MORE BETTER

I went back to work today.  By lunchtime, my left hand was hurting more than it has and I had a headache and felt a bit nauseated.  I came home and put my feet up and elevated my hand.

We opted for Pollo Asada tostadas for dinner and a homemade "light" margarita (using Crystal Light Lemonade and fresh lime juice) as a mix.  The tequila did a much better job of quelling the pain in my hand and head than the Tylenol I have been taking. 

Tomorrow, I have an appointment to have my sutures removed.  I can't wait to get them out.  Another step toward getting back to normal.

I hope to feel like getting back on the treadmill soon. 

TIME OFF TO HEAL

I've been home from work for two days recovering from my injuries in my fall.  I look pretty awful still...and still feel crummy, too.  My whole body still hurts.  My triceps especially and then, my back, knees, back of my left hand and face...in that order. 

I have to clean my wounds several times a day and keep them all covered with ointment to help prevent scabbing and scarring.  Staying on a heating pad and taking Tylenol every four hours. Following my doctor's orders for aftercare.

I took this photo yesterday.

And this one this morning.

Not much is going on with me except a lot of rest and healing.  Wrapping up here.  Have yourself a good day!

ROADBUMP

I'll start with the bad news.  While on my walk, I took a spill and face planted on the sidewalk.  My sunglasses cut my face between my eyes and I got serious road rash on my nose, lip, the back of my left hand and both palms.  I bruised both knees and my left elbow. 

The good news is that I was only half-block from home when I fell; a neighbor came to my aid, helped me clean up my bloody face, made me an ice pack and drove me home; my nose is not broken and my teeth are all intact!

Bruce got home and took me to the ER where I was evaluated and stitched up (5 tiny stitches) and send home to heal.

Here is a photo of my face when I got home from ER last night.

 

I am very thankful that my injuries are relatively minor...no broken bones or injuries with long term repercussions...it could have been much, much worse.

Today I feel sore all over from the fall and have been taking some OTC pain relievers and a heating pad for my back. 

I may be back tread-milling it on Tuesday...doing at least hill climbs.  Right now my face hurts to smile, frown and even chew, so running sprints on the treadmill may be too much jostling for a few days.

I have to get my stitches out by Thursday to keep the stitches from creating more of a scar than the wound will.  The ER physician made 5 tiny stitches to minimize the scar. 

I know that working out is supposed to be a healthy thing, but this is the second time it hasn't worked out all that well for me... (remember my fall down the stairs on the way to the hotel gym in Nashville a year ago?)

Despite this setback, I will continue to work out and press forward on this journey to better health.

I'm working hard for my goals...and now I have the scars to prove it!

MAKING IT WORK

Here I am...in the middle of my second month of working out and eating healthy.

I've been working out 6-7 days a week.  For a couple of weeks, I worked out 7 days but then I realized I really did need one day off a week.

I really enjoy my long walks each Saturday and Sunday and I really didn't want to give either one of those up.  There is something energizing about a long walk outside.  I always feel better when I get home from my walks. It is a mood lifter to say the least.

That being said, I decided to take Mondays off.

It makes perfect sense...right?

This is my rationale....Monday mornings arrive too soon and too early. It's so hard to get out of bed, put on work out clothes and get on the treadmill for 30 minutes and then go to work.  I would rather just pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep for several hours...or at least another 30 minutes. 

It's a win-win!  Taking Mondays off allows me to sleep in on Monday mornings (if you consider 5:30 a.m. sleeping in...) and I get to keep my Sunday walks (outdoors and longer cardio time and calorie burn)

I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but to a woman who has given up Girl Scout cookies this year, an extra 30 minutes of sleep is a big deal. 

It's been a good trade-off. 

MY FAVORITE APP

I have several really great Apps on my Droid phone, but my all time favorite is one called 'Out of Milk'.  (Apple has a similar one for IPhone).  It's a FREE grocery list application and lets you create multiple lists in case (like me) you shop at more than one place. 

I currently have three lists--Grocery, Costco and Walmart.  I can move items between my lists, add them from my history (when you delete them from your list, they go into your history).  As I place the item in my cart, I can line it off on my phone and the item goes to the bottom of my list. 

Since I have my phone with me everywhere, whenever I remember something we need, I can simply add it to my list on my phone.  No more scraps of paper floating around my house, at my office or in my purse!

When you start typing in an item, there are default items in the database that will pop up and you can just add (saving you time).  You can customize and specify your own brands or items that are not in the database too!

Bonus!  It also has a Pantry list and Spice Rack with numerous items that are found in your pantry and spice rack.  You can also customize those items/list to fit your family's tastes or cooking style and add from the pantry and spice rack lists to your shopping lists! 

It also has a barcode scanner to use to add items to your lists!  There are some other bells and whistles that I am not using but you may love.  You can check them out. 

And that's not all... *drumroll*  It has a To-Do List! 

Did I mention that it's FREE?  It does have a Pro version for $2.99 that has gotten stellar reviews too, but I have the free version and am quite happy with it.

This App has truly made my shopping more organized (and me less crazed).  No more hunting for a pen to cross off my list, or cursing myself for leaving my list sitting on the kitchen counter!  You know you've done that! 

Now if I can just remember to bring my shopping bags from the car into the store with me...is there an app for that?

SUPER SUNDAY

Yes, it's Superbowl Sunday.  I am less interested in the actual game, but I love the stories behind the players.  It's fascinating and gives me a greater appreciation for the game and the heart of the players.

I also love the commercials...my favorite part.

I made sure to get my 4.31 miles walk in earlier today and we're planning healthy snacks to eat during the game...after all Superbowl is also about the food.  But you don't have to go crazy to join in the party.

We have huge spread of fresh raw veggies (cucumber, brocolli, red peppers, green peppers, yellow peppers, carrotts, grape tomatoes, and celery.  We're serving it with a fat free sour cream dip. 

I also made a homemade bean dip with drained and rinsed pinto beans, lime juice, garlic, cumin, chili powder and salsa all mixed in the food processor.  Serving with pita chips.

We're making homemade "hot wings" using baked chicken breast tenderloins, coated with Franks Buffalo Hot Pepper sauce.

Lastly, we are making cheesy jalapeno peppers with seeded jalapenos, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese and crushed garlic and then baked.  Just making enough for one serving each, so we are not gonna go off the grid with our calories!

Lots of healthy choices and good food to snack on--now just waiting on the game! We're ready!

Feeling good with my 13 pound weight loss for January and more motivated than ever to continue getting into better shape and more fit this month too!