walking with a spring in my step | life update
oh, happy day! not only are my gorgeous Nikko blue hydrangeas blooming (my favorite flower after peonies) but i thought i’d share today how i’m dealing with my knee surgery. yesterday, i had my six-week post-surgery check-up, and i’ve been discharged from physical therapy. everything is A-Okay with my new plastic knee. but now the real work begins. it’s time to hit the gym, ramp up my walks, hop on my Peloton, and get the recommended 10,000 steps in. what’s my plan? a ten-day detox for starters (i’ve turned to these many times through the years for a reboot) to cleanse my system from the effects of surgery and anesthesia. both trigger the release of stress hormones that activate inflammatory responses in the immune system. inflammation worsens many diseases, including heart disease, cancer, dementia, and can even trigger type 2 diabetes. surgery undoubtedly causes pain, stress, and anxiety but couple that with anesthesia and low body temperatures during surgery, and you get an immune system that’s been rattled in a BIG way. but i’m thankful for modern medicine and my new bionic knee.
maintaining a healthy lifestyle
since y’all know i’m all about living a healthy lifestyle, i prepped my body pre-surgery with clean eating and loading my body with supplements. food is medicine, ladies, which is why nutrition comes first. but it’s hard to get the recommended dose of vitamin C by munching on spinach alone, which is why i decided to add daily supplements to my routine. if you’re interested in the list of supplements i take and their benefits i filmed a YouTube video that will fill in the blanks. i’m always happy to share what works for me.
just like plants, our bodies need nutrients to bloom. so for the next ten days, it’s all about clean eating, so i’m following The Blood Sugar Solution Ten-day Detox Diet by Dr. Mark Hyman which focuses on out with bad in with the good. Dr. Oz is a big fan of his too. i listen to Dr. Hyman’s podcast, which is so informative about nutrition, hormones, inflammation, digestion, and metabolism. everything we need to lead a healthy life. and our health at any age, but especially as we age, is our number one priority. aging with grace, strength, and beauty focuses first on our health so we can lead the vibrant lives we all want. it takes lots of energy to chase after grandchildren, garden or travel. am i right?!
summer wardrobe essentials
but how cute is this polka dot jumpsuit? recently, i shared a post on summer wardrobe-essentials. the mighty jumpsuit made the list. recently, i ordered this polka dot jumpsuit from Talbots, but there was a considerable shipping delay, and guess what? the jumpsuit is no longer available. but i did source several other polka dot jumpsuits that i think you’ll like just as well here and here.
the same held true for this round leather handbag. ugh! i know all of the brands are doing their utmost best to stay on top of the shipping cycle, and delays are to be expected these days. but Talbots has a round suede handbag that’s just as adorable as the leather, and i loved the gingham handbag too.
but we’re in luck with the sandals from Loft. and they’re the perfect summer neutral that goes with everything. and i can walk easily in a low block heel. we’ll have to wait and see if heels are in my future. but i’m convinced if my legs are sturdy and strong, then heels shouldn’t be a problem going forward. lot’s of squats, cycling, and weight training are in store for me; that’s for sure!
jumpsuit (similar here and here) | handbag (similar here and here) | c/o sandals
for several seasons handbags with a round shape have been the cat’s meow. keep it simple but still tap into the trend with a neutral color. but nothing beats a straw circle crossbody bag for summer.
a detox
for the next ten days, coffee, sugar, dairy, grains, gluten, alcohol, processed foods, vegetable oils, and beans have been eliminated from my diet. oh, coffee and wine, how i will miss thee. but hey, after about three days i’ll start to feel soooo good i won’t regret it for a minute. gluten, grains, and dairy are the main culprits when it comes to inflammation and spiking insulin levels. by getting rid of them for ten days allows your body to see how they affect you.
accessories make or break an outfit. typically, i’ll ditch the self-tie belt that comes along with many dresses and jumpsuits in favor of one i own. but don’t forget to add a jazzy necklace or bold bangle to spice up your outfit. the devil is in the details, so pay attention to your accessories.
Love the video Beth….you keep it real. Also you look adorable in the jumpsuit/ pants/top outfit. It’s Super cute on you.
Take care and love following along with you.❤️
thanks so much, holly! you just made my day.
I just read your post and also watched your video. Very informative. Thank you!!
well, i was starved for information about knee replacements so i knew there had to be others that were in the same boat. always happy to share what works for me.
I loved the video Beth. I am on the same journey although I need two knee replacements and I have arthritis in my feet. Very scary for me because I have been active my whole life. So many things you said in your video I can relate to. I have animals, including a horse and they bring so much happiness! At 59 I have so much more life left to live. I’m really struggling. I think I would have a knee replacement tomorrow if it wasn’t for the anesthesia. Can you tell me about how it effected you? I love your blog! Thank you so much for bringing this information to us.
yes, you do have lots more life left to live. i definitely don’t have any major side-effects from the anesthesia. but any drug even Tylenol disrupts our system which is why i decided to do a ten-day detox. it’ll just cleanse my body and give me a nice jumpstart. good luck! you’ll do great.
Dear Kelley, if it is the prospect of a general anesthetic that is worrying you, a knee replacement operation can be done under regional anesthesia (basically, an epidural combined with a local, if I have understood it correctly). My 80-year-old aunt had hers done that way, with no ill effects.
Really cute look! Love that jumpsuit. And congrats on the knee. My husband has had both knees replaced in the last couple of years, so I know that’s a big deal. Love those hydrangeas, too!
definitely happy that the surgery is in the rearview mirror. onward!
Love your determination Beth. Our garden is also full of peonies and hydrangeas- low maintain expectations, peat free beauties💝
Be cautious with supplements, Beth. Daily limits are easy to override when we are taking multiple vitamins and supplements. Vitamin C is only one of the vitamins and minerals that can do more harm than good if you exceed daily limits. One orange is already 130% so if you add all the other food you eat, plus, the amounts in all the supplements you might run into trouble over time. Imbalances can also cause malabsorption or dumping of other nutrients…just saying.
that’s why it’s so important to do lots and lots of research when it comes to our health. but we need to be our own self-advocate armed with knowledge.
So glad to hear you’re on the mend, Beth, and it will continue to get better all the time. I am personally so grateful for this surgery. And I’m so happy for you that you are doing so well–I, too, was extremely fortunate. The worst is behind you and you will see daily improvement. Not a day goes by that I don’t cherish the moments without any pain. You look fabulous, and you’ve got a great attitude that will help you moving forward. Take good care.
i’m with you sue, so very grateful there’s a surgery that will give my vibrant life back and yours. what a gift!
I like your blog very much. I live in the middle of Nebraska and hard to go shopping. Plus I am 81 years old. I ordered a pair of the wide leg jean from Talbots and think it is what I have been looking for for two years. It bothered me though when I looked inside at the tag and found it was made in China. I would like to see more clothes made in USA. Thank you Dorsie.
thanks so much for stopping by, dorsie. i quite agree with more clothes being made in the USA.
I do love jumpsuits and black and white polka dot is really pretty but I’m too old to wear them out for very long. I do not like the bathroom struggle. It fits you so perfectly.
The flowers are beautiful. My Mother in law had the most beautiful hydrangeas in her yard but none of us could get a start going for us after she passed away and the house was sold. Apparently she had the only green thumb in the family.
absolutely love hydrangeas! they make such a gorgeous bouquet fresh or dried.
Hi Beth..I have had both knees replaced. Here’s my take, bone pain takes about 8 wks to disappear, your almost there! After therapy, Pilates really got me great range of motion. I am a golfer and need to kneel to read my putts and I can do it easily. It takes work but your
commitment Is there, so you will do fine!
Love your ootd, I love polka dots, always In style. Thank you for your blog, I look forward to reading everyday!
thanks for sharing, susan! can’t wait for my Pilates studio to reopen but i’m already pleased with my range of motion. my PT said the knee takes at least a year to fully heal although the first three months are critical. so it’s time to get this flab built back into muscle and enjoy life again.
had 2 knee replacements but no scar that is that big. who did your surgery!!
well, i’ve seen lots and lots of knee replacement scars and mine looks pretty dang good. and the video scar was only two weeks into the game. the staples had just been removed. but good for you if your scar is better.
Hi Beth love that your knee is progressing so well , you look great and are an inspiration for others . Im a physio from Australia and just wanted to give you a hint to keep equal weight on both legs when you are standing , otherwise it will effect your lower back . I noticed in all your photos in this post that your weight is all on your good leg. a bad back will take longer to recover from. than a knee operation . hope you don’t mind the advice love your blog Kind Regards Jacqueline
that’s so sweet. thanks for the advice. but I’ll share a blogger secret. we typically pose with one foot forward with the weight on that leg. my PT stressed to keep the weight evenly distributed so i do try to achieve that when walking and standing.
Good for you and your great news about your knee recovery!
Beth you look fabulous and the outfit suits you very well. So glad to see your efforts surrounding your surgery are paying off in spades.
God bless and stay well.
I like everything about this outfit. So nice how you used the gold accents in accessories. The sleeves are so cute. And and spots fabric of the jumpsuit looks so light and airy; it looks like it would be so much fun to wear.
And your progressing so well post op. You look a lot better than most people do. Your ankle is no longer swollen and the scar is healing up S-O well.
Have you been massaging vitamin E oil Into your surgical scar? That is what my plastic surgeon had me do post op and it worked wonders for resolving my scarring.
And who minds a little scarring anyway when you feel so much better…. Every flower has to grow though dirt.
So glad you are on the mend after your surgery. I am very interested in supplements you shared as I just finished 16 rounds of chemo and still have radiation to go for breast cancer but want to get my health back. I had 2 surgeries in December and another sudden one today. Now I have finished chemo I feel I can move forward in repairing my body a little before I start radiation in 3 weeks. Thankyou for sharing your journey always interested in the information you have to pass on. Best wishes. Janne Xx
Hello Beth,
I’m so happy for you that the knee surgery is done and you are on to a more active life. I am 8 months out from my knee surgery. My surgeon said it takes a full year to truly recover, I used vitamin e capsules on my knee scar and most people cant even see my scar. I was tired for a good 12 to 16 weeks following the surgery. I needed a rest around 3 pm every day. Be kind to yourself and listen to your body, everything will work out. I’m still uncomfortable on certain heels. I’ll be interested in how you approach foot wear. Bye for now, Janice
thanks for sharing, janice! you are so right about being tired. that’s the one thing I’ve noticed so i do tend to take it easy in the late afternoon. some days it just feels like i hit a wall. all the doctors and therapists say it takes a year to eighteen months to completely recover and i think they’re right! we’ll see about footwear. slow and steady wins the race. take care!