30 Day Workout Challenge - Weekend Update!

Workout Update

Today was a great workout, hiking with the kids (dogs) in the hills, a little jog here and there, some intense inclines... I love being out in nature and it's so fun to see my hilarious workout partners running along side me :)  My basset hound, Toby, especially.  His ears are so long, and his legs are so short!  On to yoga/pilates in the form of Louis Solomon's Yoga and Pilates Total Body Toner.  Don't laugh!  I'm still sore from this video a few days back.  Even though I do lunges all the time, the pilates moves really burned my butt and hamstrings.  Love it.



Did any of you make it to this fabulous event?



Party eating and drinking

Last night I went to a GREAT party.  Red wine, sangria flowing... tequila shots in the kitchen and beer in the fridge!  It was in LA, and although I wanted to hit up Love Your Body Day while I was out there, my dear friend's 30th b.day won out for sure!  There were tacos and more tacos and everything good that goes with them.  Yum.  I enjoyed every bite I'm working out a little extra today to make up for it.

Halloween Costumes

Aren't they fun?!  The party last night was a 90's theme, so my husband and I were Bill Clinton and ... drumroll please... Monica Lewinsky!  There are some compromising photos of this that may or may not show up on facebook later ;)



Go Karen!



College Friends



A friend of mine from college was at the party and we had a chance to catch up.  She was one of (un)lucky ones to know me when I was a crazy compulsive eater and exerciser.  We talked about it last night, she remembers my midnight workouts, but sadly, we also remembered that my weirdness went unnoticed because many other girls we knew were dealing with more severe issues... lots of bulimia, extreme food restrictions, etc. within the college population.  So sad!  I hate to think that I was a part of that and even encouraging others to be unhealthy during those years :(  On a positive note, she is running in a half-marathon today, Go Karen!  Hopefully she'll leave a comment later and we can find out how it went for her.

Honesty on the Internet

I had this epiphany today about blogging.  I realized that I could be telling you anything!  Making up stuff about my workouts, eating ice cream while I write my blog... lol.  Ok, I'm not!  But I am a part of the 30 day challenge, and I did miss a workout yesterday.  OMG!  I wonder if they'll kick me out?!  Not only did I attend two parties, which also involved over 4 hours of driving, I didn't plan out my day well enough.  I waited to workout, and then my husband needed help at work... and that was it!  We were two hours late to our first party and barely made it on time to LA.  I actually considered trying to workout when I got home at 1 am.  But I realized it was a. already tomorrow and b. completely nuts. 

Whatev... Don't those just sound like EXCUSES?  They do to me, too!  So that's the confession of the day, and it's back on track for the upcoming week :)

Dangerous Work Environments

I have had a plugged right ear since the beginning of the month.  It has been frustrating, painful, and generally a nuisance through multiple dr. appointments and lots of drugs (antibiotics, steroids...)  I work in an old, moldy portable classroom, and I believe that the possibility my ear issue is being caused by mold is HIGH.  I found out Friday that I'm one of three teachers with the same problem, ongoing, at the school.  I'm not sure who's going to address it, but this week we are going have to tackle the problem.  This is my first year in this classroom, so it makes sense it's just now hitting me.  Hopefully that means it's a problem that can be solved!  My last visit with the ENT was NOT encouraging, so this gives me hope the problem can be reversed and I can get my hearing, balance and SANITY back soon!  Wish me luck.

Cheers to another week of FITNESS!  What's your GOAL this week???

XOXO

Andrea

 

Doctor Visits and Setbacks

     I've been complaining and overall kind of whiny for a couple weeks about my earache/sinuses etc.  I went to my 3rd dr. appointment this evening, finally an ENT (ear, nose, throat) specialist because I've had sinus surgery in the past... His idea?  Oh, there's no infection, so maybe I just lost my hearing.  all of a sudden.  just cuz. So he wanted me to schedule a hearing test.  and he wanted to send me home... Whaaa?  

      Not so fast!  I have learned in the past few years of various doctor's appointments and misdiagnoses (is that a word, anyone?) not to leave the appointment without clearly communicating what I need to say. Even if I have to pull out my notes.  Which I do... Doctors are in a hurry, and we have to be proactive (demanding?) to get what we need!
A more likely scenario  for my issue is a chronic inflammation, which is causing a loud rushing sound, pain, pressure, and other icky things.  Needless to say, it's torture in a classroom with 40 noisy students all day.  Three different doctors, four meds.  So now it's on to prednizone, which is an anti-inflammatory, Flo-nase, Azithromyacin, and a decongestant.  I HATE taking meds, so this is hard for me, but the Doc assures me that once I get the swelling down, I can take steps to keep this from happening again. 

     It's scary to think about losing my hearing, so I'm willing right now to do just about whatever he says.. But I'm still going to research a bit more and see what foods have natural anti-inflammatory qualities.  I don't want to EVER get stuck like this for weeks at a time again... It's certainly messing with my fitness goals and productivity!  I hate to admit it, but I'm going to have to get serious about this before it gets any worse :( 
      In other fun news, Doc stuck a lighted tube up into my sinuses and shoved it around for a bit.  I don't recommend it... not even a lil bit.
     How does this affect my fitness goals?  First off, I can't put my head toward the ground = no pushups.  Other than that, I plan to sit on the stationary bike tonight and do some ab work to kick off the first day of my 30 day fitness challenge!  Join me!  I'm keeping track of my weight and I'll let you know if it changes now that I'm going to be an every-day-exerciser :)

Yup, I'm a winner :)

XOXO
Andrea