Today, on August 18th, 2021, marks my 5-month post-op anniversary!!!!!!! ๐ฅณ๐๐ฅณ
And here is the celebrated honoree now! โฌ๏ธ

Because my left knee continues to do well at PT and during my own training sessions, making the necessary small-but-mighty incremental improvements, I wanted to do something special for the occasion…..but what to do?!?! ๐ง
I mean, I have made it smoothly and successfully to the 5-month part of the rehab process. AND in exactly ONE month from today, I may be reaching the halfway point (or the one-third point) in my physical therapy recovery!!! Either way, my potential for jogging more, moving more, and โdoing more activitiesโ will continue to rise and expand as I move through month 5 and into month 6!!! ๐

After researching the tiniest bit, I found something that I feel is the perfect way to celebrate this milestone:

How great is this?!?!?!?! โ๏ธโ๏ธโ๏ธ
5 Awesome Ways to Start my Month 5 of Rehab!!! It seems quite appropriate!! Plus, itโs an amazing way to get reenergized and motivated to conquer this new month of PT and all the challenges that may arise. Itโs always good to get the mind right and set specific goals that entice us to keep going and keep working hard.
So, Iโm going to do or set my โ5 at 5โ now!! My list of 5 at Month 5. Here we go!!!
1. Start the month strong. Do a kickbutt workout on Day 1!
DONE!!! โ
Day 1 is today and I definitely pushed myself during my at-home training session! I rode hard on my spinning bike and went through a majority of my rehab exercises. I even played with some exercises that I havenโt tried in over a year+, just to see how they felt.

My knees (both!!) did very well, too!! The workout this morning was definitely a confidence booster for me and where I am along this process so far. โจ๐ช๐ผ๐โบ๏ธ
2. Set a one-week goal. Short-term goals are motivating!
They sure are!!! And I would like to set two simple one-week goals for myself, starting today.
First, I am going to meditate for 10 minutes every single day. I have had a meditation practice in the past and I recognize the benefits of finding stillness in order to reconnect with yourself (and your Self). However, I have not been consistent AT ALL with this practice as of late. So, that shall be my one-week goal #1!!

Secondly, I want to find a half-hour every single day to read something that betters me as a person and as a trainer. I love my internet research and I often do it daily, on topics like an ACL injury, nutrition, business ideals, and so on. But I have real books and e-books that are just waiting for me to read!!! Really incredible books, too!! And I keep postponing them and doing other things instead.
Not anymore!!!! I shall take action, prioritize, and read one of these fantastic books/e-books every single day for the next week as my one-week goal #2!!

And I certainly hope that my short-term goals #1 and #2 stay with me longer than a week…but for AT LEAST a week!!!
3. Set a 30-day goal. Longer-term goals keep you going!!
The first long-term goal that comes to mind has to do with my jogging abilities and how I would love for them to grow (A LOT!!) over the next month.
Still, I shall set a safe, modest, and un-rushed goal to set my sights on to start. By September 18th, 2021, my 6-month mark, I would like to be able to run for a half-mile straight on the treadmill at 6.5 mph with zero pain or swelling!

Right now, I can jog for 1 minute at a time at 5.5 mph with no pain or swelling. In four weeks, I think a nice and smooth build-up of distance as I slowly increase my pace to 6.5 mph is fair and doable!!! ๐๐ปโโ๏ธ
4. Make a gratitude list for of what you are thankful for so far this year for a happiness boost!
How could I not want a happiness boost??!! ๐๐
Here is my gratitude list of today!! Of course we shall be sticking with our theme so I shall choose 5 things that make me truly thankful.
1. Iโm so grateful for the beautiful beings I know who make a true and positive difference in my life. Those that always show up with love and compassion and whose very presence adds light, value, warmth, depth, and dimension to my world.

2. Iโm so grateful for my amazing and highly- functioning knees that continue to beat the odds and demonstrate what resiliency really means.

3. Iโm so grateful that the majority of the choices that I make are beneficial to me, to those around me, and to the favorable direction that I wish to go.

4. Iโm so grateful that I have allowed myself to grow up a lot over the years and that I am not afraid to apologize for and own my past mistakes and cringe-worthy moments.

5. Iโm so grateful that many things bring me joy and appreciation, like meaningful conversations with friends and family, the sunshine, seeing butterflies, awful jokes, and adorable puppies, like Nobie!

5. Compliment yourself right now and smile!
Okay, here goes:
Self, I admire you for your drive to improve every single day, your dedication to your recovery, and the many actions you have taken over the years to better the human being that you are. You have never settled for mediocrity, you remain energetic and optimistic, and you are willing to do whatever it takes to help yourself and the people you love. I am inspired by you.
And I promise, I am smiling right now!! ๐
And that concludes my โ5 at 5โ – – –

I will stay true to my targets and let you know how it all transpires!! ๐๐ฝ๐ฅ
And perhaps YOU may want to get in on this โ5 Awesome Ways to Start a New Monthโ thing!! September 1st is crazily coming up so soon….maybe it can help you to jumpstart next month in the best of ways!!
High-5 to that, too!!! ๐๐ผ๐๐๐ผ๐๐๐ผ๐๐๐ผ๐