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!
Friday, September 27, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
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, September 25, 2013
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.
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.
Monday, September 23, 2013
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.
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.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
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!
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!
Friday, September 20, 2013
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!
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!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
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!
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!
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