When Fatigue Is Something Else

Today I was really dragging at the gym. I've been fighting a head cold for the past few weeks, taking my chelated zinc daily. I thought I was just about cured of it and just waiting for the chest cold portion of it to start. But I'm suddenly exhausted, with the tell-tale burning sensation under my eyes that signals I'm about to fall ill. My breasts are also inexplicably tender, like I'm having my monthly. Except I haven't had an actual menstrual cycle in a few years. However, my doc assures me that the hormones, even at low levels, continue to cycle through my system, so it's entirely possible that this exhaustion, breast tenderness, and bloated feeling are all related. And hopefully will pass within a day or two. The scale is not my friend lately. I'm retaining a lot of water. I can see it in my face and belly.

I hate being told I can't do something. So, instead of being reasonable with myself and cutting out a cardio session, I plod on. I muscle my way through my entire workout, not always certain I could actually move the weight I set. But, in the end, I did move all my weights. And I did do an hour of cardio. Not great mileage, but still more than I did just 6 months ago.

Tomorrow I might cut down to just 30 minutes of cardio because tomorrow is Arm Day. At least temps have warmed into the 60s, our Spring Peepers have awoken and we are serenaded by a shrill cheery chorus. While hiking over the weekend with our Cub Scout den, we spotted the first butterfly of the season, a large black swallowtail. Spring is definitely here.

Tuesday Cardio and Back Workout
(6.55 miles; 36,695 lbs moved)

Cross Trainer

Calorie :   147 CAL
Distance: 3.75 mile
Speed :    7.49 mph
Duration : 00:30:05

Barbell Reverse Grip Bent Over Row

232.5

Set 1 : 45x15
Set 2 : 135x15
Set 3 : 155x15
Set 4 : 155x15
Set 5 : 155x15
Set 6 : 135x20

Smith Machine Reverse Grip Bent Over Row

150

Set 1 : 30x12
Set 2 : 80x15
Set 3 : 100x15
Set 4 : 100x13 grip issue
Set 5 : 100x15
Set 6 : 100x15

TorsoTwistMachine

Set 1 : 50x25
Set 2 : 50x25

Cable Seated Row

152

Set 1 : 90x12
Set 2 : 105x10
Set 3 : 120x8
Set 4 : 120x8
Set 5 : 120x8

Back Extension Machine

315

Set 1 : 210x15
Set 2 : 210x15
Set 3 : 210x15

Elliptical Training

Calorie :   249 CAL
Distance: 2.8 mile
Duration : 00:30:10