Lifestyle Changes - every choice is a new beginning!

“Your life is the sum result of all the choices you make, both consciously and unconsciously. If you can control the process of choosing, you can take control of all aspects of your life. You can find the freedom that comes from being in charge of yourself.”

Robert F. Bennett

So much about this weekend was wonderful, that I couldn't help thinking back to an earlier, not so wonderful time in my life. Making lifestyle changes is not easy, but I would like to share with you one of the techniques that I have found extremely helpful for myself and even sometimes use with my clients in therapy. We'll call it the "Every choice is a new beginning" technique.

Every day, we make dozens of choices - between using the stairs or the elevator, eating an apple or a chip, going to bed at 10 or 12, going for a run or doing the dishes, watching television or reading, making a phone call or sending an email...the list can go on endlessly.

The way this works, is that every single choice you make needs to be viewed separately from the other choices. PLUS, you must absolutely avoid dwelling over a bad choice that cannot be changed (such as swallowing the last piece of chocolate). This is very important, because when we become disappointed with ourselves for the choice we made, we are at greater risk of feeling defeated and going the "may as well eat the chips too" route. So, if the whole chocolate bar has been eaten, it is impossible to change your choice and you must therefore accept it as such. Simply moving on, with the clear idea that another choice will be coming up soon and you will be given another opportunity to make a healthier choice. This mindset is much more likely to keep you motivated. The goal is to aim for more "healthy" than "unhealthy" choices in a day...NOT perfection. What usually happens is that we become so much more conscious of the power we have over every single choice we make, that it becomes easier to make the choice that makes us proud.

I repeat, the three most important points are:

1) Once a choice cannot be changed, DO NOT DWELL ON IT.

2) Aim for more "healthy" than "unhealthy" choices in a day, not perfection.

3) Be proud of yourself when you choose to stop eating your chocolate bar after two bites.

Myself, I choose to go to bed now...Cheers!

A-ma-zing 12K

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

John F. Kennedy

Today was one of those runs. The weather was beautiful, slightly chilly, but the sun was shining brightly and there was no wind. The company was exquisite and my lungs are much improved. Uber hubby took me to a new (to me) bike trail that I didn't even know we had so near our home. It was perfect to run on. Fine powder rocks are evenly distributed and it was heaven on the legs. I loved every single minute of this run.

I am incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to experience such wonderful moments of pure happiness.

So 12K at a 7.07min/km pace (with very clear negative splits), no pain and I could have kept going. I tell you, a-ma-zing!

That's it for today, but because I promised...here's the new purchase :)

Ready to go...

Have a great weekend everyone!

Cheers!

Running group

"Most of the sighs we hear have been edited."

Stanislaw Jerzy Lec

Tonight was running group. The group has already shrunk quite a bit...but there were about 15 of us. We ran a 5K and I started out very slowly this evening and quickly was the last one of the group. I needed to give my lungs time to work up to a comfortable pace...but I ended up catching up to about half the group by the end. That was actually very reassuring.

The cool think about having the clinics at the store itself is that I can do a little shopping if I'm early. Today, I found my new jacket...and I will be picking it up tomorrow. You will see it soon...it's so cute :)

Before we went running, I was chatting with Suzanne and after a few minutes, I was like, "Woah! I'm sorry I'm talking so fast and so much." I am, to say the least, over-stimulated. I had to explain about the asthma meds...which made her laugh (in a good way). I mean, she's used to seeing me much calmer and there I was talking at the speed of light. Thank goodness we cut the prednisone by half in three days, so it should calm down a bit. Speedy talk and shaky hands are not necessarily the qualities one looks for in a psychologist :)

Tomorrow morning hard core yoga. Hope I get to sleep at a reasonable time.

Cheers!

Hills and the newbie...plus update

"The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes - ah, that is where the art resides."

Arthur Schnabel

Today was hill repeats...

Newbie Anne (thinking): "Hmmm I have to do 3 hills today. I guess I'll have to do 4 because I'll be on the wrong side of the overpass and I won't be able to get back to my car."

Anne having an AHA moment: "OR, when I do my third hill, I can run up to the top of the overpass, turn around and come back the way I started...duh!" :)  

Plus, although I'm still only 97% sure about this now...it was really not clear that 3 X 400m hills, meant 200m up and 200m down for a total hill. Right?

Asthma update for the interested:

The doctor only saw my test results on Monday (the nurse had given them to me on Friday) and he feels that the level of inflammation is such that I need to extend the prednisone treatment. So, instead of 30mg X 8 days...it is now 30mg X 10 days plus 15mg X 10 days. Plus, the inhalers have been changed again. I am taking a total of 18 puffs a day (3 X 3 puffs of Symbicort) and (3 X 3 puffs of Alvesco).

Let's just say that there's a reason I'm at the computer at 11pm, despite the fact that I work at 8:30am tomorrow morning. Although I just got back from yoga about 9:45, that is not why I am still bright eyed and bushy tailed. Both prednisone and the inhalers are stimulants...I'm feeling a little very agitated and sleep is not an option just yet. My hands are shaking like an addict who needs a fix!

It should calm down soon...but, I'm definitely more hyper when I'm on this much crap.

So, 14 more days of prednisone...then I'll be left with the inhalers.

Mom, I know you'll be reading this. Do not worry. I am feeling fine. This is just a short setback and I'm actually not feeling sick. I promise! If you read the first part you know that I ran hill repeats today :)

Cheers!

Just another day...

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

Albert Einstein

Miraculously, things are going along as they should...

Tuesdays I work only in the evening, but I got up at my usual time this morning and was headed out to run errands by 9am. I went to a natural foods store and Costco...it is not easy to make sure we have lots of good food on hand. I also went to buy hemp protein for after-long-run shakes. I need to eat more, as I'm working out more, which would be a lot easier to do with junk food.

After errands, I went to the gym and did my 4K tempo run on the treadmill (very icky weather today). I then stuck around and did my strength training. So, I'm pleased. Actually, I'm more than pleased...despite the fact that my lungs went through a rough time over the last week or so, I have not had to skip any workouts. The test results show lots of inflammation, but I don't feel sick. I'm not even coughing that much...I just know my lung capacity is down (because I take a peak flow measure morning and night)...but it's not really affecting my quality of life like it used to when I would get sick. Everything is so much more under control and I am convinced that being more fit and having a stronger heart and better cardio due to running are important contributing factors. So, things are going along as they should and I'm pleased...very pleased :)

Cheers!

Not bad at all...

"Perfectionism is self-abuse of the highest order."

Anne Wilson Schaef

Remember that there's a difference between doing your best and being a perfectionist...I just thought I'd mention that.

Yesterday, uber hubby and I ran a nice 3K and it went fine. In the evening we went to Ben and Miglena's for dinner and it was delicious and we had an amazing time!

Good friends :)

I am proud to say that despite the asthma crap, today I ran my 10K (this was not a race, just my long run). The cool thing about being Canadian, is that 10K sounds longer than 6.2 miles and 7.27min/K sounds faster than 11.07min/mile...so TGIC! ;)

Actually, I'm pretty pleased with my time, because I wasn't pushing (except the last K) and I had to take some Ventolin at the half-way point (to be expected). Still overall, a very respectable run.

Despite the return of the hat, mits and coat. This is post-run and I'm all wet!

Miglena, just so you know, I tried one fresh date before the run and one after about 50 minutes. I know you said two before heading out, but I really need to get used to the taste first. I'm sure it was beneficial though, and by the time I get to 14K and over, I should be ready for two :)

Looking forward to reading all the race recaps.

Cheers!

Update...

"I will write [and run] myself into well-being."

Nancy Mairs

I decided to make a little modification to the above quotation :)

I saw the pulmonary specialist this morning. We did a test to see if there are oesinophils in my lungs. More than 2% of oesinophils (a type of white blood cell) signifies some inflammation is present. My count was at 40%...that is not a typo! So back on prednisone I go for 8 days. I'm okay with this though...it's been four months with none at all, so one week is not going to cause major side-effects and my lungs should be nice and clear when I'm done. I'm actually pleased about that part. Of course, I wish I didn't need this medication, that would be ideal, but that's not the way it is. Also, the candida is back and I must take Fluconasol for 21 days (plus pantoloc for the stomach, because of the side-effects of said meds). Finally, we are going to try a different puffer than Advair, which appears to be the cause of this recurrent fungus infection. Hopefully, it's the last time.

My grocery list of meds!

What does all this mean...it means that we're -7 days without prednisone, but that I'll be feeling great in a few days. I had a total of 122 days off prednisone, it's the longest since I went on daily prednisone about 4-5 years ago...so I'm happy with that and now I have a record to beat!

Yesterday, I still ran a 5K...just sayin' :)

Who says people with asthma can't run!

That's it for today...just wanted to update you.

I actually have the time to write this now, because my son and his girlfriend are cooking dinner for us this evening. How cool is that :)
Edit: They made General Tao chicken with all the fixings...it was delicious!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Cheers!