Update-FitBit and Sparta Fitness

So the research study has been going well, haven't pushed it, but meeting my goals which consist of a certain number of steps per day and using a Fitbit and their site. I love it a lot! I have gone from roughly 1200 steps a day to now over 6,000 and some day over 7,000. So I am proud of that even though I am not losing any weight. I have an appointment for an MRI tomorrow and a Sonogram for my thyroid in a few weeks, the doc says it is larger than usual. Hope its nothing because I refuse to ingest a radioactive pill like my sister did!!

The other great thing is I started Sparta Fitness training today, it was a killer workout and I only did have of what others did. But I will get there, my goal is to participate in the Spartan race that will be in February 2014. What makes it even more awesome is my Navy buddy is doing it too! So we can help each other along the way :) Here is their website, they have awesome photos!

This is Sparta!!

Once Again

Yes I am back!! Starting out slow this time and not beating myself up when I don't have good days. Back pain is a bitch but have to get through this! So I recently was selected for a research study for weight loss and using online media. The cool thing is I get to use the FitBit as well as the scale and their site. So it has been helping but not really motivating me any more or less. Last week they added an online behavioral coach to the mix, and this has been helping a lot better. We meet once a week and discuss goals via Skype. So the goals for this week is getting in 3,771 steps a day. So far so good! Will try and be better and keep you updated!!

Life

Today was a good day I made it through the first day of a bootcamp type workout, it was tough, I had to modify a few times, but I never stopped, I kept moving. So I feel like I will see this through every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, for six weeks. I need to figure out a good reward. Hmm that will be the end of August, which means almost September. Which also means a certain someone will be visiting, so I guess that will be my reward (smiles).

So then evening comes and I start winding down and then start thinking. I have always thought way too much. I can seriously remember my thoughts from when I was very young, I remember not talking but always thinking. Way beyond what kids should be thinking, I hate that I am such an emotional roller coaster, I have been that way all my life, on one level I am grateful that I have been given such a gift to know and feel and understand people. But then there are times I get angry that others don't know and feel and understand what I do. Life could be so simple. But people have to make it difficult and this I dont think I will ever understand.

Tomorrow is a new day and if I am lucky I will greet it :)

Mental Ninja!!

Today was a good day, it was a non-stop day, but even so I managed to squeeze in some gym time. I got on the treadmill walked for 5 minutes, then did rotations of 1 minute run and 1 1/2 min walk. I completed 1.28 miles. Not much but hey its a start :) !! Here is the crazy news, I got a groupon for 6 weeks of boot camp for 29 bucks! I start on Tuesday and am hoping I don't die! Three days a week so I am going to try and keep up the running on others days. I am starting to get nervous about the upcoming zombie run in November, which is a zombie infested 5k obstacle course ( runforyourlives.com ). I also have a run in August, another in September, and then although I haven't registered yet planning to do the color run in December, woohoo, I think I am motivated! Red dress was the kick off! Oh and here is our t-shirt design for the zombie run, designed by none other than the beautiful Erica (my daughter)! Training is all in the mind ya know, this I learned in the real boot camp in 1984. Amazing what our bodies are capable of doing if only we set our mind to it!

The Traveling Red Dress is here!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a fun day I had with the beautiful traveling red dress sent to me by the lovely Heidi from http://girltomom.com/ blog.

I woke up on Friday, July 13 (5 days after my 48th birthday) at 5:30 am so that I could put on makeup, try to tame my unruly curly hair, and then drape myself in all this red. I then drove to pick up my good friend who took all these gorgeous photos but yet chooses to remain anonymous, although I insist he could make money doing what he loves to do! So then we are on the beach at 7am with many curious onlookers. I must say it was liberating so much so that i even got a few risky shots  which I would never post online ;) So after a couple of hours of playing in the white powder sand, dipping in the clear turquoise waters, and getting bit/pinched by what looked to be a small baby shrimp, we heading back to the car.

So we then drive to the local IHOP so that I could buy this amazing man breakfast in lieu of a commission. While sitting there in this brilliant red dress most just smiled and went on their way. I hear it is not the most unusual occurrence in Clearwater Beach. Then I receive a strange look from a young mother there with her husband and two kids and it dons on me that most people are probably assuming I had a hell of a night out (one night stand) with this handsome black man and had no change of clothes! We both had a good laugh at the thought. I then learn that not only is this day a starting point for me but also my friend. Four weeks earlier he had open heart surgery for severe heart disease and it had gotten to the point he was unable to lift his beloved camera because of the pain it caused. So today was his first day out taking pictures and surpassing my physical abilities!! He was so happy and I am so thankful I got to share the moment with him.

I then drive him home and head back to Tampa. But before I cross the bridge I realize I need gas so stop at a 7-eleven. I think being alone in the red dress my previous boldness left me and I felt a little self-conscious. But I have to get gas so go for it and as I am standing there the store attendant comes out to change the receipt tape in the tank beside me. He looks at me and smiles and says "all women look beautiful in red dresses" and that is what its all about! Thank you Heidi for all that you do!! Much love to you <3

The Traveling Red Dress

Well I definately got a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. But on the brightside it's not Lupus or anything worse. I still have been lax with getting on this plan, but have been feeling better. But some days are good some days are not. I tend to take on other peoples issues and need to learn to let go and not let it effect me because stress plays a major role in all this. But on a positive note I have a beautiful red dress being sent to me from Heidi at http://girltomom.com/fumbling-towards-ecstacy/magic-red-dress-beverlys-story#more-26597 she just posted my story and I feel honored to be chosen for this very special dress and already feel a shift in moods. Can't wait to put it on and take a stroll on the beach. So now I am off to go take a walk, its a start right? Much Love!!

Dr. Visits

Over the past couple of years I have been to the doctor so much I was beginning to think I was a hypochondriac. From joint pains, body aches, fatigue, insomnia, racing heart, stomach issues, stomach pains, ovary pains, and migraines, I truly did think I was going crazy, as well did my primary physicians. They tried on numerous occasions to put me on anti-depressants among numerous other medications. I hate taking medicine, not because I can't swallow pills, but because they usually make me feel worse than I did in the first place. Then low and behold my sister suggested it was fibromyalgia, now mind you I really did not know the first thing about it so I started the typical Internet google search (by the way they call me the "Google Queen" and I will hold that title with pride). Sure enough nearly ever symptom listed I have had at one time or another, so then went my quest to search for a Doctor.

I got lucky, better than lucky, this guy is close by, is a rhuematologist (did I mention I was diagnosed at age thirty with arthritis?) and specializes in fibromyalgia! He has written numerous books on both subjects and developed a very specific diet to treat both (did I mention I was fat too)! The greatest thing is he does research too!! Oh and takes my insurance!

So my first appointment was basically going over all my years upon years of medical history and surgeries (this guy is thorough) and then he checked the 18 pain trigger points. This man knew what he was doing because every point I thought I was going to cry and I am not a cry er and have one of the highest pain thresholds of anyone I know (ex. having a baby through natural childbirth which resulted in tearing so bad I had to have reconstructive surgery later and after the birth I was ready to get up and take a shower). So after the exam he did not say yes or no to the fibromyalgia, because he first wanted to get x-rays and blood work to rule out other things :) I did say he was thorough. But here is the best part, he gave me (yes gave me, did not charge) two of his books that sell for 16.99 on Amazon. Then sent me an e-book as a gift from amazon as well. He suggested I start on the diet and come in once a week for weight-ins and a B-12 shot. These appointments only cost a whopping $20!! The going rate for weight management in this area is $60-80.

So today was actually my second appointment nothing major to write, only saw the nurse for shot and scale and BP check. But the good news is I lost a pound or two!! She did not have my record because he was doing progress notes.

So from this day on I will try and make it to post something along the way and keep you updated on my choices and changes in order to live a healthier life.