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In Praise of My Fitbit

When I began Operation Suck Less 2014™ I knew walking would be a key component for both exercise and reflection so I decided a pedometer would be useful to provide accurate progress updates.

Doing absolutely no research other than seeing it mentioned by Wil Wheaton and others on my social streams, and it for sale on Amazon.com, I decided to get a Fitbit One; Wil Wheaton walked along a rail road track looking for a dead body in a movie ages ago, I figured he must know something about walking.

Once it arrived, I clipped it on immediately and completely ignored the instructions until I realized it needed to be charged and I had to do all that initial set up business which luckily was quite easy.

My first few days were about getting an understanding of just how little I was walking; I knew the golden triangle of bed, couch, kitchen, was not packing on the miles but seeing the actual numbers on that tiny digital screen reinforced that doing just about anything was going to make me Suck Less in 2014™ but that I had a long way to go to get back to my 3 to 5 miles of walking a day.

I have a tendency to overdo, skipping that whole enjoying the journey business and wanting the immediate results; this usually leads to big setbacks and cranky moods. So while I had a long way to go to hit my goals, I also needed to take care of my injuries and make progress gradually. The Fitbit provided the means to do this by allowing me to add a number of steps each week and telling me when it was time to stop and to ignore that other voice in my head telling me I was being a wimp and should keep going until I crumpled in pain.

Slowly, I was able to build my daily steps from nearly nonexistent to 8,000 – 10,000 depending on the days other activity and I am confident I will continue to increase until I am back to 10,000 a day minimum.

My walks vary each day from pacing the hallway to wandering around the neighborhood in random directions and I use the gym track and the treadmill when I am focusing on intervals or trying to be less pokey. No matter which approach I take, I can always tell how far I have gone in a day and how many more steps I need to reach my goal.

When I remember to clip it on, the Fitbit is so easy and it automatically syncs with my phone app and the website, tracking steps, miles, stairs and more. It can go quite a long time without needing a quick charge, which is a huge plus. The product has several features I have not bothered to use such as a vibrating alarm and sleep monitoring but just knowing I have that option works for me.

Fitbit has a social component as well and although I was hesitant to add my first friend, I like having the playful competition as well as sending cheers, or taunts, to others. I was concerned about privacy but it is easy to keep hidden what I do not feel like sharing with the masses. I was also concerned about feeling like a lazy slacker compared to others, but decided I am just doing my own thing and I am only competing with what I accomplished yesterday, not my friends; I tell myself this, yet I am totally annoyed when others walk more than me. Grrr.

A favorite, and silly, feature is the messages the product will randomly send like “hold me” and “walk me”; they always make me smile. The badges are nice as well as they are not over done but only for meaningful milestones. When I received a badge for walking my first 50 miles, it made me feel good knowing that all my little, slow steps could add up to a trip to the burbs and back.

I have mixed feelings about the notifications telling me how many steps I need to make my goal. When I am feeling motivated, they make me get out there and walk. However, when I am feeling tired or my knee achy, it makes me what to tell the little bit to piss off and mind its own business. Either way, so far I have reached my goal each day. Go me!

Right now my Fitbit feels like an obsessed friend encouraging me in my quest to Suck Less in 2014™ but I can see a time where it might feel like a nagging pain in the butt, judging and stalking me as a sit on the couch being a slug. It will happen but I hope that day is a long way off and, more so, that it only lasts a single day.

I think it is cool that I know 4 people so far that have purchased one of these handy gizmos based on my usage of it, but it would be way cooler if I got some kind of a commission or maybe a personalized one in a sweet color as a thank you. For the time being, I will have to be satisfied sending them cheers now and again until they go ahead of me on the friend leader board and I will have to decide to walk more or just unfriend them.

So thumbs up for my Fitbit. It is doing exactly what I needed by helping me reach my goals without going overboard and is adding a bit of fun to the process. And now it is time to stop typing and go walking.

Exercise Pet Peeves

Working out would be so much more enjoyable with out the sweat and other people around. My current exercise pet peeves in no particular order:

The people that show up to water aerobics class and huddle in small groups talking the entire time and never move as if the few of us actually exercising are in their way.

People that clip their locker keys so they jingle with every step, even more annoying when they have headphones and remain oblivious to the clinking.

People that talk to me while I am working out and doing my best to convey my disinterest in their existence.

My shoelaces that always come undone after a mile.

People that drip sweat on equipment and do not clean it after they are done.

Old lady at the pool that puts a towel on the tile when showering but never picks it up when she leaves.

People that toss banana peels on the ground.

Biker dude that yells “on your left” but he is really on my right making me wonder if I have forgotten my directions again.

People that walk behind me on the greenway and gripe loudly about their annoying relationships and won’t pass me no matter how much I slow down.

Cars that drive into puddles.

People that let their wiener dogs jump on me as if they are the most precious things that exist on earth when I know full well they are Satan’s spawn.

My hair.

My laundry that won’t yet wash itself.

My slowness.

My Playlists: Dancing in the 90’s

Nights out in the early 90’s often ended with dancing at Barnies Underground where my then DJ crush used to play fun music and would always squeeze in my requests. These playlists I made years later remind me of some great times downtown. I added them to Spotify but they are missing a few songs in their database.

Dancing In The 90s…Remembering Barnies (2001)

Dancin’ In The 90s (2000)

Memories, Like the Time I Learned Boys Are Stupid And Gross

Kindergarten was a magical time of recess, naps on colorful personal rugs, snacks, coloring outside the lines, making new friends and more recess. I learned the most important lesson of all during recess, that boys are stupid and gross.

Even at a young age I hung out with the dudes; they always had the most fun at recess with games of ball tethering, dodging and kicking and various forms of chasing each other around the grounds. One day I was on the sideline waiting for my turn in an epic kick ball battle, leaning against the rail fence that partitioned off our playground from the parking lot, when my teammate Jimmy Lemon suddenly turned and kissed me. On the mouth! Luckily it was brief and not too slobbery. He began to walk away, turned, and proclaimed that I was now his girlfriend and headed to the plate to kick that pinkish rubber ball.

What boy could resist kissing this on the playground?

I was dumbstruck. What had just happened? I was confused but I was pretty sure whatever had happened was gross and need not be repeated. The day progressed with a dodge ball victory and no further contact with the impetuous boy.

Continue reading “Memories, Like the Time I Learned Boys Are Stupid And Gross”

Hip Replacement – Not just for Grandparents Anymore

The following is a post I made in March 2010 about my hip replacement surgery.

If you have seen Ms. Savin recently, you have probably noticed a slight limp and a reluctance to stand or walk for long periods of time. This week she announced that she was going to have a full hip replacement. Obviously, many questions arose and we asked her to sit down with us and discuss.

We met in her living room where she pointed out with pride her TV that was no longer sitting on the floor but she became annoyed when I pointed out that her Wii and USB record player were still in boxes. She agreed to the interview because she has been getting lots of questions since first coming out about her hip replacement and decided it would be easier to answer them all at once. She is already sick of hearing herself talk about hips.

Q: A hip replacement? WTF?
C: I know! Pretty crazy isn’t it?

Q: So what is the deal? Why do you need a new hip?
C: Well, I was born with a congenital hip so I have always known that this day would come. I have actually gone 15 – 20 years longer than my doctors originally expected so that is good. But now I have osteoarthritis and little cartilage left so it is time to go bionic.

Q: Bionic?
C: Ok, technically ceramic but bionic sounds way cooler and has implied sound effects.

Q: Congenital hip, what is that?
C: So this internet thing is really awesome and I was able to do some research. I always told people that it was because my mother shot tequila while she was pregnant but I guess that is not true. I may have to apologize for that sometime. Turns out it is genetic which explains why a great-aunt had it too.

Q: OK, but what is it exactly?
C: It is an abnormal formation of the hip joint, the ball of the hip is all whack and doesn’t fit into the socket right. Then the ligaments aren’t quite normal either. I was lucky and it was noticed shortly after I was born so I was in a body cast as an infant to help the joint form correctly.

Q: And didn’t you have surgery again later?
C: Yes, in 4^th grade. As I grew, my hip grew funny and my legs were several inches different so they broke my hip and reset it to make my legs even. Later, I had a smaller surgery to have the pins removed. I still have them if you want to see!

Q: Um, no. That is kinda gross.
C: Well, I had the best show-n-tell ever in grade school. Your loss. Wuss.

Q: Ok, back to the surgery. Why now?
C: I have really been in need of a change. I tried a new hair color but that didn’t do it so a new joint seemed like the logical next step. Actually, I am just sick of having to consider my hip in everything I do. It is so damn annoying. Timing seems to work so I decided to go for it.

Q: What is the recovery?
C: Every person is different but I expect to be in the hospital 4 days, then a recovery facility – whatever it is a nursing home – for up to 2 weeks. I should be back to work in 2 months and fully recovered in 6 months or so.

Q: I understand you will have a walker?
C: Well maybe, most likely crutches up to 6 weeks and then a cane for up to 6 weeks after that. Assuming I can find a kick-ass cane. That is one of the last things I have left to do – find a kick-ass cane.

Q: So what do people say when you tell them about having surgery?
C: I get a few standard responses:

“Congratulations” (for having a malformed hip??)
“Aren’t you excited?” (I am a lot of things, sort of excited but not exactly)
“My grandmother/father had a hip replacement” (yes, I know my hip is 90 years old)
“I hear hip replacements are easier to recover from than a knee” (yes, I hear that too but I hope to never have to compare)
“I know – insert random person here – and when they had hip surgery – insert random horror story here” (Seriously??)

Q: I do hear that there have been lots of advances in joint technology. Do you think this hip will last the rest of your life?
C: Yes, there have been lots of advances but I was kinda hoping for “Star Trek” kind of advances. (At this point, in a spectacularly geeky move, she pulls out her cell phone and waves it over her hip as if it was a medical tricorder. After an uncomfortable pause, she continued.) As far as how long my hip will last, no one knows for sure.

Q: This has to be stressful.
C: Yes, it is hard to get answers to important questions. Like, “how soon can I take a shower?” “When can I get a pedicure again?” Did you know you can’t have on any nail polish when you have surgery…annoying! Or, “where can I find a kick ass cane?” Plus, I am not used to having my life planned out so far in advance. Ask me what I am doing in May and I already know…annoying!

Q: So what are you looking forward to the most after surgery?
C: Oh, lots of things. I am excited to be able to go out without having to worry about finding a chair, no longer having people ask me if I hurt my foot, sleeping for more than 4 hours at a time, getting back the use of my brain, walking around the lake and I would really like to swear less but I doubt surgery will help there. But, the thing I am looking forward to the most is being able to sneeze with abandon. Being able to sneeze without having to brace myself will be awesome!

Q: And when is this surgery?
C: Soon. I will get back from my vacations and have about 2 weeks to get ready. And before you ask, yes I am still going to London, to Austin and California. I want to make sure this hip is fully worn out before I get a new one!

Q: Any other big plans?
C: Sadly, I have a few friends I would love to see but won’t have time. I do plan to have a going away party for my hip in March. There will be lots of breakup songs and a toast to say goodbye. I mean, my hip did the best it could for longer than anyone expected and frankly I can be kinda difficult. It deserves a proper farewell.

Q: Well thank you for your time, can’t wait to toast your hip goodbye.
C: Yeah. I get final edit approval on this right??

Bionic Birthday

Four years ago today I replaced my lame hip with a shiny new bionic one. I had prepared for the procedure from the moment I heard a nasty pop as I rushed to a Madonna concert in San Francisco. I had everything set for my surgery and recovery and then took my hip on a farewell tour before I went under the knife. In the end I have the best result I could have hoped for but I am still amazed I survived the hospital and nursing home.

My hospital stay coincided with a staffing reduction so nurses and other staff were a bit scarce at times, working in unfamiliar wards and covering more patients than they should; I do not in any way blame the staff for some of the errors as they were doing their best in a difficult situation. My experience has given me a definite perspective on healthcare and how one must prepare and be aware when being treated.

The biggest blip was that I was one of the very lucky few that had an epidural that did not take. Since there was confusion and I was given blood thinners, it could not be removed right away but since it was still in I could not get extra pain meds to compensate for it not working. That was fun.

Once I was left alone on a bedpan out of the reach of my call button and I had to wiggle myself close enough to my cell phone and call my sister to find a nurse to rescue me; man that hurt. The first night, someone left the blood pressure cuff on my arm for hours, luckily it was not pumped up too much but it still left a lovely bruise. I was given a stronger dose of Dilaudid than prescribed and thought my arm was going to burn off as it entered my veins.

For my surgery the doctor went in from the front, a newer technique at the time, and this required being moved in different ways than staff was in the habit of moving hip replacement patients. The time I was moved incorrectly was so painful I screamed louder than I ever knew possible.

My time at the nursing home had its own set of issues mostly because I was stubborn and wanted to do everything for myself when I could but the staff still treated me like I was a complete invalid. Words were exchanged many times but I always won.

I was given the wrong medication more than once but luckily knew the color and shape of my pills and could get my dosage fixed; I admit the one time I had an extra oxy in cup I popped that sucker and felt much better for a few hours. Because my primary doctor and my surgeon were not in the same practice, there was confusion over which doctor was supposed to sign my various medical orders, so no one did until a social worker finally got involved after I threatened to walk, well wheel, out. So much red tape.

I had a bit of an issue with a lady taking my blood who didn’t appreciate my suggestion that the vein she was trying to use was not going to work; I was right but I still had to take all her extra pokes. I really dislike her to this day.

Even before my procedure I had a couple issues while getting my first MRI, I learned that I am in fact claustrophobic, I have no “happy place” but I can eventually calm myself down with focused breathing and valium.

My stubbornness led to an early release from the nursing home and I continued my recovery walking around the hood with my cane. I was due one more set back as I overused my shoulder and had rotator issues, another MRI and more physical therapy.

But I recovered. While sometimes it feels like I am sitting on a cast iron ball, I no longer have pain, my scars are mostly faded and luckily I am not one of the 5% of the people who have a hip joint that squeaks when they walk. What a nightmare that would be.

So happy 4^th birthday bionic hip, glad to have you aboard!

The Truth Is I Was The Transition Girl

Today is the anniversary of my fist break up with my ex-boyfriend; I remember the day since it coincides with other days of note. Our first break was not fun but it was easier since I was ready for it, we had an actual adult conversation, it was about his inabilities to deal and I suppose because I was entangled elsewhere not too long after. None of those things are true this time.

I have had bouts of sadness this week and have been trying to figure out what is behind these feelings. It has been 2 months since our text break up which, depending on the day, feels like an eternity or just yesterday, but it has only been a few weeks since we talked and I heard his truth. In some ways I had to start processing the breakup all over again, blending his truth with mine.

Continue reading “The Truth Is I Was The Transition Girl”

My Current Crushes

1) I have been re-watching season 3 of Game of Thrones and I am so excited for the 4th season that starts on Sunday. Can. Not. Wait.

2) I will always have a crush on Ragnar’s killer blue eyes so can not miss an episode of Vikings.

3) I want flip-flop season to arrive. My Chacos miss me. I am on the hunt for a new red pair even though these never wear out.

4) Cod. I can not get enough cod lately. Of all my food crushes this is the lamest and stinkiest.

Rut Bustin’ Day

Today is Rut Bustin’ Day, a day when I try doing every thing differently. I only have one rule, it feels routine, stop and change it. I have been doing this since college and am always surprised how something so silly can inspire me, help me discover new treasures or just end a crappy mood.

So this morning I grabbed a t-shirt from the bottom of the pile that I had not seen in ages, brushed my teeth while walking around, drank a protein shake from a wine glass, drove a different route to the pool, changed the radio station, parked in a different spot, swam different strokes, went to a new market and actually read a newspaper instead of twitter. It amazes me what a creature of habit I can become without even noticing.

I even changed up my music selections. First, I tried random pop tunes of singers I only know because of their magazine presence but that was a bit too much so I busted out an old playlist, When Rap Was Mostly New To Me. I added this to Spotify although most of the songs are not in their database.

For a snack, I tried some Brad’s Raw Crunchy Kale with garlic and vegan cheese, I expected it to suck way more than it did and eventually I might actually like it. Maybe.

When Rap Was Mostly New To Me (1995)

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My Playlists: A New Crush Remembered (1989)

This playlist from 1989 started out as a mix tape of songs that reminded me of a dude I was crushing on. 25 years later I can not be certain which dude it was but the generous amount of Camper Van Beethoven have it narrowed down to one of two. Ahh, memories…faded, vague memories.

A New Crush Remembered (1989)

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