Category: Health

Back to the Gym

I used to have a very good gym habit.  At one point, I was going as many as five times per week.  Of course, I also lived around the corner from my gym.

After an illness, and moving, I’ve just fallen out of the habit.   So even though I haven’t made any resolutions about such things, I do realize that I would like to get back into the routine.  Even if I only go half as much as I was going when it was practically in my kitchen, that wouldn’t be half bad.   Especially since I’m contemplating walking the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in July.

I went this evening, and I did 20 minutes on the elliptical at half the level that I used to do for 40 minutes.   That was a little bit of an ego blow, but Rome wasn’t built in a day, right?    I probably could have pushed through and done another 10 minutes, but I figured it would be better to start out slow, even slower than I thought I needed.

So, I burned 200 calories.   Yay me!  Now I’m sitting here with a ThermaCare heat wrap on my bum knee.  Arthritis sucks.  This is part of the reason why I’m not sure about doing the 39.2 mile breast cancer walk.    However, if I keep going to the gym, and build up my knee, I may be just fine.

So here’s what I’m taking away from this: I just need to keep going, I need to pick up more of these wraps, and damn my new iPod is really that cool.

Winter Skin

I’m seeing a lot of searches for “winter skin” and hits to my old post from two years ago in my blog stats. I want to give a little bit of a run down of what I’ve been experiencing this year, as I know that many people have this issue, and hopefully my experience can help someone else. This has been the worst winter for my skin in memory.

I have had the patches of eczema popping up all over my bod since just before Christmas. It started with a large patch on my neck. I have also had patches on my face, scalp, and torso. The worst has been my scalp and under arms.

It has gotten so bad at points, that I have holed up for days at a time, and not left the house. I refused to go to a party last weekend, because I felt like such a mutant.

However, I have to say that I feel it’s getting better. I did some searching on the Internet to try to find solutions, and came across a recommendation of not using soap when bathing, except for arm pits and groins. I have been using this method. Actually, I’ve gone one further, I have only been bathing every other day. I did sponge bath my more high maintenance areas – pits, feet, groin, etc. Also, when I’ve showered, I’ve kept the water at a luke warm temperature.

Additionally, I’m going through a lot of lotion at the moment. I have been moisturizing with Lubriderm for Sensitive Skin every morning and night. At night, I have been applying good ol’ Ponds Cold Cream to my face; I leave it on for a short time, and then wipe away with a tissue. I do not rinse or wash my face at night. In the mornings, I rinse it off, without soap. I have also switched to Avalon Organics Lavender shampoo and conditioner, which is free of sulfates and parabens. I found this shampoo at Trader Joe’s grocery store. I wash my hair only every third or fourth day, but wet it daily. I don’t know if the shampoo is making a difference yet with my scalp. I am not wearing any foundation makeup today, as I found a new patch on my nose last night.

Like I said, it’s gotten better in the last few days. I’m not sure if it’s because of the things I’ve switched or the things I’ve been doing. Perhaps it’s just that the rain we’ve been having is humidifying the air. I know it probably won’t get totally better before spring, and I’ll be an itchy weirdo until then.

Just sayin’.

Worst kind of sick person

I am sick. I am trying really hard not to let it get any worse. I’ve had the OJ, the Airborne, the vitamins, Flonase, yogurt, water, Ricola. I’m fighting with everything I’ve got. I hate being sick.

I guess it was a little inevitable for me to get sick. First, I took two round trip airplane rides two weeks in a row. Then when I got back, I partied like a rock star with a bunch of different rock stars. No telling where those guys have been, and we were sharing beers. On top of that, I have not been sleeping well. Too much on my mind.

I confess to being the worst kind of sick person. First off, I’m always in denial about it. I’ll have completely lost my voice and have a fever, and I’ll still be saying, “I just didn’t get enough sleep last night.” When I finally admit to being sick, I’m so far gone, but still won’t go to the doctor. I absolutely hate going to the doctor only to hear, “you’ve got a virus. Drink more fluids and get more rest.” That’s so aggravating. I could have told them that.

The main reason I’m the most miserable sicky, though, is my attitude. When I’m sick, I don’t want anybody anywhere near me. I want to lay in bed for twenty four hours smelling like crap, looking like crap, and not have to talk to anyone. It’s impossible for anyone to do anything right when I’m under the weather. It’s best to just steer clear. Of course, you know this impossible to do when you live with someone, be they a roommate, family member, partner, spouse, whatever. They’re in my space, and I feel awful, and I want them to die.

So if you think it would be nice to make me some soup or something, think again. We’ll both be better off if you just ignore me while I try to ignore you.

I’m not really that sick, though. Seriously. I swear. It’s just a little runny nose. It’ll be fine.

Just sayin’.