5/15/2011, 5/21,2011

I had a fairly busy week...let's see:
Sunday: Mother's Day: set mom up with a nice gift that I split with Jamie and then I made dinner for the family

Monday: appointment with my trainer at the gym
Tuesday: Occupational Opportunities class at Mesa, workout at the gym
Wednesday: appointment with my trainer at the gym
Thursday: 6 month check-up with Dr. Tasto for my contacts
Friday: intake appointment with Workability III, workout at the gym
Saturday: Weight Watchers meeting and weigh-in, walk to the gym from weight watchers, workout at the gym, out to dinner with Scott, Beth, mom & dad
Sunday: laundry & errands

What do I mention first?  I have kicked my workouts at the gym up to 5 times per week, I have also conquered 45 minutes on the elliptical machine...which is still absolutely amazing to me - when I think back about how far I have come since joining the gym I am simply stunned.  I remember the first few times I went to the gym and how scary it was to even figure out if I could climb up on the elliptical machine to be able to use the damn thing...I was able to get on the machine on shaky legs, but could I expend the energy to actually use the machine?  I started very slow, only about 10 minutes...and now I can successfully complete 45 minutes at a decent speed and decent level of difficulty; its things like this success that make me do a little happy dance and keep working to move forward.  I worked with a vocational specialist who was suggested to me by my neurologist, he and his office did some testing to see what I would be capable of handling as far as work goes.  They also recommended that I sign up to attend a class at Mesa college called Occupational Opportunities, I have since signed up and have begun attending the course.  It was also suggested that I work with the State Department of Rehabilitation to assist with any challenges that come my way.  Workability III is a partnership between the San Diego Community College District and Department of Rehabilitation, it is considered a "Disability Support Program/Service".  Here is where I should mention that I have a hard time accepting the fact that I am now disabled, because I just don't consider myself disabled.  Technically I fit into the definition of "disabled", and I agree that I could use a little more guidance and I am in need of my benefit money but I don't see "disabled" when I look in the mirror.  I suppose understanding it and accepting it will come in time...
What else?  Oh...weight watchers was good this week, I lost another 1/2 Lb, bringing the total lost to 13 pounds...pretty cool!  Of course I want it to be going faster but my trainer very patiently reminded me that slow weight loss is best and he also said that I need to remember that I am definitely gaining muscle with all of my working out...am I skinny yet?  Let's be realistic, I will never be considered skinny, accept it, move on...That's pretty much it for now...

5/21/2011

So most of you know that I am recovering from an accident that occurred back in August of 2009...I tend to talk about how much better I know I have gotten and how much stronger I feel...what I tend not to do is wallow in self pity. Here is where I will mention that there are still big obstacles for me to avoid - for instance this past Monday after a good workout at the gym I heated up a weight watchers meal in the microwave, I went to pull the cooked meal out of the microwave and failed to use any kind of hot pad to guard my hands. The main problem with this brilliant maneuver is that I have lost alot of the feeling on my whole right side, I was getting a steam burn on the part of my wrist that wasn't covered with a sleeve...by the time I actually felt the burning sensation I had managed to achieve 2nd degree burns on my right wrist, and then I tweaked the tray and cooked food spilled out of the tray and onto my arm....let me just tell you that cooked pasta with a little melted cheese really stick to the skin. I have since been out of commission for most of the week although I did try to go to the gym and meet with my trainer yesterday, of course after taking a look at my wrist he knew we had to change up my routine dramatically...needless to say we worked on abs and core while seated on the floor. Tomorrow is the WalkIt Challenge 5K and I really want to participate but I'm not sure how that will actually go, at least I will go and try, I think I can manage to walk the distance, hopefully my balance will be in OK condition tomorrow and I can walk the 5K...we will see, wish me luck!  The good news is that I managed to loose another 1 Lb. this past week, which is really good considering the fact that I was barely able to workout this week....stupid burn.  Now I am sitting at a 14 Lb. weight loss, yay me!

So, I did it ~ I completed the 5K!  It was a challenge for me, not because of the distance but because of the terrain....the ground had multiple different levels and multiple different ground coverings, it was a challenge but I am happy to say that I did it! 



Day 6 of the burn, still healing






Much love and aloha