The "What Would Granny Do?" Diet

65MD and I had a wonderful week.  We had a nice balance of work and rest.  We worked inside the house and outside of the house.  It was a gorgeous week.  The floor won't be finished for a while yet.  That's OK because we have a nice lettuce patch going and a few refreshed flower beds.  And both of my nieces came for a few hours on Friday.  It was great.

All week, we had our 'big' meal in the middle of the day much like my grandparents.  All week, as I prepared meals that included meat and vegetables, I was reminded of my grandmother.  I would often think as I planned the meals "What would Granny do?" and then I'd do it.  We ate good meals midday and I found myself only wanting something very small for the evening meal.  It really was nostalgic for me.  And to top it off, I was losing weight, without feeling deprived at all.

Then today (Saturday) happened.  We agreed that today would be a No Work day.  We could do things around the house if we wanted but we would have no Must Do items.  We'd watch TV, read, nap or whatever as we felt like it.  The weather really cooled off on us, so we I didn't care much about spending time outside.

When we got up, I almost suggested going to McDonald's for breakfast biscuits but didn't.  While that was a victory, I wound up eating Tagalogs for breakfast, which was not a victory.  Late morning, 65MD thought it would be a mighty fine idea to go to Burger King for hot dogs for lunch.  My immediate reaction was GROSS.  I mean, who knows what is in those things.  When I expressed that, 65MD looked more sad than my 3 year old niece when I told her to color on the paper and not the wall.  So, I back pedaled and said that I'd go to BK with him but not get a hot dog.  I got chicken, which I'm not sure was any better.

While we were there two apparent regular customers got into a very heated verbal altercation.  One had a billy club and I got quite frightened and insisted that we leave in a hurry.  65MD in an attempt to calm me said he hadn't seen a good fight in a long time.  Later he admitted that he was concerned as well and was ready to leave.

Anyway, I decided that BK was my 'big' meal in that it was high calorie and I'd back off at supper.  As supper time approached, 65MD suggested that we go to Shoney's for country fried steak.  I asked why since we'd already been out once today and he said because he didn't want either of us to worry about meal prep or cleaning since it was our relaxing day.  I went.  I did not get the country fried steak though.   

Saturday night is Southern Favorites night on the food bar at Shoney's.  I took a gander and saw some good looking vegetables, along with some baked fish over rice and broiled chicken.  I opted for that.  I filled my plate with the veggies/sides (mac & cheese).  I got a piece of fried chicken because, well, crust and some of the fish.  The fish was stone cold.  I couldn't eat it.  The veggies tasted like the can they came in and the mac & cheese was not my Granny's!  Other than the fried chicken, I ate hardly anything else.  I am counting this as a victory for a few reasons.

One, my taste is changing and I just can't eat that highly processed stuff.  And two, I didn't force myself to eat it.  It was hard because we were paying for it even if I didn't eat it.  I went back to the bar to see if there was anything else I could eat.  I realized I wasn't hungry so I didn't get anything more.  I stopped.

I do not expect the scales to be down again in the morning.  In fact, I would not be surprised to see a big bounce.  That's OK.  If it goes up, I think I will have confirmed my Granny Diet.  She hardly ever ate out.  I think there was one little diner in town and it probably served scratch made food.

I could really get used to the lifestyle we had this week.  65MD has to go back to work on Monday. The semester has about 6 more weeks.  He isn't teaching this summer.  So, we're hoping that he can structure his Dean work to allow him more time at home.  Maybe we'll  have some sort of hybrid this summer.

I really think I'm on to something here.

Progress Report

This week is spring break week for 65MD.  We are enjoying not having a schedule so much.  I wasn't able to completely clear my schedule so I've had a couple of appointments.  Still, it has been nice to be a little more relaxed.  We needed it after last week!  I have good news to report in several areas.

Weight:  This morning the scale read 228.0, which is down 3.4 pounds for the week.  I admit I wasn't 100% focused for the full seven days.  If I can lose that much weight without trying hard, imagine what would happen if I did!  Of course, I have to temper that with the fact that my last weigh in was right after a trip.  Just getting back on board with drinking water and eating mostly home prepared meals was the biggest factor, I think.  Another bonus to having 65MD home this week, is we've been able to fully implement our plan to eat our big meal in the middle of the day.  

Exercise:  It was non-existent over the crazy weekend.  I got back with the therapy this week.  We've been working on household projects which require a lot more movement that I'm used to so I haven't tried to do anything more.  I've walked some in the yard.  I haven't ventured out in the neighborhood yet.  Nor have I gone to the gym.  A friend IRL told me about something called lace-locks.  I've ordered some.  Hopefully, that will get me over the shoe tying issue.  The weather is gorgeous here, begging me to go outside.  I have.  It has been wonderful just to sit in the sun and feel the warmth on my face.

Nutrition:  I am not following any particular plan.  The only thing, as I mentioned earlier is the big meal in the middle of the day.  It is something I prepare that is protein, and vegetables.  I think home prepared is the key.  Breakfast and supper are small, because I'm not really hungry.  I've avoided white flour and sugar, which isn't so hard with self prepared food.  I have guzzled the water.

Floor:  All of the full size squares in the middle of the floor have been laid.  It is curing now.  This afternoon we start on the edges.  That will be the most tedious part.  65MD still wants to move back there by the end of the week.  I don't want to until everything is ready.  I don't want to have to move twice.  I don't want to get comfortable back there and then have to move stuff around to get to a spot to finish.  Besides, that spot may not ever get finished.  We want to chalk paint the furniture black.  That will require us sleeping in the guest bed (read putting it up!) while we paint.  Since our bed is in the guest bedroom, we will have to make that part of the move no matter what.  I'm just excited that progress is being made.  We'll get the floor finished soon enough and then I'll have to get to work on finishing the pillow shams, bed skirt and curtains.

All in all a good week!

The Week that Was

And what a week, indeed!

On the way home from our little trip, we got a call that a dear friend of 65MD's from way back had a stroke.  She was in the ER with her husband.  This couple has four children, two that live in town and they were both out of town.  The other two children were so far away they could not make it to town quickly enough to be of assistance.  One of their grandchildren was calling to see if 65MD could go be with them.  We were about 30 minutes away from home at that time, and 65MD said he would get there as soon as possible.

We got home, unloaded the car as quickly as possible.  65MD left to see what he could do for his friend while I unpacked.  He came home with the news that she would survive the stroke, but not be able to go back home.  She would stay in the hospital until suitable arrangements could be made.  Three of the four children were making arrangements to get here as quickly as possible.   So the need for us was minimal ongoing,

We had put our car in the shop when we left town, with the plan for it to be ready on Wednesday.  It wasn't.  I had to rearrange my Wednesday schedule to work entirely from home.  That was fine.  The problem was we could not pick up the car until late Thursday.  I pick up my niece on Thursdays which I was not going to miss.

My mother readily agreed to come get me on Thursday and take me to get my niece; and then stay with her at our house while 65MD and I went to get the car.  Simple, huh?  Not exactly.

About the time we got the car a blinding rainstorm hit.  It had been predicted but I thought it was going to miss us.  I'd left my mother and niece hunting for Easter eggs in the back yard.  People with any sense were pulling off of the road to wait it out.  Not me.  I poked on down the road with my flashers going.  I had to get to my mother and niece.  It was a good thing I'd pressed through.

A family member of 65MD's friend had shown up at our house.  She knocked on the front door, but my mother didn't hear because of the rainstorm.  She then proceeded to the backdoor which was unlocked and walked in.  It startled my mother and made my niece angry.

I got home moments after that and was able to calm my mother but not my niece.  (I have to admit, I got a bit of a chuckle out of my niece being so upset! I wish a had a video of that little thing explaining to me just how bad this situation was.)  I thought the visit had been arranged with 65MD and that he'd just forgotten to tell me with everything else going on.  He was as surprised as everyone else was.  Initially, he thought arrangements had been made with me, and I failed to tell him!

Anyway, she needed to spend the night with us, which turned into two nights.  I was totally unprepared for guests.  We don't have a spare bed right now because the bedroom floor is still under construction!  I had not prepared anything for our evening meal with all of the chaos.  We wound up going out to eat and then taking her to the store for supplies she felt like she needed.  She slept on a mattress in the floor.

It seemed like from the time we got back to town until now, we have had no control over our time and how it was spent.  The good news is, my weight is down.  (I didn't promise not to weigh!)This week is spring break for 65MD.  He is working on the room as I type.  Our goal for the week is to be moved back in to our room by the end of the week.  And for me, to have my weight stay down.

Accountability Time

It appears that the exercise in my foreseeable future is therapy and some Wii type exercise.   Good thing the school gym membership is free and open ended!  Having that limitation does not excuse or allow poor eating.  However, I have slipped into that habit.  As of today, right now, I am drawing a line in the sand.  I am getting my eating back under control. 

I am not going to swear off all carbs or limit myself to a certain number of calories, etc.  I am avoiding white sugar and flour and eating small meals throughout the day.  I know that saying something is off limits, then it is all I want.  I also know that if I skip meals during the day as I am prone to when I get busy, I eat too much at supper.  So, I am playing a little mind game here.

I am making better choices with my eating.  While we were out of town, I heard myself order water to drink because I wanted it.  I even ordered a side salad once, instead of chips.  To be totally honest, I also drank sweet tea, and ate fried chicken and pecan pie.  That was at that lovely diner, I mentioned in my last post.  Boy, it was good!  Like Grandma's.  Obviously there is work to be done.

I am also committing to a Wednesday weigh in, and I'll share that here.  As of today I weigh 231.4.  YIKES!!  For comparison's sake, my pre-op weight was 223.8.  I was doing a good job of hanging out there until my last injury.  When I went without even therapy exercises for a few days, I jumped up to 226.6.  The poor choices over the weekend, along with not as much water while traveling accounts for the rest of the gain.

Next week, my goal is to announce a good week of eating and whatever exercise I can do.  Perhaps that will also lead to a lower number on the scale.  All I can control is what I eat and how much I move.  I will. I will share the outcome here.

Improving

65MD and I made a quick trip out of town for a long weekend conference. I love to do the 'tag-along' on these things.  We rented a car and drove to our destination.  Once we parked in the hotel garage we didn't get back in it again until time to go home.  That wasn't the plan but that is how it worked out.

We arrived Saturday evening, and after getting settled in our room we decided to find something to eat.  We googled for the closest place to eat.  Google Maps showed the walking directions and said it was 0.4 miles.  That was a real challenge for me.  

But since, I was sore and stiff from riding -  Yes, I was.  The last hour or so was torture both going & coming. - I decided a walk would be a good thing.  It was still a leap of faith since I knew nothing about the sidewalks, if it was uphill, etc.  Walking on anything other than the floor can be a challenge at times.  I ventured out, knowing that I'd get a rest while we ate and if it was just too much 65MD would come back with the car.

We happened upon the coolest kitschy-est diner ever.  We had a nice meal and loved it so much that we went back another night!  The walk was only about 3 blocks.  I needed the stretch, but the sidewalks were all bumped up with time.  

I only stumbled once.  65MD had walked ahead of me so we could go single file around some obstacles.  I caught my toe on an uneven place and fell into him.  He was so close that, it does not count as a fall.  I did not go down.  He thought I was just being silly and hitting him in the back initially.  We assessed the situation and all was fine so we forged ahead. I took a naproxen when we got back to the room to help with the soreness from the ride and as a precaution because of the stumble.

On Sunday, we decided to walk to a little market nearby to get a few things to keep in the room for snacks.  It was the opposite direction from the restaurant.  We got there no problem.  However the place was closed.  65MD saw another market on the map a couple of blocks on down.  I agreed to two more blocks, but was cautious about agreeing to more.  I felt fine, but two blocks farther meant two more blocks back.   

After covering two more blocks with no market in sight, we asked a construction worker for directions.  He looked on his device and said we were going the right way and it was just two minutes ahead.  He couldn't tell us how many blocks.  We knew at my pace, two minutes was not accurate.  There were some benches in the sun about another block away.  We walked there together.  I sat and enjoyed some sun on my face while 65MD walked two minutes ahead.  He came back empty handed.

By this time, we were quite hungry and I was over getting anything to keep in the room.  There was a Newks in the middle of the block, so we went in and ate.  ( I usually don't like to eat a chains while we're traveling, I like to find the little local gems like the place we went Saturday night.) The cashier told us about a place nearby that had a lot of shops and he was sure it was open.  It was in the direction of our hotel, so we agreed to walk back that way.

It was a nice little shopping village, but 65MD is not a shopper and I am not yet up to a lot of strolling through shops just yet.  We did get some drinks to keep in the room, so that mission was accomplished.

I'm not sure how far we walked.  We never did try to measure it on the map.  I was feeling it when we got back to the room and feared, I'd be spending the rest of the trip stretched out on the bed, or in the chaise in our room.  I did have a rest, but other than a hot spot on the ball of my foot from my shoes, I was fine by evening to walk back to the diner.

The hotel had a real commitment to wellness.  They had one of the best, hotel gyms I've seen, a heated indoor lap pool, sauna and even a wellness menu.  I opted not to take advantage of the gym from the beginning.  The lap pool was full of children having a blast at the time I could go.  I was on the fence about it.  I don't hurt in the water so it would have been easy to overdo.  I had given myself a strict time limit.  When I saw the children enjoying it so much, I decided that was my sign to skip it.  I didn't want to hinder their enjoyment, nor did I want to get jumped on!  But I did get an amazing salad from the wellness menu!!

I took a naproxen each night before bed and had no ill effects.  I am once again optimistic about what I can do.  However, I am taking it nice and slow.  No more set backs for me.

Not Good, Folks

I can walk and do most things I need to around the house.  I cannot lift my left leg up, like to walk up stairs and it is all I can do to get in and out of the car.

If I had not been assured by the surgeon that the implant was fine, I'd be quite concerned.  The diagnosis is swollen, irritated tendon from overuse.

The fix is rest & ice.  If it hurts - stop!  I haven't even done my therapy for the last two days, much less think about the gym.  Sigh.

Who would have ever thought, I'd be upset about not going to the gym?  Not me.

I'm trying to embrace this.  I can get a lot of reading done and squeeze in some guilt free candy crush while I'm resting.

I have the rest of my life to go to the gym and get into good shape.  I don't have to rush.  It isn't like I'm recovering from a heart attack or that my weight has created other issues like high blood pressure or diabetes.

I'll hobble along the best I can.  One day, I'll be going to the gym regularly and want a free day to lay with ice in my lap playing games.

Spoke Too Soon

Apparently, I was NOT ready for belly dancing yesterday after all.  As the day progressed my left hip hurt more and more.  I knew just what it was (the tendon) since having the recent conversation with my surgeon.  I iced it again and took an anti-inflammatory.  

I had an appointment yesterday that I did not feel comfortable canceling or even postponing at the last minute so I sucked it up and went.  I took my cane.  It was so bad, I could hardly get out of the car when I got home.

I emailed 65MD and confessed what I'd done.  He felt like the thing to do was to come home and see for himself.  We decided to try more ice and rest.  As long as I was sitting with my legs straight out in front of me, I was fine.  Having ice on it was even better.  Moving was another story!

We agreed that I didn't need urgent medical attention and that today should be a relaxing day.  I cleared my calendar of my out of the house appointments.  It is just as well as today is predicted to be a stormy day.  It is raining as I type this.  Plus, being the first of the month, I lave plenty to do from my lovely little home office.

This morning, I did as much of my therapy as I could.  A couple hurt so bad I stopped.  I've iced it once and will continue to throughout the day.  I'm mostly OK with it.  It really isn't stopping me from doing much.  I think I will save working out at the gym until this is completely gone.  

I still might go tomorrow and poke around just to get a better idea of what's what.  I got a very quick tour the day I signed up.  The student was trying to man the desk and give me a tour at the same time, so it wasn't in depth.  I'll decide for sure tomorrow.