Finally!

The last time I was at the gym was on Dec. 8th!  Today, after all this time, I was finally given the ok to return to the gym in a limited capacity!  I am so excited.  I have really been feeling like a slug and eating way, more than I have a right to!  Thankfully, my weight has remained steady, 142-144 during this whole period.  I can really see a difference though in my  body.  It doesn't take long for muscles to forget and I'm here to tell you, mine forgot!  While the scale has remained steady, my body is no longer as toned as it once was.  That ends tomorrow!  Listen up muscles....prepare to start feeling sore!  A good sore though, I hope.

I have learned more than I ever wanted to know about the Sacroiliac Joint and I pray to God that it never gets twisted again!  It will take me a long time to forget the pain from that damn twisted joint!  I will really be taking it slow at the gym for this reason.  The last thing I want to do is have a set-back especially because my doctor said surgery is the next step if it happens again.  I do not want to go there.

My WW adventure continues although I am only doing it half-hearted.  Some days I forget to count my points.  I still love Myfitnesspal best out of all the online calculators!

Tonight my hubby is taking me out to dinner to celebrate my birthday (again) at a really nice Italian restaurant that I've been dying to try.  It will be great knowing that I can have dessert and will be working it off  at the gym in the morning!  Did I mention that it was my 50th birthday?  With the exception of the SI Joint issue, I am starting this new decade off 100% healthier and happier than I started the last one.  Salute!

Guess who is doing W*W?

Seriously.....I am now an online member!  Never thought I'd say that again!  However, I am not doing it to lose weight.  I am still maintaining 10 lbs under my goal weight.  I'm doing it mainly to stay accountable and focused during this period where I cannot exercise.

It's been a real eye-opener and its made me appreciate everything I've done during these past almost three years to get where I am.  For me, as long as I can exercise, I really don't have to scrutinize every morsel that goes past my lips.  Take the exercise away and it gets scary for me!

Thankfully I am feeling a little better every day.  It was determined that I am suffering from Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction!  What a mouthful.  It mimics lower back pain and although my MRI showed herniated disks, surgeon said my disk problem is not the problem.  He has me going to physical therapy, which has given me some relief and I am getting another epidural steroid injection directly into the SI joint.  Hopefully doing these things will get it back in place and I can avoid having surgery.  The surgery basically implants 3 screws between the hip and the SIJoint to fuse it together!  No thank you....I will only do that as a last resort!  Truth be told, I would do the surgery tomorrow if I'd exhausted my other options!  I have a very high tolerance for pain but this has brought me to my knees!

I am really starting to feel like me again.  I was getting so depressed, having to take pain pills to get through the day.  That's so not me!  It has been two days since I've taken a pill and I take that as a big accomplishment.  The pills are really good but they make me so loopy and I absolutely come to a screeching halt when I take them.  Driving isn't an option so I am stuck in the house.  Each day for the past week, I've been taking them later and later into the day.  It's a great feeling to know that I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't a train!

Happy New Years Eve!

What a month I've had! I started having a back problem on Dec 7 that resulted in finding out I had 3 herniated disks the day before we were going to drive to NY for Christmas. Trip was delayed one day and thanks to really good drugs and a big back seat, I made it to NY in one piece! We got there on Saturday, drove straight through and than did it again the day after Christmas!

No relief at all from back pain, even after getting an epidural steroid injection! Had an appt today with a neurosurgeon and found out the reason I had no relief was because while they are herniated, my problem isn't with my disks! I have sacroiliac joint dysfunction! Yikes! Anyway, I can now see a light at the end of the tunnel and I am hopeful that once I am being treated for this, I will get my life back! Pain sucks!

All in all, we had a wonderful Christmas, pain and all. My girls took care of me! Here we are on New Years Eve, 2012 and I am happy to say goodbye to this year as it wasn't a good one health wise for us. Everything turned out ok but it was a long year. I'm looking forward to a fresh start in 2013 and pray for good health for all my family and friends.

I'm happy to say that this is my 2nd year that I don't have "losing weight" as my resolution! What a great feeling! However, that is not to say that I have won the war. Every day is a battle to maintain! I swear, it is easier to lose weight than to maintain. Seriously. When you are actively losing, you are constantly motivated by the scale, clothes, friends and family. Once you hit goal, a whole new dynamic sets in. I am not complaining....it is just different. Maintenance is hard but so rewarding. Every day I stay below my goal, is a dream come true for me.




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It's been a while!

2 weeks ago, Steve and I spent a few days in New Orleans with my girls Theresa and Vickie and their hubby's! Had a fantastic time and can't wait to see them again already!

We did all the touristy things and a whole lot more as Theresa and John are practically locals and really showed us the town. Hell, Theresa's husband John even got Steve and I to eat fried alligator bites! Steve had seconds and thirds even! The only down side to the weekend was that Vickie had a horrible cold/cough that got progressively worse. In fact, the morning we all left, only her hubby John came to breakfast! (You owe us some hugs, Vick!)

While there I even got to meet Vicky. She lives right outside NOLA and met us for Beignets at Cafe' Du Monde! Oh, they were good! Of course we had our fair share of hurricanes too!














The week we got back was Thanksgiving week and then I flew to New York the day after to surprise my mama for her 80th birthday. I was only there for the weekend but we had a wonderful time!

Since I've been home this week I am in full time Christmas shopping mode. I'm hoping to start some decoration but work keeps getting in the way!

I am also going to start baking this week as I am planning on giving out a lot of home baked gifts this year. We will see how that goes! Here's to hoping I can keep the cookies out of my mouth.

My weight has been steady, I continue to maintain in the 142-145 range without any trouble. Exercise has been slim these past 3 weeks due to travel but I'm back on track beginning tomorrow so I should be ok.

I will do my best not to let this much time go by before checking back in! Have a great week!

Just a little update!

I am so proud of my daughter Mallory for completing her second 1/2 Marathon this past Sunday.  This is a girl who just started running a year ago and has already completed 2  - 1/2 Marathons.  She said she'd never do another one after running the Disney Princess 1/2 and she said the same thing after running this one.  She is just a sucker for a medal so I suspect she will be running another one, hopefully the Disney Princess as its near me and I can cheer her on!

Isn't she adorable?

I spent a lot of money on those teeth!

Steve and I had a wonderful time in Vegas!  We saw a few shows, Jersey Boys and America's Got Talent.  We also had tickets to see The Australian Pink Floyd but I didn't feel well so Steve went without me.  We had a few really nice dinners and hung around the pool a lot.  He also did a day in the desert thing with a dune buggy.  I had done it with him another time and sat this time out!

I did a little of this:

So I could eat a little of these little pies from the Carnegie Deli!

Dinner at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Hotel & Casino

Entertaining myself while waiting for America's Got Talent

Although it was his celebration trip, I ended up getting some bling when we got home to celebrate his winnings. An anniversary eternity wedding band!  OMG, I love that guy!  His idea, not mine but hey, who am I to argue!

We got home on a Monday and than last Friday my mother and niece came for a 4 day visit.  We didn't really do much but we had a very nice visit.  My mother loves Brutus....can you tell?  

GO GIANTS!

This week its back to normal for me...work and gym!  

Safe Travels!

I wish I was packing right now to meet you all in Chicago but life got in the way this year, big time I might add!  Instead I am packing for my trip with Steve to Vegas to celebrate his finishing radiation!  While I am thrilled to be spending time with my husband, I am truly going with a heavy heart because I also wish I could be with everyone in Chicago!

For the newbies, please, please, do not miss a stop at Garretts Popcorn.  Literally around the corner from the hotel!  Always a highlight for me!  Pizzeria Uno and Due' are also must eats and cant forget the chicago hot dog.  Fat or thin, my trips anywhere always revolve around food!  Stay close to Steph and she will lead you to Roys Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant....OMG that was a keeper for me, now I find myself seeking a Roys out when I visit big cities.  Maybe I will be with you in spirit this weekend if we make it to the Roys in Vegas?

Have a safe trip and above all else, relax and have fun!  A better group of women would be hard to find!

Steve has finished his treatments!

WooHoo!  These were the longest 9 weeks for me!  Him too I'm sure!  In 3 months he will go back for another PSA test and we and his doctor don't expect anything less than him being declared CANCER FREE!

After his last treatment, we went to a new Mexican restaurant in our town.  My children, bless their hearts, pointed out that Steve does not like Mexican food and this was his celebration.  Well...while they were technically correct, he told me I could choose because he loves me.  So of course, when I put him on speaker while on the phone with Mallory and asked where he wanted to go, he said "McDonalds"!  Seriously, he hates McDonald's more than he doesn't like Mexican!

Here is a picture of Steve showing how excited he was to be there:

Here is me drinking to his health and waiting for my food!

MMMMM...Chile Rellano!

We really had a nice dinner even if he doesn't like Mexican!  Tonight we are having friends over to continue our celebration.  I made Beef Bourguignon....so good!  I even made a Triple Layer Mocha Brownie and to be honest, I would just assume go directly to dessert!  I'd take a picture but it really just looks like a frosted brownie.  When you cut into it, there is a layer of mocha creme that is to die for!  

This weekend we are heading south to Steve's dads house to celebrate his 90th birthday!  His two brothers and their wives will also be there.  It should be a nice visit as its been 2+ years since both his brothers have seen there father and its been 4 years since we have all been together!  Steve and I visit with everyone, especially his dad but his brothers?  not so much!  Looking forward to it.

Next Wednesday I am heading north to Long Island for a few days.  The main event is my friends surprise 50th (that is really my excuse as you all know my main event is always my girls!) and than I tacked a few days on to visit with family.  I get home on Sunday, 9/23 and than on Friday, 9/28, we are heading west to Vegas  Baby!  If you remember, Steve booked the Vegas trip the day he was diagnosed.  That was back in June and it felt so far away!  

I am really looking forward to this trip because of the reason we are going.  His being diagnosed with Cancer was so scary for ME I can only imagine what went through his mind.  Mind you, it was a very treatable Cancer and he is Mr. Calm, Cool and Collected but still!  In any event, he is always looking ahead and is such a positive person....I wish that would rub off on me!  We have nothing planned...no shows, no dinners, nothing....just going to take it day by day and if we want to see a show, we will.  I actually wanted to see Garth again but he wasn't there the days we are, the nerve! Steve wants to do a dune buggy thing in the dessert....i think I'll just hang at the pool that day!

Unfortunately, Vegas is the same weekend as BOOBs and I am sad that I wont be seeing my girls this year!  I know from past years everyone will have a great time whether its your first visit or third!  You could not have a better bunch of planners, believe me on that!  Have fun and be safe and drink all you want, you don't have to worry about driving as everything is pretty much in walking distance!