Winter is tough- and I don’t even live in that bad of a climate. My basement is well lit and I have a big TV. I’m not sure I could stand it otherwise. My issue at this time of year is physically getting out of the warm bed. It is so easy for me to get up early in spring and summer when it gets light early. Winter it is a struggle. I admire sabaray for getting up so early and doing longer runs. I usually delay so long I have time for only 4 miles at the most before work.
Deb922- Do what you can. Usually, if you get started, you keep going. Tell yourself you will go down to the basement to do 1 mile!
Is there another form of exercise you can do that will provide a variety?? Do you have any old Denise Austin DVD’s (or Richard Simmons - haha) that you can pull out? Do you have Netflix or Amazon Prime that you can pull up a 30 minute cardio or strength training or something?
Is there a nearby park that cleans/salts trails so there is a safe path to run or walk on??? I think we runners have to not forget about the benefits of walking. A couple weeks ago, our sidewalks were still snow covered and icy in spots underneath - but I just had to get out! I bundled up, pulled on some boots and though it wasn’t a long distance covered, nor a quick pace by any means, I was out in the fresh air for at least 30 minutes. That itself did a world of good.
I know if I don’t do the exercise that I might spend the time snacking or baking instead. That’s what free time does to me!
I got in my run before the dreaded dental procedure: did a 4 mile run in the very foggy morning with an extra mile of warm up and cool down. Good thing I did it then because the dentist told me that no running’s allowed until the weekend. Apparently they don’t want any mouth breathing to dry up the gum tissues and mess with the healing (it was a crown lengthening procedure).
Glad everything went well, PlantMom - I share your dislike of dental procedures!
I had every intention of going to spin class this morning, but as yesterday wore on my upper body felt very tight and my upper back was sore. I suspect I did not have the seat positioned correctly during spin on Saturday - or perhaps I was placing too much weight on my upper body. I think I need a class with Michael - Spin 101! So nothing but dog walks today. Training tomorrow.
Deb, studio classes are my alternate activity. I enjoy running - outside. Treadmill time is not enjoyable for me - but it’s the means to an end - enjoyable outdoor runs! I hope that made sense. The studio classes don’t make me feel like I’m trying to substitute a dull activity (treadmill) for a fun one (outdoors). Is there a studio that offers drop in training or classes close by you? That might be a fun and different option.
I am fighting the urge to make a lot of calorie-laden food for the Super Bowl. We’ve had tons of food in the office again - GS cookies, birthday cakes…happily I’ve successfully resisted it.
Out before the dental procedure - that’s dedication!
Such weird weather - February 2 and we’re having thunderstorms in Ohio - who’da thought?!
Got my steps in today and I’ll do a little arm weight work and my pushups. I’ve had better eating days…1/2 pistachio muffin (one of big suckers), more carbs in a piece of leftover thin crust (but still crust) pizza, and some sweet potato chips with my hawaiian brat for dinner (and some roasted beets - saving grace!). Work is a little swamped so a bit of stress eating…
I feel like such a slacker today. Only my 2-mile round trip walk to the bus stop. But I am proud to say that I have not missed a day in my push-up streak!
Got home around midnight on Sunday, but got up and on the treadmill Monday AM. Went to yoga for the first time in 12 days and am a little bit sore today. Just treadmill today.
Does anyone else ever just fall off the wagon for a few days? I have been a slug since Sunday, but feel like I needed it. I feel like I’ll get out there on my next run with more enthusiasm after a little break.
Tonight was a 5K run with the running club. We managed to dodge the thunderstorms - Yay! It was windy, but strangely warm. It is hard to know how to dress these days!
PlantMom-I’m glad you made it through the dental surgery OK.
Gertrude-sometimes you do need rest. I think if you get back out for your next run you’ll feel more energized.
Hm… the fitbit says I hit 5k today but there’s no way I did. I was in the car much of the day and that must be throwing it off.
My joints are still really bothering me and my knees ache even when resting.
This is a “health” thread so am I “allowed” (for lack of a better word ) to ask non-exercise advice? I just realized today that my PCP hasn’t referred me to a Rheumatologist despite leaning towards Lupus and test results that, I believe, should necessitate going to a Rheumy (positive ANA with speckled pattern which likely indicates some type of connective tissue disease). I found out about the positive ANA kind of by accident at my last appointment (a week or so ago when I went in for what I thought was an unrelated skin issue) when she referred me to a dermatologist because of a positive ANA result. (That’s how I found out about the positive ANA.) The positive ANA result came to her in late December.
She has already referred me to an Allergist & Immunologist but that referral was from test results prior to the ANA.
In general, I really like this doc. She was the first to actually listen to me and realize that, especially given my mom’s autoimmune disease, that I should have my ANA levels tested… but lately, I’ve been really frustrated with her and her office. The office is really slow to respond (if they do at all) and she acknowledges the issues and is supposedly working to correct them.
I have another appointment with her next week and I’m going to ask why she hasn’t referred me to Rheumy, but part of me is wondering whether or not I should change PCPs. I’ve had nearly 10 PCPs in my life and she’s easily in the top 2 so I’m not hopeful that another PCP would be any better. She is also my mom’s PCP and my mom says she’s the best PCP she’s ever had. Plus, switching PCPs right now seems like a huge pain.
Maybe I’m just impatient. (Part of this was a rant, part of it is really asking for advice- what, if anything, should I do?)
I would just tell her that you want a referral to a Rheumy that specializes in your particular autoimmune disease. Given your ANA results, there should be no question about the appropriateness of the referral. And not all Rheumy’s are created equal. If you haven’t already, take a look at your local Lupus support website to get a list of Rheumies who specialize with Lupus. If your primary won’t cooperate, then unfortunately you may need to change primaries. One of my immediate family members has Scleroderma and it’s important with this family of diseases that you be a vocal advocate for yourself.
Thanks @MichaelNKat (by the way, your name makes me laugh because my favorite cousins-in-law- if that’s a thing- are a married couple named Michael and Kat). You’re absolutely right and I think I logically know that’s the right thing to do but it’s hard to advocate for your own health.
Now advocating for other people’s health I can do quite easily but it’s hard when it’s my own lol.
And thanks for the advice to look into local Lupus groups. Hadn’t thought of that- mostly I’ve been getting advice from Doctor/Profs I know who work in the health care system where all of my docs are.
@romanigypsyeyes, it’s funny, people naturally assume that my screen name is a combination of 2 first names. It’s actually a slightly shortened version of my full name.
The support group websites can be a great source of information. Just be aware that the chat rooms and forums are often filled with people whose disease has taken a path that will not necessarily be yours. There can be a tendency to assume the worst about yourself if that’s all your hearing about others’ experiences when in fact the path that all of theses rheumatoid auto-immune diseases take is very individualized.
Day before yesterday, office luncheon for 20th work anniversary of our receptionist. Carrot cake from best Italian bakery in south Philadelphia. Strange choice from an Italian bakery but carrot cake is like a force of gravity for me. Yesterday, the original bakery that was supposed to supply the cake but lost the order, sent over a tray to apologize that contained oatmeal raisin cookies which are like a dark star that sucks me into a gravitational black hole in space. Must have consumed a month’s worth of added sugar. Today, it’s back to my normal nutrition plan and forgiving myself for the excesses of the last 2 days :).
“If someone wants to leak my step count, sleep patterns and login - I don’t really know what they will gain (or what I will lose) from that!”
I don’t link to anyone on my Fitbit but agree - what is a hacker going to do with my sleep patterns?
BTW, I’m really digging the sleep part of the Fitbit tracking. I can really see what happens when I go to bed at different times. Unfortunately, due to my age, I’m in the stage of life where I am going to bed / falling asleep fine but then waking up at 4 am and not getting back to sleep …
I love the sleep pattern info (even if it is kind of hokey). The best is a Nyquil night - once I fall asleep there are no lines at all until I wake up!
