First week of stuff...exercise and things

Sunday, February 03, 2013

I am getting back to some normalcy or at least what I think is a bit more normalcy than I've had in awhile. Lots of negative things have happened over the past few months and I'm trying to stay on the positive side of things and not allow those vibes to get me down.

This past week was a good and positive one in my journey to a healthy no injury me AGAIN. Not that I've been unhealthy, just that I've had a few things take me down and having a week like this made me realize that **** happens. You just move on and know that things will get better.

My week started out with some Gentle Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. My practice went well, even in a room at 85 degrees and jam packed with others trying to get their meditation in peacefully. Tuesday, I'd planned for a swim, however, work got in the way and we had some pretty torrential downpours so I headed home in the hopes I didn't get stuck out there. Wednesday, I went outside my comfort zone and went to a local Zumba class. I'd been to this facility before, only once and left there with a sense of non-urgency to return. It was their first class, very unorganized, unsafe (children running around during class), music was horrible, etc. I decided to give it another try on the advice of a friend and well, it wasn't too bad. Still no babysitter, but there were no kids thankfully. All I cared about was a good cardio workout and I that is exactly what I got. Thursday, I finally accomplished what I'd intended to do for almost a month, I swam. One of the obstacles I knew would be present when I got to the natatorium where I swim was a fact, all swim lanes in the competition pool were being used by swim teams, except for 2 adult swim lap lanes. Thankfully, both were open, so I could get my swim on. Woohoo!!! SCORE!!! I'm starting out slow so I don't hurt anything, although swimming doesn't usually hurt me until I start swimming a lot of laps and then the shoulders become sore. I got in 500 yds of freestyle with 30 seconds rest between each 100, then I did a quick 100 breaststroke. After that, I tried something new, I went over to the lazy river, well I made it not so lazy. I ran several laps with the current which looks easy but if you push it, it's actually kind of challenging. What's even more challenging, I ran against the current. Wow, I felt my heart rate rise and got in 4 laps and that felt like 20 laps. That was hard but I will be doing that quite often!

Friday came around and I decided I needed to take a day off, probably didn't need a day off but since I am just getting back to all of what my body finds so familiar, E-X-E-R-C-I-S-E, I thought it best. So when I woke up Saturday, it was ON! Took DH to his office to pick up his car, came back home, picked up my dog and took him to the groomer. After that, I went over to the grocery store and stocked up on a few things. Then it was ZUMBA time...I came back...LOL! Yes there was a kid running around during class but thankfully she was just going to her mom. I still feel like they need someone watching the kiddos. I may have to suggest that, I think it's a liability if that kid gets hurt or one of the attendees. Oh well, maybe they'll learn. I got a good workout in regardless and left there knowing I was gonna be one sore gal. I got a few more things accomplished after a busy morning then it was time for a movie/date night with my DH. I really love days like this.

My week ended today with a smile on my face and sore muscles. I love the feel of sore muscles with no injuries and the happiness knowing I accomplished everything I set out to do at the beginning of the week. Today couldn't have been any better. Slept in a couple of hrs, fixed a healthy omelet for breakfast with my DH, took dog to dogpark, had lunch on a patio with friends (ate a salmon salad) and ended the evening watching the superbowl.

I love my life sometimes!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SIMPLELIFE4REAL 2/4/2013 5:07PM

Sounds like you had a wonderful week. Reading about swimming makes me think that I need to add that to my workouts. It's a great full-body aerobic workout. Report Inappropriate Comment

NEWLEAF2013 2/4/2013 4:44PM

Your first Zumba sounds like my first Zumba! LOL! Sounds like a great week though! Report Inappropriate Comment

NANNABLACK 2/4/2013 7:29AM

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The Light behind the Obstacles

Saturday, November 03, 2012

Sometimes one realizes it’s time to listen to your body and folks around you. My stubbornness fell to the wayside and I finally had to make a drastic decision; at least it is for me. With this reoccurrence of severe sciatica and now 2 herniated discs in my lower back, messed up knee, etc., I have to put on hold as of late my current workouts of power boxing, jazzercise (I went back to this because I felt I could make it low impact and it was safe…that didn’t work out so well), and my most of all love of running. I believe and have known since 2008 after my last Olympic distance triathlon that it was inevitable that I do something about it. I tried so hard to overcome this injury and just let it fester but that didn’t go over so well either. I did go through physical therapy (which was a no-go) and a couple of epidural steroid injections that year and the ESI’s helped but only masked the underlying issue I was having. At that time, I only had one bulging disc and sciatica.

After those treatments I had that sense of false hope and I actually felt great so I just continued on as if nothing was wrong. I’d have some pain here and there but nothing a little ice, heating pad and ibuprofen wouldn’t heal. I guess now I am paying for it. I am now in the debt of those who kept telling me to do something about it and as much as I hate to admit it, I should’ve listened to all of those little angels and you all know who you are. I have not completely stopped but I have reassessed my situation. I have to do things that do not compress my spine extensively for now. I am still working out hard but this time under the direction of my chiropractor, doing much needed and modified workouts. Of course, for me I have to feel the burn, the sweat but this time not the pain (although I’m gluten for punishment)! So what I’m incorporating into my weekly workouts is all out powerwalking, Gentle Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, modified versions of Shaun T’s Insanity and lots of strength training at my own little homemade gym.

At the moment, these workouts are working for me. I feel since I’ve buckled down a bit and created my own workouts, I am tending to be a little easier on myself. My biggest fear doing this though, is that my tendencies are to eat things I shouldn’t. I know better and will continue to work on clean eating with a sweet indulgence every now and then. Of course, my body picked a good time of the year to act up. On the positive side, I can take things a little easier as there’s not much going on in the world of what I enjoy most and that is triathlon. The negative side to all of this is that it’s nearing the holidays and what does that mean? Office goodies being brought in during the week, office parties with lots of goodies around, family time with even more goodies around and well…you get the picture I’m trying to create here. I will overcome this by just making good choices as always but not deprive myself of enjoying some sweet indulgences here and there.

So there you have it. I am moving ahead in just a bit of a different direction, "FOR NOW" but things will be changing and I will blog about that sometime this week. Stayed tuned and stay healthy!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TRILLIUM22 11/6/2012 9:14AM

Sounds like a good solid plan. Respect your body and you will make good choices. Report Inappropriate Comment

LIVE2RUN4LIFE 11/4/2012 8:12PM

Take care of yourself! Report Inappropriate Comment

MICKEYH 11/4/2012 1:27AM

I'm glad that you see a light behind the obstacle. Report Inappropriate Comment

CLAYARTIST 11/3/2012 9:08PM

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A little disappointed of outcome on Saturday...

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Remember the blog I wrote in regards to, "it's a sign"....well, the sign that I spoke of was the meeting with a new triathlon coach last Saturday that never happened. I was a little disappointed when I just happened to pull up my email while sitting at a light on my way to the Starbucks where we were going to have our meeting. There it was, the thing I dreaded, she cancelled on me! Gracie was not happy at all but thankfully I hadn't gotten but only 10 min from my house when I read it.

At least it wasn't a complete cancellation never to be rescheduled. She claimed she ran some miles that AM and was in a little pain and needed to get home for some meds. I guess I should give her the benefit of the doubt and probably empathize with her a bit as well, since I've been there done that. However, at that moment, I was...hmmmm....shall we say PO'd! I did exactly the opposite of what I'd said in my blog about not getting my hopes up. Well, I got my hopes up and BAM...they were shot down in that very moment.

It's okay now, I've gotten over it, just needed to vent a bit. She emailed me back to reschedule after she returns from the San Francisco Nike's womens race this weekend. Once again, I will not get my hopes up. I will wait for her to email me. I have till January 2013 to start preparing so it's all good!


Thanks for listening on the 10/11/12 day!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NANNBIRD 10/16/2012 12:03AM

Sorry to hear about you being "stood up"--sometimes we are forced to wait for a much-anticipated event, just so we really appreciate it when it finally occurs. You will so enjoy this new adventure when it happens--keep us posted! Report Inappropriate Comment

ERIN1957 10/11/2012 6:07PM

I like what TRILLIUM22 had to say...great point. I can feel for your disappointment though. I hope she is excellent and worth the anticipation. I alway believe things happen for a reason, when one door shuts another opens. Have faith! ~Erin Report Inappropriate Comment

TRILLIUM22 10/11/2012 4:33PM

Sometimes getting your hopes up and the dashed a couple of times is better than not hoping at all. I recently reread the first blog I ever posted. The whole point of it was the need to hope and see the possibility of being something different. Can't add a link, but if you want to read it just cut and paste. http://www.sparkpeople.com/ mypage_public_journal_individua l.asp?blog_id=1059936 And you can always come to spark and share the disappointment Comment edited on: 10/11/2012 4:34:01 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

Took some advice from my 2 favorite people in my life!

Wednesday, October 03, 2012

I know I'm probably beating this to the ground and you are probably tired of hearing this but this blog is about goals again...teehee and we're 3 days into October. Granted I still have the main goal in my mind and on paper in fact, but for October, the goals are for fun and more attainable at the moment.

Those two people you see in the picture are two very important people in my life, my lovely sister whom I adore with all of my heart and soul and my sweet loving brother-in-law who has been a mentor and like a dad to me for almost all of my life, 42 years to be exact! When I posted a couple of recent blogs about goal setting and issues with myself, I copied them over to Facebook so that friends and family could read as well. My LS (lovely sister) and BIL(brother-in-law) both commented on them. They probably know me best next to my DH and they always offer sound and great advice and always have ever since I can remember. Most of the advice I heed but not all.

These are my BIL's exact words and I like them; "Switching is not losing - it's being smart!" I might have to keep that one in my list of motivational sayings. Thanks Dink! My LS had some great words as well; "Don't be so hard on yourself. These things happen and there are so many other things you can do while trying to recover from your injuries. Give yourself a break until the end of the year and then come in full force in the new year with a whole new set of goals. If anyone can do this, YOU can!!!" Reading these words and hearing them as well, made me realize once again that it's OKAY to set OTHER goals. I will still continue to strive for fitness throughout the rest of the year but in modifiable ways in order to stay healthy.

So here are the goals I've come up with for now and probably till the end of the year:
1. Going completely Vegetarian for the month of October only
2. Blog...Blog....Blog
3. Get more protein in my body - being vegetarian makes it hard to do that but it's doable!!!



Always strive for something bigger and better...words of my BIL!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ERIN1957 10/3/2012 12:35PM

...chia and hemp seeds as well...good luck! I love that what your BIL said. Your sister looks like a dead ringer for my best friend back home ;-) Report Inappropriate Comment

ALICIA214 10/3/2012 12:22PM

Beans are a great source of protein...and aren't you lucky to have those special people in your life. Report Inappropriate Comment

October Goals...hmmmm!

Monday, October 01, 2012

I don't know when the last time I blogged about a month's worth of goals however; goals are what I am trying to establish to get me going. I've been told by a few folks that know me that I don't have to set goals that have to do with fitness or nutrition like I have for so many years. However, that is me and it's been me for about 12 years of my life. These two things are important in my life and they are the things that actually make me happy. I read daily, articles and information that are all about fitness and nutrition and sometimes I feel like maybe this is where my life should lead me, basically to be surrounded by a world of fitness and nutrition. But right now, I'm just trying to establish some new and exciting goals for myself that will continue to lead me along the path to a lifetime of wellness.

As you have noticed, the most recent couple of blogs I've written have been about just trying to get out of this rut I've gotten myself into. It's not only a rut but injuries have kind of put a damper on my efforts or at least just trying to get back to some uniformity of fitness and nutrition. I wrote that I returned to Jazzercise for some structure (not high enough impact for me and I love the outdoors too much), I got back to power hour boxing (which I love) but because of the herniated disc I had to stop the power stuff and as for my nutrition, I joined Weight Watchers on-line (too restrictive for this gal), again needed some sort of structure. Well, all three of these things are not who I am. I am a triathlete and being a triathlete and an endorphin junkie I have to eat. I am an outdoors kind of gal, the feel of the sunshine on my face and the wind in my hair and just enjoying what Mother Nature has created for us to enjoy, I cannot be restrictive to the "structure" I have spoken about. I realize that I blogged about hiring a coach (maybe) to help me move along and start training for my next adventure but having a coach doesn't get in the way of what I need and want to do.

It's okay though, I'm learning daily that it's okay to have setbacks and sometimes setbacks might be a good thing. What these setbacks have done for me over the past 3 weeks have given me a perspective on what is good for me and what could potentially be hurting me as well. I've taken a bit of a step back and am thinking and assessing things.

With that said, my goals for October are goals that are attainable for me just until I can figure out what I can do. I'm doing a little bit of everything and that's what it looks like when you see my schedule...LOL! I'll be doing some yoga, some power hour boxing (Grace style...which means no squats), with a lot of bag work, Jazzercise 2 days a week in the meantime, some powerwalking, and some strength training here and there. I've set some other little goals, such as drinking lots of water, eating as clean as possible, lots of strength work, etc. Just getting myself back out there is my main goal. Oh yea and spending lots of time on SparkPeople again because it seems I can always get back to basics when I'm on SP.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ERIN1957 10/2/2012 12:35PM

Good for you, sounds solid...what a great foundation for success! Report Inappropriate Comment

SIMPLELIFE4REAL 10/2/2012 11:04AM

What a difference it makes to do forms of exercise you actually like....you are smart to know that about yourself. Report Inappropriate Comment

HEALTHYHABITGAL 10/1/2012 9:27PM

It all sounds good to me - and I'm with you - I need to get more in tune with SparkPeople again - I had/have been in a funk .. and I'm plugging back into this network of amazing folks ! Report Inappropriate Comment

LIVE2RUN4LIFE 10/1/2012 4:23PM

It's be right for YOU or it won't last. You know this in your heart. Go for it! Report Inappropriate Comment

TRILLIUM22 10/1/2012 4:02PM

Sounds like good goals. I'm an outside person too. Always happiest being active outside. I did jazzercise years a go. If I'm inside I want to be with a group, have music and do something where you need to think a bit Report Inappropriate Comment