Kathryn, You're 1" shorter than me. In 2009 I was about 218 Lbs. at the end of the year, so when 2010 came around, I started rotator cuff problems. It's a very, very long story, but was in PT for 11 months, had surgery on 11-9-10 and my "goal" was to get under 200 Lbs. before my surgery. I worked really hard and the day of surgery, they weigh you in your hospital gown. Their scales said 196.8 Lbs. I'll never forget it, although I had anesthesia after that!
I just felt so proud to finally make it.
After that, my goal was to get to 175 Lbs., which I did earlier this year, but now I'm s-t-u-c-k between 168 - 172 Lbs.
I know I've come a long way, have not too far to go, but want to, like you, go slow. When I've been doing the Epsons salts heat pack on my ear for 15-20 min., I've been walking during those times, which helps to deal with this predicament I'm in. Might as well earn endorphins, right?
Oh! Does probiotics make everybody crampy and gassy? My dr. told me to double up because of the antibiotics.
How is your hip doing,
Kathryn, when you walk?
Nancy, I'm glad you walked! Do you ever do in-house walking?
I do now because there's a cougar in our woods. I'm a wimp. I'm scared. So I don't go on long walks in the woods or away from the house now. Better to be safe.
Harriet, ringing in the ears is called Tinnitus. I have that and sorry that HRH has it. I read that it's true that anti-inflammatory drugs cause it and so does caffeine and stress. I read that if you listen to music, it helps the ear listen to the music, rather than the noise in the ear.
TV helps, too. Some people do meditation to music to help it, too. I know, sometimes, I've seen ads for supplements to help it, but I don't know if they truly do.
I walked 30 min., plus extra that was uncounted. I am glad I did because of endorphins.
I read once that endorphins meant "natural morphine" that was made in the brain and endorphins help control pain. I read that if you have hip, knee or ankle osteoarthritis, if you walk, the endorphins help control the pain. Boy, it's hard sometimes to get to the get up and "go" point though. Especially if you're tired and it's a cold morning.
It seems, for me, the first 1 - 1 1/2 hours is the "challenge" time for me. After that, I'm okay, pretty much. Had to go off baby aspirin and arthritis medication because it caused painful gastritis, so just use Acetaminophen now. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. I feel better for it though. The side effects of the arthritis med said it could cause stomach bleeding, ulcers, stroke and death. I was so scared of all that, so now I'm glad I don't take them and just need a hot shower, stretching, and walking around to help. Isn't it remarkable how all of our bodies are different and we all have something? We're different, yet we're the same.