Feeling A LOT Better

After innumerable doctor appointments, I am feeling a lot better.

Heck, I can eat.  That makes a huge difference.

This "sickness" has been the strangest thing.  I felt like my body was not working. I felt like some of the things the doctors were telling me were not true.  And I was doubting my own knowledge of my body.  Really, you know your own body better than anyone else.

Details
I started feeling sick mid-October.  I couldn't eat without having terrible stomach and muscle pain, mainly in my back and shoulder.  I tried to link these things together, but it didn't really make sense. 

It got to the point that I could only eat a few bites of food every couple of hours.

Immediately, I thought to myself.  Don't eat sugar.  I feel like my body doesn't handle sugar well and I had eliminated it for the most part (rarely ate bread or treats), until August and then I just didn't care anymore.  It seemed like my leg injury wouldn't heal no matter what I did. So, I went off the rails--specifically during the last 2 weeks of October.

Besides fatigue and frustration, I dropped weight quickly.  Not good.  Luckily, I was up 5 lbs. from my poor diet.  Currently, I'm down 17 pounds.  I've never been on this side of the weight struggle before, trying to maintain or gain weight. Really frustrating. I'm still in the healthy range, but it's lower than I feel comfortable with.

I was told when I went the ER that I should eat refined foods--white bread/crackers and broth.
Which is totally opposite of what I would consider healthy! But I was able to eat saltines and chicken noodle soup.  And it tasted good, but I wasn't getting much nutrition.

I went to a GI doctor and he recommended I get an endoscopy.  AWESOME! But they couldn't get me in for 3 weeks.  Still not sure if I would be in pain for those 3 weeks, I went home discouraged.
That week, I started feeling like I could eat more.  I started eating a whole can of soup instead of a small mug.

Thanksgiving came and I actually ate turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes. Later, at our second dinner, I had half a piece of pumpkin pie.  I just wanted to try it, to see what would happen.  I felt a little sluggish in the morning, but no major pain or tummy troubles. But, the next day, I was sick again.  From that point, I have had no treats.  And for the last 2 weeks, I have basically been eating protein and veggies.  Right now, I'm trying to stick to the Candida Diet.  And, hopefully I'll have some more information next week after the scope is done.

I wanted to see if I separated my symptoms and treated them separately, would I improve.  I got an abdominal massage one day and it provided a ton of relief.  She said my psoas muscles were crazy tight.  And she thought that could cause my other back pain and maybe even stomach pain.  So, I have also been doing massage and chiropractic.  And when I got home, I googled tight abdominal muscles and back muscles in conjunction with stomach pain.  What did I find?  Tight abdominal muscles can create symptoms of ulcers or gallbladder pain.

Good News

• I can eat a decent amount of food and drink water.  It was even hard to drink water, for a while.
• I went to the gym and walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes. It's amazing how good that felt. I have not moved much for a few months.  Trying to rest as much as I could may have backfired.
• My scope is on Tuesday.  Ulcer or no ulcer? And then it will be done.  And I won't worry about that part anymore.
• My neighbors and sisters and moms have been awesome!
• I finally feel like I'm coming back.  And I am excited to do the little things that I haven't been able to do for my family.

Advice
Sometimes listening to your body is hard.  Just try.  Sleep when it asks for sleep.  Fuel yourself with premium foods.  Not junk.  Remember to deep breathe.  Move your body. Take time to reset and reboot. It's okay to ask for help.


What have you been up to?
Are you ready for Christmas? I'm not, but I will be shopping online this week.

Trying To Be Tough

I knew I wasn't feeling well and that I was exhausted.  I knew I was frustrated and having a hard time getting anything done.  I knew I was not eating well.  I thought I could just rest and get better, but nothing was getting better.

I went to the Chiropractor and PT for my hip and leg.
I had intense pain in my back and shoulders.  It would wake me up at night and I wouldn't be able to go to sleep.

I thought that I was just having pinched nerves and kept trying to rest and relax.

Then one night, I was in so much pain, I considered going to the ER.
I had sharp pain in my back and side and stomach.  It was on the right side and up under my rib.
It happened after eating a greasy hamburger and some mini donuts.
Of course, I Googled all of my symptoms. What came to my mind was gallbladder.

I tried to see my Dr., but she was out sick.  They told me to go to the urgent care and they told me to go to the ER.  The ER said to go back to my clinic and  see whomever was covering patients.
They did blood work, urine test, and ordered an ultrasound--3 days later.

In the meantime, I was still taking ibuprofen, trying to help my pain.
I felt like my nerves were frayed for about a month.  I was crazy tired.  And I was just so upset and disappointed with myself.

Sometimes when I am in pain, I try to be tough.  This time I waited a little too long.
I have an ulcer.

I started having pains in August and then they went away.  I think when I reinjured my leg, I took a hit.  The orthopedist told me to take a steady dose of ibuprofen and so I did.  NSAIDs are not supposed to be taken for long periods of time.  I took them 2-3x a day for 3 weeks.  Before that, I would take them 1 or 2 times a week if I had unusual pain.

Anyway, I am on the mend.  And I have some hope that my body will recover in a few weeks.
I had extra blood work done to check different nutrient levels.  They all came out in the healthy range.  But I am pretty sure I am experiencing adrenal fatigue as well.

I am even more convinced of the importance of sleep and good nutrition in general.  But when you add strenuous exercise on top of daily tasks, you need to make sure you are on top of it. I often thought that I wasn't eating enough for the amount of exercise I do, but I was maintain or gaining a few lbs. and figured that I was okay. But the last 2 months, with my arm pain, it was hard to feel like cooking and to actually chop and prep stuff hurt.  I tried to eat fresh stuff, but the majority of my food was probably some kind of packaged food.

I would not wish this pain on anyone.  So, please look at your diet and sleep patterns and get them in check. Make sure you are eating enough healthy fats and a variety of fruits and vegetables as well as protein and good starches.  Eat breakfast--not cereal or a muffin alone.  You need protein and fat.  Good fats help your body produce hormones that keep everything functioning. Take a multivitamin if you don't feel like you are eating your nutrients--and then work on adding whole foods.

I am not a Dr.  Just keep track of what you eat for a few days and see if you are getting at least 3 veggies a day.  That is  a good place to start.  And fat is not your enemy!!!

Just When I Thought I Was Healed

Running last week was going really well.
I was feeling confident and when I was asked about my injuries, I only had arm pain to talk about.
I was so happy and grateful.

I am still happy and grateful, but my leg decided to freak out on Friday.

Tape and bruising.
I have matching bruises on both sides of my shin.
And bogs of inflammation that hurt when I touch them.
The bruising was caused by massaging the inflamed spots.

The good thing is that my foot doesn't hurt.
My guess is that all of my muscles are trying to compensate for each other.
I felt like my calves were strong.  I was working on my peroneus muscles. My foot and ankle felt like they were striking correctly, but something shifted somewhere and here we are again.

I took a picture just like this in March.

So, back to the Dr., Chiro, PT, Massage...

I'm not sure what will work.
I am going to a sports medicine Dr. on Friday.  I hope he has more info for me.
My guess is he will just say PT, but maybe he can explain why it's happening and how long it should take to heal. And what I can do to fix it.

Sometimes I give my phone to our little boy in the car.

Today, he was quiet while he had it.

When I got it back there were 20 of these pictures.

 

 

Workout:

45 minutes--AMT

25 minutes--Abs/Stretching

10 minutes--AMT

Cardio Day, 3 lb. Dumbbells, And Protein, Protein, Protein

Yesterday was one of those days that I just didn't have it.
No energy.
No drive.

I went to the gym and got in a short workout, but it was work the whole time.
I probably needed a down day, just because I have been pushing harder this week and have not been sleeping well.

Yesterday was a mega squat day.
I put a 20 lb. bar on my back and ended up doing 400 squats.
2 sets of 100 and 4 sets of 50.

Today was a cardio day.  I had loads of energy.
4 miles on the AMT
3.5 miles on the treadmill.
My big toe started hurting, so I alternated walking/running.

I hit a cruising speed and felt like I could have run forever, if my toe wasn't hurting.
I do not want to get injured again.

3 lb. Dumbbells
It's a start.  Really, I wanted to see if I had any elbow pain with a curling motion.  It didn't hurt, but I am pretty sure I can't handle more weight with my left arm yet.  My right arm is a little stronger.  My wrist didn't hurt, just my elbow. 

Do any of you use wrist braces, guards?  I don't know what they are really called.  I see lots of people with gloves, but I don't think they are super stiff.

Protein
It's easy to overdue protein and forget that you need veggies and fruits and carbs.  They all have micronutrients important for good health.
This week, I am working on cutting sugar and adding protein.
I cooked 8 sirloin patties so I would have a protein ready to go.

I remember seeing an interview with some male celebrity who ate tons of "beef patties" to get muscular for a movie.  He said he never wanted to eat another one. Tomorrow, I'll grill up some chicken to have on hand.  Next week, another round of Operation Veg Out. Feel free to share your veggie pictures on Facebook.


What healthy habits are you working on?

What was your favorite thing this week?

Mile Test, Arm Sleeves, Maybe Next Week

I feel like running is coming back to me.
But I know that if I go too hard, it will hurt again.

I've been testing my speed threshold and it appears to be a 9 minute mile

 

Which is a good thing.

Last week, I ran between 9:30-10:00 miles.  Slowly, but surely.

I can run on 6.8 mph for quarter mile intervals, but not for a mile straight.

 

I'm still doing foot strengthening and calf strengthening exercises.

I am happy that things appear to be getting better.

 

 

I stopped using KTape and switched to wrapping with an ACE bandage when I needed extra support around my wrist when I was at home.  Avoiding anything heavy has really helped me heal.  I cut the toes off of a pair of socks to wear as elbow sleeves under my jacket when I run.  It adds support and warmth around my elbows.

 

First, I tried wearing my compression socks on my arms when I slept.  It made it really hard to open a bottle of water in the middle of the night.  I may have spilled all over myself. 

 

I didn't want to buy sleeves at the store until I knew if they worked or not.  So, my wrist and elbows are getting better too.  I am trying to be patient.  I'm hopeful that I will be able to lift arms again by the end of next week. I'll start off with 5 lbs. and work my way back up to my normal, or old normal.

 

Can you believe it's October already.

Time to get out the fall décor.

I think I have like 3 things.  I love the leaves and the crisp air.  It actually got chilly last night.

 

Hot chocolate weather.

 

I told my husband that I brushed my teeth with hot water.  He thought that was weird.

After almost 15 years of marriage, I am sure that I do something else that is weirder than that.

 

Do you brush with hot or cold water?

 

Are you gearing up for any fall races?

 

 



 

Sleep. Potato. Burrito

This morning I woke up..did I ever fall asleep?

I have a sleepwalker and a boy who seems to have a sensitive tummy and/or growing pains.
Last night was awesome.  I kept hearing doors open and feet moving up and down the hall.  I just didn't want to get up.  I waited until they came to me.

One came in walked in a circle and then went back to bed.  Later, she got up to use the restroom.

The other cried, and needed to be held.  Later, he couldn't find his duck in the middle of the night, so he turned on his light and threw his blankets on the floor and then came and asked for help.  I don't mind getting up early, if I can get some sleep when it is actually "dark time."

Little man goes in phases with his toys.
This week, he is in love with bath time and rubber ducks and Mr. Potato Head.
He made one for him and one for his sister.

"This is Haylee."

To be fair, she doesn't look like this all of the time.

 

 

 

Food Nostalgia

I had another food nostalgia moment when I went grocery shopping yesterday.

Microwave burritos.  We used to go to the deli for lunch and get one.  I usually opted for a chimichanga if they had that as an option.  But they are practically the same thing. Anyway...

 

I know better.

But sometimes you just want it, right?

So I ate it.

And it wasn't very good.

And this morning my guts hurt when I ran.

Live and learn.

 

 

Workout:

20 minutes--AMT 14/16 Interval

25 minutes--treadmill--6.4/4.0 mph walk/run

10 minutes--legs

10 minutes--treadmill--walk/run

20 minutes--abs/stretching

 



Saturday Stuff

 

Saturdays at the gym are interesting.

If you go early, it's empty.
If you go late, it's empty.
The 9-11 am hours are busy.

This weekend, I didn't get there until almost noon.
It was pretty much vacant.
I had the cardio room to myself most of the time.

When people come in, I wonder why they are there.

What are their goals?
Is it a social thing?
Stress relief?

Sometimes I ask people what they're up to and sometimes, I listen to their conversations.
If you're talking loudly, someone is going to hear you.

Anyway, one guy said he was going to a class reunion and wanted to be "hot."
I had never heard a guy say that about himself before. 

2 couples came in and walked and talked on the treadmill by each other.
They were all waiters/waitresses and were talking about not getting good tips the night before.
Then they talked about eating food late at night and feeling gross.
I've had that feeling before.  And sometimes it makes me want to run and other times it makes me want to sleep.

When I left the cardio room, I saw some guys trying to talk a girl into doing a heavy lift she had never done  before.

She kept saying no and that she didn't want to get hurt.  They kept pushing her.
I know the girl, so I stepped in. I just said, "Don't do it if you're not comfortable."

They kept pushing.  She said she would do it with less weight. The guy told her she didn't need less weight. Eventually, I left. 

I think that I sometimes get stuck in the mindset, that if it isn't a long workout or a heavy lift, that it isn't worth it.  Really, we all have to start somewhere.  For beginners, or coming off an injury, the little things do matter.

 

Start small and each small step will add up to something big.

 

 

 

Workout:

10 minutes--AMT

45 minutes--treadmill, run/walk 4.25 miles

20 minutes--lift/stretch

• calf raises
• leg press
• abs
• stretch