Laura CG's Journal, 26 August 2023

I am Starting Again, Serious This Time.

August 21, 2023 I saw Dr Haaland who advised that my overall health recovery depends on my actions.
I am having a knee surgery in 5 mths.
I started Physio about 4 weeks ago and have had adverse effects of great stiffness, swelling and tremendous imbalance, all due to the favoring of my right knee and the exercises affecting my spine and irritating lower body nerves. So that needs to be restarted with adjustments.
After considering all aspects of my situation I decided to smarten up, get serious and do what is necessary to be in the best possible shape so that my TWO knee replacements are a success.
I am the only one who can take charge of what happens to my body. If I don't then I will end up in a nursing home, unable to be with Rick, have my creature comforts, hobbies and the freedom to participate in the world and society. It will be a sad, lonely life with little to live for.
I don't want that.
I do want to be a role model for my granddaughters, showing them self determination, independence and the way to live life to the fullest. I want to live long and be well.
HERE'S HOW:
1) I started reducing my caloric intake.
2) I restarted my strengthening program by doing my "Frail to Fit" exercises gently but regularly.
3) I will attend physio faithfully so that I may gain knowledge, support, and structure of routine.
4) I pledge to become more involved at home so that Rick will not be worn away caring for me. This requires less wasted time in bed ... playing games, reading, sleeping, or watching TV for hours. This will also increase my strength and balance, as I will be more active.
5) I also pledge to improve my sleep habits by improving my sleep schedule and using my CPAP machine.

This is a tall order to accomplish. I have made stuttering starts at all of these changes, to little avail. In the past, the only way I accomplished life changes was by attacking the whole life style at once. So ... here we go again, Momma Mia!
My goal is to, within 5 months:
- attack my life on all fronts (healthier activities, strength, sleep, weight)
- become more involved in home activities,
- regain strength and stability,
- achieve good sleep hygiene,
- lose 30 lbs, achieving a weight of 185 lbs,
AND
- have a successful knee replacement .
THAT'S ALL! 👍🏻
Signed, Laura aka 👵🍌

205.0 lb Lost so far: 7.6 lb.    Still to go: 35.0 lb.    Diet followed reasonably well.

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1200 kcal

Fat: 51.57g | Prot: 61.30g | Carb: 136.14g.   Breakfast: Sealtest Light Cream 5%, Coffee, Bananas , Kraft Smooth Peanut Butter, Country Harvest Ancient Grains & Red Fife Bread, Activia Raspberry Yogurt. Dinner: Cooked Mushrooms, Chicken Thigh (Skin Eaten), Lettuce Salad with Assorted Vegetables, Kraft Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad Dressing, 2% Fat Milk, Honeydew Melon, Cantaloupe Melons, Nectarines, Pineapple. more...

2460 kcal

Activities & Exercise: Hanging Laundry - 1 hour, Resting - 15 hours, Sleeping - 8 hours. more...