Take The Plunge

2011-06-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

OK! I know I have been avoiding blogging this week. I am so sad! The Y pool is closed for a week of maintenance. Closed! I cannot go and ride my oars. I am beside myself with frustration. I have never in my life been sad because I could not exercise. I have a pool here at home but it is still in the preparation stage. It is an above ground and at the present there is no way for me to get into it (or out) A ramp system is being built but it is slow going. Anyway it has been over a week since I have been able to use my Lobos and it has been difficult at best. I am stiffening up. I have to stretch so much more every day just to maintain my new found mobility. On land I run the risk of falling...you cannot fall down in the pool. So when I sit in any chair and stretch, I am mindful that I might fall. Itwas a fall that sent me on this downward path to disability. So,I am in a maintainance program for a week...be patient there will be more to come.

The Good Stuff!

2011-06-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

I am giving thought to all the things that have changed since I started using my Lobos.
1. Energy! I have talked about the new found energy...it's huge. This presents a new "problem". I am mobility challenged, I am still in a wheel chair. But maybe the smallest dog will get washed tomarrow.
2. Stand and WALK unassisted steps. I am strong enough now to actually stand up out of my chair and do dishes, empty the dishwasher,do laundry.( see #1)
3. Get out of the pool...there are 5 steps out of the Y pool. On my first day, I was so weak I actually contimplated the Hoya Lift. Now less than 2 months later I climb the stairs just holding the rails. I have actually taken the last step.
4. I have left any depression behind. I am angry with myself for allowing myself to get so out of shape. BUT that said I am fixing it. I have addressed lost inches and I will measure myself again later this week. I will forgive myself.
5. I can sit up straighter. I have to remind myself...old HABITS die hard.But I have muscles to call on. I can suck my stomach in...lol. I cannot do it long, but hey there is a muscle I had completly forgotten about.
6.Sleep...I have not slept thru the night since baby number 1 (hes 41)...No I still do not sleep all night, but I sleep so soundly. I do wake up just one time to make the bathroom trip, but I return to sleep and the next thing I see is daylight...and my cat's nose. She is used to eating much earlier
The list goes on...I will add to it. I have nothing negative to add.

On My Way!

2011-06-07T10:38:00.000-07:00

There is a new monster awakening! I used to sleep in all morning and stay up all night. I came home last night from a workout with my Lobos and fell asleep before midnight. This is way different from 3AM. I was talking to a friend online and just could not stay awake. I was asleep before my head hit the pillow. I woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed at 7AM. Who is this person?
And let me tell you about my work out routine... I am free! Once I strap on my Lobos I launch into the pool like a fish just thrown in the pond...a mermaid dancing thru the waves. I have discovered holding on to the wall makes me work harder. My core muscles actually are being fired as never before. Its all too easy! I stride, I kick, I spin all for abot 20 minutes...then I am finished.I unstrap the Lobos and go for a nice walk in the shallow water.Thats it!
So here I am at home with all this energy...and nothing to do. This is a new perdicament. Most of everything I do still requires some help. I cannot wash the dog alone. But there are things I can do alone. ..and I will prioritize them
For now let me just say, I am so on my way!

Easy...

2011-06-03T12:16:00.000-07:00

When I want to lose weight, its all about easy. I want everything TO BE EASY. I make food ahead so all I need to do is grab it. Salads are a mainstay...I LOVE VEGETABLES...I dump salad into a paper bowl and scoot out into the sunshine. I will cook some chicken meat (or salmon when I am feelin rich), ahead and keep it in individual baggies. There's dinner! So I thought I would blog one of my favorite recipes
This salad keeps well for 2-3 days and is really tastey. I do not always use the sesame oil, and olive oil works well. This is wonderful with grilled chicken pieces tossed in. I grow my own cucumbers in the summertime and they really make the dish special.

Sesame Cucumber Salad Recipe
Make sure your sesame oil is fresh and not rancid. These oils can go rancid after a few months. Do a taste test before adding to the cucumbers; if it tastes off, don't use. If you want you can sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on the cucumbers.

Ingredients

2 medium sized cucumbers (about 1 lb total)
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tbsp dark sesame oil
2 Tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes

Method

1 Peel the cucumbers. Cut them into quarters, lengthwise. (If the seeds are bitter, scrape out the seeds and discard.) Cut the cucumbers again, crosswise, into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
2 Place cucumbers into a serving bowl. Sprinkle with salt. Toss with sesame oil, seasoned rice vinegar, and chili flakes.

And speaking of easy... results keep me going. I have gone from sitting in a wheelchair and miserable to walking some with my brace and walker, and excited. I KNEW I need exercise, but everything was just too hard and painful. I was just about ready to give up when the BodyOars came into my life. Now I have a new lease on my life. I have lost a total, over all, 16" and it was easy....thats the key word for me EASY! When people lose weight they talk about new found energy...yup got that. I am looking for stuff to do Just sitting is driving me crazy now.

Easy results...thats all it is\.OMG...I am taking my life back and its EASY!

What to Eat?

2011-05-31T09:28:00.000-07:00

I am a cook! I am a really GOOD cook! I love to eat...that's a challenge now. In this decision to change I have to consider what I eat. I was just reading a popular brand name food site and it was all about "healty" change in our summer diets. They expounded about limiting or eliminating sugar from our menus. I AGREE!!! sugar is my enemy. No, not the teaspoon of sugar in my coffee, that is just a teaspoon...but it makes me crave carbs all day. This popular brand name food site's writer would have me substitute a sucralose product for my teaspoon of sugar. Where is the change here? It is being suggested that I should ingest a product that is less healthy than sugar just so I do not have to change. I am stumbling all over myself trying to change and I am given bandaids. They had all sorts of desserts full of pink, blue or yellow packets to make them sweet. No! I will not poison myself while I am making healthy choices. My change is to learn to like the true flavors and drink the coffee unsweetened. And instead of the second social cup, I will drink iced water. And...
Take the Plung with my Body Oars...lovin these oars...

In Real Life!

2011-05-25T19:38:00.001-07:00

I am asked to add pictures! I really don't want to, but I have to. I was looking at shots on the popular TV show "Biggest Loser" and the before pictures speak volumes. My problem is that I do not have any "after" pics yet. I have results to report, but my body does not show the change. Internally I FEEL the change, maybe it shows in my smile. :) So here is the link to what I am doing, just remember the party will be Labor Day. If I lost inches so quickly in one month ( and that month is only 2X a week) imagine what daily use over the next three months will produce!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WO8PgIIC7Q

Oh Yeah!!!!!

2011-05-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

Measurement Day! I started the LOBOS on April 18th...today is May 20th...to date I have lost 5 inches in my bust...1 inch in my chest under the bust...3 inches in my waist....3 inches in my hips...and 3 inches in my calf! Need I say more???

What A Difference Week Makes

2011-05-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

Last week was a real bummer for me...I could not get to the pool. My LOBOS and my wheelchair sat by the door looking as forlorn as I felt. I thought by missing the week I would have a hard time getting back to the momentum I had achieved. WRONG! My helpers arrived and I walked yes walked out of the house. Where only a week ago I had trouble getting my bad leg into the car, I bent over and manuvered it into the front seat.
The BIG difference came when I got into the pool. I swam to the deep water using the oars to propel me. I set the clock and went 20 minutes holding a conversation with the lifeguard and the people around me. I have shed the combersome (for me) life jacket, replacing it with a simple ski type belt for floation I stride, long comfortable "steps". I feel my body stretching reaching for the next stride. I am so at ease.
The first day I came to the pool, I was afraid to try to climb the steps out of the pool. Gotta remember a body is only 1/3 its weight when submerged in fresh (pool) water. As I climb up my full body weight returns.It was such a chore that I had actually looked at the Ys pool lift as an option. Last night I just climbed up the stairs, no stopping , no hesitation. I am stronger!
I am trying to remove the Lobos by myself. This is my next challenge. We are working toward making my little quick set pool, at home, accessible to me and my Lobos. I must be able to strap these onto my legs and then remove them. I will keep you all posted about the removal process.

2011-05-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

I just got home from the pool and could not wait to get to this blog. *I feel GREAT! Whats different? I went longer ; I'm up to 20 minutes now. When I came out of the pool I was jello in the control department, but i am just stronger.
I have to explain something here. I have always been a strong woman. I threw haybales and lifted huge pots on and off the stove. I used to have really good muscle tone. For the last 5 years even more I have just let myself go. Finally I ended up in a wheelchair and totally with out exercise. Any way my muscles did not go away, they just relaxed. Now I am asking them to do things they remember and they are quickly rising to the task.
These past few days I have been going out on my deck and enjoying the sun, planting my planters and looking at my pool. We used to have a nice big above ground pool but one severe winter killed it. Now we have a 15' Intex quick set that was quickset 3 years ago and just stays up. The grandekids have enjoyed it but there was no way I could get in or worse, out of it. So I the water rat just watched. So many emotions have been locked inside of me, because I just could not do things. Now I just a short time I am excited with hope. I have a plan and am going to take these LOBOS into my pool...and I will use them every day!
In life I have learned to "Plan the Event Not The Outcome," but that does not mean I cannot have goals. Right now my goals are baby steps. First goal was just get there...and I have accomplished that. Thanks to my two wonderful helpers I have achieved that. Now my next goal is to bring the LOBOS home. Until then I will continue two times a week. If 2x a week has had such wonderful results, what will daily use do? Stay tuned.

OMG Im Excited!!!!!!

2011-05-06T11:26:00.000-07:00

This is just a quick note to tell the world I have lost an inch pretty much all over. I started using this Lobos less than a month ago and it has been sporadic....but I lost the inch. Add the rest of the benefits...I am stronger. Today I sat up in bed with out use on anything...I swung my legs over the side and sat up! I can stand longer and I just noticed I can suck in my stomach and sit up straighter. Its working. Thank you Craig!!! And Thank You from the bottom of my heart to the two women who are helping me... Love You

Take The Plunge Day 7

2011-05-05T20:23:00.000-07:00

I AM WALKING! Yup I actually walked up and down my wheelchair ramp twice. I watched Kate push my wheelchair out to the car without me. I just followed behind. I feel so good.
I got right out of the car and Kate wheeled me into the Y. I am not afraid anymore. Where I used to hesitate before standing up I just go the extra step and let my legs do the standing. I still need handles and rails, but more for balance. When I get into the pool area, I get pushed to the edge of the steps where I stand up and with the rails I walk down the steps. I did not do this the first day. I am getting stronger by the day and lovin it!
I take a quick plunge to get used to the water the its into the whale suit...thats the life jacket I have decided its just too big for me...oh well 4 clicks and I'm in. Now for the fun...I am floating over the steps, no sitting. Kate and Marie put on my LOBOS. They set them right in place and Marie holds them while Kate straps them on. All nice and snug, they steer me to the deep water...I paddle my arms but I need steering. I have learned the oars are not swim fins. I cannot kick and propell myself foreward, so i paddle and they point me in the right direction. I go to the pool at night so it is not busy. The Lifeguards know me now and watch as I get myself into a vertical position. They dont worry any more when I disappear in to my whale suit...the regulars are interested . They are amazed at what I do and DO NOT HURT the next day. I feel better . I start to stride and count . There are clocks all around the pool so I can watch my time. Let me explain this stride I do. My legs are strapped onto these oar looking things.My knees are imobilized, so I am striding from my core and hips. Once I start it takes a few strides to get a rhythm, then I'm off. Tonight they had music on and it was great...I strided to Dirty Dancing...I Had The Time Of My Life!
The Pool part of this experience is easy .. After the pool time I have to get out of the pool. The first day was just plain scary...there are 5 steps up out of the water. With every step up I get heavier again. My knees are weak. But its getting easier. I do not dread the climb...I am actually letting my legs lift me...wow.
I got out, got showered,got dressed and here I am home. I will be up a few hours, but when I do go to bed I will sleep like a baby I am going to take my measurements tomarrow...I think we are in for a surprise.

1st Step

2011-04-25T13:05:00.001-07:00

Get there! I need to get to the pool. I am in this power wheelchair. It is huge, combersome, doesn't like water..nope it will not get me to the pool. I need a manual chair. ...big wheels push yourself. After running round and round with Medicare ...bottom line they will not provide a manual chair, so I begged and pleaded and Empire Wheelchair in Ballston Spa NY agreed to help me .Thank You Norm.
I am told that I must wear a lifejacket with this piece of equipment...mandatory no exceptions. So I have it. Its bulky and ...well more about that laater.
LOBOS, let me tell you about the equipment I have been given to try. They are called Body Oars and thats what they loook like, oars that have yards of velcro starps to accomodate my large leg demensions. I am to strap these oars to my leg and "go for a run" in the water.
My new health insurance supplement ( to medicare) has Silver Sneakers...which is a membership to the Y and use of a wonderful state of the art swimming pool.
OK All ready right? WRONG! I cannot even get out my front door unassisted. I cant drive, I cannot manually power a chair and carry all my stuff.
Enter Kate, my step daughter And Marie my daughter in law... they agreed to help me. Kate pushes me around and Marie drives and carries my stuff. I am so blessed.
I figured it would be easier for me to get dressed here at home, so I put on my swimsuit and clothes over it. I pack a bag and towels and extra clothes...grab the oars and my lifejacket....make a pile by my wheelchair and wait.
We decided that night time would be the best time since all my grandchildren would be in bed. Honestly I think Kate abnd Marie like the kidfree time in the hot tub whilewaiting for me.
Anyway Day 1 included getting me and all my stuff to the Y. I found the Handicapped dressing area, got all ready and wheeled to the pool.
Step one was to put on my lifejacket. Oh how funny. I got all stapped in .. and Kate went to get my oars. I floated away. Understand that I float well even without the jacket...I float really well...no treading , nothing...I jjust float. I float like a coleman canoe, on top of the water. put me in a lifejacket and its like putting a rubber raft UNDER a coleman canoe. Kate retrieved me from the ropes and I was ready to put on the oars.Thank goodness the steps have hand rails. I held onto the rails floated over the steps and Kate and Marie strapped on the oars. My knees are to be immobilized so the straps are tight...ok so here I am ready to "run". I float myself to the deep end and assume a verticle position. I am to stride ...long steps non stop for 15 minutes or 400 strides...whichever comes first. I check the clock and decide when to stop. I begin striding. This is easy. I am moving! The water (an old friend) embraces me, supports me...I stride. This is easy...it feels so good. Kate and Marie head off to the hot tub...I stride. I talk to the lifeguards other people in the pool, just striding. I am usin my arms now. It looks sort of like people power walking, but no sweat, no pain, Hm music would be nice.

Change Day 1

2011-04-25T11:49:00.001-07:00

Decision to Change

2011-04-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

I am a 63 year old woman...thats the new 50 right? OK so I am suddenly past middle age, overweight...my hair is getting gray...my teeth falling apart...and I am in a wheelchair. I did this! I have to fix it! I can just sit here ( big choice) and feel sorry for myself, get older and fatter or I can make the CHOICE to change. It would be so easy to continue on my destructive path...change is not easy. Its gonna be hard. I am facing the rest of my life and I want to be at my best...this is not even near my best. What am I gonna do?

I have had no exercise for the last year...anything I eat just goes to my hips and any other part of my body in this fat suit. But I cannot move I am in a wheelchair. I have tried all sorts of equipment to help me exercise, nothing works. I happened across a man who has invented a tool that will make exercise for the handicapped accessible. Of course its in the water. I love swimming! I love the pool! I love the entire aquatic environment.!

I contacted the man and he and I decided that his invention will change my life. Change my life? What do I want? I want to walk again. Is that possiible? I don't know. But if I become ther best I can be it will certainly be more obtainable. Step one will be to get the weight off and get my core stronger. How do I do that?

I "Take The Plunge"!