Kevin Arnold & Winnie Cooper

Just a little gem of adorableness from the Fourth of July picnic! 

"Maher's Don't Quit"

After my workout last night, my knee was a little sore.  I iced it before going to sleep and decided to heat it before future workouts.  I felt a little apprehensive about today's workout, but I pushed through.  With a little help from my new personal trainer and our new mantra, "Maher's don't quit," it went great!  

My personal trainer.

First Workout Post-Tear

Today I went for my MRI.  I was surprised to go in the full body machine; last time, I only had to put my leg in a tube.  All in all, it went well.  The clanking and buzzing was slightly obnoxious (of course the music that was supposed to be playing in my headphones did not work) and both my legs fell asleep, but I managed to keep still.  Next Thursday, I will follow up with Dr. Diana to get the results.  A small glimmer of hope still exists that this may not be my ACL, but I do not want allow myself high expectations that will only be disappointed. 

When I got back to my parents’ house, I embarked on my first workout post-tear.  Back in February, I began the Jillian Michaels Body Revolution, a 90-day workout program similar to P90X (though slightly less intense).  I did very well for the first six weeks, not missing a single workout; however, the second week of April, I derailed due to a combination of scuba lessons and my obsession with re-reading the A Song of Ice and Fire series (the onset of season 2 on HBO created far too much temptation).  Throughout May and the beginning of June, I exercised only sporadically, all the while with visions of my wedding dress and the October 20^th calendar box looming closer and closer in the back of my head.  Five days before my injury, I fully recommitted to the Body Revolution 90 day program, only to feel completely thrown off course yet again. 

After giving my knee a full week to rest and finding a pretty awesome OTC hinged brace, I began the program again.  It went really well!  I know my limitations; if my knee buckles, I set myself back another week.  I kept a soft bend in my knee at all times, put a major emphasis on supporting my legs from the hips (which have lost a ton of flexibility in recent years), and avoided turning out.  It was a really encouraging start!  I am going to take it one workout at a time and not push myself to the extreme.  Moreover, in order to make up for the physical limitations in my exercise regime, I am forced to put a greater emphasis on nutrition.  I need to keep focusing on the goal in sight…my wedding is just shy of 16 weeks away.  And, as an added bonus, if all goes as planned, I complete the last workout in the 90-day program on the day of my Bachelorette Party!