Cleared to exercise (kind of)

I guess I might as well get one post in before the craziness of back to school/soccer season starts and my blog posts suffer more than they already are.

Ankle, ankle and more ankle stuff.  I swear my life revolves around it. 

I looked WAY cooler with one foot on the ground and the other pushing this forward.

• Dr said 2-3 more weeks with the boot (I'm writing this at the end of week 2) but I'll tell you I am hurting tonight after just being at work and walking around for about 5 hrs. The last week, I'm supposed to be working towards transitioning into shoes, but honestly, I don't see it.  I'm going from be a couch potato recovery mood for 6 weeks to standing on my feet for 7 plus hours, without a boot?!  I'm going to baby this ankle for at least a week more. 
  
  
   
• Dr said I could start to exercise on the elliptical (hell NO!) and I could start spinning again.(hell YES)  Yay!  Of course, when I hear "Go" I really went for it.  It happens that they are offering spinning classes multiple times a day this week.  Yep, "overdoing it", 5 classes in 3 days.  It felt great to be back but I'm feeling it a bit too.  My ankle didn't hurt while doing it but it was swollen and tender later.  

• I started PT this week.  Sadly, it was like a homecoming of sorts since I have been going there all spring.  My one PT said I should get a personalized parking spot since I'm there so much.  I shouldn't be surprised that I can't do much, but sometimes I really am.  Today, I had to put my foot on this sliding board and just push it forward and backward.  Holy cow, that hurt like crazy.  Pushing my foot back was insanely hard and did I mention it hurt?

• On top of my celebrating my return of sorts to exercising, my FAVORITE brand for workout shirts is having a SALE which they never have.   YMX Yellowman  has the most amazing shirts.  Normally the tees run about $70 but they are on sale for $30.  I have 2 already and have worn them at least once a week for the last year. They wash up amazing, they have fabulous designs and the maxcool fabric feels like silk yet wicking!  I just bought 2 more and a tank.  I can't wait to see what is up next since they are only doing a few items for 3 days then its on to something else for $30.  Here's my review from last year.  YMX shirt review

Obligatory Ankle Scar photos

This is about 4.5 weeks post op

What an "mini open partial excision" scar looks like. Not as mini as I'd hoped. That's about 1.5".

tiny ankle arthroscopy scar

Product review: YMX running Tee

I'd see the YMX brand on occasion in my Athleta catalogs that I always thought their designs were so unique.  The price tag stopped me in my tracks since they were always priced on the high end for me.  I tend to outfit myself in the Target C9 collection, with exception to my runningskirts.com obsession.

So,when a blogger I read dawnieslife.com had a contest, I joined in on the chance of winning.  Well, I didn't win. :-( but I had "friended" YMX on Facebook.  Later, they had a chance of buying their products for $25 for 3 days, then they'd have another product for $25 for 3 days.  Anyways, I jumped on the chance to try out these shirts for $25 over the normal $69.

If you don't know about YMX here is a little about what they say on their website.

"ABOUT YMX

YMX (acronym for YellowMan Expression) was launched in 2009 as an extension of the original, high-end tattoo clothing brand, YellowMan (founded in 2004). Built on an extensive library of original tattoo artwork collected around the globe, YellowMan offers collectible, limited wearable art prints. YMX was created to offer an alternative to YellowMan in a broader, commercial market, while still preserving the authenticity of its origins.

Back, love the pocket!

YMX offers multifunctional garments that bridge the gap between athletic and fashion garments. Featuring high-comfort, lightweight MadKool fabrics and detailed, original prints, YMX garments can be worn for athletic use, or for casual wear. As a matter of fact, because of the moisture-wicking properties of the fabric, many people wear YMX in both active and leisure activities without having to change!"

Front

Tribal Sea Running Tee
 Product description according to their website:
"Not just for running, this sport tee offers beautiful tribal art, moisture wicking fabric, UPF 50+ sun protection, and silky-soft comfort. 

Fabric: MadKool ® 88% Polyester 12% Spandex

Properties: "UV protection SPF 30+, moisture-wicking, lightweight, wrinkle-resistant"

Fit: "slim fit, wear one size up for relaxed fit"

Uses: "running, casual, workout, cycling, travel"

 PRICE:  $69.00"

I've been using this shirt and the pink/orange version for about 2 months now.  They are always the first shirt I grab now for spinning and for running.  

Pros:

• It is so light weight and feels like a stretchy silk. I used to always wear tanks for spinning since tees just tended to be too hot, but this is so light weight that you hardly notice it.

• Unique design- I'm sure I'm not the only one out there who has "fat days".  It's nice to have a shirt that is busy (a very cool busy) that tends to cover up the slight muffin top when you put on your shorts/capris.  Nothing I hate more than a solid color shirt that shows your rolls!
• Nice length.  Long enough that it isn't going pull up and show tummy if you are stretching.  
• Slim design- feminine cut 
• Extra pocket on the back-I've never tried it out so don't know if it would bug me to have something there- maybe kleenex or tp or something light?  
• UPF 50+ sun protection- wow! didn't realize that til now!
• Washes up beautifully.  No smelly shirts!
• smooth seams, no chafing!

Cons:

• Price- $69 is a bit pricey 

• no v-neck