Throwback Recap #1 - Goodbye Pesky GullBladder, Your Fired!

It's been a whole lot of crazy going on in Elyse-Town... Holy Cow!



Life's sure got a funny way of seeming like it's kicking you when you're already down... you know? What it does is cause you to learn a lot about yourself... or more specifically more about the ways I'm still struggling to be better, all those things I need to learn to grow... there are so many things!

Here Follows The Tale of the Unhappy Tummy Part2:

Almost a month to the day ago I checked myself into the ER because of my good old friend Stomach Pain. This time was bad... though Im convinced it wasn't as bad as back in November when I went to the ER last time for the same pain. So like the silly stubborn woman I am, I decided to tuff it out because there was no way I was going to fork over money to the ER for them to tell me there was nothing wrong with me.

But the pain didn't get better. After almost a week I pushed through the pain and then when it became clear that it wasn't getting better... I came to this conclusion from the fact I was turning yellow.. That's right! YELLOW! Scared the crap out of me. My doctor appointment on the following Monday proved I wasn't delusional - my doctor suspected Pancreatitis.

Again I was stubborn and went home and tried to drink/drown out the yellowing... It didn't work.

Now my second visit to the ER in a year was a much better experience than my last one. They were very kind and listened to me and I felt heard. We did tests and discovered that I indeed had Pancreatitis - Caused by Gallstones.

The word the doctors used was "Innumerable" when describing the amount of stones in my gallbladder. It had to come out. I would only have more and more Stones and Pain... so came my hospital stay. My very first one.

Also my fist Surgery... That was a strange experience. Wheeled me down to the operating room, I moved over to the table and laid down. The anesthesiologist hooked me up and gave me what he called a "Small starter dose". He then asked me a question... I don't remember what it was. I think I was going to say something in response but before i could answer i was out.

When I woke up, I was in the ICU and the crabby nurse kept telling me to take deep breaths. I wanted to hurt her... I was trying to and she was not pleased with my breathing. I assume she wanted my heart rate to be faster than it was. As discovered at my last ER visit, I have a low resting heart rate... she wasn't informed so she wasn't satisfied with my breathing. RUDE!

After this I was taken back to my room where my sweet sister Kjarsti was waiting. She was so awesome to stay with me, and help me, and make me feel loved. I'm so blessed to have such great sisters.

I got this nifty button while at the hospital... All the nifty things at hospitals glow - just so you know ;) I called it "The Hulk Button" because that's what gave me the drugs. I pride myself on the fact that I didn't push it hardly at all.



So GullBladder's gone. Thank goodness. I'm so glad, because now I finally have an answer to the pain I had had back in November. According to my doctor, he was certain that I had passed a stone back in November, However this time the gallstone had gotten stuck in my bile duct... this is why I had turned Yellow this time around. I'm so grateful for medicine and good doctors.



Awkward Yetti does a good job illustrating my situation... lol! Particularly this next one.



So I can't lift anything "Heavy" for another month. Which means no CrossFit for now. But I do plan on getting back to it at some point. Probably after Italy.

That's right... Italy is still happening. Happening in just 31 Days. Ahhh! From one crazy experience to the next. Am I right? Bring it on!

Now I join an exclusive club of people who've had their gallbladder removed. Everyone reacts differently to getting their gallbladder out, and so far I feel alright. I can even eat dairy again. It's a miracle! I'm so glad. I even had a celebratory slice of Cheesecake for my birthday and didn't get sick. Yay!!!!

Now I just have to get back to my fitness journey, I've let myself get derailed and I've fallen into some binge eating pits... I know better and am trying to be better. I know I can do this, so it's time to buck up and get accountable. That starts with little by little, day by day. I can do hard things. :)

CrossFit Challenge Completed!

Well I did it! Done; Seven whole weeks of CrossFit under my now looser belt! :)

When I decided to do this, it was terrifying, and now it's slightly less terrifying. Each day I went I wasn't sure what I could do. How I could make this work for me without hurting myself? But as I got into the rhythm of things and learned all these new workouts I grew more confident that I could handle things as they came. And now here at the finish line I'm pretty proud of the progress I've made in CrossFit.

33 Days Till WDW2.0

The results are in... Before/After CrossFit:


I'm not sure that the photo really does justice to the changes I can see in myself. My thighs have really toned up... shrinking up my waist and hips. I've also noticed that my midsection seems to be getting tighter which is super exciting (that's where I want to see the change the most! Which of corse means its the last place I shed it.)

Measurements:

Total Weight: - 15lbs
Body Fat%: - 7.6% (side note; Now I have more muscle than fat! I've crossed the threshold!)
Shoulders: - 2.4 inches
Chest: -  2.7 inches
Waist: - 3.5 inches (I'm in a size 14 pants now!)
Hips: - 1.25 inches
Thighs: -1.5 inches

Side Comparisons are fun too, but I don't have one from before CrossFit, but this is from December to now...


And this one; I'm really proud of my strength progress in my arms!

Dec 28th / March 17th (yes the face is necessary!)


---

What do I think of CrossFit?

CrossFit is Hard. And it's been hard on my Knees and Hips, But Golly how I've grown stronger and more sure of myself and my capabilities by doing it. I can honestly say I do love it. CrossFit is intense - I like that. CrossFit is Olympic Lifting - and I like most of that. CrossFit Demands a lot of you, and expects you to push yourself - I like that expectation and striving to surpass myself. CrossFit is Structured - I need that and appreciate that about it. CrossFit is a community of crazies, some of the nicest people I've meet, all who really care and encourage me every day. CrossFit was a great Experience for me. It hasn't seen the last of me thats for sure!

What did I learn?

Silly as it seems, I learned to listen to my body more. I thought I had gotten good at knowing my limits before CrossFit, but once I started I became acutely aware of just how much I had to pay attention to what i'm feeling. Both to keep myself from over-extending my abilities but also not to hurt myself.

I also learned that even if something seems harder than I can do, that it doesn't mean that it'll always be too hard! Movements that I couldn't do two months ago I can now. Today I bench pressed almost 80 lbs!!! That's Huge for me! I couldn't do sit-ups, but now I can do them confidently and with a fair amount of gusto. Nothing is out of reach for long if you keep at it! Heck... I've lost 70 lbs... I never thought that was within my reach a year ago!

What am I doing next?

I'm still not sure. Honestly I'd love to keep doing CrossFit; but knowing my body and trying to respect the strain i've put on my knees and hips, I'm going to step that back for now and try something new. I've rolled around a few ideas in my head; taking a cycling class or a swim class... Maybe taking up another personal trainer if I can find the right one.

With so much coming up I've got to keep pushing myself so that I don't backslide though. I'm on the search for my next thing, if anyone has suggestions I'm open to them! <3 Thanks.

Add a Bonus Week, and Needles too!

So last week was supposed to be the last week of CrossFit. But following the fact that nobody got measured like they were supposed to... the Coaches gave every lady in the 6 week challenge group an extra week free. So six weeks of CrossFit will now be Seven!

37 Days Till WDW2.0

So last week I decided to go full out, and make every single day of my last week count... So I made the goal to go every day that week; and I did! I felt very proud of the fact that I got through something so challenging. I just didn't realize how harsh it was going to be on my knees. I pulled back (or so I thought) but apparently not enough... I can't help it I'm competitive as heck; even when the only person i'm competing with is my unrealistic expectation of myself.

#sweatyselfie (selfies at crossfit! super sweaty!)

After an entire week of crazy CrossFit and lots of Lunges and Squats my knees were in lots of pain over the weekend... Lucky for me, I had a chiropractor appointment this morning. FYI, my Chiropractor hates... I repeat hates that I'm doing CrossFit. He'd rather I do any other kind of working out. He's a really nice though, I like that he cares so much.

Anyway, after my adjustment he suggested that we try acupuncture for my knee pain. Anyone that knows me, knows that I hate needles (almost as much as I hate spiders... almost.) Granted my ability to deal with needles over time has increased out of shear i-gotta-be-an-adult kind of way. But still the idea of having needles stuck into me isn't the most appealing thing in the world.

But I was in a lot of discomfort and thought that I'd give it a go. I mean, what could it hurt right?

It was uncomfortable, I couldn't move, and I so wish i'd relaxed more before he put the needles in... There was definite discomfort, but my knees were really inflamed so I suppose I should have expected it... I've got to say though, That i'm impressed. I feel like it actually worked! After it was over I stood up and I'm pretty sure could feel a difference. I really do think so! So maybe this hokey chiropractor isn't so hokey after all. Who knows? I seem to be at the point of trying things that I might not have considered doing before; add acupuncture to the list.

---

So... I wore my blue dress to work today, did my hair and felt pretty good. It's funny how people at work freak out when I wear a dress! It's like they think the same thing, no matter what... That i've got an interview and that's the only reason i could have to be looking so awesome! PSHhha! Nah, I just look good because i'm feeling good. :)



Thanks for all the nice things everyone has said about my new Facebook profile pic. I figured it was about time to change it since my face looks so different! Yay! Bonus because i felt pretty today. Thanks for the love and support, it means the world to me really!

---

125 Days till Italy! Woot! Passport is officially off and pending approval. Fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong. Airline Tickets are booked and this thing is happening! I couldn't be more excited or nervous. What an adventure! Ahh!

---

Busy Busy me... Work has me going crazy. I've been put in charge of art directing this massive catalog, and coordinating among a lot of departments is stressful and not nearly as easy as putting together the past Pet catalogs that i've done. But I'm hoping that things turn out good and that I can ensure a great catalog! Being in charge causes me stress, I'm trying not to stress as much and to enjoy it. I can still learn new things... but golly it makes me miss Holly Pocket! I miss my old work friends. Sigh!

Onward and upward... every day is another chance to do my best, and forget the rest. Got to learn I can't control everything... and that sometimes I have to be kinder to myself when i'm not at my very best, perfection isn't obtainable even though I have the habit of beating myself up for not being perfect. <3 Heaven have patience with me lol ;)

Nearing the CrossFit Finish...

So, Here I am, in the trenches of the last week of my CrossFit adventure! Wow! It's getting down to it now. Only half a week left and my 6 week challenge will be over. It's time to make a decision, do I want to keep doing CrossFit after this or not? Tough question...

42 Days till WDW2.0

#sweatycrossfitselfie



It's my personal goal this week to attend CrossFit every single day. So far I'm on track to do just that. Final weigh in will happen Saturday morning on my last work out of the challenge. Over the last two weeks of the challenge we've been able to come to as many classes as we want, not just the previous assigned days and times... and i kinda had to slack off a bit last week because I had my wisdom tooth pulled, Ouch!

Following that I'm renewing my determination and it's going to pay off if I have anything to do with it ;) I'll do a sum-up type post of my CrossFit experience once i've gotten that last work out in. Once I've decided how if I'm going to stick with it or try something new.

I think just being active and accountable will ultimately keep me on track with my new fitness lifestyle and goals; that, and not over eating... even over eating healthy food can still set me back (bummer I know!)

More #sweatyselfies


On my last week, Week#6.



Biggest Ouches from CrossFit: Bruises, Knees, and Hips.
Biggest Wins: Confidence, Drive, Community, Accountability... and with any luck WeightLoss ;)

---

Stuff happens in waves, not trickles of gentle rain showers... So much is happening this summer, so many things that I'm excited about:

- I've got some big Projects at work (both exciting and scary)
- I've got my Walt Disney World trip in April.
- My sister Melisa is getting married, and I'm Maid of Honor! So much to plan, so much to do before the big day in May!
- Italy in July. I've just got Plane tickets booked, and my passport application will be sent out by the end of the week -I've got lots to do to get ready for this exciting trip.

It's going to be an exciting summer... I think its going to keep my busy and happy. I'm taking life by the drainpipes and swallowing every wave of crazy! (that metaphor.... oh dear, lol...)

Just Keep Swimming Right?!

The Mysterious Case Of The Tilted Girl

Crazy things have been happening this past week! I have this list of all the things that I need to do before I go to Disney World, among them was visit the chiropractor about my hip and knee pain...

49 Days Till WDW2.0

#sweatyselfie



So I found a local chiropractor that has good reviews online and made an appointment. I consider it very adult of me that I can now make appointments at the doctor, the dentist and other such adult places without the panic that used to accompany these activities. I'm becoming immune... more adult. AHHHHHhhhhh!!!

Met with Doctor Giles, and he was nothing but nice. He listened to my concerns and my explanation about how i've been having a hard time with knee and hip pain for a long time now. Working out has been a struggle with the localized pain i'd have to work around. Curse you squats and lunges!!!

So he assessed and confirmed my suspicion, I'm tilted. Or more accurately, my pelvis is. My right hip sits higher than my left, causing uneven distribution of weight when I walk, run or work out... If it was much worse he said it would be considered scoliosis. :O SAYWHAT?!

Just this last Monday he fitted me with custom shaped Orthotics (special fitted inserts for my shoes, meant to correct my gait and weight distribution). Next week he'll add the lift in one side to even out my tilt. Until then i've been wearing these inserts (for three days now) and I'm feeling mixed feelings about them. But mostly positive feelings.

#weirdsensations



They don't fit in every shoe the same, but they DO fit in my workout shoes sublimely! I think I can really feel a difference in how my weight is distributed. Still having the knee and hip pain, but I'm hopeful that it'll get better as I work on things.

---

CrossFit continues in a blur. I can't believe that i'm nearly on my last week of the six week challenge. It's really flown by. On top of that I'm loving it. It's challenging, but rewarding... and the structure of intense work outs is really satisfying, I love knowing that planning has gone into the classes I attend. Structure and Community make CrossFit really wonderful. I love the ladies that I work out with; and now that they've put us in the regular classes with all the other cross-fitters... it's even more intense than before.

I'm feeling pretty stoked about my progress with every completed work out! I've even gone to CrossFit all three days this week so far! Crazy Sauce!

---

I've discovered a breakthrough for me... Shopping! without fail, once i'm at the store i'm easily tempted to buy stuff that I shouldn't... and once something i shouldn't eat is in my apartment cupboards I'm doomed to eat it and receive the guilt. But perhaps I've now stumbled upon a something that might help me out there.

#healthyshopping



Tuesday right after CrossFit I headed to the store to pick up groceries. Doing this activity following my workout really helped me be chipper and have more self control. I didn't buy anything i shouldn't have, and then I even prepped meals for later that night without snacking. This is HUGE! going to they store hungry or emotional spells disaster for me, but going after working out when i'm full of self confidence and a sense of accomplishment really curbs my desire to mess it up.

Staying Strong! Yay!

1 Year, 365 Days, & 70 LBS!!!

I've come full circle - rotated around the sun for a complete rotation and slimmed down by 70 LBS in the process. Taking a look back... What a year!!!



I can't hardly believe it, one year ago today, I walked into a gym for the first time and had my very first work out. Stepped on the scale 70 lbs heavier than I am today. I'm feeling so completely blessed. I wasn't sure when I started if I would be able to do it, my goals seemed unachievable and yet, I'm so so proud of how far I've come even if I'm 30 lbs shy of that 100 lbs goal!

I've made such huge strides, not only in weight loss but in a lot of areas in my life! I can honestly say I'm so much more confident, outgoing, and sure of myself than I ever have been. I have let go of a lot of self hate and that was probably the hardest part of the year.

There are so many excuses i've made for myself in the past in regards to getting healthier... and really it's not a magic formula. It's just effort! Any amount of effort is progress! When I started I couldn't even do a single push up, or even sit from a chair to a stand without using my hands to push me up.

I feel like a new person, and I don't ever want to go back to feeling how I felt! The slow progress, although it's slow is so much more worth it than the way I was living before. :)



4/6 Weeks down & 7 Sessions of CrossFit to go!

I'm over half way through my 6 week CrossFit Challenge now. Golly it's hard, but boy do I love it! It's challenging but very rewarding. It's caused me tp push myself further than just plain personal training sessions ever did. It's certainly been the right "Next Step" in my fitness Journey. I still have to decide what do do after CrossFit is over. I know I need accountability to be successful. I'm contemplating keeping up with CrossFit, or taking some other classes to just keep trying new things.

#sweatyselfie


Seeing my first selfie and my most recent... I really do look different... I'm sweatier! lol!


Rock Climbing is Awesome!

It started as me trying something new, something that I never thought I could do because I was overweight. And now, I'm addicted to the feeling I have after rock climbing! It's a level of energy and self achievement that I've not gotten with other things. It's really fun to problem solve, climb, and push myself and see how far I can go. This year, I want to do some actual rock climbing outside of the gym! Take this thing to the next level, and continuing to up my rock climbing game.

55 Days Till Walt Disney World 2.0

The most beautiful bookend to a challenging year of fitness. This year started with WDW, and now I will cap off the other end nicely with another trip back. Taking a trip to the most magical place in the world while i'm in the best shape i've eve been in my life is going to be amazing! On top of that I get to go with my sister Kjarsti. I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it! The wait is killing me! Ahhhhh! :D

143 Days Till Italy!!! (Venice/Florence/Rome)

Yeah, that's happening! Woot! A few weeks ago I was asked by my grandma if i'd like to attend a historical/genealogical trip to Holland in July. I declined, not sure I was willing to put the money into a trip like that at the time. But following that discussion I attended a wedding reception for my cousin Emily. There I met up with my Uncle Joseph and we got to talking about that Holland Trip. He told me that he and my Aunt Dawnelle were going to stay a couple weeks after that trip and tour Italy! I was like "FOR REALZ?"... Anyway... long story short, I'm going to be going with them on this trip and doing something I've always dreamed of doing. My artsy nerd heart rejoices! Queue another countdown! Huzzah!

---

I'm excited for this year, Although it's bound to have it's own set of challenges I'm more confident i'll be able to handle them.

!!!Shout Out!!! I can't say thanks enough for my cheering section! My friends, family, and particularly my sisters! I've never felt such an immense outpouring of support as I have this past year. People have really rooted for me and there were days that I couldn't have done it without you guys! Knowing that someone was cheering for me - that matters a ton when you're feeling defeated and lousy!

Today I'm: 70 LBS lighter, Getting a handle on my Diabetes, In size 14 jeans, and I'm loving life. Here's to a new year, new adventures, and new challenges! Bring it on!

Day#357: Two Weeks Down and Bruises

So, That's the word on the street... I've officially completed two weeks of my 6 week CrossFit challenge. it's hard to believe it! That means that I'm 1/3 of the way through it already. Crazy!

65 Days til WDW2.0

#crossfit #twoweeksdown


Wowie, I'll tell you that Friday Last week was an intense work out, and I thought it was the hardest to date, it certainly was the most damaging... I got seriously bruised doing Hang Cleans like this:

This guy does them really fast and with more weight than I did, but... the movement is the same. Every time it rested on my shoulders like it does at the top peak of the movement, it created some ouchy bruising. I was so sore over the weekend I decided to forgo my planned rock climbing excursion. I'm glad I did... I was THAT sore!

Matching set of shoulder bruises... my Coach Mandy says they're called "Bar Hickies" - Well i've never had a hickie before... and not sure I want them again. lol ;)

---

Today's workout was tough.

The first day of CrossFit so far that I've been so grateful that tears are so well masked by sweating... my knees and hips were not happy. I need to work on getting better flexibility in my hips and strengthening the muscles around my knees so that I can do these workouts at the level of intensity that they keep building to each day.

Squats are the biggest culprit of my pain, someday when i'm better able to do them and in higher reps, I'll forgive them for their meanness towards me... BUT IT IS NOT THIS DAY!

But I survived... and for that I'm glad! :) #sweatyselfie