Introducing...Me

Hello, everyone.

Just thought I'd open with a little background information about myself and my reasons for starting this blog.

About four years ago, I  noticed that my walk was becoming less certain and the fingers of my right hand were tingling slightly.  These early symptoms were so slight there were times I thought I was imagining them.

As time went on, I began to have trouble walking upstairs and holding things in my right hand.  I went to see the doctor who then referred me to a neurologist.  After doing an MRI scan, the neurologist discovered that some discs in my neck had prolapsed.  In short, the vertebrae in my neck were now crushing the nerves that controlled my right leg and hand.  I was scheduled for surgery but warned that the operation was to prevent further damage.  There would be some improvement once the pressure was taken off the nerves but I would never be the same again.

The operation was successful.  I was walking confidently the morning after the surgery and was able to hold my coffee cup in my right hand again.

Over the following 18 months my condition improved.  Then the symptoms started to return.  Another disc had prolapsed and another operation was needed.  My condition has now improved to the point were the limp is barely noticeable and my right hand is more agile.  Sometimes I can even feel all five fingers again. 

Since the first operation occurred, I've become a total couch potato.  I found that because of permanent nerve damage I could no longer be as physically active as I once was.  Depression and frustration soon set in which I treated with food, food and more food.  The weight piled on which only served to fuel my depression and frustration.  I was caught in a vicious cycle.

On Christmas Day 2009 my husband, Awesome Dude, presented me with a Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board(I tried not to read too much in to it.)  'I thought you would find it fun,' he said.  I thanked him and opened it straightaway.  Realising I had no real knowledge of things Wii, I passed it on to my son, the Wii Master, to work his Wii magic.

Awesome Jr. quickly sorted out a Mii for...me and I inputted my vitals.  It was certainly disheartening to see that my BMI was not ideal and my Wii Mii resembled a suet dumpling with arms and legs.  Still, one must know what one is up against.  At least my weight wasn't  too bad.  About what I expected.  I decided there and then that I wasn't going to let my husband's gift go to waste.  I was going to get back into shape.  I wasn't sure what shape exactly but anything had to be better than the shape I was in now.

I've always had the desire to get back in shape.  Just not the means.  I can't go on five-mile walks anymore because one mile is all I can handle before the limp becomes more pronounced.  I tried dance classes and only succeeded in pulling a muscle in my back.  I was too out of condition to get in condition.

But now with the Wii Fit Plus I have the means to start pulling myself together.  And by posting my progress on this blog, I have the motivation to stick with it.  But first, I had to check with my doctor and my physiotherapist.  (It's always a good idea to do that before you start any type of fitness programme.)