Weigh-In August 15 - 21

GaGasheesh

SW: 156
LW: 127.4
TW: 127.5

Oh man. I'm struggling with hunger. It's really hard to keep intake low enough to lose. Ah well. At least I'm keeping it in the proper decade of numbers.

Lois, I'm happy for the good news about your MIL. And, you're getting back to it with food prep, TRX class, etc. Good for you!

Sarah, congratulations to your hubby. You two are very charitable . . a great example and inspiration. Let us know how your PT is going and how you're feeling. Injuries are the worst.

Kelly, aren't you getting tired girl? Winning all the challenges has got to be taking a toll, LOL! You're awesome.

SarahMaxx

LW: 139.6
TW: 139.8

So, essentially flat, which doesn't surprise me. I'm doing okay with logging and intake, but I am still not back up to speed with activity. Part of it is still dealing with the physical effects of the fall. Part is trying to fit in PT and other appointments and still get my work done. Part is feeling the effects of not taking care of some personal business things that are now biting my butt, and some is spending time after work trying to help my sister deal with some family issues. (My parents adopted a child with FASD after my sister and I were grown and gone, and unfortunately, my mother did not prepare him well to survive once she was gone and her day-to-day handling of his affairs ceased.)

But I know that others with plates that are just as full manage to find time, and so can I. I'm just a little down now because added to my plate is the transitioning of my contract to a new company at an awkward time. (Did I ever mention that I have a hard time with change? hahaha!!)

Sorry, I know I sound kind of blah and self-centered at the moment! I'll be back soon in a better frame of mind, I promise.

SarahMaxx

Well, for the fourth night in a row, we had multiple severe thunderstorms that are playing havoc with my driving to the mall (think rain so hard you can hardly see to drive) or my walking outside. I did manage on Tuesday night to walk in the neighborhood in between storms, but last night, I went from work to our homeowners' association meeting, and the first drops from storm number one was falling as we dashed out the door to come home. Our plan had been to go home, grab a bite, go back for a quick dip in the pool, and then walk in the neighborhood. The operative work here is "plan," because the outcome was that we hunkered down as we were lashed with wind and rain and intermittent power interruptions. I have to tell you--between my fall and the weather--this summer has not been the one I would have ordered, given an option.

Because of my insurance change and not knowing what that will entail, I have decided to try the shot to see that will help alleviate the lingering inflammation. I am not entirely comfortable with the decision, but I'm recognizing a real issue that I have with making decisions and taking action. My orthopedic surgeon said that one shot will not hurt me (side effects of cortisone are primarily seen with folks who need numerous injections) and it may help, so I'm going to give it a try. My appointment is tomorrow afternoon. If this doesn't help, then I'll just live with it and hope that over time, it will get better and not worse. Please say a little prayer for better.

GaGasheesh

I'm saying the prayers for you, Sarah. I'll visualize the shot going to exactly the right spot, and cooling, healing light flowing in and washing away the pain and inflammation. I'm sure you'll be fine with the shot. And, keep the PT for as long as your insurance allows. . I'm such a big believer in it. The movement of the body sends nerve stimulus to the brain, and the brain says "Hey, we need to improve this pathway because she is going to keep moving". A silly way to look at it, but I believe it. Take care, and tell us how it goes. I hope the storms let up for you because the pool would probably be great PT too!

Lastchancelj

SW 238
LW 218
TW 217.6

I'm ok with this. It actually went up quite higher on Tuesday and I freaked out...I'm not sure why but whew! I ate closer to plan this week. And I got to both classes as well. I ate all of the lunches I have prepared had fish tacos one day (without the tortilla - this place makes a delicious spicy ono - oh my). today is chipotle per plan. Shopping tonight to ensure I am continued on plan next week and with more focus, I believe I can do this....again.

Sarah - you really should join some of our challenges. Yesterday was incredible as we had several people reach badges - and it;'s fun to see, share and encourage. Sheesh achieved the Earth badge with 7,900 lifetime miles and I received the Russian Railway badge at 5,772 lifetime miles. Imagine if we'd been tracking our steps from the bodybugg days...Wowsers!! And Sheesh had a great comment that we are hard core tracker wearers....hahaha. Do well with the injection. Hubby and friends have had the injections and have found relief so I'm hoping you do as well. I hear ya about the pool...this past week after working out and work I was going to get some noodle time to relax and see if it helped the neck. The water was great but every night, just after I'd get in the wind would kick up and the lighting would arrive...Im not sitting in a pool with lightning. Nope thank you very much. Last night it started as I went out the door. Hoping both of our storm systems move on so we can ejoy the water. And I agree with Sheesh - continue with the PT as long as insurance will cover.

SarahMaxx

Hi, ladies, and thanks Sheesh and Lois for sending me good vibes! And Lois--I agree. No sitting in pools with lightning. Our guards close our pools the second they see one flash, which I think it a bit much, but we've had so many storms that are so violent this year and they come up so fast, that I really can't fault them.

Well, here's the scope on my epidural. The pain management doctor said that since I can manage the main now with OTC meds, he recommended that I not have the shot today.

The orthopedic doc said the injected cortisone might alleviate the remaining inflammation and let the nerve heal some more, but the pain specialist said the shots usually do not do much to relieve numbness and lack of function, which are my main issues now, and so given the potential for side effects, he'd give it more time.

Odd how one doctor thinks one way, and the other another--but I'd rather err on the side of being conservative. It was hard for me to make the decision to go when I saw that all the questions on the paperwork had to do with severe pain. But I'm glad I did go, because if I had not, I would have kept wondering if I had gone would the numbness and function be better. So it was a trip for education, not for improvement!

The pain doctor also mentioned that with nerves, sometimes it takes many months and perhaps a year for the maximum healing to occur. I think maybe one of you mentioned that to me back when I first learned that I had this neck injury, too.

I asked him at continuing PT, and he said that he thought the home exercises I am doing should suffice and that perhaps I'd like to take up piano for the finger movement. I had to chuckle since I may look like an old woman, but man--I type like a fiend for many hours a day and have the fat desk butt to prove it. LOL

I am having a bit of new pain in my shoulders, though, that I think is being caused by stress. I just learned that the health insurance for my new company goes up every year by age and the company pays a maximum amount regardless of your age. So younger staff get a good deal, and the handful of us older ones are taking a bath! My portion will be almost $800 a month. And that is not a family plan. It's one individual.

Lastchancelj

Sarah - good news on the shot front. the only thing I disagree with is the home exercise routine. I highly encourage PT because we are NOT GOOD at doing our home exercises as completely or as intensely as when at the PT office. So that is the only thing I would contest. Man your insurance rates stink!! Can you look for a private plan for cost comparison? That's what I'd be doing.

Ate very close to plan all weekend. AND, I tested out my new pressure cooker. Based on some conversations with friends with time issues, they recommended the InstantPot pressure cooker. It did NOT save me time this weekend, only because I'm still getting used to it and made six chicken breasts three different ways to AND I kept looking up ideas while one item was cooking. In two and half hours I cooked chicken from frozen with broth and italian herbs (was decent, but not my fav - could do in a pinch...done in 17 minutes). Chicken defrosted but not marinaded and browned...cooked in 10 minutes, and chicken defrosted, marinated, then browned - three breasts 11 minutes - my favorite version. Following the chicken, and using the same water, steamed a large batch of zuchhini, squash pepers and onions - Super delish - 12 mins - 2lb sirloin roast, browned in same pan with potatoes and onions - 18 minuttes and that was overcooked...so will try it again with remaining 2lbs next weekend for 12 minutes and then go from there. Two large artichokes - 12 mins. I'm telling ya...I was a busy gal....and I'm ready for this week. Lunch is made and I'm ready to cook dinner in a pinch now that I've tested this baby out. do I recommend....not sure yet if this was easier than my grilling...I'll let you know in a couple of weeks. Also has a bluetooth phone app that I can delay start before I leave the house.

Sheesh - you rocked the steps this weekend!!

SarahMaxx

Hi, ladies. If Sheesh rocked the steps this weekend, I did the opposite. On Saturday, we took a little day trip to just get out of town and go somewhere that's a little less hectic. We drove up to Gettysburg, PA. We didn't do the battlegrounds/tourist stuff. We just rode around town and into some of the residential areas, and we stopped at an Amish farm and bought some amazing hanging baskets of flowers to replace some of ours that getting that "end of summer" look.

Yesterday, I did walk--but it was mostly in the pool, so I got no credit on my fitbit. I have a neighbor with back problems that make my neck issue look like small potatoes, and he walks in the pool every day. Since my walking buddy was not available for mall walking and it was too darned hot to walk outside, I joined him. We got in about 40 minutes of walking before the guards started taking down the umbrellas. Yep. It was another two-storm day. We are truly having two and sometimes three thunderstorms a day.

Lois, a number of years ago, I used a pressure cooker like the one we probably all remember our Moms having, and I found that if I cooked beans or some type of meat dish where it's okay to cook the meat well-done, it did pretty well. I haven't used one of the newer ones, but I've certainly thought about it since I often don't consider dinner until it's almost dinner time. Keep us advised on what you think about your new one. Sounds like you made some good progress toward your eating plan for the week.

Regarding insurance, I tried going up on the Maryland Health Exchange several times on Friday to check on a policy that I would just buy for myself. It's open season, and it may be volume, but the darn thing froze on me every time I tried entering information. And we're supposed to have the model website for the Nation. Right!

I finally decided to just turn in my job app to this new company this morning (time is running out) and ask for a little more money to help offset this extra cost. I don't mind making the same, i.e., not getting a cost of living raise, if I can just not end up with a lot less in my paycheck.

Well, my late lunch break is coming to an end. Hope that everyone finds time to check in this week. Helps to keep me motivated.

Lastchancelj

Oh ladies how I wish today was my weigh in. But alas it is not until Friday. Hoping and praying and working to maintain this morning's weight for Friday! Ate per plan, made it to TRX to get my rumpus kicked (I'm lasting a little bit longer in round 2 of each class so I am seeing some progress). Oh, and I made more artichokes last night - they were quite tasty. Threw them in the pressure cooker while I took quick shower to clean up and they were ready. Not an hour...only about 20 mins. Climbed into bed EXHAUSTED only to check my fitbit and I still needed 200+ steps for my 10k...up I got and finished them all. slept quite soundly afterwards.