The "NO EXCUSES PART DEUX" Challenge

OK, here I am back from Germany. Did you guys miss me? LOL Things were good there and I did exactly what I said I'd do. I ate what was cooked but only had 1 serving and didn't go back for seconds. Every afternoon at 3pm, we had coffee and cake or cookies with Oma upstairs. I went walking with the dogs twice a day, each time at distances between 2-3miles,I'd guess. Some days it was a good pace with my aunt and other days, it was just a casual stroll with my cousin. I gained 4 lbs while gone, all of which is PURE fat and it appears my BF% went up from 18.3 to 21.6. Now, some of that is probably just plain bloat, but will see. I had a good time and thats what was important.

As far as Oma's health concerns, she has an idiot for a doctor. When she was taken to the hospital 3 months ago, the ER doc did a CT scan of her spine. They didn't have any room for her in the hospital so they sent her home with a report to her family doctor saying she should see a neurologist and get an MRI of her spine. Well, that was never done. Oma has struggled the past 3 months with walking and has had to depend on my aunt to come help her out of bed, help her to the bathroom, etc. She can no longer go downstairs because she would fall. We got there, went to see the doctor and asked for a copy of the report from the hospital. My sister-in-law read it and thats when we found out about the suggestion for MRI and neurologist was made. I suggested that she have an MRI awhile ago, but I'm just the granddaughter. The day after we left, she had to go back to the hospital and now finally, the MRI was done and she has a tumor that is apparently about chest high that is causing spinal cord compression. The surgeon came to see her and said it must be removed or she will become paralyzed. She is having surgery on Friday. He told her that this lesion did not appear to be a malignant tumor and with rehab, she should be able to walk by herself with some assistance devices. So, please keep Oma in your prayers for her surgery and recovery.

Now, on to me and my New Year. Monday, January 8th, I will be starting a new challenge. I plan on hitting things hard again. I really missed working out and eating my normal healthy ways. I haven't really come up with specific goals at this point, but will by Monday. I will retake measurements )which will be up of course) and take pictures (which will be scary)then post so all can see how terrible things are. I'm not worried. I know after 2 weeks of lifting hard and eating clean, I'll be back down tons.

I hope everyone that reads here are doing well and had a wonderful Holiday Season. Lets make 2007 the best year ever. I promise to start posting more often. The one other thing that I have on my plate at the moment is board recertification. Physician Assistants have to retake boards every 6 years and well, this is my year. Boards are scheduled for March 9 with a Chicago Board Review Course February 26-March 2. It's very nerve racking to have to retake boards, because I HAVE TO PASS!!! So, studying is commencing today and I'll have limited time online, if I study the way I should. So, keep that in mind and think good thoughts in that regard.

OK, off to the grocery store to get proper BFL food. It's great to be back!!!