Tai Cheng Week 2 - COMPLETE

I've survived 2 weeks and haven't felt like quitting even once!

The Neural Reboot is still giving me issues with the foam rolling.  At least the pain's decreasing.  The other move (plank & pike?) I think I've figured out but I'd need someone who's done it before to verify.

It definitely was a lot better with the Tai Chi moves in pairs.  The flow just seemed to click...no real trouble transitioning from one move to the next. Week 3 will be all 6 moves in sequence. I hope the flow continues!

Tai Cheng Week 1 - COMPLETE

Well, I survived a week of exercise!

The hardest part for me is the daily Neural Reboot.  My wrists and elbows cramp up during the foam roller portion.  Some days are better than others in terms of how many times I have to pause the DVD to shake them out.  I still can't seem to get myself in the right position for planking (I think that's what it's called).  I have to do the modified version (on my knees) but never feel that it's what the woman's doing.  Of course I'm still wobbly when I have to balance but I'm moving faster.

The Tai Chi portion I get confused sometimes with doing the static moves.  Trying to figure out which arm is up and which is down I get lost.  Otherwise it's not so bad.  Because I can't remember the moves from day to day Benny wants me to redo the week.  What do you expect only doing the move a few times for 15 minutes or so and not going back!  Week 2 says it's combining the moves so I don't think it's necessary to repeat.

And now for the scary part...my before pictures.  Double stomach and chin.  Flabby arms.  Back fat.  Big jiggly butt.  Thunder thighs.  (Not sure why Benny didn't get my legs in any picture.)  There's a lot to work on...literally.  I'm not expecting there to be much of a visible difference since Tai Cheng is low intensity but I may be surprised.

In the Beginning...was Tai Cheng

I checked out a couple of the Beachbody programs from the library that I thought were possiblities for me.  To start off I can't do anything high impact; I'd keel over for sure in the middle of doing the exercises.  Benny and I both agreed that I need something to make me more flexible and balanced before I can try anything else.  Tai Cheng appears to be the best route to take.

Since I got the DVDs from the library I don't have anything else that normally comes with the program.  We went and bought one of the foam rollers.  I already had a tape measure.

This morning I watched the whole Master Scroll DVD alone.  By the time this was done Austin was awake.  So I set up for the Function Test.  Here's how I scored:

• Squat:  0.  This hurt in many places.
• Single Leg Stand:  2.  I was too wobbly.
• Shoulder Mobility:  0.  No problem with my left hand but when I tried to reach the bottom of my shoulder blade with right hand...here came the pain.
• Chair Touch:  2.  As I sat back down I didn't completely lose the grip on the back fat but it slipped.
• In Line Lunge:  1.  Again, way too wobbly.
• Rotary Stability:  1.  Still too wobbly.
• Standing Toe Touch:  2.  I could almost reach my ankles.

So my overall score was 8/20.  There's much work to do in the next 90 days!

Benny had awakened before I was done with the test.  He was what I leaned on for some of the wobbles.

Afterwards Benny set up my calibration grid.  He didn't want the tape on the carpet or to have to retape it daily.  So he used a couple of grandma's rugs and duct tape instead.

 

 

I struggled a bit with some parts on the first workout but that's what makes it challenging and builds up your strength.

 

 

Join me on my journey.

Weight Watchers

I went to the activation session this week and will go to my first meeting next week.  I've always been hesitant about diet plans.  I don't like many fruits and veggies.  There are other foods I don't really eat either.  So I don't know how this will work for me.  It may take me the whole two years to figure it out! LOL  If anyone else is a picky eater like me and have found some success please enlighten me.

The exercise portion will also be a challenge.  If someone's not right there with me I'm just not motivated to do it.  I've gone to work out with someone, they stop going for whatever reason, then I stop going because I don't want to be alone.  I've paid a gym membership for a year and only went a few months because I wasn't motivated being alone.  At least until I get into a routine I need a partner to keep me going.

Join me on the Weight Watchers Journey.
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I'm Shocked

I had a voicemail from the Dr's office when I came home Wednesday night so I called them after I got to work Thursday morning.  Insurance actually approved the PA!  I was shocked that they did this and didn't require any further proof (i.e. the esophageal pH test) that I have GERD to continue covering Dexilant.

I'm hoping to eventually not need medicine on a daily basis. Everyone says losing weight helps, 25+ lbs. I lost 20 lbs last year and it obviously didn't do anything for my GERD symptoms. Hopefully the weight I lose on Weight Watchers will do the trick. I'm also going to look into taking aloe and/or papaya juice and digestive enzymes.

Make the Burning Stop!

I have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).  After trying different meds over the years I finally found one that worked for me in the fall of 2011 - Dexilant.  I had been taking this everyday since.

Well, I got a letter from insurance that said they're no longer covering Dexilant because of the cost factor, effective 2/1.  It gave alternatives, all of which I've tried and don't work for me.  The doctor prescribed 30 mg of Prevacid (10mg more than what you can get OTC).  The burning in my mouth and chest continue daily as if I wasn't taking anything.  Normally, there are only certain foods that trigger the reflux.  Since starting the Prevacid no matter what I eat or drink the burning flares up (even water!).  I can't find any relief!

The doctor's office has contacted insurance to see if they'll do a prior authorization so I can start taking Dexilant again.  They said it takes 5-7 business days for this to be reviewed but I'm doubtful they'll do the PA where they'll cover it.  The doctor has the proof where I've tried all these different medicines but they never did a pH probe study to measure the pH or acid levels between my esophagus and stomach.

In anticipation of insurance's denial for PA I'm looking for home or natural remedies to quench the flames.  Please let me know what's worked for you.  I'm willing to try just about anything!

Typical....Nothing Seen on MRI

The doctor called early Friday afternoon after receiving the results summary.  As it typically is for me nothing showed to be irritating the trigeminal nerve.  The only thing that showed up was a little something in my left nasal sinus cavity.  UGH!  Now Benny says we're not going to do any more special tests like this since they're not showing anything the doctors can use to figure out what's wrong.

I got the authorization confirmations from insurance afterwards.  The doctor's office said they ordered a MRI with contrast but both confirmations said without dye.  So I have a feeling we'll have to pay more for the usage of the dye...receiving the bill just in time for Christmas.  Just what we can't afford right now.

The doctor also said she finally got the information fromt he neurologist for possible alternatives to the Tegretol.  Since I'm no longer experiencing pain there's no need to continue Tegretol or try the alternatives.  I hope she put the information in my file so we'll have something to turn to if/when this comes up again.