This morning during our training session at 9:00 am we went outside to do circuits. There was a light breeze and it was slightly cloudy when we started. By the time we had been outside pushing hard through the exercises for 40 minutes, the sun had grown much stronger and the sky was completely clear. For the average person this would pose as difficult. For me, it became impossible.
I am on a medication called Rituxan (Rituximab). My medication is administered once every 6 months. It is a chemotherapy drug and is administered in a high dose by a 5 hour infusion twice in a two week period. I am not scheduled for another one until August so occasionally I forget that it's still in my body and can still have side effects. It suppresses my immune system so that my immune system will not attack my body. A side effect of the multiple medications I'm on is sensitivity to the sun. After 40 minutes into our workout, I had to go inside because I began to feel very nauseous and dizzy. Once the others finished their circuit outside, she brought them in to join me where we all finished the workout for the last 10-15 minutes. Unfortunately, by then I also began to feel very weak and shaky so I had to take it all very slow.
All of this was just another constant reminder than I'm different and have extra hurdles to overcome. I've been careful to make modifications for my joints but forgot to think about the side effects of my medications. I feel bad that I couldn't push as hard in my workout today, but I need to learn to accept that sometimes that is out of my control and must be done as a matter of health.
Following our workout I had a discussion with Chantal (my trainer on Saturday mornings), explaining that even with a hat and sunscreen, I just can't handle the sun and heat. I told her that I may not be able to participate in the Saturday morning training sessions if it is sunny or extremely humid. She then said that in the future while the others are outside, she will remain inside with me so that I can continue to work out. It's so amazing to know that the trainers are so supportive and willing to make any changes necessary to help me, despite my disease.
I am getting very anxious for the next way in on Tuesday but for now I'm off to enjoy my afternoon cooling off inside and hope that all of you stay safe and cool too.
God bless.
Saturday 23 June 2012
Thursday 21 June 2012
Throwing the Punches
Both figuratively and literally speaking, the heat is on. Today temperatures reached highs of around 40'C (104'F) with the humidex. I was dizzy all day then developed headaches and nausea. My energy was completely drained and I wasn't sure how I would get through my evening training session with Adrian.
As usual, Adrian pushed us and tonight he focused a lot on strength training. In other words, by the time he's through with you, you leave there feeling weaker than you did when you arrived. However, over the next few days and weeks, I know I will begin to see major changes in the number of sets I can do and begin to lift heavier weights. Eventually as I shed more weight and inches, I will be able to start to see those muscles and I can't wait for that moment.
All of this heat and exhaustion has been compounded by the fact that my RA has decided to rear it's ugly head again. Let's think of RA as a really ugly opponent in a kick boxing match (I mean really ugly, like Stephen King ugly!). I have been doing my best to fight hard and win, constantly throwing punches and kicks at it for a week and a half. It seems like the RA has sat back barely fighting, throwing little jabs as though I wasn't really serious about doing this. However, I think it is finally starting to take me seriously and fight me back with a lot more strength. I'm noticing a lot more joints are sore today and painful nodules have begun forming under my feet again and on my elbows. I was a little more careful tonight with some of the lifting because one of my elbows was giving me a hard time as well as my ankles and knees. This just makes me more determined than ever to fight back and beat it. I think the likely cause of the extra pain is the weather, but I'm not taking any chances. Bring it on, RA, you will not win this fight!
I decided this weekend that this new lifestyle needed new workout clothes. As the program progresses they will begin to look better on me, but for now they are comfortable, trendy, pink and match my running shoes! It feels nice to be interested in fashion again too. I'm practically counting down the days until I can shop for a new wardrobe and I haven't been this excited about shopping for clothes for myself in a very long time (which is rather sad for a fashion designer). Perhaps this new life will help me reconnect with my old one. Maybe I will decide to take up designing and dancing again? Only time will tell...
Goodnight and God bless.
As usual, Adrian pushed us and tonight he focused a lot on strength training. In other words, by the time he's through with you, you leave there feeling weaker than you did when you arrived. However, over the next few days and weeks, I know I will begin to see major changes in the number of sets I can do and begin to lift heavier weights. Eventually as I shed more weight and inches, I will be able to start to see those muscles and I can't wait for that moment.
All of this heat and exhaustion has been compounded by the fact that my RA has decided to rear it's ugly head again. Let's think of RA as a really ugly opponent in a kick boxing match (I mean really ugly, like Stephen King ugly!). I have been doing my best to fight hard and win, constantly throwing punches and kicks at it for a week and a half. It seems like the RA has sat back barely fighting, throwing little jabs as though I wasn't really serious about doing this. However, I think it is finally starting to take me seriously and fight me back with a lot more strength. I'm noticing a lot more joints are sore today and painful nodules have begun forming under my feet again and on my elbows. I was a little more careful tonight with some of the lifting because one of my elbows was giving me a hard time as well as my ankles and knees. This just makes me more determined than ever to fight back and beat it. I think the likely cause of the extra pain is the weather, but I'm not taking any chances. Bring it on, RA, you will not win this fight!
I decided this weekend that this new lifestyle needed new workout clothes. As the program progresses they will begin to look better on me, but for now they are comfortable, trendy, pink and match my running shoes! It feels nice to be interested in fashion again too. I'm practically counting down the days until I can shop for a new wardrobe and I haven't been this excited about shopping for clothes for myself in a very long time (which is rather sad for a fashion designer). Perhaps this new life will help me reconnect with my old one. Maybe I will decide to take up designing and dancing again? Only time will tell...
Goodnight and God bless.
Tuesday 19 June 2012
Just Call Me Loser
Last week a colleague of mine passed me in the hall and said "hey, Loser" with a wink. I've never been more proud to be called a Loser in my entire life!
Tonight was my very first weigh-in since starting Biggest Loser Ottawa a week ago. I was terrified, afraid that I may not see the results on the scale that I was so badly hoping for. Because this was two weeks in for most of the participants, they also did our measurements (measurements will be done every 2 weeks). They measure our arm, thigh, waist, hips, above and below the belly button, etc. My first measurements were taken two weeks ago just "in case" I got into the program so that there was a starting point to compare to. But since I have only been on the program for a week, I felt good but wasn't sure my numbers would be as high as others (obviously).
I was the last one to have my measurements taken tonight and last must be very lucky because boy was a I wrong. I lost the MOST inches out of all of us. I have lost 25.5" in just one week on the program!!! I was so blown away and it's an incredible feeling. I was feeling so good that I really wasn't too worried about what the scale would say because even if I didn't lose a lot of pounds, I lost the inches which matter more, right? I got on the scale and couldn't help but grin ear to ear, I lost 9.4 lbs on top of all of those inches!!! What an incredible night.
Adrian pushed me so hard tonight and even though I'm exhausted, I feel great. He obviously can see where he can push me. If there is something my joints or asthma can't handle (like running or the ridiculous humidity today), he makes the adjustments and then pushes me harder. I was sure I'd be sick today and I'm so glad he pushed me through all of my "oh my God, I can't do this" moments!
I am SO blessed. I have had a rough few years with many things happening. I can't help but think of one of my favourite poems, "Footprints". God has clearly been carrying me all this time when I felt so alone and now he is opening my eyes to see how far we have come. He has been by my side all along, even in my darkest moments, and I've finally made it through to the other side. I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I can just feel that things are only going to get better.
Goodnight and God bless,
"Loser"
Tonight was my very first weigh-in since starting Biggest Loser Ottawa a week ago. I was terrified, afraid that I may not see the results on the scale that I was so badly hoping for. Because this was two weeks in for most of the participants, they also did our measurements (measurements will be done every 2 weeks). They measure our arm, thigh, waist, hips, above and below the belly button, etc. My first measurements were taken two weeks ago just "in case" I got into the program so that there was a starting point to compare to. But since I have only been on the program for a week, I felt good but wasn't sure my numbers would be as high as others (obviously).
I was the last one to have my measurements taken tonight and last must be very lucky because boy was a I wrong. I lost the MOST inches out of all of us. I have lost 25.5" in just one week on the program!!! I was so blown away and it's an incredible feeling. I was feeling so good that I really wasn't too worried about what the scale would say because even if I didn't lose a lot of pounds, I lost the inches which matter more, right? I got on the scale and couldn't help but grin ear to ear, I lost 9.4 lbs on top of all of those inches!!! What an incredible night.
Adrian pushed me so hard tonight and even though I'm exhausted, I feel great. He obviously can see where he can push me. If there is something my joints or asthma can't handle (like running or the ridiculous humidity today), he makes the adjustments and then pushes me harder. I was sure I'd be sick today and I'm so glad he pushed me through all of my "oh my God, I can't do this" moments!
I am SO blessed. I have had a rough few years with many things happening. I can't help but think of one of my favourite poems, "Footprints". God has clearly been carrying me all this time when I felt so alone and now he is opening my eyes to see how far we have come. He has been by my side all along, even in my darkest moments, and I've finally made it through to the other side. I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I can just feel that things are only going to get better.
Goodnight and God bless,
"Loser"
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