No more boot!

Yesterday was my latest check up with my doctor following my surgery.  Today marks exactly 4 weeks since my surgery date.

The check up went really well.  She gave me to go ahead to stop wearing the boot unless I was hurting or sore.

So Thursday afternoon and evening I went back to regular shoes and today I haven't put the boot on once.  It's been really great to get back to walking normally, especially since walking Samson in the boot was starting to cause pain in my other knee and hip.

My doctor also gave me the go-ahead to get back to the gym (not running or jumping yet) in the next week or two, depending on how my foot feels in regular shoes.

I have a follow up appointment in 4 weeks to assess how the scar/incision looks.

So right now, I feel great.  The only bad news to this whole process was that she had to disrupt the nail bed to remove the entire bone spur, so I won't get my entire nail to grow back.  We'll see how I feel about it when it grows back.  Never thought a toe nail would make me feel so vain. :)

Cheers to getting out of that boot before the weather started to turn really nice.

13.1

On Saturday was the Summerfest Rock N' Sole Half Marathon.

The weather was drizzling and cool when Megan and I headed out there.  Thankfully, it stopped raining within the first mile.  It ended up being great running weather.  A little humid, cool breeze and no sun.

Writing about running is not super exciting, I'll just say that I am super proud that we did not stop to walk at all (with the exception of while we were drinking water... it's WAY too hard to drink water while running).

AND, I finished before my 2:30 goal.

Pretty darn proud of my new personal record and how well I did in this race.  It's going to be tough for me to beat.

Random Ramblings

This week I challenged myself to go to the gym every day.  We have a bye on Thursday and I'm around all week, so this is a good goal for me.

On Sunday, I delayed my 5.5 mile training run because I was pretty sore from playing volleyball all day on Saturday.  So on Monday, I ran my 5.5 mile run.  Yesterday, I really didn't want to go - but I did and completed my 3 mile training run.  Today I have pilates class and Thursday I will go and lift.

Of course, in my rush to get out of the house before I changed my mind, I threw on one of the dozen Marquette Women's bball shirts that I got from Mem a couple weeks ago.  It was HUGE.  But I wore it anyways.

I realized a few weeks ago that I may be the only person that shows up at my gym not wearing the lululemon/underarmour/nike/champion running outfit.  The girls always seem to coordinate their cute yoga top with their shoes and always have the tiny running pants.

Me?  I wear whatever I can throw together and half the time, the colors don't even really coordinate.

I tried to grab a picture of my giant tunic shirt when I got back from my run.  Aside from being too big at the sleeve, it was nice to have a shirt long enough that I wasn't tugging at it.

This week my boss said we could have casual days the rest of the week.  This morning I tried to force spring by wearing my sperrys and cute striped top.  I didn't shower this morning since I showered after my run last night - hence the up hair.

*shoes - DSW, Top - JCrew, Jeans - Gap

I hate coming up with a title

I've been thinking about a lot of things lately.  Being sick and spending time laying around will do that to you. This post is going to be all over the place.  You've been warned.

First, I received notice for my apartment lease renewal and that it included a $300 rent increase.  While the $300 increase brings my rent back up to reality (what most spaces in my area are renting for), it was still a shock to the system.  That of course, brought on that "oh shit" moment where I was panicking about having to move in 4 weeks.

After much debate and internet searching, I decided that I really like my place.  I like my space and I really like the location.  So I was able to work out a little agreement with my manager to include my parking.  So I'm staying!  Thank goodness for not having to think about moving again until 2014.

. . . . . . . .

I don't know if you have realized this by my other posts, but I've been in sort of a funk lately.  I feel really dependent on a few friends to have any social activity and with them having other things to do and significant others, it means I spend a lot of time doing nothing.  So I need to make some new girl friends.  Amanda suggested I join a few meetups, so I've done that.  Now we'll see how that goes.

. . . . . . . .

My match subscription ends in March.  I am still checking my matches, but I've pretty much given up on that.  I would like to date, but clearly, Match is not the way to go.  A friend said she's had some fun on OKcupid because it's free.  I took a look around and see A LOT of the same people from match.  So clearly, internet dating might not be for me.  Maybe I'll meet people through some meetups?

. . . . . . . .

I started running training for my half marathon.  I missed the first week because of my sickness but now I'm back on track.  I have been feeling like all these little things I keep telling myself I'm going to do (workout at home, etc) are NOT working.  So I am visiting a gym around the corner from my place to see if it's worth signing up.  I figure with classes and free weights and another option to run if its crappy out, PLUS the fact that it is less than a block away will be enough to give me no excuses to go.  

I know part of my problem is that I get home from work and walking Samson at 6ish and then feel like I just want 2 hours to sit and eat dinner and chill before I walk Samson and go to bed again.  Even trying to get to sleep by 9pm isn't getting me good rest.  So maybe I use that time more wisely and not sit and watch TV for 2 hours.  Like go to the gym.  I want to be cognizant of being home for Samson, but I also need to utilize my time better.


So that's what I have going on right now.  In between trips for work.

Come on 2013

So far 2013 has been fairly frustrating for me.

I haven't done anything towards my goals for the month and the month is practically half over.

I'm lacking serious motivation (and energy) to work out, but I am (internally) complaining about how bad I feel.  So I should just suck it up and do it.

I have also been feeling really crappy lately.  Just overall.  About a year and a half ago, I explored transitioning my eating habits to a more raw food oriented style.  Don't get me wrong, I love food.  And I could never change my habits to a super strict diet.  But I feel like making some changes so that I feel better overall wouldn't be such a bad idea.

It also means that maybe I stop going to bed at 8pm so I can spend some time in the evenings preparing food for the next day.

I'm going to pull this book out of storage (recommended to me by a friend) and give it another read through. And I'm going to plan out what I eat during the week better.

I'm hoping this will help this ho-hum feeling I've had for the last couple of weeks.

Back in the saddle...

with running.  And it was rough.

For the longest time I've been telling myself I need to get started running again.  I am committed to the half marathon next summer since I was able to defer my entry for this year and I really just need some exercise.  Constituting walking Samson as exercise is not working anymore.

So I set up a running schedule for myself - to try and hold myself accountable.  I decided on the week days that running in the morning when I let Samson out is going to be the most likely time I will actually do it.  So I set up yesterday to be my first day.

My alarm went off.... did I run? No.  So last night I set out all my stuff before I went to bed so that I would see it when I woke up and feel guilty.  Well, that seemed to work.  Samson and I went on a run this morning.

It was be no means far and certainly not fast, but at least it was a start.

Skin Care

For as long as I can clearly remember, I've always washed my face regularly.  Almost every day, I end up washing it twice - once in the morning and once before bed.  On occasion, I may only wash it once, but that is not on days that I wear makeup.

Having oily skin (which I HATED as a teen and am growing to appreciate now) make me prone to breakouts and sitting around/sleeping with makeup on was a big no-no!

I by no means use anything special.  I showed you my skincare products in this post earlier.  My drugstore/grocery store face wash is not ground-breaking.

Two weeks ago, my mom and I stopped into Sephora so that I could pick up some hair tonic (love this stuff).  They were having a promotion on the Clarisonic Mia system.  So my mom offered to buy one for me.

I had never really been interested in the cleaning systems.  I didn't really understand the hype.  But how could I pass up such a nice offer!

It's green - of course!

The Clarisonic Mia is apparently the smaller, more travel-friendly version of the famous facial cleaning system.

I have to tell you... I LOVE IT!

For the last two weeks I have used it to wash my face at night - after a day of wearing makeup.  And my skin feels awesome.  It's so soft and feels super clean.

If you are looking for something to help with your skincare routine, I suggest the Mia.  Online it looks like there are still some places offering discounts on the system.

*I feel I should state that I am no way being paid to endorse this product.  It's something new I've been using and wanted to share it with you all.

Wednesday Rambling

*I'm posting this photo only because I love you blog peeps!

Yesterday was candlelight yoga.  When I came home I noticed a little something different....

Magenta arm pits.  Note to self: Remember to pre-wash new workout clothes (especially bright colored ones) BEFORE you sweat in them!

Two showers later and there is still a hint of pink in my armpits.

Also, my mom is spoiling Samson.  She bought him Frosty Paws at the grocery store yesterday.  This is the longest I could get him to look away from the treat.  Notice his posture.  Very protective and won't use his paws to grip the treat.  He just dips his nose down into it.

Ballet and Yoga and Sculpt - Oh My!!

Last week I wrote about my need to get my butt in gear as far as my weight and staying in shape.  I've noticed that doing NOTHING does not work for me.  I'm not willing to cut out foods from my diet completely (I love food) so I have to continue to exercise.  Last week I realized that I gained almost all the weight back that I lost last year.  BOO!

So this past weekend, I signed up for a new client intro period at this gym near my parents house.  It's a "girly" gym that has spin classes, yoga classes, and ballet-inspired classes.

On Saturday morning, I went to my first class - Ballet Boot Camp.

Two things.

First, it kicked my ASS!  Seriously, I was struggling.  I know a lot of people had said that ballet was a great form of exercise and it's really great for getting your body in shape.  I totally get that now.  I was struggling during the class.  It was fun, but hard.

Second, I do NOT have a dancers body.  All the other girls in class were thin little things.  I have muscles.... leg muscles, arm muscles.  I have an athlete body that worked for me for volleyball.  Not dancing.

Last night, my mom and I went to a yoga-sculpt class.  It was fun.  A bit more intense than a regular sculpt class.  I was still pretty sore from the boot camp class, so it was nice to get a good stretching class in.

Tonight, we are trying Candlelight yoga.  Which I'm going to guess is much more relaxing and slow paced than the yoga class we went to yesterday.

Weight Watch 2012

I think you remember last year when I posted about my weight loss and exercising and eating healthier.  Yeah... remember that?

That has NOT been happening.  Ever since I was living in my house, travelling back and forth and eating off paper plates, all of that went away.  And I'm feeling the effects of it.

I had full intention of getting back into gear, I signed up for the Summerfest half marathon again.  I was good to go.  Then I had to move, so I took a week and a half off to get everything done.  Then I got to Chicago and found out I couldn't run the marathon because I had a work conflict.  There went all my excuses to HAVE to run to stay on schedule.

I went shopping on Sunday with my mom and felt terrible.  I can't be one of those people that yo-yo back and forth.

So this week, I am getting back on the wagon.  I'm putting together a work out schedule and getting a grip on my eating.  I will probably read that "eating raw" book I have on my nook again.  To refresh my mind with good eating tips.

It needs to happen - NOW - so I'm putting it on the blog.  It makes me accountable.

I will be in good shape and feeling better before my birthday - July 17!

The Healthier Self

You know that one of my goals is to get back in shape.  I thought it would help to have a better perspective.

Pretty much since I moved to DC the day after Christmas 2005, my activity/exercise level began decreasing.  Part of it was that post-college athletics "I need a break" mentality, part of it was disinterest.  In any case, shortly after I got settled I found a volleyball league (or they found me) and that gave me a bit of activity.  Still, it wasn't anywhere near what I was used to.  Things were okay for a while.  And then I met Him and quickly gained that "relationship weight".  You know what I'm talking about...  where you become happy in your relationship and stop doing things like you used to do.  On top of the reduction of exercise, I found myself eating big meals.... because He at big meals.  Boy, my body could not handle it.

So when we got engaged I knew that was the extra push I needed.  I started working out inconsistently at my house.  I felt better but not great.  Then He left for a job and I was home alone.  I had nothing else to do BUT work out.  That was when I started noticing significant differences.

Then the breakup happened and as my grandfather told me "get in fighting shape".  So I kept working out, and then I signed up for the half marathon.  That is when I noticed the biggest changes.  As I think I mentioned on a previous post, between October and March, I lost TWENTY pounds.... 20!!!  I was thrilled... and I've been trying to keep up to good work.

Well, as I weighed myself this evening, I am still the same weight.  I feel okay about it.  I know that I am ONLY running when before I was doing some running and my Jillian Michael's workouts.  So at least staying the same weight is good.  Especially considering (as I mentioned before) I'm not eating as well as I was during October-March.

While the weight is really exciting for me, it's the overall body shape and feeling I have that is even better.  Now, because I love you all I am willing to post progressive photos so you can see.  I apologize that the pictures aren't the greatest quality, but they are the best I had.  The below photo shows me at Melissa's wedding (October 2009) when I considered myself to be at my heaviest, at a friend's wedding almost exactly one year ago and my self-photo from this week.

See the differences?  It's incredible.  And it's enough motivation to keep me going.  I have plans once the half marathon is over to get back into some variety of exercise.  Once I am in a situation where I can afford a gym membership, I would like to start doing that and getting some classes in.  So there are plans and if I can maintain in the meantime, I'd be really happy about that.

Running....

So last night I had to email my friend Kelly for words of encouragement.  I hit a stumbling block this week with the training.  I was feeling crappy while running and it was discouraging that still at fairly short distances I was starting to struggle.

It's so great to have someone to talk to about it that has experience and a great reminder that everything is not always easy. (why I can't remember this sometimes is beyond me)

Tonight will be run #3 for the week and I'm hoping it goes better than the last two.

Also, my roommates are leaving today for a week.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself.

The diet redux

This week has been rough on my new healthier eating habits.  I've been okay for the most part, but I've seen a dramatic increase in chocolate and all things that taste good.  :)

I think this was bound to happen.  After several weeks of fruit for breakfast, salads for lunch and healthy dinners, I just wanted a donut.  I should preface all of this that by no means am I starving myself, or drastically changing what I was already eating.  I was refining it a bit.  And I'm still allowing myself to indulge on occasion.

Thankfully, I should be back on track soon.  Working out has still been going strong, so yeah for that!

I'll be giving a full goals update on Friday since it's the last Friday of February (um... seriously?).

A glimmer of spring

Within the last week or so DC has had a glimmer of spring in terms of weather.  We've had sunny days in the 50s, even peeking into the 60s.  Of course, they follow by a 30 degree day... but we can't be picky.

As I may have mentioned before my typical workout routine consists of a 30 minute workout with the 30-day shred DVD and occasionally a quick 10 minute run with Samson if the weather permits.

Yesterday was the first day I decided to skip the typical workout and just run outside instead.  I didn't have to wear a jacket, so why not!  I grabbed my phone, put on my workout mix and Samson and I went running.

We ran for 20-25 minutes until we made it around our community.  I was dragging him at the end (can't believe I'm in better shape than my Husky), so I brought him back home and made one more lap on my own.

It was so nice to be outside and get a little change from routine.  I'm looking forward to running again today since it looks like the weather is shaping up to be just as nice.

COME ON SPRING!!!

The Dentist....

(cue scary background music)

Nothing like a trip to the dentist to make you feel terrible about yourself.  Why is it that every trip to the dentist makes me feel like a child being scolded for bad behavior?  Do they teach them that in dental school?

I hate the dentist.  Well, I take that back.... I love my childhood dentist and have hated every other dentist.  This new dentist I am seeing for the first time is very nice and VERY thorough... It's costing me a fortune.

I was never expecting good news, but sometimes I wonder why I pay so much for dental insurance when my portions are so expensive!