upright laps and hand weights.  The last about 10 minutes tried real swimming.  Key word tried.  Never swam laps before and think I need work in that area.  

Getting back into the work out clothes helped put things in place.  The waist has not grown but the thighs in the pants and the upper arms in the shirt were snug.  Gentle reminders to motive during the sweat!

Another note, they had one of the spin bikes out and I tried it out.  It was even better on the foot (foot cage did not go right across the bones) but my legs were really feeling it fast.  Going to work on the upright for a while but definitely going to shot for being in shape for one of those classes.  A down side the seat was well, not plush.  Wonder if people bring in any covers or padding.     

BBL 

What an evening the guys sure are angst-y.  Signaling major frustration cravings.  Will not let it blow plan fresh start!  Finding the timing of the readings from The Untethered Soul to be right stuff at the right time.  Funny how you find things just when you need them sometimes. 

 

The foot and leg are really gnawing strong unlike the other side which just feels exercised .  Guess walking through the pain was a bad idea.  It is only the side with the problems so do not think it is from to strong of work out or the bike.  Definitely not doing the track tomorrow. Still glad the gym is back on.

 

Posted on the marker board at the pool today>>> If it is to be... It has to come from me

Thought this was a good mantra to start FS . Message board comes through again.

Plan *FRESH START*

The line has been drawn in the sand! *Fresh Start* 

Tomorrow morning starts the routine of gym and more workouts.  Hoping to fit home exercise back in as well but that seems even harder to follow through with. To many interruptions and distractions.  Second part of the plan  is stricter menu and scheduled eating again.  Last night took a good look at it all.  This summer things went way to far back to the old mindset and lack of routine.   Have to put health back on the top of the list.  And if taking time for the gym or making my meals is done, not to feel guilty. There are no little ones in this house anymore.  They could make a meal or do most anything they need.  It just seems so easy to fall back into, hey have mom/wife/daughter do it or get it.  Have to admit I do it, so Monday it stops... sort of.   The routine goes back to school time schedule and they can work around it.  As for the meals it is goodbye beef and hello fish and poultry.  But mostly veggie it up!  Still trying to rework breakfast, just really do not like it.  Yeah yeah most important so will keep trying to find something new.  The getting better on the timing of the meals is definitely going to be a point.  But if the other routines can get set maybe that will help with it.

I did not weigh in today because I will at the gym in the morning to mark the fresh start.  (plus then a reason to have to get in there in the morning) The plan for the work out is to try things out and see what can be done with out to much added foot problems.  Decided to hurts even without the work outs so lets see what I can do that just does not send it into major problems. Will post the trails on the side bar this week as it goes.

Looking forward to this all!  Realized little aches and ickies creeping back in and less energy so IT IS TIME. 

Started reading this today. Not a long book but finding it interesting.

The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer

A definite should read book!

Mid Summer Blooms In The Yard

Oh yard work = )! It is wonderful here in Chicagoland today.
BBL
It has been a great day. It was beautiful weather for the yard work. Had a wren singing and hummingbirds flying in. Later off to get a laptop. Back in business, YEAH. Now to get it set up and play with new programs.

This Week Has To Be...

Get Real week!
It's ON!
Fact is a weight gain with little yoyo all spring and summer. No real tough exercise though with these feet. The new orthotics are not helping much and now both feet and ankles never feel good, not horrible but definitely not good. Add to that the decision to try and start working on computer graphics again (the bad s word sitting) and not a good mix. Have to get to the gym and talk to the trainer about what will work but still not aggravate the foot.
BBL
Ok making a quick check in! It has been a day already and only 2 oclock. The emotional crazies have tried to talk me into an ouy goey italian pasta dish, ice cream, milky way bar and something strong. Can not give in to any of it... have to keep reminding that after eating it things still will be the same so why go there.

Made it through with just the one give in (milky way bar). The later evening was more of the days train wreck but the thought of giving in again helped to stop things from going further a stray.
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*Oh and playing on the Bamboo Fun Tablet for some of the graphics. Could get lost in it. Can not wait until the real set up is up and going. DS was having a great time with it also.

Some Finds

Added two new magazine links to the right, Tathaastu:So Be It and Conscious Choice. Having so much added time in doctor's waiting rooms has made time for the quick reads and an interesting assortment of what is offered. They are worth a look see even if they are slanted in different practices or stronger views. I have also enjoyed the Experience Life magazine for varying topics for the past few months.

New Yummy Place

Lunch was funny, we were at Ted's Montana Grill (yum) ... ordered the salmon w/mashed potato and green beans. Another had ordered shrimp cocktail and the three side lunch (cole slaw, broc and asparagus). She did not like the asparagus or cole slaw but liked my green beans and garlic mashed potato. So it was a swap around. I loved the asparagus and broc and still got a nibble of green beans. The salmon was yummy. We all agreed it was a very nice spot.

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Newest blooms in the yard...
Placed it by the solar fountain.
Blooming in the Rose of Sharon. Nice since the shrub blooms so much later.
Finally spotted humming bird the other day. Guess it was waiting for the bee balm to bloom. Disappointed in the Bottle Brush Buckeye shrub it looked like it was going to be stunning... but the blooms are very weak this year. Maybe it was just a year for it to grow and fill out.

Tried This

Still looking for things while the foot/leg has regular things out for now.


Found these while first starting to look for a stress ball for my son. Thought maybe the little ones would work (not quite it though) while still looking. Since they were here tried the dvd out last night. There are still parts with standard yoga that the foot just will not go along with but loved the parts with the balls. One complaint is I wish there was more to it. They do say you can add time and "play around" with the them. That out of the way these really did feel great. It was funny that he mentioned how stress can be held in the targeted areas. I had just been thinking it at the start of each placement. With all that is going on right now and the loss of the workouts the realization of the tension held in them gets disconnected.

And starting to think the surgery should have been done from the start but as the doc asked, giving it a little more time. This morning it is still more uncomfortable. Patience with all the various doctor things in this house is decreasing. *** Cleansing Breath ;-) ***

Fingers Crossed

Got the custom orthotics today. Feels funky. But he was talking a lot about the surgery which makes me wonder. Suppose to try these for six weeks, unless things get really bad. Let's see. Have to get back to real work outs!

next day follow up... the feet are not liking this. Giving it a little time.

HAPPY 4th OF JULY

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BBL Maybe :-)

only getting a little time while people take BR breaks RRRR

Just Curious

How do people do it? Get weight off with just diet. Hear people say they just watch what they eat (healthy and portioned) and are not at the gym for hours. Hear, do not let the calories get to low or high. But stuck stuck stuck. Before the foot/leg issue it was major work outs. Worked but after the 60ish - 70ish pound loss seemed stuck. More exercise, intervals, different kinds, eat more protein, eat less protein, more whole grains/ less whole grains, willing to stand on my head for eight hours if it would work again, but stuck. Then the foot/leg thing, effectively no more strong cardio stuff. Still active though. Gained to start but seem to have hit the stride to maintain ... just not losing any more. Blood work shows thyroid holding, liver enzymes hovering but good for the most part, sugars and cholesterol good. BP excellent though they will not stop low dose of med. until the weight is gone (GRRR). There has to be a way to make this work.

Next week brings the new orthotic and hoping it will really make it possible to work with my foot again. Have to ask him if it could be placed in a water shoe for the pool. Miss the water work out so much. Either way if the orthotic works it will be hit the gym big time. Really want to see if the time away will have an effect on the effectiveness of the old workouts again. Maybe like starting over. Just thought, wonder if it could be put in a ballet style slipper for yoga work. That is also so missed!

Back to how do people make it work. Things are already portioned and weighed. Tracked and planned. Not asking for 5 pounds a week, just downward movement that adds up to something someday again. This is not meant as a gripe but a honest help question.