I was doing really well and expecting to have braces on my teeth when I arrived though, my orthodontist had a lovely little contraption called "The Twin Bloc" it's a set of retainers for top and bottom and they work on setting your jaw forward and fixing your bite. Not what I had expected but I had a binge before my appointment as advised by several close friends and family members who have done the same routine with the same ortho. Twin bloc on and I realize, you can't really eat with this thing in, and it's super uncomfortable. My teeth were already bothering me from a previous filling (top and bottom tooth) and super sensitive. Although I kept returning to have it fixed it remains unresolved - I can't drink anything to cold or too hot and definitely not without a straw and keeping it on the right side of my mouth. OUCH!
The twin bloc caused major saliva build up so the good side was that I wanted to take in more fluids, however my sore teeth sort of prevented this to a point. Eating hurt, my teeth ached, my mouth was sore from adjusting but after two weeks I was mostly okay and quite used to it. I wear it 24/7 and only take it out for eating and teeth brushing. After 6-8 months I'll end up with braces for two years. My teeth are a mess but the pain will be worth it!
I have always suffered from migraines and back pain. The migraines have ceased as promised by my orthodontist but several weeks ago I woke up one morning and pinched a nerve raising my head off the pillow. As soon as I did it I couldn't breath, I was stuck, rolled onto my back and realized I could move my hands and arms, my legs but I could not move my torso or neck at all - the pain was so intense. My husband and I had a conversation debating on whether or not to call the ambulance. I opted not to as the house was a mess - seriously! I couldn't bear to have the ambulance attendants see my skivvies on the bedroom floor!
Running or any type of working out was not an option for over a week. When I returned we did a couple of walks, and life threw me some curveballs that upped my stress level into epic proportions. Throw in a camping trip of silliness and bad choices in food and beverage and you have a seriously off track woman. I feared the scales in a big way, I came home to several extra pounds and vowed I would make changes and get back on track.
After a crazy week and no big changes, I knew that before long the scale would really get beyond my control and it would be a 10lb gain I'd be crying about during every workout and weigh in from now until Christmas. I don't lose fast so I know even a couple of pounds has to be nipped in the bud immediately.
After a week off from my trainer save one appointment where we walked and talked I spent some time meditating, planning and re-assessing my weight loss goals. I still have a bit to lose and I want to make sure I don't fall off the wagon into the abyss of binge eating and self-hating behaviour I've always reverted to in the past.
I went grocery shopping and picked up all the best of local produce. I live in Ontario and right now its prime season for the freshest fruits and veggies. I picked up blueberries, pineapple for juicing, red grapes and cucumbers, tomatoes and a few other favourites. Usually I will come home and throw everything in the fridge vowing to tackle it later. Not today! I know if I take the time to prep my snacks and meals for the week I'll be much more likely to succeed.
I rinsed all of my fruit and chopped it up storing in my favorite Glass Lock Containers. I picked up a set at Costco and I really wish I had gotten two. I love them! I also made up a quick and easy Cucumber/tomato Salad using a recipe I found on allrecipes.com - another favorite resource of mine. After that I sliced up some extra cucumber and tomato for sandwiches and sides and cleaned out any old or out of date items that needed to be pitched for extra space. An organized fridge always makes me feel much better and I can see what I want/need or can use much better.
My next item to tackle is throwing some chicken breasts in the crockpot with a few seasonings so I have some easy and fast protein to make sandwiches, salads and last minute meals. I also take out three supperworks meals. I make them at a meal assembly place and the place I go to always has fresh ingredients and all of them are pretty diet friendly. That gives me three meals to defrost and use for Mon, Tues and Wednesday, supper is done! Sides are done! Lunches and breakfasts are as simple as choosing a fruit and some yogurt or a muffin with peanut butter spread.
I promise to post more photo and visuals soon. I really need to get my posts looking prettier and sometimes a photograph can be much more inspiring than me describing it! This week I plan to drop a few fluffy pounds and get back under my wedding weight (167). It was the lowest I have gotten so far and since my wedding five years ago!
Triumphs not to be ignored - I purchased my first bikini and wore it proudly at the beach when we went camping. I didn't look perfect but I've come a long way and as I stood on that beach and looked around, there were a lot of women there twice my size proudly wearing a bikini and rocking it so I can too!
Back to running tomorrow evening with my trainer and nightly/daily walks will commence immediately. The fresh air and the activity always make me happier and much more inspired to tackle the bigger things in life!
