5 Days

Prevailing knowledge indicates that exercise gives a person energy. Previously, I have found this to be true.

However, I have not experienced a surge in energy levels this time. Where is it?

Evidence from the last 5 days:

Saturday & Sunday

Following a very good week of walking, I was totally useless on the weekend. I woke earlier than usual, between 10 am & 10:30 am, which is a nice change. However, I could manage no more than to sit on the couch and work Sudoku & crossword puzzles. while watching the television.

Yes, that was my weekend. My husband took care of everything else--the dogs, feeding us, dishes. All while I sat on my backside, unable to do anything beyond push a pen or buttons on a remote.

There was some improvement, I was able to stay upright and didn't need to take any naps.

Monday

Walked 1 hour, 22 minutes; 16 laps (4.25 miles)

Walk turned out decent. We had to move it back twice due to cold temperatures. Plus, the wind made it a little difficult. But, we got our walk in.

Afterward, I was done for the day. By the time we picked up Jay from school, I asked my husband if we could just eat out. We've been making an effort to eat at home. But, I did not have the energy to cook or clean up afterward.

If I could have went to bed at 8 pm, I would. But, we needed some laundry washed. Had it not been a necessity, I would have put it off.

Tuesday

Walked 1 hour, 38 minutes; 19 laps (5 miles)

Again, another good walk. No wind to speak of, so it was easy.

Afterward, I was done. I had used up my allotment of energy for the day. Thankfully, Jay had a good report card. So, we had an excuse to eat out in celebration.

The evening ended with a 10 pm bedtime. I tried to read for awhile, as Jay was still doing homework. I don't like going to sleep while he is still doing his homework. But, I couldn't make it. I had to give in. No idea when he finally finished his work and went to bed. I heard nothing!

Wednesday

That brings us to today. It rained. The rainfall was so much that the ponds have developed in our yard.

After Jay left for school, I happily went back to bed. I gave in to the exhaustion and allowed myself to sleep.

I finally awoke at 11:45 am. I've been up for 45 minutes and I am dragging.

So, where is that energy I'm supposed to be feeling?

Day 5

Walked 1 hour, 1 minute; 3 miles (12 laps)

Wore new pair of shoes today. Not sure if they are the right fit, as the toes on my left foot went numb early in the walk. They did not remain numb, though.

I've worn Asics for years with no problem. However, they were out of the Kayano that I normally wear. I couldn't face wearing the old shoes another day, so I opted for the Nimbus that were in stock.

The shoe strings are oddly super short. Like 5 inches to tie them short. So, I'm not sure if the problem is the shoe or I've tied them too tightly.

My legs are super sore. Can't remember how long it took until I didn't have to deal with the soreness.

Day 3

Walked 1 hour, 27 minutes; 4 1/2 miles

Fortunately, I could move this morning. Plus, the temperatures were much better suited to a morning walk. So, Tammy and I hit the track at 9 am.

It's so easy to log the miles when there is someone to talk to.

Tomorrow I have to work, so I'm taking the day off. My legs will thank me. They are so sore!

Day 2

Walked 2 hours, 7 minutes; 25 laps

Yep, you read that right.

Tammy & I were too busy running our mouths to realize how far we walked. Crazy!

Hopefully, I will be able to move tomorrow. We are supposed to walk in the AM.

Today

Today, I am starting over.

Today, I weigh 187.0 pounds.

Today, I realized that I have less than a month until our trip. A trip that includes a great deal of walking.

Today, I began my new walking routine so as to enjoy our trip.

Today, I walked 8 laps/2 miles with Jay.

Today, I spent the evening cleaning & cutting up fresh vegetables.

Today is a new day for a new me.

Today my mantra has become:

Sleep well. Eat well. Exercise. Stay hydrated.

Barely Managing

Yep, that's me...barely managing. It could be worse. I could not be managing at all. So, I'm at least thankful for what I am able to do.

For the last week, I've been crazy tired. Sleeping 12 to 14 hours and still waking up exhausted.

The pain has settled in to my joints again. I'm dealing with pain in my neck & left shoulder, which makes it difficult for me to find a comfortable position to get to sleep.

Showers have become less a source of getting clean lately. Now, I rely on that hot water to ease the pain and stiffness.

After I get going, I don't dare sit down. Otherwise, the pain and creakiness settles in and makes moving difficult.

I'm also on day three of a headache. It ranges from mildly annoying to painful. I thought that it was caused by the pain in my neck, as it seemed to radiate up my neck into the back of my head. This morning the pain was at the top of my skull. It was then that I realized that it's likely caffeine withdrawl, as I haven't had a bit of caffeine since Saturday.

Despite it all, I have been able to keep after the house. Most days I get the beds made. Some days I manage to make dinner. Thankfully, Tim has taken up much of the slack there. Mostly the laundry gets folded right away, though it can sit it baskets a few days before I decide that it's time to use my energy there.

Thankfully, I am way ahead of the usual schedule for Christmas preparations. We still need to decorate the family room tree. But, other than baking, which will likely fall on Tim's shoulders this year, we are pretty much done.

Ultimately, I'm rather pleased with my ability to manage while enduring the pain and fatigue. Previously, it would have knocked me off my feet. Go, me!

One Wonderful Week

My wonderful, pain-free, energetic existence lasted for a week.

Fortunately, it was enough to get the living areas of my house back into order. It should be easy to keep up until the next reprieve.

I hauled out bags of items.

Helped install the roman shades in the office. Those windows were completely bare since November 2010, because I had no energy to find window treatments. Plus, we couldn't even get to the windows due to all the stuff that had accumulated. I'm quite happy to report the office is again a serene place to curl up on the couch for a good read.

We replaced the horrible roller shade in the bathroom for a less repulsive mini-blind & installed a new curtain rod to hang the new valance.

Cleaned out the mud room, which has become a temporary storage area for items out of the real storage area.

Cleaned and culled my cookbook shelves.

Rearranged the kitchen cabinets. Replacing the spring/summer dishes with the fall/winter set.

Unfortunately, the family room is not quite up to par. There are still remnants that need to be hauled off to the Good Will.

Thanksgiving Day ended up being the day the fatigue & pain decided to reappear. Fortunately, I had enough energy to clean up after our Turkey Day dinner & put the dining room back in order. Haven't been able to do much besides make beds since.

It's been disappointing. I'm trying very hard not to get discouraged that I'm having to take life a bit at a time again. Napping when I need it. Counting on Tim and J to pick up the slack where I'm not able.

It's hard, particularly when the bare Christmas tree is standing in the living room mocking me. It's a symbol for my inadequacies.

All I can do is a little at a time. It has to be enough.