Monday, August 19, 2013

Opportunity

View of some of the woods along my walking route in my neighborhood.

Thank you for your good wishes for my doctor’s visit on Friday. The doctor x-rayed my foot again and pronounced it 90 percent healed. Not what I was hoping for, but he seemed pleased because it was better than it had been in June.
During my visit, he found a couple of other problems—minor ones, really—that I will have to deal with: plantar fasciitis in my left foot and tendonitis in my left elbow (tennis elbow).
I’m going to learn some exercises to strengthen the right muscles during two sessions of physical therapy, and he gave me some other things to do to get better.

The most important thing I took with me as I left his office was this: I had an opportunity. The opportunity to get strong and fit and become physically healthier.

I have to face the fact that I have let myself go. My muscles are weak and underused. When asked to do what they normally would do, they are balking.
Also a problem is the fact that I weigh too much.
I really like this orthopedic doctor. He draws pictures to illustrate his explanations to me, and he gives me plenty of time to ask questions.
He gave me two lists, one for my foot and one for my elbow. Here’s the one for the foot:




See that phrase third from the bottom? “Weight loss.”
It’s official. I need to lose weight and the doctor has put it in writing.
I’m putting too much weight on my foot with plantar fasciitis. And extra weight is not good for the almost-healed fracture in my right foot either.
The doctor jokingly said, “You’re falling apart.”
The take-home message for me was that I better start taking better care of myself or I will have more problems like the ones I’m having now.

I don’t see this as a burden. I see this as an opportunity to get better and feel better. And if I feel good physically, I’m going to feel better mentally and emotionally, too.

So I’m starting to eat less and plan how I can more systematically eat a healthier amount of food. I’m planning how to make time in my day to exercise.

Starting out on a walk on Saturday morning.


Step by step, I’m going to lose weight and get stronger. I have this opportunity to do that, and I’m taking it.


What is one thing you’re doing now that enhances your physical health? Please share!

46 comments:

  1. Great attitude, Tina! My psychologist would be very proud of you for how you cognitively reframed the situation!

    I sometimes struggle with fasciitis too. Wow, does it hurt! Sorry you are not totally healed yet, but hey 90% is pretty good.

    Talk about letting oneself go physically. Oh boy, that is definitely me. I have so much work to do in that area, but I have absolutely no motivation to do anything about it. : (

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    1. Thank you, Sunny. This was the motivation I needed. One thing after another seems to start hurting. :-) Getting in better shape will help me, I hope.

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  2. Good for you! I admire that you see this as an opportunity rather than a burden. I truly believe a healthy lifestyle is 99% mindset, and you are on your way :)

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    1. Thanks, Kathy. My attitude is so important to this, I've found. And even if my attitude strays, I have to keep on track! I admire the work that you do that you have written about on your blog.

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  3. That is great, Tina! Perhaps the 90% healing isn't as high as you wanted or expected, but it is really good! I really think my walks help me a lot...walking in nature. I feel better physically and mentally, and it does me good. As I mentioned to you in the past, just going for a walk seems so tedious, but if you make your walk scenic and enjoyable, and bring your camera with you, suddenly it becomes fun and you don't feel like you HAVE to do it, you will WANT to...and enjoy doing it. I will keep you in my prayers but please keep in mind this: quality over quantity. Cutting back on fat intake and increasing fiber and drinking plenty of water will help a lot.

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    1. Thank you, Linda, and you've offered some good tips. I am trying first of all to clean up my eating habits and eat more whole foods in healthy portions. I feel the same way about walking. It gives me time to think, and I always feel better after a walk, even when I didn't want to take one in the first place. :-)

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  4. walking more, eating less is what I am doing-I wonder if our bodies aren't a conduit to ourselves-they force us to stop bad habits, exercise more etc. Your foot at 90% is maybe the messenger saying okay, weight loss time, more exercise time-he's encouraging you, he's on your side, he will transport you to better health. And your doctor said you'd improved since June, this is great. Sorry for both the PF and T I know they are painful-a couple of friends of mine had PF and they both wore foot braces during the night, like a half cast up to the knee in a light weight orthopedic material with Velcro straps, both swore by them. Good luck with all of this Tina...

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    1. Thank you, Lynn. That's great insight, that our bodies let us know when changes are needed. If we listened more closely to our bodies, perhaps we would be better off at times.

      I learned some exercises for the plantar fasciitis this morning in physical therapy, and I think they are going to help. The doctor mentioned those night splints, but I hope I won't need them.

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  5. Oh Tina he sure writes like a doctor:) I never had my doctor write it out you have a good doc.
    It is so easy to let our own health sit on the back burner while we take care of everyone and everything else, I am finding that my own neglect is catching up with me also. Now you have a list and a goal "You go Girl" I know you can do it. HUG B

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    1. Thanks for your encouragement, B. I like this doctor--he is good about educating as he goes along. And his notes are good reminders for me.

      I hope you will now have some time to take care of your health.

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  6. How wonderful that you're seeing this as an opportunity rather than a burden. Only 10% more to go Tina :)

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    1. Thanks, Keith. I like that--only 10% left to go. That sounds good!

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  7. you go, tina!!! so glad your foot is well enough to allow you to begin walking regularly.

    i walk/jog almost every day - when i can get the endorphins flowing, my mood is SO much better, too!

    i start every morning with fresh berries (usually raspberries, but sometimes blackberries or blueberries) and a big glass of cold water - even before i have my coffee. i drink a bunch of water thru the day. i end every night with fresh-squeezed lemons with just a splash of water in the juice - helps with digestion.

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    1. Thanks for encouraging me, Theresa. I'm so glad that I have the green light to really do any exercise I want to, unless it hurts me.

      I like that morning routine. The berries are so good for you. I really need to drink more water. I tend toward the diet soda, and I need to get away from so much.

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  8. Plantar's fasciitus is a bummer. I know. You can get rid of it but it takes time, and dedication to your stretching routine. You can do it!
    It's funny how a variety of little problems can go together and really knock you down. Fight them one at a time.

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    1. Thanks, Red. That's good advice--fight them one at a time. I had a physical therapy session this morning for the plantar fasciitis and learned a bunch of exercises to do twice a day. It will take time, but I am hoping for a good outcome.

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  9. Good for you for seizing this opportunity, Tina....as for me, I love to swim, and if I don't do it regularly, I also start to "fall apart."

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    1. Thanks, Janet. I used to swim regularly--when I was in my 20s--and I felt it too when I missed a few days. I enjoyed it so much.

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  10. Before I met him, my husband had gained about sixty pounds of extra weight. He developed sleep apnea and had his nose worked on to help him breathe. When he got a high blood pressure diagnosis, he knew he needed to lose weight. He did so, has maintained his weight for more than ten years now and no longer has sleep apnea. He asked his doctor why they didn't talk to him about losing weight when they identified the sleep apnea. They basically said that no one listens!

    So, congrats for being the exception to the rule and seeing this as an opportunity.

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    1. Thanks for sharing your husband's story, Nadine. You know, a doctor has rarely mentioned my weight to me unless I said something about it. The act of my doctor writing it down really made a difference to me. I felt like it was finally being addressed.

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  11. Good for you! It's so easy to fall further into the "well, I'm already messed up, might as well go all in". It takes courage and effort to see your visit as OPPORTUNITY. Way to go!

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    1. Thanks for cheering me on, Kim. I appreciate it. It is easy to just keep going down the easy road, but I've gotten fed up with the results! :-)

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  12. Love how optimistic you are. Be careful about the super feet. My feet did not handle them well. Some people swear by them though!

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    1. Thanks, Lisa. I'm not sure about the inserts so far. I hope they will help--or at least not hurt!

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  13. Reading this, I got excited for you!! You have a wonderful outlook on your future!!

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    1. Thank you, Debbie. I've always admired your great spirit and attitude!

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  14. Hope you are steady with your resolve to lose more weight. I always have such great plans, but then they fall apart. I had plantar fasciitis a couple of years ago...not fun but with exercise I did get rid of it.

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    1. Thanks, Deanna. I will have to watch myself and stay on track. It's easy for me, too, to lose heart. I'm trying to take it a step at a time.

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  15. I'm glad that you're looking at this as an opportunity - I've looked at mine in a similar way.

    The best thing for me has been to find a trainer and to work out at the gym. And I've been quite successful.

    Fingers crossed for both of us as we travel this path!

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    1. Thanks, Amanda. I know you've worked very hard--it's very inspiring!

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  16. I agree, attitude is everything.
    I walk everyday 2.5 to 5 miles, whether I want to or not. Even when I have to force myself out the door (which is not too often because I usually look forward to it) I always come home glad that I did it. I love running too, but not in the summer heat. I hate weight training but I think I would benefit from using some lightweight dumb bells to strengthen my arms. I bought a pair and they have sat in my magazine rack about 2 feet from where I sit now, for 2 years now. Yikes. Krystallynn

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    1. Good to hear from you, Krystal Lynn, and thanks for your comment. You are so dedicated to your walking--I admire that so much. You've got the right attitude--to do it even when at first you don't want to. I'm laughing at the dumb bell story--sounds like something I would do! :-)

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  17. I'm glad you like your doctor and had such a constructive visit! And it's great that you're seeing this as a good opportunity instead of letting it get you down. I have made that mistake before, and missed out on making progress because of it!

    I'm starting to walk a lot more, and i've cut way back on sweets! But ibwish my doctor would tell me i'm allergic to chocolate. Lol

    You are on your way to becoming healthier! Good for you. :)

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    1. Thanks, Mary. I think walking more and cutting back on sweets are two great things to be doing. It takes a variety of habits to build a healthy lifestyle, and we can't do it all at once. But step by step we can do it. :-)

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  18. You've got a great attitude -- and this is truly a great opportunity to feel better. I'm finding that keeping active is more and more important - it amazes me how stiff and weak ill feel if I miss more than a few days of some physical activity.

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    1. Thanks, Karen. I have found that even sitting still for a while will make me stiff when I stand up. I'm hoping that the more I exercise, the more that will go away.

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  19. I am so proud of you and your attitude....We always have a choice as to how to react to situations and you certainly have chosen the better...I am right in there with you as I am working on loosing some weight and being more active...I can tell if I sit too much I am stiff.
    Looks like lots of us are in the same boat so we will have to encourage each other along the way.....

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    1. Thank you, Nancy, Yes--encouragement from others is so important! And I know what you mean about feeling stiff if you sit too much. I sit a lot if I'm in the office. I have to remind myself to get up periodically and walk around a bit.

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  20. Fantastic! I love your take on this. Glad your foot is getting better and that you have a good doctor. Also, it's great how you are able to take a message from this and work towards a positive change. Thank you for sharing your inspiration.

    Madison:-)

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    1. Thank you, Madison. I hope I can make some positive changes--I'm working on it! Thanks for your encouragement.

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  21. I love this post -- the title, the message... everything! Good for you for having such a good attitude!

    By the way, I had plantar fasciitis back in 2001. It was induced by a freak injury where 200 pounds of files on a dolly crashed into my heel. It was so incredibly painful... like walking on broken glass. I had to do exercises and get a shot and take some meds but then it went away and I haven't had a problem with it since.

    I know you'll get better. I just know you will!

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    1. Thank you for cheering me on, Elizabeth. :-) I've had a lot of pain with the PF, but I'm finding that the exercises I'm doing are helping. So I'm very optimistic. I'm sorry you had to go through such an ordeal as that injury!

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  22. I had PF too for a year, then it went away. The shoe inserts really helped. I still stretch my foot all the time though because I am afraid it will come back. I try to hike a couple times a week and ride my bike too. Love your attitude about this. Like your blue shoe strings too!

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    1. Thanks, Patty. The shoe inserts I got are helping, and the exercises are, too, I think--the foot doesn't seem as sore. I see the exercises as something that will be beneficial to continue even after the PF is gone.

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  23. I like this positive report . . . I especially enjoy how you have developed a plan - one to enhance your life . . i think I'll copy - and make my life better, too - Thanks for being such a Great Example. Soon . . . 100%
    -g-

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    1. Thanks, G. I am trying to be positive. Life is so much more enjoyable that way. :-) And yes--soon 100%!

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