HL/WW Support Group - Week of Jan 13

[Leslie Ferguson]

Hello friends and neighbors and welcome to the next installment of the Healthful Living and Weekly Workout Support Group - our second starting for 2008. A busy week for most with concerns all around for family members and participants alike. Still, we’ve had a good run so far this year, so far, and I’ll hope that we have a good week to make it 2 for 2 in the year. As always, I’ll start this week’s thread with a short recap of last week or so - but my memory may fail me this time, lots kicked in for me this past week.

Life successes include - Kate dropped by with a good report from her interview and her doctor, enjoying more time with Mack too, at least over what she was doing in the previous couple months; Karen had a good week with kids going to school, getting to the Y, hosting FIL for a fly-by, and getting more adept at her taxiing ability; Laura was MIA last week but was getting ramped up for her new job that started at the New Year; and I had fun in my first immersion class at school and getting settled for the next big push in school.
Stressful living - Karen had a friend in her carpool drop out of the pool so she’s picked up more driving responsibilities, working with DS#1 as he builds friends in school and works with his classmates; Kate is still wrestling with medications and lingering pains from surgery and a lack of improvement in aspects of her health; and I was sick for the first time in who knows how long and am feeling a little tension as I get set for the next big push for classes with another immersion class (15 hours this coming week) before a week off then regular classes until May.

Workouts: I plan on coming back from being sick this past week but should run or spin (I’ve got my bike trainer set up in the basement now) 4 or 5 times during the week and I’ll try to actually get a long run in on Saturday.
Healthful living: Come back from being sick for the first time in who knows how long.

My New Years goals are already in jeopardy - one run last week wasn’t helpful and I still haven’t done any PT exercises (even though I really need to do them). I’m turning over a leaf to do them this week, really I am. On top of that I’ve got another “sprint class” for this week - 15 hours in class in 5 days.

I think that will have to do for now so until later... peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Oh, Les, give yourself a break. Your New Year's goals did not take into account illness. I give you my permission to just scrap last week(or any sick week, for that matter) and eliminate it from the final calculations for '08. I do hope your on the mend now, too.

Our weekend here was pretty mellow, but ended with a bang as a Nor'easter delivered a new coat of snow and canceled school today. I did get in a few good workouts at home, however, with elliptical on Sat., bike on Sun., and treadmill today. Each day I also was good about getting in some weights and core/ab exercises.

Tomorrow there should NOT be any school issues so it will be a swim as usual and boxing. I'm meeting a friend again in the afternoon for coffee. DH is going to a dinner meeting so it's just the kids and I in the evening for guitar lessons and dinner.

Have a good week,
Karen

PS: My x-carpool just called today to say they have NOT withdrawn their membership from the temple afterall, so we're back on again! Oh Vey!:D

[mackandme]

On my way out the door at work, but i wanted to pop in and say the interview seemed to go well. After looking at their benefits (not as good as ours - no 401k, don't pay into social security, pension is in bad shape, not nearly as many sick days as i have now, nobody is getting raises because the budget is a nightmare), they're going to have to make me a good deal if they do make an offer.

But, at least it's finally over and done with. I should hear in a couple days.

Had a great appointment with the physical therapist Friday. She specializes in women's health issues, so we're going to work on pain management for my endo and strengthening my hip and pelvic floor muscles. She says i'm so weak she doesn't know how i manage to sit up for 8 hours straight at work, let alone ride mack.

Get my Lupron shot Tuesday a.m., but i have been doing well with the estrogen add-back therapy, so hopefully it will keep me afloat during the next couple weeks when things get rough.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Les-Oh, Les, give yourself a break. Your New Year's goals did not take into account illness. I give you my permission to just scrap last week(or any sick week, for that matter) and eliminate it from the final calculations for '08. I do hope your on the mend now, too.
To start, I'm sorry because I really didn't mean it like that. I'm never going to beat myself up for being sick, especially now when running is mostly for fun anyway. Having an extra day to recuperate was a good thing because I was pretty much back at it today without any hangers on (as it were)
Our weekend here was pretty mellow, but ended with a bang as a Nor'easter delivered a new coat of snow and canceled school today. I did get in a few good workouts at home, however, with elliptical on Sat., bike on Sun., and treadmill today. Each day I also was good about getting in some weights and core/ab exercises. Tomorrow there should NOT be any school issues so it will be a swim as usual and boxing.... PS: My x-carpool just called today to say they have NOT withdrawn their membership from the temple afterall, so we're back on again! Oh Vey!:D
It sounds like you had a wild weekend all things considered. I hope that your week goes better now that the kids should be back in school tomorrow without delay. That's great news that the carpoolers didn't drop out so they can continue to help with the carpool. I know that sounds a little heartless but you know what I mean. Here's to a better remainder of the week for you.

Kate - Thanks for letting us know about your interview. It sounds a little off to me but as you say it's over for now. I hope your PT works to help you all around and that your appointment tomorrow morning isn't too terrible. I'll be thinking about your estrogen add-back therapy too - hopefully it does the trick.

Well, today was prime for a run outside so my bike in the trainer is still waiting for it's first ride. I couldn't pass up a chance to run and since class was early today I got out and did an hour. It was a good run and even better since it was the first run after being sick. But there was the runner's revenge that got me :( but all in all it's a keeper. After that I cooked one from this month's CL: 3 bean chili - it was GREAT! I think there will be a big batch in the next couple days and a few servings into the freezer. :D

Have a good evening and keep warm and dry. Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-It wasn't a wild weekend at all. It was actually a quite nice one, at that. Glad your crud is better and fast! Sounds like you really cleared the last of those head crud cobwebs out yesterday with a great run.

I had a good swim this morning and as expected no school delays(phew!) so I got to the grocery store quick before boxing. Class was very good. Especially since we worked on our "Superman punches" today!!:p Don't ask me to explain it. . .you'll never get a good picture of it unless you see it being done. But it REALLY is a technique! This afternoon met my friend for some good 'ol lady chat and coffee/tea. I baked her a loaf of bread since she is on a special diet right now for 2-3 weeks. She is going to be receiving radioactive iodine for thyroid cancer tx and they need to rid her body of iodine. She can't have any iodine(obviously), eggs, and dairy to name a few so many packaged products or store bought bakery is out. I found a recipe that used olive oil, no eggs, and I used non-iodized kosher salt. She called me late this afternoon with a hunk in her mouth raving how I just made her day and lifted her spirits. I was so thrilled.

Tomorrow DH is off and it is a busy day, so the help will be appreciated. The boys have religion(DD is going to miss because of a party), DD has a b-day party after school, DS#1 has student council, and DH and I will likely make a Costco run. That and, of course, my swimming and boxing(or whatever!;) ).

Have a good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Ok, I just figured the Nor'easter would have been a lot of fun, at least it was a nasty thing for my friends a little farther north. Glad the weekend wasn't that bad and that you had a good day today. That was so special helping your friend like that with the fabulous bread. Knock on wood that I'll never have to go through all that in my life - I've had plenty of fun already. I'm glad you have DH to help you tomorrow with all your running around. Hopefully (I know you will but I'll still say it) you get your good workouts in and I think I can imagine the Superman punches.

Yep, I bounced back pretty quickly from the crud. One of the good things about my constitution - it takes a lot for me to get sick and I typically bounce back quickly too. Except when it comes to my lower back/hip that is, and I think I may have developed a problem with my lower back/hip because there's a tender spot at the top of my right iliac crest and if I push on it it get either pain or numbness in my gleut, knee, and ankle. Maybe that's what's been bugging me recently. I guess it's time to call my doc for a referral to a PT or sports med doc to have them check out my hip. Maybe the military is doing Chiropractic work in DC too - then I may be able to get adjusted since that will probably fill the bill. To top it off I had one last project from last week's class to complete (it's due on Friday but I need to be done with it now). But it's over now and I'm on to this week's class. Still, I may run tomorrow if the weather behaves (meaning no rain).

Happy hump day tomorrow all and peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Hey, just make sure that hip issue is nothing neurologic. Whenever I hear "numbness," I think pinched/compressed nerves and you want to make sure that is not the problem before seeking alternative medical therapies. Good luck.

I had an excellent day today and got everything accomplished as planned(sort of:D ). First off, I had an excellent swim. It was so good that even swimming next to the "flailer" today did not phase me. I just breezed right on by him. After the kids got off to school, DH and I had some "private time" we took advantage of:D and then I worked out at home on the elliptical. Plus I did my weights and core exercises. I've been much better at doing those at home than I used to be so that's a good thing. This afternoon DH and I did Costco and the late afternoon/evening "run-around" with the kids. It all worked out even though it was a bit hectic. DD had a great time at her friend's b-day party, DS#1 made it to student council, and we got both boys(and carpool) to religion(Phew!).

Tomorrow is another busy one and DH won't be home at all. He has his dept. holiday party. It was canceled in December because of a snowstorm and re-scheduled for tomorrow evening. He and his partners take all the support staff in his dept. for dinner. As for my day(and the kids). . .swimming and boxing, fruit and veggie run at the dairy store, DD has gymnastics, and DS#1 has a student council sponsored movie night after school.

Have a good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

It does sound like you had a good day having DH at home, for more than one reason. It sounds like he's as much a help in the taxi department as the "around the house" department. I know this sounds like a broken record but I get tired just reading your posts some time. Bravo getting past the flailer and having a good swim and elliptical. Sorry you won't have a taxi-mate tomorrow as it sounds like it would be greatly appreciated.

I won't do anything rash with my hip too. I will go to my primary doc for a consultation with the appropriate doctors in the military medical program, first will probably be an orthopedic then proceed from there. But I have a different view now that I've done a little review of the hip area in question (thank you Gray's Anatomy) and I noted that one of the points is at the top end of the iliotibial band (IT band) which would make sense about the pain in my knee (one of the points in the IT band). So I went back through my sports medicine training and thought about my running as a cause for the pain (makes sense so far). Typically, there are four causes for IT band issues: 1) overuse (not my problem); 2) running too fast (not my problem); 3) running on the wrong surfaces (maybe); or 4) dead shoes (quite likely). So while I'm waiting for my doctor's appointment I'll start with new shoes and see what develops from there. It's not as bad as I made it out either, it's not really numbness as much as it is easily exacerbated by sitting on hard surfaces (like church pews).

Good news for today, besides a good run this evening (which so far feels pretty good) which was where I made the realization about the IT band issue possibilty. On top of that I was notified by the Children's National Medical Center that I've been accepted to work there this summer as a Clinical Pastoral Education student. I think it will definitely be challenging but rewarding. I'll send my paperwork in tomorrow which is a load off my mind.

I think I'll call it for now and see you all tomorrow - they're predicting snow starting at about 9 am through noon then rain. :( I wish the snow would start later and stay a little longer but alas and alack...

Peace,
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Back-to-backs with a good news post (again)... It in fact SNOWed! :D And it started a little later than predicted and didn't change over to rain until just recently so I drumroll please had to get my old scoots on and shuffle out in the snow. I was happy as a kid today puffing around in the snow! I got 56 minutes of running in and even had the chance to help teach a wee one about snow angels (couldn't pass up swooshing out a snow angel in the middle of the run). Oh, and my new rain pants are great! Even after the snow angel they didn't let water through - I'm doubly stoked.

Take care all and have a great evening - peace to all,
Les

[karen w]

Les-It's wonderful to hear that little boy in you making angels in the snow. Beats school stress anyday. It has not started snowing here yet, but we are supposed to get something here tonight. It may be ice and rain as well, so not sure what tomorrow is going to look like for the kids or me, for that matter.

Now that you explained what's going on with your hip in more detail, it makes alot of sense. Sounds like you are very knowledgeable about the matter and taking the right course.

Last, but not the one bit least. . . .CONGRATULATIONS!!! What grand news about your summer internship.

I had another great swim today. Then made it to the store to pick up a few last minute things for the weekend and on to boxing class. Really good class again today. We did another new drill using resistance bands and working our upper bodies on the bags which was interesting and tough, but nice for a change(variety is key!;) ). After lunch ran out to Target to pick up some more work out pants for me and a few things for the kids. I think I have to get a new pair of scooters, too. Now that I have been using both the elliptical at home and the treadmill(with some running), it may be time to replace my old pair. They certainly don't wear like they would if I were outdoors, but I could use another pair. Will have to do some shopping next week.

This evening DS#1 stayed for his movie and popcorn event after school. He got home as I was leaving with DD for gymnastics. Both boys had their dinners warmed and had explicit instructions on what to do(this was NOT the first time they have been left alone for short periods, either, so they were comfortable alone for the hour and have always been very responsible in the past.) Well, 5 min. before DD's class ends, I get a call from DS#1 who is crying and wants me home right away. He was making absolutely no sense, but as far as I could ascertain from his incoherent ramble nothing bad happened at home. He just wanted his mommy!:) Anyway, by the time I got home, he was settled down and I figured out what had happened. He has a head cold and fell asleep after dinner. He then had a night terror(which was why he made no sense on the phone). DS#2 tried to wake him up(and did eventually). I told them to turn alot of lights on at home so it would not seem so scary and I would head home with DD right away. All was well by the time I got there, and I told them that they did the right thing by calling me. WOW. . . makes your heart skip a beat(or two), though!:eek: And btw, DD is REALLY progressing well in gymnastics(she's the best in the class. . .and I am NOT being the biased MOM!). I even kept my eyes open when I watched her do the front tucks and flips off the ramp and the back handsprings etc...

Here's to a less frenzied and more mellow evening. Take care,
Karen

[mackandme]

Well, i just typed in a long post, and it was eaten. So i'll just sum up by saying i've had tons of medical appointments (physical therapy and the like) this week which have kept me busy (and sore).

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Kate - Sorry about the hectic week and then having your post get eaten. Hopefully you get less sore soon - that's never any fun and I hope that you have a good weekend too.
Karen - That must have been a start and a source of anxiety for you until you got home. I'd bet he was a little wigged out, even if he hadn't had a night terror having fallen asleep early and been disoriented (somewhat). I'm glad that DS#2 was there to help and try to keep things a little saner. Congratulations to DD on her successes. It sounds like you're getting the workouts in that you need to and keeping things interesting (which is helpful for someone who works out as often as you [and I] do). Speaking from experience, new scooters will keep ankles, knees, and hips happy if you've been burning the old ones even a little bit. Thank you for your congratulations too - I'm definitely looking forward to the summer but there's plenty of distance to cover between here and there - like a full semester of school.

Especially since I let the little boy out and played/ran in the snow it was a grand day today all around.

I hope that the weather doesn't whack too many folks in the coming days - I think we're done with the yucky stuff for now so tomorrow should just be cold and not snowy.

Peace to all,
Les

[karen w]

Les-That is the beauty(if you want to look at it that way:rolleyes: ) of night terrors. . . DS#1 did not remember a thing about what had happened! It is kinda freaky to see someone having one, unless you've experienced them like we have with DS#1. Fortunately, we have talked about them so much in our household that DS#2 recognized what was going on right away(usually DS#2 is in bed himself when they occur).

Well, we did have a 90 minute delay today, but it did not stop me from getting my swim. The side roads were a bit icy, but otherwise not a problem getting there. I had a good swim, but since I had to stick around most of the morning to get the kids off to school I biked after breakfast, did a few hand/arm weights and core exercises. We had an appt. with the cable company this afternoon, but they called and wanted to bump it up to 9am. YAY! That way I would not have to wait around the house all afternoon. Instead I was able to get my haircut and stop at TJ's. Also checked out a new place for the boys to take their guitar lessons. DS#1 has some very legit issues with his instructor. He smokes(not in the studio), but they have tiny rooms for their lessons, so he has to be very close to the man and the guy JUST STINKS like an ashtray! I am glad it bothers DS#1. I think I will call early next week and make the change. We will finish Jan. since that is already paid and start new in Feb.

This weekend the kids have all been given a mandatory "job" from DH. He had to search through some of the kids junk drawers/closets last week for a missing library book(never did turn up) and was astonished with all the old cr*p that has been collected over the years and never thrown out or that they have since grown out of it and never given away. Anyway, each of them is supposed to empty out all of their drawers etc..., make a pile of stuff to be given away, and then neatly put their things away! What a novel idea!!:D Glad he's making them do this for a change! Otherwise DH is working, I will be exercising as usual and doing some cooking, the kids have a nice long weekend with no religion or school on Monday.

Enjoy the weekend,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

All things considered, I'd call no recollection of a night terror a good thing - without qualification really. Sorry DS#1's instructor is such a yutz and smokes like that. Good for you to not have DS take lessons from him and I'd almost have half a mind to let him know why I took DS out of his classes, maybe that would help him get the point that he needs to stop. But then again that would be somewhat spiteful so I'd probably hold my tongue. Way to go DH! Making the kids shovel out their closets is great - maybe they'll do it without prompting next time (not much chance really). I hope your weekend is good too, it sounds like you had a great day even with the cable guy showing up.

After two run days in a row I decided to take a rest day and fooled around with LW this afternoon walking around Old Town Alexandria - what a blast.

TTFN and have a good weekend. Peace,
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Quick report for Saturday. It was chilly but a grand day. I had a good long run, spent time with LW (I'm doing that a lot more but then there's plenty of time to make up for after all these years). Getting ready to call it a week and head in. I hope that everyone is staying warm and not getting whacked by the weather tonight.

Have a good night all,
Les