Fridays are Happy Days

I think I can feel myself getting better already.  I've been making a huge effort this week to get more sleep, to exercise lightly, and to destress however possible.  I've also limited myself to one dose of coffee in the morning, and nothing but water afterwards. 

I don't want to jinx it, but I think it's working.  I've had more periods of energy and fewer times of exhaustion.  I'm still tired more than I should be, but there is definitely an improvement.  I'll take that!

Today, at lunch time, I did 30 minutes on the elliptical.  I made sure to keep it light and easy.  And, I found that I actually enjoyed it.  I wasn't counting down the minutes until it was over.  Afterwards, I didn't feel completely worn out, just a little tired.  And, that passed quickly.

This evening, I went to my favorite Friday night yoga class.  It was a great class, as usual.  I was really paying attention to my body tonight and realized that I am a lot stronger than I realize.  But, I also noticed that as soon as I closed my eyes and started to breathe deeply, I started to yawn.  I asked the instructor about it, and she said it was fairly common, but indicated I needed more oxygen.  I'll definitely try to breathe deeply much more often.

All in all, it was a great day.  I am starting to find a balance between exercise and exhaustion. Between listening to my head and listening to my body.  It seems strange to be learning this at this late point in my journey, but better late than never!

Thursday and a test

I noticed this afternoon that my right knee was hurting.  The hard core part of me said that I could still go for a walk. The side of me that's actively trying to listen to my body decided that I'd stay in today.  I think I made the right choice.  It's hard, though.  I have spent so long conditioning myself to not make excuses.  Now, I have to really decide if something is an excuse, or if I am listening to what I need.  I am sure I'll make mistakes along the way, but I'm learning!

Wednesday Yoga and Peace

Tonight I went to my yoga practice with the sole intention of enjoying it.  I had no expectations of doing every pose, holding down dog for long periods of time, or doing the perfect plank.  I just wanted to go and move my body.  It turned out to be one of my best yoga sessions ever!

I think sometimes we place so many expectations on ourselves that we forget to enjoy what we're doing.  As much as I hate the whole idea of adrenal fatigue and needing to slow down, I'm actually thinking it can be a good thing.  I'm forcing myself to pay more attention, to really listen to what my body is saying.  I've heard the words for so long, but now I understand what they mean.

So, tonight's practice wasn't my best ever in terms of poses, but it was truly refreshing.  I enjoyed the movement, the stretch, the challenge.  When I felt I was pushing too hard, I found child pose.  When I was ready for a challenge, I pushed a bit.  I think that's the way practice is supposed to be.  It's so easy to get caught up in competition with yourself that you miss that point. 

By the time we got to savasanah I was ready.  I surprised myself at how fully relaxed I was able to get, and how refreshed I felt when it was done.  I think this is what it's supposed to be like.  I wonder what other surprises I will find in this side street on my journey.

Changes!

OK, this weekend I gave myself a major reality check.  I haven't lost any weight for eight months now.  Even though I upped my exercise, upped the intensity, and eliminated carbs.  Nothing I have tried has worked.  I'm officially tired of failing.

So, when everything you've tried has failed, what do you do?  I talked with my husband and a couple close, trusted friends.  I was reminded that I had been diagnosed with adrenal fatigue, and that intense exercise is contra-indicated.  OK, Steve hit me upside the head with it.  So, I did a lot of reading, and research and decided that I've listened to everyone but the one person who loves me the most.  Who wants nothing more than for me to be happy and healthy.  Guess what?  It's time to listen to my husband.

For the next month I'm going to try a new experiment.  I'm going to cut back on my exercise and let my adrenals heal.  I'm going to walk, do yoga, meditate, and use the sauna.  In short, I'm going to be gentle to my system and let it heal. 

And, it's not as crazy as it sounds.  The two times recently that I've taken a few days off, the scale has dropped.  As soon as I went back to my normal routine, it went back up. So, maybe it's trying to tell me something.

I'm going to go back to the paleo diet I started out with.  I was really successful with it at first, and I felt good on it.  I'll still limit my fruit, but really get back to things I enjoy, and things that made me feel good.

What do you think?  Am I nuts?  Am I crazy for waiting so long to figure this out?  Any suggestions?  I'm really hopeful that this can work.  If you're curious, google adrenal fatigue.  You might just find my picture next to the definition.

I love weekends!

Today had to be a pretty much perfect day.  I got to sleep in, cuddle with Michael, and then go downstairs and have coffee.  When a day starts that good, you know it's going to be a great day. 

After brunch, we played Monopoly for a while.  I never realized how much math is involved in the game.  And, Michael is really improving his math skills with it.  Every time we play, I am amazed at how much better he is.  We generally break the game up into multiple sessions so he doesn't get overly tired.  But, each game is getting better and better.

After the game, it was time for me to exercise.  I did twenty minutes of intervals on the elliptical.  I know it's not a very long time, but it was very intense.  I was surprised at how quickly I was out of breath, and how much I was sweating.  But, to me, that means I got a great workout in, very quickly.

After the elliptical, I did some of my strength training homework.  I did dips on the bench, ball pull overs, wall squats, planks, and push ups.  I feel like I'm forgetting something, but probably not.  Either way, it was about half an hour of strength work.  And, I was completely exhasuted when I was done.

Other than that, it was a hang out with the family kind of day.  We even watched a movie together, Rise of the Guardians.  Of course, we found out later that Michael had already seen it at school.  But, at least he didn't fuss about watching.  Bring on tomorrow!

Finally Friday!

This has been a long, long week for me.  I'm guessing the early part of the week I was still dealing with jetlag, and that just made everything worse.  But, tomorrow I can sleep in, and hopefully catch up a little bit.

My Friday night yoga class is changing a little bit in that she's having more emphasis on the core.  The moves are the same, but the focus is different.  It's a good thing, but when I leave, my abs are always sore!  I guess that means I'm working hard.  It's really funny how focusing on correct form and using your core to hold the position really works them.

I had thought about doing some time on the elliptical at lunch today, but then things got really busy.  Being nibbled alive by ducks, as a friend of mine says.  So, I will save the elliptical until tomorrow.  But, at least I got in a great yoga class, and I'm definitely feeling it!

What a day!

Today was intense!  I had a personal training session this morning, and then I went to yoga tonight.  For a total of about 2.5 hours of exercise. I'm exhausted, but so proud of myself.

Before the training session started, I did twenty minutes of intervals on the elliptical.  Then, we went straight into the work.  I did one arm rows with 35 pounds!  I was so proud of myself.  One thing I noticed - after taking last week off from pure strength work, I was much stronger this week.  All my weights are up.  It was amazing, and very empowering.  So, next time I feel like I am fraying at the edges, I will remember this.  But, all that said, I am just thrilled that I got such a great workout in!  And, my thighs are still feeling it!

Yoga tonight was more of a relaxation class, but all that means is that we start on the floor.  The workout is as intense as you put into it.  I definitely worked up a sweat and got a great workout.  And, it was fun.  What I love most about yoga is that you don't leave all worked up. You calm down and relax at the end, so when you leave, you are in a relaxed frame of mind.  I love that!

The rest of the day was just work.  It was a busy day, but I got everything done I needed to.  That always feels good.  And, we're in the back half of the week.  Happy!

Monday Ouch

I went back to my two classes tonight.  Ouch!  I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't lose any strength in my time away.  I was able to use the same weights that I normally do, and had a really good muscle challenge class.  Of course, by the end, I was exhasuted and wondering how I'd manage to get through yoga.

Fortunately, I did make it through yoga.  My arms were so tired from the first class that I couldn't hold a down dog very long.  But, I did try almost all of the poses.  One day I'll be able to do a half moon pose, but definitely not tonight.  But, I think my triangle was better than it has been.  Maybe yesterday's alignment class helped.

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful.  It was my first day back at work so I had a ton of email to get through.  And, one of my projects is starting to get more active.  So, that's a good thing.  Tomorrow is an office day, so hopefully it will be a good one.

Gratitude for the day is that I didn't have to change my weights in the first class.  I didn't realize I was worried about it until I was getting ready for class.  So, I'm relieved and thankful!

Sunday Funday

Today was a pretty low key type of day.  I got to sleep in a bit,and then did some things around the house.  After a really depressing football game, I did a new alignment yoga video.  It was harder than I expected!  I guess I wasn't really sure what to expect.  It was good though, and I'll probably do it again sometime.

We also started another HBOT session with Michael tonight.  So, after the yoga, I spent another hour lying on the floor in the chamber.  By the time we got out, I was really stiff.  A few more stretches definitely helped.

Tomorrow will be a double class night at the gym.  I can't wait.  Hopefully, it will be good.

My gratitude for the day is just that I got to have one last easy day of vacation.  Tomorrow is back to work, and back to stress.  I wish I could have a longer vacation, but I don't want to be overly greedy. And, it was definitely fun while it lasted!

I'm back from Vacation!

I'm sorry I haven't posted here this last week.  The internet connection at the hotel was really weak, and then when I got home, our internet was out completely.  But, I'm home, and the internet is working again.  So, back to normal.  Or, whatever passes for normal around here.

Last night I went to my Friday night yoga class that I love so much.  It was great.  And, today, Michael and I started back to his ASD yoga class.  He was so excited he was bouncing off the walls.  That just makes me smile, inside and out.  So, I'm definitely back into my routine.  Now, I just need to figure out what I'm going to do about my diet.

I've been so frustrated that going completely ketogenic didn't do anything for me.  So, when I was on vacation, I ate 'normally'.  Mostly low carb, but with a few (too many) treats thrown in.  Now that I'm home, I'm re-evaluating what I want to do with my diet.  At this point, I have no clue.  I think tomorrow I'll be doing some research and maybe some shopping.

So, the ride might get interesting, but I'm still committed to the journey.

Vacation is Fun

It's been such a long time since we had a real vacation, I almost don't know how to act.  Of course, it's still a working trip for Steve.  But, for me, I'm having fun!

I went to the gym this morning and did two back to back yoga classes.  The first one was a gentle/restorative class, and the second was a flow class.  Both were really fun.  I think the instructor was surprised that I could do so much, given my size.  But, that made it even more fun.  I will definitely be back tomorrow!

The rest of the day was just spent shopping, playing tourist, and hanging out with Steve.  I could definitely get used to this.  And, Steve introduced me to In N Out Burger today.  They have a really yummy 'protein style' burger that is wrapped in lettuce.  Yummmm.  (It wasn't the best food day, but I am trying)

Food:  Not so great
Exercise:  2 Hours of Yoga, lots of walking
Gratitude:  Being able to relax and have fun

Viva Las Vegas

I know I just got back from spending Labor Day with my parents, and now I'm off again.  Steve had a business conference in Las Vegas, and I decided to tag along.  Now, that's not nearly as easy as it sounds, but we managed to make it happen.  My wonderful brother in law is watching Michael while we're gone, and taking care of everything for us.  Hopefully, the house will still be standing when we get back!

I didn't do any official exercise today, but I've been running all day.  If I had a pedometer, I'm sure I would have racked up several miles between the airports, the hotel, the getting settled, and everything else.  We decided to call it a night pretty early, and I'm pooped.

Tomorrow should be a great day, though.  The resort has a full gym, and yoga classes.  I'm planning on taking advantage of them tomorrow.  And, maybe swimming, too.  So, the trip should work out to get me plenty of exercise, but hopefully some rest, as well.  I need it!

Food:  Not so great
Exercise:  Lots of walking, nothing measured
Gratitude:  Being able to get away for a break!

I'm Back, to the Extreme!

After taking several days off to recover my muscles and my energy, I was back to the exercise today.  First, I have to say, it felt really good to wake up in the morning and not have anything hurt.  I even got out of bed in the morning without groaning.  That was definitely a good thing.

But, today, I had a personal training session, and back into my routine I went.  First, I did forty minutes of intervals on the elliptical.  Just as I got off the elliptical, the doorbell rang.  The next hour was so many exercises I can't even think to name them all.  By the time she left, my muscles were shaking.  I did make sure to get a good stretch in.  Hopefully that will help.

And, just because I really love it, I went to yoga tonight.  It was a slower class tonight, and I really wanted a good stretch.  So, that part felt good.  There were several sequences that were challenging, but that was good, too.  Overall, it was a great class, and I'm glad I went.

But, after going for several days with no exercise, my body definitely feels like it's in shock.  But, it's a good exhaustion.  And, I am grateful for the fact that I could do it all.

Diet:  Great
Exercise:  2 hours, 40 minutes between elliptical, training, and yoga
Gratitude:  Being able to get back to exercise