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Fitness, health, and wellbeing...2020

Runcarla

Veteran

It’s accountability time! How are you doing with your practices?

I’ll start. Just before the New Year, I bashed my elbow (left) and irritated the bursa. It was so swollen and red, I sought medical attention and had an x-ray. Luckily, no bone chips or serious pathology - but orders were to ‘take it easy’ for 6 weeks. I couldn’t even grip and hold a pot in my left hand. No swimming. No weight training. Oh, well! Evil Trainer designed a machine based lower body program (ever hear of German 100’s?* - 10 X 10 reps. incline leg press - for starters) and cycling for cardio. 6 weeks wasn’t enough time (sore elbow after swimming while on vacation) so I gave it a few more weeks. First session of upper body weight training (yesterday) went well, so I’ll attempt a swim on Friday.

I’m feeling and seeing the loss of tone in my upper arms, but the silver lining is that all the cycling and lower body work has me feeling stronger and more prepared for the outdoor cycling season!

How are you doing with your fitness and nutrition? Physical rehab? Meditation? Sleep? Self care? Are you getting outside for fresh air? Be kind with yourself.

*also known as GVT or German Volume Training

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21 replies

Latest reply was from kellygirl

Anonymous

Have lost 5 pounds and can now wear my favorite jeans much more comfortably!

Also, my arms are way stronger due to weight training. Muscle definition has been noticed and complimented by Mr. Xtabay. Very pleased with that, since my arm muscles have been mush for most of my life.

I hope your recovery is speedy, runcarla. Sounds like you've got a good workaround during the healing process. Your persistence is inspiring!

Sisi

Veteran

I am doing super badly!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

3.5 months in:

Still in PT a few times a week. Very disciplined about by 40 minute a day at home PT exercise regime. It DOES help. I have good days and not so good days. Recovery from my fall is slow but steady.

Absolutely no yoga allowed.

14,000 to 18,000 steps a day is easy. Closing my moderate exercise level rings on my Apple watch is easy to do with my urban walking lifestyle. I'm a naturally active person who does not sit still.

I'm not a good sleeper.

Generally cooking up a storm.

Continue to enjoy life and be positive amidst the Coronavirus - Seattle is a hot spot! LOTS OF HAND WASHING, and my face feels as itchy as ever because I can't touch it...

RunCarla, sending healing thoughts for your injury.

nemosmom

Veteran

What a horrible injury, Carla! Glad to hear you were able to keep up with some sort of exercise plan while healing your elbow! I bet you are excited to get back in the pool.

I've been having weird health problems since last summer and keep having diet and exercise regiments changed by my doc. I started off the year ok diet-wise, but fell behind on exercise. Spent a week in Florida where I was walking a LOT, but my diet went to hell (looking at you churros and chocolate ice cream bars - but hey, you only live once, right!?!) I am paying the price for overdoing it now, and hoping to get back on track soon.

Anonymous

*sits in sun, skips gym, drinks craft beer*
Maybe will have healthier answer tomorrow...

Classically Casual

Veteran

I’m with Angie in constant hand washing, grocery shopping wearing latex gloves, avoiding crowds and basically staying home. No trips to the gym in the near future will be hard for me mentally and physically.
I can only recommend that people prepare ahead to the extent they can. Sorry to be downbeat, but the local news is scary.

Anonymous

I had a ( what was later confirmed to be) precancerous spot removed from my nose a few weeks ago . It was a little scary thinking about the ramifications of a cancer diagnosis so I’m full of renewed commitment to a good facial sunscreen . I am very focused on what I eat and have cut waaaay back on alcohol consumption. I have a conflicted relationship with exercise right now: on one hand I wish I had the mental fortitude to do more than I currently am , but on the other hand I only have so much energy mentally and physically to spread around . I am still loving Pilates and have worked my way up to level 3 in a short period of time....which makes me pleased with myself I am developing some good techniques for mindfulness and stress control - and am interested in getting even better at that .

Anonymous

I enjoy reading all of the comments and stories here , btw , and appreciate that you resurrect this topic for us , Carla .

Gretchen

Veteran

My health commitment for the year was to address the nagging things. So in January I finally did my bloodwork, and learned that I am very low in Vitamin D. So that’s an easy fix ... daily gummies!

February’s goal was to address the nagging hip issue. Turned out I had a rotated SI joint and needed physical therapy. 4 weeks in I have progress but prob another 4-6 weeks to go.

For March I’m committing to getting my mammogram. It’s been 2 years and I need to ensure it’s done.

So far I like this approach - 1 thing to do per month is achievable, and I like taking it off my “should do” list.

ETA: yes to handwashing, WITH SOAP. There was a twitter thread this week of songs with 20 second refrains to help know you are washing long enough. My favorite was Toto’s Africa!

anchie

Veteran

My fitness is non existent since I have been mostly confined to bed for almost 2 months. I lost lot of muscle mass. I miss my daily walks and Pilates. I was too acute to even do PT exercises but hope that I will be able to start soon.
I started practicing Wim Hof method (special breathing technique and cold showers) and since then my nerve pain, numbness and palsy started to improve but not sure if it is related- maybe just a coincidence.
I had to increase carbs intake to stop further weight loss, I am trying not to go below 57kg.
Regarding Coronavhirus- we are already affected, my DDs school was temporarily closed due to 17 teachers being exposed to someone infected and they are still in quarantine.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I go to the gym twice weekly,swim with one arm(!)once weekly do home exercises for non swimming arm and Kronky old back at home.Trying not to eat too much sugar for lent.As far as the virus goes relatively unaffected so far apart from exhortations to wash hands and dread warnings from the media.

Style Fan

Veteran

I continue to go to yoga about 4 times a week. We have been in Montreal since the end of January. We are leaving in mid April. The yoga here is exceptionally good and I feel that my practice is benefitting from my time here. The lifestyle is urban and we walk everywhere. We never use our car. I am definitely getting lots of exercise. The food is also fantastic. It will be hard to leave.

The last 15 months have been challenging for me health-wise. I have been battling chronic urinary tract infections that do not want to go away. I am doing everything I can to fight them but they keep coming back. I am taking a medical-grade supplement, etc., etc. but I am now resistant to one antibiotic and allergic to another. Extremely stressful

AndiB

Veteran

I've had a series of injuries that waylaid me from exercise over the last couple of years, from a rotator cuff over use injury maybe two years ago (fixed with PT, but a few months off my favorite activities), then a groin pull last year (had to do complete rest to get rid of that, and geez, I didn't realize you use your groin for ALL MOVEMENT!) Now a pingy knee. I am quite active, twice a week yoga, a cardio kick box class once or twice a week, a body core class once or twice a week, and running on the treadmill and weight lifting. A good mix and variety; most weeks 5 days of moderate to intense exercise. I've been exercising for enough decades to know how to modify, and when I need to just take it easy. Now that I'm mid 50's - even with all this activity! - I can't seem to lose those same 10 lbs. The difference is a clothing size, and my clothes fit so much better at the smaller size. But yes, staying active will contribute to a healthier aging process, and I'm all about that. Even if it means having to rest from time to time. And avoid falls!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Carla. Sorry to read about the injuries and illnesses and wishing you all the best for healthy recovery.

I am in a good place with fitness - gym, yoga, walking and running. I have started swimming again this year. I am trying to eat healthily and trialling Noom but not liking it.

We have had a lot about Coronavirus and I worked myself into an anxious state last week. There are potential risks for our business - but I have put it in perspective this week. But I am being sensible as there are vulnerable people in my community who are more at risk - and a mass outbreak would be challenging for our health system to cope with.

MsMaven

Veteran

Thanks for starting this thread, Carla! We needed it!

I planned on having a great start to a new year, but things went awry when DH caught cold and passed it on to me. Colds are hard on us as we get older. I missed a lot of workout and walking sessions, and it took weeks before I could charge up my hillside before getting out of breath. Now COVID-19 to worry about. We attended a lecture on Tuesday and noticed that quite a few out of the usual 2,000 attendees weren't present despite assurances that the theater would be sanitized and ready. (Maybe they stayed home to watch election returns.) Tonight we have our last class where several hundred, mostly older people, will be in attendance. I hate to think that several of next quarter's classes might be cancelled. If nothing else, we get some walking in on campus.

Just got word that the funeral services for a well-loved partner from DH's former firm, to be held in Grace Cathedral in SF, has be postponed to who knows when because of contagion fears. And DH called today and asked if I am comfortable about continuing our June Disney Cruise plans.

Perhaps from not being as active as usual, lots of joint aches and pains to deal with--osteoarthritis. I love gardening and puttering in the yard, but unless I can get back into better shape, I may have to give a lot of it up.

Nevertheless, I'm optimistic that with a healthy diet and careful exercise I will be back in prime condition within the next month or two.

Gail

Veteran

Wishing you a speedy recovery Carla.
I feel as though I am finally turning the corner health wise after a rough couple of years of suffering from what I thought were UTI's. It all started with a running program which irritated my bladder and caused me intense pelvic pain which mimicked a UTI. To cut a VERY long story short I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. I started pelvic floor physical therapy and I am now finally feeling MUCH better. This year I started a Bodhi Suspension System form of Pilates which works a lot on core muscles and it's helping I also have osteoporosis so it helps with that too.
I have cut back on alcohol to about 3 drinks a week and am sleeping better. I occasionally have flares which I can usually relate to intense stress but now have strategies to calm my pelvic floor down if I take action immediately .
It was a long road with several doctors, detective work on my part and great website that I learnt a lot from. But yay I'm on the right path now in 2020:)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ugh, I don't wanna talk about it.

Crazy busy, not much time for good workouts. Still stuck at 3 mile runs (which is good, but I'm supposed to run a 10k next month, and I don't know if it's gonna happen at this rate). Still having trouble saying no to sugar. Not drinking much alcohol, and not eating much meat, so there's that at least.

Oh, and I am meditating regularly even though I'm not getting as much exercise as I'd like. It is helping with stress and staving off some depression.

CarolS

Veteran

Great thread, Carla. So sorry to hear about your injury. Good for you for staying motivated through it, though, and focusing on other areas.

I do an Iyengar yoga class once a week and attend an excellent functional fitness class once a week. Would like to be getting to the gym once or twice more during the week for cardio and to build on what we're doing in the functional fitness class. I've had that in my calendar for a couple of weeks now, but um, something always comes up. Will try again THIS week.

Looking forward to spring when DH and I are far more likely to sneak in a 45-minute-or-so walk after work. That outside time is heaven.

My eating has had its ups and downs lately. I take steps forward and backward all the time. Sugar is my biggest weakness.

I try to do at least some kind of yoga or floor work most nights. And I've deemed my February shopping hours as a bonus because they are long stretches when I am NOT sitting at a desk. Movement is better than no movement, right?!

I'm working toward this goal: https://www.prevention.com/fit.....longevity/

It's interesting and inspiring to read about everyone's practices, challenges, and wins!

slim cat

Veteran

I had a rough start of the year - got sick ( flu or cold - not sure ) twice and all that in the middle of getting new full time job and keeping the other part-time as well. Did all the training on the new job being still sick ( cold that we shared with my DD - lost voice too ).
Now - in the process of getting medical insurance and adjusting to new things.
Every evening I need either bath with salts or just special care for my tired feet. No exercising for now - low energy.
I hope spring will bring more stability and hope for everyone.
Wishing you a speedy recovery Carla.

kkards

Veteran

Clara sorry to hear about your injury. But good for you for working on your non injured parts! You are and inspiration.
I’m continuing Pilates. But unlike lisa, I’ve not moved up from beginner, but I’m slowly seeing progress, and I can do things now that 6 months ago where impossible. So there’s that.
I’ve gotten back to eating with more intention and less sugar and salt.

kellygirl

Veteran

I really admire your dedication to fitness. I love that you train so smartly especially when injured. My course hasn't wavered much. I work out after work since the gym is on the way home--so if I work, I work out. I've been pretty good about adding some accessory work to my normal work outs and have noticed some improvements. I'm supposed to do a qualifier next weeks but I think I'm going to sit this year out and try next years as it coincides with my dad's surgery. My goal is to keep keeping on as they say--make sure my clothes fit and stay injury free.