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Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away I had a friend who cultivated an active case of athletes’ foot. He explained that it just felt so good at the end of the day when he took off his socks and shoes and could scratch it. (True story.) This was not his only odd perspective in life and I’ve often wondered whatever became of him. I’m sure there is a movie in there somewhere.
So I posted earlier that my rheumatologist wants me to take more pain medicine and I agreed to take a regular schedule of Tylenol (two extra-strength tablets, three times a day). I have actually been very diligent about it and, when I started, was amazed about how many small aches and pains (that I really didn’t notice) were relieved as well as the other, more severe RA issues becoming more manageable.
Except now I want more.
I’m not sure what’s going on, but my pain level has increased, in spite of the Tylenol.
Actually, that’s not true. I think I’m stiff and sore from working out. I’ve fairly faithfully been working out with my Wii for over two weeks. I’ve moved up from 10 minutes of step to 20 minutes, added some new poses to the yoga routine (16 minutes total), and have graduated to the advanced level (rather than the beginning level) on several of the agility/balance exercises. If I do the entire set of things, I work out about 45 minutes a day. I’m using my core muscles in ways that I haven’t in a long time and I think they’re [rightfully] complaining about it. At least that’s what I hope it is. (I don’t need anything else falling apart on me. I promised my boss I’d try not to get any new joints this year.)
Adding to the aggravation is that I’m not really losing weight. I’ve always said that first I need to lose the weight, THEN I can start exercising to tone up. I can tell I’m better toned, but I am also building muscle, which weighs more than fat, etc., etc., etc.
The temptation to stop exercising is pretty strong. Or to take “a break” that somehow stretches from a couple of days to a couple of weeks and the next thing you know, I’m back where I started.
Even though it would feel really, really good to stop the exercise, I have got to have faith that at some point, it will feel really, really good to keep it up.
Hope something feels really, really good in your life today. Thanks for checking in.
(laughing) I just posted about something really, really good in my life today, Carla. How about that?
As for your exercise, all I can say is DO keep on with it. Sure, nothing much has happened yet, but as someone who lost a fair amount of weight while combining daily walking with a low-carb, calorie-controlled diet (and didn’t feel terribly deprived while doing so), I can truthfully say that it works. It’s not fast. That’s hard to take for those of us who long for quick fixes. But if you’re patient, it does work. Really. And the soreness is the physical proof of the changes taking place. Worth it? Yes.
That said, I’ve got to get myself back at it, too. Your efforts are inspiring me.
Here’s hoping that your pain levels will subside as your body gets lighter and stronger. And that you really won’t need to trade any old joints in for new ones ever again.
Take care, friend.
I hope you stay with it. I have been working out with my husband regularly now for 13 weeks and the benefits just keep growing. My husband didn’t see weight loss at first either, but slowly he started noticing his pants fit more comfortably and I started noticing his chest a little more often.
Good luck!
I’m in awe that you’ve been able to establish a good exercise routine. It’s just not happening for me lately, even though I know I should. Congratulations on sticking to it