I hit the YMCA Healthy Living Center to workout with Gwyn today. Did I mention she rocks? :)
She had me beating the heavy bag again, it's always a great release. Tons of sweat, thumping, anger and heavy breathing rolled into something constructive. She keeps telling her son he would like it - she's right. Imagine teenage aggression channeled!
That's why the Des Moines Police Department has had great success with their boxing club. It takes kids off the streets and away from senseless violence and gives them a way to put their fists to real use. It's really too bad that budget cuts have caused them to have to cut the program. Some great company like Everlast or Coca-Cola (Gatorade) should sponsor the program and ask for naming rights. (Just sayin'.)
As for me, my arms end up like jell-o and my heart races, I never have to wonder if I have 'worked' - oh, I have worked! The only real problem for me is my kicking. I am getting into that part because my knee is handling more output, but my hips are another story. Gwyn had me try side kicks today - um, no.
My hip flexors are so tight I thought I was going to rip something. I tried the right leg too, thinking the left was the only problem because of my knee - um, no. It didn't put me in as much pain as the left, but it still got really cranky. The left side is still sore. So, when I go to PT with Kristi next week, I will have to talk to her about that.
And about my left shoulder. LOL. It's always my left, if anyone can explain that, please do. My left shoulder has some kind of connector on the top that just feels like a knife is going through it depending on what I am doing. Push-ups are okay, unless I have down arm raises first. Today it was keeping my arms up for jabs that started the pain. Yes, half the time I feel like a broken toy. :0
But that said, I won't let these measly pains stop me, there is much work to be done and I am up to the task.
Yours in Health,
Kate
Showing posts with label PT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PT. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
There is little more satisfying than yard work
I have avoided yard work since my knee flared up. It seemed a poor choice considering I was in pain and could only make it worse. So, I started physical therapy with Kristi and the gang at the YMCA Healthy Living Center with a couple of goals - do stairs without pain, making workouts less painful, be able to do yard work without fear of injury and run. I can say I think we have accomplished one through three.
My knee hurts a little this morning, but compared to a couple of months ago I am sitting pretty. You see I didn't just pull weeds yesterday... I mowed - we have a corner lot that is raised, so the upper part of the lawn slopes down - that's a lot of strain on the knee. I weed whacked. I walked the yard spraying weed killer. I wanted to do more, but it was getting late.
In fact, I could work in the yard until dark every night. It is one of the few chores that has instant results. If I get a chance tonight there are a couple of quick things I have planned as well. Though it may rain, we will see.
My other event for tonight is Intuitive Eating at the Mercy Weight Loss and Nutrition Center. We didn't meet last week because of the holiday, so it will be good to get back into the groove. Well, I better roll. Have a good day!
Yours in Health,
Kate
My knee hurts a little this morning, but compared to a couple of months ago I am sitting pretty. You see I didn't just pull weeds yesterday... I mowed - we have a corner lot that is raised, so the upper part of the lawn slopes down - that's a lot of strain on the knee. I weed whacked. I walked the yard spraying weed killer. I wanted to do more, but it was getting late.
In fact, I could work in the yard until dark every night. It is one of the few chores that has instant results. If I get a chance tonight there are a couple of quick things I have planned as well. Though it may rain, we will see.
My other event for tonight is Intuitive Eating at the Mercy Weight Loss and Nutrition Center. We didn't meet last week because of the holiday, so it will be good to get back into the groove. Well, I better roll. Have a good day!
Yours in Health,
Kate
Friday, June 4, 2010
Finally Friday
I don't know about you, but even though this was a 'short week' due to the holiday, it has felt awfully long. I have to work both Saturday and Sunday but I am going to try to keep it under four hours each day and hopefully that will boost my attitude.
I am finishing the web articles today for Outstanding Women. I have decided to do shorter ones for the web and more details for !ntuition Magazine. That means I can more details about the women and that's a very good thing because it's hard to summarize amazing women in just 300 words. :)
My need to write 90%of my day means I will not be working out today. But I will be making up for it tomorrow. As soon as I am done with work I am going to hit the YMCA Healthy Living Center and spend quality time beating the bag and doing cardio. Trainer Gwyn and I agreed it is time to step up cardio. It's one of the reasons the scale isn't moving much. I am putting on muscle and losing inches, but the fat isn't shedding at the rate we might hope, so it's time to work harder.
That is actually right on track with my knee. Therapist Kristi and I agreed to take my PT down to every other week unless something happens and I end up in pain. It means more exercises at home and increasing what I do with Gwyn, but I am excited, because it also means that running will be a real possibility once I get enough weight off. (I can't go pounding on my knee at this weight.)
Tonight I am doing a remote broadcast at the Blank Park Zoo, it is their first Family Fun Night of the year. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Right now though I better hit the shower - I stayed home this morning to write. Yea for writing in my nightgown!
Have a good day!
Yours in Health,
Kate
I am finishing the web articles today for Outstanding Women. I have decided to do shorter ones for the web and more details for !ntuition Magazine. That means I can more details about the women and that's a very good thing because it's hard to summarize amazing women in just 300 words. :)
My need to write 90%of my day means I will not be working out today. But I will be making up for it tomorrow. As soon as I am done with work I am going to hit the YMCA Healthy Living Center and spend quality time beating the bag and doing cardio. Trainer Gwyn and I agreed it is time to step up cardio. It's one of the reasons the scale isn't moving much. I am putting on muscle and losing inches, but the fat isn't shedding at the rate we might hope, so it's time to work harder.
That is actually right on track with my knee. Therapist Kristi and I agreed to take my PT down to every other week unless something happens and I end up in pain. It means more exercises at home and increasing what I do with Gwyn, but I am excited, because it also means that running will be a real possibility once I get enough weight off. (I can't go pounding on my knee at this weight.)
Tonight I am doing a remote broadcast at the Blank Park Zoo, it is their first Family Fun Night of the year. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. Right now though I better hit the shower - I stayed home this morning to write. Yea for writing in my nightgown!
Have a good day!
Yours in Health,
Kate
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Okay, Grease Bad and Back on Track
Well, lesson learned - no more pure grease items going into my body, even if they are homemade. I am feeling better today. In fact, I had some bread and veggies last night and it helped settle things down.
Today, I am working as fast as I can. I have to write all of the articles for LITE 104.1's Outstanding Women You Should Know. I have crammed as much as possible into my morning. Now I am headed off to physical therapy at the YMCA Healthy Living Center. They have taken my therapy down to once a week unless I have a set back.
My food is back on track too. Mainly because I am too busy to be 'bad'. LOL. No, seriously, I am just watching my food like I need to to feel well and energized.
I better get to therapy, so I am not late.
Yours in Health,
Kate
Today, I am working as fast as I can. I have to write all of the articles for LITE 104.1's Outstanding Women You Should Know. I have crammed as much as possible into my morning. Now I am headed off to physical therapy at the YMCA Healthy Living Center. They have taken my therapy down to once a week unless I have a set back.
My food is back on track too. Mainly because I am too busy to be 'bad'. LOL. No, seriously, I am just watching my food like I need to to feel well and energized.
I better get to therapy, so I am not late.
Yours in Health,
Kate
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Trying to keep up with Myself
My day started at 3 a.m., I had to run the broadcast for Ken & Colleen's Kids, our Children's Miracle Network Radiothon on STAR 102.5. It's a great cause, the program helps make the kids more comfortable while they often fight rare or life-threatening diseases at the University of Iowa Hospitals. If you would like to give, call 1-800-456-2772. All money raised stays in Iowa. So, I ran the board, then off to do two interviews for LITE 104.1's Outstanding Women You Should Know.
Then to PT with Kristi at the YMCA Healthy Living Center. We agreed that I have made great progress. In fact, after my hard weekend last week, I did very well with pain, it was a huge step forward! So, we are cutting back to once a week. They will happily tape my knee between visits if I need it. But otherwise I am going to continue my exercises on my own and my workouts with Gwyn and hope to keep moving forward. Yea!
After PT I went back to work to finish up a couple of hours and then headed off to my third interview of the day for Outstanding Women. (These are last year's awesome women.) The point behind OW is to acknowledge the women who are the fabric of our community, the ones who work behind the scenes and are unsung. It's a real honor to meet these women and get them to open up about their stories. They are always flabbergasted that anyone thinks of them this way and don't' believe they are really out of the ordinary. But they really are a wonderful part of our community.
The website will be updated a week from Monday with our 2010 Women and then they will make an appearance in a special section in the next !ntuition Magazine. BTW - This a is a great way to directly market to women, call our director of publishing Kari Elbert if you are interested in putting an ad in the issue.
Well, I better go, another way too early morning tomorrow.
Yours in Health,
Kate
Then to PT with Kristi at the YMCA Healthy Living Center. We agreed that I have made great progress. In fact, after my hard weekend last week, I did very well with pain, it was a huge step forward! So, we are cutting back to once a week. They will happily tape my knee between visits if I need it. But otherwise I am going to continue my exercises on my own and my workouts with Gwyn and hope to keep moving forward. Yea!
After PT I went back to work to finish up a couple of hours and then headed off to my third interview of the day for Outstanding Women. (These are last year's awesome women.) The point behind OW is to acknowledge the women who are the fabric of our community, the ones who work behind the scenes and are unsung. It's a real honor to meet these women and get them to open up about their stories. They are always flabbergasted that anyone thinks of them this way and don't' believe they are really out of the ordinary. But they really are a wonderful part of our community.
The website will be updated a week from Monday with our 2010 Women and then they will make an appearance in a special section in the next !ntuition Magazine. BTW - This a is a great way to directly market to women, call our director of publishing Kari Elbert if you are interested in putting an ad in the issue.
Well, I better go, another way too early morning tomorrow.
Yours in Health,
Kate
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Spinning Just Within My Control
I am having the kind of week where, if I don't have a note telling me where to be next, I will forget everything. So, sorry I forgot to blog yesterday, it's getting crazy.
Quick workout updates with Gwyn at YMCA Healthy Living Center: Monday was lots of upper body, tough but good. Tuesday was a morning water workout when I confused my times for physical therapy and refused to waste a trip to Clive. Then with Gwyn in the afternoon it was kickboxing and core, still loving boxing - even used my new gloves. Today it was lower body and some core and to be honest, compared to the other two days this week, it was easy. However, the first two were really hard, so it's all relative.
My dad is doing well post operation for his hip. Thank you for the kind words via e-mail and post. He is doing two PT sessions today, so he will be exhausted tonight. I am so busy I am probably not going to get to Mercy West Lakes to see him. The good news is he is on track to check out tomorrow. BTW - I wanted to share my opinion of Mercy WL really quickly. Now, no one has asked me too, but I have to gush.
What a beautiful facility! It's actually visitor friendly, you can find that cafe and the patient rooms are the nicest I have seen. I am really impressed. Plus, the staff are a great bunch of pros and really on top of things. I have felt completely comfortable with my dad being there. I even rested my eyes for a few minutes in the lobby on his floor when he needed some privacy and it was so serene I nearly fell asleep - not what I think of when it comes to a hospital.
As for me, my PT went well this morning. I was noting to Kara that after a weekend that went like mine, my knee would normally be screaming, if I could walk at all. Now, after just a few weeks of therapy, it is a bit sore, but that's it. I'm not finished yet, but I feel like I can see the sign to find the end of the tunnel.
Well, I have to go, I have two interviews I need to do this afternoon for LITE 104.1's Outstanding Women You Should Know. I will tell you more about that as soon as I get chance.
Yours in Health,
Kate
Quick workout updates with Gwyn at YMCA Healthy Living Center: Monday was lots of upper body, tough but good. Tuesday was a morning water workout when I confused my times for physical therapy and refused to waste a trip to Clive. Then with Gwyn in the afternoon it was kickboxing and core, still loving boxing - even used my new gloves. Today it was lower body and some core and to be honest, compared to the other two days this week, it was easy. However, the first two were really hard, so it's all relative.
My dad is doing well post operation for his hip. Thank you for the kind words via e-mail and post. He is doing two PT sessions today, so he will be exhausted tonight. I am so busy I am probably not going to get to Mercy West Lakes to see him. The good news is he is on track to check out tomorrow. BTW - I wanted to share my opinion of Mercy WL really quickly. Now, no one has asked me too, but I have to gush.
What a beautiful facility! It's actually visitor friendly, you can find that cafe and the patient rooms are the nicest I have seen. I am really impressed. Plus, the staff are a great bunch of pros and really on top of things. I have felt completely comfortable with my dad being there. I even rested my eyes for a few minutes in the lobby on his floor when he needed some privacy and it was so serene I nearly fell asleep - not what I think of when it comes to a hospital.
As for me, my PT went well this morning. I was noting to Kara that after a weekend that went like mine, my knee would normally be screaming, if I could walk at all. Now, after just a few weeks of therapy, it is a bit sore, but that's it. I'm not finished yet, but I feel like I can see the sign to find the end of the tunnel.
Well, I have to go, I have two interviews I need to do this afternoon for LITE 104.1's Outstanding Women You Should Know. I will tell you more about that as soon as I get chance.
Yours in Health,
Kate
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Pushing the Knee
I met with Kristi at the YMCA Healthy Living Center for physical therapy today. She took me upstairs to try my knee on the bike. I was surprised it was relatively pain free. Then we tried some other exercises. One of the ones that really pushed my luck was standing on one leg on a balance disc. My hips are so twisted that to have the least amount of pain in my knee, I had to stand sort of sideways.
Kristi believes my hips are a big part of the problem. The way they align, when I lay down my feet go out to the side instead of staying straight up and down, like normal people. She did a lot of stretches and realigning to work on that. One area that stretched as well was my left calf, which has also become a problem. She said that is because it's trying to make up for the weakness in my knee. It's a busy place in my left leg. LOL.
After I was done with PT it was on to the pool for a workout. You wouldn't believe the amount of effort it takes to move weights through water or do crunches in the water. It's pretty cool and by the time I am done I know I have worked out.
Yours in Health,
Kate
Kristi believes my hips are a big part of the problem. The way they align, when I lay down my feet go out to the side instead of staying straight up and down, like normal people. She did a lot of stretches and realigning to work on that. One area that stretched as well was my left calf, which has also become a problem. She said that is because it's trying to make up for the weakness in my knee. It's a busy place in my left leg. LOL.
After I was done with PT it was on to the pool for a workout. You wouldn't believe the amount of effort it takes to move weights through water or do crunches in the water. It's pretty cool and by the time I am done I know I have worked out.
Yours in Health,
Kate
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Make the Big Bag Pay
Another busy day... Why do I even point that out anymore? :)
I did physical therapy at 6:30 this morning with Kara at the YMCA Healthy Living Center. I feel like I am making great strides. Certainly taping my knee cap so it makes my inner quad fire is helping immensely. The other day I went up the stairs at home without thinking about it. I take that as a major victory!
Then in the afternoon it was a meet-up with Gwyn at HLC. She took me in and we did boxing. Man I love that. Everything has conspired against my getting to buy gloves these last couple of weeks, but it absolutely will get done this week some time. I want to be beating that bag more often. Gwyn noted I wasn't as mad yesterday because the bag mainly stayed in one place. LOL. That doesn't mean I held back at all.
In between rounds of punching the bag I do lower body moves to keep my heart rate up and it becomes a solid cardio experience. Awesome! I highly recommend it for great cardio and attitude adjustment.
Afterward I rushed back to work to finish my day. Ran home and watched my friend Karess' daughter Rhiannon for an hour. (She's the sweetest little girl - 2) And then changed and went to South Pacific. It was wonderful. The revival came straight from Broadway and is worth being a little tired in the morning.
If you get a chance, check it out. It's at the Civic Center through Sunday. Two highlights for me were the guy who played Billis and the baritone that played Emile. The actor who played Billis became the character. Emile had a baritone that made every woman in the audience sigh. It was really wonderful.
Yours in Health,
Kate
I did physical therapy at 6:30 this morning with Kara at the YMCA Healthy Living Center. I feel like I am making great strides. Certainly taping my knee cap so it makes my inner quad fire is helping immensely. The other day I went up the stairs at home without thinking about it. I take that as a major victory!
Then in the afternoon it was a meet-up with Gwyn at HLC. She took me in and we did boxing. Man I love that. Everything has conspired against my getting to buy gloves these last couple of weeks, but it absolutely will get done this week some time. I want to be beating that bag more often. Gwyn noted I wasn't as mad yesterday because the bag mainly stayed in one place. LOL. That doesn't mean I held back at all.
In between rounds of punching the bag I do lower body moves to keep my heart rate up and it becomes a solid cardio experience. Awesome! I highly recommend it for great cardio and attitude adjustment.
Afterward I rushed back to work to finish my day. Ran home and watched my friend Karess' daughter Rhiannon for an hour. (She's the sweetest little girl - 2) And then changed and went to South Pacific. It was wonderful. The revival came straight from Broadway and is worth being a little tired in the morning.
If you get a chance, check it out. It's at the Civic Center through Sunday. Two highlights for me were the guy who played Billis and the baritone that played Emile. The actor who played Billis became the character. Emile had a baritone that made every woman in the audience sigh. It was really wonderful.
Yours in Health,
Kate
Friday, May 14, 2010
What a Week!
I apologize for not posting since Monday, but I have had my worst week in a while.
Tuesday I was feeling better, so I worked, worked out with Gwyn, did physical therapy with Kristi and then went to the dentist. I had my teeth cleaned and then headed to the mall to return some shoes. I was just sitting down to try on a different pair when - WHAM! My heart started racing.
I tried to breathe my way through it. I tried to write it off as an asthma attack (which happens maybe one every couple of years). Then it was anxiety, I tried for deeper breaths. Finally, 10 minutes in to this I realized - there was no 'getting over' this, I needed assistance.
I asked the clerk to just return the shoes. She asked if I was o.k., I said I just wasn't feeling well and staggered from the store. I knew I was a 4 minute drive from Mercy West Lakes Hospital and in my mind it was much faster to drive there than wait for an ambulance, especially because I had no idea what was happening to me. So yes, I did something I am now advising you not to do - I drove myself to the hospital.
By the time I arrived I was ready to pass out. My breathing was shallow and my heart was going so fast, I thought it would explode. It was more hard flutters than actual beats as my hands and feet started to feel numb and I began slurring my words.
The nurse rushed me into the treatment room and soon there was a whir of activity surrounding me. Megan the RN and Dr. Smith had a brief discussion after reviewing my symptoms and tests. Dr. Smith then told me he believed it was supraventricular tachycardia. It's a heart rhythm disorder that can strike out of nowhere. It had driven my heart rate over 200 beats per minute. (Example - Average resting heart rate 80-90.)
Dr. Smith told me he was going to give me a medication that would slow my heart down, but it would feel kind of like a truck going through me. He pushed the drug into my IV and guess what? Very right. But the first dose didn't work and he had to double it for the next round. That really smarted and my left side felt like it ceased to exist. But my heart rate slowly lowered to about 100 over the next ten to fifteen minutes.
They kept me for observation for a few hours and then sent me home with instructions. They told me this was probably brought on by stress and lack of sleep. It can affect anyone from birth to 99. It can also happen with too much caffeine, but oddly, I don't drink enough for that to be the issue. :) So, instead they told me to rest and then resume my regular schedule as I felt o.k.
To say it scared the crap out of me is an understatement. I stayed home Wednesday and did my best to sleep. To be honest, it was a bit daunting to lay down and close my eyes after my heart was so out of control. Then yesterday, I slowly worked my way back in. I worked and took two naps in between. I did go to physical therapy and did a water workout as well, and here is why...
I have been down this road too many times. I just get things moving in the right direction and something stupid happens. I have, in the past, been rear ended in my car, injured my knee, had cancer scares, etc. I refuse to let this be an excuse. I refuse to stop, I have to keep going.
Dr. Smith said I could do just that. I don't have to give anything up. This could happen again or it could never happen again. If it becomes an ongoing thing, then I will have to be treated in another way. When I look back I can name small incidences of this, but they only lasted a few minutes and I wrote them off. SVT is not life-threatening, but it has to be treated. O.k., so now that I know what it was, I know how to deal with it.
Honestly, I am a little skittish. Every time I have an ache or something 'moves' oddly, I get nervous. I will work on that. But I will do it while I am working on the rest of me. So, this afternoon I am going to run the other errand I was going to on Tuesday when this all happened - getting my own pair of boxing gloves, look out heavy bag!
Yours in Health,
Kate
Tuesday I was feeling better, so I worked, worked out with Gwyn, did physical therapy with Kristi and then went to the dentist. I had my teeth cleaned and then headed to the mall to return some shoes. I was just sitting down to try on a different pair when - WHAM! My heart started racing.
I tried to breathe my way through it. I tried to write it off as an asthma attack (which happens maybe one every couple of years). Then it was anxiety, I tried for deeper breaths. Finally, 10 minutes in to this I realized - there was no 'getting over' this, I needed assistance.
I asked the clerk to just return the shoes. She asked if I was o.k., I said I just wasn't feeling well and staggered from the store. I knew I was a 4 minute drive from Mercy West Lakes Hospital and in my mind it was much faster to drive there than wait for an ambulance, especially because I had no idea what was happening to me. So yes, I did something I am now advising you not to do - I drove myself to the hospital.
By the time I arrived I was ready to pass out. My breathing was shallow and my heart was going so fast, I thought it would explode. It was more hard flutters than actual beats as my hands and feet started to feel numb and I began slurring my words.
The nurse rushed me into the treatment room and soon there was a whir of activity surrounding me. Megan the RN and Dr. Smith had a brief discussion after reviewing my symptoms and tests. Dr. Smith then told me he believed it was supraventricular tachycardia. It's a heart rhythm disorder that can strike out of nowhere. It had driven my heart rate over 200 beats per minute. (Example - Average resting heart rate 80-90.)
Dr. Smith told me he was going to give me a medication that would slow my heart down, but it would feel kind of like a truck going through me. He pushed the drug into my IV and guess what? Very right. But the first dose didn't work and he had to double it for the next round. That really smarted and my left side felt like it ceased to exist. But my heart rate slowly lowered to about 100 over the next ten to fifteen minutes.
They kept me for observation for a few hours and then sent me home with instructions. They told me this was probably brought on by stress and lack of sleep. It can affect anyone from birth to 99. It can also happen with too much caffeine, but oddly, I don't drink enough for that to be the issue. :) So, instead they told me to rest and then resume my regular schedule as I felt o.k.
To say it scared the crap out of me is an understatement. I stayed home Wednesday and did my best to sleep. To be honest, it was a bit daunting to lay down and close my eyes after my heart was so out of control. Then yesterday, I slowly worked my way back in. I worked and took two naps in between. I did go to physical therapy and did a water workout as well, and here is why...
I have been down this road too many times. I just get things moving in the right direction and something stupid happens. I have, in the past, been rear ended in my car, injured my knee, had cancer scares, etc. I refuse to let this be an excuse. I refuse to stop, I have to keep going.
Dr. Smith said I could do just that. I don't have to give anything up. This could happen again or it could never happen again. If it becomes an ongoing thing, then I will have to be treated in another way. When I look back I can name small incidences of this, but they only lasted a few minutes and I wrote them off. SVT is not life-threatening, but it has to be treated. O.k., so now that I know what it was, I know how to deal with it.
Honestly, I am a little skittish. Every time I have an ache or something 'moves' oddly, I get nervous. I will work on that. But I will do it while I am working on the rest of me. So, this afternoon I am going to run the other errand I was going to on Tuesday when this all happened - getting my own pair of boxing gloves, look out heavy bag!
Yours in Health,
Kate
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Yo, Time to Wrap!
Wow. That was lame. What I am actually referring to is I met with Physical Therapist Kristi today at the YMCA and we took a hard look at my knee.
The past week or so some pain has returned and on Tuesday during PT with Kara it got caught or hyper-extended or something and really hurt. Kristi was concerned maybe there is something more going on, beyond the scope of PT.
But we talked it through today and are working under the idea that it's probably natural with the amount of scar tissue I have under the skin and around the knee. Add that to the fact that my quad is still quite wimpy and the two are most likely the real problem.
At the end of our session Kristi wrapped my knee with some tape. The goal is to keep the knee cap in the correct position so the inner part of my quad has no choice but to train to take over its job again. I have had my knee wrapped before and it hurt. But Kristi did it right and unless I am going upstairs, I am nearly pain free - pretty awesome.
Again, it was a case of Kristi explaining the benefits to me and working with me to make things right. It's so refreshing to be treated like a partner in my recovery and I have to be honest, it motivates me greatly. I do my exercises like a good girl and everything. :)
Yours in Health,
Kate
The past week or so some pain has returned and on Tuesday during PT with Kara it got caught or hyper-extended or something and really hurt. Kristi was concerned maybe there is something more going on, beyond the scope of PT.
But we talked it through today and are working under the idea that it's probably natural with the amount of scar tissue I have under the skin and around the knee. Add that to the fact that my quad is still quite wimpy and the two are most likely the real problem.
At the end of our session Kristi wrapped my knee with some tape. The goal is to keep the knee cap in the correct position so the inner part of my quad has no choice but to train to take over its job again. I have had my knee wrapped before and it hurt. But Kristi did it right and unless I am going upstairs, I am nearly pain free - pretty awesome.
Again, it was a case of Kristi explaining the benefits to me and working with me to make things right. It's so refreshing to be treated like a partner in my recovery and I have to be honest, it motivates me greatly. I do my exercises like a good girl and everything. :)
Yours in Health,
Kate
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Noodle Arms
It was water therapy with Kara today and training with Gywn at the Mercy/YMCA Healthy Living Center. By the time I stepped out of the water with Kara, my legs were nearly limp. Then it was upstairs for upper body with Gwyn. When I say 'noodle arms', I am really not kidding.
Even typing now I feel like I am pushing myself. LOL. I even whined today. In fact, I found my whole arms and shoulder thing pretty funny or at least I kept breaking out in laughter. I hope Gwyn didn't think I had gone 'round the bend. I mainly laughed for two reasons: 1. Look how far my athletic self had fallen. 2. If you don't laugh, you might cry.
I remember being so proud of my 'guns' - read: very muscular arms. Now using the green band makes my arms feel like jelly. Besides, I have to laugh at my lack of fitness or I might cry at how far I have gone downhill and that won't do.
I have sworn that even on the days I am aching or particularly bad at an assigned exercise, I will do the workout anyway. Don't get me wrong, if it hurts to the point of potential injury - it isn't happening. But if it's just good 'ol lack of faith in my abilities, too bad, I am moving forward, not back.
I want my healthy, athletic self back more than I want to give in and really that's the key for everyone when it comes to this kind of journey you have to WANT it. You have to want the smaller size pants more than the super size fries. You have to want to not get winded walking up the stairs more than you want to surf the couch. You have to want to look in the mirror and be proud, more than you want that brownie. (Oh, wait, or is that just me?)
I want me back. Not the me from pre-July 2006 (she was unhappy and morbidly obese). I want the me circa May 2008. She was happy and confident and had given up obsessing over the number on the scale. That me understood it was how she felt and whether she was healthy. I am on a path to be that me again very soon - noodle arms be damned. :)
Yours in Health,
Kate
Even typing now I feel like I am pushing myself. LOL. I even whined today. In fact, I found my whole arms and shoulder thing pretty funny or at least I kept breaking out in laughter. I hope Gwyn didn't think I had gone 'round the bend. I mainly laughed for two reasons: 1. Look how far my athletic self had fallen. 2. If you don't laugh, you might cry.
I remember being so proud of my 'guns' - read: very muscular arms. Now using the green band makes my arms feel like jelly. Besides, I have to laugh at my lack of fitness or I might cry at how far I have gone downhill and that won't do.
I have sworn that even on the days I am aching or particularly bad at an assigned exercise, I will do the workout anyway. Don't get me wrong, if it hurts to the point of potential injury - it isn't happening. But if it's just good 'ol lack of faith in my abilities, too bad, I am moving forward, not back.
I want my healthy, athletic self back more than I want to give in and really that's the key for everyone when it comes to this kind of journey you have to WANT it. You have to want the smaller size pants more than the super size fries. You have to want to not get winded walking up the stairs more than you want to surf the couch. You have to want to look in the mirror and be proud, more than you want that brownie. (Oh, wait, or is that just me?)
I want me back. Not the me from pre-July 2006 (she was unhappy and morbidly obese). I want the me circa May 2008. She was happy and confident and had given up obsessing over the number on the scale. That me understood it was how she felt and whether she was healthy. I am on a path to be that me again very soon - noodle arms be damned. :)
Yours in Health,
Kate
Monday, April 26, 2010
Oops.
Well, just found out technology and I aren't as friendly as we should be. I have been busy this weekend, so I was 'mobile posting' - e-mailing my posts to the site. Well, I didn't read the fine print, it doesn't publish until I retrieve a code and enter it, then it goes live. So, it looks like I haven't posted since Thursday. Lesson learned. I will be going to find the codes that were e-mailed back to me so I can make them live.
In the mean time, here is today:
Knee is sore because, I think, I made the mistake of wearing old shoes yesterday to go buy new shoes. Not irony, but silly. So, Physical Therapist Kristi at the YMCA Healthy Living Center worked with me and when the water therapy pushed the knee she changed up what I was doing. That's so nice to not have someone just tell me to 'push on'.
Then I went for a workout with Personal Trainer Gwyn. She had been updated on my knee, so she switched up from what would have been a lower body day to an upper body day. If she weren't in the same building with Kristi, that would never have been communicated. So, even in my continued fog, I was able to get in a nice workout.
Well, I better go figure out how to fix what I didn't know was broken. Maybe I should read my own blog once in a while. ;)
Yours in Health,
Kate
In the mean time, here is today:
Knee is sore because, I think, I made the mistake of wearing old shoes yesterday to go buy new shoes. Not irony, but silly. So, Physical Therapist Kristi at the YMCA Healthy Living Center worked with me and when the water therapy pushed the knee she changed up what I was doing. That's so nice to not have someone just tell me to 'push on'.
Then I went for a workout with Personal Trainer Gwyn. She had been updated on my knee, so she switched up from what would have been a lower body day to an upper body day. If she weren't in the same building with Kristi, that would never have been communicated. So, even in my continued fog, I was able to get in a nice workout.
Well, I better go figure out how to fix what I didn't know was broken. Maybe I should read my own blog once in a while. ;)
Yours in Health,
Kate
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Working Away...
I'm finally going to leave work. I still need to go home and edit a couple of stories for the next Intuition Magazine, but I now have everything at a workable level. The next few days will be about fine tuning what we have. Oh and doing my column.
I am not putting it off for bad reasons this time - not wanting to confess just how out of control my weight and life had become. Instead, I feel a little overwhelmed that so many good things are happening. Fighting myself on how to fit everything in 250 words. But then, I suppose that's what the blog is for, I have endless room to ramble. (Though I do try to keep that to a minimum.)
Today was busy. I have been in and out of meetings, doing air shifts, had physical therapy and a personal training session... and I could go on, but I am making myself even more tired.
Good news on the physical therapy front, I feel like my knee is making progress. In fact, it's faring very well considering what I am putting it through. Physical Therapist Kristi was pleased and gave me another exercise to do at home. We also did water therapy again, that really is awesome.
My session with Personal Trainer Gwyn went well too. It was upper body today. I really do enjoy working on my core. I had kind of forgotten that. I am looking forward to seeing them again after I have finished removing all of my beloved brownies or rather, what they have created. :)
Well, as I mentioned, I am tired and dinner is calling. Have a good night.
Yours in Health,
Kate
I am not putting it off for bad reasons this time - not wanting to confess just how out of control my weight and life had become. Instead, I feel a little overwhelmed that so many good things are happening. Fighting myself on how to fit everything in 250 words. But then, I suppose that's what the blog is for, I have endless room to ramble. (Though I do try to keep that to a minimum.)
Today was busy. I have been in and out of meetings, doing air shifts, had physical therapy and a personal training session... and I could go on, but I am making myself even more tired.
Good news on the physical therapy front, I feel like my knee is making progress. In fact, it's faring very well considering what I am putting it through. Physical Therapist Kristi was pleased and gave me another exercise to do at home. We also did water therapy again, that really is awesome.
My session with Personal Trainer Gwyn went well too. It was upper body today. I really do enjoy working on my core. I had kind of forgotten that. I am looking forward to seeing them again after I have finished removing all of my beloved brownies or rather, what they have created. :)
Well, as I mentioned, I am tired and dinner is calling. Have a good night.
Yours in Health,
Kate
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Navigating a Life Change
I am still at work. It has everything to do with the fact that this first week of getting into my groove at the Mercy/YMCA Healthy Living Center is taking a lot of my focus. So, it has meant extra long days. Poorly timed on my part because this is "hell week" as we work to close the next issue of Intuition Magazine. But that's me - I want this change NOW, so to heck with normalcy, I will make it work!
I was once able to easily make everything fit. It will come again with practice and exercise. The latter may seem a little strange, but it's proven - both because it's an actual scientific fact and that's how it affected me before. The more exercise I did, the more energy I had, the more my mind cleared and I could get things done in record time. That's a side effect that isn't often discussed with regards to regular workouts, though it should be.
I have talked about my Swiss cheese memory before, I have felt scattered and focus has been nearly impossible at times. In just the four days I have been hitting the gym and eating better, I have found my ability to clarify returning. I feel like a fog has lifted, which became very clear this afternoon when I chatted with Nutritionist Katie after my workout.
Katie and I were talking over the basics of my nutritional plan - 1200 calories for non-exercise days, 1500 for workout days and how to make up those calories. She started to go more in-depth with the good and bad, the pitfalls, portion sizes - all things I knew 18 months ago - and it all started coming back. A few weeks ago I was very frustrated, I truly couldn't have told you how to eat healthy if it didn't come in a box with calories on the side. When Katie started running through everything, it came rushing back. I believe it was the benefit of both a clearer mind via exercise and a lesson that a little refresher never hurt anyone.
By the way, you will notice on the days I workout I eat more. I know that in a day and age of everything right now that seems counter-intuitive. "Wait, can't I just lose more weight those days by keeping my calories low?" Well, probably, to a point. However, then your body would start burning up things you really need, like muscle, to feed itself the difference. Our bodies tend to freak when we diet and a major change in calories can actually cause it to go into starvation mode. If that happens, your metabolism will actually slow down so your body doesn't need as many calories to survive, thereby keeping your weight the same. Or, you could end up like I did in September 2007, flat on my back in an emergency room.
That's right, in the midst of my last weight loss adventure I went too far. I didn't have anyone guiding me, like I do now, and that lead to doing exactly what I noted above. I worked out seven days a week, but didn't take in enough calories to handle my body's basic needs. So, one day I am getting ready to be on the air and bam! I nearly pass out. Long story short, after thinking it was just a sinus infection with a high fever, I became delirious and room mate Lori drug me to the emergency room. My body was on its way to shutting down. My potassium was so low I became delirious and they thought I had had a stroke. Luckily a smart trauma doctor figured out what was really going on and three IVs later I was on my way home - very tired and very humbled.
That story will not repeat. Not only because I have learned my lesson, but I have Team Kate to back me up with facts, figures and good old-fashioned common sense when it comes to how I should navigate the river of my journey this time.
Speaking of water, this morning at 6:30, I had my first water therapy appointment. It was different, but I think I like it. I know it didn't feel as hard, yet, as physical therapist Kara warned, I felt it later. Oh well, that's what ice is for.
Good grief, it's after eight. I better wrap up and go home for dinner and bed. Have a good night.
Yours in Health,
Kate
I was once able to easily make everything fit. It will come again with practice and exercise. The latter may seem a little strange, but it's proven - both because it's an actual scientific fact and that's how it affected me before. The more exercise I did, the more energy I had, the more my mind cleared and I could get things done in record time. That's a side effect that isn't often discussed with regards to regular workouts, though it should be.
I have talked about my Swiss cheese memory before, I have felt scattered and focus has been nearly impossible at times. In just the four days I have been hitting the gym and eating better, I have found my ability to clarify returning. I feel like a fog has lifted, which became very clear this afternoon when I chatted with Nutritionist Katie after my workout.
Katie and I were talking over the basics of my nutritional plan - 1200 calories for non-exercise days, 1500 for workout days and how to make up those calories. She started to go more in-depth with the good and bad, the pitfalls, portion sizes - all things I knew 18 months ago - and it all started coming back. A few weeks ago I was very frustrated, I truly couldn't have told you how to eat healthy if it didn't come in a box with calories on the side. When Katie started running through everything, it came rushing back. I believe it was the benefit of both a clearer mind via exercise and a lesson that a little refresher never hurt anyone.
By the way, you will notice on the days I workout I eat more. I know that in a day and age of everything right now that seems counter-intuitive. "Wait, can't I just lose more weight those days by keeping my calories low?" Well, probably, to a point. However, then your body would start burning up things you really need, like muscle, to feed itself the difference. Our bodies tend to freak when we diet and a major change in calories can actually cause it to go into starvation mode. If that happens, your metabolism will actually slow down so your body doesn't need as many calories to survive, thereby keeping your weight the same. Or, you could end up like I did in September 2007, flat on my back in an emergency room.
That's right, in the midst of my last weight loss adventure I went too far. I didn't have anyone guiding me, like I do now, and that lead to doing exactly what I noted above. I worked out seven days a week, but didn't take in enough calories to handle my body's basic needs. So, one day I am getting ready to be on the air and bam! I nearly pass out. Long story short, after thinking it was just a sinus infection with a high fever, I became delirious and room mate Lori drug me to the emergency room. My body was on its way to shutting down. My potassium was so low I became delirious and they thought I had had a stroke. Luckily a smart trauma doctor figured out what was really going on and three IVs later I was on my way home - very tired and very humbled.
That story will not repeat. Not only because I have learned my lesson, but I have Team Kate to back me up with facts, figures and good old-fashioned common sense when it comes to how I should navigate the river of my journey this time.
Speaking of water, this morning at 6:30, I had my first water therapy appointment. It was different, but I think I like it. I know it didn't feel as hard, yet, as physical therapist Kara warned, I felt it later. Oh well, that's what ice is for.
Good grief, it's after eight. I better wrap up and go home for dinner and bed. Have a good night.
Yours in Health,
Kate
Monday, April 12, 2010
Day One - Year One
The title is how I feel. From this day forward it is a new life and a new outlook. It's an opportunity to get healthier, get happier and hopefully help some other folks along the way.
Today's report: I talked to my nutritionist today, Katie is from the Mercy Center for Weight Reduction. We went over my history, my current weight and what I need her to help me with. Initially it's all about how many calories I should be consuming and how those should be made up - grams of protein, amount of carbs, etc. I am being completely honest with all of the folks at the Mercy/YMCA Healthy Living Center (HLC) every step of the way - I don't think you can be successful on a weight loss journey until you are brutally honest with anyone helping you and most of all yourself.
Katie paid me a nice complement saying that I was much further along than a lot of people because I already know most of my weaknesses. You see, for me, when it comes to food it's not just my much beloved brownies and cookies that I struggle with. Portion size is an issue, as with most Americans. Also, I seem to have no sense of when I am full until I am just on the edge of busting a button. I am hoping the class I will be taking starting May 3rd - Intuitive Eating - will be an answer to that problem. I don't know everything it will cover, but I do know the ultimate goal is to take control of your eating habits and thereby be a healthier person, which is perfect.
After I finished up the call with Katie I worked for a couple of hours and then headed to the gym. You see the HLC has a full gym inside. I worked out for about 40 minutes, taking it relatively easy. I tried different cardio options to see how my knee did and worked my arms with free weights, plus did a brief bout of core work. I didn't want to overdo.
I am waiting until I meet with my physical therapist tomorrow to set parameters for what I can and can't do with my lovely knee. I am then meeting with my wellness coach to set a plan for the next few weeks to get my exercise program set.
You see that? I just mentioned a nutritionist, physical therapist and wellness coach all in one blog. All of that and so much more is at the Healthy Living Center - all under ONE roof. In the weeks and months to come I will let you know about every aspect of the center. You will get recipes, exercise tips, endless healthy ideas and you will meet "Team Kate", the people that are helping me make all of this work. In fact, next week, I will introduce a new daily topic to go with my personal updates.
I am so excited, this is just exactly what I needed. Not everyone can go this route, this is MY journey. But that's the bonus of the HLC - they can help you no matter how far gone you think you are and in a way that is YOUR perfect journey.
Yours in Health,
Kate
Today's report: I talked to my nutritionist today, Katie is from the Mercy Center for Weight Reduction. We went over my history, my current weight and what I need her to help me with. Initially it's all about how many calories I should be consuming and how those should be made up - grams of protein, amount of carbs, etc. I am being completely honest with all of the folks at the Mercy/YMCA Healthy Living Center (HLC) every step of the way - I don't think you can be successful on a weight loss journey until you are brutally honest with anyone helping you and most of all yourself.
Katie paid me a nice complement saying that I was much further along than a lot of people because I already know most of my weaknesses. You see, for me, when it comes to food it's not just my much beloved brownies and cookies that I struggle with. Portion size is an issue, as with most Americans. Also, I seem to have no sense of when I am full until I am just on the edge of busting a button. I am hoping the class I will be taking starting May 3rd - Intuitive Eating - will be an answer to that problem. I don't know everything it will cover, but I do know the ultimate goal is to take control of your eating habits and thereby be a healthier person, which is perfect.
After I finished up the call with Katie I worked for a couple of hours and then headed to the gym. You see the HLC has a full gym inside. I worked out for about 40 minutes, taking it relatively easy. I tried different cardio options to see how my knee did and worked my arms with free weights, plus did a brief bout of core work. I didn't want to overdo.
I am waiting until I meet with my physical therapist tomorrow to set parameters for what I can and can't do with my lovely knee. I am then meeting with my wellness coach to set a plan for the next few weeks to get my exercise program set.
You see that? I just mentioned a nutritionist, physical therapist and wellness coach all in one blog. All of that and so much more is at the Healthy Living Center - all under ONE roof. In the weeks and months to come I will let you know about every aspect of the center. You will get recipes, exercise tips, endless healthy ideas and you will meet "Team Kate", the people that are helping me make all of this work. In fact, next week, I will introduce a new daily topic to go with my personal updates.
I am so excited, this is just exactly what I needed. Not everyone can go this route, this is MY journey. But that's the bonus of the HLC - they can help you no matter how far gone you think you are and in a way that is YOUR perfect journey.
Yours in Health,
Kate
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Can I Blame Sarah Palin for my thighs?
Just kidding. Sort of.
My day is awash in politics today. I am set to interview Senator Harkin in a few minutes. Then this afternoon, after much work, I have finally landed an interview with vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
That interview and all of my other work are going to wipe out my day. I plan to try to get in some exercise, but it will be limited. Plus, I have PT.
That's all I have time for, I have to get my questions ready for the Senator.
Yours in health, Kate
My day is awash in politics today. I am set to interview Senator Harkin in a few minutes. Then this afternoon, after much work, I have finally landed an interview with vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
That interview and all of my other work are going to wipe out my day. I plan to try to get in some exercise, but it will be limited. Plus, I have PT.
That's all I have time for, I have to get my questions ready for the Senator.
Yours in health, Kate
Monday, October 20, 2008
A cold
Sorry for not posting over the weekend. By the time I wanted to post Saturday it was clear I was getting sick. Then yesterday I didn't move from bed except to pee. Basically this little cold from Wisconsin (thank you Ben & Abby - Lori's nephew & niece) knocked me on my butt.
Lots of sleep and water yesterday seem to have paid off. I am awake, upright and at work. I am even accomplishing a few things, including staying away from the cookies on the back table.
And I am even in a pretty good mood. Maybe I was just exhausted. Being tired can make you unreasonably hungry. LOL. Any excuse will do.
Today I have my second PT appointment. I hope to be given exercises to do when I am not at the therapist. I want to recover now! Ah, yes, I am getting back to 'normal'. Which is relative. (Not any of mine, but relative none-the-less.)
Yours in health, Kate
Lots of sleep and water yesterday seem to have paid off. I am awake, upright and at work. I am even accomplishing a few things, including staying away from the cookies on the back table.
And I am even in a pretty good mood. Maybe I was just exhausted. Being tired can make you unreasonably hungry. LOL. Any excuse will do.
Today I have my second PT appointment. I hope to be given exercises to do when I am not at the therapist. I want to recover now! Ah, yes, I am getting back to 'normal'. Which is relative. (Not any of mine, but relative none-the-less.)
Yours in health, Kate
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Physical Therapy
I went to my first PT appointment yesterday. I was assigned a very pleasant young lady named Katrina. She broke it to me gently and with a smile that running is not in the cards for the foreseeable future. And that stair climb in February? Uh, no training for that, at all, until the end of therapy, then maybe.
I knew it was coming, but that didn't make it any easier. My only cardio option is swimming. My schedule this week will not allow for wet hair. This weekend though, I will make time.
The other thing I actually didn't see coming was - very little weight training. Anything that might put more pressure on my left knee is bad. So, if I can stand completely upright, or do the move seated with no lower body pressure, I can do it. If not, no. I guess that means my core is getting abused for the next four weeks. I mean I will still do some upper body, but compared to what I would normally do.
I think I am going to get a list of what I am 'approved' to do. That way I won't do what Lori will tell you I tend to do, which is over do.
Anyway, the knee is pretty bad. I'm not supposed to walk more than to run errands and absolutely no running. I am stuck with the stairs up to my apartment, but no moving anything that weighs anything in or out.
That last part will hopefully change before November 22nd. On the 21st we close on our house and on the 22nd I plan to spend the whole day moving whatever I can. That way when the movers arrive on Monday, they pretty much have the big stuff left.
SO this explains part of my grump yesterday. Tomorrow I hope to have more answers on that subject.
Yours in health, Kate
I knew it was coming, but that didn't make it any easier. My only cardio option is swimming. My schedule this week will not allow for wet hair. This weekend though, I will make time.
The other thing I actually didn't see coming was - very little weight training. Anything that might put more pressure on my left knee is bad. So, if I can stand completely upright, or do the move seated with no lower body pressure, I can do it. If not, no. I guess that means my core is getting abused for the next four weeks. I mean I will still do some upper body, but compared to what I would normally do.
I think I am going to get a list of what I am 'approved' to do. That way I won't do what Lori will tell you I tend to do, which is over do.
Anyway, the knee is pretty bad. I'm not supposed to walk more than to run errands and absolutely no running. I am stuck with the stairs up to my apartment, but no moving anything that weighs anything in or out.
That last part will hopefully change before November 22nd. On the 21st we close on our house and on the 22nd I plan to spend the whole day moving whatever I can. That way when the movers arrive on Monday, they pretty much have the big stuff left.
SO this explains part of my grump yesterday. Tomorrow I hope to have more answers on that subject.
Yours in health, Kate
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