Aligners and other updates

Last I left off, I had the cortisone injection in my shoulder. After a week, I was told to start doing upper body exercises that I couldn’t do before. My shoulder is much better. It’s not pain free, but a lot better. I’m hoping it will continue to progress.

My arm feels a bit weak. It’s been months since I have done things like lateral raises, so that was the first thing I tried. I was only able to use a 5# dumbbell, but after months of not being able to do that – it’s a good start! I only did a few things like overhead presses, lateral raises and a few incline pushups. Certainly don’t want to overdo it. I will try some planks on the next gym visit.

My legs are feeling good, though. We’ve been on the bikes a bit with some cooperating weather. I don’t have my hill legs, but my endurance is pretty good. I have to work off winter chub for sure. Spandex is not forgiving and never will be until the end of time 😀

I have completed 90 days of the invisible aligners and the difference is really noticeable now.

I am wearing the aligners in that picture, too. They really are pretty undetectable. I had to send in a bunch of pictures at 90 days to make sure everything was going according to plan, which they said was happening.

I’m really thrilled with the results so far. Here are some close up comparison shots again from beginning to now:

The bottom ones are the most noticeable to me, although those teeth don’t show when I’m speaking, so I don’t think other people notice it as much as the upper ones.

My teeth are shiny because they are squeaky clean. I am so tired of always brushing my teeth. It will be nice to go back to my normal twice a day after all this. I have 4 more sets of aligners to go – or about 6 weeks. Almost there!

I’m also thinking about cutting my hair. It’s pretty much always up and gets in my way when it isn’t. and going back to bangs, too.

Enjoy all those pics of my face LOL!

11 thoughts on “Aligners and other updates

  1. Bonnie

    Wont you need a permanent retainer after you finish with the aligners? I wore braces in my mid 20s and after the were removed didnt wear a retainer and they drifted back

    1. Lori Post author

      Yes, I will be wearing a retainer at night. It looks just like the aligners themselves, only a bit sturdier. I don’t have a problem sleeping with the aligners in and I don’t care about having to wear it, it’s just the daytime use that is annoying.

  2. deb

    Lori so glad the cortisone shot seems to be helping.. they do nothing for my hubby’s knees. So happy to hear they do help someone.. Your teeth are looking fabulous woman!! What a difference!! Now… will they stay that way once you stop using the aligners? I hope so … Looking forward to seeing what you do with your hair.. 🙂 Hugs! deb

  3. Susan

    Glad your shot seemed to help your shoulder. Easy does it with the upper body. I didn’t wear my retainer after my braces came off and now years later my bottom teeth have shifted quite a bit so bottom line wear your retainer.
    I too let my hair grow long for a variety of reasons one being I didn’t want to face how grey and white my hair is going to be now once I get a big cut. Transitioning is hard but I don’t want to get back on the coloring my hair treadmill either.

  4. Helen

    1. I have been doing strength training consistently since January and still have not progressed beyond 5 lb. weights for lateral raises or any other exercise where I have to hold my arms out like that. And I don’t have any shoulder issues as far as I know, so you’re doing great!

    2. The invisible aligner people need to give you a commission – seriously!

    3. Winter chub is a most excellent way to describe me errrr I mean it. Spandex is not forgiving but man does it hold the chub in.

    1. Lori Post author

      At least with spandex, the jiggle is under control, although there is always the fear of a blow out, if you know what I mean LOL 😀

  5. Shelley B

    I am so impressed at how much the aligners have changed your teeth in such a short time! You could definitely be a spokeswoman for them.

    LOL on the spandex…LOLOLOL. Sigh.

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