Walking, Healthy Habits, Caffeine, and My Day

Today I went for the longest walk, and did the most walking, I have done in months. And I mean months. This morning I walked to the tram stop, approx 1.2kms. Then navigated my way through various shops and errands to get where i was going in town. Unsure of the actual distance but at a guess a little over 1 km. Then I walked hom from a different tram stop which was 1.5 kms. The 1.5 is my longest single walk, and the amount of walking I did in total is the most in a day. Since forever ago.

I feel great. My legs are tired though. They are not used to it. This morning the Achilles was tight and sore. But considering it was 0.7 degrees in Adelaide this morning, I am guessing the cold had a lot to do with that. Once it warmed up it felt good. Now I am sitting with my leg up and it is a bit tired and achey, but not sore. This is a good thing. I won't walk again tomorrow, but I will jump on the trainer. Should be a bit less pressure on it.

My week of healthy habits has gone better than last week, but not brilliant. I had breakfast on the go a couple of times. And had some chips. My water and exercise were good. I have one more day left of the week, and even though I did not nail it, I am going to add to it this week. Just need to decide what I will add.

I am still off the caffeine. I just wanted to report in on my little experiment I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. A few weeks back I had some Diet Coke at a party. 48 hours later I was hit with a wave of anxiety that lasted several hours. I was unsure if it was the caffeine, or the chemicals. To test it I decided to have a coffee one day and see how I felt 48 hours later. I have now done this. The result? It is the chemicals. I had absolutely no reaction to the caffeine in the coffee and no anxiety within the next week. So for me this means I can have the occasional coffee and be confident that I will feel fine. I can not have Diet Coke. I am okay with that.

Today I went to a Psychic Development class at the WEA. I have been looking forward to this for a while. Basically it was an introduction to various types of intuitive and psychic abilities by trying them out. I had a great time, and had more success than I expected. There were a few things I had no success at, but that is cool. I was very excited to get to practice some Psychometry, which I recently discovered I had a knack for. I was spot on each time I tried it today and was able to put the feelings into words better than I have in the past, so that was pretty exciting. I am hoping to catch up with one of the ladies again in order to give it another shot.

Tomorrow I have to write an assignment and clean my house, oh what fun... :)

xox

Just call me Crutches Girl

Yep, I am on crutches for the next 2 weeks. I decided to go to a new Physio (since my old one seemed to suck big time). He is getting an ultrasound done to check the damage (something the other guy did not do) and has put me on crutches for 2 weeks to take me completely off of it.  They suck, but it has to be done.

Back at work after my long weekend and it is busy as. I need a new career.

Speaking of new careers... :)

One of the decisions I made while away was about study.  As you know I was enrolled to do a BA in Visual Culture through OUA. I was doing it out of interest, not to make a career change.

I have decided to withdraw from this course and am now going to be studying in the field of natural health. Naturopathy to be exact. I am really excited about it. I have been interested in Natural Health for ages (as in 15-20 years) but never did it because of the $$ involved. Now a lot of it is covered by VET FEE-HELP which means I can study now and pay later (which is what I was going to do at Uni anyway).

I am excited to start learning and to start putting what I learn into practice.

I am actually going to a Naturopath tomorrow as well. The appointment has been booked for a couple of weeks.

It is time to get this body healthy. If I can't exercise I will eat well. I will do as the Physio says and the Naturopath says. And I will be healthy. :)

xox

Achilles Update

I do believe I am on the road to recovery. I have had little to no pain for days. The swelling has gone down. And it is feeling really good.

I have been riding lots and walking and have been to the gym. Saturday morning I was wandering the city completely laden with shopping bags, and nothing. Didn’t even feel it.

I know it is a process and I still have a way to go, but I am feeling really positive. Am hoping the Physio will give me the all clear to start hiking again soon. I know running is still a way off, but if I can start doing the other stuff I won’t feel so stifled. Will go and see him again in a couple of weeks. Fingers crossed it is good news. :)

xox

Going Nuts

I want to run...

I want to hike...

I want to do a Zumba class...

I want to do a Body Jam class...

And I can't.

The F&^%$g Achilles is driving me insane.

Thanks for listening.

Achilles Update

So I went to the Physio last night expecting to get the all clear to go back to everything except running as I really have not had much pain of late.

It turns out I have a lump on the back of my Achilles. The Physio is not sure at this point if it is still part of the injury or if a lump of scar tissue has formed. As soon as he touched it I was in tears just about. So...

I CAN

 - keep riding

 - walk on flat ground

 - go hiking as long as it is in a flat area (unsure where I will find a spot like that but I will look)

 - try body balance

 - try Yoga

 - try Pilates

 - swim

I CAN NOT

 - walk or hike up any hills

 - go for more than 2 walks in any week

 - run

 - try Zumba

 - do any high impact activity

Poop Bum Wee... Actually, the words I used were more colourful than that, but you know what I mean. :) Now I concerned about next week. I am meant to be going to Camp Quality but the place we are staying is in the hills and I am pretty sure it is on a slope. I am waiting to hear back from the staff to find out the lay of the land - if it is hilly I will have to pull out, and they are already quite short staffed. But I have to take care of me first. Although if I can't go I will feel guilty forever....  I should know by the end of the day.

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 58
Today I am grateful that I have got in touch with all my friends in Qld and they are all safe from the floods.

xox

This & That

Like I said in my last post yesterday - I was planning on smashing it on the bike on the way home last night. The aim was 15kms. Well, I wouldn't say I smashed it, but I pushed it pretty damn hard. I had a headwind nearly the whole way home, and I pedaled hard. My legs were fatigued and I was puffing and panting (which I don't usually do as I normally just cruise along). By the time I got home I was absolutely dripping with sweat and I was completely buggered, but geez I felt good! I did 16.47kms. I have no idea how long it took me or what my HR was, and I don't care. I know I worked hard and that is all I care about at this point. :)

After dinner (vegetable fritatta - YUM!) I went out to check my tyres, which I do every few days.  This is what I found...

Of course, I am out of spare inner tubes, aren't I...  Grumble, grumble...

So Ross is off to the bike shop today to get a couple of spares and to fix it for me (I really must learn to do that myself one of these days). And I had to catch a tram to work. The good news is, the 1.8km walk from the tram to work, all up a very slight slope, did not hurt my Achilles in the slightest. YAY!  I am back to the Physio next Tuesday and I really really hope he gives me the go ahead to start hiking again.

I did pretty good with my food yesterday too. Had some ice cream last night but it fit into my calories since I did such a hard ride. I was actually hungry too, not just mindlessly eating, so I figured it was okay. :) Am still feeling motivated and feeling good about it all.  Hopefully it lasts.

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 53
Today I am grateful that I am no longer living in Qld where all that awful rain and flooding is. My thoughts and love goes out to everyone affected by it.

xox

Achilles Update

Daily Quote

Fall seven times, stand up eight.
- Japanese Proverb

My Achilles seems to be healing really well.  In the last week I have been for a couple of walks with no pain. My ride to work is pain free - although I seem to still be limited to about 12-13kms on the bike, any further than that and it starts to ache. It is still quite tight and swollen in there, but I am mostly pain free which is truly wonderful after so many months of agony.  I am really hoping that come mid-January I will be able to go for a hike.  I can't wait!

Last night I went to a friends place for a sewing/craft night. We are meant to catch up every week, but lately one thing after another has happened and I haven't been able to go as often as I'd have liked. It was so great to catch up. I got the strips for my Mug Rugs cut out, and met a couple of new people who were also there for the evening. It was a really great night and I can't wait till next week.

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 29
Today I am grateful for good friends and new friends. Sometimes you need to be able to hang out with people and have laughs and great conversation with none of it focussed on yourself. And I am blessed to have people I can do that with.  Thank you A & E (and A & J, it was great to meet you).

xox

Junk Food

Quote of the Day

Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?
            -- Frank Scully

My house is currently filled with junk food. There was so much leftover food from Saturday night it is ridiculous. A lot of it is stuff I don't like or am not overly fussed about, but some of it is stuff I LOVE....  Ross and my MIL are under strict instructions to eat that stuff asap.  I don't want it anywhere near me.  Last night I got stuck into the Smarties...  Oh how I love Smarties...

I have asked them to eat certain things today or else hide whatever is left and to tell me they ate it.  I just don't want to know.  I am doing so well with my food at work.  But I get home and it all falls to hell in a hand basket...  Not good.

However I am back on the bike this week and loving it.  My butt is sore though.  My Achilles was holding up really well, but this morning I stopped suddenly and put my foot down hard and now it is swollen. I don't have an ice pack at work (need to fix that) so have taken some anti-inflammatories and hopefully it settles down.  I actually hate taking them. but I know that they do help.

If it is feeling okay tonight I am going to try a Body Balance class. I have wanted to do Yoga for ages, but I am assured that this is better for a beginner, so I am going to give it a go.  I'll let you know how it goes.

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 22

Today I am grateful for good advice. I love that other peoples knowledge and wisdom can have a positive effect on anothers life.

xox

Gear Up Girl

sigh....

My Achilles has flared up again. Started hurting on Saturday. By Sunday morning it was swollen. I took the bike out for a spin up and down the street, but no good. It hurt too much.  Which meant...

No Gear Up Girl...

I am really disappointed about it too. I was looking forward to it.

Today it is still sore, aggravated by the fact I had to run for the bus this morning...  The Physio did say this could happen. I was just really hoping it wouldn't. So back to being really careful and doing nothing for a week or so. sigh... I just wish it would get better already. I am not very good at this patience thing.

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 14
Today I am grateful for the public transport in SA, which means I can get to work without too much stress on my Achilles.

xox

Cycling

Quote of the Day

Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman,
before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.

- John Quincy Adams

Whoodda thunk that 5 weeks off the bike would make such a massive difference.  Yesterday was HARD...  The morning ride was 8kms (normal) which I usually do in around 30-33 mins, depending on how tired I am and how long I wait at traffic lights.  That is because I take my time since I don't want to get sweaty as there are no showers at work.

Yesterday morning took 40 minutes.  And it was 40 HARD minutes. I was so sluggish.  It was dreadful.  The ride home was better.  I did 12.5kms, although I have no idea how long it took.  The 35 degree heat got to me though, and when my water got hot I started to feel quite ill.  I guess it was just the first heat of the year, combined with my general level of "un-fit-ness", that made me feel bleh.

This morning was better.  Took me about 36-37 mins to get here and that was with a killer head wind.  So I am pretty impressed with that. I am feeling good about my riding again which is good.

Which means I will be doing the Gear Up Girl ride on Sunday.  It is only going to be 19 degrees, so I won't have the heat to contend with.  I am a bit nervous as I have never ridden in a pack before. My plan is to stick to the back and as it starts to thin out just find a spot on my own.  It is 15kms, and afterwards I will ride home, so I will easily get the 23kms in I need for my 50km training plan.

As for my Achilles, I am off to the Physio for a check up tonight. It is feeling pretty good though. I went for a 30 minute walk yesterday morning, plus all my riding, and it is feeling good. The tendon next to it (I forget what it's called) is still tight, but it has only been 3 weeks since I started truly taking care of it, so I guess it will take time.  Hopefully the Physio is pleased with the progress.

100 Days of Gratitude - Day 8
Today I am grateful for the sunshine. Although I am a little bit pink right now, I am so glad that the sun is shining as it really does brighten the day in so many ways.

xox

EDIT
I have started a fundraising page for the Gear Up Girl ride, in support of the Heart Foundation. If anyone has a few dollars spare and would like to help out, it will be most appreciation.  Just click here to donate.
Thank you

Achilles Update

Well, the Achilles is still very sore.  Incredibly sore actually.  As such I have not yet got back on the bike as the pressure is hurting it.  I am back to the Physio next Tuesday so hopefully I can get some sort of relief.

I am sure it is not helped by the fact that I am retaining so much water at the moment that my feet literally feel as though they are going to burst through the skin.  I have never felt such incredible pressure in my feet before.  I have also never seen them quite this big before.  Even my thongs are tight...

So today I am trying to drink as much as possible and try to stay as far away from sodium as I can.  Hopefully I will start to "release" some of this water soon which will hopefully take some of the pressure off.

Any tips for getting rid of this water will be gratefully accepted.

xox

Legs Feeling Better

What a relief it is to have normal feeling in my legs again. :o) All things considered I think my recovery time wasn't too bad, but it is nice to not feel every movement of every muscle.  Tomorrow I will get back on the bike and ride to work again. That will feel great!

This is my 3rd day back at work and I almost feel like my holidays were a dream.  I am still more relaxed than I was before I left but in some ways it is like I had no time off at all...  If only work were optional. :o)

Yesterday I looked into gyms again.  I know, I know.  I hate the gym.  But I need to do something to get my legs stronger for Rogaining. At this point I have decided not to join one.  I am going to find things that I can do outdoors to get stronger.  For example, there is a set of steep stairs and a steep pathway down at Seacliff.  I can ride there on the weekends and climb up and down those.  Plus Mt Lofty is not that far away - that is sure steep enough to qualify.  I just need to do some sort of steep leg work once a week in addition to my riding and running (when I can get back to it).

Speaking of getting back to it, I have made an appointment at the Physio for next Tuesday night to have my Achilles looked at.  It is getting a lot better, but it is taking a long time.  I should have done this months ago really, but I didn't. :o)

xox

A Couple of Days Rest

So I saw my chiropractor last night.  He is not 100% convinced the pain in my ankle is related to my back being out of whack.  I have had ankle and knee issues related directly to my back in the past - as a matter of fact, that is how my scoliosis was originally diagnosed - I kept twisting and spraining my right ankle, even without tripping or falling.

When they couldn't find a cause for the ankle problems Mum talked to her Chiropractor (a very 'out there' concept over 25 years ago) who suggested I come in for testing.  Turned out the reason my ankle was always swollen and sore was that my right hip was significantly lower than my left hip putting too much pressure on my ankle.  Turns out when I was hit by the car when I was 5, although no bones were broken, my hips were thrown so badly out of whack that scoliosis ended up forming.

Anyway, Mark adjusted and manipulated and as I always I felt 100 times better right away.  But he said there is some localised swelling around the Achilles that may not be a result of pressure from the back being out.  He has recommended a couple of days of anti-inflamatories and rest.  If it is still swollen and sore I may need to visit a Physio.

So days 2 & 3 of Heyson training have been abandoned.  And with no bike I can't even ride (although Ross is taking her back to the bike shop today to get looked at again).  Hopefully the ankle pain settles down enough in the next day or so that I can fully jump into Training.

Speaking of Training, Trace pointed out that I have not allowed for any rest days in this Training Plan.  So I will be revising it a bit and will post the new plan shortly.

xox

This'n'That

Well, it's official.  I am out of Running Group for now.  The Achilles is still sore.  Walking is mostly okay, cycling is mostly okay, running hurts.  Since I have my 5 day hike coming up in a couple of months I am not prepared to risk it, so am resting it as much as possible.

I will get there though.  I know I will.  :o)

Nothing much else to report.  Last night was a relaxing evening filled with cooking, and spending time with the fella.  Plus a bit of reading and doing some puzzles.  It was really nice.

I am going to go back to doing my Daily Goals.  So here are the 5 for today:
1)  Drink 6 glasses of water (I haven't been doing this lately)
2)  Monitor my food intake - not calorie counting or anything, just monitoring so I can see where I am at
3)  Don't waste half the day surfing the Net.  Get my work done first
4)  Start sorting through the TV room - it's a mess
5)  Write a letter

xox

Achilles

I seem to have done something to my Achilles.  It has been twinging a little bit for a couple of days, but last night it really began to ache.  It is very tight and a little bit swollen.  This has happened before and it took about a week to settle down.  I am hoping that if I rest it, it will only take a few days this time as the Start Running Group starts again next Thursday.  Fingers crossed!

On other news I got my cards finished for my big order last night.  I will deliver them on Saturday and hopefully she is happy with them.  I finally got into a rhythm with them last night and the last 60 did not take anywhere near as long as the first 60.

Grandad is getting more and more frustrating.  He is just being so naughty.  I am not sure if he is just completely oblivious or if he is doing it for attention.  I like to think it's oblivion, except for the fact that he is capable of conversation and he tries to hide some of what he does, which to me shows intent, or at least knowledge that he shouldn't be doing what he is doing.  All of us are so ready for a break - I can not WAIT until we at least get some respite.

Before I go, have a look at my ticker.  I have finally broken the 1000km mark for the year!  WOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!  Only 2000 to go!  LOL

xox

Start of the Long Weekend

First things first.  I wonke up this morning, ankle feels fine.  Had a hot shower, ankle feels fine.  Rode to work, ankle feels fine.  Worked all day, ankle feels fine.  Rode home, ankle feels fine.  YAY!  I am happy.

Tonight my sister brought my niece over to stay for a few days.  She is 12, which is such a cool age.  In the last 6 months she has switched from being a little kid to an 'adult in training'.  I can have adult conversations with her, we SMS, she is on Facebook.  But we still have fun times and play board games and muck around.  My sister and nephew stayed for dinner then left 'the girl' with me.  We have some cool things planned for the next few days and I am really looking forward to it.

I forgot to take my camera to work today, so no food photos from the day.

For dinner I did another new recipe I have been thinking about.  I wanted a light pasta sauce but needed something with a bit of protein.  The main 2 ingredients are lentils and tomatos.  Check out the recipe here.  It turned out great.  Absolutely delicious and 2nd helping were dished out.

We had it with rice noodles and parmesan.  It really was great.

The plan for tomorrow is to go and watch the start of Stage 3 of the Tour Down Under, then go for a swim at the local pool.  After that I need to drop my bike off at the doctors (aka the bike shop) for a service and some minor repairs.  Depending on how we feel we might go into the Tour Village to see the bikes and perhaps catch a glimpse of some of the lovely young things in lycra (aka cyclists).

Till then...

xox

Tuesday, my Hump Day

This morning was a bit of a late start for me.  I was planning on going swimming but I slept through the alarm.  When I did get up I realised my ankle wasn't hurting.  YAY!  I jumped in the shower, and after about 2 minutes in the hot water my ankle started to ache.  BOOOOO....  I got Ross to drive me to work so I had time to ice my ankle before heading off.

Breakfast was the usual, oats with rice milk, nuts & honey.

Work was busy today, to the point that I missed morning tea.  Now that NEVER happens!  I was doing well with the Pepsi Max thing, but then my boss went to get everyone morning tea as a congrats for an award we won last week.  Because I am being good and said no to the donuts on offer, he bought me a 600ml Diet Coke.  But hey, it's better than a dount.

Lunch was Cruskits with cottage cheese followed by blueberries & a banana with vanilla yogurt - which is my 2 servings of fruit.

 

Afternoon tea, which I don't always have, was my morning tea, 2 Salada Lites with cheese.

Since I didn't have the bike I had to walk home.  Ross has gone to a friends for dinner and was going to his Mums for a while first so I was on my own.  It is about a 35 minute walk.  I took off and my ankle was feeling okay.  After 5 minutes it was hurting.  Not good.  I changed footpaths and it felt ok again.  The path I was walking on was sloping to the right, and the slope was enough to cause some pain in my foot.  By the time I got to the park, although it was still a little sore, I decided I could try running.

Note to self - running with a backpack loose on your bag is awful...

I lasted 30 seconds.  It was swishing from side to side and banging against my back.  So I tightened the arm straps and pulled out the tummy strap and did it up tight.  Next run, only 60 seconds before I started to feel pulling down my left hamstring.  Third run, 60 seconds before I felt it in my ankle.  Time to stop.  But, I gave it a shot.  I stuck to my exercise contract (thank you Em and Swayerm for co-signing it) and now I feel good that I did my best.

So now I know, the ankle is related to the hamstring and hip issues which is related to my back.  At least I now have a fix.  I will see the Chiropractor again soon.

I got home and ate a vegemite sandwich

With my foot up with my makeshift ice pack while I watched the days highlights of the Tour Down Under. 

After the Tour it was time to find something to eat.  It was just me so I wanted something quick.  I looked in the fridge.  Tofu and lots of green veggies (I seem to have eaten all the other coloured veggies).  OK, tofu and veg stirfry. 

 

To the tofu I added garlic, spring onion, spinach, bok choy, capsicum, broccoli, snow peas and mushrooms, and mixed in some oregano, parsley & hoi sin sauce.  I was planning on serving it with rice noodles, until I saw it all together and realised how much I had cut up.  So I just had it as is and it was delicious!  And incredibly filling.  Calories for today are spot on.

Tomorrow is my last day of work for the week.  YAY!

xox

Challenge Update, Exercise Contracts & Pepsi Max

As per my post from earlier today, I didn't go for my run today.  I have spent the evening with my foot up and ice on it.  Tomorrow I will go swimming in the morning, then if it's feeling better tomorrow night I will do tonights run then.

Last weeks challenges were okay.  My healthy habits challenge completely went out the window over the weekend.  Again.  My running challenge I did 1 out of 3 runs.  Not good enough.  Time to get strict.  I have read about making an exercise contract with yourself.  I think this is a good idea.  It is a simple idea.  You write out a contract that you sign, have co-signed, then are obligated to stick to.  I would like to ask all of you to co-sign my exercise contract. 

"I, Kylie, commit to sticking to my running training for the remainder of the timetable set out (barring injury).  I will run 3 times a week with the goal of being able to run 1km at the end of the challenge."

Week 3 of my Healthy Habit a Week Challenge sees me introduce a new challenge.  This weeks challenge is to record my food.  I still have to drink my water and eat my fruit as well as recording the food.  Today went well.  Now for tomorrow...

On to other topics....
Pepsi Max.  Oh how I love thee Pepsi Max.  I love thee bubbles.  I love thee caffeine.  I love thee taste.  But it is crap.  It is turning my teeth brown and it is filled with yucky nasty chemicals.  I suck it down all weekend and don't drink any water.  My sleep is disturbed, my tummy always bloated, and it makes me hungry.  It is time.  I will not go cold turkey.  I don't have time for a 4 day migraine.  I am going to slowly cut back and replace it it tea and coffee.  When I am off the Pepsi (and over the withdrawls from the chemicals) I will then cut back the tea and coffee.  Today went well.  Only 3 glasses (I normally drink 2 litres). 

Food for today was okay, although I did go over my calories.  I am PMS'ing - although I have been for about 2 weeks, my bad food has made my cycle extra long this month - and I am always starving when I am PMS'ing.  I did okay though and made some good choices.

Breakfast was the normal - oats with rice milk and some seeds/nuts and a squirt of honey.

Morning tea was 2 Salada Lites with cheese.  I forgot to take a pic so here is the box.  :o)

Lunch was a big green salad with 2 eggs and a dollop of cottage cheese.

Followed by watermelon & rockmelon.

Afternoon Tea was another Salada with cheese.

When I got home from work I decided to be naughty and have one of my Mega Choc Chunks.  I say naughty because I worked out the calories and these suckers are over 400 calories EACH!!!!

Dinner was egg noodles with the last of the Mexican Lentils that I thinned out with another can of tomatos.

With Bread

Now there are rumours that after dinner my have contained another naughty biccie, but this is something I can not confirm or deny...  :o)

Fingers crossed my ankle is feeling better tomorrow.

xox

Swollen Ankle

My left ankle is swollen and sore. Just above and slightly to the front of the bone that sticks out to the side. I have been looking forward to my run but now I am not so sure if I should go out. I didn’t do anything to hurt it, it was just sore this morning. I keep hoping the pain will go away but it seems to be getting worse. :o(


Not sure what I should do…

xox