As I wrote about here, I am on a crusade to really, truly, finally do my best to get back into shape. I decided that the most important part of this crusade was to get back on the exercise wagon - not only with the goal of losing my post-diagnosis weight, but also because exercise is one of the best things one can do to help protect your joints and fight back against RA. Movement = Good (if you can do it.)
The good news is that, after vowing to exercise everyday for 14 days straight, I made it! Even when my work life or social life made it oh-so-hard to crawl out of bed at 6:30am in the morning, I did it. Granted, I had to resort to putting my alarm clock across the room on a chair with my yoga mat or walking shoes (no running for this gal), which caused me to leap out of bed on high alert and fly across the room in order to turn it off. This was probably not so great for my nervous system, or for my morning stiffness, which still persists. But, it worked and got my ass out of bed.
The not-bad-but-not-great news is that I think my metabolism is truly in the throws of a mighty death grip. I did lose a little weight- three pounds to be exact, which is certainly better than gaining weight would have been, or staying exactly the same, but it felt pretty lackluster. I mean, I've been busting my ass and have cut out sugary desserts (EVEN the alfajores from Buenos Aires) and red meat for two weeks!!! I admit that I was hoping for better, quicker results, and I didn't really get them. BIG sigh.
Now, I know, I know, muscle weighs more than fat, blah blah blah, but that doesn't really make me feel all that much better.
A good friend of mine reminded me that it hasn't been all that long since all of this began, and that I should just be more patient and keep going. As much as I didn't want to hear that, I had to admit it was true. I took yesterday off from exercising, but today, I got back up and did my physical therapy exercises, bumping up the number of reps I do from 13 to 14. I can tell that I'm getting some of my strength back, so that is progress to be happy about.
My goal this week is to exercise at least 5 days of the week and (gulp) to cut back on alcohol. (Though if you think that I am not going to have champagne at The Bessie Awards at Spiegelworld or the Crossing the Lines Festival opening reception at Diane Von Furstenberg's, you are dreaming! Could it be that my work is interfering with my health? Hmmmm. Fodder for a future post.)
Persevere! One day at a time & before long you'll see results!
Posted by: millicent | September 14, 2008 at 01:16 PM
OK, now you've gone and done it. I just HAD to come over here tonight and read this post, sigh. :) I have to get my butt into shape too. You've inspired me chick, I need to get out and walk. And I will, tomorrow..no seriously, hubby and I were talking about getting Wii fit. But I do want to get outdoors before we start getting our 8 months of rain here.
I'm really impresed with ya, keep up the good work!
hugs,
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | September 15, 2008 at 04:16 AM
Congratulations. That is quite a feat. I keep reminding myself how long it took to get my body to get to this RA state through an unhealthy lifestyle and now it is going to take time to improve it. Cathy
Posted by: Cathy | September 15, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Hello, good luck with your exercising and oh so fun diet. Please post later on to let us know about how giving up refined sugar went. Supposedly, refined sugar is very evil to RA. I wonder if you will feel better. I have yet to give it up. I really, really like muffins!
:-)
Posted by: Courtney | September 15, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Dear Michelle, Cathy and Courtney-
THANKS for the encouraging support. This part really does suck, doesn't it?
I will definitely keep updating about this, as I think it is something most of us battle.
To be fair, I have not forsaken all sugar- (ie. wine, fruit). just the actual sugary sugary stuff. no desserts (or muffins...) or pancakes, or, well, i could go on as I do love all those things. so far, to be honest, i don't 'feel' any better sans sugar, but I am hoping it will boost my metabolism to give it up.
I'll keep updating you all for sure, and also please let me know if any of you are trying anything, and how it is going!
Sara
Posted by: Sara | September 16, 2008 at 01:25 AM