Medical Monday (over 40 and falling apart)

Just for follow-up purposes and those that may be interested.. the podiatrist took x-rays of my feet.  Those showed I have arthritis in my big toes.  As to the rest of my feet, there is a tendon that runs from the bottom of my big toe, around the ankle, and up the back of my leg.  Right before summer started, I managed to pull or otherwise injure that tendon.  That seems to have healed (for now).  The current solution is exercises and shoe inserts.

As to the acupuncture, the headaches have mostly gone. I still get the pressure bands behind the headaches, so hopefully continued treatment will at least cut those back noticeably as well.

Acupuncture and headaches #health

Today is the 3rd treatment I'm going in for.  I finally hit the point with the pressure bands and headaches that I wanted some sort of relief.  I've had them since my fistulas were corrected in 2015.  I still don't want to try the anti-depressant the neurologist was going to prescribe, so I looked for an alternative.  I'll have to admit, after the first treatment that I had a surprising result.  Very few headaches and the band was significantly less.  I can hope that the treatments continue to improve the way my head feels.  I'll update again in a couple more weeks.

Friday I go in to a podiatrist to see about what's going (wrong) with my feet.  I'm really ready to try to fix what's going on with me.  About time, really.  I'm such a procrastinator.

Goal for the new year - NOT resolution @BrooksRunning #newshoes #timetowalk #smallsteps

I don't like making resolutions.  I generally don't succeed.  Instead, this year I'm setting goals.  I finished out 2015 reasonably strong.  I made sure some things that have needed to happen were taken care of.  IE: Passports for the kids for our upcoming cruise, getting my son registered for the SAT/ACT, etc.  The problem with having "plenty of time" to get things done is they tend to slide until last minute.  I'm so tired of life happening TO me, that the first of my goals is to just get it done, whatever "it" is.

With all the fistula and related medical issues that happened to me last year, I haven't done much in the way of races or even just getting out to walk.  I'm still challenged visually, which makes running a hazard but my kids have said they'll go with me to help act as guides if needed.  So to get me started on the road, I bought a new pair of running shoes.  Love my Brooks shoes.  Normally, I'd go by Big Peach to get them or order them from Amazon.  This time I stopped by Hibbett Sports and picked them up.

I won't be running in the runDisney race this year, but I will be going to cheer everyone else along. My dad and I were slow on the uptake to getting in and didn't get in. I'm looking forward to going down and enjoying the parks and getting out of the RAIN! Now I'll need to make a choice as to what race I'll make my goal. I'm not in a rush, I figure it will be this Fall before I try a 5K.  I did join a friend's challenge on fitbit, maybe I'll actually be able to keep up.  Small steps.

Friday #Fitness #health #diving

I'm headed to the doctor's office today.  After the Peachtree and the pain in the side of my leg, I figured it was time to get checked.  I haven't pushed myself since then, though I have been walking.  I did notice, though, that even though I haven't pushed my legs are still feeling it.  I'm hoping to find out that I just need physical therapy.  I suspect that I'll end up with an x-ray.  Beyond that is pure speculation.

My daughter has her first springboard dive meet in the morning.  She's very nervous and excited all at once.  Join me in wishing her the best of luck.

Friday Fitness #notsofit #tubingHelen

I have to admit, since my leg hurt as much as it did at the Peachtree, I've slacked off walking this week.  About the only walking I've done is with the dogs.  I also had a point this week where I couldn't find the energy to do anything.  It took my 30 minutes just to work up the energy to make my morning tea and the day went downhill from there.  About the only exercise related thing I did this week was to take my kids up to Helen for some tubing fun.  We didn't get to do as much as I'd have liked, so our plan is to go back next week.  On that note, I'll leave you with a couple of pics of my kids on the river.

Pain in the leg #ithurts

I've been battling this issue for a while now, but after Friday's race I decided it was time to actually do something about it.   Basically, when walking/running, if I'm going any sort of speed I'll end up with cramping/pain in the lower part of the outside of my left leg (calf area, but on the outside).  I've tried running without shoes (which makes my knee hurt) and being fitted for new shoes at a local running shop.  I've added potassium/magnesium to my supplements (I can only eat so many bananas) and drinking lots of water (which makes me have to pee way too much).  I've slacked off exercise, I've ramped up exercise.  I use compression socks.  Nothing seems to help.  The weird thing about it, though, is that when it occurs, if I work through it the pain goes away and just becomes fatigue.  For example, at the Peachtree it started around 1/2 mile in and was gone by mile 3.  Saturday was just sore muscle until I went to walk the dogs (which is rarely a casual stroll) and it started hurting again.  So, tylenol and some rest and the pain went away.

So, for my own peace of mind, I've set up an appointment with my doctor later in the month.  Not sure what I'm going to do in the mean time, but I'll just keep monitoring it.

Health - Digestion & Constipation

I know, lovely topic right?  At any rate, conversation has to start somewhere.  I'm one of those that has issues.  I'm either clogged or I'm loose.  Being clogged can be quite painful and I've already seen a doctor about it.  Her solution was drink more water, eat more fiber, and get more exercise.  She also did a colonoscopy just to make sure nothing looked wrong.  Lovely.  Unfortunately, those by themselves aren't quite enough for my system. 

For a while I just took a probiotic or ate a lot of yogurt.  It helped, but not necessarily consistently or enough.  It wasn't until I went to the ALIVE! expo and talked to a homeopathic doctor that I found a reasonable solution.   Dr. Gary Pack of Nutrient Medicine suggested adding a prebiotic to my probiotic.   Of course he sells his own supplies online.

I, on the other hand, being me, went to Amazon to find what I wanted.  I've been giving it a try for the last month and I have to say it has made a difference.  I'm not clogged and I'm not (always) loose.  I can't say I'm ideal, but at least I'm better than I was.  Now off to try more of what I learned to see what else I can fix or at least improve.

Natural products & more (ALIVE! summary)

I'm still trying to sort through all the information I picked up Saturday at the ALIVE! expo.  I went Saturday early and stayed several hours talking to various vendors.  I met a really cool chef who's competing on the Food Network currently (Nikki), a firefighter who does a boot camp (Firefighter Fitness), a pair of ladies who make their own sunscreen products (BareBelly Organics), and a lot more. 

I found out about silver having a lot more uses than I thought.   I found a doctor who does Nutrition Response testing for people (I've had my pets on this through their vet for years) and talked about supplements.  Found some great new teas (both for kids and adults), snacks, and gluten free foods.   There were vendors with essential oils (love those), several alternative healthcare centers, and green products for use around the house.  Not to forget the cosmetics products as well.

All together, I found it almost information overload.  As I process my finds and the information that comes with it, I'll write more detailed posts.  Likely, I'll feature some of what I came home with both as samples from being a media representative and that I purchased on my own.

Alive! Expo coming April 26-27

This is a paid affiliate link.

I have attended this expo a couple of times now and have to say it's a very good one to go to.  A lot of good information and resources if you want to start working on your health and fitness.  There will be quite a few speakers to listen to and seminars to attend, with loads of exhibitors to check out.  If you use my link above, you'll save $5 on your ticket (which makes it a $5 ticket).  Well worth the time and effort to go.

The softer side of fitness

When it comes to fitness, I believe there's more to it than just getting out and exercising.  Since I started my workouts in the morning after my son leaves for school, I generally have felt much better.  However, there are still days that I just feel wiped out.  I know that some of it can be contributed to stress.  Work stress, kid-related stress, general try to get it all done stress.  I know some of it is diet.  I've worked on "fixing" most of my diet, eating better (or at least more sensibly).  I've even evaluated things like the paleo diet to help myself out.  One thing, though, that I've known needed fixing isn't related to any of that.  It's related to getting GOOD sleep.

Stress, diet, exercise, can all related back to not getting good sleep as well.  What I'm thinking of though, is my bed.  After discussion with my husband (who doesn't sleep well either), we figured out that all of our mattresses were older than my son.  I have been waking up sore on various days, as has my husband. We finally got around to doing something about it, though.  We went out to The Dump and checked out their mattress sale.  We came home with new pillows and a delivery date. 

I won't have a direct relation between my fitness and a new mattress (or at least the days where I feel wiped out) for a while yet.  I'm hopeful, though, that it will make a significant difference in my over all health.

Friday Fitness - Confessions

I've been bad recently. I haven't really worked out like I should.  I can blame it on stress or I could blame it on work.  Really, no one to blame but me.  I did work out some and I did monitor my food, I just haven't completed the challenges that Kat has put up for us to do.  Bad me.

I did go for a physical recently and spoke with the doctor about a couple of issues I've had. I'm tired of them being issues, so I have more doctor appointments to see what we can do to fix them.  The big one (and hard to admit) is that I have stress incontinence.  What that means is that if I run (or sneeze), I leak.  Sometimes big time, sometimes not so bad.  I hate wearing the pads and I refuse to wear the undergarments.  So, toward the end of next month I go see a urogynecologist to see what (if anything) can be done.  Honestly, it's a condition I've had most of my life.  As I've gotten older, though, it has definitely gotten worse.  With my desire to do more 5Ks and fun runs (and another half marathon), it's just more than time to get a doctor's opinion.

I've also had trouble sleeping.  I am constantly waking up at night and am generally ready to crash hard by 2p.  It could be stress, it could be any number of things.  I also have trouble falling asleep due to restless legs.  It's like a leg cramp that doesn't hurt, but it makes my entire leg jump.  I can even manage to keep my husband awake when it's bad.  The doctor offered drugs, which I've turned down.  Instead, I'm going in for a sleep study (appointment not yet made) to see if they can figure out what's going on.

Now that summer is starting, I'm hoping to make it over to the Y more to swim and work out.  I also plan to pick back up on the challenges.  So maybe this summer will be a year of physical fixes in more ways than one.

@FitnessRebooted 2 Pounds Down!

MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter

I have to take the weight loss with a grain of salt as it comes on top of my having been sick last week. I'm hopeful that it'll stay off, I'm certainly doing my best to keep track of my food/exercise on MyFitnessPal and still using my FitBit to track steps. This was my last week of Zumba, I start yoga next week via Kaiser. I really need to work on core strength and flexibility. My kicks in Choi are rather wimpy and I really want to improve that.

My son had been asking for a chin-up bar for his doorway for a while. I broke down and purchased a kit that was on sale on Amazon. It came with the bar, a digital jump rope, and push up platforms. I've been playing with doing chin-ups on his bar and listening to my elbows pop loudly. I'm going to try doing them randomly to see if I can at least get that to stop. I do like the digital jump rope though. I can jump rope in my den without hitting anything with it and it tells me how many times I've jumped. It also times me for duration. It has definitely been a long time since I've done that exercise.

My daughter and I have the Color Run coming up in a week. I'm trying to convince her to wear a tutu with me, so far no go. At least she'll be doing the run itself. From there I do the Pretty Muddy and I'm going to register the family for the Electric Run in May. I was given a slot at this year's Peachtree Roadrace too, so now I have a 10k to work toward.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with my progress. It's slow, but it's finally starting to make a difference.

Monday Musings

Last Week -
Getting sick really stinks. I don't generally get sick, so when I do I generally "do it right". I thought initially I was just suffering bad allergies (and probably actually was). Then a week ago Saturday I spent the day out at Stone Mountain Park with the family hiking. I came home and my head really started having issues. Then Monday evening, I get wet in the rain a couple of times and ended up chilled. By Tuesday, I was not a happy camper. I managed to plow through somewhat until Thursday morning at which point I gave up and went to the doctor. Diagnosis: a sinus infection that had moved to the throat. No wonder. So, several days later of antibiotics and a treatment called "Magic Mouthwash" which numbs the throat, I'm doing better. In the process, I managed to lose some weight, though I somehow doubt it will stay off.

New project-
I'm working with another pet rescue group. I'm currently helping them with their word press site, getting animals posted. I'm still in training, so I'm working through the learning curve. It's giving me a chance to learn a new blogging platform too. I've considered moving this blog, though no real decisions are even close to being made. So, this may help on that front too.

Future stuff-
My kids and I will be doing something of a demo this upcoming Saturday at a friend's church. Luxomni Baptist Church is having an Easter fun day with activities for the kids and all. We'll be out there with some of the other Choi students showing off our skills. ;) If you get a chance, feel free to come out and see us.

My Fitness Pal

I actually started this log a few months ago, so the weight loss is cumulative from that point. I'm putting this here to make a marker that is public that I have to follow up with.

Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Weight Loss Tools

Ultimately, my goal isn't so much weight loss as it is toning. However, if I do it right, I will also lose some weight. So, my goal is 10 lbs total loss. If you're using this tool, feel free to friend me.

No more rollercoasters #fitfluential

My body has decided that I'm no longer "able" to ride some of the roller coasters I've always enjoyed. The last few times I've tried to ride one that goes upside down or does a tight spiral, I've had a problem with my vision tunneling and being light headed. Not good. So I went to the doctor to get checked to see if it was anything I could easily resolve. The answer? I have low blood pressure. Not so low that I have to take medications or anything, but apparently enough such that when I go through the gees of the coaster, it lowers my pressure even further. I was told the only "solution" was to make sure I was hydrated.

Keeping that in mind, I made sure I was hydrated before I rode Expedition Everest with my family. Unfortunately, it didn't help. So, until further notice, the fun coasters are off my docket.

During the week at Disney, I also discovered that I'm more aware of my body than I thought I was. So much so, that it has influenced me to do even more than I have been. Currently, I've made sure I'm able to do a 5K (next one in August) and am fine when it comes to endurance in Choi. I've made a lot of basic changes in diet as well over the past year and while it's helped, it hasn't been enough. I'm not "fine" when I can't say I'm comfortable in my own form.

So, I'm going back to my workout schedule. I found a cool "Good bye Mom Jeans" workout on facebook/pinterest, so I'm giving that a go. I'm starting at the "Beginner Level" for now. You can click the image to go to the source of the workout.