The Land Of No Leg Days

Just the food, health, and fitness journal of a girl with Muscular Dystrophy.

[wheeled-mermaid]

6/1/19 Skating Adventures

Landed going down the ramp and cruised on the half-pipe for a bit. Getting better at leaning frontwards and backwards to turn too.

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5/27/2019- Sit-skating, my latest endeavor. I used to do it a little bit growing up but never really got it down. It’s time to change that.

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Disabled Community- Explains that plastic straws are a necessity for countless folks and clearly explain how “alternatives,” such as metal or silicone will not work in many cases.

Able-bodied Keyboard “Activists” - “Just use an alternative, like metal or silicone!”

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Physical Therapy II - 7/10/2018

This session was another one that involved some intense stretching. My physical therapist had me lay on the table and wanted to see how much of a stretch I could get from my hips. To my pleasant surprise, she mentioned that it was better than we originally thought.

Also, in order to get my legs to relax, she showed me a trick I could do which involves tightening my glutes, which causes an associated reaction of my quads tensing up. After that, I would relax the muscles and stretch a little bit more. This allowed the muscle to keep stretching and stretching further. Good stuff!

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Physical Therapy I - 7/5/2018

I decided that another part of being the best me that I can be would be to return to physical therapy. Which I did this week. 😊

Sitting for a large part of my day certainly does a number on muscle tightness, specifically in my knees and hip flexors. So, loosening those up and gaining better range of motion in these areas will be the game plan.

I had my evaluation visit Tuesday and my first actual treatment today. This session involved laying flat on my back with my legs out in front of me and being given essentially the rack treatment (intense stretching 😆). My therapist is great and gave me some heat packs to loosen up behind my knees before going to town on me. I literally have not let anyone apply any serious pressure back there in over a decade, after a bad experience where a new PT basically jammed her fingers into my tightened knee muscle, causing some excruciating pain.

It was a little uncomfortable but manageable today. Then she used a rolling pin-like tool in the same area and above my knees.

My hips got their stretch just laying as flat as I could. And I’ll be given some homework/ a treatment plan next week. I also have to invest in a wedge (like a stiff triangular pillow) to use at home.

I’m pumped to have started and ready to keep working on this!

[wheeled-mermaid]

Dinner Friday 6/1/2018 Good Food Made Simple huevos rancheros, light yogurt, and beets. With a post-workout vinegar shot.

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Dinner Sunday 5/27/2018 Truly one of my favorite meals. B.Good Harvest Kale salad ❤️🥙❤️

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Lunch Saturday 5/26/2018 Arugula salad with salmon, goat cheese, crumble flax chips, and avocado oil dressing.

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Dinner 5/23/2018 Fresh Market salmon bistro box with sides of artichoke Greek salad and bacon-y Brussels sprouts.

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Dinner 5/21/2018 Panera chicken soba noodle bowl

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Dessert 5/16/2018 Jumbo strawberries and chocolate hummus ❤️

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The Last 5 Pounds

I know it’s only been about two weeks since I really kicked healthier eating and more exercise back into gear, but I’m feeling frustrated.

I feel like I’m stuck at 106. I feel like my stomach is super chunky and bulging too.

Realistically, I only weigh 5 or 6 more pounds than I did at my lowest weight in college, but I feel like I weigh 15 more. I guess not being able to stand may have a hand in this too, where one’s stomach isn’t flat while sitting. That alone has always given me the illusion that I’m chunkier than I am.

In the meantime, I’m going to do the only thing I can: just keep sticking with it. And hopefully in another month or so, I’ll be closer to where I want to be.

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Dinner Monday, 5/14/2018 Panera lentil quinoa bowl. They forgot the egg though. Apple for the side.

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After two workouts, cleaning, and tidying, it’s definitely a bath bomb night. 💗

PS- Dinner 5/13/18 was b.good: El Guapo burger, avocado toast, and a black bean brownie. None of which lasted long enough for a photo. 😛

[wheeled-mermaid]

Dinner Saturday, 5/12/2018

Scrambled eggs (4 eggs) with Parmesan, Romano, Asiago blend and oatmeal English muffin.

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Lunch Saturday, 5/12/2018 Veggie burger with American cheese, spicy ketchup, and pickles.

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Morning drink 5/12/2018