Biped--part deux

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

WOW what a day!

I don't normally blog twice, but today's an exception....I feel back in the groove!

After today's good news with the doc, I came home, changed up and went on over to the gym. Original plan was to hit the chest, shoulders, and triceps, but when Dr. Ortho-man said I was cleared to workout with no restrictions, that plan went out the window!

I warmed up on the bike, then found trainer guy, told him the good news and said, "let's go, you're going to earn your money today, we're hitting legs again." He gave me the requisite "are you sure, what did the doc tell you, how does it feel" routine, whereupon I told him "I'm happily married, thank you, and have answered all these questions with SWMBO, let's go"

Now I'm no fool, and so we started out with low weights, he watched and corrected my form as we slowly did squats, lunges, leg extensions, leg curls, abductors, adductors, then some lower back routines and abs.

Big WOW! Both of us could tell how I was able to squat and lunge lower and with better form than before the surgery, where the pain had prevented me from doing much of these exercises. I felt great, and we both acknowledged that I'll be waking up tomorrow feeling like I was hit by a truck, but I'm OK with that.

And that's the amazing part about living a healthy lifestyle....and being mature about exercise. I can tell the difference between good pain and bad....today was good pain. What's even better is that with consistency, my body enjoys this feeling of exertion. And, since at 51 I have nothing to prove to anyone but myself (although I am my own fiercest competitor), I really didn't care that I did some of these exercises with very low weights even in a crowded gym....it's a process and today I was at a very comfortable level of effort.

Then I came home to the smell of Parmesan and various cheeses.....SWMBO is practicing a few recipes for this weekend's outdoor shindig...apparently we are serving crab legs and some artichoke-spinach dip is required as an appetizer (OK)....she wants to get this right, so she made a few variations of the dip. So between all the good news, some sore muscles, and a new found bipedalism, I walked over to the oven, grabbed some of the baguette slices she crisped up and conducted a taste test....then another, and another. They were all good! The trouble is, her 130 lb frame can have a 1/2 cup of this dip and some slices of bread and she's content calling it dinner...not me.

But it's all worked out well....I'm worst case 200 cals over today, and that's rounding up my estimate of the Tbspns of dip off the nutrition tracker....I'll just work it off tomorrow on the bike!

Good night Spark friends!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TEXAS_GRL 4/14/2011 7:34AM

I felt so energized after reading this blog. Your enthusiam was contagious. Way to work those legs! I love that feeling of good pain, when your muscles burn. I know how much stronger I am getting. You are such an inspiration! Makes me want to run out and do some leg exercises...do you think they would miss me at work? Keep on sparkin~ Report Inappropriate Comment

JUNEBUG1944 4/13/2011 10:48PM

Okay...enough! I'm tired just reading about all you did at the gym today! Sure felt great getting back into the swing of things, didn't it? Report Inappropriate Comment

SAFARIBABE 4/13/2011 10:35PM

I can hear your exuberance from 1,000 miles away!!! No before you write off those 200 cals make double sure you included all your cardio for today. For example...did you include skipping to the car after leaving the doctor's office....or flying higher than a kite when the doc said all clear...or dragging the trainer from leg machine to leg machine??? I have a feeling you're going to be snoopy dancing your way thru the rest of the week! Report Inappropriate Comment

Today, I am a BIPED!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Yes people, today I walk on 2 feet, unassisted by crutch or cane!

Drove up to Tallahassee this AM, had some X-Rays taken and saw the doc a few minutes later. He took a look, smiled, and said, "This is textbook, as a matter of fact I want to use this X-Ray in my textbook!" He raised & twisted the repaired joint, had me do the Karate Kid move on that leg, then said "You're good to go":


I asked about biking, walking, and weight-lifting....yes, yes, and yes. Any restrictions? No restrictions!

Wahoo!

Hiking, racquetball? Yes, yes

"What about running?"

He looked at his shoes...."probably not for a while...I'm not going to tell you you can't, but you should wait till the end of this year at least."

OK, fair enough. So I two-stepped out of his office (I momentarily missed the cane...if I'd had it and a Top Hat, I'd have bowed my head to the receptionist and tipped my hat with the cane). Outside I stood at the steps of the clinic and peered out over the view, arms akimbo like a Grand Turk smiling at the threshold of his harem....FREEDOM!

Driving back there was more traffic than I expected, so I checked in with the office, got some work done on the phone, then said to hell with it and came home to tell SWMBO the good news. She was happy....no more hairy eyeball for disobeying doctor's orders.

And so I'm off to the gym in a few minutes, will ride the bike for a warmup again, then hit the weights, but today, I shall work in some leg work....very light, but it's high time these big old leg muscles started pulling their wight around here....they will work for their food like everyone else!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HEALTHIERKEN 4/14/2011 12:33AM

Great news, and great blog : ) You tell your stories *so* very well, always fun to read! Report Inappropriate Comment

REBECCATKD 4/13/2011 10:27PM

Excellent news! Report Inappropriate Comment

JUNEBUG1944 4/13/2011 9:05PM

Yup, I'm doing the happy dance for you, too! That is great! You've been working hard and doing what you should and that's what it's all about! Way to go! You are going to be one busy guy making up for all the fun you've missed! Report Inappropriate Comment

FANGFACEKITTY 4/13/2011 9:01PM

Free at last! I know almost exactly how you feel, being accident prone myself I've had a few time off periods over the years (and have kept both crutches and cane b/c it's a matter of when I get hurt again, not if). Enjoy your bipedalism LOL! Report Inappropriate Comment

SAFARIBABE 4/13/2011 7:36PM

AWESOME!!! I'm Snoopy Dancing for you ... some of my colleagues are starting to stare ... I'm going to stop now, but I'm still dancing on the inside!!! So...what's first on the "I have my Legs back List". Marathon mall shopping with SWMBO? Singing in the rain - Gene Kelly style? I know....Wii kickboxing with son #2! Or has he out grown childhood things now that he's been to the prom? Unlike Dad who wants to get a toy for the toy. LOL WTG on your freedom! But remember, freedom is only truly precious if you use it.....so shake a leg, Mister!! Report Inappropriate Comment

GWCANNON 4/13/2011 6:53PM

Awesome!! Report Inappropriate Comment

TEXAS_GRL 4/13/2011 6:27PM

Doing a happy snoopy dance for you! That is wonderful news!! Welcome back to the land of two feet!! Report Inappropriate Comment

BOBF15 4/13/2011 6:04PM

Jubilation... Do we see an iron man in budding here? Great news. Report Inappropriate Comment

TIFFGETSFIT 4/13/2011 6:00PM

Yay! That is great news!!! Congrats on your new found freedom. Report Inappropriate Comment

WWII Honor Flight

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Well I'm at it a little late tonight, but it's been well worth it.

A friend of mine that owns a restaurant in town called and said, "Hey tonight we're going to Pensacola to meet some returning WWII vets, let's go!"

It's a tradition they've had here in NW Florida for the last few years called the Honor Flight and today was the last time they'll be able to do it. Local businesses work with the Veteran's Administration and the local Congressman from the area and collect up any and all able veterans from WWII and fly them up to Washington DC for the day. Bob Dole meets them and so does Biden. They take them over to the WWII memorial, the Korea and Vietnam Memorials and give them the VIP treatment. Most all are in their mid-70s, a few in their 80s and the oldest was 99.







I was in awe! There was a huge crowd at Pensacola airport waving banners and flags, grand-daughters were in tears wheeling their veteran grandfathers off the plane, husband and wife veterans just smiled and said they had fallen in love in 1943 and have never fallen out and determined old men shook hands with everybody that greeted them and said they were proud to have served. WOW!

Sadly, this is the last time they'll be able to have this flight....every year there are fewer and fewer WWII vets around and it's even tougher getting large numbers together in this area. Many were in wheelchairs, but all were lucid and one 80 year old Marine was determined to crush the hands of anyone willing to give him a shake!

And talk about a Spark! I was in awe at their humility, their energy, their deep appreciation for being recognized (One WAC said, "I didn't think anyone remembered WWII anymore"....I almost lost it and shed a tear!) They were just so happy to still be up and about, to have had a whole day dedicated by the community for what they did.

And talk about honoring your elders! There were 60 year old sons and daughters, 30 year old grandchildren, and teenage great grandchildren there, all red-eyed and smiles watching great grandpa, grandpa, and dad come off that jet waving a flag, ear-to-ear grins, standing tall and proud.

Talk about a non-scale victory!



Good night Spark friends!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

EMILLER22 4/16/2011 7:04AM

I would have lost it for sure being there, crying like a baby! That would definitely be an honor to be there, so sad that they won't be doing the Honor Flights anymore. Report Inappropriate Comment

BRADOS 4/13/2011 8:36AM

that would be an honor to be at such an event - nice Report Inappropriate Comment

FANGFACEKITTY 4/13/2011 7:43AM

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SAFARIBABE 4/13/2011 5:59AM

What a great way to spend the night! You are honored indeed, my friend! Report Inappropriate Comment

BOBF15 4/13/2011 12:57AM

They get this flag, and what it stands for. The red, the white and the blue all stand for something. I love the ideals of America. Freedom is never free. It is not the politician that gives us freedom, rather those who served in the Armed Forces. God Bless America. Report Inappropriate Comment

Sore....and liking it!

Monday, April 11, 2011

So today I decided, "I'm making time to warm-up for my workout" and left work 30 minutes EARLY, to go ride the spin bike for 20 minutes before hitting the weight room. What a difference a warm up makes!

Now I wasn't my usual speed demon, especially since I decided to get caught up on my Friend Feed on the iPhone while pedaling, but it was just enough to make the rest of the workout better. It also gave me some time to unwind from the day before hitting it hard with the trainer....I like it, now I just have to schedule in the extra time.

On the even greater side, I noticed I kept tucking in my shirt all day....it was way loose and I couldn't get it to feel right. I even looked in the mirror and decided I need to go to an alterations shop and have it taken in a little! Like I've said before, I'm OK with the slower weight loss, but I can tell that my particular combination of diet, cardio, and ST is shape-shifting my frame around....I'm dropping pounds slowly, but I'm replacing fat with muscle and that's leading to new wardrobe challenges.

That's it for tonight....even though I'm home, it's going to be a busy week, and a busy month, and a busy next month, and tonight, I'm nicely sore from the gym AND I LIKE IT!

Good night Spark friends!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JUNEBUG1944 4/12/2011 10:10AM

Good for you! You're doing a great job and will find that extra time! BTW, thanks for the hug! Report Inappropriate Comment

TEXAS_GRL 4/12/2011 8:27AM

I have been noticing my own shape shifting and how clothes are fitting so differently. I also like to warm up before doing my strength training. I find I can push it harder when I do so. Keep it up... sore muscles are good muscles! Report Inappropriate Comment

HEALTHIERKEN 4/12/2011 12:24AM

Let's hear it for shape-shifting!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

BOBF15 4/11/2011 10:37PM

Want something done, ... ask a busy person. Great job, I was so stiff today, and don't even know why? Keep at it, through thick and thin. Report Inappropriate Comment

SAFARIBABE 4/11/2011 10:36PM

WTG on your soreness. That's such an awesome feeling!! And nice job on the shape shifting! Even though I haven't lost a lot of weight since I downsized my slacks, they are getting really baggy! So I feel your alterations pain. LOL And I'm sure you wouldn't trade it for anything. Have a great night! Get some rest. Report Inappropriate Comment

BRADOS 4/11/2011 10:23PM

congrats on your continued loss - you seem to have a lot of momentum going - nice. Report Inappropriate Comment

Bring on the Change!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Ahhhh relaxing weekends....NOT!

The rest of April and a good chunk of May are gearing up to be frenetically busy. Like many of you, I've got a lot going on at work, and on top of that I've got a bunch of family about to descend on us (Mom, our son and girlfriend, my brother and maybe his wife & kids, and a nephew) the first week of May, with my mom staying for about 3 weeks. Then, SWMBO and I are fixing to get ready (sadly this Boston Boy has picked up phrases like "fixing to get ready" after living in the south for a few years) to move into some new digs sometime at the end of May, so while we're organizing and cleaning for the visits, we're looking at everything with a critical eye and sending tons of stuff to Goodwill and the local shelters (why is it mostly my stuff that gets chucked?)

And she reminded me yesterday that next weekend we're hosting a big hoopla we had made plans for many moons ago...an outdoor dinner event for about 14 people. And oh yeah, we had to go shopping for it today (she'll finish the rest of it at the end of the week, but we had to go get some of the staples today....ahhh shopping). AND she gave me the hairy eyeball about getting some new shirts, so we spent some time combing over a few websites and settled on a handful of twills and bengal stripes....hmmmmm, should I start ordering the slim fits now....?

But here was the cool part of the day.....I forgot to bring my cane shopping! I thought it was great....SWMBO and #2 son, not so much. Now I've been sneaking around the house without it on short jaunts, but this was my first outdoor adventure without it. Besides, this Wednesday is my last checkup with the doc where he's supposed to clear me for a life of bipedalism after the visit. I suspect it'll be another 6-10 months before I can even consider running, but my goal is to get him to clear me to ride the bike (the road bike that is) and to start back on some weight bearing leg exercises (lunges, squats, etc.)

Anyway, today felt great and gave me a taste of something good to look forward to the rest of this week.....even with the looming visits and lifestyle changes.

Bring on the change! Good night Spark friends!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JUNEBUG1944 4/11/2011 5:44PM

Congrats on losing the cane! I didn't realize that you needed a cane for so long with hip surgery. With knee, I had it for a week or so after a week of the walker. Enjoy all your company...and, eat healthy and feed them healthy, too! Report Inappropriate Comment

TEXAS_GRL 4/11/2011 6:56AM

Sounds like you will be very busy the next few weeks! I was tired just reading about it. So how did you feel after your big caneless excursion? Safari is right SWMBO might just handcuff that cane to you if you try that again. LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

SAFARIBABE 4/11/2011 5:20AM

Why is your stuff getting the boot? That's easy Sugar...b/c it's Swmbo NOT Hwmbo! LOL WTG on your temporary reprieve from the cane. Careful tho, your hairy-eyed SWMBO may handcuff it to your arm if you try that again. You have enough hours at the office to cheat under the radar, but I highly recommend you behave at home. So did you scope out the 55" at the new digs? Report Inappropriate Comment

BOBF15 4/10/2011 9:19PM

... http://www.youtube.com/embe d/rMbATaj7Il8 A little Steppenwolf, Sir---- Cleared to ride.... that's what I am sayin' Report Inappropriate Comment