Sickness and Progress

My eating has been getting worse and worse. We haven't been buying as many fruits or vegetables, I have been slowly drinking more soda, and I have worked out less. Last weekend, I had a reminder of what all of that does to my body.
Friday night, I was starting to feel crumby. Saturday, while at work, I was feeling worse and worse, but I tried to convince myself that I could handle it. (I don't have a primary care doctor right now, and I didn't want to have to pay for an urgent care appointment.) Sunday, I decided I couldn't handle it anymore. (This may be too much info, but here it goes.) It burned so bad to pee, and even worse when I needed to pee. I got online and searched for an urgent care facility and found one. I toughed it out through church since it was my turn to teach, and headed there as soon as the kids were dropped off at home taking the little one with me. As I suspected, I had a UTI. I was given prescriptions  for the infection and the pain and sent on my way without any mention of side effects.
Monday morning, I woke up still feeling sick, but the original symptoms weren't as bad. I knew that I still couldn't workout and needed more rest, so I slept until 6 instead of getting up at 5 to workout. As I went through my day, the rest of me was feeling worse and worse. I didn't know what was going on. My manager suggested I go home an hour after I got to work, but I thought I could handle it. I made it to lunch, and ended up having to go home. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. I was, dizzy, light headed, experiencing nausea, exhausted, and I don't even know how to describe the rest. I looked up the medications on WebMD. It was the side effects of the drugs.
I wasn't able to get up to go running until Thursday, but I did get on the stationary bike Wednesday night. That helped kick things off for me again. When I went running Thursday morning, and I set a new personal record. I ran/walked the 3 mile loop I have been working on in about 51minutes. It felt great! Once again, that was motivation to get out and do better.
I didn't get out on Friday morning, I had been procrastinating homework all week and really had to get some done. I had to spend the time reading before work instead of getting out. I really don't have an excuse for after work other than it was date night.
Yesterday, as the hubby and I were getting ready to go running, the dogs were all getting excited thinking they were going too, so we took them for a walk instead. In the afternoon, when I needed a study break, we went for a 5 mile bike ride (we basically took our selves on a tour of Lochbuie).
This morning, I got up, got dressed and went for a run. I ran/walked the same loop hoping to complete it in under 50 minutes (my goal is under 45 by Saturday). I did better than that! I was done in a little over 47 minutes! I am going to reach my goal. I can feel it. 
Other than having a time goal so I am not the slowest person doing the 5K this Saturday, I have a few other goals for myself. I will have fruit with every lunch. (I pack my own lunches,so I have complete control over this.) I will have veggies with every dinner. (Again, I have complete control over this as well.) I currently fill my water bottle at work that holds about 3 cups of water 2-3 times a day. I will fill it and drink it all 4 times a day leaving me with no need or excuse to drink anything else while I am there. I will not go a single day this week without either riding a bike (indoor or outdoor) or running. I will be down a pound by Friday. I CAN DO THIS!

Getting Better

I have been icing my legs at least once a day. I slept with them elevated one night (I read that it may help on WebMd). I stretch my legs at random times throughout the day. I massage my aching muscles when I think about it. I am giving myself two days between runs instead of one. What do I get for all of this...I am finally starting to feel better! I can't even tell you how relieved I am that my legs are hurting less and less. I even lost about half a pound during this struggle. This has definitely been a lesson in patience and listening to my body that I don't want to have to learn again!

Frustrated

I am so frustrated with my body. I really want to run. I never thought  I would say that. The problem is my shins hurt when I do, and they are getting worse every time I go out. I have tried several things to try to make them better. I have stretched before, during, and after my 5k training sessions. I have been icing them. I have done yoga on my off days. I gone two days between sessions. All I can think of doing is waiting even longer, and I don't want to. I want to keep training. I want to run. I know I can get out and ride my bike, but it just isn't the same.

Got To Get Things Moving

So far the no soda thing is going pretty good. I did have one on Thursday when my sister and I went out for lunch, but in all fairness it was the anniversary of my mom and brother's death. I needed something. I did have a great 9 day streak with no soda, and I know I can go even longer. I am now starting day 3 of no soda, and I feel like crap. I can't even tell you how hard it is to break this habit. I am so tired all of the time. I am moody. I am...I don't know...wanting a Dr. Pepper right about now. I know it will get better. It is a process that I am not used to having to put myself through.

I am going to give you a warning right now. This paragraph, while not too descriptive, may be a bit...icky. I have come up with a new problem. Without going into as many details as I want to for some reason, I have been backed up severely for a few days. I took some Miralax yesterday and today, and things are finally starting to move this morning, but it is still not a fun process. I looked up the possible causes for such a problem and I see myself fitting into 3 categories: lack of fiber, not enough exercise, and hypothyroidism. I am going to start working on two of these this week.

First of all, lack of fiber can be helped fairly easily. I can get several supplements at the store. I can eat more fruits and veggies. I can get certain cereals or snack bars. They will all help. Yesterday, I chose to eat 3 apples. I'm not kidding. That was my lunch and long with water. I will probably eat some today, too. I don't mind adding more fruits and veggies to my diet. I actually would like to do so . I am also going to add supplements for now though. I have got to get this thing taken care of now.

Lack of exercise is something I can tackle as well. All I have to do is figure out the best time to exercise and just make it happen. No more excuses like, "I am just too tired," or "If only the kids would go to sleep," or "It is just too hard after working all day." I exercised on a regular basis while I was single. I was working a worse job then, and I was taking care of this kids on my own. These are horrible excuses!

Here is my pledge to you: I am going to have fiber everyday and some form of exercise everyday this week. I will check in Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday to report my progress. Wish me luck!