1 year 7 months - 6 laps on the Lyons Street Steps

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Today, my friend and I went to hike the Lyons Street Steps. Great views and a perfect day! It wasn't too hot and just the right amount of breeze. I wore my really light running shoes for the walk. 

It was easy to go down with the beautiful view looking over the Marina. My ankle felt alright! Walking my normal pace down those stairs. 

Going up was a bit harder, these were some steep steps. Did 6 laps up and 6 laps down. I got my sweat on and my legs burned so good. My ankle is tired and sore now. No limping! I'll be back for more next week. I hope to increase my laps in the future. It feels so good!

1 year 6 months - Now able to carry a 35lb bag of dog food!

Saturday, April 12, 2014

It was time to buy dog food again and this time I was able to carry a 35lb. bag back to my car! So happy! Felt like a great accomplishment haha. Before, I was only able to carry the 18lb. bag for a while. Even at the beginning it was a bit heavy for my ankle. This is still new to me so with the 35lb. bag it still took me slower than usual to walk back to my car just to be safe. Yes, it's still heavy for my ankle but I was actually comfortable enough to carry it back to my car from the store. I'd say it was about it was about 30 steps from the store to the car. It made me feel like I was back to my old self except that I do feel the pressure in my ankle whenever I carry heavy things. This made me think what if I had a handicap placard, then I wouldn't have to walk so far to another parking spot. I'll see if I feel even stronger months from now. I am still careful and not pushing myself too far. Happy!

1 year 6 months - Vegas and Heels!

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Just got back from Las Vegas this past weekend. Wore my wedged heels 2 nights in a roll to celebrate 3 of my friends' birthdays! I made it through. I wasn't in pain but was tired after a few hours in heels. Had a great time and so happy! I think this was the fourth time I've worn these with this new ankle. I guess it's the safest for me to wear wedges only. 

Then I soaked in hot water and stretched. No swelling, or limping! Success! It was a great trip for my ankle! 

 

1 year 5 months - Yoga Class #3

Friday, March 28, 2014

Happy Friday! Good way to end the week with yoga to relax my mind.

This time a friend joined me. I pretty much sweat throughout the entire class again. My ankle is still with no pain. I must wear good shoes to prevent that. Since Monday's class, I haven't felt sore for more than a day. Mostly in my arms and surprisingly in my ankle.

However, I do notice that when I walk for long periods such as 30 minutes up to hours at a time, I will get tired and slowly start limping. I have been contemplating on asking my Surgeon for another Handicap Card. It would definitely make it easier on me if I had one. I just figured after about a year out of Physical Therapy I'd be more progressed than I thought. I'm so wrong, it really takes time for ankles to heal.

This time in class, in some positions when I do some twists with the body I can feel a tiny crack. The kind like how you would crack your knuckles. Tiny little pops but it didn't hurt! When I do these leg bearing moves like the Warrior III pose example below, I can't stand or balance for long.

I also had a bit of discomfort and lost a bit of balance holding the reverse warrior pose as well like the example below. I was shaky holding my bad ankle leg bent. Felt some pressure and tiny bit of tingling. I hope my strength and balance improves as I take more classes. I just bought another yoga deal from Groupon for Hot Yoga! Will do that once I'm done with this Groupon deal. I love it!

1 year 5 months - Yoga Class #2

Monday, March 24, 2014 

I am back for more yoga! My second class! I was still sore from Friday's class and now 2 days after my second class I feel less sore. This time there were more people in a Monday class. About 15 people this time. Lucky I got there early for a space in the back.

I absolutely had no balance today nor any strength to hold my weight on my right ankle long enough for a pose. The tree pose like the example below I could not even do today. 

The warrior #3 pose in the example below was also difficult for me. I held this for maybe 10 seconds at most. I was very shaky and felt tired. No balance for this one as well. 

I'll see how yoga class #3 will be for this Friday. I look forward to it!

1 year 5 months - First time back at Yoga!

Friday, March 21, 2014 

My first Yoga class since I broke my ankle! I took a picture of my scar, the very bottom was itchy last night. A little bit of the scar part was raised where it was itchy. I was told this would happen once in a while and that it was normal. I had dry legs, got a bit of a tan too. Looks uneven and dirty haha. I swear my legs were clean.

I went to my 5:30 pm class and met my teacher with the best name ever! Bija Pretzel! Love it! She was very kind and welcoming. I also got a new yoga mat my mom gave me. It looks really pretty and so different from the usual yoga mats I've owned before. 

This was a Level I-II class, where I can return to the fundamentals of yoga.  I was most nervous about the balancing poses. I can't completely cross my legs comfortably anymore, my ankle feels like it's still a bit stiff to bend all the way down where the ankle meets the floor. I definitely feel the metal against the ground and it wasn't comfortable. Probably still not use to it. I sat like this example picture but my right leg was slightly higher and off the ground. 

I was surprised I was able to hold a bit of balance when I did the tree pose like the example image below. I was feeling ok with the weight baring. Except that my foot was more on the knee area and not as high up the leg to hold this position. I did get a bit wobbly. It took a lot of concentration. 

The one legged stand was the most difficult for me to balance. I couldn't hold it for too long and my body started to feel heavy on the ankle. Example of this pose below. For the most part, I felt great! I can't wait to go back for my next class. I hope to gain more balance by the end of my 20 classes from this Groupon deal I purchased. I'll be sure to have more updates soon after my next classes. So relaxing!

1 year 5 months - Ft. Funston Doggy Play Date

Saturday, March 15, 2014 

Back to Ft. Funston for the 4th time for a doggy play date! Met up a coworker with his dog Mochi for a fun day at the park with Pebbles!

It was a perfect sunny day, 72 degrees out. I can't believe the last time I was at Ft. Funston was on May 24, 2013! You can read about the last time I visited here. 

I feel so bad for Pebbles, it's been so long since I last brought her to her dog heaven to play. The last time I went I got really sore so I stopped going and wanted to wait til I felt stronger. This time, I walked from home and even did some jogging on Lake Merced on my way to Ft. Funston. You can read more about the last time I was there for a run June 29, 2013. It was too early to run on cement then so I've stopped running there. You can see the running path across the streets where the cars are in the picture behind Pebbles.

I definitely felt stronger and more balanced while walking on sand. No weird pinching and ankle twisting! Sooo happy! Walked for 2 hours with Pebbles friend Mochi. 

Here's a video of my day with Pebbles at Ft. Funston. I continue to Progress and feel stronger. Extremely happy and looking forward to what's next!