Like a Damn Pinball Machine

I've had a vague headache and upset stomach for several days now. At first, I blamed the niacin (B3) vitamin I've been experimenting with, but after a few days without taking it, and my headache actually worse, I've decided it's my sensitivity to the crazy weather. Or, maybe I have a super mild case of Covid. No fever, but I'm tired and reacting badly to the humidity. My eardrums hurt sometimes when I'm driving so sinuses are def affected. But I don't have the classic sinus infection symptoms: congestion, nasty colored snot, painful spots over and under the eye sockets.

I skipped the gym yesterday and did 3 full sets (2 minutes) of Wall Squats at home, with just 2 minutes rest between. My blood pressure has been crazy, dropping down to normal for the first time in over a year and then boomeranging up into category hypertension 1 and 2. Ugh. It's behaving like a damn pinball machine and I seem to have no control even though I'm dutifully taking the daily Losartan 50 mg, beetroot juice, and low-sodium vegetable juice. It's all good for blood pressure, and cholesterol, and all that blood stuff... Now I've added 100 mg of niacinamide to the mix. I don't think it'll hurt.

Today I get to the gym a tad earlier than usual, and since it's Thursday and the day is windy and overcast, there are not a lot of people inside. Yesterday we got a lot of rain. The house smelled like wet dogs for hours after I walked them last night when the rain was especially heavy. I just make 2.9 on the elliptical so that's good. There are just a few members in the free weight area and I can do my DB Shoulder routine without dodging bodies. Temps have warmed up enough that this workout keeps me sweaty. Of course, as soon as I enter the Aerobics Room, I cool down quickly, and eventually, I put my hoodie back on. 

I get everything done that needs doing. Walking Lunges are difficult but not as bad as past sessions. Even Wall Squats aren't horrible today. Maybe because I did 3 sets of them yesterday for longer? 

Next week is my last class and I'm contemplating signing up again, but I don't know if I should sign up with the same instructor (I really like her work), or a new instructor who has a different approach and techniques... Meanwhile, I am pleased with the slow and painful progress I'm making. I find that I need to enroll in an in-person class for this since I've looked at YouTube video tutorials and have books and tons of supplies that I've collected for the past few years. And yet never actually put any paint to paper until this class. Yep, never catch me in a gym class, but for something like watercolor? Sign me up.

7 March 2024 11:16-1:05
Dreary Weary Thursday & my BP has been crazy

Precor elliptical #1
Program 1
Time: 30+5 (5802)
Distance: 2.90
Cal: 325
Avg Hr: NA 161, 200-88
Fitbit: 55-158

Incl DB Press s/s Lateral Raises s/s Rev Incline Flys
10 lbs x 25/15/25 warm up
15 lbs x 25/15/25
20/15/20 x 25/15/25 x 3 sets

20 Hip Bridges
Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
DeadBugs 20 x 5
20 Hip Bridges & 10 one-leg
Quick Child’s Pose
Cat stretch 12
Child’s Pose / Cobra Pose
Fire Hydrants 20 x 2
Bird Dog Planks 60s x 2
Push-Ups 25
Air Squats 25
Arm rotations 20
Walking lunges 36 steps total
Neck stretch / Eye yoga
Wall Squat 90s (!!!)