After trying to utilize WebMD and other online medical sites to diagnose and treat my Achilles Tendon (with no luck), I broke down yesterday and went to the doctor.
My diagnosis was spot on: Achilles Tendinitis.
The doctor prescribed me a megadose run of steroids to knock out the inflammation, daily exercises to stretch my calf and strengthen the tendon AND...YEP, no walking for 1 week.
NO WALKING FOR 1 WEEK WHILE I'M TRAINING FOR A HALF MARATHON!!!!!
(Look, it never gets old saying I am training for a half marathon!)
I explained to the doctor about the half marathon - she thought that was fantastic - and we discussed other exercise options that wouldn't aggravate my tendon. I settled on swimming.
Swimming will allow me to burn calories, stay on track with my workout regimen AND strengthen my legs. So, I am not totally worried about this set back on my training program because, bottom line, if I don't get this tendon issue taken care of, I won't be walking a half marathon - and no amount of training will change that!
I started my prednisone treatment today, and seriously, I don't know if it is psychological or what, but my tendon felt so much better by mid day! I was able to walk without limping, and I had to give 2 presentations at work today and was able to stand without it really bothering me.
PROGRESS!!! I am really hopeful this will work and I will be back on track for the Halloween Half.
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In other news, tonight we had an in-home demonstration of SaladMasters cookware. The sales representative comes to your house and cooks you a full meal using their product. Our meal tonight was chicken thighs, a vegetable medley, cabbage salad, mashed potatoes and pineapple upside down cake. It all tasted wonderful - especially the chicken, which was cooked without any oil or water...just chicken and a pan.
Has anyone out there heard of it SaladMasters or used it before?? We thought it was awesome, BUT, all that awesomeness comes with a not so awesome price tag. We had to pass right now, but it is definitely something we would consider in the future.
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Final thought today - earlier this week spent some time catching up on Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition - I am so addicted to this show! Anyway, the episode that aired on 08/05 with Jonathan - who lost an amazing 270 lbs in one year - moved me to tears. I couldn't take it. What a story! If you haven't seen it, you should definitely watch it. His transformation is amazing. At the end of the episode I wanted to scream from the rooftops - THIS IS POSSIBLE! I CAN DO THIS!
I think Extreme Makeover is SO much better than Biggest Loser CAUTION, CAUTION, RANT BEGINNING - Biggest Loser, in my opinion, takes a life and death struggle - some may even call it a disease - and turns it into a game. Consider this, if Biggest Loser replaced obese participants with participants suffering from cancer, or multiple sclerosis, or AIDS and had them compete for a chance to be cured - but most would be sent home, never getting the help they needed - systematically voted off by their co-participants who are trying to win a cash prize...well, I'm pretty sure it would be universally condemned as completely BARBARIC. I refuse to watch it any more! RANT ENDED.
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Overall I am feeling really good this week - focused and in the zone. No, every bite of food that I put in my mouth is not nutritionally perfect, but I am managing my portion size AND my calorie intake - and that is a huge accomplishment. I am also getting regular workouts in, despite physical challenges, and that is pretty awesome too!
ONWARD!
I hate Biggest Loser. I know so many love it, but I think it's very insensitive towards a very real problem and demeaning towards people. I've also heard that the follow-up results of those who lose on it are abysmal. They are sent home into the environment that created the problem with no support at all. If I did that with my clients with drug addiction, I would be ridiculed for not providing the follow through they need and setting them up to fail--thus making it more difficult to try again once that hope is lost.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got a diagnosis and can now recover fully! : )
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this positive, uplifting attitude you are in right now...helps me do the same! : )
What a great analogy about the Biggest Loser. It has always bothered me that people were voted off. I have been watching Extreme Makeover as well...but I DVR it so that I can skip all the commercials...its a LONG show! lol
Keep up the great work! I'm going to have to up my game to try and beat you in the challenge. ; )
Am so glad your doctor was able to help and give you exercise recommendations to keep you on track with your training! Wishing you a speedy recovery and continued motivation! :)
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