I did it!!

Hi gang!! I am back! I have been here, off and on. Life has caught me and ran me ragged the past few weeks. Dealing with mental illness is just all consuming. My son is very mentally ill, trying to live on his own, and now my oldest daughter has just been formally diagnosed and placed on meds. So, the past few weeks have been just gut wrenching, and my poor little pouch isn't big enough to wrench! My psych wanted to put me on anxiety meds, I did not want to go that route. I DID however finally make it over to the Fitness Center at OSU and used my free pass last week. OMG!!! What a great day! I felt like I was superwoman after I left that place! My kids were asking me if I was on Crack or something. I told my psych I would rather just try to use my workouts and other means to relieve stress and anxiety. Fortunely his a powerlifter/bodybuilder too, so he fully understands the benefit of exercise and completely supports my decision. Meds are a last resort for me! It really does help. Now heres the BIG NEWS!!! I had a goal before surgery. And that was to learn how to run. I found out while I was out tp'ing with my youngest daughter that I could actually run. OMG! She said she'd never seen me move that fast. When Earl found out, he said I am not allowed to hang with Meagan anymore she is a bad influence on me. SO... last Wednesday, I got on the treadmill and I ran/jogged! It was only for two 2 minute intervals, but I did it! I got up to 4mph on a 1.0 incline. It was a total rush. I couldn't believe it! I have finally started to learn how to run. I never did as a kid. I am just taking it a little bit at a time, baby steps, but I am really proud of myself. So I had to brag a little! I did do the ciruit there too, db presses, peck machine, leg extensions, curls, abductions/adductions, crunches and stretching. Then I hit the showers and went home feeling like a new woman. All the literature I have read on reducing stress and anxiety through exercise is right on the money. I felt awesome that night. So Monday I join officially to carry me through the winter months. Ok, nuff rambling! I am officially back on board! Missed you all! Oh, and btw...I am going to a Halloween party for our support group... GUESS AS WHAT??? A CHEERLEADER!!! I FINALLY MADE THE SQUAD AFTER 20 YEARS OF TRYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Val, I'm sorry to hear you are under some stress. Sounds like you are coping well though and thank goodness you found a way to relive some of that stress. Congrats on the running. You know its wierd but that has always been my dream. literally. i dream all the time of me running, even as a pre-op, i always had dreams of being able to run. had one the other nite that i was walking then decided to run a few blocks and i felt so great. now hopefully maybe one day i will be able to, but not sure how the knees will do since there is not much of them left. keep up the good work and enjoy the gym!!!!!! tanya -112lbs YEAH!!!!!!

Thank you for your kind words. Isn't it great to experience what every one talks about? That runner's high? Man, I felt so empowered by it all. I think most people take that feeling for granted! I just suck up every ounce of it. We will just keep running until the knees won't run anymore!!! Val

Val! I'm so sorry that you and your kids are having some diffculties. Believe me, I can relate. I got put on different meds (Zoloft) recently and I feel so much better. I am not sure it's the new happy pill, I have also been doing some house painting/redecorating and the charge it has given me is incredible! I am so happy for you that you are getting into running. I have also had dreams of running one day. Maybe it will really happen. That is just awesome that you are getting some "me " time. You deserve it, of course. Well, I better get back to painting. I am painting my dining room, which is going to house the cardio equipment! I moved my dining room table (an old farmhouse type table) into my front room as a desk. There will be no dinner parties here...but anyone can come over and work out with me! have fun !! Annie