I need a massage. And a vacation. And a drink.

[clevermanka]

Wow. OK, so that was...crazy-making. The Conference isn't over until Sunday afternoon, but I think at this point most of the fires have been put out. I hope.

It makes me unhappy when people blame others (i.e. = ME) for their own inattentiveness (or irresponsibility). Lots of people didn't read the information I sent and I guess there was much angst and drama at 1:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. I admit fault for not making the subject line of their email be "READ THIS WHOLE EMAIL IF YOU ARE STAYING IN THE DORM." I do not, however, accept responsibility for people not reading their emails.

I will be very glad when the Campbell Conference is back to just being the Campbell Conference. No joint sessions with the Heinlein Society, no co-conferencing with SFRA, no confusion as to who is supposed to participate in what sessions, and no more multi-location events. It's been wonderful to work with the people actually organizing the events, but several of the participants seem to be The Worst Sort of Academic--and those of you with experience in academe know exactly what I mean.

My hip gave out again yesterday. Last time I almost fell, but was able to catch myself with the other leg and hobble to the house. This time, I would have fallen if I hadn't been near a piece of furniture to grab for support. It hurt so bad I was almost crying. Boo. I'm definitely going to mention it to the chiropractor next visit. This isn't acceptable.

Interesting to note: I took a major dose of ibuprofen immediately, after it gave out yesterday and it was fine after just a few hours. It's only mildly stiff today. Good to know! I might have to start carrying a little packet of anti-inflammatory medication with me in my purse. I'll have to figure a way to make myself a little shred-proof envelope with five pills in it. I don't want to carry around a bottle.

I'm finishing up week two of the goals I set for myself July 1. The diet changes are going fine. I have occasional cravings for pizza, but that's really it. I can easily turn down bread, chips, cookies, whatever. The only reason I miss soda is because it mixes well with booze.

I had a beer (Guinness) last night with amjhawk and _starlady_. It was more bitter and less full-of-taste than it used to be (to my taste buds--I'm sure the beer itself hasn't changed). I'm not sure it was worth it, really. Next time I might try a Snakebite to see if the cider helps liven things up. Because the Guinness itself was just sort of blah. Sadness!!!!

Anyway, back to topic: The diet changes are going fine, but the exercise goals not so much.

I don't want to believe that I don't have a strong body. I don't like admitting that the 38-year-old me isn't capable of some physical activities that the 26-year-old me could do. I talked about this with my mom recently and she reminded me of something I forget most of the time--that I was a sickly kid, and frail (despite being fat). It was only during a short time of my life (1995-1998) that I was what you could call moderately active (as far as exercise goes). Sigh. So I'm unsure how to proceed. Do I lower my expectations for myself? Change the activity somehow? I don't know.

Comments

[professormass.livejournal.com]

May I suggest doing some research on finding exercises appropriate to your current physique? One of my bosses, for example, was a rather obese man when I first met him, a year ago, and he's pushing 44. He changed his diet and started working out, moderately, three days a week. He's dropped 40 pounds in the last year, and definitely more in terms of fat, because he's more muscular now.

However, he started out with the same exercises he used in his 20s, and managed to throw his back out and screw up his right ankle. The staff at the gym helped him pick exercises more appropriate to his current shape, and baddaboom. Super healthy boss.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

If I had access to a trainer or gym staff, that would be really super. Maybe I'll see if KU offers any sort of discounted consultations with the trainers hired at the student rec center.

[ericcaptdrake.livejournal.com]

As an old physical trainer my advice is if your hurt wait till you heal. Also in doing exercises if they are the reason your hurt then when you start back up tone it down for a couple of weeks and slowly add to it. It does not matter what your age is. You can be more physically fit now then when you were 26 NO DOUBT!!

[nataliesee.livejournal.com]

I can't remember how long you've been working on the track, but do you think it's possible that pushing against that cushion is putting some new pressure on your hip joints? Maybe the repetition is slowly working the joint out of wack?

Did I say this before? Maybe I did. Have you ever tried ellipticals?

I don't know. I hope the chiropractor has some good suggestions for you.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

You know, I hadn't thought about the Nordic Track/hip cushion issue. That's really interesting and WOW would it suck if that was the case. Hm. I'll have to think about that.

Elliptical machines make me motion sick. =(

[rougewench.livejournal.com]

As someone who lives in an old injury ridden body...it is possible to bring your body in to better shape than it was during the period you were moderately active. However, at 38, you may have to use different exercise strategies to get there.

Strengthening musculature is what supports joints and eases pain, but inflammation does need to be addressed (at a number of levels, like taking steps to boost the body's ability to combat inflammation generally in addition to anti-inflammatory meds). But if you've got a joint that's aggravated as this one seems to be, you will probably need to back off certain exercises for a short time to give it time to heal.


D.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

However, at 38, you may have to use different exercise strategies to get there.

I think it speaks volumes about my general ignorance towards exercise science that until you and a few other people mentioned this, it never occurred to me. My brain doesn't feel any older than it did at 26, so I feel like my body shouldn't be any older, either.

[rougewench.livejournal.com]

Well, the way we all find out that one must adopt different strategies is to do something silly because on the inside of our minds it still feels like it should work (the muscle memory never leaves...it's just the ability of the untrained muscle to respond).

Remember, Jack LaLaine (who was, of course, a freak) was pulling boats with his teeth while swimming at 70. My brother started training for running marathons only after 50 years old.

A body can do amazing things. The only issue really as we age is taking into account that an older body, while able to accomplish great things, may have to be cared for slightly differently to get it to work in a similar fashion. Note though, that indeed, over time, there may in fact be somethings your body may no longer respond to do, or will do differently...but these often are more do to injury related physical changes than anything else...at least that's been my experience.

Oh, and of course, there's the truth that if you don't, in fact, move it, over time it does become harder to work to a place where you can. It is easier...so much easier to maintain strength and flexibility than regain it after sloughing off. That, at some level, has got to become the base of motivation to keep moving...


D.

[pamelonian.livejournal.com]

Most of your comments have already included any advice I might have given. (Seriously look into that Nordic Track hip issue...)

After taking a WHOLE WEEK to recover from the jet lag and Mt Fuji climb, I am dealing with a lot of these same issues. My body is not the same as it was 6-10 years ago. Aikido hurts my knees, hips, and wrists (osteoarthritis). If one of the young guys torques my wrist too much, I have to sit out. BUT, I did compete in Japan.

Biking hurts my knees and hips. That will be hard to give up, so I probably won't. I am working on not pushing myself like I used to. I am going to work on strengthening the other muscles to give those joints a break.

I also am learning to appreciate just walking. shrijani's dog is great for that!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear that biking is giving you troubles. It's hard do deal with a beloved activity no longer being easy or painless.

[femfataleatron.livejournal.com]

If you like, I have a diet/exercise plan that I think would work well for you. I have been researching exercise physiology (as an enlightened amature) for several (10) years now. The plan does not require that you have a gym membership or anything, and is not very time intensive. I think the nutrition would be easily adaptable to your non-glutenous needs.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'd be very interested to see that, yes please. Thank you.

Edit: In addition to gluten-free, I'm also nixing most grains for the time being. Most of my diet right now is heavy on the vegetables and fruits, with moderate amounts of meat and dairy.

[femfataleatron.livejournal.com]

Thats perfect! I will e-mail you with stuff later on today.

[queza7.livejournal.com]

Dillons carries little ziplock pill pouches that are about 2"x2.5". Just ask at the pharmacy. :)

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Excellent idea. Thanks!

[solan-t.livejournal.com]

I have little (1.5 inch diameter) comfit tins. I think they would be ideal for some tablets. And they are pretty, too.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'm worried about the rattling, though...which is why the tiny ziplock bag idea appeals.