Monday, December 15, 2025

It Might Be Working

I woke up to my phone telling me it was 5F outside. Uh, nope. Too cold for me, the dogs, the car. I'll wait until it's at least double digit temps. We did get to the park a few hours later and it was in the teens, so slightly warmer. I'm still very happy about that heated water bowl I bought a few seasons ago. It works great as long as I bring water with me since all the filled gallon jugs inside the shed have frozen solid. Also ordered a new box of Hot Hands. (The knock-offs at Job Lot can't compare and do an abysmal job.)

I had another PT appointment this afternoon so my foray to the gym was brief. But better than nothing since I have a dentist appointment tomorrow, and the annual boob squish test on Wednesday, where hopefully, I'll also be able to grab an actual copy of my spine X-rays. The gal on the phone said I was lucky to make this request while the hospital was still making CDs. They had two CD writers, one broke and will not be replaced, and the radiology department is phasing that service out anyway. In a few weeks, only digital copies will be available and I'll be forced to go to a third party for access. I'm not a fan of constantly having to open new accounts for third party apps just to get info from my docs. 

I get to the gym later than I'd like but with enough time to get basics done: cardio, pull-ups, stretches and core body weight exercises. The gym isn't very crowded. Wind Breaker was pedaling Precor #1 and the rest are vacant. I don't mind using machine #3. Today I put on a pair of joggers with pockets instead of my usual gym pants. The pocket is just big enough to hold my phone without stabbing me in the hip or abdomen as I pedal. 

I was able to pedal fast enough to make it past 2.7 so that was good. The machine read ridiculous HR numbers, peaking at 217. Yeah, I'm not buying that. Pretty sure I'd actually feel my heart beating out of my chest if it was going that fast. I barely registered a sweat but I was warm enough to do a decent of pull-ups. Those last 3 were hard though and I felt my lower body reflexively curl up. 

I limped off to the Aerobics Room. Not sure if they had the Senior class earlier. (There's still a lot of snow and ice from yesterday's storm.) I do a quick stretch and most of my routine, still skipping hip bridges but everything else is okay. Push-ups are surprisingly weak and I struggle from fatigue. Yeah, going to bed at 2:30 and getting up around 8 isn't enough sleep time. No wonder I still haven't gotten over my head cold! 

There are completely different staff at physical therapy today. The 6-7 exercises are mostly the same, with some new ones. I had a discussion about working through the unpleasantness of numb and tingling feet. Some movements exacerbate this while others offer relief. My lower back has been achy all weekend, something that has never bothered me before. But the sciatica has been less intense. Which suggests that the therapy is somehow working. 

I lugged two wheelbarrows of firewood into the house on Saturday to prepare for the polar vortex that hit us. My hubs shoveled my car out on Sunday after the snow/ice storm so I could take pups to the park. Dogs aren't satisfied with walks down the road in the morning. They need run time. I have another PT appointment on Friday. My kid should be home from college (and final exams) by then. I've been sorting out his room and I'm still not done yet. Maybe tomorrow after the dentist...  

15 Dec 2025 12:28-1:33
Really Frigid Monday Cardio etc
Bare Basics w PT @ 2:30

Precor elliptical #3
(needs hard reboot)
Program 1 — right ft numb
Time: 30 + 5 (5230)
Distance: 2.73
Cal: 297
Avg Hr: 167, 217?!
New FB: 41-145

HGPU 18
right foot numb & throbbing lower calf/glute


20 Piriformis/Hip/Pencil Stretch
Hamstring stretches
DeadBugs 20 x 5
10 Piriformis stretches
Child’s Pose
Cat/Cow stretch 12
Child’s Pose
Fire Hydrants 25 x 2
Bird Dog Planks 60s x 2
Arm rotations 20
Push-Ups 25
Air Squats 25
Neck Stretch / eye yoga




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It Might Be Working

I woke up to my phone telling me it was 5F outside. Uh, nope. Too cold for me, the dogs, the car. I'll wait until it's at least doub...