My knee is injured again. It has been for a couple of months and the doctor is taking a very conservative approach and having me try different anti-inflammatories. They are not working. I fear that another surgery is on the horizon, and that makes me sad/angry/disappointed. There are so many things that I still cannot do that I could do before the surgery. It has changed my life in many ways.
One of the biggest ways is that I've had to accept the fact that I cannot do CrossFit any more and I do not know if I ever will be able to. There are some things I could do, but many, many things would have to be modified...some to the point that they wouldn't even resemble the original workout in any way/shape/form. It is still painful to see that others can do it, but I can't. This is NOT what I had envisioned when I had this stupid surgery. I was convinced that it would be the complete opposite - this would open lots of doors and I could run again and life would be grand. Yeah...not so much.
So I'm doing the best that I can, but I have lost so much strength that it's just ridiculous. I'm having to learn a whole new strength training world that I thought I was done with. It's not my favorite, but it is necessary. I have been able to go to the gym as much as I would like due to football games, but those are now over, so no excuses. I should be able to hit the gym every night after work, and then some. And hit it HARD.
Let's do this!
Showing posts with label CrossFit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CrossFit. Show all posts
Friday, October 25, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Catching up
Looks like my last post here was in January. LOTS of changes since then! First and foremost, I finished my first graduate class and earned an A. I have now been off from classes since mid-May and do not start again until August 19. So this summer has been dedicated to ME and my health.
On April 3, I had knee surgery to repair and remove a torn meniscus. It was pretty badly torn up, according to my doctor, and he came out of the OR and told my mom and my husband, "Boy! She needed that!" The recovery has been a long and frustrating process. I was on crutches for about 6 1/2 weeks. That was not pleasant, but it could have been worse. I was also in physical therapy for about 9 weeks, and there are still issues that I need to work on.
On May 18, I walked a 5K in Quincy, Illinois, called "Bridge the Gap." On my doctor's advice, I used 1 crutch because it is a very hilly, challenging course. I am glad I did, because it helped me a ton. I got to meet and speak with former Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee. That was worth every bit of sweat and pain that went into walking that 5K! She is a very, very nice, sweet woman. My son, Nick, walked it with me. I was glad to have him at my side.
So far in June, I've done 2 more 5Ks. I did one on June 8, in Springfield, IL. It was a Color Blaze 5K and I would strongly urge you to run away from this company as fast as you can. It was not a good experience. They were very unorganized. I stood in line for 2 1/2 hours before I got to start. The race started at 11a, but people were lining up at 9a. I finally got in line at 9:30a. I finally got to go across the start line at noon.
The second 5K I did was just last weekend, June 15. It was in Mt. Sterling, IL, and was called the Heart and Sole 5K. I would recommend that one for a nice, easy, highly organized race. Even those of us that were walking got a timing chip! That was the first race that I've ever had one!
In May, I finally broke down and joined Weight Watchers online. I've been struggling with eating and I thought it would help. It has, as I've lost 7 lbs so far. However, in the last 3 weeks, I've had a total of 2 lbs come creeping back and I can't figure out why. I've been working out and walking as much as I can, and my eating has been really good. I only use my weekly "bonus" points (as I call them) once a week on Saturday when I have a cheat meal. I'll figure it out, though. Patience is key. I'm doing what needs to be done. My body just needs to realize it.
Yesterday I was released by my doctor to do "whatever the heck I wanted." So that means I can start CrossFit workouts again. And I did! It had been 10 1/2 weeks since I had last done one. It felt good!
I also talked to him about a goal I made with someone. I was selected to work with the summer intern hired by Campus Rec at work. She has lost 125 lbs and wants to be Life Coach. So she and I have been having conversations about weight loss. She asked me to set a goal. Something obtainable, but something that would challenge me. I don't like setting weight loss goals because I fall on my face, then I get angry, and I self-sabotage. So rather than saying, "I'll lose X lbs by X date," I decided to set a goal of run/walking a half marathon by next spring. Remember that Bridge the Gap 5K I just spoke of a couple paragraphs ago? Yeah, there's a half marathon component to it. I'm going to do that one. I'm so excited!
First step is to start running again. After I've got the running, I'm going to try to find a 10K in the fall to do. Then continue training for the half until May. I can do this. I don't have a time goal at all at this point. My goal is to start and to finish. That's it.
And today is my oldest son's 20th birthday! How crazy is that that my firstborn is TWENTY???? I can still remember all the details of that day 20 years ago. We will be taking him to Springfield this weekend to celebrate. It should be a good time.
Until next time...
On April 3, I had knee surgery to repair and remove a torn meniscus. It was pretty badly torn up, according to my doctor, and he came out of the OR and told my mom and my husband, "Boy! She needed that!" The recovery has been a long and frustrating process. I was on crutches for about 6 1/2 weeks. That was not pleasant, but it could have been worse. I was also in physical therapy for about 9 weeks, and there are still issues that I need to work on.
On May 18, I walked a 5K in Quincy, Illinois, called "Bridge the Gap." On my doctor's advice, I used 1 crutch because it is a very hilly, challenging course. I am glad I did, because it helped me a ton. I got to meet and speak with former Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee. That was worth every bit of sweat and pain that went into walking that 5K! She is a very, very nice, sweet woman. My son, Nick, walked it with me. I was glad to have him at my side.
So far in June, I've done 2 more 5Ks. I did one on June 8, in Springfield, IL. It was a Color Blaze 5K and I would strongly urge you to run away from this company as fast as you can. It was not a good experience. They were very unorganized. I stood in line for 2 1/2 hours before I got to start. The race started at 11a, but people were lining up at 9a. I finally got in line at 9:30a. I finally got to go across the start line at noon.
The second 5K I did was just last weekend, June 15. It was in Mt. Sterling, IL, and was called the Heart and Sole 5K. I would recommend that one for a nice, easy, highly organized race. Even those of us that were walking got a timing chip! That was the first race that I've ever had one!
In May, I finally broke down and joined Weight Watchers online. I've been struggling with eating and I thought it would help. It has, as I've lost 7 lbs so far. However, in the last 3 weeks, I've had a total of 2 lbs come creeping back and I can't figure out why. I've been working out and walking as much as I can, and my eating has been really good. I only use my weekly "bonus" points (as I call them) once a week on Saturday when I have a cheat meal. I'll figure it out, though. Patience is key. I'm doing what needs to be done. My body just needs to realize it.
Yesterday I was released by my doctor to do "whatever the heck I wanted." So that means I can start CrossFit workouts again. And I did! It had been 10 1/2 weeks since I had last done one. It felt good!
I also talked to him about a goal I made with someone. I was selected to work with the summer intern hired by Campus Rec at work. She has lost 125 lbs and wants to be Life Coach. So she and I have been having conversations about weight loss. She asked me to set a goal. Something obtainable, but something that would challenge me. I don't like setting weight loss goals because I fall on my face, then I get angry, and I self-sabotage. So rather than saying, "I'll lose X lbs by X date," I decided to set a goal of run/walking a half marathon by next spring. Remember that Bridge the Gap 5K I just spoke of a couple paragraphs ago? Yeah, there's a half marathon component to it. I'm going to do that one. I'm so excited!
First step is to start running again. After I've got the running, I'm going to try to find a 10K in the fall to do. Then continue training for the half until May. I can do this. I don't have a time goal at all at this point. My goal is to start and to finish. That's it.
And today is my oldest son's 20th birthday! How crazy is that that my firstborn is TWENTY???? I can still remember all the details of that day 20 years ago. We will be taking him to Springfield this weekend to celebrate. It should be a good time.
Until next time...
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
No More Lies...to Myself
I've been telling myself lies for a couple of months. I've been refusing to update my weight on MyFitnessPal.com, thinking that I would hit that wonderful 231.0 weight any second now. Well, tonight I got on the scales to get an accurate weight and decided it was time to wake up. I'm a hefty 237.25...no where near 231.0 any longer. Time to face the music and move forward.
One way of getting started was to hit a CrossFit workout hard, like I haven't done in a couple of months due to a knee thing. The knee thing is good (as long as I don't try to run), so it's time to get back to it. Man, have I lost some strength. Ok, time to face up to that and move forward.
Overall, today was a really good day. I went back to work after being off for 12 days or so. In my previous job, it would have been a nightmare and I would have been stressed beyond belief by 10 a.m. In my new job, I left for the day with all of my work done. All of my emails were answered, all of the files that needed my attention got what was needed, and my inbox was empty. I did not have 50,000 emails and phone calls to deal with on top of all the other stuff. I don't even think the phone rang until close to noon. I'm really, really enjoying this new position. So thankful that I was the one they chose, too!
Good night!
One way of getting started was to hit a CrossFit workout hard, like I haven't done in a couple of months due to a knee thing. The knee thing is good (as long as I don't try to run), so it's time to get back to it. Man, have I lost some strength. Ok, time to face up to that and move forward.
Overall, today was a really good day. I went back to work after being off for 12 days or so. In my previous job, it would have been a nightmare and I would have been stressed beyond belief by 10 a.m. In my new job, I left for the day with all of my work done. All of my emails were answered, all of the files that needed my attention got what was needed, and my inbox was empty. I did not have 50,000 emails and phone calls to deal with on top of all the other stuff. I don't even think the phone rang until close to noon. I'm really, really enjoying this new position. So thankful that I was the one they chose, too!
Good night!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Update
Tonight's weigh in was 242.0. Not exactly moving in the right direction, huh? I know why this weigh in was up from last week's (241.25). The weekend was spent eating foods that I wouldn't normally be eating. There was a wedding and the rehearsal dinner. Instead of controlling myself, I allowed me to eat some cake. And other junk I shouldn't have. Not only did it show on the scale, but I also felt crappy after eating it. My stomach hurt and I felt like I was going to get sick.
After going through a horrible experience with my doctor this past Tuesday, I think I am finally going to get to see an endrocrinologist about my thyroid. Even though my labs come back in normal ranges, I am still experiencing many symptoms, such as fatigue, inability to lose weight, etc. The fatigue is what is really getting to me more than anything. I really do not have the energy to do anything. All I think about all the time is sleeping. Once I wake up, my first thought is to calculate how much longer until I can lay down again. It is difficult to get through a day without taking a nap of at least 1-2 hours. I don't think that's normal! Hopefully I can get some answers from an endo and life will improve. If not, then I'll know that it's just me and I'll suck it up and deal with it.
In exciting news, today is my 19th wedding anniversary and I set a new PR on my back squat - 155 lbs! Previous personal record was 135 lbs, so that's a 20 lb increase! I think I could have even gone higher, too. I came close to hitting 225 lbs on my deadlift, but my muscles were just too worn out from lifting the weight plates for the classes. I don't mind, that's my job, after all. Maybe next time!
After going through a horrible experience with my doctor this past Tuesday, I think I am finally going to get to see an endrocrinologist about my thyroid. Even though my labs come back in normal ranges, I am still experiencing many symptoms, such as fatigue, inability to lose weight, etc. The fatigue is what is really getting to me more than anything. I really do not have the energy to do anything. All I think about all the time is sleeping. Once I wake up, my first thought is to calculate how much longer until I can lay down again. It is difficult to get through a day without taking a nap of at least 1-2 hours. I don't think that's normal! Hopefully I can get some answers from an endo and life will improve. If not, then I'll know that it's just me and I'll suck it up and deal with it.
In exciting news, today is my 19th wedding anniversary and I set a new PR on my back squat - 155 lbs! Previous personal record was 135 lbs, so that's a 20 lb increase! I think I could have even gone higher, too. I came close to hitting 225 lbs on my deadlift, but my muscles were just too worn out from lifting the weight plates for the classes. I don't mind, that's my job, after all. Maybe next time!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Heroes and Veggies
Tonight's CrossFit workout was what we call a "Hero Workout." They are created and named in honor of a service man/woman that gave their life for our country. They are hard. They suck. But it is an honor and privilege to do them. As I told the class tonight, they made the ultimate sacrifice, so the least we can do is make a small sacrifice in the gym by doing this workout.
I have a problem with negative self-talk when I do these hard workouts. It gives me time to think and I get upset with myself because of what I can't do. But that also drives me to go harder. I know I am capable of more, but there's too much bulk to move around very fast. And I know I am WAY harder on myself than anyone could ever dream of being. I expect perfection and get angry when I don't give it.
The details of the workout.... 3 rounds, for time: 50 sumo deadlift high-pulls; 25 burpees (not able to do, subbed 25 squats and 25 push ups); 25 box jumps; run 400 meters. I finished in 29:16. I'm still mad at myself.
I've been trying to expand my food horizons with steamed veggies. I hate vegetables, except the ones that really aren't good for me - like corn! Love corn, but corn is actually a grain, and grains are of the devil. Monday night I had a bag of steamed veggies that included roasted potatoes (also evil), peppers (ick), and snap peas. Oh my stars, I hate snap peas! They were awful, but I ate them all anyway. I reminded myself what Andy and Kristy have told me - food is fuel.
Tonight, I had a different bag of veggies. I didn't pay a lot of attention to what was in there. I knew cauliflower (ick), carrots (ick), and something else. I was exhausted (still am) when I got home from the gym, so I just threw the bag in the microwave. As it cooked, I could smell this horrid odor that was vaguely familiar. I was too tired to really process it though. I finally got up and got the bag out and opened it up. Oh! The smell was atrocious! I checked the list of veggies -- those stupid snap peas AGAIN!
I've been sitting here with the bowl beside me for over an hour now. I'm hungry, but I have to eat my veggies before I can have the chicken that Mike grilled for me. *sigh*
I have a problem with negative self-talk when I do these hard workouts. It gives me time to think and I get upset with myself because of what I can't do. But that also drives me to go harder. I know I am capable of more, but there's too much bulk to move around very fast. And I know I am WAY harder on myself than anyone could ever dream of being. I expect perfection and get angry when I don't give it.
The details of the workout.... 3 rounds, for time: 50 sumo deadlift high-pulls; 25 burpees (not able to do, subbed 25 squats and 25 push ups); 25 box jumps; run 400 meters. I finished in 29:16. I'm still mad at myself.
I've been trying to expand my food horizons with steamed veggies. I hate vegetables, except the ones that really aren't good for me - like corn! Love corn, but corn is actually a grain, and grains are of the devil. Monday night I had a bag of steamed veggies that included roasted potatoes (also evil), peppers (ick), and snap peas. Oh my stars, I hate snap peas! They were awful, but I ate them all anyway. I reminded myself what Andy and Kristy have told me - food is fuel.
Tonight, I had a different bag of veggies. I didn't pay a lot of attention to what was in there. I knew cauliflower (ick), carrots (ick), and something else. I was exhausted (still am) when I got home from the gym, so I just threw the bag in the microwave. As it cooked, I could smell this horrid odor that was vaguely familiar. I was too tired to really process it though. I finally got up and got the bag out and opened it up. Oh! The smell was atrocious! I checked the list of veggies -- those stupid snap peas AGAIN!
I've been sitting here with the bowl beside me for over an hour now. I'm hungry, but I have to eat my veggies before I can have the chicken that Mike grilled for me. *sigh*
Monday, June 20, 2011
1st Weigh In
It's Monday and that means time to weigh in! Starting weight, as we will recall, was 248.50. I needed to see the number get smaller to help me keep going. Since I opened my eyes Thursday morning, I have been putting one foot in front of the other, trying to eat healthier in order to drop these pounds. I've got the exercise down pat, but the eating is where I struggle. I am delighted to say that after 5 days, I now weigh 244.25. That's a loss of 4.25 lbs!
Our CrossFit workout tonight was finding our back squat max for 3 reps. That means seeing how much weight can I back squat 3 times in a row. I got 5 chances to find out. My weights went like this: 95-95-105-115-125. I was pleased with the 125. My max back squat for a single rep is 135. I think that one needs to go up now.
My Short Story class started today, so I have some reading to do already, so I'm going to cut this short. I have been learning a lot since I started this journey on Thursday. One of the things I've learned is that you've GOT to have a good support system in place. I am so thankful that I have people in my life that have expertise in several different areas. You are all helping me in different ways. By leaning on my friends and family when this becomes hard, I will be able to get through this and reach my goal. If I can convince any of you to take this healthy eating journey with me, then that will really make me happy. It's not an easy journey by any means. It's hard, it sucks at times, and it brings out my inner 3 year old...but it will be worth it in the end.
One day at a time, one meal at a time.
Our CrossFit workout tonight was finding our back squat max for 3 reps. That means seeing how much weight can I back squat 3 times in a row. I got 5 chances to find out. My weights went like this: 95-95-105-115-125. I was pleased with the 125. My max back squat for a single rep is 135. I think that one needs to go up now.
My Short Story class started today, so I have some reading to do already, so I'm going to cut this short. I have been learning a lot since I started this journey on Thursday. One of the things I've learned is that you've GOT to have a good support system in place. I am so thankful that I have people in my life that have expertise in several different areas. You are all helping me in different ways. By leaning on my friends and family when this becomes hard, I will be able to get through this and reach my goal. If I can convince any of you to take this healthy eating journey with me, then that will really make me happy. It's not an easy journey by any means. It's hard, it sucks at times, and it brings out my inner 3 year old...but it will be worth it in the end.
One day at a time, one meal at a time.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
About Me...
I'm currently 41 years old. I've been married to Mike for almost 19 years now. We have two boys, Alex (18 years old today), and Nick (age 12). I am an admissions officer at a local university and I enjoy what I do. That's my full-time gig. I also work 3 evenings a week at a gym. Since that doesn't fill up 24 hours, I also take classes part-time and hope to complete my bachelor's degree by December 2012. Oh, and I volunteer at our church a couple of hours a week, too. I love when people tell me they don't have time for working out.
I've been overweight since I was a teenager. Not terribly so, but enough to make me unhappy and hold me back from doing things. I didn't suffer from any cruel comments or anything like that, I just liked to eat. I think I weighed about 160 lbs when I graduated from high school, and wore about a size 16. Over the years, the weight has continued to creep on, which now has me weighing 248.5 lbs, and wearing a size 24 or 2-3X. My highest recorded weight was 278, in 2002. So there's that.
In May 2008, I joined our local gym, thinking that exercise in a controlled environment was the magic formula missing from my success. I lost a little, gained it back. And have done that more times than I can count. One of the guys there once told me that losing weight was 80% diet. I looked him in the eye and vigorously nodded my head in agreement, while scoffing at the notion on the inside. Guess what? He was right, and I've proved him correct. I work my butt off in the gym (not literally, unfortunately) but have little to show for it. If you felt my arms before May 2008, you would feel flab covered by more flab. If you felt them now, you could feel some rock-hard muscles...covered by a thick layer of flab. Not pretty.
While at the gym, I observed the owner, Andy, and another member, Tyler, doing this crazy-looking workout called CrossFit. They tried to encourage me to try it, but again - scoffing. I should really stop that. Andy sort of tricked me into a CrossFit workout in May 2009, and much to my surprise, I absolutely LOVED it. And I've been doing it ever since. Me! A 250 lb woman! Doing that crazy workout stuff! And now I help teach classes.
And now it's time to make some changes in my life and get my large butt in gear. This weight has got to go -- once and for all! I'm tired of all the negativity that goes with being overweight - the depression, the isolation, the lack of self-confidence and self-esteem, the fear, the self-consciousness. All of it has got to go. It's been with me for too long and I want it GONE!
So that's where this blog comes in. I plan to use it to document my journey as a lose this weight through CrossFit and changing my eating habits. This plan starts now.
I've been overweight since I was a teenager. Not terribly so, but enough to make me unhappy and hold me back from doing things. I didn't suffer from any cruel comments or anything like that, I just liked to eat. I think I weighed about 160 lbs when I graduated from high school, and wore about a size 16. Over the years, the weight has continued to creep on, which now has me weighing 248.5 lbs, and wearing a size 24 or 2-3X. My highest recorded weight was 278, in 2002. So there's that.
In May 2008, I joined our local gym, thinking that exercise in a controlled environment was the magic formula missing from my success. I lost a little, gained it back. And have done that more times than I can count. One of the guys there once told me that losing weight was 80% diet. I looked him in the eye and vigorously nodded my head in agreement, while scoffing at the notion on the inside. Guess what? He was right, and I've proved him correct. I work my butt off in the gym (not literally, unfortunately) but have little to show for it. If you felt my arms before May 2008, you would feel flab covered by more flab. If you felt them now, you could feel some rock-hard muscles...covered by a thick layer of flab. Not pretty.
While at the gym, I observed the owner, Andy, and another member, Tyler, doing this crazy-looking workout called CrossFit. They tried to encourage me to try it, but again - scoffing. I should really stop that. Andy sort of tricked me into a CrossFit workout in May 2009, and much to my surprise, I absolutely LOVED it. And I've been doing it ever since. Me! A 250 lb woman! Doing that crazy workout stuff! And now I help teach classes.
And now it's time to make some changes in my life and get my large butt in gear. This weight has got to go -- once and for all! I'm tired of all the negativity that goes with being overweight - the depression, the isolation, the lack of self-confidence and self-esteem, the fear, the self-consciousness. All of it has got to go. It's been with me for too long and I want it GONE!
So that's where this blog comes in. I plan to use it to document my journey as a lose this weight through CrossFit and changing my eating habits. This plan starts now.
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