BulgingButtons

Not bad for a fat girl

Category Archives: Health


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Five Days of Fix Ups

 

No beach vacation this time, but check out that pedicure!

No beach vacation this time, but check out that pedicure!

I’m on Spring Break this week. Woo Hoo! Five glorious days away from the routine of school. Five days of relative peace and quiet. Five days without meetings or discipline issues or grading papers. Five days to rest, relax, and recharge. Five days to build up my reserves in order to face the dreaded final push before testing.

I decided that during these five days I would purposefully take care of myself. I would handle the neglected tasks that help me to look and feel my best. I would take care of the business of taking care of me.

Yesterday I started with a haircut. It was long overdue, and I walked out of the salon feeling ten pounds lighter and five years younger. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but I was happy with the cut and I do feel better looking in the mirror.

On my list for the week is an appointment to have routine lab work done (not fun, but vital for my health), a appointment to have my teeth cleaned, and a pedicure. Throw in some time with girlfriends, a movie date with my son, and a day out with my mother and son together, and I have a busy week.

I’m glad the whole week isn’t filled with the chores of life, like taking the dog to the vet and groomers, and getting new tires. Those items are on the docket this week too, but they don’t dominate it, since I have these other things planned.

It’s a full week, but I don’t feel at all stressed. Each day I have one thing planned that will move me closer to the goal of looking and feeling great. What better way to spend a week off than that?


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Oh Shingles

iStock_000005623222_MediumI was ready for a quiet dinner out with my sweetheart. It was to be a simple little Tuesday night date night, precipitated by the request of a realtor to show our home over the typical dinner hour. No problem.

A quick tidy up involving a swiffer and a vacuum was all that was required, and we were ready to head out the door.

That’s when the phone rang. It was my son’s father. My first thought was that we had somehow mixed up schedules and my son was stranded somewhere without a ride. I quickly answered, only to be told that he probably has shingles. Again.

This boy is nearly 16 years old. Last year he was nearly 15 years old. That’s when he got it for the first time. I was stunned. I didn’t think young people, let alone teens, could get it. I thought it was an old person’s disease. I was wrong.

Shingles is ugly. Do not google it. Trust me. His case isn’t nearly as bad as the horror show you’ll see on the internet (thank goodness). That being said, it’s not attractive, and it’s uncomfortable. The good news is, it isn’t contagious. Still, it looks pretty nasty, and people will want to avoid you if they notice it. His outbreak is on his neck, so it’s hard to hide.

Off to urgent care we went, since his dad had to get to work at job number two. Don’t ask. I filled out all the paperwork as we (my ever patient sweetheart and I) waited for them to arrive. After a few wrong turns, they finally showed up, and we did the switch. He was taken right away (since I had already done all the paperwork) and sure enough, the doctor declared it shingles.

They checked his records. Last year he was seen on February 24. Today is February 25. Is this going to be a thing?

The doctor asked if he was taking his state tests in school this week. He finished today. Apparently stress triggers shingles. Although I’m not sure that these tests exactly stress him out. He’s pretty good at tests. At least the standardized type.

Anyway, one dinner and one $97 (with insurance) prescription later, he is back at his dad’s and working on his homework. At least I hope he is. I don’t want to nag him though, it might aggravate his stress.


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Throwback Thursday – Exercise

You, my loyal readers, know that health, exercise, and wellness are lofty goals of mine. However, I’m a rather sedentary creature at heart. I have, however, had some success with some types of exercise. Here are a few of my hits and misses through the years.

1.  Swimming- I have been a water person as long as I can remember. Swimming lessons at the pool club paid off. I even used to life guard. I still enjoy swimming as my favorite form of exercise.

2. Water Aerobics – Back in the life guard days I used to teach this class to seniors. I loved their energy, and I loved doing the class. Again, this is exercise I still find enjoyable.

3. Walking – Whether its in a park, around the block, or on the treadmill, I can usually handle a walk.

4. Bellydancing – Ok, I pretty much suck at this, but I really enjoy it. Shout out to the Goddess for introducing me to this one.

5. Stairmaster – Even the name sounds awful. I felt enslaved by this piece of equipment, but dammit I climbed!

6. Volleyball – Way way way back I enjoyed this sport enough to join a league or two. Nothing serious, but for me a milestone!

7. In Line Skates – Mine were from a discount store. My commitment wasn’t that deep. My balance wasn’t that good. Easy come, easy go.

8. Aerobic Dance – Yes, I did the grapevine to a pulsating Eurythmics beat in full regalia. I had the pink and grey chevron striped leotard, the Reebok high tops, and of course leg warmers. I also had two left feet.

9. Bike Riding – This was my main form of transportation as a kid and teen, and I logged a lot of miles. Over the years I’ve ridden now and then, but frankly it hurts my hands and bottom to ride, which makes me very sad.

10. Hula – This is my newest form of movement. I hesitate to call it exercise the way I’ve been moving, but when I find the right DVD I know it will be a workout!