Starting Over....

[erinlee01]

I won't bore anyone with a long history. Short version:

- Started out at nearly 180 lbs and completely out of shape. Lost a little over 40 lbs. Did figure competition. Herniated disc in my back, which caused nerve damage.


Spent over 2 years of feeling sorry for myself. Only worked out sporadically. Kept up with TKD and reached bo dan belt. Fought with my primary care dr. to see neurologist about the nerve damage for over 2 years. Finally changed doctors and went to neurologist. After extensive tests was told that 2 years ago they could have repaired the damage but now it's too late. Neurosurgeon recommended no surgery, but did call an end to my TKD days. So, 7 months away from a black belt I had to quit.

Now I'm sitting back at around 180. Still in decent shape, but definitely not where I want to be. And I have to be careful with my activity options as stability on my right leg is key to avoid injury. I'm fairly depressed about the situation, but am looking to dig myself out of the hole I'm in. I've upped my cardio routine over the past month or so since the addition of a new family member, Josie:



Today

Cardio - 1 hour walk with Josie, ~3 miles

Machine assisted pullups - 70x5, 5, 4
Lat pulldown - 55x8x3
Seated cable row - 40x10x3
Straight arm pulldown - 25x8x3
Back extension - 12x3
Cross body concentration curl - 10x10x3
21's - 20x2

Some personal updates since I haven't posted in at least 2 months. Mike finished his Eagle Scout project this summer. He just has 3 merit badges to complete and he's done. Very proud of what he did:



He also turned 14 and started high school, so I feel old. And he's now 5'11, so I feel short. lol.

Kevin has been black belt testing and will finish up in early November. And he started tackle football and is having a kick ass season (he's #80):



About halfway through black belt testing and right around his first game, his elbows and knee started swelling. He told us he got hurt in games, so he had 2 separate sets of x-rays. Turns out he has Lyme disease. He pushed through and did the 3rd phase of testing while stiff and sore, and also managed to still nail his timed runs. That makes his achievements even sweeter!

[HARRYBEAST]

In to help you with your hole

[Marius_Ursus]

Boom.

In.

Poor kid...Lyme disease! Thank G-d you caught it. That is a torment.

[HoosierHardGain]

Very blessed that you were able to catch the Lyme disease in time. Luckily, you're a good parent and knew to get it looked at!

Awfully glad to see you back, Erin. Sorry about the tkd, but hopefully you can get to where you want to be by working out again!

[erinlee01]

90 minute yoga class

I may get out for a walk with the dog later. I'm swamped at work, so it will depend on whether or not I wrap up before I have to go get Mike from TKD.

In to help you with your hole

Leave it to you to find something suggestive in all that!

Boom.

In.

Poor kid...Lyme disease! Thank G-d you caught it. That is a torment.

The poor kid probably had symptoms for months, but he's a complainer so we brushed him off. Surprisingly he doesn't complain anymore now that he knows what it is, though I know his knee at least still bothers him. I felt pretty crappy about the "toughen up, boy, this is what football is" speeches I gave him.

Very blessed that you were able to catch the Lyme disease in time. Luckily, you're a good parent and knew to get it looked at!

Awfully glad to see you back, Erin. Sorry about the tkd, but hopefully you can get to where you want to be by working out again!

Hey, Hoos! After I blew my HRA account on x-rays of 3 joints, I figured it couldn't be a coincidence. Luckily the ortho I went to agreed. When we left his office he said probably was either Lyme or juvenile arthritis. I was relieved it was Lyme. Of course, it's not doing anything good for his temperament!

As for TKD, I'm a little frustrated just because I was so close to the black belt (7 months!!!!). But, I was doing it for the exercise and to hang with my kids. I'm not sure if Kevin will continue after he gets his black belt in November, and I know Mike isn't going to when he gets his in May so that's a moot point. I'm going to miss the camaraderie, though. I made some great friends there and it was one of the few times I got to get out and socialize with someone other than my kids' parents.

[erinlee01]

Yes, I took a break. My personal life imploded and aside from yoga, I've not done much of anything. That's going to change! Because it's been about a month since I've done any real exercise (yoga is the only thing I was consistent with), I'm easing back in. After a long talk with the Grand Master at my TKD school, I will be starting back up this week. Which will be good because I will need some face to face adult time now since I work from home. A 14 year old doesn't count. I'm also a little motivated after watching Kevin get his black belt over the weekend!

Next week I will start running again.

And the week after that will start workouts. I'm saving the workouts until the beginning of December because I'm OCD and like to start things at the beginning.

[HoosierHardGain]

Hey, I recognize you!

[erinlee01]

TKD - 45 minute class

Felt good to go back. Felt even better not sitting around the house alone feeling sorry for myself.

Forgot to mention before I lost about 10 pounds. 15 - 25 more to go.

Hey, I recognize you!

I'm hoping I start recognizing myself soon.

[jjack010]

Keep your head up. Just get started. Set a goal and get after it. I can relate to the back issues. Mine limit me from doing the exercises that I love. I'm stubborn so it's taken me 7 yrs to realize there are some exercises that I just shouldn't do. If an exercise bothers you, find an alternate that is comfortable. Keep us posted with your progress!

[Big_Sky_Guy]

Hi Erin. Awesome on the Eagle Scout progress and Black Belt testing for the boys! How is school going? We just met and updated our IEP for our youngest. Has taken forever for the school to believe us on what we know will work! LOL

Some times in life we just need to keep trudging along until we get through.

[Marius_Ursus]

Back at it!

[HoosierHardGain]

TKD - 45 minute class

Felt good to go back. Felt even better not sitting around the house alone feeling sorry for myself.

Forgot to mention before I lost about 10 pounds. 15 - 25 more to go.



I'm hoping I start recognizing myself soon.

Good for you, it's best you get out and get back into a good routine. Great work, Erin!!!

[erinlee01]

Keep your head up. Just get started. Set a goal and get after it. I can relate to the back issues. Mine limit me from doing the exercises that I love. I'm stubborn so it's taken me 7 yrs to realize there are some exercises that I just shouldn't do. If an exercise bothers you, find an alternate that is comfortable. Keep us posted with your progress!

Stubbornness is one of character flaws.

Hi Erin. Awesome on the Eagle Scout progress and Black Belt testing for the boys! How is school going? We just met and updated our IEP for our youngest. Has taken forever for the school to believe us on what we know will work! LOL

Some times in life we just need to keep trudging along until we get through.

Hey, BSG! Yes, it's been a big year of accomplishments for the boys. Getting his black belt last weekend has done wonders for my youngest. He tends to focus on the negatives and what he can't do. Getting that belt with his name embroidered on it showed him he can do anything he puts the effort into. I keep reminding him that 1/3 of the students who started the black belt testing process 6 months ago didn't make it and he did it with Lyme and a concussion thrown in there.

School is going well this year. We just got his first report card and all his grades are in the mid to upper 80s. He doesn't have an IEP or get special services (other than extra help for writing), so that was huge. He really likes his teacher, which makes a difference.

I'm definitely trudging through right now, but I know I'll come through the other side soon.

Back at it!

Good for you, it's best you get out and get back into a good routine. Great work, Erin!!!

Since I work from home, I definitely need to get out for some human interaction. Or else I'll be that crazy lady who can only talk to her dog. Time to rebuild a social life!

[HoosierHardGain]

Or else I'll be that crazy lady who can only talk to her dog.

[GnomusMaximus]

Hey, I remember you! Glad you are back.

[erinlee01]

No TKD last night - I had a mini emotional meltdown and just dropped the kids off and went shopping (it was either that or kill the 2 of them. Shopping seemed the better choice).

I did manage to get in a little over mile hike with Kevin and the dog. Then chased the dog around the neighborhood for a while (one of the inputs to my meltdown). Good times!

I'd have like 10 if I had the land. No joke. I should have stuck to keeping dogs instead of husbands.

Hey, I remember you! Glad you are back.

It's good to be back!

[HARRYBEAST]

meltdowns are good for the soul


(butt slaps)

[erinlee01]

Friday - TKD (45 minute class)
Saturday - TKD (45 minute class)
Sunday - 3 mile dog walk

The weather was beautiful today! My dad, brother and I took our dogs for a nice long walk. Josie is still sleeping.

meltdowns are good for the soul


(butt slaps)

I don't get emotional often, but I felt a million times better after!

[EjnarKolinkar]

Super project you boy did for his eagle. Really cool. I built a small shrine for an outdoor statue for the Episcopalian church that sponsored out troop. It's still there, I see it whenever I go on vacation. Just wanted to say good job mom supporting him in this. Mom's go under thanked in scouts IMO.

Good luck with the new journal and program.

[erinlee01]

Super project you boy did for his eagle. Really cool. I built a small shrine for an outdoor statue for the Episcopalian church that sponsored out troop. It's still there, I see it whenever I go on vacation. Just wanted to say good job mom supporting him in this. Mom's go under thanked in scouts IMO.

Good luck with the new journal and program.

Thanks! I've noticed the same about scouting over the years. The dads get a lot of accolades for going on the campouts, etc., but the moms do a lot too!

Very cool that you can still go see your project! I don't think that part has occurred to Mike. He's just happy that his brother can enjoy it now, and his youngest brother and sister will get to enjoy it in a few years. I don't think any of the Eagle candidates get that they are leaving something behind that they can always go see and say "I did that".

[HoosierHardGain]

Thanks! I've noticed the same about scouting over the years. The dads get a lot of accolades for going on the campouts, etc., but the moms do a lot too!

When my kids did scouts, the thing I noticed was the dads doing projects for the kids, instead of the kids doing them.

[erinlee01]

Tuesday - Yoga (90 minute class)

When my kids did scouts, the thing I noticed was the dads doing projects for the kids, instead of the kids doing them.

They can't really get away with that for the Eagle project. At least not around here. The Scoutmaster makes a point of being at almost every work day (even if it means taking time off of work). And during the planning/sign-off process we grill the kids. If they can't answer the questions we don't sign off. Having been through it, I can tell you it's hard to toe that line. You obviously need to give guidance as they don't have the skills to do it on their own. But you need to lead them there and not spoon feed them. It's rough considering you spend so much time doing for them.

[erinlee01]

Sunday - 4 mile walk with my dad, brother and our 3 dogs

I'm pretty sure I put some miles in shopping. In addition to the malls, I was in furniture stores to fill some empty rooms before the holidays. And I had to buy a replacement TV! Holy moly, my credit card bill is going to kill me next month.

Watched my kids run in a Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning. It had snowed the day before and it was BEAUTIFUL out. My older ran the 5k. My younger chickened out on the 5k (he hadn't run in a few weeks) and did the kids' fun run. It advertised as being a mile and he was pissed to find out it was just a loop around the parking lot. Some pics:



Mike:



Kevin (he ran so fast I missed him in the action photo ):

[Marius_Ursus]

Yeah, that's upstate, all right. x_x

Good job, Mike and Kevin!

[erinlee01]

Yoga - 90 minutes

I needed that class today. It's my last day sharing my house. While I'm happy to get my own space back, I'm not dealing as well as I thought I'd be. Hoping once it's all over I'll feel better about things.

I'm debating on TKD tonight. I was planning on going as my kids will be taking class, but I find I get injured when I go on yoga days. We'll see how I feel later.

Yeah, that's upstate, all right. x_x

Good job, Mike and Kevin!

I miss the snow now that it's gone. If it's going to be cold, I prefer the snow. Until the middle of January, when I'm ready to move south!

[erinlee01]

2.2 mile run/walk

It's been a while, so I went back to week 1 of my 10k program. Josie is frustrated with my slowness. Lol.

Personal crap (feel free to skip):

It's been a busy few weeks. I closed on my house last week, so that chapter is closed and it's time to start a new one. I have no idea how to do that. I spent 18 out of the last 25 years married, and I was part of a couple the entire 25 years. Do the math - that means I have been out of the dating since since I was 18. Which means I never was in it. Holy crap, that's a little scary. So, it's time to get serious about my exercise again. I need to take control of some aspect of my life.

[HARRYBEAST]

Wait a minute did I miss something here? You sold your house and are single now? Here you need this....


Lucille Ellen Schneider born 12-18-14

[Big_Sky_Guy]

Not skipping...

Gen and I visit from time to time about how crappy we would be at dating...as we have been together since we were teenagers. I don't know what has been going on, or not going on, but I know life is not an easy journey. Blessings my friend.



Harry has baby pics, I have elk...not sure how elk could make a person feel better, but I have pics of them! LOL

[HoosierHardGain]

[Marius_Ursus]

Just remember squats fix everything, Erin.

Everything.

Every.

Thing.