Hello All...thanks for your support. Good news/bad news scenario for me.
First, the bad news...I had an MRI and it shows 2 new herniations - one at L2-L3 (which I have never injured before) and one at L3-L4 (which I previously had surgery on).
Good news is the medication got it to settle down and that we are going to try and treat them conservatively rather than immediate surgery. I believe that part of the contributing factor is not working out for more than a year when you factor in my lifestyle (active, golf) and previous back injuries/surgeries. As a result, I started working out today. We'll see how the back responds. I can't express how good it felt to get in a workout after 13 months away from the gym!!!!
More good news...
Today starts the beginning of Month 2 on the reboot for me. I lost a total of 24.1 pounds in Month 1. Week 1 = -14.1, Week 2 = -4, Week 3 = -1 and Week 4 = -5. I am SO happy because Week 3 is when I was on the steroids and had trouble with Week 3 in my previous reboot attempts and so never made it to week 4 so I am so happy to know that week 3 results this year were simply an adjustment period after losing so much in weeks 1 and 2. I feel so good for this to be predictable, which to me is another indicator of good health.
I mentioned to you guys before that I feel so mentally strong and that is still the case. In fact, I think I am more so because of seeing the results of week 4 and the total for the month and getting the workout in and overcoming this back injury.
It feels so good to report good news!
Not to get too far ahead of myself but if I lose like I did the first time, that means that I need about 12 weeks to get to goal so I think I will be in maintenance by Christmas or early Jan. It could even be faster to get to goal! I am relieved that the alternatives are working as I was wondering if that was contributing to my week 3 poor results this year. But, I now realize that I just wasn't patient enough and being fearful that it was a sign I was going to slip back into the health issues I had earlier this year.
Now for all your good news...
Sue - glad to hear you got back on track! You will get there - I admire your determination in spite of a few hiccups
Avalon - Congrats on onederland!!!!
CenTXChk - I know this is a delayed response but how about a Combat bar (I recommend the peanut butter cup/crunch one) - my brother who is a carpet installer said this really made the difference for him to be able to work when he is dieting. Some GNC's/Vitamin Shoppe's carry them but your best bet is to order from Amazon, I think.
Amber - Congrats on the success on the mini-reboot!
Amanda - I hope your reboot is progressing well! Sorry if I missed it as I had about 10 days of catching up to do.
JJ - Glad to see your posts as well as the other maintainers still here posting in this thread. I use you guys as motivation for me to get to a successful maintenance program, once and for all!