Rain rain go away: washed up plans for exercise

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What is it with weekends and the Firecasfed rain?  Of all starts on fridays.  Of all of the fridays thus far in 2019, only two have been rain free.   Most of them recently have been wild storms with winds and/or buckets of hard rain coming down.  And that only leads into the weekend.  For the weekend we either contend with tons of mud outside or more rain!  This past weekend was no exception.  It ruined any hope of being outside....well being comfortably outside and active!  However, that may have been a good thing...sometimes the best laid plans don’t work out and it ends up being for the best!

About a week ago I alluded in a previous post to some mysterious pain in my arm. It was a pain that had been minor and fleeting for a while but had quickly escalated last weekend into a more constant full ache with moments of ‘take my breath away pain’.  I wasn’t happy, of course but settled in and took steps to try to relax and not use that arm as much to allow it time to heal.   Of course that is easier said than done...when it is your dominant side!  The week had its ups and downs.   I would have times where I was pretty stationary (at my desk at work) and the pain would simmer down. But then I would have moments where I would unwittingly use the arm and the pain would flair up.  By Friday night it was bad...constant pain and pain that radiated down to my thumb and up to and through my shoulder.  I was concerned!  I tried to rest it on Saturday...but by Saturday evening I couldn’t use at all  it and my range of motion in the shoulder was nearly gone!   Sleep on Saturday night was horrible.  I woke up nearly in tears twice from the pain.   

Sunday morning arrived and there was no question about it.  I had to see a doctor.   60 minutes (yay it was a quick visit) and one urgent care visit later and I was diagnosed.  

The fact that my early symptoms were more muscular...it was more of an achy muscle pain for weeks lead her to start with this diagnosis.  Early on I would move my arm and I would have that sharp ache of a muscle that had just been worked out...you know, that pain you get when your muscles have been used well!  Except, I hadn’t worked out!  It only degenerated into something more the day that I was using my arm and constantly feeling that pain...which indicates something going on with that muscle.  But the radiating and numbing feeling in my thumb...and the fact that I could trace the pain the whole way from my shoulder to my thumb pointed to a pinched nerve.   A one two punch...the one causes compression of the other which causes more pain.  

So she sent me home with a prescription for muscle relaxers and prescription strength anti inflammatory meds (I had already been taking Advil on Saturday because I could FEEL the heat of the inflamation in my shoulder...but hey...my insurance pays for the RX ones...go ahead and give me a prescription!).  I am to use these for a week or two to allow relief AND with that relief to give my body time to heal.  If after a week I am not better, I have a referral for physical therapy.

I got the meds filled and immediately popped one of each pills.  (The muscle relaxer could be one or two every 6 hours as needed).   They didn’t touch it at all!   I took the second muscle relaxer about an hour later and shortly thereafter I felt relief for the first time in days.  Not totally gone but I was able to move and only felt the slight twinge.

I am crossing my fingers that my body heals on its ownwoth the aid of the meds to keep me relaxed and pain free.  I have a high deductible and physical therapy would be coming out of my pocket!  

So it was a pain filled weekend and a weekend of lots of rain!  We did our shopping and ran some errands.  I bought a new pair of  tennis shoes.  I’ve been wanting to try the brand Altra ..(amazon associate link) and have vowed to try them the next time I needed new tennis shoes. I knew i was going to need them soon, so when I found them on sale, I bought them!!!  These shoes have quickly taken the trail users by storm.  Many people now swear by them to hike and trail run! Jason has had a pair and said they are the most comfortable shoes that he has ever worn.  The toe box IS large so it gives your toes room to wiggle and breathe...but as a downside it does look a bit clownish. But who cares...I’m looking for confort!  

On Sunday after the muscle relaxers kicked in we headed to a mall where there was an animal show.  $14 bucks a piece later and we had seen it.  Some of the animals were neat...and they are all rescue animals...and the money goes to help rescue animals...so a good cause...but a bit overpriced for what we got.  The Brazilian armadillo was cute though!!  

It was a good way to spend a rainy pain recovery day.

Now on to the work week...I plan on taking it easy...continuing the meds and getting this problem healed so that I can get more active!  I have some weight to lose!!!

Rain rain go away

Ahhh Monday....here we are again!   You keep coming back...and I don’t particularly like you!   But alas, all weekends must end.  

Weekend Shenanigans

Well honestly, we didn’t have wild and crazy shenanigans this weekend.   

We got home on Friday night... about 3 or 4 minutes before I got home the skies open and it started to pour down rain.  No worries.  Friday nights are our order for delivery,  pizza and wings night.  We stayed in and watched tv and relaxed after the work week and long days.  

Saturday....what can I say?  It poured!  Yup, all day it was a deluge of rain.  We got out and did our grocery shopping and a few other stores just for fun. But it was just a day to be lazy.

Sunday… Were you expecting anything different? It wasn’t. Rain, rain, rain! First of all;  it limits your choices on what you can do when it’s this rainy. We did get out a little bit on Sunday also but just running from the car to a building and we were drenched. Plus, this dreary weather just made us want to curl up on the couch, watch movies, and play games. So that’s what we did.

OK, I did have a bit of productivity. I worked on my doll house.  I started to sand the floor of the master bedroom and I wallpapered and laid the flooring in the hallway. (With the exception of one small piece that needs to be cut and trimmed for a quarter.).

Weigh in results

So far so good, this might be the week that I am able to smash the pattern.  I am talking about that pattern that had been happening on the scales for me. The pattern being that I show a low weight on the weekend  but by Monday I’m back up. This week, I have been able to maintain all weekend… Even this morning!!!   Quite frankly, I was worried about this morning because I ate a lot of chips last night. They were accounted  for in my tracker, but chips are high in sodium. Coupled with the sodium is the fact that I drank  very little water yesterday.  (Bad me!)

Exercise

Nonexistent. Other than getting out and walking in the mall and stores, I have done nothing. In fairness, those walks were very deliberate because we knew we needed to do something. They count right? Ha ha Ha

So, this weekend was a bit of a bust for everything except my eating habits. And quite frankly, this upcoming work week looks like it may also be a bust for movement and exercise. (Lots of rain) That’s OK, weight loss can still happen in the  kitchen with my food choices. I’ve got this!!!

Recharge for the Weight Loss Journey

It was a relaxing weekend full of productivity and no activity.   Some weekends are like that.  Exercise just didn't happen due to the rain and we were just sluggish and lazy.

The rain kept us inside, watching tv.  We did at least get our grocery shopping and errands done on Saturday.  On Sunday we knew we needed to get out so we headed to an antique store and then roamed the mall.  It was a very low key weekend with not much to report on in terms of exercise or weight loss.

About the only thing weight related is that I set up a habit tracker for myself.   I got the idea from Jessie over at her blog, jesseybellgetsfit.  I am one that does well with a bit of competition....even if it is with myself.  I know I will hate to see the streak end if I mess up...and I know I will mess up..but it is a fun friendly competition with myself! The app is set to send me a notification in the evening should I not have tracked, which will help keep that streak alive!  I chose the app habit ace..it was a free version...so I can try it and if it works for me then I can upgrade.  The free version gives me three habits to track, which is enough to start. I put in my stats for the past week to give me a bit of a start...  I’ve been nailing the water habit!!!

While doing errands I did finally find a door mat that I liked. It wasn’t imperative that I get a door mat. Our apartment door is on an open breezeway....it is far enough in that I have yet to see the floor wet from rain (and we have had some humdinger rain storms!!). As for our feet beating muddy?  We have two flights of steps to climb and a walk across the breezeway, so our feet have usually ‘stomped off’ the mud by the time we get there...but hey...it looks ‘homey’ and I liked it!!

BUT....I was productive regardless.  How so???   Well, I did make a double batch of cookies for my co-workers and Jason's co-workers.  But that's not what I'm talking about.  I'm talking about this site.
I have started to make the changes to this site!   It was scary! But it is SO exciting!

I want my little corner of the internet to be a place that inspires and motivates.  I know there are big sites out there that have stuff...but I know when I was originally losing, I gravitated toward the every day person that was doing it..or had recently done it for my motivation.  I found it hard to swallow the article telling me to ‘lay down the donut up pick up the dumbbell’ (hmm I may have to use that as a future post title) when they weigh 99 pounds soaking wet.  I wanted to read my advice from someone that had lived it...that knew the struggle of ‘laying down the donut’ and the pain of someone ‘lifting the barbell’ for the first time.    So it’s time to return to my roots...create something that motivates me and maybe...just maybe helps someone reclaim their life from the clutches of obesity.

No worries...my posts will always continue to be a real and open look at my weight loss journey...the good and the ugly!

Changes that are already evident:

1.  My story   I figured it was time for me to have a page that tells who I am...where I have been, where I'm at and where I'm going.  Probably well past time. I know people that have been with me a long time know the story... but there are a LOT of posts to read through to figure me out if someone is new. So this way if someone stumbles upon my blog,they can quickly see my history and plans.

2.  Recipe Page  I have toyed with this a few times in the past.  I have moved a few recipes onto the page, mostly my favorite ones!  I can't wait to add more and update what I do have!

3.  I FINALLY moved this to my own domain name.  It was nerve wracking, and that was quite possibly only step one of that process...but it went well! I have wanted to do this for years...and I honestly kick myself for not making some of these changes back when I first wanted to. But oh well...I’m doing it now.  I haven't changed my site host at this point.  I researched it for days upon days.  I was up between a website at wordpress or Squarespace.  But ultimately decided that for where I'm at right now the domain name is enough and I will and can push and expand this for a bit longer to fit my needs.

Changes that are still to come:

1.  I plan on adding a Success Story page.  I have already contacted a few people that have had some great success to get their stories.  When I was losing the weight the first time I gathered so much inspiration and motivation from watching other ordinary people have success.   Having a page with success stories on my site seems like a stellar idea.  (And I’m looking for more success stories...and I have my eye on a few more people to ask!!!   I will also consider volunteers...I prefer a natural weight loss story to highlight, no surgery or pills!  Nothing against them, but I consider them last resort efforts!)

2.  Tips.  I have written this blog for over 12 years.  I have come up with so many tips and ideas on how to do things and make goals.  I plan on gleaning those ideas and having a page with links on those tips.  (So be ready for some upcoming posts that consolidate some information!). What kind of tips?    For example, "Ways to ensure you reach your water intake goal."

So many more ideas percolating in my mind.  But lets just say that I'm excited!  The crazy thing is, not only am I excited about the changes on this site, but I'm excited about the changes and future for my weight loss journey.  It's been a long time since I felt this excitement for the journey course through me!  So I’ll also ask...what motivates you?   What would you like to see?

Sometimes we need a lazy weekend to recharge.  I used this one to not only recover and rest up for the work week but to also recharge and upgrade my site and my motivation for my weight loss journey.  Now it's time to rock it!

April showers bring.....

April showers bring......a cancelled run!

I woke up on Tuesday determined and ready for my run.  I looked out the window...rain!  Yucky rain!  (Ok I don't mind rain....I just don't like a cold rain when I'm wanting to run!!).    So I didn't run.  Ironically enough, it rained literally until the moment I got out of my car at work and then the skies opened and it was gorgeous!!!!

We did get out and walk both Monday and Tuesday nights.  So my step count /mileage wasn't totally in the gutter!  (But at 3 -4 miles I ate into the surplus I had after the first two days of the month !).  While we were out we saw some more sure signs of spring.

 

Why yes that goose is sitting on a nest of eggs!!!

And if that doesn't convince anyone.....

 

 

Aren't they adorable????  

Luckily for me today (Wednesday) is supposed to be absolutely gorgeous and I get off work at noon!   The plan?  I'm heading onto the canal on my bike!

So what did I do yesterday instead of run?????

I saw this post by Pink.   

 

Just another reason to like Pink!

I also read about the Barkley Marathon!   I watched a documentary about this intense race a few months back.  The movie is called "The Barkley Marathons: The Race that Eats its Young".    Yes it's that brutal to be worthy of the name!!!   The race was conceived in 1977 when there was an escape from a prison in the area where the race is held.  The prisoner made it 8 miles in 58 hours. (The terrain is that rugged!) an eccentric man made the comment that 'I could do 100 in that time frame....and the idea for a 100 mile race (give or take) up and down the mountains of TN was born.  The entry requirements are a bit sketchy....but it involves a registration fee of $1.60 and a written essay.  If accepted you receive a letter of condolence!   First year participants must then arrive with a license plate from their state.  If you have already attempted this race and are trying again you must arrive with something else that is designated by this eccentric race organizer.  (Socks, shirts, etc).  If you are a prior year winner rumor has it that your required item is a pack of Camel ciggarettes.    The course is a 20-25 mile loop and is totally unmarked!!!   There are two water stations set up (but I've read reports that on some years the water is frozen solid) and nothing else other than the runners own personal car/tent and crew parked at the beginning of the loop.    (There is a plan in place to insure that the runners actually complete the whole loop).

 The race is capped at 40 participants each year.  In the history of the race the full course has only been completed in the 60 hours  18 times ...by 15 different competitors (one guy won three years).   Isn't that nuts????

So anyway, last weekend was the 2017 Barkley Marathons. And we added a new winner to the books.  A man from D.C.  It was his third attempt.  There was another finisher...kinda....a man got lost and came in 12 seconds past the cut off!  I cried for him when I watched the video...can you imagine having a DNF because you were 12 seconds beyond he cut off after 60 hours of brutal conditions while running!!

I'm blown away by the fortitude and resilience of these runners.   Imagine the pain, the extreme fatigue and motivation to run pretty much 60 hours straight...getting lost in the woods....(yes happens a LOT apparently) through goodness knows what weather.  Apparently this year they encountered bitter cold, hail and snow!   The winner resorted to picking up trash, someone's discarded hat and a Walmart bag to wrap around himself to try to stay warm.   Wow...just wow!!!

So writing this I'm actually ashamed that I didn't run yesterday morning...in 40° temps....on paved surfaces....in the daylight....just because it was raining.  Our bodies can handle so much more than we demand from them.  And the Barkley Marathons prove that!!!

Maybe it's time to push myself a little harder!

Oh yeah....almost forgot...weigh in day. I FINALLY had a weigh in day that wasn't the boomerang weight  f 238.4!!!   I don't really know how because I haven't eaten well the last few days!   But today was 237!   I'll take it and I'm motivated to stay away from that

boomerang weight!!!

I must be demented!!!

Today my legs are dead!   This running competition with Jason is kicking my tail end.  (Basically the person that runs the most miles is the winner.....stupidly awesome prizes like kisses and hugs and whatnot...stuff we give anyway!). That boy ran 6.02 miles yesterday...so this morning in 50° weather (I don't mind running in 50°) and in a steady rain (I do mind running in the rain) I went out.  At 6AM!   6AM should be banned forever!  Who in their right mind wants to be up at that hour???  (Ok I like being awake at that hour...nestled in bed with a book!!!!).   My goal was to get outside and at least knock a few miles off.   You see if I'm going to lose I don't want to lose by a landslide!   I want a respectable loss!!!   I knew that if I skipped the run totally that I couldn't recover and make up 6 miles....but I thought to myself...if I run 4....I can maybe make up the two miles on an 'off day'.  So I went.   Once I was out there I wanted to quit after two miles!   (Which is the first natural bail out point in the route I took this morning). But I didn't.   I pushed it and told myself...two more miles then I could bail and go home!   But right around mile 3.5 (shortly after I stepped in a puddle and soaked my foot really bad) I decided to just be a 'bad ass' and go for 5.   I mentally planned an addition to my route and knew it would take me close to 5.5 by the time I got home.    Well once I got that close I added another block or so on...and it said 6.00 miles right as I arrived at my front door.    Now...a sane person would say job well done.   But have I ever been totally sane???    (Remember it's 50° and raining and I just ran 6 miles so I think we all know the answer to that question!).   Yesterday Jason ran and you probably forgot what I said he ran....I will refresh your memory.   6.02.    A flat 6 mile run would leave me still lagging behind!   So I passed my house and ran about 50 feet down the road and then back to the door....making my total mileage 6.05!     Yes I am ahead by 3/100's of a mile!!!   Yeah.   I'm a bit competitive!!!   (Jason is just as much. So this is going to be a hoot)

Exercise I seem to be doing well on....now to just continue to focus on getting the food back in line and then nothing will stop me!!