About That Rash

The dermatologist thinks the fading rash on my arm is due to phytophotodermatitis, or a reaction from an irritant like citrus juice interacting with sunlight. It's common on the hands of susceptible pool-side bartenders in tropical climes, and yes, I saw it mentioned more than once in crime-drama shows based in Florida (The Glades, CSI: Miami). The rash shape seems indicative of a splash or dribble rather than direct contact with a noxious element. It's still a mystery as to how this all came to be though.

It's 42F and darkest night when I drive my son to the school bus stop. I almost slept in. Well, I tried but that just makes me late for everything else I need to do. Because I took time to push a few weights after cardio and stretching, I got to the dog park a bit late. Pups only got an hour of playtime, which is okay but not great. Tomorrow I'm probably going to the gym after the dog park instead of before so that we can go at 9 instead of 10 AM.

I was certain that, due to my slow start, I wouldn't make 2.8 miles or 300 calories. Those numbers are my benchmarks for a decent workout. The abbreviated core routine still allows me to stretch my hips and spine. Push-ups are the ultimate warmup for Inclined Presses at the Smith machine. Only 3 sets but the last set is heavy enough to have me worry about my IOPs because of the slight pressure in my chest as I press up and gently let the bar down. 

The Seated Cable Rows are already set at 50 lbs when I drop my gear on the seat. Today I move the pin to 60 lbs because those three sets of 15 reps were too damn easy last week. Today they're a bit more challenging. Just a bit. Depending on how sore I feel tomorrow, I might do this again next week, or change it up some more. I'm sure I can do a set at 70 without any issues. 85 makes me nervous for obvious reasons: what if that pesky lower back disc reacts badly and I'm laid up with severe sciatica again? Winter is coming and that's no time to be crippled. 

28 Oct 2021
Frigid Thursday

Precor elliptical
Program 3
Time: 30 min + 5 min cd (5552)
Distance: 2.83
Cal: 314
HR: 192-140, 86, 76, 96

Crunches 60
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
Elbow Plank 60s
Quick Child’s Pose
Cat/Camel x 12
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dogs 60s x 2
Child’s Pose
Push-Ups 25
Air Squats 25

Mild Mat stretch w 3 Eye Yoga

Smith inclined press
Bar (30) x 20
+20 x 15
+30 x 15
+40 x 12

Seated Cable Rows
60 lbs x 15 reps x 3

Post Nor'easter

The problem with returning to bed because you think you'll feel better with a few more hours of sleep, is that in some cases, you never actually wake up and spend the entire day in a hazy stupor. Yesterday was that day. It poured all day and the pups were not happy that there was no park. The hazardous winds didn't occur until after the rains had stopped.

I was tempted to catch a few more zzzz's this morning but realized that as much as I hate navigating wet autumnal streets in the dark of early morning, I'm much happier and more productive if I get that cardio out of the way. I'm tired though and those DB Lateral Raises seemed a lot harder today than they did last week. Squeezed out 14 pull-ups with sore hands and a right forearm threatening to spasm. 

After the gym, pups and I were the lone crazies at the Bark Park while trees sporadically hurled javelins of broken limbs down into the leaf-littered, sodden ground. I sat in the doorway of the shed just as a precaution and sipped my coffee. It's the Bomb Cyclone, an atmospheric weather condition defined by a severe and sudden drop in air pressure (24 mbar in 24 hrs). Further to the northeast, winds have gusted to 70 mph.

I'm probably going to have to talk myself into the gym tomorrow morning as well...

27 Oct 2021
Bomb Cyclone Wednesday

Precor elliptical
Program 2
Time: 30 min + 5 min cd (5498)
Distance: 2.82
Cal: 312
HR: 75, 82, 142-194

Crunches 60 x 2
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
60 Dead Bugs
Elbow Plank 60s
Quick Child’s Pose
Cat/Camel stretch 12x
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dogs 60s x 2
Child’s Pose
Push-Ups 25
Air Squats 25

Mild Mat stretch w 3 Eye Yoga

DB Lateral Raises
10 lbs x 15 reps x 3

HGPU 14

No Time for More

A nor'easter is slated to pummel our area with flash flood rains and tree threatening winds, but not until later tonight into tomorrow. Pups will be bummed to miss out on park time and will have to be satisfied with a walk in the weather.

I hoped to get a quick DB shoulder workout in, but I got to the gym after my dermatologist appointment, which didn't leave much time before my son sent a reminder text to pick him up from school later. So, I got all the important stuff done, but had to bail on the DB exercises. Try again tomorrow...

25 Oct 2021
Pre-Storm Monday

Precor elliptical
Program 1
Time: 30 min + 5 min cd (5498)
Distance: 2.81
Cal: 310
HR: 141-188, 111

Crunches 60 x 2
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
60 Dead Bugs
Elbow Plank 60s
Quick Child’s Pose
Cat/Camel stretch 12x
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dogs 60s x 2
Child’s Pose
Push-Ups 25
Air Squats 25

Mild Mat stretch w 3 Eye Yoga

HGPU 15

Squeezing It All In

It's hard to cram cardio, stretching, core and some weights all in an hour and a half. Plus time to change and shower. So that's two hours. My legs feel heavy and of course, I'm tired but Intervals is on the schedule. I keep the "slow" part at roughly 130 steps per minute and speed up to 170-190 when I hit the troughs. I make it as fast as 210 for a few seconds and that hasn't happened in ages!

My stomach is a little sore but I only notice when doing crunches. Otherwise I'm oblivious. The Cat/Camel stretch still makes the arch of my left foot ache (weird, right?) and even without doing the Cobra pose, my middle back still feels tender. I've taken to doing push-ups while looking to the side so I can see whether my head and neck are dipping, and make the appropriate corrections. Air Squats have me gently tossing my arms forward: I'm not sure if I should correct the forward lean that puts me over my knees.

The arms are tired enough (from yesterday?) to make the DB Lateral Raises a bit more challenging today. For fun, I see what DB Overhead Tricep Extensions feel like. It didn't feel like anything. Perhaps ten pounds was too light? It's been years and I used to handle 20s but my elbows weren't happy so I stopped. Still, I got my pull-ups done. Yaaay me!

22 Oct 2021
Sleepy Friday

Precor elliptical
Program Intervals
Time: 30 min + 5 min cd (5240)
Distance: 2.85
Cal: 317
HR: 91, 136-200

Crunches 60 x 2
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
60 Dead Bugs
Elbow Plank 60s
Quick Child’s Pose
Cat/Camel stretch 12x
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dogs 60s x 2
Child’s Pose
Push-Ups 25
Air Squats 25

Mild Mat stretch w 3 Eye Yoga

DB Lateral Raises (Tired arms!)
10 lbs x 15 reps x 3

DB overhead tricep extension
10 lbs x 12 each arm

HGPU 15

Starting Small

Today, I cut back on the core movements to give me time to push and pull a few weights. Because my back is sore in exactly the same spot that seems afflicted when I do the Cobra Pose, I decide that perhaps that pose isn't good for me, and it also gets cut from the routine. Honestly, I was a bit leery of using the Seated Cable Row. I had done a few sets at 85 lbs back in August when one of those pesky discs moved the wrong way and gave me 6 weeks of excruciating sciatic pain. So not eager to repeat that performance.

I gave some thought to squelching the push-ups as well, but figured they'd be a warm-up for the Smith Inclined Press. The right shoulder feels the slightest bit twingey and I had to adjust my grip closer with my elbows pulled in tight to alleviate a potential disaster there. I see Snow Bird pushing and pulling himself vigorously in the Stretch Cage. Glad I'm not waiting to do pull-ups today.

There was a very tall blonde woman at the Seated Cable station. Mostly she's looking at her phone though. The pin is set at 70 lbs and I'm so tempted to leave it there because my head says I can pull waaay more than that. But that sort of thinking will get me into serious trouble with the rest of my body! 

When she leaves, I drop the pin to 50 lbs and decide to make it up by doing a higher number of reps. I sit bolt upright and pull the handles right up to my chest. Relax and the cable pulls my hands forward. It feels pretty easy. After three sets of 15 reps, I've run out of time and need to go shower and change. Pups are waiting at home to go to the park! I only notice later that my delts are ever so slightly sore from yesterday. Well, I guess that's progress...

21 Oct 2021
Sleepy Thursday

Precor elliptical
Program 3
Time: 30 min + 5 min cd
Distance: 2.85
Cal: 317
HR: 149-191

Crunches 60
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
Elbow Plank 60s
Quick Child’s Pose
Cat/Camel x 12
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dogs 60s x 2
Child’s Pose
Push-Ups 25
Air Squats 25

Mild Mat stretch w 3 Eye Yoga

Smith inclined press
Bar (30) x 20
+20 x 15
+30 x 15
+40 x 12

Seated Cable Rows
50 x 15 x 3

Sleepy Humpday

I bailed yesterday: I was just too tired. But I didn't go back to sleep, which would have been productive. Now I'm even more tired today. But I did go to the gym so I'm more awake, but still tired. While in the Aerobics Room, the gym owner was setting up ropes, weights and steps for what looks like a relay race. Probably that Body Pump class in an hour so I'm quick to do my routine and then skedaddle.

I'm not sure if the Eye Yoga is doing anything for me but it's not making my pressures or my vision worse. The DB shoulder raises aren't quite as exhausting, which is progress. And I manage to squeeze out more than a dozen pull-ups. All in all, a good routine.

18 Oct 2021
Sleepy Wednesday

Precor elliptical
Program 2
Time: 30 min + 5 min cd (5496)
Distance: 2.81
Cal: 310
HR: n/a

Crunches 60 x 2
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
60 Dead Bugs
Elbow Plank 60s
Quick Child’s Pose
Cat/Camel stretch 12x
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dogs 60s x 2
Child’s Pose
Push-Ups 25
Air Squats 25

Mild Mat stretch w 3 Eye Yoga

DB Lateral Raises
10 lbs x 15 reps x 3

HGPU 15

Yep, Monday

We went to the Sheep & Wool Festival yesterday and had a good time walking around looking at sheep, llama, alpacas and cashmere goats. My son got to replace a favorite one-of-a-kind hoodie and I bought some alpaca hiking socks. And a new hat. Yesterday totaled about 8,000 steps. If I go to the gym, I can add about 5400 steps to the 2,300 I do normally so that's also about 7-8,000 steps. But I'm still not getting enough sleep. And I wonder if I should cancel the dermatology appointment. The initial rash has calmed down so I keeping an eye on the other two areas to see if they're also doing the same. Again, they don't itch but occasionally my arm hurts in that very area.

I'm so tired today that I can't make 2.8 miles although everything else is okay. The DB shoulder workout pre-exhausts my arms and I'm only good for a dozen pull-ups afterward. Still, I was happy at the end. Getting started is the hardest part.

Over the weekend, I read a few interesting articles. One is about healthy lifestyles adding a potential 15 years to lifespan. Another detailed the bio-mechanisms muscles use to increase strength and size. That would explain the phenomenon of muscle memory. Maybe tomorrow I'll see if the Smith machine got greased. It really needs to be disassembled and cleaned but that requires a lot of dedication. It's probably just going to get a squirt of WD-40.

18 Oct 2021
Fatigued Monday

Precor elliptical
Program 1
Time: 30 min + 5 min cd (5410)
Distance: 2.78
Cal: 306
HR: 183-137, 122

Crunches 60 x 2
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
60 Dead Bugs
Elbow Plank 60s
Quick Child’s Pose
Cat/Camel stretch 12x
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dogs 60s x 2
Child’s Pose
Cobra Pose
Push-Ups 25
Air Squats 25

Mild Mat stretch w 3 Eye Yoga

DB Lateral Raises
10 lbs x 15 reps x 3

HGPU 12

Fatigue

I'm so tired that sitting in my car before I head into the gym has me toy with the idea of closing my eyes, I'd fall asleep instantly. Which is why I don't. I always feel better when I leave but eventually the sleep deficit catches up. Another good reason to take my vitamins, get a flu shot, and a daily dose of black elderberry syrup.

I'm not surprised that I can't make it to 2.8 miles either because not only am I tired, parts of my body are a tad sore. I knock out the core routine without any issues. Push-ups are a bit harder when you stare at the wall (mirror) in front of you instead of the floor and I'm still accidentally smacking mat with my chest and stomach. The DB Laterals seem a little easier today though. 

The only thing I don't get to are the Hammer Grip Pull-ups and that's because Snow Bird is compulsively wiping down the Stretch Cage as I walk through the gym. I don't have time to wait around to see if he's at the beginning or end of his vigorous stretch routine but I suspect he hasn't started yet. Most folks aren't very diligent wiping down after their workouts as they are before they start. And he's in his 80s, so I know he's being extra cautious.

14 Oct 2021
Fatigue Fasted Thursday

Precor elliptical
Program 3
Time: 30 min + 5 min cd (5
Distance: 2.78
Cal: 305
HR: 135-184, 122

Crunches 60 x 2
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
60 Dead Bugs
Elbow Plank 60s
Quick Child’s Pose
Cat/Camel stretch 12x
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dogs 60s x 2
Child’s Pose
Cobra Pose
Push-Ups 25
Air Squats 25

DB Lateral Raises
10 lbs x 15 reps x 3

Mild Mat stretch w 3 Eye Yoga

  Skip HGPU

Easing Back

I decided yesterday that it was time to cut back on the core/abs routine and add some weight-training back in. So, after my good-and-sweaty cardio session, I drop my hoodie on the inclined bench at the Smith machine. The Smith hasn't been properly cleaned or serviced in a number of years so the bare bar doesn't glide smoothly, and one loaded with a few pounds makes a  horrible screeching sound while it vibrates on the way down the tracks. 

I do a few increasingly heavy sets, mindful of the effect of lifting heavy on intraocular eye pressure (IOPs). Which means I'm not lifting anything that's actually heavy. Seventy pounds isn't heavy but it's enough to alternate with push-ups. Just like alternating something with pull-ups. Maybe Seated Cable Rows but I won't be able to go near the 80+ lbs I used to pull because there's no way I want to chance another 6-week bout of severe sciatica.

Maybe I'll figure that out tomorrow... meanwhile, I find a sore spot on the back of my arm and it's a tiny red spot that resembles a pimple. Funny, that's how the horrible rash started. The rash that is spreading subcutaneously, similar to poison ivy, but it's not itchy. I hope my arm is still recognizable in the two weeks that will pass before my dermatology appointment.

13 Oct 2021
Foggy Fasted Wednesday

Precor elliptical
Program 2
Time: 30 min + 5 min cd (5540)
Distance: 2.82
Cal: 312
HR: n/a

Smith Inclined Bench
Bar (30) x 20
+20 (total) x 15
+30 x 12
+40 x 12

Crunches 60 x 2
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
Elbow Plank 60s
Cat/Camel stretch 15x
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dogs 60s x 2
Air Squats 25

Mild Mat stretch w 3 Eye Yoga

More Than Just Pockets

The one upside to having put on a bit of weight during the pandemic (and then sciatic limitations) is that I now fit into my "oversized" jeans, of which I own several pairs. I bought them years ago when they were on sale as I've always been partial to GAP jeans. Of course, I'm speaking of the men's jeans in a hard to find 28 x 28 size. (In brick-and-mortar stores, they're often placed at the very top of the shelves where people of my height can't possibly reach or even see them.) 

I ordered a few different styles, from original 1969 button fronts to relaxed fit and carpenter pants, and when I was 6 lbs lighter, well, they were too big. And now they fit perfectly. And being normal (men's) jeans, they have sturdy stitching and yes, they have pockets I can shove my hands into. Unlike the ridiculous faux pockets in many women's pants that barely allow room for a credit card or a key. Seriously?!

Shoes on the right looks so comfy.
Can't say the same for the ones on the left.

It's 2021 and not much has changed since I was a child, although we can all now find and wear black clothing without having to substitute navy or be asked if we're goth or going to a funeral. Still, it's disappointing to see the ad for comfortable shoes. At first I didn't see the little tags that said the boots were men's because I'm not interested in the stacked heel over the women's tag. Of course, I have such small feet that I couldn't buy men's shoes even if I wanted to. I've already tried.  

I'm at the gym at 7 AM and it's not too crowded. There's heavy fog that will burn off as the sun warms the day. Mid-October and it's a pleasant 70F. I'm okay with that but I have made an appointment with the dermatologist to look at the not-an-insect-bite on my arm. Because it seems to be spreading.

Everything is fairly routine except there are a lot more women in the Aerobics Room this morning. I do my exercises and glance at Floppy Girl and two other women. One is doing hip raises with a dumbbell. When she leaves, she forgets to re-roll and put her mat away. The other girl appears to be taking Instagram shots because why else would she pull her hoodie off to exercise in her bra top and leggings, then twist her face over her shoulder while holding her phone? She does do 7-8 decent push-ups though. No one ever wipes their mat down after they're done. Which is why I wipe mine down before and after. People are gross. 

Meanwhile, DB Lateral Raises make my hands sore which isn't great for the pull-ups that follow. I only manage 13 today. Still, better than none at all...

12 Oct 2021
Foggy Tuesday

Precor elliptical
Program 1
Time: 30 min + 5 min cd (5644)
Distance: 2.86
Cal: 318
HR: 92, 151-200

Crunches 60 x 2
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
60 Dead Bugs
Elbow Plank 60s
Quick Child’s Pose
Cat/Camel stretch 15x
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dogs 60s x 2
Child’s Pose
Cobra Pose
Push-Ups 25
Air Squats 25

Mild Mat stretch w 3 Eye Yoga

DB Lateral Raises
10 lbs x 15 reps x 3 sets

HGPU 13
 

Hold That Head High

Lose 10 yrs off your face by
taking a selfie laying down!

It's Friday and I'm at the gym at 7 AM although I'd much rather be curled up in my bed asleep. As I promised myself, I pedaled the Intervals program for 30 minutes with an additional 5 minute cool down, although I never slow down. Luckily, I can "customize" the program by adjusting the resistance of the peak which defaults to a 10 incline and 8 resistance. Too hard on my knees! I clicked that down to level 4 resistance. The troughs are set at 4 incline and 1 resistance. I'm good with that. 

I pedal forward a little more than halfway, trying to maintain a speed of over 150 Steps Per Minute during the troughs, and just under for the peaks. It's different once I pedal backward because that's always been easier so I can go faster. According to the equipment, I've burned a few more calories and gained more distance but with fewer steps. Of course, none of this is important. What's important is doing 35 minutes of strenuous cardio several times a week.

I'm holding an elbow plank in the Aerobics Room when I hear a loud clang. A bald middle-aged man is positioning two step platforms near the pile of mats in the corner. Atop each platform is a barbell which he has managed to drop several times. As if on purpose. Because he's an ass. I move through all the routines on my list without any issues but swap the order: push-ups then air squats. I learned my lesson from yesterday. Cupping my knees with my palms as I drop down into a squat works to keep my elbows out of the way. I stare at the mirror wall ahead of me while doing push-ups and unexpectedly find my chest bumping the mat underneath me. I'm surprised, especially that my center of mass hasn't pitched forward like yesterday. Just keep your head high! 

The noisy man leaves the Aerobics Room having set up two step stations. I guess he'll be back later. Well, at least I can do my Eye Yoga exercises without being self-conscious of sitting perfectly still, appearing to stare at nothing.

8 Oct 2021
Foggy Friday

Precor elliptical
Program Intervals
Time: 30 min + 5 min cd (5472)
Distance: 2.93
Cal: 329
HR: 154-192

Crunches 60 x 2
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
60 Dead Bugs x 2
Elbow Plank 60s
Quick Child’s Pose
Cat/Camel stretch 15x
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dogs 60s x 2
Child’s Pose
Cobra Pose
Push-Ups 25
Air Squats 25

Mild Mat stretch w 3 Eye Yoga

HGPU 15

Unexpected

I freely admit that I am not a morning person. So it's quite shocking even to myself when I arrive at the gym before 7 am. I got on the elliptical and pedaled as fast as I could, in spite of slightly sore and stiff quads. Must've been those deep knee bends. I feel an odd strain on the right side of the back of my waist. It's not a twinge so it doesn't appear to be sciatica-related. Still, I make a mental note to be cautious.

There's heavy fog warnings this morning and I don't understand drivers who don't put their headlamps on in such conditions. The past several days have been overcast and generally dreary. That's not helping my fatigue. I skip the second set of crunches and dead bugs because there's such a thing as overdoing abs although that's admittedly difficult to do. 

I make the mistake of doing Air Squats before attempting Push-Ups. I say this because doing 25 reps  of the latter normally isn't that hard, but doing 25 Air Squats actually does leave me a tad winded. I have to position myself a few feet further from the mirror wall in order to see myself. (Too close and all I see is the molding at the bottom of the mirrors.) I turn my head sideways to watch my form, pulling my neck back to be more in alignment with my spine. When I look up and forward at the wall in front of me, I feel my center of gravity shift forward. 

Whoa, that's unexpected! Worse, it makes the push-up a lot harder suddenly. Assuming that we all have pretty much the same size heads, my head accounts for a greater portion of my total weight/mass, so shifting its position was bound to have an effect. I just wasn't prepared for it! As I adjust my head and neck position, the reps get harder. Today, doing 25 felt a lot like doing 50. Ugh.

7 Oct 2021
Morning Fog Thursday

Precor elliptical
Program 3
Time: 30 min + 5 min cd (5490)
Distance: 2.81
Cal: 311
HR: 146-195, 114

Crunches 60
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
60 Dead Bugs
Elbow Plank 60s
Quick Child’s Pose
Cat/Camel stretch 15x
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dogs 60s x 2
Child’s Pose
Cobra Pose
Air Squats 25
Push-Ups 25 > pitch center of gravity forward / increased difficulty

Mild Mat stretch w 3 Eye Yoga

20 Years Today

I didn't make it to the gym yesterday so I made an extra effort today. Feeling sporadic twinges over my hips and I decide to skip the cross-trainer even though all 3 are available and my favorite elliptical is being used, coincidentally, by the fellow who's normally on the first cross-trainer. And because I skipped yesterday, it was doubly hard. Still, I got more steps in than last week.

I do all the exercises listed for core without any issues except I manage to turn my head and look at my profile while doing push-ups. I see that my neck and head are actually positioned forward (downward) and I struggle to position my head/neck to be more parallel to my body. Perhaps that's why I see videos of folks doing push-ups with their faces looking up at the wall, meaning perpendicular to floor. It's something to focus on next time.

I do my Air Squats with my arms bent to my chest as elbows brush past my knees. Well, that solves the wonky shoulder. Dumbbell lateral raises cause my ears to clog so I'm perpetually adjusting the rotation of my arms while trying to look at myself in the mirror. That's actually harder than it sounds since my inclination is to stare at the ground when raising my arms! Why are clogged ears bad you ask? Because years ago I had an MRI done of my neck and shoulder area and got an image of a rat's maze of convoluted vessels in my right neck and shoulder. Congestion would be really bad and has the potential for serious issues that I'm just not going to tempt. Luckily, doing pull-ups don't aggravate this.

The not-bug-bite on my arm seems better and yet worse. Better in that maybe it's starting to look like it might weep the way poison ivy does, with small brown-yellow patches. Worse because it seems to be spreading. Ugh... 

Today's our 20th year wedding anniversary. Being mid-week, a work week and a school night is difficult. We do have plans to eat out but we can't stay out late...

6 Oct 2021
Brisk Fasted Wednesday

Precor elliptical
Program 2
Time: 30 min + 5 min cd (5650)
Distance: 2.85
Cal: 317
HR: n/a

Crunches 60 x2
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
60 Dead Bugs x 2
Elbow Plank 60s
Quick Child’s Pose
Cat/Camel stretch 15x
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dogs 60s x 2
Child’s Pose 10s
Cobra Pose 30s
Push-Ups 25
Air Squats 25
Mild Mat stretch w 3 Eye Yoga

DB Lateral Raises (clogged ears)
10 lbs x 15 reps x 3

HGPU 15

Felled By a Seed

When something doesn't agree with you, it's best to avoid it, especially when it takes you down. I'm not speaking of exercises, but of ingested nutrients, specifically flax seeds. Flax plants are woven into a wonderful cloth called linen. There's nothing quite like the feel of old linen shirts. Tiny flaxseeds have been celebrated for their fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. It's a good source of alpha-linolenic acid and can help with diabetes, high cholesterol and constipation. 

Most websites caution that people not used to high fiber diets might suffer from side effects such as gas, bloating and nausea. Unless you're one of the few people who actually react as if it were toxic. Eat enough flaxseed and you can give yourself a lethal dose of cyanogenic glycoside. Yep, cyanide poisoning. But that's not what happened to me. Because I didn't eat 3 teaspoons of flaxseed every day for weeks. Nor did I suffer from those symptoms: headache, confusion, trouble breathing, agitation. It is worth noting though, that whole flaxseeds would produce a lesser reaction that crushed seeds. And flaxseed that is crushed and heat-treated would have very little toxicity. (And between the oatmeal and prunes, I eat plenty of dietary fiber.) 

 No, what I ate was half a packet of instant oatmeal that contained dried cranberries and flaxseed. And there's not a lot of flaxseed in even a whole packet. My stomach's reaction was severe and lasted more than a day: nausea, pain, cramping, vomiting. There was little to upchuck except copious amounts of spit and mucous, no doubt, the insides trying to protect itself by shedding it's slimy lining. And it's not the fact that it was a tiny seed -- I've eaten chia seeds without any discomfort other than getting them caught in my teeth. 

My stomach is still tender from that event which occurred more than 3 days ago so now I'm extremely cautious with meals. Nothing spicy. Nothing overly acidic. Fresh coffee was okay this morning, but I'm wary of orange juice. Flaxseeds have now been added to the list of items to be avoided at all costs: hazelnuts (filberts), Brazil nuts, and sunflower seeds. I can eat almonds, peanuts, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, cashews, macadamias, pecans, walnuts. I'm not allergic to nuts. It didn't cause anaphylactic shock or a rash. But it was excruciatingly painful, and that's enough.

I had a doctor's appointment this afternoon so I only did cardio and an abbreviated ab and core routine. While my toes didn't go numb from time on the cross-trainer, my left lower back twinged once I got down on the mat. The elliptical might actually be gentler on my spinal discs even with backward motions at varying inclines. 

Example of the Visual Field and retina scan

Not a bug bite

My eye doc showed me results from my last Visual Field test, a 10-2 which specifically tests the inner circle of vision. It doesn't show any progression, and neither do the scans of my painfully thin retinas. (Perhaps they've always been thin?) We take the IOPs of 14 as a win even though we'd all like to see them lower than 10, but they're not high (over 20) either. My vision is still 20/20 uncorrected. And the new floater is probably there permanently. Meanwhile, the not-a-bug-bite still hurts and continues to look like poison ivy. The only relief I get is when I apply OTC hydrocortisone cream. Surprisingly, the stronger, Rx-prescribed fluocinonide doesn't help. Maybe it's not poison ivy?

At least I got my steps in over the weekend... walked all around the last day of the NY Renaissance Faire and saw a few shows, some new (strong woman, sword swallower) and some familiar from past fairs (fire whip, French silent clown, Canadian acrobats). We had a good time and it was lovely to see so many folks dressed up with ears, horns, crowns and armor. Until next year! We missed the NY Garlic Festival this weekend but fully intend to get to the NY Sheep and Wool Festival in a few weeks time.

4 Oct 2021
Rainy Monday

LifeFitness x-trainer
Program Manual 1
Time: 25 min + 5 min cd
Distance: 2.93
Cal: 232
HR: 114-154

Crunches 60
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
60 Dead Bugs
Elbow Plank 60s
Cat/Camel stretch 15x
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dogs 60s x 2
Mild Mat stretch w 3 Eye Yoga