Mentally Exhausted...

May 14, 2011

May 6th, my family and I had to make the trip to California for a funeral.  I am not only emotionally exhausted, I can actually tell you the lack of my daily swimming has left me in severe pain. 

For those who have been following my blog, I swim a LOT. Back in 2003, I ruptured my Achilles tendon, four surgeons subsequently found  I not only have plantar fasciitis in both feet, I have really bad arthritis in both feet.  Having been a very active fat girl all of my life, I have struggled in the last decade to get my weight under control - swimming was what I found to keep the juices flowing.  Swimming is actually making my life better, and I will never take it for granted again.

On May 5th I hit another plateau of sorts, I am working toward swimming 5000 meters, on that day I finally hit 4000 meters.  I had already heard the news at 7:30 am that my sweetie's grandfather had passed that night, so this would be my last chance to get a swim in for a few days.  Days turned into over a week, and I am now limping so badly that I am having to use the stupid Handicap Placard in my vehicle (I really hate to use it).

My six month Surgiversary is on Monday, May 16th, and that is also my follow up appointment with my surgeon.  I am bummed.  I have been struggling to get my weight off, really struggling, only to end up with a six pound gain from not swimming in over a week.  Ugh.  I will be back in the pool on Sunday for some light work, but come Monday morning - back to the goal setting journey!  Monday will be a "wait and see" day, so I am not promising a 4000 meter day, but I am sure 2500 - 3000 meters will be easy enough to attain.

This may sound silly, but I really did not realize how my exercise really affected my foot.  Sure, I am in pain 24/7, but not until this last week have I been so hobbled, I actually had to take something for the pain (other than Tylenol).  So, for all you out there with bad feet/legs/back - or whatever, try swimming!  Swimming is actually making my life more mobile.  I had been able to walk so much further (I even do mall walks of two miles every so often) since I was cleared to get back into the pool in March. 

My diet was watched over the whole trip, and I did continue to take all my protein and supplements, but without the exercise, I am now 10 pounds away from a short term goal I was only four pounds away from on the 5th of May.  Set backs happen, so we all need to be patient with ourselves -- even I have moments where I want to just throw in the towel & head off for a food induced coma -- think before you eat. 

I will miss "Pop" Hamblin, and am kind of bummed he will not see me back at my "fighting weight," but I am headed back on my journey.  Stay positive - and don't take exercise for granted!

Brenda : )~

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