4 Year Anniversary

It's that time again! The 4 year anniversary of my calcaneal osteotomy (ankle reconstruction). What an amazing journey it's been!

I feel really good! I am fully healed, of course, but I did visit my ankle surgeon about 3 months ago to touch base and ask some questions.

There is one spot beneath my ankle bone that is still excruciating if it is bumped or touched at all. I figured that would heal over time but it doesn't look like that will happen. I also have hypertrophy of the bone in that same area. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is quite noticeable to the eye. I am putting my body under quite a bit of stress at the moment with my training, so I do feel that area on a daily basis. But, it's just something I've learned to live with. I had x-rays taken to ensure there wasn't any damage and it revealed no issues at all. 

Although I do not regret my decision to have the surgery, there is one thing I didn't fully understand prior to having the reconstruction. When you are moving your heel bone into a different place in your body, it effects EVERYTHING else. So now the left and right sides of my body and very different. I get frequent knee pain and my hips are constantly out of alignment. I treat this with regular visits to a Muscle Activation Therapist and Chiropractor who has done wonders for me. With this treatment, I am able to do the incredible amount of physical activity that I wasn't sure would ever be possible again!

I proud to say that this year I became a Certified Personal Trainer through NASM and NESTA. I am teaching 11 group fitness classes a week including my very own Boot Camp class at the new Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, TX. I am pursing my Fitness Nutrition Specialization and am about to compete in my third Half Marathon!

Since my last post, I competed in my second Half Marathon, where I took 9+ minutes off of my first race's time! My goal at this third race is to feel stronger during the race, which I've been preparing for with 4 months of intense training!

It's hard to believe that another year post-op is in the books. Here's to four more years!

Peace, love and healthy bodies,

Melissa Villamizar, CPT

Facebook: LiveWholeBeFree
Twitter: @LiveWholeBeFree

3 Year Anniversary

Today marks the three year anniversary of my ankle surgery. Hard to believe that for a while, this blog was one of the only things getting me through the recovery. It's hard to believe that I updated it every single day (or close to it), and that now, I update once a year. I'm so happy to be at that "one a year update" point.

So at this three year mark... I now teach 7 classes a week (on top of my full time job, of course). I teach for 24 Hour Fitness, Equinox and now Nike. I've completed a half marathon in a very competitive time and am currently training for my second. More importantly, I rest when I need to rest and I find myself giving the same advice to others that used to go in one of my ears and out the other. I guess this is what "growing up" is all about. I train hard, but I also train in multiple disciplines, including Bikram Yoga. Me? Yoga? Yep. And it's hot too, 105 degrees, 60% humidity "hot."

Lots of changes have occurred in me mentally and physically. As I look back at the last post I wrote, on my second anniversary, I'm proud to say I've grown so much from that point, and look forward to how much I will grow in the next 365 days. I never realized what an important tool this blog could be, for me as a person. I'm also so happy that I've been able to help others out there, going through the same things. Please continue to post comments and ask questions, as I will always respond. There's also a little facebook group out there, you can check it out, just search "Calcaneal Osteotomy".

I've also grown a lot in my knowledge of nutrition, and I share my knowledge and thoughts about health, fitness, nutrition and motivation on a new web site, http://www.LiveWholeBeFree.com. Please feel free to check it out.

Until next year, take care of yourselves, and feel free to comment and I shall respond!

Peace, love and healthy ankles,

Melissa