You Have Entered.... The Twilight Zone.

Katanthus

So... here I am, day 116, sitting drinking a green smoothie. Now, how many of my friends would have heard those words come out of my mouth 5 months ago?

To bring you up to speed, for those of you who haven't read my blog postings. I started my journey on MFP 31st of March this year. I injured my knee pretty badly, and could not walk without excrutiating agony and crutches. My weight back then was 238lb, I HAD to get weight off that knee. I had started to get in the pool, to try to exercise without weight on the knee, but the only way I could swim, was with one leg. Not great, but at least I was exercising. My doctor arranged for me to have physio, and my physio was wonderful. I claim it was her, she claims it was me doing as I was told, and continuring the work at home, but WE managed to get me walking without crutches by January. So... what next. I started to do a few more steps each day, even though walking was still very painful, walking around the supermarket was exhausting, and I would have to ice my knee, and use my TENS unit after the journey.

I decided to look for an app for my Blackberry, one that would help me log the few measly steps I did, with the idea of trying to improve on that count each day. I stumbled across the MFP app. Like many people, I found the website through the app. I had always found in the past, writing down on paper what I ate helped me stay on track.

I started swimming more, and walking more...most of my walking was with Wii Walk it Out, as I did not want to go out walking on my own, stumble and fall, and have an even more serious injury. Walk it Out is actually pretty good for days when you have bad weather too. Before I knew it, I was increasing my steps, and walking a mile or two a day. My distance continued to increase, not only due to Walk it Out, but I bought a Fitbit...I LOVED it..it really does get you moving. About 4 weeks ago.. I lost it, whilst walking in a store. I miss my Fitbit. Well, decisions had to be made... do I replace it, or buy a HRM? Well I decided to leave it a week, and see what I wanted to do. I was driving home one day, and saw a girl running on the oddest things I had ever seen. I decided to do some research, and found out they were Kangoo Jumps. I read and read, and researched, and they sounded like just the things I needed to help keep the strain and impact off my knees.

I ordered them, along with a HRM. Kangoo Jumps have to be experienced, you really can't tell someone how they feel, except to say... I can jump in them, and I can't jump without them.



So, where am I today?

I have a love hate relationship with my bathroom scale... I love it, because it is accurate... no matter how many times you step on and step off.. it gives you the same figure. So, despite it not giving the full picture, it is at least consistent with the lies it tells. As we all know, the bathroom scale does not paint the whole picture.

At the beginning of my journey.. I measured myself.. and was horrified at the measurements... I am still horrified at my measurements.. BUT, here is what I have lost



34lb

Calves 7.5"
Bust 12" (and very happy about it)
Neck 4"
Forearms 4"
Waist 11"
Hips 12"
Thighs 16"
Upper arms 8"

A grand total of 61 inches in 116 days.

15% Body fat ... GONE

Gone from a US size 22, and this last weekend I bought a pair of size 12 jeans.

I have NOT lost weight for over a month now, yet my body fat monitor shows I have lost 1% body fat and I have exercised away 19264 calories away this month, yet NO actual weight loss. I am also convinced, that part of it is due to hormonal changes, because fat loss. It is a scientific fact, that belly fat is the biggest producer of estrogen outside the ovaries, and if you are losing belly fat, your hormones can't help but be all over the place.

I log every morsel of food and drink. I am under my calorie goal each day, watch my sodium, and drink at least 8 glasses of water. I don't drink soda, or coffee.

I now jog/run (in my KJs) for 20 minutes with a average HR of 134bpm. I do about 2.5 -2.8 miles in my 20 minutes. Not fantastic, but not bad for someone who couldn't walk 5 months ago.

I still have a LONNNNNG way to go, and I am frustrated, but not giving up.

I am by no means, the picture of perfect nutrition, and could still make many changes, I am sure.



If you are just starting your journey...

1. measure yourself as soon as you can.

2. log everything you eat

3. there is NO such thing as a "cheat day". Cheating is a shortcut to your goal... you are NOT "cheating", you are lapsing. I do not have a lapse day.

4. Don't just go for hundreds of MFP friends.. quality over quantity... support each other. Don't expect support and not give it.

5. Remember.. despite how accurate your bathroom scales are.. THEY LIE!

6. Use measuring cups and kitchen scales. Your idea of a serving, is probably more than it should be.

7. Keep active!

8. Do DRINK THE WATER!

9. Make small changes at first...and add more. They will become habits. Believe me.

10. Remember... you have choices. How badly do you WANT it? NO EXCUSES!



I wish you all, the very best on your journey to a healthier happier you!

WendyA1119

WOW! That was an awesome post. You have come along way and I love your resolve to keep on going. I especially loved the no Lag day. Great way to put it. Keep it up! You are doing a wonderful job at inventing the new and improved you.

Wendy

carebear7951

What an encouraging, motivating post! You have a great weight loss testimony...talk about no excuses....you had every opportunity to have an excuse with your knee but you did it IN SPITE of your injury! Way to go!

bpwparents

Way to go!! May I ask what you did to your knee? I tore my ACL in two about 7 yrs ago and am afraid to run and have my knee give out. Debated running with my brace but that gets so hot. Did these Kanga's remove some of the impact from running?

goblynn

Thank you for posting.. amazing story!!

susi819

Great inspirational story!! Thank you for posting!!

erojoy

You just inspired me. I ordered my fitbit just now. I'm so pumped!!

Katanthus

Way to go!! May I ask what you did to your knee? I tore my ACL in two about 7 yrs ago and am afraid to run and have my knee give out. Debated running with my brace but that gets so hot. Did these Kanga's remove some of the impact from running?

I fell, and put a major "pothole" in my cartilage. My doctor wanted to see if we could avoid surgery. So far.. we have.

The KJs have removed about 60% of the impact on my knees. I truly can't jump up and down on the spot in tennis shoes.. I can jump up and down on my KJs for 20 minutes or more. I personally believe they have changed my life. I know it sounds crazy, but I was NEVER a jogger/runner before. They are a bit pricey... mine cost $259 (special edition), but knee surgery is far more expensive.

Feel free to message me if you like.

Katanthus

You just inspired me. I ordered my fitbit just now. I'm so pumped!!

I would suggest, tying a ribbon to the top of your Fitbit, and looping it or pinning it to a piece of clothing. Occasionally they fall off, that is how I lost mine.

I think you will LOVE the Fitbit.

Good look, and happy stepping.

fawndam

THANK YOU FOR SHARING!! SO INSPIRING!!!

kgprice11

Great job and post....I especially like the title

Katanthus

Debated running with my brace but that gets so hot. Did these Kanga's remove some of the impact from running?

I found a great knee brace...by Futuro for Women. They actually thought about women actually having more padding on their thighs. It is great for walking, and gives good support, but, as you say "that gets hot".

My Kangoo Jumps were worth the money. Check google for Kangoo Jump classes. Some gyms have KJ aerobic classes, where you can rent them. Most people who try them, usually end up buying some. You can only buy them online at the moment.