{Pictures!}

Jason and I haven't had professional pictures done since our wedding day, just over 7 years ago. The pictures we've had taken of us since then are few and far between, and usually are selfies.

Last spring, we had made arrangements to have pictures taken, based on a recommendation from a friend. About 2 weeks before the appointment, the photographer and I were emailing back and forth about locations, etc. In that email, she finally confided in me that they were nervous about whether they'd be able to get good pictures of Jason (he's got a startle reflex that doesn't love camera flashes), etc. So, that revelation scrapped pictures...

Jason and I talked a little more about it and decided to postpone pictures until after my surgery. We thought it would be nice to celebrate the "new me" and celebrate us. I've been following Laura Case on Twitter for a while. She's friend with several people I knew. At some point in the fall, I finally asked if she'd be willing to take pictures for us.

Three weeks ago, Jason and I met up with Laura at Sears Farm Park in Cary. We met around 6 p.m. because Laura thought the lighting would be best at that time. Usually, J is a little hard to photograph. I think Laura knew that she just had to keep interacting with him and keep him on his toes!

Laura said they were going to be fabulous before we left that evening... Boy was she right, look at these!

Laura mentioned this one in her comment, so I had to add it.
He does do this a lot! That boy!

Laura also took some pictures of us by ourselves. I love these! Look at my cute husband!

Had to have a hat on for one!

It might sound a little silly, but I really think that Laura caught the "new me" perfectly. I think she actually got genuine smiles out of me.

Thank you Laura! 

{Slowly Getting Back in the Saddle}

You wanna know what I think is the worst part of having a major surgical procedure?  Now that I have been through "Operation Transform" and the subsequent recovery, I think that not being able to exercise has been the very hardest part for me.

Before my surgery, I was pretty active.  I ran at least 3 times per week, with one of those being a "long" (6-8 miles) run.  I went to Raleigh CrossFit at least 3 times per week, if not 5 times per week.  All this activity was in an effort to be has physically healthy as possible before my surgery.  Then, in an instant, it was gone...

My surgery was 5 weeks ago today.  I knew that the recovery would be hard, but I was certain that I was gonna be some kind of Super Woman and I would be back to my old antics in a week or two.  That was definitely not realistic.  Admittedly, I had a pretty easy recovery (from what I have heard from others).  The worst part of my recovery was the bloating/gas that came the day after surgery and lasted a couple days.  I know that the thought of gas isn't glamorous by any stretch, but it's just part of it.  Doctor pumps belly full of air for procedure, pain meds, etc. = recipe for gas/bloating.

The past 5 weeks have dragged.... Yes, I was enjoying the time I spent at home relaxing and healing, but the enjoyable part of that only lasted about 4 days.  By the second full week, I was itching to do something - and I was able to convince my surgeon to let me work from home part-time.  By December 17, I had convinced him to let me work part-time in the office.  Then, the holidays came.  The holidays were full of family and fun, laziness, business, food, over-indulgences, etc.

This past Saturday was my first post-op "run".  I use the term "run" very, very loosely.  I am so very glad that my running buddies were willing to go very slowly with me.  The entire time we were running, we talked about different topics - I really think this kept me pretty distracted from how odd it felt to run.  We finished 4.25 miles in just over 1 hour.  I was quite disappointed right after, but Mary and Debbie reminded me that I must give myself a break.  I haven't had any serious cardio activity in my daily schedule for 5 weeks and it was cold as all get-out.  When we were done (and I finally got over myself), I felt pretty dang good about what I had gone.  Now, I am looking forward to getting back to my old pace (and even faster).  Crazy as it sounds, my first dream I remember after my surgery involved a 2:15 half marathon PR - we shall see!  I think with my fabulous running partners it will be more than doable in time!

I have been wanting to get back to Raleigh CrossFit from day 1.  I love how my RCF family makes me feel.  I love the encouragement we all provide one another.  I have missed seeing my buddies during my recovery.  While I intended to visit the tank during my recovery, I went by once and my missing it was too much for me to handle.  Well, it all changed today...  I went to my normal lunchtime training session.  Chennelle welcomed me back and I got started with the warm-up.  I took time to review the WOD and thought I was gonna kick ass - 5 rounds of max rep front squat and max rep strict press.  I loaded up my bar with half my body weight (87.5#) and grabbed (2) 15# dumbbells.  I tested the weight for the front squat.  Let's just say that it didn't go as planned.  I picked up the bar, went down into a full front squat, but then things went sour...  I had to drop the bar on the ground because I just couldn't get back up.  I was immediately upset.  Chennelle came over and helped me strip the plates off the bar, encouraged me to just lift the bar (35#) for 8 reps each round.  She also reminded me that I had been out of the tank for a month and a half.

Chennelle didn't have to help me strip the weights; she didn't have to offer advice; she didn't have to offer the last little bit of encouragement.  But, she did.  My running buddies didn't have to go at my (very slow) pace this weekend.  They didn't have to remind me that sometimes I need to give myself a break.  That's what I have missed.  I have missed the camaraderie of training with others - of all types and abilities.  While the run over the weekend and today's WOD didn't go quite as planned, I have to remember how fortunate I am.  I am fortunate enough to have people that encourage me and I am able to encourage them.  We all have something to offer others and it makes all the difference...

{Operation Transform - Day of Surgery}

Where'd a I leave off... Yes, the alarm went off at 4:15 a.m.  I don't think I have ever hopped out of bed so quickly in my life.  I immediately got ready to head to the hospital - shower, brushing teeth, drying hair, etc.  I wanted so badly to have some hot tea but that was a no-no.  About 4:45 a.m. my Daddy texted me to let me know he was outside our condo to pick me up.

Getting dropped off...

Daddy and I drove over to Rex Hospital and he dropped me off at the main patient registration area.  It was at that moment that the nerves set in a bit - I was in line behind about 20 other people having various procedures on Wednesday.  Waiting in line was not helping anything.  I went through the registration process and was then taken to a larger waiting area in preparation to go into surgical pre-op.

After about 10 minutes of scrolling through my phone, trying to find something to occupy my mind, I was called back to pre-op.  Mary (Yay - a comforting name!) was my first nurse.  When I reached my little curtained area, the first thing I saw on the computer screen saver was Carol Allen.  Carol and her family were some of the first people I met when I moved to Raleigh in 1998.  While a student at Meredith College, I regularly babysat her daughters (Hard to believe that 1 is in grad school, 1 in undergrad at Carolina, and the third is in high school - I feel old!).  Carol has been through breast cancer two times since 2006 and has been an inspiration to me.  Seeing her smiling face was just what I needed at that moment to calm my nerves!  Look at the her story on the Rex Health page - you'll see what I am talking about.  I took the time to send her a quick Facebook message when Mary and I were done reviewing my vitals, etc.

Hanging out in pre-op

Throughout the next hour and a half, I was visited by several different nurses and technicians that all did the best in keeping me positive, happy, and upbeat.  I have to say that the staff in the pre-op area is top notch.  Every single person was so nice and the area runs like a well-oiled machine.  There's not a ton of waiting and they don't make you answer all the same questions a hundred times.

Around 7 a.m., they moved me to the operating room.  This is where things became fuzzy.  I remember being rolled into the room.  One of the nurses "introduced" me to all the staff in the room.  A few moments later, she put a mask on my face, told me to close my eyes...

I didn't do a great job of warning my parents about how long they would be at the hospital.  Dr. Lambeth said my surgery would be somewhere between 6 and 7 hours, but he would do his best to finish as quickly as 5 and a half.  Well... I told my parents to be at the hospital around 12:30 p.m., and forgot to tell them that he wouldn't be done till 1 or so.  My Daddy and Mama were quite worried because they were expecting Dr. Lambeth to come out a lot earlier than he did... My surgery ended up taking 7 hours and he didn't get started until 8 a.m.  Whoops!

The next thing I know, I was waking up in recovery.  I had a great nurse there too.  Unfortunately, I can't seem to recall her name either.  I guess that's the downfall of all the drugs.  I think I arrived in recovery around 2:30 p.m.  I basically just relaxed there, in and out of my drug-fog.  I ended up being stuck in recovery a lot longer than planned due to issues with the pharmacy.  They told my parents I would be assigned to room 7088.  My parents headed to the room and continued to wait with very little information about where I was.... I am sure she was asking every nurse that went by to find out something.  Unfortunately, all they could tell her was that I was still in recovery.

Around 6 p.m., I finally got to my room.  My first nurse was Sandy, with Ameline as nursing assistant.  They were both very nice, sweet, and helpful.  Ameline's first offer was to get me a bunch of ice chips and some ginger ale to help my sore throat.  I didn't know how helpful the ice chips would be but she told me that if I let the ice melt and run down my throat, it would soothe the terribly sore feeling from the breathing tube they inserted during surgery.  

A little while later, my parents left for the evening.  (No I didn't kick them out.  I made dinner reservations for them at PF Chang's at Crabtree so that they could be slightly distracted.)  Right after my parents left, I ordered dinner.  Rex does a "room service" type ordering for most patients.  You have a nice menu in your room and you call the number listed and order what you want.  I had no clue what I should order or what I would be able to eat.  I ended up ordering a grilled chicken breast, half a sweet potato, sauteed zucchini and squash, chicken broth, lemon Italian ice, hot tea, and unsweetened iced tea.  It arrived about 30 minutes later.  Oh my did it look like a lot of food.  I ate two bites of my chicken breast before I knew that it wasn't going to be a good idea.  I ended up having the chicken broth, sweet potato, Italian ice, and hot tea.  I hated to let the other food go to waste, but it just wasn't working for me!

Jason called while I was waiting for my dinner and checked about coming to visit.  I had told my parents to tell him not to come earlier (I don't think I said that, but the nurse told them I did.  I blame drugs again.)  Jason and his parents arrived a few minutes after dinner arrived.  We talked about different things, but nothing terribly complicated.  They stayed about half an hour and then headed to Neo Asia for dinner.  I was so jealous that they were going there while I was stuck in the dang hospital.  I made Jason promise me a dinner date there soon.

The rest of the evening was spent with my overnight nurse, Wanda, and nursing assistant, Allison.  Wanda was super awesome.  Before she worked on the surgical floor, she worked for a plastic surgeon.  She was full of all kinds of good tips for when I got home.  Allison was so sweet all night too.  Let's just say that she didn't have the most glamorous job....  I think I fell asleep around 9 p.m.  I didn't sleep a lot, but the sleep I got was decent.

{Irrational Fear Sets In...}

Over the last three nights, I have been having crazy dreams.  When I say crazy, I don't mean zombies chasing people through the streets of Raleigh, but crazy scary crazy.

I don't remember each of the dreams, but they have scared the utter crap out of me about my surgery.  This is the moment when irrational fear begins to take over and plague my mind.  I have been thinking non-stop about my surgery that happens in a mere 10 days.

I went into the living room, trying to sleep off and on, after I woke up shaking with fear at 6 a.m.  At 8 a.m., I went to the grocery store because sleep just wasn't happening.  When I got back from the grocery store,  Jason called me in our bedroom.  I am sure he could tell that something was "up".  Reluctantly, I climbed back in bed, even though there were groceries to put away.  Thank goodness for him... We curled up under the covers, he held me close, and I got almost an hour of good sleep.

After finally crawling out of bed around 10:30 a.m., I did a few things around the house.  Before running out to Whole Foods to pick up a few things, I finally explained to J what was up.  The dreams.  They're horrible.  Like I said, I don't remember every detail, but they're scary enough to wake me up.  He reminded me that I have done my research, I am confident in my physician, and I have to "trust the process...."  I have worked hard, researched a lot, and now I just have to follow-through.

Counting down till Wednesday, November 28....

{Operation Fix Me - Pre-Op Discussion}

My surgeon's office does a pre-op phone consultation about 2-3 weeks before the surgery.  During this time, Valerie (one of his nurses), goes over all the do's and don'ts.  She packs a ton of information in a half hour, but it also gives you time to think about questions you may have that you can ask the day before surgery.  

Pre-Op List:

• THINGS TO DO NOW:
• Stop taking aspirin/motrin/Aleve.  
• Stop taking Fish Oil supplement (all others are ok).
• Stop/reduce consumption of alcohol 5 days before surgery (Whew! At least I can still drink on Thanksgiving!)
• Pick up prescriptions - pain killer, muscle relaxer, anti-nausea, antibiotic.  While at the pharmacy, she recommended that I get a laxative (TMI, right?).
• HOME:
• Make arrangements to have help at home.
• I'll be at the hospital 1 night.  
• My parents will be in town from the day of surgery through the weekend.  They won't stay the night at the house, but J will be at home.
• Jason will stay home with me on Monday and Tuesday.
• Friends have offered to come hang out during the day when J goes back to work, etc.
• Freeze at least 1 full week of meals, including protein-packed snacks, etc. (I will do some of this before surgery, but my mom will do some of it while she's here too.)
• Prepare "recovery space"
• I'll mostly be hanging out in the living room.  We have a nice "medical"/lift recliner and that will be my bed for at least one week.  
• I'm planning to download a couple books on my iPad, DVR some shoes, etc.
• Put iPhone charger near recliner, etc.
• Move things around so they are easy to reach.  I will get out our "spare" microwave and put it on the kitchen counter so Jason can reach it.  The regular is one that is above the stove and he can't reach it.
• DAY OF SURGERY:
• Take shower with anti-bacterial shower gel
• Brush teeth, but do not drink anything
• Wear comfy clothes to the hospital, preferably a shirt that buttons down the front.
• No make-up or jewelry to the hospital.
• No colored fingernail polish
• Arrive at the hospital by 5:15 a.m. (dang that's early!) for 7:15 a.m. surgery.

That's a pretty long list and I am sure there's something else I am missing....

I will go see Dr. Lambeth on Tuesday, November 27 for my pre-op pictures and markings.  I have seen lots of blogs where women have posted their pre-op and post-op pictures... Don't expect that on here.  I am honestly just not ready to do that - I am not that "open".  Yes, I've talked about the surgery here, but posting half nekkid pictures here just isn't my thing.  You'll just have to take my word on it :-)

{Three Weeks till "Operation Fix Me"}

This shiz is gettin' real...  

My surgery is exactly three weeks from today.  I cannot even begin to describe accurately the emotions I am feeling.  I am ridiculously excited and nervous.  I'd say 90% excited and 10% nervous.

There's a lot I have to do between now and then.  Here's the short list:

• Prepare and freeze some more meals for Jason and me 
• Move some things around in the kitchen to make them easier for Jason to reach
• Talk to a few friends about their schedules, etc. to see if they can come visit and/or bring meals to us
• Write up list and do a big grocery shopping trip the day before surgery
• Finish writing "Surgery Guide" for my Mama.  My parents will be coming from Tuesday, November 27 through Sunday, December 2.  My Mama wants to do lots of things to help while she's around.  Things I was thinking she could do:
• Bag small amounts of snacks for me - almonds, "trail mix" (almonds, pistachios, and raisins or almonds with chocolate chips)
• Bag small snacks for J to put in his lunch each day
• Cook a few crockpots worth of soup and/or spaghetti to freeze
• Prepare chicken breasts with various marinades to freeze (easy for me to cook)
• Any other ideas???
• Work my arse off at CrossFit because I won't be able to go for a month.  BOO!

What am I missing?  The nurse said that doing this surgery is like preparing to have a baby.  Since I know absolutely no knowledge of preparing for a baby - what am I missing????

{Annual Wellness Assessment at Work}

Last year, I wrote a post about my organization's wellness program at the Biosignia "Know Your Number" assessment.  We utilitize this tool throughout our municipal health pool/wellness program and for our organization's staff.    

Monday was the day for the annual assessment...  I have to admit that I was none too pleased for it to arrive because I knew that one thing that wasn't going to be good was my weight - up about 8 pounds from this time last year.  

The initial results are pretty good...  Basically, my modifiable risks stem from weight.  Given that I am getting ready to have a decent chunk of weight removed from my abdomen, I am pretty pleased with my overall numbers...  I can't wait to see what the numbers are like next year!

Still here

I am still here.  There isn't a ton to report, except that things have been busy, busy, busy!

• NCRC Women's Beginner Running Program - The two orientations for the program were on Wednesday and Thursday of last week.  The first run for the program was on Saturday.  It looks like we have 85+/- participants this summer.  So awesome!  
• CrossFit - Long story short, it's still kickin' my ass.  I feel like I am getting stronger every single day, but the workouts are still exhausting.
• Paleo - Following the Paleo diet is going well.  I have discovered (the hard way) that reducing/eliminating glutens, etc. from daily living isn't all that bad except for when you end up accidentally eating glutens.  Makes for some not so fun side effects.
• "Operation Fix Me" - My surgery is totally official.  I was pencilled in on Dr. Lambeth's calendar, but not on the hospital schedule.  I'm now on the schedule at Rex Hospital for surgery on Wednesday, November 28 at 7:15 a.m.  I cannot wait until that day.  

I am sure that I am missing something, but that's what comes to mind first.  The next few weeks will likely to continue to be busy, but vacation is just around the corner!

NCRC Women's Beginner Running Program

The NCRC Women's Beginner Running Program will always hold a very special place in my heart.  I learned about the program in 2010 when Alison mentioned it.  She had participated in 2009 and enjoyed it.  When I set my goals to transform myself in 2010, this program was part of the goal-setting.  I was going to learn to run and I was going to conquer a half marathon.


What this program did for me in that first summer was nothing short of amazing.  I found a fitness activity that I actually enjoyed.  I learned to love the freedom of running, with or without others.  There is no way for me to describe the benefits this program offered me.  I am grateful for every one of the benefits.


The leader in 2010 was Debbie.  She was a recent beginner that took over coordination from one of the founders, Georgia.  Debbie coordinated the program for two summers.  After this past summer, Debbie realized that she needed to step back and the program needed a new coordinator.  Well, that's where I stepped in!  Thanks to lots of great information from Georgia and Debbie, the planning for the program has been fairly easy.  I am very excited about this opportunity and the women that will start next weekend!  


So, for a while, I'll be blogging in two places.  I am hoping that my blogging doesn't "suffer" but it'll be worth it to have the newest women runners well-informed on their blog.  


YAY!  

 

Getting Past Uncomfortable

I spent part of my lunch skimming some Raleigh CrossFit blog posts I hadn't read.  I came across one called "It Was a Bit Uncomfortable". 


"...So back to my point of getting comfortable with uncomfortable.  We all take on things that are uncomfortable until they become comfortable.  Picking up a barbell for the first time, going for a 1 rep max in a snatch or trying to string together handstand push-ups, all of which are uncomfortable until they are not.  Don’t be afraid to look right, then look left a million times and don’t be afraid to go for a 1 rep max.  At some point that 1 rep max will become your old 1 rep max.  There will be something else to get comfortable with..."


Chennelle hit the nail on the head for sure.  


I went to my first CrossFit session on Saturday, June 16.  To say I was "uncomfortable" is an understatement.  I was scared shitless.  I actually sat in my car for about 10 minutes before I forced myself to get out.  I met Bobby, etc.  I also saw a set of my GOTR parents - The Lasaters.  I struggled through the first workout (but I did it!) and I knew that this was for me.  I took Foundations the following Monday and Tuesday.


Since June 16, I have been to 13 WODs (22 days since the first day).  This includes a four days off to recoup from my first "injury", a few work meetings/personal events that caused me to miss, etc. 


I am no longer uncomfortable.  In fact, I love it.  Yes, I do check the WOD on the blog daily - but that's just to make sure I know how to perform all the lifts, etc.  I have a few goals in my mind, but know they're gonna take work:

• Master double-unders
• Handstand and/or Handstand Push-up
• Toes to Bar
• And a few others

Can't wait! 

When I do something...I do it right

On Sunday, I got my first CrossFit injury.  On Monday afternoon, still wasn't feeling all that wonderful and decided to get an appointment to see my chiropractor.  Since I couldn't get in until later in the day, I went to the lunch CrossFit session.  It wasn't terrible, but it definitely hurt quite a bit.


When I got to Dr. Molly's, I told her about what happened on Sunday, etc.  She quickly warned me that I would probably hurt the worst three days after the fall (Wednesday).  I smiled and told her that I was sure I would be fine.  She proceeded to do some ART therapy on my pecs and back.  After we were done, she sent me on my merry way with instructions to ice, ice baby.


Fast forward to Wednesday, while I was walking to CrossFit...  I realized that I couldn't get a good, deep breath without feeling like I was being stabbed.  I immediately called Dr. Molly's office and made an appointment for today (Friday).  Shari, her office assistant, told me to call Dr. Molly to make sure she didn't want me to go to a "regular" doctor, etc.


I proceeded to go through my CrossFit workout (complete with deadlifts, pull-ups, box dips, squats and double-unders).  I didn't do great, but I finished.  As soon as I got back to the office, Dr. Molly returned my call.  She reminded me of her "warning" on Monday.  Damn it, she was right!  Unfortunately, since the pain was from a pretty bad strain she told me there was nothing to really do but wait.  She encouraged me to keep my appointment for Friday and again - ice, ice, ice.


When I met with Dr. Molly this morning, I pointed to the exact spot where I felt like I was being stabbed.  She worked on the muscles around the spot for a few minutes.  The pain was so bad that I nearly jumped off the table!  I usually have a fairly decent grip on pain.  In fact, my tolerance is such that things are just annoying or beyond horrible (no real in between).  I can't tell you the last time I had any pain that I would consider horrible - until this week!

After she did what she could, we talked about my options to help relieve the pain.  While I hate taking medication of any form, I am taking some Ultracet in an effort to take the edge off.  I also ended up leaving her office with a TENS unit.  While it is a very strange sensation, it is actually helping relieve some of the pain.  


Other than that, I am off CrossFit for a few more days with instructions to wear the TENS unit as much as possible.  Here's to hoping that the 115 degree heat in central North Carolina and the little bit of electric current running through me doesn't cause a problem this weekend :-)   

Crossfit - first injury

Been keeping up with going to CrossFit.  It might sound a little nuts, but I love going in the middle of the workday.  It's the perfect stress reliever - maybe it is all the nasty-ass sweat?


The WODs this weekend were pretty killer, in my opinion.  Since I am new to this whole thing, all the workouts are killer at this point.  Sucks, but so good at the time time.  I am such a contradiction!


Saturday's WOD - "Rowdy Round-Up"

• 10 airsquats
• 10 Kettlebell swings (18#)
• Repeat for 10 rounds
• Then run - CF to Glenwood and back, then to Jones and back to CF

My thoughts on the workout Saturday?  Air squats suck.  Air squats are the work of the devil.  Even though they sucked donkey butt, I did them.  I know that I need to work on my form - need to keep my back more straight!  

Sunday's WOD 

Part 1 - "The RunAround":  Partner up; While 1 partner runs 400m, the other partner does double-unders.  Switch, rinse and repeat for 5 rounds

• 400m run
• Double-unders or Singles on jump rope

Thank God for Shelley!  She partnered with me (again) for this workout.  I know that I definitely held her back, but I appreciate her sticking with me and being patient!  We finished this portion of the workout in 29:34 - last but we finished!


Part 2 - "Catch 22":

• Facing each other, perform 22 hand-release push ups.  While one partner holds the "up" push-up position, the other performs the hand-release push up.  Repeat until you reach a total of 20 push-ups. 

This is definitely another place that needs a lot of work.  I am way weaker in my upper body as compared to my lower body!  Need more push-ups!

Also, on Sunday, I got my first CrossFit "injury". Isn't this pretty?

During the 2nd run of the RunAround, I tripped on a section of uneven sidewalk.  Thank goodness my Daddy taught me how to fall "correctly" - don't brace yourself, just cross your hands over your chest and fall.  Unfortunately, only one half of my body got that message and even that side screwed up.  Today, I have scraped/bruised palms, bruised knees, a scraped/bruised left elbow and hip, and a little pain in my chest.  

I ain't lettin' some little scrapes and bruises stop me.  Gettin' back to it today!

1st (official) Crossfit workout

I finished Foundations yesterday afternoon.  I survived the "orientation"-like sessions, but know that I still have a lot of work to do on getting the lifts right.  It'll come with time - that's what everyone keeps telling me.  I sure as hell hope so, or I am gonna continue to feel and look like an utter idiot.  


Today, I went for my first official Crossfit WOD.  I got there right at 11:30 a.m. and was the only person there.  Freaked me out a little bit, but then three others joined in on the fun.  I have to say, there was one girl there that was some kinda fierce lookin'.  When we were running outside, I think she probably had the car that said "I'd Rather be Doing Roller Derby".  Now that means, I must find out if she is a Carolina RollerGirl.  Seems like Crossfit would be the perfect activity for someone that beats the hell out of someone while skating.


The WOD looked like this: (my scaled WOD notes are in red)
Part 1:

• 3 x 3 Power Cleans (70%, 80%, 90% 1 RM, rest 60 seconds between sets) - Since I am still trying to understand and get the technique correct, I did several sets with an empty bar.  Bobby suggested that I deconstruct it because proper form was most important.  Still a lot of practice needed!
• 3 x 3 Heavy Clean Pulls (as heavy as possible for 3 reps, rest 60 seconds between sets) - I did one set with the bar, a set with 20#, then a set with 50#.  My sets were 5 each.

Part 2: (3 rounds)

• 400 m run with bumper plate - For the 1st 400m, I ran at a slightly faster pace than I normally would on a "short run".  Before going out for round 2, I asked about carrying a 10# bumper plate for "shits and giggles".  It made the run a good amount more difficult, but I didn't walk!
• 20 overhead lunges with bumper plate - Lots of work to do here!  I ended up using a pole to balance and did 20 lunges per leg on each round.  

As soon as we were done, I leisurely strolled back to work - complete with the reddest face I have never had!  Overall, I feel pretty dang good - extremely red face and all.  A few lessons learned - need more baby wipes to "bathe" after the workout, probably need some back-up make up at work, enjoy the mid-day workout -makes the afternoon go by faster!!

First Couple Days of Crossfit

Anyone that knows me, knows that I like to do my research before I try anything new.  It's borderline obsessive, I know.  However, I just like to get the gist of what's up. 

I first heard about Crossfit from Jade, a friend of Sarah's, when we were on our way to the Cooper River Bridge Run in April 2011.  Over the course of the weekend, Jade talked about Crossfit several different times and I was a little intrigued.  After we got back, I put the notion in the back of my mind.  Since then, every once in a while, the thought of Crossfit would cross my little mind.  Then, of course, I would push it back to the back of my mind for a little while longer.

Two weeks ago, I made up my mind about reconstructive/cosmetic surgery to remove the significant amount of excess skin in my abdomen, etc.  After scheduling the surgery, I kept thinking that I knew I wanted to be in the best possible physical shape before the surgery.  Everything I have read has said this makes the recovery a lot easier and the results even more awesome.  So, Crossfit entered my mind again...

Last Thursday night, I asked about people's opinions of Crossfit on Twitter (@rbr506) and on Facebook.  I got all kinds of responses - from "Crossfit scares me..." to "you can totally do it!".  I looked online at the websites for two local boxes and decided that the one closest to my office would probably be the best for me. 

On Friday morning, I called the "box" closest to my office.  Not long after leaving a message, Bobby (one of the coaches) called me back.  We talked for a few minutes about my history, he answered questions and then suggested that I come in and try a class out the next day.  That's when it became quite real.  Later that day, I went to my chiropractor.  While I was there, I mentioned it to her.  She was so very encouraging.  A lot of the coaches and members of that box are her patients - she even works out there too!  So, that was it - I was gonna do it! 

Saturday morning, I woke up around 7:30 a.m.  I grabbed a NuGo Free bar and some water, then settled in to watch a little TV.  I was starting to get nervous - surprise, surprise.  As I got dressed, I got more and more nervous for no real apparant reason.  For about 10 seconds, I thought about not going.  Then, I realized...I wanted to do this.  Might be a little crazy, but I wanted to do this.  It was just like running - I just needed to start!

When I got to the box, I met Bobby.  Funny enough, I had talked to him at Dr. Molly's the week before.  Little did I know...  After meeting Bobby and Chad, I felt a lot better.  Bobby let me know that the workout of the day (WOD) was in teams.  He paired me with another relatively new Crossfiter, Shelley.  She was extremely-welcoming and helpful to this newbie! 

Saturday's WOD was pretty cool.  In our teams, we did a 10-minute AMRAP of the following:

• 100 double-unders or 300 singles - we chose singles
• 25 deadlifts (75 pounds!)
• Once the team finished that we proceeded to do as many more of each as possible within the 10 minutes.

After finishing that, we did continued the workout with 50 push presses and 50 front squats as a 2-person team.  Shelley was such a great "coach" for this.  I had no clue what I was doing as far as positioning.  Between Bobby, Chad, Shelley and everyone else, I finally got in the swing of things.

Not only did I complete the full workout with the group, I felt very accomplished because:

1. I didn't puke
2. I didn't pass out
3. I didn't quit early
4. I did 225 singles on a jump rope.  I haven't used a jump rope since elementary school and rarely ever did more than 20 or so.

At the end of the workout, I was convinced that this was going to be a cool new experience.  I told Bobby that I wanted to sign up for Foundations.  My first day of Foundations was yesterday.  It felt great to get a little bit of personalized instruction on the elements of Crossfit.  I have my second class today and cannot wait!

My new mantra

Catchin' up

The past few weeks have been pretty busy.  Between work, trying to get back in the "groove" with exercise and eating, etc. life has been a little busier than I would like.


My surgery has been scheduled.  I had two consultations on Thursday, May 24.  While there were things that I liked about each surgeon, Doctor 2 definitely won me over.  His staff was all awesome, his nurse (Amy) was an absolute gym.  I just felt much more at ease.  I will be having an abdominoplasty and mastopexy/breast reduction on Wednesday, November 28.  The surgery will be performed at Rex Hospital.  I will stay one night at the hospital and will be out of work at least 2 weeks.  Since my office closes the week of Christmas, I may take off until the New Year.  Every single day it seems to weird and exciting!  November 28 cannot get here soon enough!


Other than being distracted by work and my surgery, I have been trying to get myself back in the workout groove.  I broke my pinky toe on Memorial Day.  Unfortunately, this has made it so that I cannot run.  While I don't like that I can't run, I haven't missed it too terribly.  It has given me an opportunity to some other things...


Speaking of other things...Who has just signed up for Crossfit?  This girl.  I can't decide if I am a strong woman with awesome aspirations or utterly insane.  Yesterday morning I went for my "trial" session.  I am not going to say that I kicked ass by any stretch, but I did pretty damn good.  I will take the "Foundations" course tomorrow and Tuesday.  After taking Foundations, I will be able to participate normally.  Here's to lots of sore muscles and hopes that I don't puke during training!

"Operation Fix Me"

For several years, I have hemmed and hawed about having reconstructive/plastic/cosmetic surgery to remove excess skin on my upper and lower abdomen and a breast lift.  Recently, this has come to the forefront of my mind and I had two consultations today.  I am scheduled for a third consultation next week, but I am fairly certain that I will cancel that appointment.  

If you are interested in seeing my thoughts and other info on each of the surgeons, feel free to keep reading.  At this time, I will be referring to the surgeons as "Surgeon 1" and "Surgeon 2".  This is simply out of respect for them and my decision-making process.  Once I select a surgeon and set a date for the surgery, I may decide to provide more information.

Here goes:

1.  Are you board certified and by what medical board? If so, how long have you been certified?  Both surgeons are members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, North Carolina Medical Society, and North Carolina Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (Surgeon 2 is past president of the NC Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons)

2.  Where will my surgery be performed? If the surgery will take place in a freestanding surgical center or in the surgeon's office, your operating room accredited? If so, by whom?  May I see it?

• Surgeon 1 - All procedures for those that are "healthy" are done in the office surgical suite.  The office has 2 full operating rooms.  I did not ask about accreditation and was offered to see the surgical suites if I selected their practice to perform my surgery.
• Surgeon 2 - All procedures are performed at Rex Hospital.

3.  Do you have hospital privileges? At which hospitals? If not, did you lose those privileges?  Both surgeons have privileges at Rex Hospital, Wake Med (Raleigh) and Duke Health Raleigh Hospital.  

4.  Can I see before-and-after photos or your patients?

Both surgeons showed me an extensive photo library of patients. 

5.  How extensive will my scars be and where will they be located?

Both surgeons reviewed their proposals for a breast lift.  Both proposals were just as I expected them to be - and no different than any research I had done on the Internet.

Surgeon 1 - The proposal would be to do a "fleur de lis" (right picture) abdominoplasty.  This would combine the use of the regular lower abdominal incision and a midline vertical incision.  He explained that this procedure was reserved for those that needed extensive skin removal.  

I was pretty uncomfortable with this proposal.  The extra incision increases the risks associated with the surgery.  This would also lead to another very large scar.

Surgeon 2 - The proposal would be to do a traditional abdominoplasty, with a slightly longer/wider incision.  He basically said the incision would be "bed to bed" (hip to hip?) and would allow him to get the most tightness possible.  I asked about the possibility of his doing the "fleur de lis" type incision and he assured me that he could achieve the desired results without the extra incision.  

  

6.  How long will the surgery last and how long will I be under anesthesia?  Both surgeons said the surgery would be between 5 1/2 and 6 hours.

7.  Who will administer my anesthesia?  Both surgeons use a CRNA (nurse anesthetists) for anesthesia. 

8.  What would you do if I were to have a complication?

• Surgeon 1 glossed over this question.  He stated that in all the procedures he had done in their offices surgical suite, he had never had a problem.
• Surgeon 2 reminded me that my surgery would be done at Rex Hospital.  While I would be his patient while in the hospital, the hospitalists/surgeons, etc. at Rex are willing/able to assist if the need arises.  

9.  What types of medications will I be given and which pain medications do you normally prescribe?

• Surgeon 1 prescribes two oral narcotics for pain management - oxycodone and hydrocodone.  
• Surgeon 2 uses a "pain pump" for all abdominoplasties.  He believes that the use of well-placed long-acting pain relief is best for the initial 24 hours after surgery.  This does not eliminate the need for oral narcotic pain medications, but limits the need.    

10.  If I need anything after normal office hours postoperative, how will I be able to get in touch with you or your staff?

• Surgeon 1 stated that the three doctors in the practice work very closely and one was always on call.
• Surgeon 2 is in practice by himself.  He requires that patients having 1 or more procedures in a day stay at the hospital overnight.  This allows him to monitor progress during the most difficult period of the recovery (first 24 hours).  After leaving the hospital, he and his nurse remain available to patients.

11.  How long do you recommend I take off from work, school, etc. to heal properly?  Both surgeons suggested being physically out of the office for 2 weeks.  After about 1 week, I can work from home some but need to remember to take it easy.  They both suggested transitioning back into work with a part-time schedule for about 1-2 weeks.

12.  How long after will I be able to walk, exercise, run, or participate in contact sports?  Both surgeons said that I will need to be up and trying to walk regularly within hours after the surgery.  As far as running, etc., I am looking at somewhere in the 3-5 week range.  Surgeon 2 was very matter-of-fact and said that some of this is "...just plain 'ole common sense..."

13.  How much will my surgery cost, total?

• Surgeon 1 - Total of $13,547.50.  This includes: extended abdominoplasty ($5,800), mastopexy ($3,187.50), plus anesthesia and facility fees  (This does not include an overnight hospital stay.  My surgery would begin around 8 a.m. and I would depart the office around 3 p.m.)
• Surgeon 2 - Total of $12,318.  This includes: extended abdominoplasty ($3,850), bilateral breast reduction/mastopexy ($3,000), plus anesthesia and facility fees (This amount includes an overnight stay at the hospital.  I will be in my room around 2 p.m. and would depart around 2 p.m. the following day.)

14.  Are there any hidden costs that I should know about, such as for lab work, postoperative check-ups, additional medications, and postoperative garments?  All charges are covered in the fees above.

15.  Do you offer financing? Do you expect full payment up front?  Can I pay in installments?

• Surgeon 1 required a $75 consultation fee.  A deposit of $500 is required to schedule the procedures.  All payments must be made 14 days in advance of the surgery.  There is financing available with M-Lend Financial.  
• Surgeon 2 required a $50 consultation fee.  A deposit of $500 is required to schedule the procedure.  Payment in full must be made 21 days in advance of the surgery.  Financing is available through CareCredit.