Foot Update

Well, I went to the e.r. yesterday for xrays and found my foot wasn't broken. It is pretty badly sprained. As evidenced by the following pictures. I'm really, super, glad that it's not broken. I don't think I could do broken well. Being off my foot for 2 days is killing me and I don't think I could do 6 weeks. As it is I'm having to schedule make up days for two exams for today since I'm home nursing this foot. According to the paperwork from the hospital it can take 3-6 weeks for a sprain to heal. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons it can take 4 to 6 weeks. I like 3 to 6 better. I've been googling and most runners are back on their feet, running, in about a week. Since I have weak ankles anyway I think I'll be back walking on the treadmill in a week or so then take it slowly back up to running. I really don't want a repeat, or anything worse, happening. I'm glad I didn't sign up for the 5k on campus next saturday though.

Comparison picture from yesterday. The swelling was worse then, today it's not quite that bad.

Comparison picture from Saturday, the bad foot is the one on the right.

On a bit of a side note...I really need to redo the fingernail polish on my toenails.

Susan B Komen Race Recap

After getting a parking spot and waiting 45 minutes for the shuttle, I made it to the starting area. It was mass chaos with over 20,000 people running and walking the 3.1 miles. After I found a hole to get through I followed a few other runners making a path around the walkers. We cut through ditches across driveways and sidewalks then back to the street and in the middle of the fray.
I'm feeling good, going at a good pace at almost a mile in. I'm thinking that "Hey I think I'll be able to run this whole thing." This is where life says not so fast. I go to go around some walkers and bam pavement. They ask if I'm all right and I think I am. I have a bit of road rash on my left leg, a little twinge in my right foot/ankle, no problem. I run about another half mile and my foot is hurting more now. So I walk a bit, then do a light jog, then right back to walking. A bit further and I'm thinking my foot is really starting to hurt now. I keep trudging on, because shoot if I stop I still have to walk back to shuttle pick up. A navy squad(?) comes running up behind me. They're chanting and it's so motivational that I decide to follow them in for the last half mile or so. I cross the finish line at 43:02, ugh, 5 minutes slower then my last race.
As I'm waiting for my turn at the porta jon my foot is really throbbing and I'm starting to think I may of done some damage to it. I hobble around and grab some water, a half a banana and some freebies. The pain is getting worse. I go up to the shuttle pick up and wait there for the next bus. When we get to the parking lot I get off the bus and hobble up to m van, biting my lip and grimacing the whole way.
Driving home is painful and when I get home Hubby is waiting outside for me. He says he wants to see me walk(I've already called and told him about the fall). I go to get out and my foot will bear absolutely no weight. I'm whimpering and finally he comes over to assist me to the house. I sit on the couch, ease my shoe off and see that my foot is swollen and already bruised.
So yea I've done something to it. Consulting with dr. google comes up with a possible 5th metacarpal fracture. However since er visits and xrays are very expensive, I'm trying to hold out for a bit to see if it's not a very bad sprain.
So my foot is wrapped and elevated. I can keep weight off of it thanks to Hubby's crutches from when he broke his foot 5 years ago. Also, I'm thinking 43 minutes isn't bad since I finished injured like I was. I'm a beast.

Please pass the Halloween Candy

But only the chocolate ones. :)

Apparently the more you eat the better it is for you according to this study:

Chocolate Consumption is Inversely Related to Coronary Heart Disease

So a piece of chocolate a day keeps the doctor away.

Losing Weight Leads to Lots of Feel Good Moments

Saturday night Hubby wraps his arms around me and mentions my waist is getting smaller. Sunday afternoon I'm changing clothes after church and put on a pair of jeans that just two-three weeks ago I couldn't pull up over my hips.
Even with the small amount of weight I've lost, I'm noticing big changes. These changes make my self-confidence soar and encourage me to keep up the hard work. 4 hours a week working out? No problem, could probably do another couple hours. It's also like buying a new wardrobe without spending a dime. I have several pairs of jeans, shirts, and sweaters hanging in my closet that are just a half a size to a whole size too small. Or maybe they were just a little too snug and I wasn't comfortable with the fit. Now, I'll try them on and WOW I can wear them. A few I'm getting there but not quite.
I think I'll be flying high all week because of my gains (losses).

Pork and Wild Rice mix

A couple of weeks ago my mother came down to help out with the kiddies while they were on Fall break. While down we went to Lit restaurant supply to browse and she bought this ParExcellence Garden Harvest wild rice mix. It had some dehydrated carrots, celery, garlic and onion in it and seemed pretty clean and healthy. Well when I fixed it that night I didn't add anything to it. I had read the ingredients list and thought that it should have enough flavor of it's own. I was wrong, it was like eating plain rice. I was hoping that my mother would of taken the container back home with her (especially since it had 50 servings worth of rice mix in it). No such luck. So being stuck with this stuff I decided I was going to fix it like I would plain rice.

Here's what I came up with.

Pork and Wild Rice Mix

6 servings about 2 cups each

5 pork steaks, sliced

2 3/4 cups of water
1 cup of wild rice mix
1 can low sodium corn
1 can of italian herb diced tomatoes
1 medium jalapeno, diced
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 dashes creole seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

1. In 1 tablespoon olive oil, brown the sliced pork steaks.

2. Add water and rice, bring to a boil. Turn down to a simmer, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

3. Stir in tomatoes, jalapeno and drained corn.

4. I had a lot of liquid in the skillet so I left it uncovered turned the heat up to medium and cooked till liquid evaporated.

Nutrition Data (approx.)

Calories 460 Calories from Fat 197

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 21.9g 34%

Saturated Fat 7.2 g 36%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 108mg 36%

Sodium 503mg 21%

Total Carbohydrates 31.0g 10%

Dietary Fiber 3.4g 14%

Sugars 4.1g

Protein 34. 8g

Vitamin A 10% • Vitamin C 24% Calcium 6% • Iron 16%

Weekly Weigh-in

    Yep, I know it's been almost a month since my last weigh-in post.  I've had a very busy month and time has gotten so far away I've given up on trying to catch it again.  It's also been a pretty good month.  Here is my updated stats:
Weight: 171.8, down 3.2 pounds (down 6.2 pounds since August 17th, woohoo!)
Chest: down 0.5 inches
Neck: up 1 inch
Shoulders: down 1.2 inches
Biceps: down 0.3 inches
Forearms: no change
Waist: down 1.5 inches (loved seeing this, this morning)
Hips: up 0.5 inches
Thighs: down 0.4 inches
Calves: down 0.2 inches

    For a total loss of  2.6 inches in the past month.  If I had up all my inches lost I come up with 8.1 inches lost since August 17.  Now sometimes I gain an half an inch or my measurements may be wrong due to human error (which is what I think happens when I measure my neck...I think I'll start having Hubby do that one).  Still that's probably pretty close to correct and very awesome.  I think it's just about time for more progress pictures.  I know there's a difference now, I wasn't too sure last time.
    Today's plan of attack is around 8am to go and make two laps up and down the street.  It should equal close to 3 miles.  I have one week and one day before the next 5k.  I'm still trying to get donations so if you would like to give a little please click HERE .  I have 8 days left to try and make my goal and thank you ahead of time.  Also I plan on doing some body weight work outs and maybe a video if I have time.  I want to make sure to get my run in, everything else will be done if I get it to it.  With only 8 days left till the run I want to make each day count and plan on running at least a short distance (1 to 3 miles) each day.  Wish me luck and I will try to get on here to post more often.  Holidays are coming and I want to be trying some healthier versions of our favorite dishes.  I'll share what works with my dear readers.

Have a Great Weekend!!

Save the Tatas and Run

Race for the Cure

    On Saturday morning, October 29 2011, I will be lacing up and running 3.1 miles in support of the Susan B Komen Race for the Cure.  This raises money for breast cancer research and also supports me on my path to being healthier.

     I think I'm just about ready to run.  My only fear is that I've been training almost exclusively on the treadmill in the gym, running about 2-2.5 miles 3x a week.  According to the treadmill I'm doing about 14:30 miles...that's not good enough for me.  If you recall on my very first 5k I did 38:42, 14:30 miles does not equal 38:42.  If that's what I'm running I'll actually do worse this time around then I did on my first run...that's not good.  

    This weekend plus Monday and Tuesday is fall break for me.  My goal is to run 2 to 3 miles everyday on a surface that is not a treadmill.  I'm going to run my street, around the park that's a couple miles away, anywhere to see how well I can do.  I need some out-of-doors training to go with my indoors training.  I feel strong, but I'm not sure if that will translate to me doing better then my last race.  My goal is to run more during this race and beat my last time.  So if I come in at 37 minutes I'll have beat it (I want to do better then that though).

   Also, since this is a charity race, I need to raise some dollars for it.  So if you have 10.00 or so you could donate to the cause please do so HERE .  My goals is only 150.00 dollars. Unfortunately I'm still 150.00 away from reaching it.  So if you can spare some please do and thank you in advance.  15 days to go, woohoo.

I'm also cross-posting this at my other blog Jackie's Junk Drawer.