4 Hour Body - Slow Carb Diet

I have been following the slow carb diet to shed some pounds. Last check we were down to 237. Hoping for a bit more this week. The goal would be to get to 215 or event lower by the end of Feb.

The slow carb diet is basically Atkins with a splash of beans and an off day.

http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/04/06/how-to-lose-20-lbs-of-fat-in-30-days-without-doing-any-exercise/

Broken Fibula, Broken Ankle, Fixed Ankle X-Rays

Update - 2 weeks till the next doctors appointment

Ok so a week ago Wednesday I had my 1 week followup with Dr. Schneider. She took off the splint. My foot and ankle had two incisions (I think) on either side of the ankle. Perhaps another one for the camera. This one I think was just a small incision. I will confirm this when the cast comes off. So once the splint was off the next order of business was to remove the stitches. This was painless and without issue. Now it was time to say good bye to my ankle and lower left leg for the next 3 weeks. Yes thats right. I will get to that in a moment. Dr. Schneider then proceeded to cast my leg from the knee down. Once the cast started to harden it was off for some x rays. Below you will find my actual xrays from injured ankle through to post surgical ankle with two syndesmotic screws. So now back to my next appointment to see Dr. Schneider. It is scheduled for Friday Feb 5. I softly asked the Doc if that meant the cast was coming off. She tentatively said she might put me in an air cast. Man would that be awesome as the cast is sucking big time. The only blessing is the kneeling scooter I picked up from my buddy Lenny who owns All Pro Medical in Plainview.

Also, another fun fact just saw Dr. Hershman on TV at the Jet game. Dr. Hershman is my knee orthpedist since Dr. Gazaniga left NY.

More to report come Feb 5.

Broken Ankle - Syndesmosis Injury and Maison-neuve fracture

So it looks like the NYC triathlon is gonna be put on hold for the moment as NYE 2010 Brought on a broken left ankle. The exact injury involved tearing of the syndesmosis, fracturing my fibula, and a small chipping in the ankle. Its unfortunate but due to my earlier injuries, I come through these crisis situations with some ease. Its as if my experience with traumatic ligament, tendon, and bone injuries to both legs has given me the ability to see through the pain and shock of the injury and act in cool calm collected manner. I always look back to rupturing my patella tendon the morning of a flight back to the NY from HK. I managed to travel the 20+ hours it took to get home arranging for my care upon landing in the US. Hopefully I will not need to call these skills into use EVER again.

So the broken ankle needed to be realigned and secured with two syndesmotic screws. Apparently the break to my fibula which is just below the knee will heal while I am immobilized and non weight bearing. The addition of the faracture to the fibula is called a Maisonneuve fracture. Surgery was on January 6, 2010. Tomorrow, I will be casted below the knee. The cast will remain on for 6-8 weeks. Of course hoping for the 6 but we shall see.

All in all the pain was bad for the first few days after injury and surgery. Nothing some painkillers couldn't handle. I guess comparatively I have experienced worse pain after surgery.

Finally, below you can find several images of the syndesmosis (space between the tibia and fibia), the screws that used to secure my tibia and fibia to allow the syndesmosis to heal and the gap in the ankle to normalize, and the Maison-neuve fracture. (the xray is not mine but hoping to get a digital copy.)

NYC Triathlon - July 18 2010

So I have signed up for the NYC Triathlon. Thank goodness July 2010 seems very very faraway. I am looking forward to gearing up and training for this amazing race. Since its getting cool here in NY, I have racked the bike and will look to work on my overall fitness and diet.

The Road Bike - 2009 Specialized Allez Sport Compact Double Satin Black

Specifications

* The A1 Premium Aluminum frame uses a bowed top tube and oversized downtube for superior power transfer and remarkable vertical compliance.
* The Allez carbon fork soaks up road vibration, provides laser-accurate steering, and is ultra light.
* Shimano’s 105 STI levers shift smoothly and precisely over their 10-speed range.
* Find comfort in the drops with ergonomic Specialized Comp bars, with oversized stem clamp area for a solid bar connection.
* The Comp-Set stem combines a 12-degree rise with an oversized 31.8mm bar clamp for comfortable, accurate steering.

FRAME
Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum, fully manipulated tubing, smooth weld compact race design, integrated headset
FORK
Specialized FACT carbon, carbon fiber legs, aluminum crown and steerer
HEADSET
Specialized Mindset, 1-1/8" integrated threadless, steel cage bearings, 20mm alloy cone with one 10mm and two 5mm alloy spacers
STEM
Specialized Comp-Set, 3D forged alloy, 4-position adjustable, 4-bolt 31.8mm clamp
HANDLEBARS
Specialized Comp, 6061 alloy, short drop, ergonomic shaping, 31.8mm
TAPE
Body Geometry Bar Phat, cork ribbon w/ 2.5mm gel padding
FRONT BRAKE
Ultralight dual pivot brakes, Teflon pivots, forged alloy w/ cartridge pads
REAR BRAKE
Ultralight dual pivot brakes, Teflon pivots, forged alloy w/ cartridge pads
BRAKE LEVERS
Shimano 105, 10-speed STI, flight deck compatible
FRONT DERAILLEUR
Shimano 105, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull
REAR DERAILLEUR
Shimano 105, short cage
SHIFT LEVERS
Shimano 105, 10-speed STI, flight deck compatible
CASSETTE
Shimano 105, 10-speed, 12-27t
CHAIN
Shimano 105, 10-speed
CRANKSET
Shimano Compact
CHAINRINGS
50 x 34t
BOTTOM BRACKET
Shimano FC-4500
PEDALS
Silver cage, black body, w/ toe clip and strap
RIMS
Mavic CXP22 rim, alloy triple-wall, machined sidewalls, 32h
FRONT HUB
Specialized forged alloy, 32h, sealed ball bearings, QR
REAR HUB
Specialized forged alloy, 32h, double sealed ball bearings, cassette, QR
SPOKES
Stainless 14g
FRONT TIRE
Specialized Mondo Sport, 700x23c, wire bead, 60TPI, Flak Jacket
REAR TIRE
Specialized Mondo Sport, 700x23c, wire bead, 60TPI, Flak Jacket
INNER TUBES
Specialized standard presta tube
SADDLE
Specialized Comp Road, full padding
SEATPOST
Specialized carbon wrapped, two-bolt clamp, 27.2mm
SEAT BINDER
Specialized alloy 31.8mm
NOTES
Chain stay protector, chain catcher, derailleur hanger, clear coat, owners manual

http://www.twospoke.com/forum/f55/specialized_allez_sport_compact_double_-_2009-220

The Beginning

So the purpose of this blog...I hope...will present itself over the course of the next few months. I want my first venture into the blogosphere to help redefine my life. Hopefully a clearer sense of self will present itself as I account and recount my daily actions and aspirations. I guess the blog will focus on my daily thoughts and digressions and my desire to get my mind and body in shape. There will be a need to work through the past to look to the future...there will be ups and downs. The journey is just the beginning!