THR +97

Thursday, October 9, 2014

It was a good and bad day.

In terms of the hip, it's fine. There's still some stiffness, but nothing major. My right shoulder and hand are more bothersome! Thanks, crutches (I hope).

The weight was down, which was nice to see.

I spent the morning working and then had bad news from a major client that will significantly impact my income. Details to come.

So... I went for a 3km walk to clear my head -- which means I've walked 19km since last Friday. With short walks added, I've definitely covered more than 20km. I'm going to try and keep it up and even increase it.

In the evening I went to see the documentary Red Army with Brent and his buddy Allan at the Vancouver International Film Festival. It's about Russian hockey in the 70s and 80s. Fantastic! Here's the trailer:

It was a nice break from the bad news earlier in the day.

I'm not going to dwell on things. I'm going to use it as motivation. Plus, I have my health -- which is the most important thing.

And there you go.

Exercise: Physio, 3km walk

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THR +96

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Being back in my own home has helped me see how much I've healed in the last three weeks. From day to day, it's hard to tell. But now that I'm back to my regular routines, I notice how many things are easier.

A case in point: getting in and out of bed. It used to be tough and take some effort -- now I'm able to get up and out in a fluid motion, without a bunch of grunting and groaning.

Three weeks ago, I had to have my cane handy as not only a safety blanket,  I found I needed it occasionally. Now it just hangs on a peg in the hall.

Three weeks ago, I used to shuffle around the apartment, now I stride about with confidence. Except in the mornings, although yoga (next month) should help that.

Three weeks ago, I felt I had to be super cautious when showering. I'm still careful, but I'm not paranoid about falling.

And I bound up and down the stairs when doing laundry.

I still have the odd bit of pain and I often feel stiff. If I sit for too long, I tend to seize up. But I feel I'm very close to not even noticing I had my hip replaced. That will be the day when I can say I've truly recovered.

The weight seems to be moving in the right direction again. I've very close to 10 pounds lighter since coming home from the hospital. I had been this light before -- back in July. But the last few months I've see-sawed. Hopefully this is the start of a downward trend.

After eschewing wheat, sugar, processed foods and beer and increasing exercise I should think I'd be losing weight!

In fact, I've walked 16km in the last five days (including today) -- including the 4km Quarry Rock hike last Friday. And that's just the specific walks I do... the 16km doesn't include walking as part the average day.

My goal of dropping 50lbs by Christmas isn't going to happen. And that's OK. Perhaps the new goal will be my birthday, next April 26. Even if I'm down 20 or 30 from where I'm at today, I'll still be happy.

It's important. I'm older and I've been lucky. I've been given the opportunity to work on my health and fitness. I'd be a fool if I squandered the opportunity.

UPDATE:

I went for a nice walk up The Drive in the afternoon. It was a beautiful fall day.

In the evening I went for drinks with Jenn and Chris, friends from San Pedro and CBC respectively.

There was also a nice (and early!) sunset:

The days are getting short! 6:30pm-ish, Oct 8, 2014.

A fine day.

Exercise: physio, 2.8km walk

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THR +95

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Back at the old place on Commercial Drive. Nice to be back in the neighbourhood, the tiny apartment not so much. Just 23 days left in Vancouver. SO MUCH TO DO.

I alternated between work and cleaning. Then out to Burnaby for dinner.

Dinner with Brent, John and Wendy. Awesome!

Exercise: Physio, 3km walk, stairs

-30-

THR +94

Monday, October 6, 2014

Point form:

-up early
-housesit done
-drop stuff off at old place
-return car rental
-run around
-work
-surprise pints in the evening with Rugsy
-operated leg still sore from Friday (I hope)
-incision itchy (!)

Exercise: moving, lots of stairs and walking. Skipped physio. 

-30-

THR +93

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Today was move out day at the housesit. I cleaned and packed and cleaned some more. By the time I was done, it was late afternoon. I ran over to Fujiya for some sushi and then decided to hit Spanish Banks for a sunset walk.

Good call!

Except now, it looks like I won't be moving out of the housesit until Monday morning. Which still gives me lots of time -- but I do have to drop off the rental car by 10:30am.

Anyway, here are a few pictures from this evening:

I also neglected to do physio. Whoops!

Exercise: 2km walk, stairs.

-30-

THR +92

Saturday, October 4, 2014

I'm a little stiff from the hike yesterday -- especially in the muscles around the new hip joint. I suppose that's to be expected.

No matter. I did some running today around with Brent (who's visiting from Belize). We had breakfast at Cafe Du Soleil and then I dropped him off at SkyTrain.

I headed back to the housesit house to do some cleaning and whatnot. 

Home for the last three weeks

Tonight my final night in this wonderful, inspiring home. It's been a fantastic place to work and chill out. I am very appreciative of the opportunity. Thanks Clive and Carey!

I took some of my stuff back to my own home this afternoon. Then the sun popped out and that meant I had to hit Spanish Banks for a walk. I got there just in time to log 3.5km before the sun dropped. It was warm and beautiful:

The view of English Bay never gets old

I've really enjoyed the last few weeks since I've been able to be more active. And I've learned to love Vancouver again. For now, anyway.

It was a very good day.

Exercise: 3.5km walk, stairs, moving stuff. Physio if I get around to it!

-30-

THR +91

Friday, October 3, 2014

Three months after surgery:

I can hike!

Today was a milestone. I can hike again.

It wasn't far. Just four kilometres. It wasn't crazy. Just an elevation gain of 100 metres (326 feet). It took a while. One hour up, 53 minutes down.

But it was something I couldn't have done three months ago. Nor a year ago. Nor two years ago.

The new hip performed flawlessly. What made the rocky/rooty climb tough was all the extra weight I'm carrying from so many years of being inactive.

That will change. Now that I've hit the three month point post-surgery, my focus will be on making that big gut disappear by next spring. Or earlier.

Now that I can be active, I will be active. The next goal will be achieved, sooner or later.

The best part of today? The view of Indian Arm from Quarry Rock:

BC is pretty amazing.

Onwards!

Exercise: 4km hike, walking, stairs

-30-

THR +90

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Busy day... lots of shopping in preparation of heading south. Then to Addis Cafe on Commercial Drive for an amazing feed of Ethiopian food followed by a BAD Spanish movie at the Vancouver Film Fest.

Knackered.

Exercise: waking, stairs and full physio

-30-

THR +89

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Brent still in town. I'm still housesitting.

Lots of running around.

Exercise: walking, stairs, physio

-30-

THR +88

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Weight down.
Brent in town.

Exercise: walking, stairs, physio

-30-