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

Long Day

Sorry, not much of a post today, I am ending a long day.  I did a great workout today with Gwyn.  My knee held up, but it's sore, so I am headed home to ice.

I promise something useful tomorrow.

Yours in Health,
Kate

Intuitive Eating

I started a class Monday night called "Intuitive Eating" at the Mercy Weight Loss and Nutrition Center.  It's based on a book and has been translated into a class by Team Kate member - Nutritionist Katie.  In upcoming classes we are going to figure out our exact triggers, tools to combat them and how to learn to treat food as a tool more than anything. 

I was one in a room full of people who were skeptical that we could ever go from 'people with food issues' to 'intuitive eaters'.  That said, I am open to trying anything and I am excited for the opportunity.  The biggest chance I see is to overcome my emotional eating.

Katie handed out work sheets asking us a number of questions, but the one that got my attention was the one that broke down every emotion and its variants.  The list was huge, but, since I have an amazing appetite no matter what I am feeling, I figured they all pertained to me.  In fact, only about 3/4.  I take that as a good sign, I don't turn to food for everything, just a LOT of things.

The best news everyone should know is Katie talked about not putting any food off limits.  She said exactly what I feel, "If you put a food off limits, you will only want that food."  That means that during Intuitive Eating I will learn how to have a healthy relationship with a brownie.  What?  Yep.  This should be very interesting.  ;)

Yours in Health,
Kate

Just Beat the Crap Out of a Heavy Bag - Feel AWESOME!

Met up with Gwyn at the YMCA Healthy Living Center.  She could sense my tension and said, "Well, I have been wanting to do this with you and today is a good day."  Then she took me into the empty group workout room and put me on the heavy bag.

We did a lot of upper body moves from kick-boxing.  (No lower body because of the knee.)  I beat the crap put of that thing so much it moved across the room in two directions.  Ha!  I feel empowered and the stress has washed away.

Gwyn says I can go in there any time it's empty.  I'm gonna get my own gloves.  I think I am in love.  :)

Yours in Health,
Kate

500 Blog Posts on Get Healthy with Kate Garner!

Today was going to be just another blog.  I was going to cover that I am headed to workout with Gwyn at the Mercy/YMCA Healthy Living Center.  That I am starting a new class tonight at the Weight Loss and Nutrition Center called "Intuitive Eating", that I am both excited and nervous about - BTW - they still have openings - 358-9400.

But then I saw that yesterday's blog was 499 and that makes this one number 500!  In these 500 posts you will see me at my best and worst.  At my heaviest and my thinnest.  At my smartest and my dumbest.  At my happiest and at my lowest points. 

I have looked back from time to time.  I see what went right, what went wrong and the lessons I should continue to use.  More than anything, it's a reminder that I am unique and yet, not that different at all.  This is how an obese or overweight person is.  We have our ups and down, like anyone else, where we differ is the extremes.  When we hit the highs we've shot the moon and when we slam into our lows the only thing that will offer any comfort is food.

Where I hope to change the path this time is making this darn thing permanent.  And I believe the key will be Team Kate.  When I start to falter this time I can pick-up a phone.  Last time I was just picking myself up and I finally lost the strength to push back.  Now I have Gwyn or Kristi or Katie to push back with me and there is power in numbers.

Here's to 500 more that will help me and you.

Yours in Health,
Kate

Can I take a Nap Now?

It has been a long weekend.  Right now I am sitting at work and I will be here another couple of hours.  Then it's off to a birthday party.  Then, I hope, home to do some yard work - something I haven't been able to do in two weeks.  Thank goodness for Lori or we would have been given a warning by the city for growing our own jungle!

And as the sun weaves in and out of the clouds, all I really want is a nap, because this long weekend has left me exhausted.  Oh well, perhaps all the other things I need to do will give me the energy I need to make it through to bedtime tonight.

BTW - Today is a day off from workout, unless you count the possibility of yard work - but that brings me great satisfaction, so I won't notice if I break a sweat. :)

Yours in Health,
Kate

Charity Can Feed the Soul

I spend a lot of time obsessing about food.  What should I eat?  How much should I eat?  Ooh, is that a brownie?  But I know in my heart there are many more important things that sustain a person than just crunchy snacks and creamy dishes.  That's why I volunteer on a regular basis.  Today was a day of volunteering for events that our radio group was sponsoring.

This morning I got an emergency call at 6:20, one of our talents was passing a kidney stone and could I fill in for her at the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.  Of course.  It meant rearranging my day, but it was important to make sure LITE 104.1 followed through on our commitment.  Besides, I had never had a chance to go to the event, so it was a perfect excuse.

It was sunny, windy and pink.  Everyone was in fine spirits despite being blown around.  As I emceed I was able to hear women tell about their fight against breast cancer.  I met people in remission and those still on the battle field.  I met family members who were walking for those that had lost.  And one woman that was walking simply because it could be her someday.  It warmed me to see all of the passion and love.

Then I was on the the Mercy/YMCA Healthy Living Center.  It was their Grand Opening to promote the fact that they are now under the same roof.  I worked the registration table and it was a great opportunity to feel unity.  Many people walked in that were just as overweight as I am, many who were even more so.  It made me very happy - believe me, just walking in that door for a tour is a big step.  I hope that they all decide to try their version of what I am doing, getting healthy.

Then I snuck in a 45 minute workout. :)  Showered and it was off to event three...

The Youth Emergency Services and Shelter Derby Duck Race.  This event is always so much fun.  YESS is all about trying to keep family's together, so they have a family festival as they sell the final ducks and then dump them into the lake.  Thousands of kids ran under the watchful eye of their unique family.  Some with their biological parents.  Some in single parent families.  Some adopted or in foster care.  Some with aunts or uncles, others with grandparents.  And some with all of the above.  It was a wonderful reminder that family is who you love, not just the people you were born to.

I emceed with Dan Winters from TV-13, he's great.  Like me, he is able to roll through the punches, which is important with an event this size.  In the end, everything went off without a hitch.  The biggest highlight?  The guy whose duck crossed the finish line first and won $10,000, donated the money back to YESS - another heartwarming, goose bump inducing moment for my day.

It was a great day and I was so busy, that after I quickly ate a small omelet while the walkers were on the path for Making Strides, I wasn't hungry again until late afternoon.  Which proves, charity can feed the soul.

Yours in Health,
Kate