Slow and steady

In my enthusiasm to kick it up a notch in the exercise department, I managed to pinch my sciatic nerve in a way that has been pretty ouchie. I always think I can just work through the pain, which, of course, aggravates the inflammation and prolongs the disability.  Enter Rory (the God of Massage) who introduced me to safflower extract…inflammation gone in one day. Pain removed.  I do love Chinese herbal remedies.

My body has been adjusting to its new weight. Since I am not new to the weight loss game, I was aware that the first adjustment phase would come at about 20 pounds.  By “adjustment” I mean that my own body will lose about 20 pounds and then, even though I stick to the calorie count/exercise plan I’ve been following, it will stay at the new weight while the skin shrinks to the new size and the blubber repositions for the next phase of loss.  I’ve noticed that the abdominal fat has changed consistency (TMI? Sorry) and is less solid.  This is a very good thing.

During this adjustment phase I have been working on my sister-in-law’s yard.  She has a side yard that was just totally overgrown with weeds.  We went to a lecture about making meadows by John Greenlee at Annie’s Annuals in Richmond.  It was really inspiring, so my SIL decided she wanted to try that in the side yard.  My husband and I wanted to help so we went into action and started last weekend on this:

Between the three of us, we cut down a small tree, weeded, dug trenches, hauled ground cover bark and rocks, planted bulbs, constructed an underground sprinkler system, planted new plants and spread newspaper and bark over the finished area.  Two full days, a couple of trips to OSH, and good-natured hard work resulted in this:

 

It was rewarding in that my SIL has a beautiful new space, we completed a cool project, and I lost another pound.  22 so far!

This coming week I am starting another project – repainting the bathroom and my son’s room…if there is extra time before my husband comes back from his trip I am going to sand the back deck. I have 5 days and I am going to make the most of them! Losing weight is giving me a significant amount of extra energy and I am motivated to move when I move more easily.

To everyone else struggling with an adjustment phase…just keep working your plan.  That weight can’t win against your will! Let me know what you do in your "adjustment" phases!