So, one day my husband and I were talking about how much of a time suck that Facebook is and how pointless as well as a good waste of time it is. We noticed we were both mindlessly getting onto FB on our phones whenever there was a free moment or down time. We weren't living in the moment and I noticed I would get irritated if someone interrupted me while I was perusing it. So we decided to take a break from FB as soon as I got back from my trip to WA. I started by just getting rid of it on my phone but decided to go big time and suspend my account, and you know what it feels amazing! What I started to notice was the immense amount of negativity that FB inspired and how lots of people would use it to try to get at others. By that I mean saying, no lets call it what it is, you aren't saying a darn thing you are TYPING it. That's the other thing I noticed in conversation I would say "Well, she said...." or "We were talking the other day..." and you know what? "She" neither said nor were "we talking", it was all words typed into cyberspace for the other person to READ!
The other thing is misunderstanding and misinterpretation or reading between the lines literally that happens when conducting relationships electronically. I know of mulitiple friendships that have been hurt or affected by electronic relationships! My sister informed me of at least 3 friendships she knew had been lost over just FB.
Something else I that I think happens is the perpetuation and continuance of relationships that just wouldn't make it in the real world. By that I mean the flesh and blood having a conversation real world. Some friendships may seem more real or important than they really are through FB, when in reality you would never ever be friends with, hang out with, go to lunch with, or say watch these peoples children, or pets or house. The only reason you have them as 'friends' is because FB tells you they are your friend. Ha! Hardly. If anything FB taught me many valuable life lessons on who is really a friend. Want to know my simple outlook on that? If they continue to seek you out and do things with you once you quit FB...yep then they are a friend. If you no longer hear from them, they weren't your friend. And, by hear from them I mean through email (being generous here), a phone call, or say...novel idea here...a hand written letter, If you get none of these in return you know 'they just aren't that much of a friend for you'.
Shortly after I quit FB I went on a texting (ha the dictionary doesn't even recognize that word, texting! what does that tell you?) fast. I went from receiving over 100+ texts some days or more to astronomically less. I'll have to check our bill to see what difference there truly was. However, I noticed I would stop almost anything to answer a text or see what was going on on my phone. Another time suck. Another fake perpetuation of friendship. Pathetic really! So, I decided to stop something NOW before it became a much larger problem potentially affecting real relationships (flesh and blood ones that is) in my life. I'm sure people were confused by my choice to distance myself through texting after I just quit FB. But you know what? It was liberating. No longer would my phone buzz, beep, and ding uncontrollably with things that you know what? Just weren't that important. You know why I say that? If it's really important I would call someone or someone would CALL me.
On a side note I woke up this morning in a bit of a nervous mess, I was dreaming about being at the hospital and getting ready for the tummy tuck. I had just gotten my IV in my right hip and they had me laying on my stomach on a stretcher waiting to go in for surgery. I don't remember why I was upset or nervous but I had a heck of a time going back to sleep.
Well, I ventured out for lunch today to my one and only standby Panera, this one horse town just doesn't have many healthy options. However after getting out and getting food thinking I was 100% recovered I quickly found out, maybe not. SO, I'm going to load up run to 'the devil store' a.k.a. Wal-Mart and then head home to rest. Jason keeps telling me to take it easy, something I am learning I DO NOT DO WELL!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Stomach virus
Today is day two of a stomach virus. I am not someone who does nothing well. I don't sit idle long EVER. Now I'm working on recliner confinement, day 2. I woke up feeling so much better than yesterday. So, what did I do? Clean the kitchen and mop the floor only to find out I am not as 'over it' as I thought.
On the bright side I should be looking at this like trial and error or practice for my tummy tuck recovery. They say something like 2 weeks of being at a 90 degree angle, in other words living in a recliner. I suppose to some people that may sound AWESOME, however to busy body Stacy, that sounds like a very, very long time. I guess that will afford me plenty or reading time, blogging time, and my husband suggests video game time. I'm not a gamer however I think I will need another distraction. I did put together a list of books from a few friends whose judgement in books I trust so that should help.
Well, time to get to work, school work that is. Today is also day one of my new class Motor Learning.
Anyone want to come over and make me some soup? I'm jonesing for one of my all time favorite's by Rachel Ray.
http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/soup-recipes/cheesy-chicken-potato-soup
Eat Well!
On the bright side I should be looking at this like trial and error or practice for my tummy tuck recovery. They say something like 2 weeks of being at a 90 degree angle, in other words living in a recliner. I suppose to some people that may sound AWESOME, however to busy body Stacy, that sounds like a very, very long time. I guess that will afford me plenty or reading time, blogging time, and my husband suggests video game time. I'm not a gamer however I think I will need another distraction. I did put together a list of books from a few friends whose judgement in books I trust so that should help.
Well, time to get to work, school work that is. Today is also day one of my new class Motor Learning.
Anyone want to come over and make me some soup? I'm jonesing for one of my all time favorite's by Rachel Ray.
http://www.rachaelraymag.com/recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/soup-recipes/cheesy-chicken-potato-soup
Eat Well!
Friday, February 1, 2013
But, I said I would and it is important for me because if I help one woman or man, somewhere, sometime, well...then that's all I hope to do.
Me with my gym capri's on. Thank GOD for wide banded capris!
Again, OMG I cannot believe I took this picture.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
I have heard a great deal about apple cider vinegar lately and all the health benefits that can be experienced from adding it to your daily regimen. Yesterday we got our supplement order from www.allstarhealth.com probably my favorite place to get all our supplements, and we started the addition of organic apple cider vinegar. We dilute about a tsp in some water with a small amount of local honey (which we have added to try to eliminate our allergies) add some ice, stir and sip. I'm shooting for twice a day, maybe 3 times for some of us. I truly thought the girls would balk when I handed them their cups last night however to my great surprise they both happily sipped theirs and talked about how it tasted like wine. I can't say that is what I thought mine tasted like however I humored them and didn't even have to encourage them to finish it. The littlest just finished her glass of it this morning, happily took it and drank it. This morning she described it as being 'like wine, maybe apple cider with a little bit of that vinegar like you put on salad'. I guess it shocks me that with that description, she drinks it. Hey, I won't complain. I think Jason is having the hardest time with it. We also started to add trace minerals to our 'diet' (hate that word, to our daily food intake) and brewers yeast to our 2 dogs' food. Healthy, healthy, healthy all the way around in this house.
In order to prep myself for the upcoming surgery I am adding in extra cardio, going back to some of my MMA fighting workouts. Today I hit some interval sprints on the treadmill, interval sprints on the bike, and then hit the stairmaster. After that I did a CrossFit 8 minute burner of something I haven't done in a long, long time...Overhead Squats. Considering I've been out of lifting since November because of my knee it was humbling today to see just how much strength I had lost there and stability. But, on the positive side I did 30 OHS ass to grass, and 150 double unders and my knee didn't stop me. So, that seems to be on the up and up so long as I am careful.
It's off to do some house work which I mostly detest. Laundry, dusting, and vacuuming. Be well.
In order to prep myself for the upcoming surgery I am adding in extra cardio, going back to some of my MMA fighting workouts. Today I hit some interval sprints on the treadmill, interval sprints on the bike, and then hit the stairmaster. After that I did a CrossFit 8 minute burner of something I haven't done in a long, long time...Overhead Squats. Considering I've been out of lifting since November because of my knee it was humbling today to see just how much strength I had lost there and stability. But, on the positive side I did 30 OHS ass to grass, and 150 double unders and my knee didn't stop me. So, that seems to be on the up and up so long as I am careful.
It's off to do some house work which I mostly detest. Laundry, dusting, and vacuuming. Be well.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
So, when I tell some people that I have opted to have a tummy tuck I get a significant amount of blow back and or looks of shock. I guess I feel like I shouldn't have to justify or explain why I am doing this to anyone as this is my body, my project, my piece of continual work that I continue to improve on and test. I choose what I will and won't eat and when. I choose when I am going to train and what I am going to train. I work very hard to have the body that I do and maintain what I have. I do not have the kind of body that looks good without significant work and control of my nutrition. As soon as I'm lax about what I eat it shows up somewhere, whether that is on my face or in my mid section or thighs. If I eat it I may as well smear it somewhere on my body.
Through training in the last few years I have learned I develop muscle mass pretty easily and it likes to hang on longer than I expected. My cardio-respiratory endurance falters faster than my muscle strength and definition. Everyone is different, all our bodies work differently and respond to stimuli in ways that our friends may not. Anyway, where I am headed is here: I have worked my ass off literally since I had my baby, who just turned 5. At my MMA fighting weight I still had a skin flap, at my strongest and most muscled I still had a skin flap, at my best functional CrossFit body I still had a skin flap. I am tired of looking down and seeing sagging, flappy skin. I am tired of trying to rid myself of something that isn't going to go anywhere ever. I hate sitting down and seeing a lump of skin (that I see as fat, even though according to both PS is clearly skin with minimal fat), I want to be able to see the ab definition that is there. I am a personal trainer, I am my own brand and as such I'm a walking advertisement for myself. We live in a world where judgement is second nature and people look me over and decide if I 'look the part'. If I don't think I look the part, then how do I expect anyone else to feel like I do. I am strong, I can do things in the gym that lots of women wish they could do or were doing. I love myself, but still judge myself by my mid-section. So, with all that said I feel like if I can do something to improve my appearance after working hard for years with no results on 'the flap' then by God I am going to do it. And, I am not going to lie about it or hide the fact that I had it done. I will not be the woman who doesn't disclose 'my secret'. But, I will be quick to explain it took me years to be where I was ready for surgery. I also know that 2 PS's both were in agreement (neither knowing the other) that I was the perfect candidate for this as it was clear I had worked very hard to get to this point, I was well muscled and strong and that frankly no matter what I did in the gym or in my kitchen it simply would not remove the skin.
So, there you have it. I've laid it all out there. It's been a long time coming, I have spent hours deliberating on all aspects of this. I love myself and only want to continue to be stronger and more capable and help others who are or have been in my shoes. That's it.
Off to work.
Through training in the last few years I have learned I develop muscle mass pretty easily and it likes to hang on longer than I expected. My cardio-respiratory endurance falters faster than my muscle strength and definition. Everyone is different, all our bodies work differently and respond to stimuli in ways that our friends may not. Anyway, where I am headed is here: I have worked my ass off literally since I had my baby, who just turned 5. At my MMA fighting weight I still had a skin flap, at my strongest and most muscled I still had a skin flap, at my best functional CrossFit body I still had a skin flap. I am tired of looking down and seeing sagging, flappy skin. I am tired of trying to rid myself of something that isn't going to go anywhere ever. I hate sitting down and seeing a lump of skin (that I see as fat, even though according to both PS is clearly skin with minimal fat), I want to be able to see the ab definition that is there. I am a personal trainer, I am my own brand and as such I'm a walking advertisement for myself. We live in a world where judgement is second nature and people look me over and decide if I 'look the part'. If I don't think I look the part, then how do I expect anyone else to feel like I do. I am strong, I can do things in the gym that lots of women wish they could do or were doing. I love myself, but still judge myself by my mid-section. So, with all that said I feel like if I can do something to improve my appearance after working hard for years with no results on 'the flap' then by God I am going to do it. And, I am not going to lie about it or hide the fact that I had it done. I will not be the woman who doesn't disclose 'my secret'. But, I will be quick to explain it took me years to be where I was ready for surgery. I also know that 2 PS's both were in agreement (neither knowing the other) that I was the perfect candidate for this as it was clear I had worked very hard to get to this point, I was well muscled and strong and that frankly no matter what I did in the gym or in my kitchen it simply would not remove the skin.
So, there you have it. I've laid it all out there. It's been a long time coming, I have spent hours deliberating on all aspects of this. I love myself and only want to continue to be stronger and more capable and help others who are or have been in my shoes. That's it.
Off to work.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Nicotine and surgery
So last night I had a strange dream. I expect this will only intensify as I get closer to my surgery date. Anyway, the dream was about my Dad smoking around me. I was frantic to get away from it and angry he wouldn't stop. What does this have to do with my surgery? Interestingly enough when I was doing my initial consult they wanted to know if I had smoked, how long, and how long it had been since I had stopped smoking. I smoked off and on for 10 years, and haven't smoked in 9 (man talk about aging myself lol...hey I started smoking YOUNG). They went on to persist about the smoking to which I had to assure two different people at two different times that I do not smoke anymore, nor do I want to . Come to find out that if there is any nicotine found in my system they won't do the surgery. I was told to stay away from second hand smoke as it's affects on me are just as bad. So, I will be tested at pre-op and right before I go in to surgery as the smoking has such a devastating effect on oxygen in the body you aren't considered a candidate for surgery. WOW! Maybe that explains why smokers have often times an ashen pallor. Lack of oxygen. Needless to say I haven't smoked in so long I should be just fine.
Well, off to the gym. Today is my baby's 5th birthday. Quite a celebration. Ode to my health, well being, and future without a skin flap sagging.
I will do my measurements asap and take pics at the gym today.
Well, off to the gym. Today is my baby's 5th birthday. Quite a celebration. Ode to my health, well being, and future without a skin flap sagging.
I will do my measurements asap and take pics at the gym today.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Abdomnioplasty
So, it's been a while since I have posted anything. I have moved to Missouri and am establishing myself here as a trainer while working on my Master's.
The reason I have decided to start blogging again is because after years of deliberation my husband and I have decided the time is right for me to get a tummy tuck or abdomnioplasty. Why? Well, no matter what I do, no matter my weight I carry around a flap of skin, that 'thing' as I typically refer to it. I have in the last 2 years done CrossFit, power lifting, and MMA training and it didn't matter what I did or for how long the skin from my navel down sagged.
So, with the down time I have here in Missouri I am going to take the opportunity to go under the knife. I have seen two different plastic surgeons, one is St. Louis and one in Columbia. Both said I was an ideal client and would be happy to help me out ($$$). My second consultation is the one I have chosen to go with as she was so personable and didn't rush the appointment and her staff was beyond nice, even when I was standing naked except for my bra posing for my before pictures on a stool. Which, ha ha taught me I do not want to pose naked in front of a camera EVER. The doc in Columbia was significantly less expensive than the surgeon I saw in St. Louis, and was more thorough. She had me lie down on the table and raise my head to engage the upper part of my abdominals and then lower my head and raise my legs to check my lower abs. She was thrilled with the shape of my abdominal structure and even asked for my tips, to which I replied CrossFit, and LOTS of it! Core stability for EVERYTHING! So, after establishing that my core wasn't shredded as was implied by the first surgeon and that I didn't need lipo on the insides of my thighs as that WOULD NOT tighten my thighs but stood to make my skin looser it was determined I would need a Level 4 abdomnioplasty. A level 4 entails no tightening of the abs, simply skin and fat removal and is a much quicker recovery to the tune of 3 weeks!
So, what am I doing now? Hitting the gym hard, as hard as I can with a bum knee and burning the crap out of my legs and sweating it out. I picked back up some of my fighting workouts and am incorporating some CrossFit and core specific exercises. I'm doing this so I go in to the operation room in tip top shape. I am going to do my measurements tomorrow and pics for you to see. My goal is to follow this so that anyone who is contemplating this will have somewhere to go to see what the entire process entails. I go in 2 weeks for my pre-op and considering I'm in tip top health hopefully that won't entail much. And as of today surgery is scheduled for the 26th of February. To say I'm not nervous would be a lie as I have never had surgery, other than for wisdom teeth and a DNC from a miscarriage years ago. I'm thankful I have an amazing and strong husband who has encouraged this from the get go and is beside me the whole way.
I'll keep you posted on what happens from now until I am fully recovered.
Here's to a tummy tuck/abdomnioplasty!
The reason I have decided to start blogging again is because after years of deliberation my husband and I have decided the time is right for me to get a tummy tuck or abdomnioplasty. Why? Well, no matter what I do, no matter my weight I carry around a flap of skin, that 'thing' as I typically refer to it. I have in the last 2 years done CrossFit, power lifting, and MMA training and it didn't matter what I did or for how long the skin from my navel down sagged.
So, with the down time I have here in Missouri I am going to take the opportunity to go under the knife. I have seen two different plastic surgeons, one is St. Louis and one in Columbia. Both said I was an ideal client and would be happy to help me out ($$$). My second consultation is the one I have chosen to go with as she was so personable and didn't rush the appointment and her staff was beyond nice, even when I was standing naked except for my bra posing for my before pictures on a stool. Which, ha ha taught me I do not want to pose naked in front of a camera EVER. The doc in Columbia was significantly less expensive than the surgeon I saw in St. Louis, and was more thorough. She had me lie down on the table and raise my head to engage the upper part of my abdominals and then lower my head and raise my legs to check my lower abs. She was thrilled with the shape of my abdominal structure and even asked for my tips, to which I replied CrossFit, and LOTS of it! Core stability for EVERYTHING! So, after establishing that my core wasn't shredded as was implied by the first surgeon and that I didn't need lipo on the insides of my thighs as that WOULD NOT tighten my thighs but stood to make my skin looser it was determined I would need a Level 4 abdomnioplasty. A level 4 entails no tightening of the abs, simply skin and fat removal and is a much quicker recovery to the tune of 3 weeks!
So, what am I doing now? Hitting the gym hard, as hard as I can with a bum knee and burning the crap out of my legs and sweating it out. I picked back up some of my fighting workouts and am incorporating some CrossFit and core specific exercises. I'm doing this so I go in to the operation room in tip top shape. I am going to do my measurements tomorrow and pics for you to see. My goal is to follow this so that anyone who is contemplating this will have somewhere to go to see what the entire process entails. I go in 2 weeks for my pre-op and considering I'm in tip top health hopefully that won't entail much. And as of today surgery is scheduled for the 26th of February. To say I'm not nervous would be a lie as I have never had surgery, other than for wisdom teeth and a DNC from a miscarriage years ago. I'm thankful I have an amazing and strong husband who has encouraged this from the get go and is beside me the whole way.
I'll keep you posted on what happens from now until I am fully recovered.
Here's to a tummy tuck/abdomnioplasty!
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