Not feeling so good

Since my last post I was laid off from my job. While I bought a short-term health insurance plan, it wasn't worth much except in cases of catastrophe. I'm still pending a decision for a normal insurance plan.

I haven't been on anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication during several very depressing and anxious months. In a nutshell, it ain't been pretty, folks.

I keep telling myself that I should be going to the gym more, but I haven't been able to consistently drag myself down there. I know it would make me feel better in the long term, but I can't seem to make myself do it more than a couple times a month.

I'll be posting more about my health care situation, as well as trying to kick start better eating and fitness habits.

New Year's Resolutions (mine)

This year (next year?), instead of doing traditional resolutions, I'm doing a 101 Things in 1001 Days list. I'll be tracking that list in a separate blog, here.

New Year's Resolutions (not mine)

According to this article from Fitness.com ...

"Many people tend to make unrealistic goals when it comes to creating a New Year’s Resolution based on health and fitness. Many rush immediately to a gym to sign up, go for a few weeks, and then decide to give up. Instead of making these unreachable goals for yourself, why not start with something simpler. Here are some suggestions to creating a more manageable and achievable New Year’s Resolution."

Had the Annual Gyn Exam yesterday

Waiting on results, no reason to believe there's anything to worry about. I do have to do some follow up tests though. This was one of the first times at any doctor's appointment that I remembered every single thing I wanted to ask about. I'm changing my birth control pill.

Oh, and it seems I have lost weight.

Blech - sinus trouble

The past week or so, I've been bogged down by some sort of sinus problem.  I'm not sure if it's allergy-related, infection, inflammation of some kind or what.  I just know I've been sneezing a lot, really congested and usually with pressure, if not pain, in my sinuses.  Add to that, that my sinus problems usually lead to nausea, and if I'm not lucky, strep throat (because the mucus drips backward down my throat and feeds the bad bacteria.  Blech.)

I was getting really fed up, not to mention about to run out of Tylenol Allergy pills, when a good friend reminded me that I own a Neti Pot.  Huzzah.

I originally bought it because my sinuses seem to dry out sometimes.  But hey, it's for rinsing, right?

It totally worked.  I could tell the difference almost immediately.  I had to repeat the next day, but still - a whole day's worth of relief from something I already own!

Tickers

 

Status Report

Yes, I did the AIDS Walk 5K a few weeks ago. I didn't do so well; even though it was only 3 miles, I was completely wiped-out by the end. I ended up vomiting in a trash can on the way to the metro. Not good.

So I determined that while having races as a motivator to get me into the gym more regularly was a good first step, I wasn't working hard enough to actually complete the races standing up.

I need to do more ab (& lower back) work. A stronger core means better posture, which makes running less taxing on your body... or so I've heard. Solution: Tuesday Ab class & Friday Pilates.

I need to better monitor and increase the intensity of my cardio workouts so that I can run longer/faster. Since I do most of my training on a treadmill, longer runs aren't always possible. I've decided to incorporate an hour-long cardio class into my routine and also make outdoor runs more of a priority.

Other new hobbies are prodding me to do more upper body strength training, so I'm looking for an effective way to work that into the plan - a way that I will actually stick to.

In other random news, I think I've found a new eye doctor & allergist. I'm still searching for an accupressurist/accupuncturist. And I'm working very, very hard on incorporating more fruits and vegetables into my diet. I'm considering challenging myself to eat vegetarian at least half the time.