Health Update on Me and The Car

I had to venture out in the rain to go to the doctor's for my x ray results and I did the 10 minute walk to the surgery in a heavy drizzle. It's been raining most of the day and is set to do the same nearly all week. 

My hips are apparently clear of any problem but I have some arthritis in my lower back and a slight curvature of the spine. According to the doctor I could have had the curvature my whole life without knowing it, although I suspect it might be the result of being overweight for much of my life, bearing 5 large babies (my 3 girls were all over 8.5 lbs and my 2 boys nearly 10 lbs each), and years of carrying bulging backpacks of shopping home. 

I don't quite understand why pain in my hip just below the butt cheek might be linked to arthritis in the back, but the doctor seemed to think it is. For now I have to take painkillers when it hurts, try to adjust my posture and walk more upright, (I do catch myself bending slightly as if compensating for extra weight that's no longer there) and maybe do some yoga or tai chi to strengthen the lower back muscles. Apart from walking I have never done exercise and don't quite know where to start so will have to consult DD3 who used to be a fitness instructor at a gym. If the problem worsens I may need physiotherapy at a later date.

Our car, Minty, is in better shape. It cost us nearly £400 but she's now running smoothly with a new exhaust system, catalytic convertor and other bits and pieces, and she has also passed her MOT for this year. We're hoping to drive to Margate on Saturday...at least that's the plan as we were on our way there when she broke down last time. Fingers crossed she'll get us there and back without incident this time.

I did a bit more freezer-filling yesterday morning, baking 2 meat pies and 2 quiches before I went off to my slimming club. The pies were made with pastry from the freezer and 2 tins of stewed steak from Approved Foods mixed with cooked, diced carrots, onion and peas. The quiches were pastry base, cooked onion, bacon and grated cheddar and the custard made with half fat creme fraiche, milk and eggs. Leftover cooked bacon will go in a macaroni cheese for tomorrow's dinner. 

We had one of the pies for dinner last night with mashed potato and broccoli, and one of the quiches tonight with new potatoes and salad. The other pie and quiche are in the freezer for another day. I do eat pastry (which I love) but I only have a small piece of pie and fill the plate with lots of veg. I also tend to roll my pastry out fairly thinly to make it go further.

I also made a healthy carrot, swede, butternut squash, chilli and ginger soup for my lunches this week, and an apple dessert using cooking apples, sugar-free jelly, quark and fromage frais. I'd lost 1lb at my weigh-in this week, but had gained 2lb last week so need to have some really good days to get that other one off. However, I should really be celebrating a whole year at my target weight. I have never maintained a weight loss for this length of time before. It hasn't been easy, constantly being careful or making up for small gains when I've given in to temptation, but in the long run it really is worth it. As Rachel pointed out in a comment, just think how much worse my hip/back problem would be if I was still nearly 5 stone heavier. 

I think that's about it for tonight. Here's hoping there are at least a few dry spells tomorrow so I can get my washing on the line for a while. Take care all, love Helen xx