Taking Control

About two years ago a work colleague and I were exploring the city of Brisbane, Australia together on a weekend  We did a lot of walking on that warm, summer day, and talked about the fact that we both knew what we needed to do to get fit and healthy, and that we were going to do it soon.

My friend took action before I did, and she just completed her first triathlon last weekend.  I told her on Facebook that "I wanted to be just like her when I grow up", and she responded that I already was, because as soon as I took control of my own health I became just like her.  I've thought about that a lot, and she's right.  I may not have done a triathlon, but I am in control.  I've lost 38 pounds this summer, and I feel lost if I can't get outside and either walk or run during the day.

What??

Even as a child, I was the girl picked last for the sports teams.  I'd much rather bury my head in a book than play kickball / softball / basketball / track.  I was enrolled in ballet, but always felt like the big awkward girl in class.  I remember taking an aerobics class once in college and vomiting as soon as I finished.  No wonder I didn't go back!

So this time my only goal was to walk.  And I did, and got bored/tired/sore/out of breath/embarrassed, and...I kept going.  My first victories were small - walking for 20 minutes...walking 1.6 miles without stopping...walking 3.2 miles without stopping.  Then I did a 5K.  And another.  My knees were (and still are) swollen, my right hip hurt, and sometimes my legs hurt so bad at night I couldn't sleep.  And I still walked.  I walked 4 miles and thought I was a champ.  Then I did an 8 mile hike and knew I was.

I thought I'd try the Couch to 5K running plan, but got discouraged because I couldn't even complete week one.  So I modified it and started running 20 seconds at a time.  Then 30 seconds.  I found a different plan that made more sense and started it 2 weeks ago.  Now I'm running a minute, walking 2 minutes.  Next week it'll be run one minute, walk one minute.  Maybe.  I'm a slow learner.  I signed up today for the Monster Dash 5K in Fort Worth end of this month.  I plan on running at least half way.

Again, taking control, I scheduled a sleep study last weekend to see if my sleep apnea had improved.  When I was first diagnosed, I would stop breathing 60 times per hour while asleep.  Yes, I couldn't make it a minute without stopping breathing, greatly increasing my risk for stroke, heart attack, and God knows what.  Last weekend, there was no sign of apnea at all.  I did have a couple of episodes when laying on my back where my breathing changed, but nothing life threatening or serious.  The doctor said that I had cured myself, and was no longer in danger of stroke, heart attack, etc. because of my weight and lack of oxygen while sleeping.

I. Cured. Myself.

Next, I plan on seeing if I can discontinue the use of the statin I've been taking for high cholesterol.  I'll see my primary care physician in November for that.  If I can discontinue that, my only prescriptions will be for Flonase for allergies, and hormone replacement therapy for, well, you know.  My blood pressure is perfect (today was 107/72), my resting heart rate has gone from about 80 to 63, and I feel strong, centered, and, most of the time, happy.  I have walked/ran 325 miles this summer on purpose, and can't imagine stopping.  Of course the true test will be the dark winter months with little daylight - I've already started using my light box in the morning and upping my Vitamin D in anticipation of the "winter blues" hitting.  

In other news...I got an email today from the webmaster of Becker County, where my Summer Palace is located.  Don't know how he found my little blog, but he did, and he found a picture I posted a few months ago of sunrise at the park near me.  He asked and was granted, permission to use the pic in the county's website redesign.  I of course was thrilled, and will post the link everywhere if and when my photo is published!