Southurn Princess

Weightloss/Management Journey

Published on August 10, 2021August 17, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

I initially started this journey back in 2017. I was tired of being sick and tired + being told I was going to possibly go on medication for high blood pressure and being pre-diabetic was enough to take action.

I decided to go to a weight management clinic (August 2017), which our insurance pays for – the co-payment. I weighed in at 246.1 (before going I was 248.6 or maybe 248.1 or 2) with a BMI of 43.2. My visceral fat was at a 16. Visceral fat is what you can’t see and can be harmful. Click on the link to learn more about visceral fat. Visceral fat.

With my having hypothyroidism, weight loss/fat can be hard. However, once I started losing weight through dieting and exercising, + taking my medication reguarly, I (keyword I) couldnt use having a thyroid issue as an excuse. I was offered phentermine (back in 2017) and decided to take it. In doing so, along with eating right and exercising, I was losing the weight too fast and stopped taking it.

We were going on a cruise soon (in Oct) and I had just bought clothes that would have been way too small and I was beyond my return date.

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Fort Pickens – Part 1(Picture Overload)

Published on July 29, 2021July 29, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

I’ve visited here plenty of times. And each time, I’m always in complete awe of the history, and the architecture. You can read about the history here: Fort Pickens.

The price for admission:
Per person (pedestrian, cyclist, etc. 1-7 days) – $15
Motorcycle (1-7 days) – $20
Vehicle (1-7 days) – .$25
Park Annual Pass – $45

You can camp at Fort Pickens; RV or tent with electric and non electric sites. There’s access to the beaches, which to me are a lot less crowded and you can fish. If you plan to camp or just hang out for the day, I suggest doing research before heading over, as in keeping track of the weather and possible closures. From the website “Warning: Fort Pickens Campground / Road is subject to flooding, evacuations, closures due to severe weather; Please make alternate plans for last minute cancellations.”

Finding shade may be an issue at some of the sites – hurricanes tend to destroy our trees. Considering how hot and humid it can get here during the summer months, keep that in mind if you plan to tent camp. If you’d like to go have dinner somewhere or visit the main beach (Pensacola Beach), take into account how far you’ll have to drive. It’ll take about 22 minutes, one way.

Is it worth it? Absolutely!

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My Appt. with the Sports Medicine Specialist

Published on July 18, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

As suspected, it’s indeed shoulder impingement. “Shoulder Impingement Syndrome is a fancy word for “pinching” of the rotator cuff muscles in the shoulder. The muscles get pinched between two bones (the humeral head and the acromion process) and this causes inflammation. Inflammation will lead to more pinching and that is what causes pain. ( Source: Bone and Joint Specialist, 2021)

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Happy Heavenly Birthday Momma!

Published on July 14, 2021July 15, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

**You will forever be my hero. My inspiration.**

You would have been 88 today.

Not one single day goes by that I don’t think about you. It’s been 8 years since your passing and it still knocks the wind out of me that you are gone. I wish I could hug you. I wish I could hear your voice. I wish I could see your smile. I wish. I wish. I wish.

Happy Heavenly Birthday! I Love You!

Walking to Get Healthy

Published on July 14, 2021July 15, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

Walking is one of my favorite things to do because (1) I’m getting some exercise in and (2) being outdoors does wonders for my soul and (3) I learn quite a bit of history about my city and surrounding cities when I stop to read the plaques/signs posted (4) I find myself meeting new people.

The weather here n Florida can be so unpredictable and lately all it’s done is rain just about every day. Not today though so I decided to take advantage of it even though it was hot as hell outside. The real feel was around 91 I believe. Staying hydrated was very, very important and so I brought my water bottle with me filled with water and ice.

I brought a 100 calorie snack by Emerald, that has almonds, dried cranberries, and cashews to eat on my walk. I also brought a protein bar by One (the blueberry is so good), which was half way melted by the time I returned to the car. The next time I’ll bring my insulated bag with ice pack to out it in.

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First Workout Today; Planet Fitness

Published on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

I will definitely be going back to my regular gym once I’ve seen the physical therapist this week about my shoulder injury. I enjoyed having structure + it’s just a better vibe and fit for me. However, I do like the fact that now the hubs and I can workout together cause he is so not into doing HIIT.

My plan is to downgrade my membership at my gym so that we’re still able to keep the membership with Planet Fitness. The downgrade would give me 8 workouts a month; so 2 days a week at Regymen and 3 days a week at Planet Fitness.

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Giving Up Is Not An Option…

Published on July 10, 2021July 10, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

I started feeling a little defeated dealing with this shoulder injury. I haven’t had a good nights sleep in days. The pain and weakness in my shoulder really sucks. I’ve been feeling angry, sad, frustrated and I’ve shed a few tears. The pain seems to be more intense at night and interesting enough when I learned more about shoulder impingement, the pain is worse at night. It’s suggested that you sleep on your back and I’m so not a back sleeper, but if it’ll help with the pain, then that’s what I’m going to try.

I would take the pain I had from my hysterectomy over this because that’s how bad the pain has been. I hate not being able to go to my gym to workout and then add in my other medical issues…..mentally, spiritually and emotionally, I was feeling defeated. Thinking to myself that I really must be a horrible person to keep going through shit.

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Plastic Surgery; Panniculectomy

Published on July 7, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

I love me some me; from the inside out. However, as a result of gaining weight, losing weight, gaining weight, losing weight and surgeries, I don’t like one particular part of my body. That would be my lower stomach aka panniculus.

I have lost a total of 58.2 pounds with about 10 more pounds to go which would bring my total to 68.2. My goal weight is 180 which is what me and my plastic surgery agreed upon. I know that for my height, I should weigh around 140 but I’ve been at that size and it is not for me.

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Yesterday’s Working

Published on July 7, 2021 by Southurn PrincessLeave a comment

If the older me could go back and talk with the younger me, I would tell myself to take better care of myself; mind, body and spirit. Self care has become of utmost importance to me now. I may be going on 52 years old, but I’m doing what I can, that’s within my control.

I strongly suggest being your own advocate to ensure you have doctors that are listening to you as well. You know your body better than anyone. So many things went unnoticed because I put too much trust in what my previous doctors would tell me when I knew something was not right. You have a right to request your medical records and the things that I would come across.

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Impingement Syndrome; Shoulder

Published on July 6, 2021July 7, 2021 by Southurn Princess1 Comment

I have never experienced pain like this in my shoulders/arms before, so I thought maybe it was just soreness from my pushing myself to go a bit heavier with the weights on certain exercises. Until I went to urgent care today and found out I’m dealing with impingement syndrome of the shoulder.

What is shoulder impingement syndrome?

“This is a painful pinching of soft tissues in your shoulder. It happens when these tissues rub and press against a part of your shoulder blade called the “acromion.” This can irritate your rotator cuff tendons, and also a soft sac called the “subacromial bursa.” (The Institute for Athletic Medicine, 2020)

When I say that shit hurts when I move it the wrong way, I ain’t playing and this is coming from someone with a somewhat high tolerance for pain. I can see why it would be easy not wanting to do the exercises needed to help with this, out of fear from the amount of pain you think you may have. However, I’d rather work on those exercises, than to develop a frozen shoulder.

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