Day Eighteen

So the Weimar journey comes to an end. Graduation last night. During the day, Kim texted me to say they were bringing another guest.  I wondered who it could be. Surprise!  Leah hitched a ride and came for the celebration!!  I was the only participant who had guests, so it was lucky I had enough to go around.

So we all know this isn't the end of the journey, but the beginning of another phase. Learning to keep up the program at home will be the real adventure.  So keep watching for periodic updates, right here. Love you all.

Day Seventeen

Well, down to the last day.  I repeated the treadmill test this morning, and doc said I walked 5 seconds longer than the first time.  Big progress, huh?  But, I didn't get AS tired this time, and my blood pressure recovered fairly quickly, so it really is progress.  After the test, I rode the bicycle for 25 minutes.  I wonder how much credit I get for the treadmill exercise, since I didn't walk outside today.  The weather was really nice; everything looks clean and green after the rain.

This afternoon we went back to the farm and the farm manager talked to us about some of the practices they use.  He showed us how they set up their drip irrigation system which was very interesting.  He also talked about some of the particular soil amendments they use.  He told us about their philosophy of using the same elements and minerals to grow their crops that occur in our bodies.  It makes the food more nutrient dense, and therefore more healthful.

Tomorrow is my last appointment with the doc to see how much weight I've actually lost, whether or not my cholesterol is improved, and any other results from the blood work.  One more foot bath and one more massage.  Kim, Rabbit, and Greg are coming tomorrow afternoon to have supper and attend my graduation.  Then Thursday it's back to Valley Acres.  Puppies get ready for lots of hugs and treats!  Grandma get ready for a new and healthy caregiver, and don't worry--I won't take away your cookies or your Mounds bars!  Love you all.  Good night. 

Day Sixteen

Happy Labor Day.  It's rained here almost all day.  Can't have a better holiday than that.  Although, I guess Weimar doesn't know it's a holiday.  We just went about our usual activities.  We had our blood drawn again this morning so we can see if anything has changed in the last two weeks.  One of the things I am eager to find out is whether my cholesterol is low enough without my medicine.  The doc said today that I can discontinue one of my blood pressure meds and watch to see if my pressure stays below 130/80.  He's leaving it up to me to decide if and or when to discontinue the other.

I had Nicole's next-to-last hydro therapy and massage treatment today.  One more on Wednesday just before I leave.  It's been nice!  Thanks, Nic.  I've lost a few pounds here, but I don't know whether it's enough to notice yet.  When I talked with Mom a few days ago on FaceBook she said she thought I looked thinner--was she kidding or serious?  The doc said this morning I looked more cheerful.  I thought I was always cheerful.  Anyway, you will have to decide for yourselves when you see me.

I told Kim this afternoon I will have to get up when she does to do all my chores before breakfast.  I have stretches, strength exercises, walking, checking blood pressure, and then cooking my beans for breakfast.  Sounds like a full day before I even feed the livestock!  How many of my occasional bed & breakfast guests want to join me for a lovely breakfast of beans and toast, oatmeal, ground flax seed, and fresh fruit?  You can have some some nuts with your oatmeal, and if you are really nice to me, I'll give you almond milk to moisten your flax seed. For lunch we can have a zucchini burger, and some nice potato salad (not Grandma's potato salad, but tasty nonetheless!).  I won't be joining you, but if you want supper, you can have some nice lentil soup and a slice of whole wheat bread.

Well, have a good evening, and stay tuned.  The Weimar experience may be ending, but there's a lot of fun still to be had.  Love you all.

Day Fifteen

Three days left!  I think I'm starting to get it, but I don't know whether I'm ready to be on my own.  For sure I am ready to come home.  I miss Grandma, and my own bed, and my puppies, but am I really prepared to do this by myself?  It's kind of scary to think about.

It's been hot here the last couple of days--well, high 80's, which as all y'all know is too hot for me.  I walked the 1/2 mile loop this afternoon about 5:30, though, and it was really pleasant.  I sat on a bench to rest, and the breeze was cool.  People say it's quiet at our house, but it was really quiet there.  I sat longer than I needed to for rest, and just relaxed.

I was up early this morning to do laundry, and since the laundry is right across from the gym, took the opportunity to do my 20 minutes on the exercise bike.  So I did really well with my exercise today.  I have to repeat the treadmill test tomorrow or the next day.  I wonder whether or not I'll see any improvement.  I don't feel like I have really come very far on the exercise front.  I do have periods of time when my back doesn't hurt and I am thankful for that.  My feet (ankles) may be some better, but are still quite troublesome.  I'm definitely going to set up something so I can keep doing the hot and cold foot baths.  I think that helps, and for the first time in a long time the skin on my heels is not so dry and cracked. 

It seems like I should have some more exciting news to report, but I don't.  There was an outing to the Placer Gold Mine today, but I decided to stay here and finish laundry and work on homework.  The description said there would be extensive walking and standing.  Standing is one of the hardest things for me and wears out my back so quickly.  Also the air conditioning in the bus isn't working, and thinking of riding in there for 30 minutes each way wasn't appealing.  I think in the end they took a van, because there weren't too many participants.

Well, keep on keeping on, and I'm looking forward to talking to all of you in person about this experience.  Until the next time, Good Night.

Day Fourteen

So, two weeks complete.  Today we spent mostly talking.  We have gotten to know each other well, and the stories of the other participants are so interesting.  This morning after breakfast, a group of us sat at the table and talked for two hours.  After lunch several of us sat again for more than an hour just visiting and listening to each other.  I talked with Grandma and Kim on FaceTime after I got back to my room, and finally spent some time working on the "R" in NewStart (remember? it's Rest).

This evening we watched a video by a motivational speaker named David Ring.  The program is called Triumph Over Odds.  His back story is that he was born with cerebral palsy and lost his parents to cancer about four years apart during his early teen years.  His message is about choosing to be a winner in life, and illustrates his case with his life story.  After the film was over, we had another gab fest.  So today, instead of using my walking muscles, I have exercised my aural and verbal skills.

In only five more days I will be headed home with all my new knowledge and skills to begin the rest of my journey to health and fitness.  I will need all your support even more after I get home.  Thank you in advance for that. I love you all.  Good Night.

Day Thirteen

Short and sweet tonight.  We just got back from having supper and fellowship at the home of one of our doctors and it's late.  Boot camp this morning was an indoor circuit training exercise with stations for weights, rowing machine, stepper, cycling, treadmill, resistance bands, and a couple of other things.  We worked at each station for 60 seconds, but even at that by the time we finished, I was tired.  Lunch at Sizzler was nice.  We had our own room with a view of the mountains beyond.  We've spent quite a bit of time today just visiting with each other.  Our group has really developed some close bonds, and now we are already starting to realize that we will miss each other when we leave here. Thanks to you all for your support and encouragement.  Love you bunches!

Day Twelve

Happy Birthday to one of my super supporters, Leah Hawley Page!!

Down to the last week!  This was a busy day.  I had about 45 minutes earlier this afternoon for a nap, and I was ready for it.  Up at 5:30; Stretchercise; 3 laps around the yard (0.13 miles according to my new app, Nike+, thanks, Rabbit); breakfast; chaplain's morning presentation; counseling section; half mile on recumbent bike; dr. visit; walk with doc (3 more laps); foot bath; cooking lab; lunch; exercise guru (EG); massage; and FINALLY! a few minutes for a nap.  4:30 lecture; two more half mile sessions on bike; 6:45 lecture, and now here.  It's like working for a living!

At the session with the EG he watched me do all the exercises he had given me yesterday to help me get them right.  They take about half an hour so that's not too bad.  Here they give me a schedule at the beginning of the week with all my appointments scheduled.  I probably should do that for Gma and me when I get home and make sure the stretching, strengthening exercises, and walking are appointments just like doctors and hair dressers.

The evening lecture was on Food Borne Disease, and most of it concentrated on beef.  Mad cow disease was covered, as well as some pretty gruesome details about processing the animals for food.  Chicken and fish didn't fare any better.  I guess if we haven't been convinced of the positive benefits of eating "Healthy Whole Plant Foods Eaten Whole", the idea is to gross us out by sharing the negative effects of meat eating!

My back has been the best today since I've been here, so I'm excited about that.  I think my ankles are better, too, and if they don't keep me awake half the night I'll really be pleased.  I haven't built up much stamina, but I think with the cycling that might improve more quickly.  The walking I did this morning was pretty normal.  By this evening I am shuffling and waddling a little bit, but to be able to walk normally for a half day is a definite improvement.  Happy, happy.

No more bear sightings today, so nothing to report on that front, except that now the story of the encounter has expanded to say the hiker tried to Mace the bear.  Probably by tomorrow there will be multiple bears or something.  Haha.

Tomorrow looks lighter, except there is something called "Boot Camp" at 9:00.  It's in the lecture room, so how bad can it be?  Stay tuned.  Also tomorrow is our field trip to Sizzler.  Mostly quiet in the afternoon and something called "Home Hospitality" in the evening.  You know as much as I do at this point.  Meet me here tomorrow, same time, same place.  Good night.  <3