Keep Moving!

Today I woke up with a sore neck.  Not too good of a feeling.  I am going to have to have to get a free massage from Ben, but don't tell he is really bad at massages.  (I am laughing because he knew I would say that, I am sure he is reading this.)  I will have to check the gym and make an appointment for a real massage, which is avalible for all HCC members at a small fee.  I think I strained my neck doing sit-ups.  I may not have been breathing properly.  Hopefully this goes away soon.  As the night goes on, it seem to be getting better. 

Well my story tonight is about my friend Cynthia.  We grew up together on the same street since grade school, so we have been friends for 45 years.  She brought back some fine memories sending me a message on my blog.        ...A group of us in the neighborhood walked to a local swimming pool -- maybe a little over a mile away, one way.  We walked everyday, unless it was pouring down rain.  We would swim and play at least 4 hours, and then come home for dinner.  We were always greeted with good old homemade meals.  My mom had a vegetable garden in the back yard.  We also have grape vines, fruit trees and even rootbar.  We ate healthy and played outside from morning to dawn.  Those were the days when electronics and technology would not keep you in the house.  (Try telling these kids today to go outside and play.)  We were the total opposites of kids today.  We stomped and pouted when we had to come inside.  My friends it was the days of the Beatles, rock and roll, peace and love.  (We were young hippies without the drugs.)  I had a yellow bikini  that I loved.  In fact, I prided myself by keeping it and wearing it after having my children. 

It's good to look back and reflect on the good old days and try to bring some of those days back.  I am learning from our class on Thursday at HCC that we are made to keep moving.  Inactivity has been a major cause of many of our weight gains.  We stopped playing outside.  My goal is to think of a reason to do an outside, fun activity each week.  Walking to the gym at the Wellness Center or walking at a one of Charleston's beautiful parks or on the bridge.  It will be a my Zumba class this week.  I would love to take ballroom dancing once I can fit in my dresses.   I also would love to plant a little garden of veggies this spring.  Thank you Cynthia for reminding me about the good times (maybe not in a string bikini, though!) 

Tomorrow I'll be going to the Wellness Center in the afternoon for a class. (It's suppose to rain, so we are not walking the bridge this week.)  Hey want to have a healthy pizza tomorrow with me?  I have to share this recipe with you that I made up using the skills that I am learning...    ...so stay tuned.  I even took photo's of it.  I think I just realized that I'm a Rachel Ray wannabe.

Monday Planks!!!!

Some days you have to push harder than others.  Today I had to push hard.  I guess I am just flat out tired from the weekend!  In spite of it, I did ran all of my laps today.  I even walked to the center today!  Laurie and Kim both noticed my running has improved (YEA!)  We did a plank holding contest - I was the last girl holding on and the only person that beat me was John.  I know you are saying yea yea yes....  but, they are tough to do.  These are a great exercises because they will strengthen your core, which will improve my running and everything else I have to do.  I am going to do them daily.


Now, I did not give you much to read so that you can go do this exercise and tell me what you think! Time yourself and do them as long as you can stand it.  Keep that bottom down (especially those of you who have more junk in the trunk, like me) and engage your core muscles. Tell me what you think about these and how long you did them.  Come on you can do them! Watch the video.  This will help. 
Working Your Core: How to Do the Plank

2 min 10 sec - Oct 19, 2009
www.youtube.com
 
Instead watching TV tonite this is what I opting for:
I am going to an aquatic class, with a focus on abs, at the wellness center tonight. (While in the HCC program we have free access to all fitness classes.)  I can't wait.  I love the water! When I gain weight it mainly went to my mid-section and hips.   Now, everything is starting to jiggle (you ladies know what I mean).

 I have to firm up because I have no plans for cosmetic surgeries.  By the way I sure miss my water aerobics group in West Ashley.   I will let you know how I like this aquatic class.

Wednesday's Workout

Today I was really tired after last night's spinning class!   I am walking like someone kicked me in the you-know-where!

Daily running is gradually becoming a part of my life.  We used weights to work our upper body today (the weakest part of my body).  I am starting to like it.  Tomorrow is the big weigh-in.   I already know it is not going to be big number that I had last week.   I generally lose more weight every other week.  We will see what the body says this time.  I was amazed when I tried on a medium Nike t-shirt today that I never could wear before.  I was wearing, 30 pounds ago, a 1X or XLarge shirt.  What an improvement!  This tell's me HCC is working for me!  You're getting me out of my "larges".

I am researching some running shoes.  My feet need more support.  I have these old Nike's, that I bought simply based on the cuteness factor.  Laurie suggested a few shoe upgrades to choose from.  I "Google'd" the top running shoes and here is what I found.  Check it out.  http://www.runnersworld.com or click on the shoe and it will take you to the website, or you can use the link below.......

Runner's World website/video

Monday Workout

Well, what a way to start a Monday.  I'm actually happy to be in the mindset that working out daily is a must.  I was eager to see my team members, as I suddenly feel they are like a life support system and are people who I already care about.  We are all fighting to get healthy and to get weight off.   Laurie, our trainer, had us run stairs and I have to admit, I almost started to cry when she announced the workout plan.  I have a foot that does not always want to move the way I want it to go. When I had my brain surgery, I lost some feeling in my left foot (feels like a sleepy foot)   I am not complaining because I had the top surgeon in Los Angeles, CA at Cedars Sinai Hospital. (You may have seen him on Oprah, Dr. Keith Black.)  He is the best neurosurgeon you will ever find.   This is NOT going to get in my way!   I looked down at my Nike's and said "Just do it!"   Guess what!  I did it!  It was a struggle.  We had to do running in between, which I modified when I could not fully run , then push ups, and host of other killer exercises.   At the end I cried quietly, hoping no one could see my tears.  My trainer Laurie, her assistant Whitney, and my team members came back to get me when  I was behind. They really wanted me to make my fitness goals for the day. Thanks so much team.  I really think I would have quit without them.  They may not know I am running for my life.  I think they are also.  See how far I have come.  Check out the photo below of my neurosurgeon  Dr. Black and me after my 10 hour brain surgery.   Dr. Black, if you are listening, thank you for the care you have given me, I can't say it enough.   Thank you Ben (hubby), and Tiffanie(daughter) for being there when I woke up and could say your name for the first time.(Something I was so worried I would not be able to do)   Ben and Tiff were the loving caretakers. Thank you to my children who supported me in their own ways.  Nicole the oldest daughter is a nurse, which was nice, especially when I did not understand something medically. She just had twins about a year earlier.  My little grandsons (Amari and Amir) and my first born granddaughter Ajanea kept me fighting.  Summer, the youngest, was never short of encouraging words and has such a big heart.  (I think she had the hardest time seeing me go through this.)  Her daughter, Soliel, also kept me fighting.  Since then Summer has blessed me with two more grandchildren. (Noey and Ian.)  My son Herbie, his hug was like medicine; he had no problem crawling in my bed beside me.  Gina, you have come a long way baby because of all of them!  This is why I write.  To strengthen some skills I feel I have lost and to look back on my progress.

  Tips for the day:  on the Today show this morning, they said blogging was one of the top goals for 2010 and exercise fights cancer.  Share your thoughts or tips on my blog.  I would love to hear from you.

My all time highest weight was 225! When I look at these photos I smile! Starting at the left is me in a t-shirt I brought to keep myself positive. (One of my favorite quotes.)  Middle photo- is my first outing after a 3.5 month stay in the hospital. 

Far right I am going home!  Last photo is Dr. Black and my favorite nurse. I can't believe I am 

running now!!! 

                                                       

Posted by Gina's Weight Journey at 8:18 PM 3 comments  Links to this post

Labels: brain sugery, cedars sinai, Dr. Keith Black, Los Angeles,meningioma

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