I don't like limits of any kind and sickness - makes me feel limited. Lucky for me, I don't get sick very often. If I do get sick, I suck it up - try not to complain and move on. Usually I'll take available medicine to get rid of symptoms and move on. I'm not a fan of resting. Of course this is not healthy , but it is also a statement of how prideful I can be. I need to be more vulnerable/humble in this area. Well now I have no choice.
ONE TIME RANT
So I went to the doctor a few weeks back to make sure everything was ok. I found out that I had low white blood count ..and it has been steadily declining. My doc wanted to do more tests and confirmed that I have Lupus and Sjogrens syndrome. I don't want to go into the gory details, but suffice it to say that I know now why I am tired. Because of this I will need to rest. Also - my knee pain is probably due to the Lupus. This could be why it still hurts. YOU MEAN TO TELL ME I COULD HAVE HAD SURGERY FOR NOTHING....:0 . Also my doc said that I should consider working out less , since strenuous workouts can negatively impact your immune system. AAAARRRGGHH
ok - it is out. Time to move on.
I'm in....
So I made it in to register for the Danskin triathlon. Registration closed in exactly 12 hours. I was convincing someone to sign up at noon on opening day and she couldn't get in becase it was closed. Wow! 5000 slots filled in less than 1 day. So now I need to beef up my training. I'm really struggling to get in everything by working out at home. Also I'm going to spend some time coming up with a serious training plan. I also need to start swimming in March but of course the problem becomes....what to do with my hair. I've had braids the last two years during triathlon training season and that worked great. This year...hubby says he likes my hair the way it is. Of course he does. After all I get it done every two weeks like clockwork. I got it done yesterday and didn't workout today - because I didn't want to mess it up. Shallow and slackeresque...I know.
I need to start swimming very soon and I need a reliable hair solution. I'll try next week to swim and then see if I can make it home to blow dry , flat iron and then get the kids to school on time. Sounds tough- but I'll give it my best.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Surgery Wrap up and 26hours to go!!
Surgery Wrap
So hubby asked the other day how my knee was feeling , now that I was fully recovered from surgery. My initial answer was “fine – pretty much back to normal”. Then it hit me. My knees haven’t been “normal “ – without pain in so long –(over a year) that I forgot what normal actually is. My knee is slightly better than it was before surgery – and that is only because I haven’t run more than 3 miles.
The main reasons I opted for the surgery was because 1) I believed that my long term outlook would be better with surgery – based on my docs advice 2) I would get extreme pain when driving any distance longer than 15 minutes 3) inability to do a squat or lunge (after all what is life without a lunge) 4) Trouble going up and especially down stairs and 5) Pain during/after running and 6) pain during the night and upon waking. My doctor assured me that my severe tendinitis and Chrondomalacia was causing this and that the surgery would put me in a much better state. After all - it was the "worst he's ever seen".
If I am being totally honest – I have recovered from the pain of surgery but I have not recovered from the pre surgery pain. I am still in a fair amount of pain from normal activities. Friday, I drove to the airport to pick up hubby and sat in car 1h 20 min. It was excruciating. I had to pull over several times to stretch out my leg .
So bottom line - if I had to do it all over again – I would not do it. I’d take it really easy for 3 months and get used to taking Aleve regularly (or other NSAID) .
26 hours to go
So pain or no pain - I'm still pretty excited about my race plans for this year. My first triathlon registration kicks off in exactly 26 hours - when the Danskin registration opens. Last year is closed in 2 days . This year I plan to be one of the first 1500 registrants. Last year over 5000 registered and many were locked out since registration closed so quickly.
My goal was to not register for anything until I could run 2 miles without pain. I did this 3 weeks ago albeit slowly - so mission accomplished. I still need to get in the pool - but I'll tackle that in March . Plus I have hair issues to work out:)
This week - I was able to get in a few really good indoor bike sessions. Thanks to my bike book rack it wasn't as boring as it usually is. I read a really good mystery and listened to my DJ Steveboy podcasts - that kept me going. No running or gym this week - hubby was away on a business trip , so I worked out from home. I don't have a good reason for not running this week - I just didn't feel like it. That is so slackeresque but it is what it is.
So hubby asked the other day how my knee was feeling , now that I was fully recovered from surgery. My initial answer was “fine – pretty much back to normal”. Then it hit me. My knees haven’t been “normal “ – without pain in so long –(over a year) that I forgot what normal actually is. My knee is slightly better than it was before surgery – and that is only because I haven’t run more than 3 miles.
The main reasons I opted for the surgery was because 1) I believed that my long term outlook would be better with surgery – based on my docs advice 2) I would get extreme pain when driving any distance longer than 15 minutes 3) inability to do a squat or lunge (after all what is life without a lunge) 4) Trouble going up and especially down stairs and 5) Pain during/after running and 6) pain during the night and upon waking. My doctor assured me that my severe tendinitis and Chrondomalacia was causing this and that the surgery would put me in a much better state. After all - it was the "worst he's ever seen".
If I am being totally honest – I have recovered from the pain of surgery but I have not recovered from the pre surgery pain. I am still in a fair amount of pain from normal activities. Friday, I drove to the airport to pick up hubby and sat in car 1h 20 min. It was excruciating. I had to pull over several times to stretch out my leg .
So bottom line - if I had to do it all over again – I would not do it. I’d take it really easy for 3 months and get used to taking Aleve regularly (or other NSAID) .
26 hours to go
So pain or no pain - I'm still pretty excited about my race plans for this year. My first triathlon registration kicks off in exactly 26 hours - when the Danskin registration opens. Last year is closed in 2 days . This year I plan to be one of the first 1500 registrants. Last year over 5000 registered and many were locked out since registration closed so quickly.
My goal was to not register for anything until I could run 2 miles without pain. I did this 3 weeks ago albeit slowly - so mission accomplished. I still need to get in the pool - but I'll tackle that in March . Plus I have hair issues to work out:)
This week - I was able to get in a few really good indoor bike sessions. Thanks to my bike book rack it wasn't as boring as it usually is. I read a really good mystery and listened to my DJ Steveboy podcasts - that kept me going. No running or gym this week - hubby was away on a business trip , so I worked out from home. I don't have a good reason for not running this week - I just didn't feel like it. That is so slackeresque but it is what it is.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
A few favorite things, sleep and vitamin D
Sleep does a body good....
So for the past 3 weeks or so I've been averaging 4 hours of sleep. It is not that I can't go to sleep - it is just that I can't stay asleep. Most times I get up around 3 and just stay up and head to the gym for my 5am workout. Other times I get up at 1:30 or 2, try to go back to sleep , dose off around 4:45 and then get up at 6:30. At first, it didn't impact me too much but now it is getting to be a problem. I am generally a person who doesn't require a full 8 , but I definitely need 5-6. I'm going to try some late night yoga and hot milk before trying the heavy artillary (cough syrup or something stronger).
Sleep is so important in maintaining healthy body functions. Everything from weight loss, stress management to a healthy immune system. I've got to get this under control.
Vitamin D
Also - I went to the doc to make sure everything was ok since I've been feeling a bit run down. I have a vitamin D defienciency (which I think affects 60% of the population according to Oprah) and declining white blood cell count. I'm going to a rheumatologist tomorrow - to interpret my results further. It is a slight concern at this point...nothing I'm too worried about. I'm praying that it is all ok.
My new favorite things:
My mini trampoline. It is a really good cardiovascular workout and really helps build endurance..And it is great for legs - with low/moderate impact.
My new Soul Sista tee shirt....
Off the team
My goal this month is to really increase my cycling time and also increase my running. So far I have a ways to go to my 50 miles. I'll do it though, even if it means a few marathon bike sessions.
I've had to remove myself from the triathlon team because the schedule just doesn't work with my home schedule. I'm kinda bummed. I was really looking forward to it.
Goals
I'm planning to do 4 triathlons this summer: 1 each month June through September and 2 big bike rides - 1 in May (75 miles ) and July (100 miles). These goals feel a bit more ambitious right now than I expected. In other words - I don't feel at all ready.
So for the past 3 weeks or so I've been averaging 4 hours of sleep. It is not that I can't go to sleep - it is just that I can't stay asleep. Most times I get up around 3 and just stay up and head to the gym for my 5am workout. Other times I get up at 1:30 or 2, try to go back to sleep , dose off around 4:45 and then get up at 6:30. At first, it didn't impact me too much but now it is getting to be a problem. I am generally a person who doesn't require a full 8 , but I definitely need 5-6. I'm going to try some late night yoga and hot milk before trying the heavy artillary (cough syrup or something stronger).
Sleep is so important in maintaining healthy body functions. Everything from weight loss, stress management to a healthy immune system. I've got to get this under control.
Vitamin D
Also - I went to the doc to make sure everything was ok since I've been feeling a bit run down. I have a vitamin D defienciency (which I think affects 60% of the population according to Oprah) and declining white blood cell count. I'm going to a rheumatologist tomorrow - to interpret my results further. It is a slight concern at this point...nothing I'm too worried about. I'm praying that it is all ok.
My new favorite things:
My book rack on my bike for indoor rides at home.
- This new water bottle with a straw (love this!) it is no spill and very cute. I think I've increased my water intake by 50% .
My mini trampoline. It is a really good cardiovascular workout and really helps build endurance..And it is great for legs - with low/moderate impact.
My new Soul Sista tee shirt....Off the team
My goal this month is to really increase my cycling time and also increase my running. So far I have a ways to go to my 50 miles. I'll do it though, even if it means a few marathon bike sessions.
I've had to remove myself from the triathlon team because the schedule just doesn't work with my home schedule. I'm kinda bummed. I was really looking forward to it.
Goals
I'm planning to do 4 triathlons this summer: 1 each month June through September and 2 big bike rides - 1 in May (75 miles ) and July (100 miles). These goals feel a bit more ambitious right now than I expected. In other words - I don't feel at all ready.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Part of the team....
So it is official . I am now part of the triathlon team at my gym. I thought about it for quite a while but decided to pull the trigger because I thought it would be a great way to keep me on task. Plus it would be a good way to meet people with similar goals. I'm such a loner -but this is the year I am going to be well, less of a loner. The first team workout was Saturday - but I missed it due to prior commitment to attend a good friend's birthday party and the democratic caucuses. My friend's party was great. It was an Xbox Dance Dance Revolution party - for adults. It was so much fun ...and a bit of a workout. Future triathlon team workouts are on Saturday am at 7 and spin classes during the week. We will also have organized brick workouts, running clinics and swim improvement sessions. It is way overpriced for what I get, but I think it will keep me motivated.
My workouts for the last 3 days have been very light. I only did strength training on my legs (with my elastic band). I've been so sick that I've not been up to much. I stayed in the bed most of the day on Friday . I caught some sort of virus type thing that has me really out of it.
I'll try to get back in the swing of things by Monday.
I'm reading a few really good books that I'm using to supplement my clean eating plan. I bought the clean eating cookbook by Tosca Reno and some of the recipes look pretty interesting. I also bought her workout book to learn a bit more about preparation for fitness/figure competitions. Not that I'm planning to do this, but I'd like to know what it is all about. I'm also reading Shrink Fat, Feed Muscle - which is actually net new information. It talks about the role of fiber and Vitamin C in the diet. I'd always believed that I got plenty of vitamin C but after reading the book, I think I could benefit from more. This was actually a pretty interesting book in that the formula for the optimal diet (protein + vitamin c+ fiber) works to feed muscle and shrink fat cells. I'm almost done - I'll post a summary when I'm finished.
My food has been ok - except for lots of tea (feels good when I'm sick) and a few cookies. Also my nutrition on Thursday was horrible . I at 1650 calories but it was all junk. I had cake for lunch ...;0 ice cream for dinner. I was back on track Friday but geez .
My workouts for the last 3 days have been very light. I only did strength training on my legs (with my elastic band). I've been so sick that I've not been up to much. I stayed in the bed most of the day on Friday . I caught some sort of virus type thing that has me really out of it.
I'll try to get back in the swing of things by Monday.
I'm reading a few really good books that I'm using to supplement my clean eating plan. I bought the clean eating cookbook by Tosca Reno and some of the recipes look pretty interesting. I also bought her workout book to learn a bit more about preparation for fitness/figure competitions. Not that I'm planning to do this, but I'd like to know what it is all about. I'm also reading Shrink Fat, Feed Muscle - which is actually net new information. It talks about the role of fiber and Vitamin C in the diet. I'd always believed that I got plenty of vitamin C but after reading the book, I think I could benefit from more. This was actually a pretty interesting book in that the formula for the optimal diet (protein + vitamin c+ fiber) works to feed muscle and shrink fat cells. I'm almost done - I'll post a summary when I'm finished.
My food has been ok - except for lots of tea (feels good when I'm sick) and a few cookies. Also my nutrition on Thursday was horrible . I at 1650 calories but it was all junk. I had cake for lunch ...;0 ice cream for dinner. I was back on track Friday but geez .
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Run the blues away
This morning, I woke up at 3:45 with just a ton on my mind. I tried to read a bit, tried to pray but really struggled to clear my mind . I struggled quite a bit this morning. I was feeling really down and a bit overwhelmed with all that I have on my plate. Just when I begin to feel comfortable with the rhythm of my life - something comes along and shakes things up. I strive to be a great mom and wife and most days I do a good job. Occassionally though, I really blow it. This weekend I forgot something that was really important to my daughter - and I felt just horrible. I've also been working much more than my husband would like. Anyway - all this to say - I've been an emotional wreck the last few days. Today - I felt really low and just had trouble clearing my mind enough to develop a plan.
I contemplating staying in the bed all day. That is what I really wanted to do. I envisioned staying in my pajamas all day and just using the time to clear my mind. Not realistic - so I decided to go to the gym.
I arrived at the gym at 4:45 and chatted on the phone until the club's 5am opening time. I got in a went right to work. Instead of weights first - I felt like running. So run I did. I ran and ran for about 40 minutes (which I never do). It was a great mind clearing activity.
I then went over to the weight room and did my usual full body circuit - for another 40 minutes.
As I left the gym at 6:30, I still felt a little blue. But by the time I got home and started to wake the kids for school, I was singing. I was still singing when I got out of the shower - and have been in a great mood ever since.
All this to say - for me exercise is my anti depressant. I've come to rely on exercise to help me maintain my weight - but I'm coming to rely on it more and more for the endorphin rush and mood enhancement. I'm convinced I would have had a really bad , probably moody day had I not spent time at the gym.
On another note -- Danskin Triathlon registration will happen anyday now. I'm so excited!
I contemplating staying in the bed all day. That is what I really wanted to do. I envisioned staying in my pajamas all day and just using the time to clear my mind. Not realistic - so I decided to go to the gym.
I arrived at the gym at 4:45 and chatted on the phone until the club's 5am opening time. I got in a went right to work. Instead of weights first - I felt like running. So run I did. I ran and ran for about 40 minutes (which I never do). It was a great mind clearing activity.
I then went over to the weight room and did my usual full body circuit - for another 40 minutes.
As I left the gym at 6:30, I still felt a little blue. But by the time I got home and started to wake the kids for school, I was singing. I was still singing when I got out of the shower - and have been in a great mood ever since.
All this to say - for me exercise is my anti depressant. I've come to rely on exercise to help me maintain my weight - but I'm coming to rely on it more and more for the endorphin rush and mood enhancement. I'm convinced I would have had a really bad , probably moody day had I not spent time at the gym.
On another note -- Danskin Triathlon registration will happen anyday now. I'm so excited!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
January - It's a wrap
January wrap up...
Feeling good overall - strength is definitely returning as is endurance. Weight is under control - in that I lost the holiday weight but I still feel vulnerable to emotional eating. I haven't quite cracked that yet.
Progress against goals -
Feeling good overall - strength is definitely returning as is endurance. Weight is under control - in that I lost the holiday weight but I still feel vulnerable to emotional eating. I haven't quite cracked that yet.
Progress against goals -
- Lose 5lbs.....Lost 5lbs
- Complete 40 miles ....Completed 50 miles
- Eat clean <1500>
Goal for Feb 50miles. Lose 5lbs. I'm concerned about my mileage goals now that I am not able to take spin. I'll have to get it in somehow. Either way I think 50 is a good goal for Feb. That would be 13 miles per week on avg. I will still stick to counting only 50% of biked miles.
Workout:
At hotel on business trip in San Jose.. 30min eliptical 15min weights.
Food: Did well on trip Made good choices but struggled through it. One night it took me over 1 hour to decide what to eat. I didn't want to eat anything too horrible and couldn't find a suitable meal. I ended up having crackers.
Emotional - Totally on autopilot.
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About Me
- alondaray
- West Coast, United States
- I am a christian woman, wife, mom to 2 great kids, a member of Delta Sigma Theta, A Jack and Jill mom, sister, daughter . I am also incredibly fit but wasn't always. I am a recovering fat girl - who takes it one day at a time.
Alonda the Triathlete!
