I still talk in my sleep.
I still dream.
How can there be perfect stillness
When my brain is so noisy?
Deng Ming~Dao
Noisy brain syndrome is the perfect description of an ADD person…I am forever in a constant dialog with myself. Sometimes it's a good thing and sometimes it is exhausting….but I digress. The little Dao quote and meditation was spot on.
Ok…on to the picture. Last year I went on a health journey as some of you know. This Woolen Rabbit has really struggled with some major back groans, so to help my back along, I started working with a trainer to lose some weight and I did…I lost 40 pounds. I also did all of the other things my back doctor recommended, but ultimately I had to have surgery to fix a disk….not.fun.
Over the last few months my back started acting up again…boo! I had been working out at the local gym with a trainer who I really like, but some side movements during a few sessions really tweaked my back. I was concerned enough that I was very worried that I would be visiting the surgeon again which really had me feeling depressed. I am also working with an amazing chiropractor and neuro muscular massage therapist however who have really helped me and my sad, tight back so very much. So, I took 3 weeks to just rest my back and let these ladies do their magic and I am happy to say that I am feeling a lot better. Yes, I still have a lot of back pain, but that is just a part of life for me now…but the good news is I am able to get back to working out again. This time however I will do it slowly and carefully. I know I need to exercise to keep my back strong, but it's a fine line for me because it's usually exercise that hurts my back….so it will be slow and steady and I will carefully listen to my body.
So the notebook……over the last 3 weeks of rest, has been a little bit of well…um…snacking and with no exercise to counter that snacking a few pounds have crept on. The best tool I know for losing weight is keeping a food journal. I have kept the ones I wrote last year when I took that weight off, so I will use them as a tool to lose the few I have gained and the last 25 that I want to take off.
If any of you out there have some yummy low carb recipes, feel free to share them with me…I am always looking for new ideas. 🙂
The Woolen Rabbit 
You are so right about the keeping track of calories etc. My husband and I use a free online program that I also have on my phone called My Fitness Pal. Throughout the day you enter foods in and exercise and it keeps tack of calorie intake and lets you know when you have reached the max for the day. It has all the major restaurant and store bought foods in it like Panera and Trader Joes etc. It is wonderful and has really helped us lose weight and keep it off AND it’s free.
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You can do this, Kim! Like Barbara commented, I also use My Fitness Pal. It’s right on my iPhone (it’s also available on the iPad) and I write down everything I eat and all my exercise, too. It’s been a key to my weight loss these last few months. I’m sorry you’re having back pain, still, but I really hope you can start exercising again as that will ultimately make you stronger.
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Great minds, yet again. I need to get back to writing down my food content in a journal. For some reason, doing in it pen works better for me than logging in on apps. Must have something to do with the fact that I love paper (and therefore have many blank notebooks/journals around). Good luck with your challenge. And for those of us of a certain age, it IS a challenge. But you have proven you can do it! Hang in there.
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You are so right on the daily tracking of your food intake. Going back to what you ate during your weight loss success is a great idea. Hope you can slowly ease your way back into your exercise program and that your back gets stronger and complains less. Mwah!
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You’re on the right track and that’s a big step. Have you tried pilates? If you can find a good teacher in your area it might be worth checking out. A trainer’s job is to push and it maybe too much, too soon.
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As a vegetarian, I find myself turning to carbs more than is good for my waistline. I’ve been making crustless quiche, crustless root veggie pie (I roast the veggies & put some mashed potatoes on top…not carb free, but better than my crusted versions). This time of year, I eat a lot of soup/stew, too.
Back issues are sooo challenging. Good for you for getting the rest that you need!
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Sending healing wishes your way Kim!
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I’ve been using the website http://www.chowstalker.com a lot and I’m betting you’d find some recipes you’d like there.
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Kim, my husband bought an inversion table and is swearing by it for helping his back. You might want to check into it and see if you think it might help your back.
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