Bringing in the BIG GUNS to a Speedy Recovery

I am back on the workout circuit. Happy to report I've done the TurboFire ® Core 20 Class and Stretch 40 Class two days in a row and today added in the P90X ® Shoulders and Arms.I remember why I love the P90X ® so much...because it HURTS. No, because it makes me feel so empowered when I finish and know I did GOOD. There is just something so special about lifting and watching those muscles flex. Ok, I guess watching Tony is kind of fun, too.

I will probably alternate the TurboFire ® Core 20 Class/Stretch 40 Class every other day and adding in some of my favorite P90X ® workouts for the next couple of weeks. I think the stretch on the muscles is a definite bonus and building my core is key to making the most of my recovery. People are surprised how well I'm getting about. I think most were amazed to see me at work Tuesday without crutches. What can I say...LOL...it is those great fitness programs and clean eating. Honestly, I feel terrific, the knee is feeling so much better than it did before my surgery. Don't worry, I know what they did and I know what the doctor's orders are...no high impact. But just because he said no more high impact doesn't mean my workouts get to be EASY!

One of the things that is a new direct focus for me is osteoarthritis or what some people may call degenerative joint disease. It happens when the cartilage in your joints wears down overtime. In my case, it is highly likely I will develop this in my left knee because of the removal of cartilage from the break. But what is alarming is it is estimated that by the year 2020, over 40 million Americans will suffer from this very painful disease. It is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and take a wild guess what is the cause to this increase...you got it - OBESITY! Too much stress on the joints.

We use our knees to carry us around everywhere we go. That is literally thousands of steps each day, pounding that excess weight with crushing force against joints that just aren't equipped for that kind of punishment. Think about it. For every pound we are overweight our knees bear 4 pounds of pressure. So instead of carrying around an extra 10 or 20 lbs, think of it as 40 or 80 lbs to our joints! That is just crazy. Really brings losing weight into perspective, doesn't it? So since I've been thrown head first in this journey, I think it's time to be as proactive as I can and do some preventative care. I want to make sure these joints last a long time before that knee replacement becomes necessary.

My research and doctor have recommended I take Glucosamine twice a day. I am making sure I get only the best brand because this is too important to worry about whether or not I get the best quality. I'm not taking any chances. I'm making sure I buy something that is backed by the company that makes it. I'm moving into Team Beachbody's Joint Support Formula. I've taken it before, but now it is necessity...and the sooner the better. If I want good results, I have to use a reliable source. Another recommendation was fish oil. Ok, um...eeeww gross. So I researched for an alternative and guess what...EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL! It needs to be pure, not a blend, but 2 tablespoons a day has the same effect as ibuprofen without the drug side effects. Hmmm! So guess what went in my Shakeology ® this morning. LOL...only 1 tbsp, though. I figure I get the other in my food since I use this already. Besides at 120 calories a tablespoon, even being a healthy fat...I have to be careful. And yes, you have to count it towards your allowable fat intake...not in addition, too.

The number one preventative is maintaining a healthy weight with proper nutrition and exercise. It is definitely number one in my life plan and you better believe me when I say I plan to be BRINGING IT for life. So what about you? Are you ready to take that final step and commit to getting your health and fitness back on track? Don't forget...I am a Team Beachbody Coach, too. So come along and join me. We can do this together and I can coach you for FREE! Just come visit me at http://www.fitmeXcellence.com

Make TODAY the day you take back control of your wellness plan!

I'm Still Standing

For those of you that did not know, I recently had surgery to repair what we thought was a simple meniscus tear. Unfortunately, my surgery didn't go as well as I had hoped. When they got into my knee, they discovered that at some point or another I had broken the upper cartilage in my knee. I'm thinking it must of happened here a few years back when we had a terrible ice storm here in Kansas. I went out on my front porch to observe the damage from the storm and my feet came out from under me. I fell hard on my left knee to the sidewalk below clearing three steps. I remember it bruised up real bad and hurt like heck, but never occurred to me that I actually broke anything.

In June this year, I was out jogging with my dog and tripped over a broken piece of sidewalk. An MRI showed a meniscus tear and we began treating it right away. I was given a Cortizone shot. The shot lasted all of about 1 week. Once I resumed jogging, the pain came back. After consideration of my options, we decided to treat the tear aggressively with surgery. On August 19, 2010, I went in for arthroscopic surgery to repair the meniscus. The meniscus tear was so bad that it had wrapped and folded between the joints. Long story short they had to do a total meniscectomy and removed the piece of broken cartilage. So where most people have this nice round cartilage between their knee joints, mine is cut straight across. And with no meniscus in my left knee, I am left without the cushion that buffers impact to the knee. The worse jolt was being told that I would never be able to run or jog again. I'm sure I cried a lot in the recovery. Plus no more high-impact exercise. The doctor told me I will at some point have to have a total knee replacement. He could only estimate, but his thoughts were anywhere between 2 and 15 years. I will have to be extremely cautious with my left knee. Any further injury to that knee could result in a quicker need for more surgery. So pretty devastating blow. Especially considering how much joy jogging brings me and that this joy was only recently discovered.

Final Knee Repair

He did suggest that since I was so active, I consider taking up cycling. At first I was so upset about giving up jogging that it didn't even appeal to me. But I love the outdoors so much and really being able to bring a sweat. So where there is a will, there is a way. I will find my way through this and once again find my place in the sun...sunshine that is.  I was so hoping to compete in a 5K someday. But I suppose now I will look for a way to be the best I can be on a bicycle. I'm sure they have competitions, too.

I watch Oprah, the day after my surgery and the guest speaker said we should be thankful for every devastating blow we are given in life, because out of those dark disappointments real character is born. There is a higher power and for every misfortune there is a plan. It is hard for me to see beyond it right now, but I truly believe God would not hand me something he did not think I could handle. In that I will take comfort and look for ways I can help others be better. I truly believe this is my calling in life as I find so much joy in it. So I will find my way through this and I will still BRING IT!

I am more determined than ever to make that transformation. I still believe I can get a MAJOR transformation bringing it low-impact. So starting tomorrow, I'm already outlining the path I'm going to take through this. This week my focus is going to be on getting the knee moving again with resistance bands. Not to mention bringing in some Yoga. Team Beachbody has supplements to help me through my recovery. Namely the P90X Recovery Formula and Shakeology.

I've been a model patient through my post surgery recovery keeping with the knee exercises and only using my pain medication when it was absolutely necessary. I am happy to report, was only twice! I did allow myself one day to mourn my injury...but that was it! I'm a fighter and I'm not letting this stop me. It will just open an avenue of new and exciting possibilities and now more than ever nutrition will be front and center of my focus. So now my focus will be on making the BEST transformation possible through my recovery. I still think I can be the next 50 Year Old Bowflex Model/Spokesperson...LOL! Or who knows, maybe someday the next Team Beachbody personality. At any rate...the sky is the limit.

So don't feel bad for me, it truly will be a blessing and not a curse. I have faith that something good will come from this. I just wanted to update you all. And don't think for one moment I'm sulking in the corner somewhere...I'm not. I'm still here and as of today...as Elton John would put it, "I'm still standing!"

Aerosmith ROCKS Dallas, Texas!

Last night was AMAZING! I got to see AEROSMITH in person in Dallas, Texas! The best part was sharing the whole experience with my dearest and closest friend, Loralee, and my kids - Ray & Shanda! I had the time of my life. Definitely an experience I will NEVER forget. Aerosmith is a concert like no other!!! The place ROCKED! I was living a dream.

When you want something bad enough, you will find a way to get it! I've been an Aerosmith fan for decades. This was my first real rock concert and I am 46!!! OMG! If I had only known what I was missing out on. I'm so glad to have gotten the chance to see Steven Tyler LIVE!!! It makes that tattoo on my backside absolutely priceless. Life is definitely GOOD!