Buckets of gumption....

It's good to make your goals realistic so that you don't fall on your face and end up back in the hospital. I am officially 3 weeks post op as of yesterday. We had dinner at a friends house for the 4th of July and I was able to stay for over 3 hours. I sat at the dinner table and on the couch in the living room which is actually a huge accomplishment. Having a 14 inch incision in your belly makes things like sitting upright more challenging than you would think. The doctor recommends that my daily exercise regimen be limited to walking right now. Like I said, simple things are a work out in themselves after an operation like this.
I'm going back to my weekly Fitbit step goals for the time being. I've looked at my daily step average and am using that as a place to start. Now that I'm finally getting to a place where I don't have to take Oxycodone everyday, I'm feeling less sluggish and more ready to tackle some goals. I just have to keep reminding myself that this is about me and where I'm at and not to be discouraged about starting small. We all have to start somewhere and it's about getting a little stronger everyday (slow and steady wins the race and nothing is more so than a manatee). 
My first goal is 14,000 steps for next week or 2,000 steps a day. Lucky for me, the treadmill cranks down to 1 mile per hour so I can start there and see what happens. I've unofficially set time goals for myself as well. I'm starting with 5 minutes of continuous walking. I know it doesn't sound like much, but right now, I need a nap afterwords.
I do best when I set goals in relationship to events (ex. do x,y,z by Christmas), so the goals I'm setting now are in relationship to my birthday on October 1. I missed the Oregon Trail trip with my friends due to surgery (something I am still emotional about), and so I've asked my friends for a birthday party. I don't need presents, just a party and one I don't have to plan. Because they are the most amazing friends in the world, they have honored my request and, armed with a Pinterest board, they are making me a party (I have no idea what's happening...). So that's ground 0, event marker number one. By my 37th birthday, I have set out to achieve the following goals: walk 41,500 steps in a week, walk for 30 minutes continuously, resume my weekly personal training sessions at the gym, be able to shave my legs and tie my own shoes. Watch out world, this Manadee is on a mission!