Monday, October 17, 2011

Getting Back to Normal

Well, the normal that does not include exercise.  Which is NOT normal to me now.  So strange.  I spent the majority of my life avoiding exercise, and now it's been two weeks and I feel weird not doing anything.  Sure, I can do some arm work, but I'm so used to doing a total body workout with swimming and yoga that anything less is not very exciting.  Another 10 days and I will be back in the pool.  What I should be doing is enjoying this sanctioned laziness!

The normal that I'm referring to in my post title is food.  Over the weekend I finally felt normal.  Not all messed up from the surgery and pain meds (those did a number on me...opiates are NOT my friend), and finally energized enough to actually get myself to the kitchen and slice up an apple instead of just reaching for the sleeve of saltines when I got hungry.  Not having to use crutches helped.  Along those lines, I also started drinking water closer to the normal amount that I usually drink (which is easily 150 ounces a day) since it wasn't such a royal pain to get myself to the bathroom.  I had no idea what would fall by the wayside while I was recovering from this surgery - wouldn't have guessed hydration, but there ya go. 

Since Jeff was home over the weekend, I took full advantage of having company AND a chauffeur - we went out to eat a couple of times and of course stopped in for frozen yogurt.  He leaves again today...I'm still in the boot and not able to drive, so I'm back to house boredom.  But at least I haven't eaten out of boredom - much, anyway - and I attribute some of that to my first line of defense, which is to not have tempting, snacky food in my house.  Also, the weather has shown tiny hints of changing - we've had a couple of cool mornings lately, and I'm actually excited to be able to wear something besides shorts, skorts and t-shirts...and I want to fit into my old clothes.  Considering that last fall I was running a lot of miles each week, I hope I won't be in for too much of an unpleasant surprise when I actually try something on...but it is what it is at this point, and I have every hope and much optimism that before too long, I will be swimming and running and just plain moving and everything will be completely back to normal.  That's not too much to ask, right?

17 comments:

  1. Definitely not too much to ask for and I'm optimistic too for you. I see another half marathon in your future, I'm a 100% positive you will do that again!

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  2. Im with fran and have to againagain express my admiration for you and how youve handled this setback Shelley.

    xo

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  3. Glad you got that yogurt!
    I didn't realize Jeff had been away, I mean I knew he wasn't around, but bummer!
    Clever about the water and not wanting to wet your bed...oh our bodies, such smart and complicated accessories.

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  4. One day you'll see clearly this was nothing but a blip on the radar... and may I confess that sometimes I almost wish I was injured enough to just take a couple weeks off ;)

    You know how I feel about the clothes... if the shoe fits wear it, if not pack that sucker away and find something that does.

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  5. Yep, I agree with Helen - when you will look back even three months from now, it will be a blip on the radar.

    I have my workout bag packed - I will exercise for both of us today! :D

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  6. This will all be worth it when you can return to your regular exercise routines.

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  7. I'm confident that before long you're going to be back to RUNNING normal - and it's been great that you've had a chance to discover other exercise you like, for your running off days :)

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  8. Oh Shelley! You'll be back at it in not time, but for now, rest and recoup, I know you'll come back strong!

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  9. Glad to hear a few things are starting to normalize--water, froyo, the important things in life! And glad you're getting some cool weather too.

    Go ahead. Enjoy the sanctioned laziness for just a bit longer.

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  10. Enjoy Jeff while you have him! I wish I was there to drive you around, especially to that yogurt place! You'll be back to "normal" in no time. This will all be just a distant bad memory.

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  11. Definitely not too much to ask. However, there may be a new definition of normal for you. I think that is the hardest part about a chronic injury. (Am I being too much of a downer here?)

    And who really cares if the old clothes fit? You are a different person inside as evidenced by your choice of apple for a snack and not pity eating during your recovery!

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  12. I hope your recovery continues to progress! I'm glad to hear you're hopping around and feeling more back to normal though! I'd love to drive you around for whatever, but being on different continents would make that a bit tricky :)

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  13. Glad you are on the mend Shelley. Sometimes, just a little bit of "normal" is the best medicine. Take care!!!

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  14. You'll get there Shelley - I know its hard to not be able to do what you want. And I think the best thing is not having bad foods to fall back on - that is key when you are stuck at home

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  15. I don't think that's too much to ask at all!! LOL

    It's so easy to fall into boredom snacking. You're doing great!!!! Hang in there and you'll be running again and you'll have to get a new wardrobe because nothing will fit. Oh darn. Shopping?! LOL

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  16. Just started out on the fain health/weight loss road again. I never learned how to ride a bike, and the photos of you with your amazing pink bike made me want to run out and buy one. Congrats on your health gain weight loss. And have a speedy recovery from surgery.

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