BABY STEPS

I was told by the physical therapist that I had to see that I needed to exercise.  I haven't done any type of exercise in YEARS...she told me to begin just by walking.  Walking, something I do daily.  Only catch was to increase my steps daily.  Pretty simple, right?   So, where I work, I began to walk the inside perimeter of the store.  I soon got bored with that.  So, while the weather is still nice, I decided to walk the outside perimeter.  Great...then I decided to add a few more steps daily as suggested, and soon, I was walking the equivalent of a city block.  Great!   Yesterday, all my walking paid off.  I attended an Oregon Duck game, and had to walk up 72 rows of stairs..OMG......I was dreading that walk.  In the past, I had to stop every 5 or 10 rows.  Well, no more. Yesterday, I only had to stop once!  That is a huge accomplishment.....I was so proud of myself.   So today, I went to the second talles****erfall in Oregon, Salt Creek Falls, and there was a path to the bottom.  In the past, I would have been stayed at the top and just looked down.  But not today.  I not only walked to the bottom, but then I had to walk back up to the top.  The walk down was easy. The walk back to the top was difficult.  I did have to stop several times, but I did it.  Another HUGE accomplishment.   And to think it all began with just baby steps. Wonder what my next accomplishment will be? 

 WOW   Bran,  That is quite an accomplishment.  Isn't it great to be able to do things with more ease---things we would not even try in the recent past.  Way to go!!  Julia

Thanks Julia, I am feeling pretty good about it.  Before, I wouldn't even have tried the falls......and am ready to add even more steps on my daily walk.  And the funny thing is, I have an incredible amount of energy.  So that is cool too!

   I need to walk more.  My hips have been bothering me some---not a new thing for me---and I had them injected with cortisone 1 1/2 weeks ago.  Now will have them x-rayed and if o.k., my plan is to join a gym with a treadmill as well as other equipment and free weights.  Wish I were in Eugene and I would walk with you and Linda too.  That would be great.  I only have 9.2 pounds to my goal now.  This month has been good for weight loss.  I hope to be there by Christmas and that is giving me a lot of extra time, however my weight loss is now pretty sporatic so who know.   Julia

You are only 9.2 pounds away from your goal weight?  That is TOTALLY AWESOME!!  That is a HUGE accomplishment.  You must be feeling pretty good about yourself. Bummer that your hips have been bothering you. Do hope the cortisone helps.  I am surprised that they haven't suggested an MRI for the hips.  Does a much better job than regular xrays..right?  I know when I was having problems with my knees, they did an MRI.....found out I had a slight tear in my ligament or something and the onset of arthritis....but the walking seems to be helping with that.   I am sure reaching your goal by Christmas is feasible.  :)

Brandon, I had originally set my goal at 140 pounds  but decided to change it to 150, as I will have a  tummy tuck and that may take care of the rest.   I would be happy with that to say the least.   If I never lose another pound, I am happy with my life.   My hips have bothered my for several years, even  before WLS.  I haven't needed to have them injected  for about a year.  It does help but hate to continue to  have them injected.  I have been told it is bursitis but I  want to have it checked out.  I have had calcium depostis  in my rotator cuff and my heel tendons.  I had to have  surgery on my shoulder as it caused tendonitis and was  so painful I couldn't stand it.  I think this may also be  calcium deposits and depending on what the x-rays show,  I will see my Ortho guy in Eugene next.   It is a PAIN to get old!!   Julia

I agree, getting old is definitely the pits........but not much we can do about that....unless we find that Fountain of Youth, which I am not counting on!

Wow Brandon!  Good for you!  Before you know it you'll be running marathons - well, maybe half marathons?  Exercise can be very addicting.  I was really into long distance walking until my weight started to make my feet fall apart.  Now that the weight is coming off, it's so much easier to walk.  I may even begin to jog!  Congrats on the progress -- that's exciting. Linda

Ya Linda....I keep increasing my walking daily, some days more than others.  My knees are a tab bit sore today from the steep incline at Salt Creek Falls, but hanging in there..... Thanks for the encouragement!

Brandon- Congratulations on your accomplishment! :) :) :)