It's So Good To Be Outdoors Swimming and Chickie Issues

It was absolutely glorious to be back in the outdoor pool yesterday. The sky was overcast, so no amazing sunrise, but that long expanse of water before turning around and swimming it again was beyond wonderful. I'll be back in the water again in about 1-1/2 hours and I can hardly wait. 

Chickie has some severe curvatures in her spine, 
probably scoliosis. The fact that she's probably at 
least 150 pounds overweight isn't helpful either. 
I know she's got a referral to Mayo Clinic, so we'll 
see what they have to say, but it basically will come 
down to possible surgery and spinal fusion, along 
with some serious weight loss. That'll be tough 
for her. 

Chickie had an exam and scan by a spinal specialist yesterday morning before coming in to the shop. Things are NOT good. There are curvatures where there shouldn't be, bone spurs which extend through several vertebrae, and generally, her spine is in terrible condition. They'll give her a lower lumbar injection of some type that will help with her pain, but that's just a band-aid, not a cure. Among the things they mentioned was that she HAS to lose weight. They have a follow-up very soon, and Chickie's sure they will talk about gastric bypass surgery, which she will not allow. BUT, she's been completely unsuccessful at losing weight for many years now, and that's a serious problem. 

I'm into Year Three of WildFit, and for me, it's been the 
perfect food plan. It's not a diet, it's a way of life and of 
thinking about food. I highly recommend it to anyone - 
it's an excellent food plan that works with what the body 
actually wants and needs. 

Of course I mentioned WildFit to her, as well as Noom which has been working very well for my oldest niece, but she shrugged them off. And, also of course, it's not my life, it's hers, and her own choices will have to be made. But, this is a problem. I'd say, off the top, that she needs to lose at least 100 pounds, and she doesn't eat a healthy diet. Too many carbs, too much processed food, too much sugar, etc. But, as the old saying goes ... "You can lead a horse to water ..." etc, etc, etc. 

My oldest niece has been using Noom for her weight 
loss and it's worked very well for her. She still has 
about 30 pounds to lose, but has lost more than 60 
over the past year. She's very comfortable with the 
plan, so that's also an option I mentioned to Chickie. 

Today I have errands to do, and I also have to drop some stuff off at the shop before starting the bulk of my day. I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing today, I only know I need to make my meals for the week - 4-5 days of food for my dinners. I just haven't decided on what to make. Hmmm, I guess I'll figure something out on the fly. I do have some bacon-wrapped scallops in my freezer. That'll be one meal. Yum! 

I bought some bacon-wrapped scallops during Lent, but 
never got around to eating them. That might be my 
lunch today, with a light dinner - maybe just a salad - 
tonight. 

So, have an excellent Friday. I'll be returning here again tomorrow, if all goes according to plan, so until there, be kind, laugh and smile a lot. Slava Ukraini. Peace!