The first step is a doozy!

Remember when I said “that is a post for another time?” Well this is that post.

I started out 2018 in such a healthy way.  A renewed determination to get back into a gym routine, staying away from bad food choices, I had a plan.

Then not quite two months in I hurt my knee.  3 times in 6 weeks. I’ve never had knee problems. In fact, I have been pretty lucky with my health.  I don’t smoke or do drugs. I drink socially a couple times a month. I wanted to lose about 40 pounds and figured I would hit that goal by the fall.  I’ve done it before, I know I can do it.

Then a stationary gym bike, a patch of ice and landing wrong doing a “reverse” on the Cha Cha Slide changed the course of my year.  I bought a knee brace, figured I had pulled something and it just needed time to heal.  It took me 2 months to decide I better go see an actual doctor. 2 months of limping around and wincing on the stairs. So I did. And found out I had torn my meniscus on both sides of my left knee.  Surgery was the fix, but even then the dr told me that as I get older I would most likely have arthritis problems, as it seems almost everyone I know does.

So instead of facing it, I pushed it off.  I was too busy in the summer for surgery.  I was in a wedding, we had a family vacation planned.  I didn’t want to do it in the fall, that is my favorite season. I pushed it off and limped around. Some days it felt fine.  Some days I had to double up on my knee braces.

Looking back I wish I had at least kept up with my calorie counting instead of feeling so hopeless.  But instead I kind of gave up.  Instead of losing 40 pounds, I gained nearly 25 in 10 months.  I knew it was happening but for some reason I just couldn’t get it under control.

Something has to change.  I don’t expect to run marathons or anything crazy like that.  But I want to be able to go for long walks, go bike riding and fit back into all of my cute clothes.  I need to get this under control.  I need to STOP with the excuses.

The first step to a healthier me is the knee surgery. So I did it. 4 days ago. I was a nervous wreck, I’ve never even had a stitch before!  But here I am, recovering. This was just the first step. Once I get cleared by the doctor, my plan for 2018 is a walk every single day.  I don’t care of it is sleeting, snowing or 100 degrees.  I will go for a walk every damn day no matter what and I will take a picture from that walk for an album I will create. I will hold myself accountable.  I will go back to smaller portions and healthier choices.  I will get back to the point where I don’t cringe when I get dressed. I can do this.

My goal is to lose at least 65 pounds and to be able to do the 8 mile Highbanks Trail by next fall.  I AM going to do this. And you are all welcome to come along with me.