When I set up my family’s dental benefits at my new job, I forgot to add my husband and daughter to the dental plan. Once you choose your plan you can’t change them for a full year. The major bummer is that I set the plan up to put aside a savings account for my daughter’s braces. If I didn’t use that money in the year I loose it. So, of course not wanting to flush 5k down the drain I did the best thing I could do and got braces for myself. My teeth were not that bad but it was something I always wanted to fix. I had braces as a teen and I never wore my retainer. Because teeth have a memory of an elephant, they did their best to move right back to where they started.
Brace Face
I opted for a full set of braces instead of doing Invisalign. Heck if I did wear my retainer back in the day I knew as an adult I wouldn’t wear the Invisalign sets.
The day I got the braces put on I felt like I lost 15 years off my age. I spoke funny and started to talk with my lips closed to hide the braces. Over time this all went away because I really didn’t care in the long run. I knew the out come would be worth it all.
One thing I never realized was that braces where going to help me in my quest to shrink. From the initial day they were put and the days that I got adjustments to the wires etc., they made my teeth so sore that I just didn’t want to eat. When I did eat the soreness made me stop and think about what I put in my mouth. I could choose anything soft but I took that thinking process a step further by making a better choices.
Taking advantage of this I made sure my cupboards and refrigerator were stocked with healthy and low fat food. Some of my favorite choices were hummus and pita bread, apple sauce (low sugar) and Greek yogurt.
I had my braces on for a little under two years. Towards the end I was fed up with them but now that I see the results, I am so happy I made that dental benefits mistake after all. Funny you never know how one mistake can turn into a great healthy result.
Now my daughter has her braces on and only has a few months until she is done. The good thing is that since I went through the procedure, I can help her get through it with a great result.
Years ago I choose to become a NHL Hockey fan. I had gone to few San Jose Sharks games and fell in love with the game. It is fast pace and exciting. Plus the players are not bad to look at. Over the years I learned more about the strategy of the game, terminology and teams. On my quest to “just keep moving”, I thought that ice skating would be a great activity to add to my menu of choices.
Skating Day
Everyone I know told me to never use the rental skates at the local rinks. Not only is the blade dull, they do not support your ankles. So since I am on a very tight budget (got laid off from my job in July 08) I choose to buy used skates.
Depending on time of year and when the hockey season begins/ends, the inventory in used equipment stores varies. I did find one store “Play it Again Sports” that had a huge selection. I found a great pair of Bauer (men’s) skates. I got the the blades sharpened and was on my way to the rink. Well, little did I know how important it is to have a well fitted skate. Ends up that my skates were a half size too big. I had to wear very thick socks just to be partially comfortable in them.
Me and My New Skates
I did try a drop-in beginners hockey class. The rink let you borrow the full gear needed. I got there early, they fitted me for the gear and 30 mins later I was on the ice. It ended up being more of an advance class. Most of the classmates were on league teams and skating circles around me. My focus was to not fall down no matter what. I had to get through the class with my dignity. The instructor knew that I couldn’t do the various drills he had everyone else doing, so he had me take a stick and puck and move it up and down the ice.
Let me tell you something, it is NOT as easy as it looks during a NHL game. The puck would either go super slow and I would skate right over it or it would go fast and I couldn’t keep up with it. After about 15 mins. my feet were hurting so bad (from big skates with no arch support) that I had to sit down a couple of times. I felt so defeated. I love this sport and pictured myself on a team zooming around the ice making goal after goal. I kept my skates in the car for months. Each time I opened the trunk it reminded me to get back on the ice. I tried a couple of times but had the same aching problem. I finally got waxed laces and even thicker socks. It wasn’t a perfect solution but at least it kept me moving.
About a year later a twitter friend said she had a pair of skates for me. They fit perfect. They feel like slippers compared to my men’s Bauer skates. Now I skate when I can. Still dreaming of being on a league team and getting closer to making that happen.
Diet Plans | Jane | 
March 27, 2009 5:10 am | 
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