Life Without Crutches...

It's been 4 days since I started to wean myself from the crutches.  In a lot of ways it's been like starting at square one, very similar to first week post-op pain after being on my feet for very long.  I'm trying to mix it up as much as possible, using the crutches when I start to feel pain.  It's a delicate balance trying to not overdo it (so far, I've overdone it more than I'd like to admit).

At first, I was feeling pretty down about it, feeling I might be pushing myself too hard or just not ready to be off of them.  But I can definately tell each day I'm getting much stronger, having less pain and going for longer stretches before exhaustion sets in.  I'm also working very hard not to allow a limp to develop.  I've noticed it sneaks up after too long off the crutches, so I'm stopping to sit, ice if possible and allow myself a good rest.  Most of the time a good 5 minute break and I'm ready to go again.

Today I actually swam laps for the first time with a leg float.  I'm not a fan of the leg floats because it usually stresses my shoulders (which are crap) too much, but I was jonesing for some cardio so I gave it a try and it felt AMAZING!!  First time short of breath in 6 weeks and I would've stayed at it much longer, but I didn't bring my goggles...it was more of a impulsive decision than anything, but now I plan to go back and put in a good workout.

Last week I also committed myself to eating strictly from the Mediterranean Diet, focusing on good fats like olive oil and avacado, tons of veggies and some good complex carbs.  Drinking lots of green tea, pomegrante juice & water.  Basically anything and everything to keep inflammation down & get some of this excess weight melted off.  The first couple of weeks post-op I laid on the couch drinking milkshakes and watching TV, now I'm paying for it!!  Uggh...word to the wise, don't do that!  If anything try to lose because the extra weight your poor hips have to bear is torture, so giving them a break would be nice.  But then again, milkshakes taste really good when sinking in despair:)

-Vanessa