Random thoughts

I've been riding my bike a lot lately. I've been going at least 6 miles a day, which is good IMO. I feel like it's helping my knee pain some. It's strengthening my legs a lot. It's also reducing the "flabby" skin on my thighs. I am gaining muscle mass, which also means I am gaining weight though. According to the calories burned calculator I found for biking, I am burning a minimum of 550 calories when I go the 6 mile ride and 1,100 calories when I do the 12 mile ride. I had lost LOTS of muscle mass in my legs, so I knew I would gain a bit when I started riding, but it still doesn't make it easy seeing the scale numbers go UP instead of down. I'm having fun biking though. It's good ME TIME. I take Jayda for a short bike ride and then I go back again with just myself. I put on my MP3 player and just ride. It's nice. My mood has been better as well. My bipolar meds were changed recently. I don't know if it's the exercising, the med change, or both, but I am feeling a bit better mood wise at least. Matt even told me he noticed a difference, which is HUGE.

Jayda starts school again on the 7th. I am so frustrated right now with the school. She has been in the ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education) program for 2 years now and this will be year 3. She is SUPPOSE to be in the ECSE program Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday this year 12:30pm-3:30pm and then the Kindergarten Connection (K prep class) class Wednesday and Friday. I've been waiting and waiting on info for the Kindergarten Connection program all summer and haven't received anything, so I called the Community Education Program, which is what KC is through. The ECFE teacher never turned in our application, although we turned it in back in March!!! I will be BEYOND pissed off if there isn't an opening for her on Wednesday and Friday. ECSE is Monday thru Thursday only, but we really wanted her in the KC because it's a "main stream" class. She will be put into the "main stream" classes once in K because her delays to qualify for the special ed were behaviors and speech. It's not like she has major delays like some of the kids. We thought having her in the main streamed class this year would ease her into it which also might improve her behaviors being around kids that DO NOT act up the way she does.

Next week Matt goes to his pain clinic for the consult. We will see how this goes. He has had 2 neck surgeries and STILL has the same pain he had before. We're hoping they can help him some.

We signed up for our extension for assistance through the state the other day, although we still have 11 months worth of assistance left. Apparently it takes many MONTHS to get approval. They have all of the Dr's documentation needed, so it shouldn't be an issue.

Exercising (almost) daily. . .

I've still been riding my bike (almost)  daily. We're actually getting BRAND NEW BIKES in a week or so. We have ordered them and just have to wait for them to be delivered!! I rode 8 miles today, 19 miles yesterday, 8 miles the day before, and I can't remember back further than that right now. I want to keep riding because it doesn't hurt my knees as much as walking or exercise DVDs. My only problem is I'm GAINING weight! I'm hoping it's because I'm building muscles in my legs from peddling. I have noticed the "extra skin" that hangs off me from losing the weight I have lost has gotten tighter since I started riding.

Well, that's all for now. <3

Random stuff

I haven't had a chance to ride Friday, Saturday, or Sunday this weekend. Weekends are always SO BUSY for us and this weekend proved no different. Friday, Jayda had swim lessons. We stayed for an hour for "family free swim" right after class then we went bowling with our "Kids Bowl Free" passes. I figured that was a good workout with the swimming and bowling, plus my wrist was throbbing me. Saturday it was icky and rainy, so I didn't ride because I didn't want to get wet. Yesterday, Sunday, I didn't get to ride because we went to look at a house and video tape it for Mom plus Jayda went to Jayson's birthday party from 3:30pm-7pm. I was going to ride after Jayda was in bed, but I ended up taking the neighbor to Urgent Care for a severely infected ingrown toenail. I didn't get back until after 9pm and it was dark. I won't ride on the trail after dark because it's NOT lighted. My MP3 player MIGHT be in today, but should definitely be here by tomorrow. That will make riding alone MUCH more enjoyable. I will probably be able to ride much further because my mind will be on the music and  NOT the pain!

Jayda has been sneezing and coughing like crazy the past few days. I think she's getting a sinus infection. She has an appointment with her asthma and allergy specialist today, so if she is sick he can prescribe her something. Tomorrow I have a pain psychologist appointment. That will be boring, but I have to do it for the pain clinic treatment.

I guess that's about all.

Note to self...

I have been taking a muscle relaxer before my rides everyday, until today. I only made it a total of 2 miles out before my knees and thighs started cramping. I rode a total of 4 miles, which was a far cry for them 12 I was going for. Note to self: DO NOT CHANGE A GOOD THING!!!! It may have been a total fluke, but it was ironic that the one day I forget is the only time I have cramped up. It's not because I'm not drinking enough water either, unless my body needs more than about 160 oz of water a day! I've also been eating bananas and peanut butter toast for breakfast and my potassium is good according to the blood tests I had a month ago.

Bike ride 8/10/11

Still can't think of a good title. This is just a daily exercise journal for now. I rode about 4 miles today with the family. I wanted to go further, but Matt nor Jayda wanted to and we needed to get Jayda in bed anyway. I plan on trying for a minimum of 10 miles tomorrow. I can't wait to go to the Dr's office, so I can weigh in using a digi scale, and see if any of this is paying off. My butt is bruised still, but it didn't hurt AS BAD today while riding. My legs are really starting to feel the burn from riding. Hopefully this will help me re-boot and kick start the weight loss again!

Bike ride 8/9/11

Can't think of anything catchy for the title. I rode 6 miles today instead of the intended 13.5, but my butt hurts SO BAD from the bruising. My body aches a bit from the riding. I also need to find my wrist brace that I used after my surgery and use it while riding because my wrist is being bent too much and hurts. That's all for today. I will get a weigh in sometime next week to see if any of this biking is paying off (or melting off).

OUCH!!!

I took a break from riding today. My butt hurts!!! I need a new bike seat, but they are SO EXPENSIVE!!!