Need some suggestions....

As I sit here, getting whiffs of the beef stew I have in the crockpot, I have been trying to research some essential workout items.  So, I am going to ask for advice here my friends.  All comments and suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

First, I desperately need a new pair of workout shoes.  Now, I have been goggling workout shoes and I am guessing cross trainers are what I need.  I say that because I do cardio, weights, etc in my workouts.  Almost all the sites I have looked researched keep mentioning the ASICS Women's Gel-160TR Training Shoe.  Does anyone know if this is a good shoe or not?  Also, I know I am going to have to spend some money for a good pair of shoes.  What is the average price range I should be looking for here?  I don't want to spend a ton of money on a crappy shoe.  I want something that is going to give me support (especially in my ankles) and not make my feet feel horrible when I am done.

Second, I am going to be purchasing the Mari Winsor pilates video in a few weeks.  Here are my questions about that: 1) I have looked at her site and she offers bands, mat, etc with the videos.  Do I need the bands, mat, and the extras to do the workouts?  Is that something I should invest in since I am just starting or wait?  2) She has several different DVDs available.  Which one would be the best one to start with for a beginner? 

And two final questions dealing with working out (and I am only asking because I know some of you have WAY more knowledge than me when it comes to this stuff).  Since I am going to gym after work, what is the max I should be walking on El Diablo (the name I gave my treadmill) on in the morning?  Also, in the same line of questioning, does any one know of a good free weight/isometric workout I can do at home?  I am currently doing 30 minutes of cardio between the NuStep and treadmill and 20 minutes of weights while at the gym.  I want to start working out at home on the days the gym is closed or I can not get there. 

Thank you in advance for any advice.  I know I probably sound silly asking these questions.  However, some of you who read my blog are again more knowledgeable than me when it comes to all of this.  I hope to have it all figured out one day.  But until then, I look to you for some guidance.

Here is a pic of the ASCIS shoe I was talking about earlier.  It looks comfy but I still need assistance!

Again, thanks for any and all suggestions!   I truly appreciate everything!!



Ah....Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was really great this year.  There was alot to be thankful for this year.  Johnny, JJ and I got to spend some great quality time with both sides of the family.  We got to see all of the nieces and nephew.  I was also thankful that Johnny is doing so well through this first holiday season after surgery.  Also, I was thankful that I did not over eat but still got to enjoy some of my favorites at this time of year. 

Yes, low carb was not exactly the order of business for me, but I did not go completely crazy as in years pass.  In years pass, I would have ate to I felt like I was going to bust.  Then in a couple of hours, eat again.  I tried hard to watch portion control this year and skipped certain things.  Example - since I knew I had to have some of my dad's dressing (it is not the holidays without dad's dressing), I skipped the mashed potatoes at dinner.  Honestly, I really did not even miss the potatoes.  It is still a learning process most days, but I am trying.

One thing has occurred since my last post, I did have to put JJ on a hiatus with the weight management program.  However, the hiatus had to be placed not because of wrestling practice but because JJ broke his foot.  UGH!!  I guess the ironic thing is that actually wrestling is what did put him out because he broke his foot in wrestling practice.  Luckily, it did not have to be put in a cast, he got rid of the crutches after seeing the orthopedic doctor, and he only has to wear a walking shoe until we got back to the doctor on December 19th.  Dr. Scott states that after the 19th, he should be fine to go back to everything.  I am thinking though I think wrestling is still over for the season.  I just don't want to take anymore chances.

As for me, it is back to the gym three days this week and then I have to weigh in on Wednesday.  Hopefully, I am going to see good things on those scales.  I worked out on Tuesday and Wednesday and was really upset when I found out I could not go back until Monday.  I NEVER thought I would ever speak these words but I miss working out.  LOL!!

Have a great Sunday everyone!

Hello! Guess who is back?

Man, I can't belive it has been so long since I last wrote anything.  It has been crazy around this house for the last couple of weeks.  Honestly, it has been plain NUTS!  But that is life sometimes and I just need to learn to deal and go on.

Anyway, I finally got back on the scales the other day.  I was a little terrified because the last time I weighed myself, I had gained 2.5 lbs.  I was furious.  However, I had no one to blame but myself.  I have not been eating the best in the last couple of weeks and I have not been drinking my water as I should.  However, I am slowly getting back in to the groove.  So, I was a little scared when I stepped on those scales.  Luckily, I had lost the 2.5 lbs I had gained plus another 1/2 lb.  Therefore, my current weight is 250.5 lbs.  Just .5 lbs from seeing 250 pounds or under.  I have not been this weight in YEARS!!!  I just have to stay focused and remember that I am doing this for a reason!!

Some other good news is that I went and had an MRI on my knee.  I saw the doctor last Thursday and there is not tear.  There is some bad arthritis but I will not need surgery.  He gave me a cortisone shot and it feels wonderful right now.  Sadly, I will have to get another injection in about 3 to 4 months.  Dr. Tai did tell us about another treatment option; however, I am still debating the pros and cons.  It is a gel that he would inject into my knee.  It is three shots over three weeks.  It lasts much, much longer than the cortisone injections and gives more relief.  However, it cost $800-$1000 dollars and we don't know if the insurance would cover the procedure.  I think after the first of the year, I am going to have his office pre-auth the procedure just to see what PEIA would pay.  However, if it will not be covered at least a little bit, I will stick with the cortisone injections.

Sadly I do have some bad news.  I am having to put JJ on a hiatus from the weight loss program until the end of wrestling season.  With the way that practice runs and the hours the gym is open, it make it impossible to get him up there.  Thankfully though I can put him on hiatus and restart him in February.  I told him though that will not release him from his exercises.  He and I will be doing things out home to keep him active.  I will still be active in the program during his hiatus.  I can go to the gym on my way to pick him up from practice and then get him.  I was afraid if we both went on this hiatus that we would not start back again.  But if one of us is still active in the program, then we can pull the other one back in when their time is done.

Now, here it is - The Johnny update!

Johnny is doing very well.  He returned to work on Monday and is doing good.  He is a little tired but I know that is from not being able to do a whole lot while he was off work.  He did give me a really good scare on November 6th though. 

He started having chest pains.  Chest pains severe enough that he was in tears.  I rushed him to the ER afraid that it could be a PE.  Luckily, a PE was ruled out quickly.  However, they kept saying that they though it was his heart.  Now, after they ruled out the PE, I immediately went to the next logical conclusion that it was his gallbladder.  However, nobody wants to listen to me.  So, they end up admitting him over night and decide to do a stress test on the morning of the 7th. 

Believe me people when I say I could write a book on what happened in those two days.  It was enough to drive a sane person crazy.  But the short of all this is this:  His heart is fine.  It was probably his gallbladder though Dr. Rossi believes it may be a little too early for that but not impossible.  Also, we will hold off on further testing until it happens again.  I personally am praying it does not happen again because he scared me to death.  I have never seen him in so much pain.

Through all of this though, Johnny has transitioned back into regular food.  There is still alot of limitations on what he can eat; however, that will be lifelong.  We did find out though he can have beef starting now.  His other dietian told him not for a year, but this one said no, it was fine as long as he chewed thoroughly and it was very tender.

Johnny has also lost a total of 67 pounds as of last week.  I don't think he has weighed himself since last Tuesday.  However, that is 50 pounds since surgery and 17 before surgery.  Pretty good if you ask me.  Again, I am have always been proud of my husband but I am so proud of him and the changes he has made lately.  And again I will say - He is stronger than me!!

Here are some new pics as I leave you. 

Come along for the ride.  The adventure is far from over.....

Again, this is what he looked like 2 days before surgery

This was last night (7 weeks post op) - Look at the difference - WOW

This is the uniform shirt that he was wearing exactly 2 days before surgery.

Thankfully, he had the next size down in the closet!  He is swimming in it!!

1.5 pounds until....

I will be under 250 pounds for the first time in over 10 years.  Yes, you read that right - TEN YEARS!!!  That is a lot of years of being completely unhappy with myself.  That is a lot of years trying to hide the bulges and ugly fat.  Yes, I still have a long way to go until I met my goal of 180 (or lower).  However, I can do this!  And do you know why I say that?  Because I have some of the most amazing friends a girl could ever ask for that are very encouraging!  Saying that, I want to say something to two very special people. 

Donna C., I just want to say THANK YOU!!  Your words of encouragement are a bigger help than you know.  On days I feel the most discouraged, you always say something that lift my spirits and make me want to push on.  I have always thought of you as the older sister that I never had and I just wanted to say thank you and I love you!

Laura C., Sweetie I don't know what I would have done without you thus far.  You have been there for me when I have had question after question concering everything going on with Johnny.  You even lent an ear so I could vent the day of his surgery when I know you were busy with your own family.  You have been a true blessing and I love you very much! 

Well, since the last time I wrote, alot has been going on.  Yikes, has it ever been crazy around here.  On Thursday (Oct. 27), as I was walking out of my office, my right knee gave and it has been hurting like you know what since then.  I have had trouble with this knee FOREVER.  I went to Dr. Tao (orthopedic doctor in Huntington) yesterday.  *Side note - A special THANK YOU to Rick S. for referring Dr. Tao to us.*  Sadly, I did not get the news I was hoping to hear.  We are currently going forth like I have a torn medial menscius.  I am scheduled to have a MRI on November 4th (this Friday at 8:15 PM - yes, I said PM - geesh!).  I will then return to see him again on November 10th to find out the results.  I am praying that this is just a stretched ligament and not a tear.  Honestly, I can not afford to be off any more work.  I will be missing two days on this check alone because of this stupid knee.  However, whatever must be done will have to be done because this pain is horrible.  Through all of this though, there is a bright spot.

Thankfully Dr. Tao cleared me (with some limitations) to begin the weight loss program yesterday.  JJ and I went to our initial assessment and initial workout yesterday.  It is a good feeling to know that we have FINALLY began this program.  It is also a good feeling to see how JJ is responding to this already.  Yesterday, I was going to leave after the assessment because my knee was killing me from being poked on by Dr. Tao.  However, JJ was like "No, I want to stay and workout."  So, we stayed and I felt great afterwards.  Then today, I really just wanted to come home and sit down.  However, there is my son dressed and ready to go.  I thought I was doing this with him to keep him motivated.  However, I think it is JJ that is going to keep my motivated.

Now, for the segment everyone loves, the Johnny update -- LOL!!!

Johnny is doing very well.  He goes back to see Dr. Rossi on Monday and should be released to return to work on Tuesday.  I am not for sure how much he has lost since the last time he was at the office, but I know it has been a significant amount.  He got sick on me for the first time a couple of Sundays ago.  Luckily he did not vomit but he became as white as ghost.  We decided it was from the Honey BBQ sauce he ate.  He had ate BBQ sauce since surgery, but it was regular.  I honestly believe it was the sugar in the Honey BBQ that got him.  Thankfully, no further episodes and he has been tolerating food very well.

Here are some new pics of my handsome man and some progress pics of both of us.  Enjoy!

Come along for the ride.  The adventure sometimes hurts but is worth it in the end.....

Last week (10/25/11)

This week (11/02/11) - His clothes are so BIG on him!

Looking a little better

This was Johnny on New Year's Eve 2011

This was Johnny at the Halloween Party 2011

The difference is amazing!

Doesn't he look AMAZING?  I am so proud of him!!