Eye tests

I had a very low day yesterday.

I had to go into the city yesterday to see my eye doctor.  Because I had those pressure problems in my eye during my operations, I had to have a test to check how good my field of vision is, and also had to have some photos taken of the back of my eye and optic nerves.  The good news is that my field of vision is normal.  The bad news is that my right optic nerve is smaller than normal, and as a result I have some stretching (cupping) around the optic nerve site on the back of my retina.  What this means is that its highly likely that I'm going to develop Glaucoma, probably in the distant future. 

I had to ask the doctor what glaucoma actually was.  I mean, I've heard of it, but didn't really know what it was all about.  I thought it was just pressure in the eye.  Not so.  You can have glaucoma and have no pressure problems at all - which is what they think I will have.  Glaucoma gradually takes your peripheral vision.  It creeps in quietly and painlessly.  They call it the "sneak sight-thief".  Half the people who have it dont even know it.  If glaucoma is left untreated it leads to tunnel vision, and eventual blindness.  Actually its one of the biggest cause of blindness in the world.

So this deflated me a lot yesterday.  I got very down about it.  The good thing is we caught it WAY early, and I will have to have the field test done every couple of years to see if anything is changing.  The scary thing is that glaucoma is incurable - but they can slow the deterioration down with drops, medication and laser.

Today I'm feeling better about it.  Its hopefully a looooong way off, and even then, it might not develop.  Still, its a bit weird knowing that it might be coming.

So that's whats happening with me!  I had a diet blowout yesterday due to being down in the dumps, but I'm back on track today.  No sense stressing about something I cant control, so its onwards and upwards from here - just try to stop me!!!

Update

Thanks so much to everyone for all your comments on my stomach issues, your support really means a lot to me.  It took until Thursday for me to feel back to 100%, and even then I was lacking in energy and motivation.  I was a bit loathe to train because I was worried that it would set my stomach off again, also it's been really cold in Brissie lately and I was enjoying being able to sleep in!!  Last week was all about eating soft, unspiced and easily digestible foods, and I also ate more carbs than I normally do (mashed potato, rice etc) and a bit less protein.  I dont think its too much of an issue - I'd rather it take a little longer to reach my goals than to risk it and have those stomach pains again.  I'm now back to my normal nutrition plan, but just being careful.  

So anyway, it seems that having a week off training has done wonders for me - I even did a PB on leg press this morning!  I powered through my leg workout and then got on the cross trainer with the wobbliest legs - I think I'm gonna be sore tomorrow! 

My weekend was busy, had my hair cut on Saturday morning - got a "disconnected/asymmetric bob" (longer at the front than it is at the back).  How good is this:  my hairdresser has just won a hairdressing award at a Sydney hair expo (so, she's good!!), and she does my hair at her house and charges $20 for a cut.  I'm STOKED!!  I am never paying a fortune for my hair ever again!!

Our bedroom is now fully painted, and we have a carpet man coming tonight to give us a quote - once the carpet is down we can move back in!  I'm sooooo excited!  Now we just need to find a plumber so we can get our ensuite done!

Thats it from me, train hard everyone!

Bah humbug

Bah humbug I've been sick. I had a slight upset stomach all last week, and on Saturday night (after my free meal) it decided to attack. Literally. Some of you may remember that I had a few stomach issues last year, and all sorts of tests to try and figure out what it was. Well on Saturday I had the stomach cramps again, and reflux and vomiting and diarrhoea. The pain was so bad that OH wanted to take me to the hospital, but I didn't want to go - honestly I didn't think I could sit in the car that long without a toilet nearby!

So about 4am Sunday morning the pain finally subsided, and I got a little rest. I went to the doctors on Sunday and he gave me a referral to have an Endoscopy to see if we can find out what's going on in there. I got given some drugs to take to see if they help, but I still had to have yesterday off work because my abdomen is still tender and sore, and the acid keeps coming up. The drugs are slowly working I think, but I'm having to sleep propped up on 3 pillows to keep the acid in my stomach and not in my chest.

So I had a weekend of basically no food - whatever I ate on Saturday came back out, and I couldn't eat at all on Sunday. Today I woke up hungry so I figure thats a good sign, even though my stomach is still tender. I have to be careful because silly things like a cup of tea seem to set it off again. I rang to book the Endoscopy yesterday and the soonest I can get in is the 23rd of August! That is ridiculous!!!

Anyway I have finally come to the realisation that free meals are no good for me - every single time I have one of these "attacks" is after a free meal and a glass or two of wine. Looks like I know what I've got to do - bye bye free meal & alcohol - at least for a while!

So no exercise for me for a few days until I get this under control - these things were sent to try us!

Measurements Day

Yesterday was measurements day, and while I'm a little disappointed that my results aren't as great as the previous fortnight, I'm still happy. I have lost another 2.5cms in total, although the scale weight really isn't changing much at all. Oh well, luckily I have realised that its not ALL about the scales!

Although I'm in week 4 of my challenge, I'm only into week 2 of weights. Friday morning is my favourite session - shoulders/bi's/tri's. I save that one for Friday because by Friday I am usually exhausted and dont wanna get out of bed to train - so by saving my favourite body parts for Friday I increase my chances of making it to the gym! (See? Up here's for thinking...)

I went up in my weights this week and am feeling a bit stronger too, despite being tired. I am always so tired on Friday, of course it has nothing to do with staying up late watching Heroes and Lost! LOL! Speaking of which, why oh why did they have to put the only two TV shows I ever watch on one-after-another on one night??? Dont these people KNOW that I need to get to bed early to get my beauty sleep?????

A few posts ago I said I'd post some pictures of some of my drawings... so here they are...

Have a great weekend everyone!

Cool hand Luke...

My wonderful OH bought me a "present" off ebay last week. All week he teased me about and wouldn't tell me what it was. And although as much as my curiosity was sparked, I wasnt about to spoil the surprise by logging onto MyEbay and see what he'd bought! He's bought me lots of stuff from ebay in the past, usually something lacey, if you catch my drift. So this time I was expecting more of the same, laughing to myself because lingerie is really more a present for HIM, not me!!!!

So last Friday I got home dead tired from a crappy day (and week) at work, and my beloved had finished work early, come home and not only worked on the house renovations, but also had done all the washing (AND hung it out on the line) and tidied up the house. He also had the fire lit, and welcomed me home with a big cuddle.

AND - my present had arrived! He'd bought me a copy of the DVD "Cool Hand Luke", because a few weeks ago I'd been saying what a great old movie it was... isn't he sweet!? Romance to me isn't flowers and expensive dinners, its as simple as doing something nice for the other person (like the washing that I was going to spend ALL Saturday doing) and remembering little things and surprising me with them. I'm so lucky to have him, he spoils me so much!

So then we watched Cool Hand Luke that night and I kept thinking "OMG was Paul Newman hot stuff or WHAT??!!!!" Good movie too. :) I was quoting lines off it all weekend (such a nerd, arent I??? LOL!)

Aaaanyway, after my "rest" (read: laziness) last weekend, I'm back training hard. I did back and chest this morning, which I have to be honest, its my least favourite day. Actually, its just back that I dislike. Followed it with 30 minutes cardio. Did a 20 minute jog on the treadmill last night, which saw me red faced and feeling like puking for the rest of the night - not good when you have to start preparing dinner shortly after! Tomorrow morning the plan is a Body Attack class. I have had to strap my foot tonight in preparation for Attack tomorrow morning - my bloody arches are playing up again...

And for all you State of Origin watchers out there... GO QUEENSLAAAAAAAAND!!!!! Have a great night!

I love long weekends

Gotta love long weekends, 3 days of sleeping in... *bliss*!!!

Yesterday I felt like I was coming down with something - I did nothing but blow my nose, sneeze and feel like crap. And cos I was swallowing so much snot all day, my stomach was upset too. (too much info????!!) Today I'm feeling much better, though still a bit low in energy. I thought I'd be a lazy bum today and see if some extra rest makes me feel better. I'm beginning to think its just a bit of hayfever or an allergy due to the change in weather.

Made myself laugh on Saturday... I was in BIG W and they were doing one of those demonstrations... you know where they do a promo for some dinki-di knife set, but everyone that comes to watch gets a FREE paring knife... just for watching! BUT WAIT! If you buy one of these knifes, which never needs sharpening, and which normally retails for $30, we'll throw in ANOTHER knife for a measly $3!! Thats $60 value for just $33! PLUS we'll give you a THIRD knife absolutely free, and we'll also throw in TWO paring knives, a filleting knife, and TWO citrus-squeezy-thinga-ma-jigs - ALL FOR $33!!!!.

I stood there the whole time, smiling smugly to myself and thinking "I'm just here for the free paring knife... I'm not buying anything... I'm just here for the free knife..."
You can guess what happened. When he finished his demonstration he held the knife sets out I saw my hand reaching out for one, yep... I got suckered in. So I am now the proud owner of a set of "Forever Sharp" knives... I laughed at myself for the rest of the day!!

Hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend!

Smashin' it

Back into the weights room this week, and boy are my muscles loving it!  Legs on Monday, and I was busy pulling ugly-faces and grunting the entire time.  One guy at my gym calls it "porno face"... I dont know about that though, I think he must be doing it wrong!!!!   Drop sets on leg extensions really cained, and smith machine lunges made me see black spots in my eyes between sets.  I followed that up with 20 minutes on the cross trainer, and then when I got home last night I did another 20 mintues alternating jogging/walking on the treadmill, which near killed me!.  LOVING IT!!  I really missed jogging for 6 weeks, but now I need to get my stamina back to where it should be. 

Got up with sore legs this morning and did back and shoulders. I'm horrified at how my strength has diminished in these last 6 weeks.  I dropped my weights back and STILL really struggled to make 8 reps, let alone 10!  Patience... patience...

I love the start of the week cos my energy levels are high after catching up on all my sleep on the weekends.  My goal this week is to be in bed by 9.30pm each night, and I'm going to have a nice soothing Chamomile tea just before I hit the hay... that should see me snoozing in no time.  Was in bed last night by 9.20pm, but unfortunately Miss Elke decided that 3am was the best time to start barking and chasing wildlife through our yard...   When she did it for the second time in 10 minutes, my OH decided that the best course of action was to scream "ELKE!!!!!!   SHUUUUUT UUUPPPPP!!!" ... so if I wasn't fully awake before that, I certainly was afterwards!

I have just ordered some BSN Lean Dessert Protein Powder online today, and I cant wait to get it!  I'm like a kid at Christmas when I receive a box of supplements!

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.”
- Abraham Lincoln

End of week two

What a week! I am very VERY glad to see the end of it actually. My workplace is in turmoil, HUGE changes going on with lots of uncertainty, and its making for one very emotionally drained Hil when she gets home. My sleeping patterns are shite, and I've also attended a 2 day leadership workshop which killed whatever brain cells I had left this week!

SO my major obstacles this week have been tiredness and mental fatigue. Hit a wall on Thursday morning - I just did not want to get out of bed. I managed to talk myself into getting up, getting dressed and going anyway, which I was quite proud of! Anyway, I got to gym to find about 50 people milling about outside, the person who opens up in the morning hadn't arrived!!!!!

AAAAUUUURRRRRGGGHHH! I could have stayed in bed!!

Never mind, I got to have a good chat to some of the ladies, and I was just about to turn around and go home when someone with a key arrived (25 minutes after opening time). So I managed to get 30 minutes of cardio done before I had to leave to get ready for work. I was so surprised actually to see so many people go to gym at that hour of the morning. You normally dont notice because they're spread around the gym in different areas and rooms.

I also had to be careful at the training course at work - hard not to eat the food on offer. On Wednesday the morning tea food was pikelets with jam and cream, which I had no problem saying no to. Thursday I was feeling pretty tired and grumpy, and they had banana bread and date loaf!!! Oooooooh it was so hard walking away from that, but I did it and ate all my planned meals, including my own stir fries for lunch. God that banana bread looked good though. Being tired is just my worst enemy.

And yesterday morning I took my two week measurements and I have lost 10 cms in total!!!!! (Although I think I might have been very bloated when I took those beginning measurements!) Woohoo! Now I just need to relax and catch up on some sleep! Bring on that free meal tonight!!!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!