SBD FAILURE

I stuck very faithfully to the South Beach diet for the last week (I only slipped on Friday when I had a cocktail and a glass or 2 of wine.). No pounds lost on the scale.

I went to 2 "spine classes" in the physical therapy department last week. I am learning the correct stretches and body mechanics for my disc issues. The pain is moving from my hip to my back - which I am told means I am healing. Hurrah.

The best medicine would be to lose weight - so I will knock the calories down from 1800-2000 to 1200-1500.

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

First I got sick - then I got self-indulgent. Ok? Leave me alone!

I did manage to get my Kaiser doc to set me up for some x-rays, physical therapy and a visit with the podiatrist. Pretty much anything to get me out of her exam room. Geez, that woman allows about 3.5 minutes and then she is outta there...

The podiatrist was great, very informative and helpful. I have some arthritis in the joints on the top of my foot, and without additional arch support, I am getting that occasional pain and major swelling. So she recommended inserts from the pharmacy which have been very effective except that they don't fit in my little flats. I need to go back and get the thinnest size and see if those will work. Otherwise, I will just wear the cute little flats for very short periods of time. Aging has very little room for cute.

Then I went to the physical therapist. Turns out that the pain I have had in my hip and down the side of my leg is due to a disc in my lower back which is being pushed out of place. I have a couple of exercises to start with and I start "Spine Classes" next week. I also have a little posture correction to work on. I feel much better having a diagnosis and plan. For nearly a year I have been worried about having a hip replacement or something. This is much more manageable.

So I was back to the gym and working out with inserts in my shoes, some new moves and my mind on spring coming soon and the clothes I can't yet zip...