Injury - update August - Sept 2015

Me with youngest DGD who had her 18th BD in July

So I got a bit too exuberant in walking. Went with DGD to see youngest DGD and oldest DGD at the store where they work (so for one thing, could give youngest DGD - she was 18 this Birthday - her card and gift. They got DH a scooter but couldn't easily find another one for me so I walked in the store.  That night, I woke up at 11 PM to cook veggies and moved my left leg a bit to the side, felt a "pop" and horrible pain.  DS said it was a muscle strain but it might have been a ligament issue also as I've had a similar injury before - had a mini stroke in 2008 (I'm almost 71 now!) and it took some nerves or whatever out of the left leg - right after the stroke, I was off my feet too.  Anyway, after this injury couldn't walk at all and had to use a scooter around the house.  I believe I've said I'd fought depression because went from being a princess (DH spoiled me) to being a Cinderella (after DH's 3rd stroke when I became caregiver).  Well, what I learned from this injury is there are worse things than being a caregiver, like being a caregiver confined to a scooter.  Doing everything I ordinarily did, became difficult.  And that lasted several weeks. Injury happened Sept 6 and I'm just getting back on my feet now - beginning of October but still wearing my soft brace. (Maybe I should have been wearing it all along?)  Have been a bit depressed (my e-bike is down for the count - the shop lost their mechanic and I need a new front wheel - the bearings are gone on the front wheel on the bike now).  But in the last week I've been able to ride further on my pedal bicycle and that was a thrill. Yesterday DH lent me his e-bike and I rode to an errand and enjoyed it!  And am doing my cooking and cleaning on my feet.

  Most of all, I've learned to be grateful for what I have instead of mourning what I no longer have and ironically, have in the last week or so, been happier than I'd been since Feb 2014 when DH had the third stroke.  It's been good for DH also - since I couldn't wait on him as much with the injury, he's been walking better (because doing more of it).  I think God hit us both with a brick and sometimes those bricks hurt but we end up better for it.

My weight has been staying around 160.  That seems to be where my body likes to be. I got a bravo from our WW leader this AM for "getting" maintenance.  I'm 20 lbs below my doctor set goal so that gives  me some breathing room.  That's it for the update - for now (August was a hard month because we had a power outage for 5.5 hours and also I had two molars break off - crowned teeth, they required surgical extractions.  So not fun!)   Onward and upward! :)

July 2015 update

I still ride my bicycle a lot albeit also ride an electric bicycle :)

As usual at this time of year, we are watching the Tour de France.  DH either has gotten more return or I've gotten used to the "new him" - probably more of the latter - I help him dress and we have made other changes which work better (he can do some stuff but needs supervision).  We ended up getting a new car and I am shocked to experience where technology has progressed since we got our other car in 2007.  This one has a push button start (no ignition key - I carry a "FOB"), automatic "climate control" and wonderful shocks --- unlike our other car which wasn't really bad but the front end of it disconnected and when I went to the dealership to get it fixed because last time that happened, our mechanic said we needed to go to the dealership.  But at the dealer, a car salesman swooped down upon me and talked us (well me) into a new car. Actually he just let me drive it and I was hooked.  So now we have "car payments" again.  ** sigh **  Sometimes life feels a bit unreal to me - I still miss the strong protective man, DH was - now he's just different... like getting used to a new guy.  He's nice but different and I am left with making the big decisions (like the new car) on my own - I've never done this in my life and it feels very different and uncomfortable. DH kind of, is not all there - quiet and often sits - he still eats normally though... Through all of this, I have kept all of my weight off though - actually losing slowly like one lb a month (I am told I am in the 5% who can keep over 100 lbs off for several years).  Truly I do not have the appetite I used to have, probably due to the big changes in my life (some of which are a bit scary).  But I know if I didn't make good food choices, I could be back where I was in 2008.  Weighing in at my monthly Weight Watchers meeting, is definitely helping me to remember to stay "on program". I do suffer depression quite often but try to deal with that through exercise and prayer.  Depression because losing my lifetime companion in a sense is hard - especially as the years between his retirement in 2010 and his 3rd stroke in Feb 2014, were some of the best in our marriage.

January 2015

Happy New Year!  It's been a while since I've updated - DH has gotten back more return - it's slow but the improvements are exciting.  I got an electric bicycle and we ride all over the place on those.

I've kept my weight at an even keel, 17 lbs below goal! I'm still working out daily.  I got a skimpy little workout outfit for Christmas and I love it wearing it!  I've been below my Weight Watchers goal since March 2010.  And yes, I do count my points plus every day!  Now the Weight Watchers mobile site is pretty awesome so I can conveniently count my points plus on my iPhone and iPad...

While I don't look like a model (who ever heard of a 70 year old model anyway...lol), I don't look bad!  Here I am in my new workout outfit!

Things are looking up

DH is getting some return in cognition but it's slow.  He works - does an online puzzle every day and still does his 30 minutes on the stationary bicycle.  I lost some weight when he initially had his stroke and have been losing about a lb a month but think I'm leveling out now at 15 lbs below my WW goal weight.  I know I'm more active than before because I do all the cooking now and DH can no longer safely drive (although he still does ride his electric bicycle.  At the age of 70, my bicycle speed is comfortable at 5 MPH which is average for my age. (although I remember being in my 50's and questioning the "slow speed" of senior riders).  We are watching and enjoying the Tour de France at present. Yesterday DH did the online puzzle in 20 minutes which is half the time that he took a few months back so progress is happening.  I'm getting used to the "new life" where I am alone often as DH doesn't chat the way he used to before stroke 3. (has some trouble enunciating words)  photo: like this church, we are rebuilding DH's cognition...

update 2014

Sorry haven't updated for a while.  DH had another stroke a month ago and lost a good part of his thinking ability.  Cannot drive etc etc.  It's been hard because we were such close companions and it's like a large part of him is no longer there.  I lost my appetite and that's helped me in weight loss (lost 7 lbs at last weigh-in) but not a great way to lose weight.  Also I'm fighting depression and there is sort of no one to talk to.  I try to remind myself that I was lucky I had such a nice companion for 47 years but somehow that doesn't ease the pain I'm feeling now, much because I miss that companionship a lot.

I guess what gets to me is that all was great until he decided he wanted to ride his pedal bicycle again (instead of his electric bicycle) after not riding the pedal bike for several years. He worked hard and heart pains did not deter him.  Finally, after a few days of this, he had a stroke right after a lengthy bicycle ride seemingly

from the over extended effort.  I wish I had stopped him now.  Too soon old, too late smart. The photo is of him on that long bicycle ride just before his third stroke.  He literally brought the bicycle in, sat down in his chair and had a stroke.

Anyway, sorry this is kind of a sad blog.  Hopefully will feel more upbeat next time I write.  Last weigh-in, I was 15 lbs below goal.  Easy to be below goal when one doesn't feel like eating.  Not good though...

Weigh in day and update!

What better day to write than weigh in day? :)  I weigh in once a month - still going for free to meetings (well below goal) however I did gain a lb - recently though, I made a change in my program so I might see a loss next month.

My Leader is a great lady and I always enjoy her meetings.  I look forward to my monthly WW meeting although most of the folks I knew from when I first joined for the 4th time in 2008, no longer come. I guess if I went weekly, I'd get to know some of the new folks.  I hang out a lot on the WW website - they have a great online community there so lots of support and long term friendships available!

I visited the blog of a lady who were very gung ho on WW - she lost a lot of weight - she had a website all about it.  But lately she's gained back.  The other three times when I start gaining back, I'd say "all for lost anyway" and that was the end of things but this time, I'm keeping on tracking and working at it.  Did my first three times on program finally teach me so ways to deal with "stuff"? I hope so.  Many learn it before the second time but I'm a slow learner because this is my fourth time on program! :)

Sue - has she regained?

So you are probably wondering (if anyone reads this?) whether since my last post here was in late 2010, if I have regained (like I did after every other attempt at weight loss I've tried).

And the answer is no.  I have actually stayed around 157 lbs (a loss of 110 lbs) since March 2010.

I do track every day.  I also exercise daily - not for weight loss - that never took weight off me but for health!  Slowly getting a new wardrobe.  (someone should nominate me for TLC's "What Not to Wear" (*LOL*).

I love being this size.  If you have followed my journey, you know that I initially began this to get rid of GERD which has been nicely in remission since 2008, Feb, my first day OP (that's Weight Watcher talk for "On Program") but I have to say, having all this weight off has reduced my joint pain drastically!!!  I can move around a lot better.  I fit in every chair I've tried to sit in.  No more do I worry in going out whether my butt will fit.  The down side is I lost some friends along with the weight although I have never really mentioned it.  They were all waiting for me to regain (as a few told me!) and annoyed some family members.  But I do enjoy being where I'm at.

Frankly, if I knew that being this weight (which, I've been only very briefly in 1973) would feel so nice, I might have done this much sooner.  It's so work keeping it off but I find it's really true that "nothing tastes as good as thin feels" and that the Weight Watchers program really works!  Photo was me fooling with my iPhone - I'm in my biking outfit - taken in May 2012!