Thrive Without Janelle: The Accountability Group

[TurtlePower]

I am frustrated and not doing so well. Long story short--I had 2 back surgeries 25 years ago. I've mostly been good until recently and things took a terrible turn for the worse--pain, numbness and tingling in my legs. I'm seeing specialists in Lubbock, TX and having an MRI on Monday. Treatment may include simple steroid injections up to surgery. 

I'm losing my mind because I can't work out. I can walk 30 minutes and it's torture. Any other time, I'd have gone to a pool or exercise bike at a gym but thanks to Covid, none of that is possible. My eating disorder is coming back because I can't work out as much as I would like. Ugh! 

[crazycatlady58]

20 minutes ago, TurtlePower said:

I am frustrated and not doing so well. Long story short--I had 2 back surgeries 25 years ago. I've mostly been good until recently and things took a terrible turn for the worse--pain, numbness and tingling in my legs. I'm seeing specialists in Lubbock, TX and having an MRI on Monday. Treatment may include simple steroid injections up to surgery. 

I'm losing my mind because I can't work out. I can walk 30 minutes and it's torture. Any other time, I'd have gone to a pool or exercise bike at a gym but thanks to Covid, none of that is possible. My eating disorder is coming back because I can't work out as much as I would like. Ugh! 

Please find someone to talk to!! 

[Gramto6]

8,034 steps yesterday.

(((((((((( @Turtlepower )))))))) Hope you get some relief that results in healing from your appointment. 

[Gramto6]

8,913 steps yesterday.

[Gramto6]

7,048 steps yesterday.

[crazycatlady58]

@TurtlePower how are you today? I have been thinking of you and I am concerned. 

[Teafortwo]

4 hours ago, crazycatlady58 said:

@TurtlePower how are you today? I have been thinking of you and I am concerned. 

@TurtlePower I am thinking of you, as well. I hope you'll find some healing soon! 

[Gramto6]

Only made 5,879 steps yesterday. I wasn't surprised after having so little sleep the night before...

[Twopper]

I used to walk a lot in my neighborhood or go to the gym with my husband.   The gym hasn't reopened, and I haven't been walking much in part due to the weather and in part due to laziness.   He is temporarily--I hope--using either a cane or walker so if we walk outside he is slow.  By the time i finish my walk with him, I am just not in the mood to go for a solo walk.  Plus i am tired, because I am doing stuff he used to do.

I was just thinking that only a few years ago we spent the better part of a day helping someone put in a large garden.  Mostly what we did was shovel sand from huge piles and put it in a wheel barrow.   I doubt I would last ten minutes doing that now.

I have got to get back in shape so I ordered a new pedometer;  my old one died, and I never replaced it.   We are expecting a grandson in June, and I need to be in shape to help.   So I hope that will motivate me to move.

[Gramto6]

I have balance issues so all my walking is done in my house except for when I go out shopping. I use an app on my phone called Maipo It has a girl with a yellow shirt and green pants walking. It seems to be pretty accurate.

[Gramto6]

8,021 steps yesterday.

[Sandy W]

20 hours ago, Gramto6 said:

I have balance issues so all my walking is done in my house except for when I go out shopping. I use an app on my phone called Maipo It has a girl with a yellow shirt and green pants walking. It seems to be pretty accurate.

Thanks for the info on Maipo, Gram to 6.  I found it on my phone and it said it was a free site but when I went to install it, they wanted my credit card number.  They assured it was free and they would use the CC only if I chose to upgrade.  I had an uneasy feeling and backed away, I would rather give my CC number only if and when I decided to upgrade.  Was this your experience?

[Absolom]

Maipo step counter was completely free on iphone.  However, it is simply importing data from the Health app already on iphones.  

[Gramto6]

@Sandy W no, it was totally free they didn't ask for CC# at all. I didn't realize it pulled the info from the Health app.

 

8,021 steps yesterday.

[BuddyMom2]

@Gramto6 I’m mostly a lurker on here but I’m so impressed by your daily step count! You said it’s all done in your house? Can I ask how you do that? Is your home really large or with lots of stairs? I need to move more and I’m curious how you get it done.

[Gramto6]

18 minutes ago, BuddyMom2 said:

@Gramto6 I’m mostly a lurker on here but I’m so impressed by your daily step count! You said it’s all done in your house? Can I ask how you do that? Is your home really large or with lots of stairs? I need to move more and I’m curious how you get it done.

My house is 2200 sq ft with a large hardwood floored kitchen. It is one story, stairs are not my friends. I have the TV on all day just as background noise since I live alone. I am on the computer or doing drawing projects with my DD and her oldest DD we have a different project each day. (I'm in MT they're in CA.) Every time a commercial comes on I get up and do laps mostly in the kitchen but also down the hall and in the living room and my office. I can't walk on uneven ground safely. Grocery shopping and errand running add more steps too. 

I have bad knees and herniated discs in my lower spine so walking is about all my body can take. It is important to me to do what I can to stay active. Some days are better than others, I just do what I can and try to move some every hour.

eta: I am a night owl so am up until the wee hours of the mornings. I don't get up until around 10AM and follow that walking pattern the whole time I am awake.

Edited February 9, 2021 by Gramto6

[Sandy W]

You are an inspiration to all @Gramto6. 👣

You could teach Janelle a lot about accountability.

[Gramto6]

26 minutes ago, Sandy W said:

You are an inspiration to all @Gramto6. 👣

You could teach Janelle a lot about accountability.

Thanks @Sandy W! I do what I can and try to be consistent. It is a big downgrade from what I used to be... I was a runner in College and a competitive gymnast there too (went to the Nationals in 1970), I've run many 10k's and several 1/2 marathons, played on an over 30 coed soccer team and then in an all women's league. With late DH we hiked and backpacked all over the country and a large part of Europe. I guess all that explains the bad knees and herniated discs and the fusion I have already had in my neck. I just do what I can to stay healthy.

 

Edited February 9, 2021 by Gramto6
typo

[TurtlePower]

On 2/4/2021 at 9:40 AM, crazycatlady58 said:

Please find someone to talk to!! 

I'm trying, but that's upsetting me too. They won't do an in person even though I've been vaccinated twice--every other doctor I've seen has seen me in person. I have an appointment today over video chat and I'm already having a meltdown. They tried to get me to do it by phone, but I explained my autism makes phone conversations hard and ineffective for me. I mean, I wear 2 mask and I've been vaccinated (twice!) and they still won't see me in person. Given it's my mental health, I may look for someone else who will. We can sit way across the room from each other FFS. 

Edited February 9, 2021 by TurtlePower

[crazycatlady58]

43 minutes ago, TurtlePower said:

I'm trying, but that's upsetting me too. They won't do an in person even though I've been vaccinated twice--every other doctor I've seen has seen me in person. I have an appointment today over video chat and I'm already having a meltdown. They tried to get me to do it by phone, but I explained my autism makes phone conversations hard and ineffective for me. I mean, I wear 2 mask and I've been vaccinated (twice!) and they still won't see me in person. Given it's my mental health, I may look for someone else who will. We can sit way across the room from each other FFS. 

Keep looking, keep fighting. You are important and you are needed.

[Gramto6]

8,191 steps yesterday.

[Absolom]

I got over a mile again yesterday.  I'm hoping I can get back to being consistent.  3.5 pounds under goal weight and nurse at the doctor's office wants me to quit losing and hold.  

[Teafortwo]

10 hours ago, TurtlePower said:

They tried to get me to do it by phone, but I explained my autism makes phone conversations hard and ineffective for me.

I have a friend who's on the spectrum and he has the same feelings about phone conversations, avoids them at all costs. I'm sorry you're having such a tough time.  I hope you find someone who will see you in person.

[TurtlePower]

Thanks everyone. The kind words of encouragement mean a lot. I went (and was told stuff I already know). Was also told i have the coping mechanism thing down and there aren’t any more tools they can offer me except medication. I’m glad for that because if one more person would have told me to try deep breathing, I woulda just walked out—I exercise, am almost vegan, don’t drink or smoke or do sugar, I *do* do breathing exercises and have tried all the things.

In better news, I am up to running slowly again (my main coping mechanism). 

[Gramto6]

8,426 steps yesterday. Plus 20 minutes shovelling snow.

[xwordfanatik]

1 hour ago, Gramto6 said:

8,426 steps yesterday. Plus 20 minutes shovelling snow.

You did very well!  Snow shoveling gives me back spasms, and you've mentioned your back paining you, too.

We had snow a week or two ago.  It's mostly gone, but now we're getting freezing-ass temperatures.  We are still luckier here in WA than the people in the majority of the country.  So I can't complain, 'but sometimes I still do.'  LOL

[Gramto6]

1 hour ago, xwordfanatik said:

You did very well!  Snow shoveling gives me back spasms, and you've mentioned your back paining you, too.

We had snow a week or two ago.  It's mostly gone, but now we're getting freezing-ass temperatures.  We are still luckier here in WA than the people in the majority of the country.  So I can't complain, 'but sometimes I still do.'  LOL

That's why only 20 minutes. I had to shovel off the side porch so UPS could drop a package for me. I have about 8" all over and I just can't shovel much at a time. Not doing any today resting the back.

[Gramto6]

9,426 steps yesterday.

[Gramto6]

9,064 steps yesterday.

[Rabbit Hutch]

In Nebraska this morning and the sign outside the bank in the little old town we're driving through stated that it was 5 below.  Colder than a well-diggers hiney!  🥶

[Gramto6]

Here in MT when I got up it was 2° but wind chill factor made it feel like -10°. 🥶 I also have 8" of snow on the ground...

[BuddyMom2]

-4 here in sunny Minnesota! No outdoor walks this week.

[Rabbit Hutch]

On 2/10/2021 at 7:45 AM, TurtlePower said:

Thanks everyone. The kind words of encouragement mean a lot. I went (and was told stuff I already know). Was also told i have the coping mechanism thing down and there aren’t any more tools they can offer me except medication. I’m glad for that because if one more person would have told me to try deep breathing, I woulda just walked out—I exercise, am almost vegan, don’t drink or smoke or do sugar, I *do* do breathing exercises and have tried all the things.

In better news, I am up to running slowly again (my main coping mechanism). 

Warm vibes to you, Turtle.  Hang in there, hun.

[Gramto6]

9,784 steps yesterday.

[Gramto6]

11,039 steps yesterday. Grocery shopping really added steps. I kept forgetting things and having to backtrack several times.

[Gramto6]

11,791 steps yesterday. Just walking in the house... hope I can keep it up.

[Gramto6]

11,734 steps yesterday.

[Gramto6]

10,685 steps yesterday.

[Gramto6]

8,555 steps yesterday. Fell asleep in the recliner for about an hour and a half in the evening.

[Gramto6]

10,477 steps yesterday.

[Gramto6]

9,914 steps yesterday.

[Gramto6]

9,807 steps yesterday.

[Gramto6]

8,582 steps yesterday. 

[Gramto6]

8,880 steps yesterday.

[Gramto6]

8,529 steps yesterday. Been kind of off for a few days, not sure why...

[Gramto6]

8,472 steps yesterday.

[TurtlePower]

So, my love for running is threatened by the possibility of back surgery. I saw a surgeon and spine specialist and my back is MESSED UP. Even the X-rays look horrible. For now they are going to try injections but they basically told me my marathon-distance days are all but over. 10Ks “maybe”.  I’ve already had 2 surgeries and this may be number 3. 

Im so mad because the town we live in is a shithole. There aren’t many other workout options, plus stupid COVID ans my anxiety disorders. Normally I’d hit up a pool, but NO. I’m looking at exercise bikes because I MUST be able to work out. 

This is the result of years of being a back county rescue ranger carrying patients and a 60lb pack. My only coping mechanism is being eroded away (pun intended). I’m known as a runner. It’s part of my identity. That’s how everyone knows me. Gah I’m so upset! 

[Cetacean]

53 minutes ago, TurtlePower said:

 I’ve already had 2 surgeries and this may be number 3. 

SO sorry to hear this.  It has to be tough to give up something so important.  I'm sure you see no positives right now but you are in the start of the grieving process.  Maybe something will present itself as an option.

While not as passionate about it as you are about running, I had a hard time knowing there is no water aerobics option where I live now.  I had been doing it for years and it was tough.  I'd like to say I found something equally as good but I haven't so I make do with trying other options.  Maybe once Covid is waning you'll be able to explore other things as well.

[Gramto6]

((((@TurtlePower )))) So sorry to hear about your back problems. As another former very athletic person with back problems I understand your frustrations. I hope you can find some relief and some form of exercise that you can do with minimal pain.

9,073 steps yesterday.

[TurtlePower]

Thanks guys:). I went out and got an exercise bike today. It’s not a Peloton, but I don’t need it to be. Unlike Janelle’s, it will be used quite a bit 🤣. Already I got a good workout in and it was hard because cycling is new for me. And I got 13,000 steps in so far. 
 

So with the combination of walking, moderate running, the cycling training and light weights I should be ok. it’s just hard losing the thing that made me famous—“oh, she’s the one who RUNS!”  Yeah. Definitely in a bit of mourning. 

Edited February 27, 2021 by TurtlePower