Rolling Right Along...

So, I'm sitting here on a ball. A ball? Yes, an actual ball. It's a big aerobic type ball. I have pushed the computer chair aside so that I may sit on this here ball. There are two reasons for this:

1. Sitting upon a ball forces the body to use more muscles to maintain balance. This strengthens the body's "core".

2. After working out with said ball (it came with an accompanying DVD and was on sale for more than half off!), it was easier to roll the chair out of the way and just use the ball instead of getting up and plopping back down. Ha!

Ok, but seriously... my back isn't doing any better yet. I'm trying my hardest to do whatever I can to find some relief.

It's been five weeks since I started working out. Except for Sundays (and yesterday due to the holiday), I have been at the Y every day. I have developed a great routine. I do 30 - 40 minutes of cardio, and 20 - 30 minutes of using the fitness equipment for muscle strengthening. I know what you're thinking... but wait, let me explain. I alternate working my upper body and the lower body. I never work the same area two days in a row. This is supposed to be the best way to work out... break down a group of muscles followed by a day of rest and recovery which leads to strengthening.

Let's hope my muscles realize this soon!

Y

Due to some medical issues, I was advised to join a fitness center by my physical therapist.

After some consideration, it was decided that a family membership to the YMCA was just what we needed. Not only can I use the exercise equipment to strenghthen my back muscles but we can use the pool and do other things as a family.

Tuesday was the first day that we used the facilities. I think I overdid things a bit.

Morning:
Cardo workout (20 minutes on stair-climber thingie)
Worked with trainer to learn how to use the equipment (1 hour)

Evening:
Cardio/step areobic class (1 hour, high impact)
Abs/Toning workout (15 minutes)

I should have just done the morning stuff, or maybe even the later stuff, but not both on the same day! I had never taken a step arobic class before. My husband has. I have to say that I am leary of doing it again. Even if I didn't have back pain issues, this was way too much for a beginner to take on.

I really don't want to burn out on this stuff, so even if I wasn't still DYING from the pain, I've learned that doing too much on one day is just not a good idea.

Yum!

I spent this afternoon doing some prep cooking. I cut up and sauteed a bunch of green peppers and onions. Then I cooked up a huge pan of Potatoes O'Brien. While those were cooking, I was also preparing a healthy pasta dish. Took it all and placed them in the 'fridge for future consumption.

Healthy Pasta Dish:
(Serving Size 1 Cup. Makes 11 cups. Only 2 Weight Watcher's Points per serving)

1 package Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Blend Thin Spaghetti (13.25 oz)
1 large can (28 oz.) Hunts Diced Tomatoes
2 small cans (4 oz) mushroom pieces
Handful Sauteed green peppers and onions
4 tbsp Kraft Caesar Italian Fat Free Dressing

Prepare pasta according to directions. Toss remaining ingredients into cooked and drained pasta. Can be served hot or cold.

Enjoy!!

Another Meme

• I am: currently undergoing physical therapy for extreme shoulder pain
• I want: to be painfree!
• I wish: that my kids forever feel that they can come and talk to me about anything
• I hate: having dark thoughts
• I love: laughing, scrapbooking, reading, family, and friends
• I miss: some people in my past that I lost contact with
• I fear: fire
• I hear: the rain outside
• I wonder: about the future a lot
• I regret: some stupid decisions I made when I was a teenager
• I am not: as funny as my brother
• I dance: in the living room with my children
• I sing: very loudly when alone
• I cry: solo usually
• I am not always: patient
• I make with my hands: scrapbook pages
• I write: about our memories in those scrapbooks
• I confuse: myself when I do math in my head
• I need: to feel appreciated and loved by my family
• I should: get a college degree
• I start: the day with coffee
• I finish: the day with a book
• I tag: All of you!

Since We Last Chatted...

- I've gained 5 pounds

- I'm another year older

- I got blonde highlights in my dark brown hair for the very first time

- I finished a client's scrapbook (this was a huge project that was overwhelming)

- It's finally consistently warm enough to have the windows open on a daily basis

- Took a trip to the E.R. one night

- We had a get-together with my dad and step-mom (this only happens 2 or 3 times a year)

Huh. That's it? It seems like my life has been a whirlwind. How come this is all I can up with? Well, I can tell you that working on my client's scrapbook has taken a huge chunk out of my time. That and the usual stuff... taking care of and playing with the kids, housework, errands, etc.

That's okay though. This is life... my life. It's real, it's crazy, and at times it can be exhausting.

But you know what? I wouldn't trade it for the world.

So This Is Life...

Okay, I promised an update, so in a nutshell, here it is:

My mom had her liver surgery done on March 17th. They found three masses and they believe that they were able to get them all completely out. She was released from the hospital on Monday March 20th and she came to stay with us until Friday the 24th. She is recovering well.

I went to the doctor the other day. Guess what I have now? Cervical Spondylosis. Basically it's arthritis of the neck. Now how in the world did this happen? What... now holding my head up is just too much for my neck to handle? Seriously!!

Where Does The Time Go?

I'm here, and we are all doing well enough. I haven't had time to update my blog in quite some time, and I apologize. I will try to give you a rundown of March events in the next couple of days.