New Knee...Let's Keep Moving

I have always lived an active life. In school, every day was filled with practice, meets/games, or playing with my friends. My main loves were track and field and competitive cheer/dance. I enjoyed feeling the way my muscles ached after a long practice. I enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment when I mastered a new skill or met a new Personal Record. I lived for the sound of the cheers when I crossed the finish line or my squad hit that final pose. I never imagined my life without athletics and fitness.

In college and beyond, I spent countless hours running and lifting weights at the gym. On a few occasions I decided to train for a race, but was always forced to drop out due to knee pain. After multiple trips to doctors, I was diagnosed with patella tendonitis and told to wear a band under my knee.

So I listened, and kept moving.

While pregnant with M, I maintained my active lifestyle. Every day after work, G and I went straight to the gym. At first I could use the elliptical and stair machine, but with time I had to move down to the treadmill and then just brisk walks outside. Although I felt tired every day, I loved the extra energy boost I received from my evening workouts!

Post baby, my body shape had changed, but I was able to regain muscle tone and energy from a variety of workouts (P90x, running, and lifting weights). Will my body ever look the same? No. However, I embraced the changes that a baby (and turning 30) caused on my body.

When we moved to Savannah in March 2012, I felt lost. I missed my friends and family, struggled to understand the culture of my new job, and spent too much time sitting around and not enough time up and moving. To cure boredom and loneliness, I joined the marathon team at the high school and quickly grew to love distance running.

And then, half-way through a 10 mile run, my knee decided to remind me that it was there.

After good doses of RICE and extra time off from running, I began Physical Therapy and campaigned for an MRI. The verdict?

A torn meniscus.

Ahh, that's where all the pain was coming from!

With G about to deploy, I had to postpone surgery, but resolved to continue PT and to find modified workouts to maintain some level of health.

What a challenge.

Running, the elliptical, and walking stairs caused daily pain. With G gone, and with a full-time job, I rarely found time to go to the gym. I tried out different workout videos until I found Les Mills Combat (by BeachBody). I will write another blog specifically about my results, but I can say that even with my restrictions I saw dramatic changes in my arms, back, and abs. I felt STRONG again.

G came home at the end of August 2013, and I was in surgery on October 2013.

Now, let me preface this with the statement that I have a strong pain tolerance. Even so, recovery was terrible. Not bad. TERRIBLE.

I had to leave my job due to the intensive nature of my clients so my days were filled with time on the couch and the small amount of paperwork I could do from home. The pain during the first two weeks was nearly unbearable. However, when I took the medication I felt worse so the pain seemed like the better option.

Then, after a few weeks, I weened myself off of all medication, felt more "myself", and had a clear mind. Unfortunately, my knee was a bit late to the party. I was cleared to drive at 8 1/2 weeks. I was on crutches for longer than 11 weeks. I was not cleared to attempt running until nearly 21 weeks.

I watched that hard-earned muscle melt and met physical limitations at every turn. I started to eat fattening foods, dread my modified workouts, and dream of "quick fixes" and "magic pills."

And then I woke up and realized that I needed to do something else.

I am now beginning a new journey in my life. I have no guarantee that my knee will allow me to go back to the heavy work-outs I once loved, so a lifestyle change is in order.

With that, I embrace the opportunity to try to workout plans, look to new ways to nourish my body, and the hope that those closest to me will rise to the challenge as well!

Here's to a new me....healthy and happy!

I'm back....!

Okay, okay....It has been awhile. And with life as busy as ever, it will take a lot of "oomph" to get back into blogging.

But I have a resolve.

The past year and a half has been a bit crazy.

In December 2012, G deployed for a 9-month tour to Afghanistan. As the days went by, I stayed busy with work, M, and supporting my friends. M grew by leaps and bounds. He began walking (and then running!), talking, exploring, and playing. Through emails, texts, and Skype, we made it work and I was blessed to welcome G home in late August 2013.

Almost immediately after his return, G took over as the "man in charge" when I had my meniscus repaired in October 2013. I have never had surgery (or a broken bone...or stitches), so knee surgery was very scary for me. However, with the love and support of my family and friends, I made it though the long days filled with physical therapy and daily exercises.

Now...I'm back!

As I look back over the challenges from the past year and a half, I realize how blessed I am. I have a beautiful family. I have my health. I have friends who became family. Above all else? I have faith.

So, here's to you, 2014 and the new challenges, blessings, and surprises you will bring!