Failure is not falling down, but refusing to get back up.
-Anonymous Chinese Proverb
It feels strange coming back to this after so many months away. But, as I am in need of another fresh start, I feel once again compelled to tickle the keyboard. The last time I posted was back in March after an ill-fated attempt at pancakes. While I didn't totally revert to old habits, I did eat enough to gain back eight pounds by the end of July. Nothing like shame to keep one away from the blog. Which is odd, as the blog was the point of keeping myself on track and motivated. I suppose I was waiting for harassment from the masses to wonder what I was up to, so I will save myself the agony of self-criticism and blame all of you. Ah, I do feel better, I think I will go get donuts.
In August I injured my back moving a patient at work and have spent the last five months trying to heal. I will not bore you with details (bulging and torn discs, physical therapy, steroid injections, GI problems from high doses of ibuprofen, a mass of incompetent inter-office communications and enough stir-crazy to share with half the state), let's just say it's been fun. On the bright side, I have been inspired to return to school for my Master's degree in Nursing Education, in the hope of having a career that doesn't put me in a wheelchair.
I have reread many old and new books. I watched two season on the Walking Dead (not a great idea to do as a marathon, you get a rather distorted view of reality and the things that go bump in the night). I have done my best to maintain the laundry and the dishes, although both activities put a great deal of strain on the lower back, as just standing in one place for more than a few minutes makes the muscles go into spasm. I have multiple unfinished house projects that I had begun in late July that mock me daily. I had to buy a new laptop for school as I can't sit at my desk for more than 10 minutes either. I have restarted physical therapy at the VA, which is going well and I am slowly rebuilding a lot of lost muscle strength from the inactivity. I don't see a spine surgeon until late January so I know I have at least until then and I need to make some changes.
Okay, here's the deal:
I currently weigh...229.2 (having lost 2 pounds in the last week). While not back into my size 38 pants, they are eyeing me suspiciously from where they sit on the closet shelf. I have also discovered, or perhaps rediscovered, that my size 36's are not all the same size. It turns out only two of them are actually size 36, the rest appear to in the 32-34 area. I know, it's crazy, my wife can't believe the shoddy workmanship either. In any case, I would like to lose about 25 pounds (again). This is complicated by my inability to perform a lot of the exercises that I did last time. I am having to alter my yoga as I am unable to perform back bends and twisting motions without saying load ugly things.
As I am back on the wagon (the salad and no bread wagon) I trust you will all refrain from any reference to tasty food. In fact, don't even mention anything palatable at all! Stagnant water and tree bark only!
Yes, well, I will be posting my progress again and I look forward to any advice and encouragement.
Here I go again...
