Shoveling Wet Snow Makes Me Tired

When Monday's forecast for an inch of ice and rain (and no accumulation) actualized into 6 inches of heavy snow with temps hovering in the low 30s, my fantasy of not shoveling my car out disappeared. Luckily my husband was home to help clear the driveway while I shoveled the walkway. The snow lingered all of yesterday until it rained last night and temps rose up 20 degrees. Barely any snow today, and I'd like to think the drought watch is over. But I'm not actually sure. 

I took the dogs to the park. We go every day. Trudging through wet, slippery snow is quite the cardio endeavor. Not as bad as actually shoveling though. With a mammogram appointment at 2:20, I didn't feel comfortable rushing to the gym to squeeze in a workout. Yep, finally got the dreaded boob squish test done at the local hospital, which is conveniently located much closer than the prior testing place.

Dogs went to the park this morning and no one was there. I've been getting up later and hitting the park later ever since I learned that one of my dog's arch nemesis no longer comes. Apparently that dog suffered some medical mishap and is not allowed to run loose, so no park time for him, just leash walks. Yippeee for us, but of course, as much as I dislike the dog and his owner, I still feel bad for him. I think my dogs would be heartbroken if they had to stop running in the park once a morning... 

I got to the gym super late and 2 out of 4 elliptical machines were in use. It's Tuesday and it's crowded. There's no proper cup holder for #2 and #4 makes an awful clunk. So I rearranged the order of my routine and started with the cross-trainer. Except I added additional time to equal 20 minutes total instead of 15. Pull-ups kind of sucked. But then, they stayed that way, as in I didn't lose any reps. The step machine was the same. Finally, Precor elliptical #3 was free. I got on for 25 minutes instead of 35. While I was pedaling, Wind Breaker got off and left. I've never seen him actually be done before!

After the last set of pull-ups, I march off to the Aerobics Room, which is surprisingly cool. Temps have risen to the mid-50s, the sun is blazing and people are wandering into the gym wearing nothing but shorts and t-shirts like it's summer. The routine proceeds routinely. Even push-ups and air squats feel okay today. I skip Walking Lunges and Wall Sits though. Maybe I'll get to them tomorrow?

I had the second Durysta implanted in my left eye on Friday. For two days, my eye watered uncontrollably and I felt like there was a bit of sand under the lid. By Sunday, however, it was less watery. And by Monday, I didn't feel it at all, which is good considering that shoveling snow is its own discomfort. My IOPs are still at 16, which is okay but not great. They've been lower in the past, and hopefully they will be lower. My docs have always wanted them below 10 but that's never happened ever.

Because I hate surprises, I asked my glaucoma doc to tell me what the next step would be if the Durysta isn't effective. She said it would be a surgical option: an Ahmed valve. Then she showed me a tiny little model she had which helped explain it much better than words ever could. I can't even imagine not feeling that device. And I don't know how that might affect my ability to exercise. But Gym Rats find a way, right? Preparing for the worst makes me feel better, as if I have some control, even if I don't have any.

17 Dec 2024 12:24-2:20

Tuesday— All Cardio

Unseasonably Warm — post Durysta

New FB: 45-181 (?!)

Life Fitness X-Trainer #3

Program Manual L1

Time: 17 (+3 min cool down) = 20

Distance: 2.11

Cal: 159

Avg Hr: 118-146

HGPU 15

Matrix StairMaster (R) (1:00)

Manual timer 8+2 cool down

Minimum 5 minutes

Speed 5 (45) / 2 (33) / 1 (33)

Steps 432

Floors 27

Cal 65

Hr 125

HGPU 15.5

Precor elliptical #3

Program 3

Time: 20 + 5 (3706)

Distance: 1.94

Cal: 211

Avg Hr: 137, 181-84

HGPU 15

20 Hip Bridges

Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch

DeadBugs 20 x 5

Piriformis stretches

Child’s Pose

Cat/Cow stretch 12

Child’s Pose

Fire Hydrants 30 x 2

Bird Dog Planks 60s x 2 (tingle)

Push-Ups 25 (minimal tingle)

Arm rotations 20

Air Squats 25

Neck stretch / Eye yoga