Knees:

well, i finally went to the dr today after over a month of pain in my right knee. the pain is bearable, but annoying and it ranges from day to day. i basically wanted to make sure that i have not developed something serious and/or that it won't become a debilitating injury.

after making and canceling appts at my own dr. office (who i don't love all that much...) i decided to just go in to the walk-in clinic. i figured it was probably a common enough issue.

the dr examined my leg/knee... noted that my calf and knee were swollen... they have been swelling for months now... i had lots of workups and final diagnosis on the swelling is "lymphadema" with unexplained origin. anywho... when it came to my knees, he noticed the crunchy sound that they both made... he called it something that starts with a c... very common though apparently. he also asked me if i was a cheerleader... odd, but yes i was for 7 years. he said that girls who do a lot of jumping (as in cheering) at an early age generally have more knee issues because the ligaments/cartilage is fully developed but not the bones. something like that... anywho... they did an xray and the actual bone joint looks great. but he said it is likely a soft tissue problem (cartilage).

at my request he gave me a knee brace... i'm not even sure if it will help and when/if i should wear it. he prescribed me naproxin 500mg twice daily and told me to ice my knee... basically what i have been doing but with a higher dosage NSAID. if it gets worse, i am to see my GP who - i was trying to avoid seeing. but he did say i may end up at an orthopedic surgeon for further treatment options. basically, nothing for sure except it's not serious YET but if there is any popping or locking or if it becomes unbearable to go back to a dr. i hate shades of grey... but he did say i could keep working out but that i should add non-weight bearing exercise to give my knee a break.

i did enjoy the dr/nurses referring to me at times as "athletic" and "fit." the dr said that if i wasn't so fit he might be worried that my knees would need replaced at some point. the nurse got me a size medium knee brace because i looked "pretty small." teehee. the joys of the little offhand comments.

brown skin:

why is it so appealing? i spent my entire youth in the sun - not for color, but just by circumstance. i loved to swim... i was a water baby... toddler... kid... teen.. and now, i tan in a bed as an adult for color. i have noticed some premature aging, though, and this season i really grappled with tanning. i know it's not healthy... but it is SO relaxing. i take a nap everytime.. and i just clear my mind. but with the recent posts in the forums about tanning... and reviewing my original doubts.. i have decided to cancel my tanning membership altogether and to be done once and for all. now, i have no doubt that i have already done mucho damage.. especially as a kid. i once got sun poisoning and i can't even tell you how many sun burns i have had in my life. i am sure i will have skin cancer at some point... but at least i can stop any further damage, right?

berries and whatnot:

i am in LOVE with fresh berries. i had the most amazing berry salad for dinner with coconut flakes and walnuts. YUM YUM. i have a ton of calories leftover so i also had a delicious fage yogurt cocoa mousse with raspberries. then, for my night cap i had some breyer's low carb ice cream topped with peanut butter.

i still have a lot of cals left, but i am not hungry honestly and i should have stopped at the mousse. i have had almost 60g of fiber today! that's why i'm trying to make sure i get in good fats because when i have too much fiber i usually get stopped up... icky. TMI. but seriously, digestion goes much better when you pair fiber and fat... and enough water -- but i always get enough water.

i fully expect the scale to be up tomorrow because i had quite a workout today. i did two sets of weights class... so i am sure i am swollen. but this morning, i weighed in at 139.3. i can't believe it... the 130's STUCK! i am almost to goal... i am in the "decade" that i want to end in! will i change my goal to the 120's? i can't even fathom. my original goal was 150... crazy how things change.

i just love an ideal eating day. i feel very content and in control. ::sigh:: life is good. OH my hubby and i did a photo shoot with a friend of ours.. she started her own photography business so she wants pics for her portfolio. this is a pic of me on his back. I NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS AT 254.