Recovery journal

Day 101: It went DOWN! 10 minutes on the treadmill @ 2.1 mph. 20 minutes on recumbent bike ranging 65-75 rpm, and the highlight of it all - (4) consecutive 45 second planks with three personal trainers spotting me, rooting me on, and making sure my form was good . The last plank was especially for my assistant coach I had to show him how STRONG I really am.

I'm NOT what I use to be

Yesterday, as I tried to muster up the strength to lift the 40 lbs. barbell overhead I begun to question my capabilities.  While I was struggling I was uttering to myself: "What's wrong with you? Push through."  Being the foolish die hard I am I got through the sets. Next, I waddled over to the mat area where I found an innocent bystander to spot me while I planked (I feel more comfortable getting up and down off the floor if someone's there since surgery). Completed a few planks and got up from the floor feeling a little disoriented only to travel straight to the recumbent bike. Once at the bike "Do What You Can" guy was there and noticed I looked a little fatigued. He asked, "Are you sure you should get on the bike?" Needless to say, I hopped on and rode for a record time (Since surgery) 30 minutes. As I rode the bike listening to my tunes it dawned on me, I'm not what I use to be. Sad, but true. I've lost my endurance, some of my strength, and a little a bit of my confidence. Probably to be expected after having major surgery only 11 weeks ago, but somehow or another I tend to ignore the small details.

As I was headed out  the gym door one of the employees asked "How was it?" I told her: "It went okay, but my tank seems to be running low on fuel." Her reply, "Take it easy, you've been through a lot. I've seen you here everyday this week" By golly, she's right, three days in a row I've been at the gym and one of those days I went to physical therapy as well. The thing is, sure I'm in rehab, recovery mode, but I also have to figure out what my body can do, so the only way to figure that out is to try. It's a balancing act, those of you who've been following me have heard me talk about finding balance before. I want to push my limits, but I also have to be mindful of my true capabilities. Right now, my priority is to recover. I need to slow down, pump my brakes. There's a time and a place to be a rock star and this is NOT the time. Heavy sigh.

I'm searching for balance. Harmony. Peace. Reminder to self: Be kind to yourself and slow down. You'll get there in due time.

Do What You Can

Wow. I was on an emotional roller coaster yesterday. I guess, I'm human after all.   Today is a NEW day and my mind is FOCUSED. I realize that recovery and rehab will take as long as it takes and there will be pain, discomfort, and mixed emotions along the way. Like I told a Facebook friend who recently broke a bone in her foot, “A shining spirit will aid your healing I promise you."


I can only control so much and my spirit is high up on the list. Like my friend, Stephen tells me, "Do what you can." During this trying time, I have to remember to concentrate on what I can do and not what I can’t do. 

• I can walk with crutches
• I can perform a number of upper body exercises
• I can ride the recumbent and stationary bike
• I can row on the row machine
• I can do Zumba in a chair
• I can do Water Aerobics
• I can dial in on my nutrition
• I can blog
• I can smile and let my spirit shine

My broken leg has healed.  Now it’s time to up the ante and rehab, rehab, rehab. I can. I will.