7 years 7 months - Shelter In Place Exercising

Hi there, it’s been a while since I last wrote. A lot has happened and we’re all living through a moment in history. Here in California, we’re all under Shelter In Place orders. Working from home and trying to stay calm and sane. Hang in there, we’ll all get through this together. Stay safe everyone!

I’ve started exercising through the 24golive app from 24 Hour Fitness. I’ve been taking the Zumba, Cardio Core, and Yoga classes. The cardio had a lot of jumping jacks and jumping type moves which tired my ankle a bit. I felt the heat and soreness, even some pressure and a bit of pain pinches. Definitely needed to adjust to the modified versions where I don’t jump and do the modified squats and steps instead. 

New on the schedule is Body Combat, which is one of my favorite classes to take. So far working out has helped my mood while sheltering in place. I may try other classes to change it up. So far Ive been working out almost everyday. Every class has about 173k people, which is motivating. Must keep it up and build my strength. Until next time. Take care!

7 years - Ankleversary!

Tuesday - September 24, 2019

 It's my 7 years Ankleversary!!!

I am about 2 weeks late on this post! I can't believe it's been so many years since I've had my surgery.

I am feeling great! Still the occasional weather changes and random arthritis, sometimes cramping, and the continued tiredness after too long of a walk. My range in motion is great! No more braces needed.

Must get good supporting shoes and I can wear heels! I've also been buying better athletic shoes with cushioned support and cute sandals that also have more cushioned support. Still sticking to the 2-inch heels to feel safe but at least I can wear heels. Also to be able to walk without discomfort.

As for exercise, I've been doing a lot of steps at Lyon Street Steps and Tiled Steps, more walking, and hiking. Lately just more steps. I still haven't run, just too much impact from what I last remembered.

Winter is coming and I always look forward to going up north to play in the snow! However, my sports have changed since I can't snowboard anymore since wearing boots irritate my ankle. I now go snowmobiling. Buying snow and water boots was also a challenge. I had to find shoes that didn't lay on the ankle. It had to fit under the metal and ankle parts to feel comfortable. Got myself a few pairs already and waiting to wear them.

I'll update again in a few months when I get up there to play in snow!

6 years 7 months - Working out, Steps

Tuesday - April 16, 2019

Spring is here! Time for some outdoor workouts. I gotta change up some of my routine gym classes. Now that the rain is gone and the sunny warm weather is back, it's time to go back to my outdoor workouts. Steps! Enjoying the outdoor views of the city and working out is refreshing. Especially enjoying the fresh air. 

Filbert Steps

Fun Fact: Netflix TV series "The OA", Season 2 house is located at Vallejo and Taylor St. At the top of Filbert Street Steps. 

Lyon Street Steps

I feel like I am still out of shape every time I'm back at working out at these steps. My ankle feels fine. I don't run these steps, I just walk it. Once I get tired, I do feel the heat around my ankle. No pain, no limping, no pinching. Mostly just heat, possibly due to inflammation or overworking the ankle. I'll just have to continue working out gradually to make it stronger. I'm back at it!

6 years 4 months - Snow!

Friday - January 4, 2019

Happy New Year! 

I went up to Reno for the weekend and went Snowmobiling!

Since I can't snowboard anymore, because I can't wear the boot and maneuver comfortably, I tried Snowmobiling! It was my first time too! I wore my own boots with a soft surface around my ankle and it felt fine. Just the cold gave me a bit of arthritis but other than that, I can walk fine, with no pain! I didn't have to use my foot for anything. Ankle in snow and cold weather was fine! It was so much fun! 

6 years 2 months - Winter is coming! Trying to find the right boots!

Wednesday - November 28, 2018

Winter is coming! The arthritis randomly kicks in when it's cold and when it rains. I finally found the right type of shoes, booties, that fit my comfortably. Now that ankle boots are popular, the open ankle boots happen to be my favorite kind of boots! Extra thick heels, low inches, comfortable support! The thing I love most is the open ankle slit which does not rub against or lay on my incision scar area. I use to have ankle boots and hiking boots that is full ankle coverage but was uncomfortable because it rubbed against my ankle. I still have metal in there so the added pressure against it is very uncomfortable. Just the reason why I have quit snowboarding. Anything that is tightly snug against my ankle is not good. I feel pain, discomfort, and am unable to walk comfortably. Open ankle boots all the way! Now I have to shop for more styles! I'm noticing also, with large wedged heels, I can wear higher than 2 inches! But I'll stick to my 2 inch heels. That's the magic height. Time to go shopping! Definitely taking advantage of Black Friday sales! I've already bought 2 pairs of shoes! 

6 years - Ankleversary!

Monday - September 24, 2018

It's my 6th year Ankleversary! 

I'm doing great! I just came back from a weekend spent in Napa. I went hiking on trails, wore my hiking trail shoes and did just fine. I get the occasional arthritis from the cold weather and rain still. Sometimes when I walk for too long, I do get tired and achy. 

My scar is the same. I haven't used any scar medication to cover it up. I wear it proudly. I don't swell up anymore. I do get tired after very very long walks. Long hikes meaning 3+ hours worth of walking. Sometimes I'll get a tiny itch at the very bottom of my scar, I guess the collagen there still gets inflamed every so often. I do feel the arthritis kick in during cold weather, rain and when rain is about to begin. Fun random spasms also still happen, not often. To this day, I still think about removing the hardware but won't dare to get surgery again if I don't need it or feel any pain. I can live without 3 inch stilettos. 2 inch heals are as high as I go unless I am wearing thick or wedged heels for that additional support. 

I continue to go to the gym to attend Cycle class, Body Combat class, Zumba Strong class, and use the elliptical machine. 

I debated this year on joining a 5k run but backed out. I know I can't run, it's uncomfortable for me. I still choose not to run to avoid any type of stress or injury. I also haven't joined any competitive sports since. I go to Costco to help my family buy rice and carrying a 25 lb. bag of rice up a flight of stairs is getting better. I'm still working on strengthening my ankle doing more walking and hiking. My Fitbit motivates me. I haven't had to wear a brace for a while now.

Maybe I'll be more brave this year and will try something new. Updates to come! 

5 years 11 months - Walked around Lake Merced, ~4.5 miles and sore ankle after

Friday - August 3, 2018

Happy Friday! 

I went for an after work walk with friends around Lake Merced. It was about 4.5 miles around the lake. Then entire trail around the lake was cement. After the walk, I did feel a little sore in the ankle. The last time I came here was when I tried running it and that was a bad idea. I've retired from running. Walking this lake going forward. No limping, success!