So after reading several things on hormones and how they can affect (or is it effect?) so many things, I made it to a clinic that specializes in testing and then compounding your own formula of supplements, hormones, etc. After going over my symptoms that I have been struggling with for almost a year the nurse practitioner thinks I might have adrenal fatigue. Fatigue, I know I’m tired but there is an actual disease? They took a lot of blood and I have to do a saliva test, which I can’t do for a couple of weeks because of timing (if you know what I mean). Once all that comes back then they will discuss my results and set up a regiment. I have to wait until August 11th. UGH!
So after coming home I started my research. It makes perfect sense! But I’m not getting totally set on it. I’m trying to wait for the “official” results. Because even though it makes perfect since it could just be several things. Okay, I see that diet, exercise, stress relievers plus supplements/vitamins can help you regain yourself again. It isn’t totally incapacitating, so may be I have a mild case or I’ve “caught” it in time. So what I think I’m going to do is take this long weekend to revamp my diet plan as well as even my exercise plan. It wouldn’t hurt to change some of the foods that I eat; it could be a good thing one way or another. And I’m loosing my motivation with the current workout plan so now is a good time for a change.
As far as my exercise plan. I think I need to back away from trying to do so many races! I mean don’t get me wrong I still want to do them and I still have a long term goal of completing at least a full marathon and ½ Ironman, but it is becoming stressful preparing for these races as well there is an expense to every race. I will keep some on my radar because I think they are good goals and things to work for. Plus they are fun! I just think trying to do the list I currently have might be adding to the fatigue just a little.
With my body not knowing what is going on my tendency to loose weight has stopped and I think it is in survival mode, holding onto every ounce it possibly can. So I’m going to continue running, riding and swimming. Adding in rowing (which I found I like), elliptical and may be even a Zumba class occasionally. I am also going to incorporate Yoga in too. I’m going back to my 2-3 day strength training. Probably super sets or total body circuits. I haven’t really fully laid my plan out but that is what I’m going to plan on this week.
I’m also thinking of removing some other stressors, I wish I could remove work but that just isn’t an option right now. But there are some things I can just say no too! So overall this might be a good thing even if it is a struggle to get the energy to even wake up in the morning.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Stress or Motivation - Stealers
As I try and think what is causing stresses in my life, I’m sure I could list several but I wonder if they are really stresses or excuses. Such as, the plantar fasciitis in my foot, could I do other things, or am I so hung up on not being able to run that I’ve made that my excuse not to exercise at all. There are several things I can do for exercise that doesn’t pertain to my normal training routine but I get so caught up in that “must do” item on my list that I block out everything else. And variety is good, not all exercise needs to revolve around running, biking or swimming! Just move! Duh!
Then there is food. I think I can eat on the high end of my calorie range everyday, choose bad foods and think that I will loose weight. Not the case as I have proven in this journey time and time again. I know I shouldn’t eat certain foods but do I pick them because they are yummy and easy or is it really a stress indicator? Sometimes I would have to say yes because my comfort food is Mexican or Pasta and that is what I tend to crave when I’m stressed. But would I say my turning to certain foods is really a stress indicator overall, no not really.
I know what I need to do; I’m not new to this weight loss/exercise journey. I need to better manager of my food schedule. In essence I need to schedule my food like I’ve done with my training. On lighter days I need to eat on the lighter end of the food scale and on heavy training days I can eat on the higher end. I also need to be better about eating every few hours rather than putting such a time span between eating. Especially on my heavy training days because I tend to be starving by the time I get home from the gym. So how do I accomplish this? All with a calendar and time, oh and a little bit of patience with oneself. When I’m at work I can set my Microsoft Outlook to go off every so often, scheduling my snacks and lunch much like I do my conference calls or other meetings. I am hoping with this regiment that my weekends will follow suit. Otherwise I might have to get a traveling alarm clock to set and carry with me. LOL! Wouldn’t that be a sight to have an alarm clock with me at all times, I will have to make sure it is an annoying one for sure!
Another thing that I would like to accomplish is to stay up when Jim gets up to go to work. I get up to make his lunch and then go back to bed, resulting in being more tired than I would be if I would just stay up. This would also provide me a few hours to get in some yoga, meditation or time on the elliptical or even just me time. Plus I could eat breakfast at home instead of at work which would be better for the schedule. Occasionally, I could even get the kids up earlier to go run or bike before we head out the door especially since it will be getting really hot soon.
So I know the steps I need to do to accomplish my goals that I have set, but what is my motivator? Me. Only I can make those changes and I should do them for me and for the most part I do them for me, but I also want to look good for my husband! I want to be a good role model not only for my children but for anyone else that struggles with their own journey. I have come to realize in this multisport world that I venture in that it is the everyday folk that motivate one to think that you too can get out there and swim, bike or run. You can get out there and run a 5K or even a marathon. It is the strength within yourself that one relies on when they feel they can’t run another mile or accomplish three different events at race. You are the motivator for oneself, and only you!
So off I go on yet another path of this journey, searching for the right combination. May be just may be this will keep me on track.
Then there is food. I think I can eat on the high end of my calorie range everyday, choose bad foods and think that I will loose weight. Not the case as I have proven in this journey time and time again. I know I shouldn’t eat certain foods but do I pick them because they are yummy and easy or is it really a stress indicator? Sometimes I would have to say yes because my comfort food is Mexican or Pasta and that is what I tend to crave when I’m stressed. But would I say my turning to certain foods is really a stress indicator overall, no not really.
I know what I need to do; I’m not new to this weight loss/exercise journey. I need to better manager of my food schedule. In essence I need to schedule my food like I’ve done with my training. On lighter days I need to eat on the lighter end of the food scale and on heavy training days I can eat on the higher end. I also need to be better about eating every few hours rather than putting such a time span between eating. Especially on my heavy training days because I tend to be starving by the time I get home from the gym. So how do I accomplish this? All with a calendar and time, oh and a little bit of patience with oneself. When I’m at work I can set my Microsoft Outlook to go off every so often, scheduling my snacks and lunch much like I do my conference calls or other meetings. I am hoping with this regiment that my weekends will follow suit. Otherwise I might have to get a traveling alarm clock to set and carry with me. LOL! Wouldn’t that be a sight to have an alarm clock with me at all times, I will have to make sure it is an annoying one for sure!
Another thing that I would like to accomplish is to stay up when Jim gets up to go to work. I get up to make his lunch and then go back to bed, resulting in being more tired than I would be if I would just stay up. This would also provide me a few hours to get in some yoga, meditation or time on the elliptical or even just me time. Plus I could eat breakfast at home instead of at work which would be better for the schedule. Occasionally, I could even get the kids up earlier to go run or bike before we head out the door especially since it will be getting really hot soon.
So I know the steps I need to do to accomplish my goals that I have set, but what is my motivator? Me. Only I can make those changes and I should do them for me and for the most part I do them for me, but I also want to look good for my husband! I want to be a good role model not only for my children but for anyone else that struggles with their own journey. I have come to realize in this multisport world that I venture in that it is the everyday folk that motivate one to think that you too can get out there and swim, bike or run. You can get out there and run a 5K or even a marathon. It is the strength within yourself that one relies on when they feel they can’t run another mile or accomplish three different events at race. You are the motivator for oneself, and only you!
So off I go on yet another path of this journey, searching for the right combination. May be just may be this will keep me on track.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Just a Pain!
So I thought I would write about my frustrations with my journey right now. During the Memorial Marathon back in April, while I was running my relay leg, my foot starting hurting, by that afternoon my whole leg hurt! Of course a few days later the leg was okay but the foot still hurt. Went to the Marathon Doc, Dr. Tom, and found out I have Plantar Fasciitis. UGH! He hooked me up with taping it, told me to get some inserts and stretch. All is good. Foot starts feeling better, I go run. One mile into my run it starts hurting, next day hurt really badly. Long story short, this has been going on for over a month and a half. I went to Elite Feet (by the way the owner makes orthotics) told him my problem. He set me up with new shoes, inserts and told me to rest my foot and stretch, stretch, stretch. Now how can you tell a runner to rest? Right! In fact I told him, “but I have a race in two days” (RT 66 Triathlon), I’ll rest afterwards. He kind of smirked and said “What part of rest do you not understand?” I knew he was right but I was so mad!
So I told myself I would rest a full two weeks after the race. So I am on day 11 of my 14 day rest. I should probably give it another two weeks but again I have a race on July 11th that I need to start preparing for. I’m doing a whole weekend of racing, two duathlons, one that is on-road and one that is off-road. I plan on taking it slow when I give myself the go ahead. But it is so hard to just walk. Walking doesn’t bother it. So may be I should do a walk/run again. But I know me, I will want to run! Plus I keep thinking I’m slacking, not working out hard enough, I feel fat and sluggish! Oh to run again! On top of that my husband and I need to start training for our half-marathon in October! UGH!
Second complaint is on my weight. I can’t seem to break out of the 180s. It keeps fluctuating around the lower 180s (180-183) but I just can’t seem to make the hump. UGH! And don’t even mention the inches, they aren’t moving either! What gives, what is going on? Should I change my diet, join weight watchers, I don’t know. I’m so frustrated! I just don’t know what to do. Should I give up on trying to lose weight and train the way I do? Should I cut my calories and run the risk of not being fueled properly. UGH!
So I apologize for the whining. I should be thankful that I can still ride, swim and participate in other activities. I should be thankful that I haven’t gained any weight that I am just maintaining. But I want to throw my fit! UUUUUUGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!
So I told myself I would rest a full two weeks after the race. So I am on day 11 of my 14 day rest. I should probably give it another two weeks but again I have a race on July 11th that I need to start preparing for. I’m doing a whole weekend of racing, two duathlons, one that is on-road and one that is off-road. I plan on taking it slow when I give myself the go ahead. But it is so hard to just walk. Walking doesn’t bother it. So may be I should do a walk/run again. But I know me, I will want to run! Plus I keep thinking I’m slacking, not working out hard enough, I feel fat and sluggish! Oh to run again! On top of that my husband and I need to start training for our half-marathon in October! UGH!
Second complaint is on my weight. I can’t seem to break out of the 180s. It keeps fluctuating around the lower 180s (180-183) but I just can’t seem to make the hump. UGH! And don’t even mention the inches, they aren’t moving either! What gives, what is going on? Should I change my diet, join weight watchers, I don’t know. I’m so frustrated! I just don’t know what to do. Should I give up on trying to lose weight and train the way I do? Should I cut my calories and run the risk of not being fueled properly. UGH!
So I apologize for the whining. I should be thankful that I can still ride, swim and participate in other activities. I should be thankful that I haven’t gained any weight that I am just maintaining. But I want to throw my fit! UUUUUUGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!
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