First Workout After Cortisone Shot

So, one thing that got to me on Tuesday, as if sticking a giant needle in my knee wasn't bad enough, was the doctor giving me a nice long lecture about my weight and how every pound extra causes 7 pounds of pressure on your body and that's probably a huge part of my problem.

What I couldn't say to him was that I had lost about 15 pounds between March and July because I was going to the gym at least once a week. But, when this severe pain began, I couldn't walk so I couldn't go to the gym and guess what? I gained it all back. So, since this cortisone, so far, seems to be helping, I went back to the gym today. I brought my clothes with me to go right after work and did some upper body and ab work. I lasted about 25 minutes before my knee started to throb. Although, since it's been almost 6 weeks since I've done any regular exercise, I take that as a pretty good start.

So, tomorrow I work until 8:00 and I'm going to try again. Sunday I have the day off and my fiancé and I are going to visit my parents. My cousins are coming over and so is my friend, Kate, because she's going to dog sit for my sister's wedding. My mom wants her to meet the pups at least once before the day. And, since that day is 22 days away, we have to get on that.

I plan on going to the gym on Monday and Wednesday and Friday, too, as well as the pool on Tuesday because I'm off a lot earlier. Since my rec center also has a weight room, I might take my iPod and do that first and then use the pool as a cool off time. Thursday I'm planning on some much needed best friend time.

Saturday we're doing some sort of combined Bachelor/Bachelorette party with my sister's friends so that will be fun.

Nice thing is, I work 1 full week and then 2 or 3 days and I have over a week and a half off! Vacation time! And, by vacation time, I mean running around like a crazy person time helping with last minute prep for above mentioned wedding.

I hope this shot lasts me through the wedding stuff because I would like to get on the dance floor a little. Although, I know I'll be lying in bed the next day crying, "Everything f***ing hurts! Whyyyy does everything f***ing hurt?" Something that will NOT happen in 2017.

Okay, I have to get back to book writing. Just wanted to do an update on this whole "Not getting surgery" stuff.

Soda Pop Update and Working Out

So... I almost made it through Lent with no pop... Until I had 2 consecutive shifts where I had to work until 1 a.m. Then I needed Mountain Dew like my life depended on it and swigged 4 20 oz. bottles in 2 days time. Not exactly the best thing for me and I still passed out as soon as I got home. But, I was awake enough to drive home late at night and that's all that mattered.

Also, it's been about a month since I joined another gym to try and work out on a somewhat regular basis. The pool at my rec center was broke for a while so I joined Planet Fitness. My friend had been trying to convince me for months so I finally did it. And, once a week, we meet at a location in between where we live. (She lives in Sandusky, I live near Cleveland) We spend about 2 hours doing cardio and weights. She and I both have auto-immune forms of arthritis so we're both trying to strengthen our bodies and drop pounds and try and get healthier. I know she has 3 beautiful reasons to do this, her daughter and 2 adorable boys, all under the age of 10. We both want to live long, happy lives and be with our families until we're crazy, old, and (possibly) senile. So, we've been trying to work really hard.

In other news, I published my book! I will link my author page on Amazon here so you can check out my book in paperback and Kindle, as well as 2 Kindle short stories.

I need to work on updating my blogs more often.
I'll post again soon!
Carey

No More Soda Pop

I've done this before and lasted about a month. I'm trying again with giving up soda pop. (In Ohio, we just call it pop) I am a cherry Pepsi addict. It's ridiculous. I would drink sometimes 2-3 20 oz bottles a day. So, since Wednesday began Lent, I figured this was a good time to start again. This is day 3 and so far I'm doing okay.

I've been finding other things to drink. There's coffee in the Keurig to keep off the caffeine withdrawal headaches. Fortunately, my roommates also like the occasional chocolate milk so I picked up a gallon of that. There is also this sparkling flavored water that I love called Ice. It doesn't have any sugar and no artificial sweeteners so when I want something sweet and fizzy I drink that. It's only good when it's really cold.

I think this will help me a lot. I gained those 9 lbs back already that I had lost. The pop wasn't helping that, I know. My goal is to give it up beyond Lent and see how well I do. I'm hoping this will help me lose the weight I need to feel better and maybe get my RA into remission. I take my medicine and I try to eat right but it's not enough. I'm going to my doctor next week and I know she'll approve of what I'm doing.

It'll take time to reflect on the scale. It's sad how it is nothing to gain weight but it takes forever to lose it. I'll keep you all posted on my progress and let you know what my doctor say next week! I'm off to get ready for my date with my boyfriend. We're going to go see Pride, Prejudice and Zombies tonight. Happy Valentine's Day! :)

Swimming and RA

I got a rec center pass and started swimming whenever I can. I've gone 3 times already. Once before work and I was so sore! I only was in the pool for about 30 minutes but then I worked 8 hours. And I hadn't been to the pool for 2 years so I was feeling it. Then, Wednesday and Friday I went after work. Thought of going today but I need to stay home and get some writing and laundry done. I work late tomorrow so I want to rest up.

I'll gradually increase the amount of time I spend in the pool. I'm starting out with 20/30 minutes, depending on how tired I am. Especially after work. I get so tried that the laps wear me out quickly. My rec center also has limited pool hours right now. So, any water aerobics classes are out of the question right now until they get a full staff to run those classes.

Also, I dug out my scale and am starting to weigh myself regularly. I won't give numbers but I will say if I've lost or gained. For the longest time, I seemed to have plateaued. I couldn't get under this one number. But, then, after not touching the scale for months, I weighed myself Thursday and I'm down 9 lbs! So happy about this! It's my goal to get down one size before my sister's wedding in October. So, I have 8 months. And then another size by my birthday the following year. And then I can dance the night away and not lay in bed the next day crying from pain.

I plan to go nearly every day this week, either before work or after depending on my schedule. And Thursday is weigh-in day #2!