Kicking Things Off Again

Although I've been staying pretty active, I've obviously not been doing a very good job of that on this blog as it's been about 10 months since my last post.  Since I miss writing and don't really have anywhere else left to write (except Facebook posts), this will be it.  Some posts will (hopefully) be informational, but many will probably be just to chronicle my daily activities, as well as keep an accurate timeline/account of several health issues I'm still dealing with.  Lots has happened in the last year or two!

That said, I'm ready to kick it in gear!

~ Marie Anne

On Bended Knee .. or Not

Stock photo by akeg

So ... my knee injury from last September still isn't anywhere near healed.  After more than 7 months, I'm still walking with a severe limp, and while I can bend my leg, I'm extemely limited as to what I can do.  I can't kneel -- not at all, not even to get into my bed on a soft mattress, nor can I lay on my stomach to sleep.  The pain to my kneecap is excruciating, even to the touch.

The original stress fracture was to my tibia (my right shin), and since I'm not experiencing any pain there, I'm sure the fracture has long since healed and that the knee pain is caused by something else.  I suspect effusion (water on the knee), because it feels like jelly and my knee doesn't lock like it should.  It will give way if I'm walking on uneven ground, or if one of my dogs even rubs up against that leg (which 70+ lb Molly loves to do).  It could also be torn meniscus, I suppose, as both of those things were mentioned to me after the initial MRI, but scoffed at by the orthopedist.

I haven't wanted to go back to orthopedics here at the Chillicothe VA because of the ridiculous (lack of) treatment I received there.  I finally gave in and sent a note to my primary care team, told them what I'm feeling and asked that someone review my earlier MRI and x-rays and suggest what to do next.  They were very prompt in their response and said they'd ordered another MRI, which is set up for May 13.  Once we get the report from the radiologist, we'll see about a referral to a different VA,  perhaps Huntington, WV or Dayton.

Exercise is at a standstill since I'm still dealing with limited mobility, which means the weight loss is too.  I'm making a concerted effort to watch the carbs again and hoping that I'll get a proper diagnosis and treatment for my knee and get back on the wagon all the way around.

Wait .. I don't want to ride in the wagon.  I want to walk.  God (and a good orthopedist) willing, I will be again soon.

~ Marie Anne

Bring it On

Like this tree that pushed through rock to
survive, I will push on until I find daylight.

Going on record here that I am taking my life back, in more ways than one.  I was doing pretty well with fitness and weight loss when I started this blog, then blew out my knee in September, which sidelined me completely.  The injury also had me eating all day/every day in order to take several meds necessary to just get through the day.  Almost five months later I'm still not healed, but at least I'm ambulatory, and for that I'm thankful.

Today is about changes.  I want my life back.  I want to get back on the low-carb bandwagon and kick the carb addiction to the curb.  I did it before -- lost 55 lbs in a short time almost effortlessly -- so I know it can be done.  I need to take charge of my life again and quit letting other people and other things determine how I act and react.  I need this not only to improve my health, but also to improve my outlook and feel good about myself.  Enough is enough.

Overweight.  Very high cholesterol.  Staring diabetes in the face and although not formally diagnosed, already seeing negative effects of crazy glucose levels taking a toll on my body.  Can't concentrate.  Emotional basket-case.

No more.  MA is back.

Bring it on.

Here We Go!

Here it is, I'm going on record with how I hope am going to get fit in my fifties.

Where I am now: 55 years old.  Fat.  And unfit.

As a retired Marine, it pains me to say that, but there it is.  I can't change what happened yesterday, or rather, over a period of years, but I CAN change what I do today and will strive to do tomorrow.

I'm a carb addict, and lost over 50 lbs almost effortlessly a few years ago by following a very strict low-carb program.  Unfortunately, when I cheated, I really cheated and the addiction came back with a vengeance, and I ended up gaining back just about everything I'd lost.

Where I want to be:  Healthier.  Thinner.  Kick diabetes to the curb.  Be able to look forward to many more years on this earth and watch my grandchildren grow up (first grandbaby on the way!).  Be someone my sons wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen with.  Feel good about myself.  Be buried in my Dress Blues (but not for a while!).

How I'm going to get there:  I still want to stick with a low-carb diet, but probably won't go with as strict a regimen as I followed before.  I'm going to get off my butt and get more exercise,  mainly by walking with a bit of a jog thrown in, and riding my recumbent bike.  I've started back up with SparkPeople, and I'm determined to use all the tools available to me to make this happen.

I'm going to chronicle my journey on the road to fitness on this blog, hopefully posting something each day.  I'll share my trials, my triumphs, tips and tricks I've found helpful.  I'm moving forward, and not looking back.  I hope you'll come along for the ride.

~ Marie Anne