Saturday, June 15, 2013

Who Decided WORKING Was a Good Idea?

Holy crap, going from no work to a full workweek has been a rough adjustment. It's been two weeks now and yesterday was the first day I didn't come home and collapse on the bed in a quivering heap. (The absence of end-of-day-quivering-heapness MAY have something to do with the fact that I exercised for the first time in two weeks yesterday (Friday) morning, but I'm not going to give this "exercise" business too much credit until I can detect a pattern, regardless of what "experts," "doctors," and "pretty much everyone on the planet" say.)

How to explain this recent overwhelming fatigue? I have various theories:
  1. I am dying (naturally, this one tops the list)
  2. I have a Vitamin D deficiency
  3. I have MS and the stress of the new job is triggering the fatigue
  4. I am lazy and actually having to work overtaxes my frail mind and body 
Personally, I find (1) and (4) pretty compelling. HOWEVER, I have an MRI and appointment with my neurologist in July, so we will soon see if my MS is flaring up in protest of this new schedule. In the meantime, I also will be exercising and am very hopeful that unrooting myself from the areas where I like to be planted (couch/other couch/bed) will increase my energy. It's annoying, really, that when you are super tired and cranky, and the very notion of exercise is hideous -- that's when you should do it. And, yes, you quite likely will feel much better and be glad you did. It's the getting-there part that sucks.

Take Friday morning, for example. You'll recall, this was my First Morning of Exercise. I had woken up early and shuffled downstairs to install myself in my pre-work, fetal position on the couch (not to be confused with my post-work, fetal position in bed, which features the cats on either side of me). It was 6:30 am. The night before, my husband and I had decided that we were going to WORK OUT the next morning, by gum, and if I were to get to work on time, we needed to start by 6:45. 

I was being extra quiet, hoping that my still-in-bed husband wouldn't hear me breathing, wake up, and come vaulting downstairs so we could begin our workout. I was keeping a beady eye on the clock. 6:35 and all was quiet from upstairs. 6:40, still quiet. I had a slight pang of guilt; should I wake him up? No, no, what if he'd had a bad night's sleep and needed the rest? Waking him would be hugely inconsiderate. (Note that at no time did I seriously consider working out by myself, which I could have done quite easily.) 6:42...yes! He was going to miss the deadline and then I could say, "Oh, shoot! I don't have time! We'll work out tomorrow morning." 6:43...what was that?? I heard floorboards creaking. My beady eyes widened in alarm. The robust Capt. Nap was lolling on the carpet nearby, so I knew he wasn't the source of the creaking. It could mean only one thing: my husband was awake and on his way...unless he was too tired! Maybe he *had* slept poorly. I hastened upstairs where he was brushing his teeth. He looked disoriented and disheveled. Encouraging signs. 

"Aww, you look really tired," I murmured sympathetically. 

"Hskbkd houmnsgiyg yikbjkbtks!" he chirped through a mouthful of toothbrush. 

The fact that he was chirping was vexing. He was supposed to be tired, damnit! He finished brushing and announced that he was super happy that he had woken up in time for our inaugural workout. I looked at him balefully and trudged down to the basement to turn on our video-game console. Moments later he joined me and...we had fun. It was a short workout (after 10 minutes I was gasping embarrassingly), but it was a start. And you know what? I DID feel better that day. Maybe it's a coincidence, or maybe there's something to all that "science" and "endorphins" stuff. Whatever the case, I am going to try to make exercise a part of the morning routine. Maybe it can take the place of the fetal-position-on-the-couch bit. If exercise can help with the crushing fatigue, even a little, then it'll be worth it. (Also, at work there are these incredibly unflattering florescent lights in the bathroom and I caught sight of my upper arms the other day; OMG are they in need of serious toning. So if I can be a little less tired and a little less jiggly, I will be happy. Stay tuned!)

p.s. I missed you guys! 

19 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Might I add, having just done it (for 15 mins., maximum), who decided working OUT was a good idea?! Man, I'm out of shape!

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  2. Don't forget the 7 minute work out!!!! It rocks! MK

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    1. Ah. Yes. I've tried to forget it. Amy has done it too and said it was hard as sh!t! That's on the advanced agenda for me :)

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  3. You put me to shame!!! Love the idea of you guys working out together. Really hope the whole work thing goes ok for you, but such a lot of hours, my dear.
    My kettlebell is still just a door stop. I see it every morning when I'm having my coffee and I really should pick it up and use it properly, lol. You have inspired me!
    X

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    1. We are too adorable for words, lol. No, really, it is nice to have someone to motivate me; otherwise, I'd be glued to this couch.

      So far, there haven't been any hideous working hours. One late night and one early morning, but that's it. I think it's more the entire change in lifestyle that's worn me out! Sad, really!

      Don't be too inspired just yet. I'd hate for you to lift the kettlebell only to have me fall off the wagon. Two days in a row, though...very promising!!

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    2. *puts kettlebell down gently and walks away*, lol.
      I'm getting there! Honest. We looked at each other this morning and know it's only a matter of time before it puts me through my paces. Meh.
      x

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  4. I think you should claim reasons 1 to 4 inclusive for your fatigue. It would (partly) explain why you are more tired than anyone in the history of the world.
    I suspect this word is going to be familiar. Exhaustipated - too tired to give a shit.
    Congrats on the exercise front. Why are the things that are (supposedly) good for us so sucky?

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    1. EC, I am indeed the most tired person in the history of the world. Thanks for saying it for me (I didn't want to overstate it myself, or appear as if I were angling for sympathy).

      That word is one I haven't heard before, but I am instantly incorporating it into my vocabulary. Love it! As for why things that are good for us suck, I wish I knew...it IS true, though, isn't it? Blast!

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  5. A full work week WOULD be a huge curve ball to adjust to.
    You should get use to it...about the time to retire.

    As a big fan of exercise (and fans), this too will be an adjustment, but the rewards are awesome. You WILL have more energy, promise!

    The hardest part of exercising is getting started. Once you begin you will be good to go! Just think of what you have already accomplished before you start the day.

    I'll think of you exercising while I'm still in bed!

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    1. Ha! Yes, give me 20 years and I'll be fully adjusted. I used to work full time, so I know it's possible to do w/o dissolving into a puddle of jello (same goes for exercise).

      Many thanks for your kind thoughts on my VIGOROUS EXERCISE REGIMEN. I'll be pitying you (okay, envying) in bed while I'm tackling the day with awesome EXERCISE!!!

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  6. I nominated you for a Liebster Award - come visit www.equutopia.blogspot.com to check it out!

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  7. I Love that you guys work out together! Sweeet.

    Hope your MRI goes well, dear. X

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    1. Awww, aren't we just too darn adorable?! No, really, it's a lot more fun together (and honestly, I'd probably NOT be doing it at all w/o his encouragement).

      I will report on the MRI. I always have a fear of the tech gasping in horror or shaking his head sadly as I leave the tube. Sigh. Thanks for the good wishes!

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  8. Your description of a workout is so funny...why do we avoid it when we know we might feel better?? I want to but I am too tired, I say that too often

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    1. My goodness, I know. I say it all the time too. In fact, I was just curled up with the cats after being let out of work early, and all I wanted to do was sleep. However, it being 4:30pm, I knew this was unwise. I've forced myself downstairs to blog, which is a mental exercise for which I am ill equipped! But I must keep up!

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  9. Oh my. I'd choose #3. And it doesn't mean you're having a flare of any sort. Fatigue just... is... when you're one of us. From my research when I was fighting my insurance company over my fatigue issues, I learned that fatigue is The Number One reason for MS disability. It is a major issue (which, of course, any of us could've told these researchers!). Personally, I couldn't work regularly even half-time now, let alone 50 hours a week. Yike! But we are all different. And, of course, the practical rewards of a paycheck and being productive are not insignificant. I really do hope you adjust well and that exercise helps. I really do. Good luck with it all. Even if you didn't have the @#$%! MS, it would still be a hell of an adjustment. And it's so nice that your hubby is so supportive. What a good guy!

    However, being around that much perkiness and cheer at dawn... **shudder**...!

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    1. Thanks, Ellen! It has really kicked my ass. I feel as though all I want to do is REST when I'm home. Like now, for example! I could so easily trot right upstairs and fall asleep. Of course, that would mean I'd be awake at 2am and cursing...sigh.

      The being-unproductive part for me was difficult. I mean, I had NO PROBLEM watching TV and poking around the garden, but I did have that inner voice telling me I was lame and needed to get off my ass. (DAMN YOU, INNER VOICE!)

      So far, exercise has helped...a bit. Must keep at it. My husband is a helluva guy. He's even doing the Swank Diet with me. That cancels out the annoying perkiness (and to be fair, he's usually not chipper before 2 cups of coffee!).

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