Good morning FitFeat friends!
I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday weekend, if you had Monday off for Presidents’ Day. My weekend flew by in a blink! (Don’t all weekends, though?) What I REALLY wish would fly by in a blink is WINTER! Because this solar-powered lady is really ready for a little warmth from the sun. I have a little heater than I sometimes move from room to room with me so that I can pretend it’s really a 90 degree day outside.
This morning after I wrapped up personal training appointments, I decided to do some Iron Yoga and let me tell you – it felt GREAT. When I get away from practicing yoga for awhile, it’s easy to forget how relaxed and centered I feel afterward. Since I have a really packed list of work ahead of me today and could tell my mind was already feeling scattered and jittery, I knew that yoga would be the answer. After a quick 35 minutes, I had squiggly legs and a much quieter mind. Perfect! I recently bought a Groupon for a month of unlimited yoga at a local studio, so I’m very much looking forward to getting that started in March.
Walking and hiking outdoors are two other exercises that really help me feel more at peace in my mind. We are supposed to have a warm 60 degree day tomorrow (although very WINDY) so I will have to pencil in some time before the sun goes down to try to get outside and soak some of it in.
What exercises make you feel most at ease when you are finished?
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On a completely opposite note of relaxing exercise… Last June when I had to check into the hospital for rhabdo, I was nervous to write about it on the blog because as a fitness professional, I felt a little embarrassed. However, that post has become one that I am so glad to have written. At the time, I made the decision to write about it publicly because if it helped just ONE person get to the doctor a little faster than I did or even prevent it in the first place, then it would be a good thing to share. Well, a number of people have reached out to me since then, some privately via email and others via the comment section, to share their own experience with rhabdo. Some of the private emails brought tears to my eyes, especially when people say that the post helped them know what tests to ask the doctor for or that they got tested sooner rather than later after reading here.
The post continues to remain active in the comments area – I wanted to bring it back up today so that the regular readers of FitFeat could revisit it. And if you are new here, it’s a good thing to be aware of if you exercise. And I also mention the post today because it’d be great if you would like to wish RALPH a speedy recovery in the comments section of the original post. Ralph commented there last week with his experience and as of today, he is now on his 6th day in the hospital recovering from rhabdo – his CPK levels were more than 5 times higher than mine. It’s a really scary thing to end up spending a week in the hospital when you were trying to do the right thing for your body by exercising and living a fit lifestyle. So if you have friends who exercise and strength train PLEASE let them know about rhabdomyolysis and maybe even send them the link. Especially if that friend is interested is CrossFit or bootcamps – because if you read through the experiences mentioned, all but one so far specifically mention CrossFit.
Here is the link to the original post: Rhadbomyolysis: If You Exercise, Read This.
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their experience here on the blog and also to those who have contacted me privately. I really feel for each of you and I hope that you ALL are able to recover quickly and completely.
– Shari B.
#1 by Wendy Rogers@yoga poses on April 15, 2012 - 10:24 am
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Rhabdo is a scary thing but day by day you get to feeling better and when you do, just remember that you had a bout of rhabdo so you should always stay well and hydrated!
Wendy Rogers@yoga poses recently posted..Wind Releasing Pose
#2 by Joan on February 21, 2012 - 7:17 pm
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I love the yoga for the relaxation and stretching too…the breathwork is so helpful. If only I could remember to do it when I’m stressed and not just watching the video.
I’m soooo ready for winter to be gone too…today we were mild in temps (50) but rainy and windy at times. I NEED some SUN!!!! Well at least we can commiserate together.
Joan recently posted..Snow Covered Smorgasbord
#3 by Shari B. on February 22, 2012 - 9:01 am
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Hi Joan! The breathing is wonderful in yoga – I love the Iron Yoga dvd specifically for that because he tells you when to inhale and when to exhale.
We are supposed to be 60 today but it’s probably going to be too windy to enjoy it – BUT maybe it will melt some of the massive snow mounds in our front yard! Our trees certainly don’t need up to deep root water this winter so far! They are getting PLENTY of moisture! We’ll all do the sun dance together and maybe spring will get here sooner!
#4 by Heidi K on February 21, 2012 - 6:40 pm
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Oh, Shari, I want winter to BE GONE! I don’t care if the farmer’s almanac is predicting a super hot summer – I’ll take it!
I read your original post on rhabdomyolysis and it really opened my eyes to the fact that you do have to be careful when working out. I have a friend that is newer to fitness and she likes to dive head first into intense workouts. I’m definitely sending her the link to this!
Heidi K recently posted..Sleeping the Day Away…
#5 by Shari B. on February 22, 2012 - 9:03 am
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Hi Heidi – I HOPE we have a super hot summer, I’ll take it too! I love the heat. Every winter I say to Cory – “can we move to Phoenix now???” I’m so over cold winters and deep snow.
Glad to know you are telling your friend about rhabdo – it’s scary stuff and you never hear about it!