Recovery journal

Day 44: Productive. Independent. Determinded. Today, marks four weeks post-op. Yay! PT this morning. Physical therapist asked if I've been doing my homework. I replied, of course I do my homework. I want this more than YOU. It's the road to MY recovery. She said, she never heard anyone put it like that before. Also, went to the gym - love all my gym folks. They are SO good to me. Down but NEVER out.

Recovery journal

Day 41: Back in action and I feel GOOD! I had a sweaty, exhilarating upper body, and core workout with Megan today. I love working with her because she has a tool belt full of tools. The workout was creative, effective, and mindful of my limitations. Make no mistake though I was being worked. My fave was the chopping wood exercise with resistance bands. I will NEVER sit still. I ♥ working out.

Eating Healthy Never Tasted So Good

Beef’s for dinner. 100% grass fed sirloin steak, roasted asparagus and Crimini mushrooms tossed in Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and garlic, and Inca Red Quinoa. Red meat often gets a bad name, but it’s a great source of zinc and iron. Quinoa is an extraordinary seed full of protein and other goodness. 

Recovery journal

Day 36: I'm totally overthinking everything and fear has me immobile. Part of my fear is reasonable, but at some point I'm going to have to just do it. To shower without my daughter at home to supervise me is this afternoon's burning question. I'm just so afraid to do anything by myself anymore. I want my independence back. Waa!

Recovery journal

Day 35: It's my baby girl's 18th birthday. Those who are close to me know how I like to spoil and celebrate. It's killing me that I can't go out and pick up all the fun little trinkets I normally would. I'm trying to muster up the courage to transport myself to the store. I'm afraid of falling and no one being there to help. I've already promised her a proper celebration once I'm back on my feet, but still...

Light of Mine

Typically, out of everything bad comes something good. With that said, having a fractured leg has altered my lifestyle in some negative ways. Rather than dwell, I’ll highlight the good. During this recovery time I’ve needed help with every day tasks shopping, cooking, cleaning, showering, and everything in between. While, my mother and friends have been helpful, it's my daughter, Jasmyn who has shined. I'm very domestic and so naturally I instilled domestic qualities in Jasmyn, however, in my time of need she has taken it to another level. In the past few weeks, she’s nurtured me, taken on the household chores, and I’ve watched her kitchen skills go from ordinary to extra-ordinary. It's worthy that I mention she's done all this while completing her Senior year of high school and practicing for a spot on her school's Varsity tennis team.

Today, Jasmyn turns 18 and I have a wild hunch these past weeks she’s spent caring for me was also time for me to pass on some final pointers for her passage into adulthood. I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen. I’m beaming with pride. I'm confident, she’s prepared to leave the nest.  Universe, please be kind to my baby girl. “This little light of mine I’m gonna to let it shine….”

Recovery journal

Day 34: I'm getting stronger everyday. My leg is virtually pain free. I take the stairs easier, faster. When walking on crutches I don't fatigue as quickly. With the chair on wheels I'm mobile in the kitchen again. At this rate, I may be marathon ready by June 19th. ;)

Recovery journal

Day 30: Hot, sweaty, and slightly out of breath from getting myself some lunch. 26 stairs round-trip is no easy feat for someone in my condition, but as I got to the top of the stairs my heart filled with joy, pride. Although, it's not easy, I CAN go to the kitchen and get something to eat. So not only am I'm celebrating one month from date of accident, two weeks post-op. but also the ability to do for myself.

Game On!

“I’m not going to gain a single pound while I’m sidelined,” I told my girlfriend with conviction when my leg was fractured four weeks ago. So far, so good. Today, marks one month since the accident and I’ve lost four pounds, in the last four weeks. Yay me!

My assistant coach, as he likes to call himself, is helping me stay on track with my diet. The plan is to follow somewhat of a Paleolithic diet or sometimes referred to as a Caveman diet. Don’t be alarmed this is not some freakish, fad diet. The concept is to eat foods that are naturally grown and raised. Kind of like our hunter/gather ancestors use to -- plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, eggs, lean meat, and fish. As disciplined as I am, rather than set myself up for failure I’ve already decided that occasionally I will allow myself to have grains, dairy, or perhaps some chocolate.  Those occasions will be exceptions and NOT the rule.

My goal is to lose a minimum of a pound a week for the remainder of my recovery time -- ten weeks. I am solely relying on my diet since my exercise will be limited. Studies have shown that diet is the most important element when losing weight. I don’t want to discount the benefits of exercise because it is important for overall health and mood. I love exercising, so believe you me, as soon as I am able to return full strength I will be, oh so happy to do so.

Doubters: Think of me as your case study. For the next ten weeks I will show you exactly why exercise is overrated when it comes to losing weight. Let the game begin!



Check out this video - You can't out train a bad diet:

Recovery journal

Day 26: It hurts so good. My first PT appointment went well. I was so happy to kinda be working out. Sure, I was just moving my leg, but it’s a lot of work. At one point I even broke out in a sweat. I know the Physical Therapist was thinking whoa if everyone was so enthusiastic about PT. ;) Today, consisted of leg raises, hamstring curls, and Isometric Quad exercises (which I really need to work on) my quads seemed to have checked out. I’m a little sore and tired, but that’s to be expected. Afterwards, my girlfriend and I went to lunch and we shared a beautiful salad, a slice of this ridiculous Artichoke pizza, and fresh Minestrone soup. Life's simple and good.

Recovery journal

Day 25: It's hard. That's why I dread the kitchen now-a-days. A quick meal takes double the time to prepare. Today, as I stood in one spot preparing a salad I was dripping with sweat. Every turn is a hassle. How do I get the glass, plate, skillet, etc. from one spot to the other? My hands are holding the crutches. It's hard, but it's not impossible. I just have to clear the road blocks in my head.

Recovery journal

Day 22: Oh happy day! Sun is shining and I was fortunate enough to be out and about. Post-op with Orthopedic doctor went well. I’ve been okayed to shower. Yes! I can’t wait. Staples were removed – all 30 of them. Doc says incision looks good no signs of infection. Brace was readjusted for a little more range. Cleared for physical therapy – first, appointment is Tuesday.

Recovery journal

Day 21: Nothing real exciting to report. Other than today marks three weeks since the accident and one week post-op. I visit the Orthopedic doc tomorrow, so I'm sure there'll be plenty to report.

Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention yesterday I finally used one of those electric carts while in the grocery store. Those things are fun! I was rolling. I especially like backing up, beep, beep, beep.

Recovery journal

Day 20: Just what the doctor ordered, my mama. She made it all better. She took me on my mundane errands and then a quick excursion to the gym. Yup, the gym. It was so liberating to hobble in on crutches. Oh how, I miss the sounds, the action, and the camaraderie. I was able to chat with the staff and ran into a couple of gym buddies. What a difference a few hours out of the house makes

Pardon me

Tibia Metal Plate

While I sulk, complain, cry. It was ME after all who was hit by a car, suffered a fractured Tibia, and had surgery to repair it. Oh yeah, and now my leg has hardware in it – a metal plate with several screws. I saw the doctors order for the parts, they had SKU numbers. Yes, SKU numbers.

As courageous and brave as I am, even I need a break. Give me a second to adjust to this all. Sorry, if I can’t get down the stairs this week to get myself something to eat. Sorry, if I can’t drive myself to doctor's appointments and the grocery store. Sorry, I feel like I shouldn’t have to ask for help. Those who know me and are close to me should have already gotten the memo. Okay, so I certainly do not expect the world to quit moving while I recover. Injuiries, surgeries happen all the time, and everyone has busy lives, but come on -- really?

Without a doubt, everything happens for a reason, this too shall pass, and certainly I’ll come through this with flying colors. I get that, but get this – I’m not even a week post-up from a major orthopedic surgery. My cape is at the dry cleaners. Again, I need a minute to wrap my mind around all of this. Just give me a second to figure out how and what I feel, please.

I realize these circumstances don’t give me a license to become a lazy, complaining freak, but for sure, I deserve at least one week to rest, cry, and expect unsolicited help without having to apologize. I'll  return to true form soon, I promise. For now, pardon me for expressing my raw emotions. 

Recovery journal

Day 18: Something just came over me and I started to cry. For whatever reason, my life has headed down a different path. A direction, I didn't forsee. A direction, I didn't facilitate. So, here I am, sitting still with myself and it dawned on me... This is the PATH I'm suppose to travel. By golly, this is it! It will be a slow process, but I'll forge ahead, gently, yet courageously one day at a time.

The Best

Out and About with a smile

As I’ve been contemplating Open Reduction Surgery all week many thoughts have entered my mind. Last night, I started thinking about my favorite athlete, Serena Williams. The woman is a beast with finesse and precision on the court. She has a fighting spirit that allows her to get through tough, gritty matches. She never gives up on herself even when the match looks like it is about to get away from her. She seems to have the same mental fortitude in her personal life as well. Recently, she was sidelined with a non-tennis foot injury (not the first time she’s been injured) which required surgery. The foot injury caused her to miss the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open. To add insult to injury, she holds four Australian Open titles and was the current defending champion. Surely, she hated missing the tournament. Tennis is her passion, her livelihood. However, from the interviews I’ve watched and the photos I’ve seen she seems to keep her spirits high and not let the injury get her down. Once it’s time to rehab, I'm sure she’ll put in the necessary work to return to her dominant nature on the court.

I look to my fitness hero, Serena Williams as I begin my journey through surgery, recovery, and rehab. Although, I don’t have the fame, game, or recognition that Serena has, I see a lot of similar qualities between us.

Pure passion

Injuries can happen to anyone, even the best of the best.                   

Serena was also recently hospitalized for pulmonary embolism. Wishing her a speedy recovery.

Eating Healthy Never Tasted So Good

 

Chicken Fiesta Lettuce Wraps



I love the versatility of lettuce wraps. They’re a tasty, easy-to-prepare, low-carb alternative.  The possibilities for the fillings are endless. Yesterday, I was in a spicy mood and decided to have a fiesta. Grilled chicken breast seasoned with cumin and chili powder, creamy Haas avocado, ripe Roma tomatoes, and a sprinkling of Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese, atop nutrient rich, crisp Romaine lettuce leaves.