the lumbering wildebeest » Exercise

The amazing body

Mary — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 10:54:05 +0000

It was my thought that if I didn’t go out and do something exercizey every day that I would end up quitting. I was probably right. I think ya really have to build up momentum and to do that, ya have to commit to the process. When I did the couch to 5 K program the first time, I went out walking in between running days. My knees were screaming bloody murder but I still went out. What a dumb-ass I was. You can tell the difference between sore muscles/joints and when something is really wrong but when you’re stubborn, (like me) you can completely ignore the obvious. My body was screaming for a break and I just wasn’t giving in.

After the 5 days off because of a back pain flare-up, my knees miraculously fixed themselves. Wacky how that happens when you stop torturing them? What an ass. I really could have messed myself up and then what? I probably would have tossed my hands up in the air and said screw it…I’m not exercising. Eh, lesson learned.

So, now I’m trying the c25k program again and what I’m discovering is that because of all of my pain before, I was never really able to push my body. Why do I know this? Because every time I go out now, I’m making personal bests. I have seen 13 minute miles two days in a row. Ive neverrrrrrr done that before. I just started week 2! I’m psyched. For the next 9 weeks, it’s my plan to ONLY go out three times/week to do this program. I’m not walking in between. I’ll do other stuff at home but my knees shall only be put through the ringer three times a week.

The problem though, is that now I have a handle on my aches and pains, but my lungs are like, “What the hell is happening out there!” They’re stinging pretty bad when I jog – especially the really speedy miles. When I got home today, I was hacking like I was still smoking cigarettes. It’s something to keep an eye on. It could be exercise induced asthma. I think its funny that I have exercise induced anything. LoL I exercise. That in itself is absolutely hysterical.

I’ll have to consult a physician. =)

Osteoarthritis

Mary — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 01:52:41 +0000

Looks like I have the most common type of arthritis: osteoarthritis. Here’s a picture of the horn growing out of a disk on the right side of my lower spine.

big ole’ horn-o-arthritis

I have some more on my upper back and my tailbone is almost fused with my lowest disk. My neck is straight as a ruler and should be curved like a banana. My pelvic bones are disturbingly uneven…it’s pretty bad when you can just see where things are just not right. It’ll be a challenge getting me back on track but I have faith in my new chiropractor. He’s amazing. He even unclogged my ear today!

Anyhow, the best medicine for such a disorder is movement so when I asked the doc if it is OK if I continue with my walking/jogging regiment, he said, “You must. If you don’t, you’ll end up in a wheel chair or (he folded himself over like an L shape) you’ll walk around like this.” So… move I shall. I don’t want either of those scenarios to happen. I have to keep losing weight. It’s very important that I get this extra weight off of me.

He gave me some stretching things to do. It’s necessary for me to strengthen my quads and abs as well as stretching out my lower back and some neck traction. These are things I must do daily…no biggie. I’ll just incorporate these new activities into my morning routine. I hit up Wal-mart on the way home from work tonight and picked up a balance ball so I can let the fun begin tomorrow morning.

It sure could be a lot worse than this so I’m not complaining.

Funny thing: My boss said, “Did he take x-rays of your whole body?” I said, “From teeth to tampon.” I wasn’t too embarrassed when the doc put my films in front of the light and I could clearly see my tampon. *blush* lololol

Walking in the morning

Mary — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:06:33 +0000

I dig morning walking. Mostly because I am inherently lazy and prefer to get all the sweating over with early – which is why I tried my hand at jogging. Running and fitness walking burn the same amount of calories. My thought was that I could get my morning sweatfest over with in a half hour instead of 45 minutes or an hour. I actually completed the couch to 5K program. My knees weren’t quite ready for the abuse so as of late, have backed off the jogging. It’s nice to be able to walk down stairs one foot in front of the other instead of stepping on each tread with both feet before continuing onward. My results of the c25k program were ok I guess. I never did make it the whole 5K. I got as far as 2.5 miles. Really, I’m so ok with that. I went from never running any miles ever…in my life, to being able to run 2.5 friggin miles in 9 weeks. That’s sheer insanity if you ask me. It’s these victories that keep me going. So, though I’m not running any more, I know I CAN if I want to. (or if I’m being chased by zombies or something)

couch to 5k results