resolution #2: a bit different

December 26, 2010

workout reform, version 2.0
lots of people vow to work out, train for races, and get out there and RUN in the new year. but how many people vow not to do so?

well, at least one, this year.

i finally heard from my reproductive endocrinologist. here’s her emailed response, for anyone interested:

“Even runners with regular cycles are more likely to have ovulatory dysfunction than sedentary women. The theory is mild metabolic deficiency (aka a tendency to expend more calories than take in), making a picture more like hypothalamic amenorrhea. If your body thinks you are running from the wooly mammoth or entering a time of famine, the hypothalamus changes pulsatility to prevent ovulation and keep us from conceiving in unfavorable times. I rarely tell women to stop running, rather i recommend decreasing intensity and duration and focusing on appropriate caloric intake to cover expenditures.”

i would have loved more specific recommendations, but i get her drift. she also attached another paper: by de souza’s group describing markedly increased rates of ovulatory dysfunction in a group of runners logging an average of 32km/week (~20 miles).

this added fuel to josh’s 10 argument, and (fine) at this point i feel like i have to just suck it up and give up my dreams of slow (but still awesome) long runs on the tobacco trail with a visible baby bump.

so now, my new weekly running allotment is 10 miles. as in, the length of my favorite long run, except this time i’ll be spreading it over 3 different days and doing little other true cardio. i will lose fitness. i will get slower. i may gain weight — but come on, since i’m aiming for a 25-30 lb weight gain [WITH A BABY, YOU KNOW] in this new year, this shouldn’t be a big deal.

so: this resolution is to stick to this plan. of course, i don’t plan to sit around on my butt doing nothing the rest of the time; i am planning to fill the void with yoga:


i just gifted myself a whole pack of classes from blue point
and potentially this, which was recommended by a knowledgeable reader:


although maybe not if it’s TOO intense (or perhaps i will modify it).

so let’s get to the specifics: MICRO style

measurable: i will aim for a maximum of 10 miles running per week, and will supplement with 2-4 sessions per week of weight training or yoga

inspirational: i don’t need to spell out the obvious . . .

concrete: again, i think the outcome i am aiming for is pretty straightforward!

realistic: i think this plan is a reasonable one that i can stick to as long as i remember why i’m doing it.

obtainable:

well, my mornings are about to become less rushed, at least!

apartment therapy update
day #13‘s task was to declutter books and/or media. i decided to tackle the bookcase, since overflowing bookshelves are actually one of my least favorite things. i liked how maxwell referred to books as “collections of old ideas” — while it is wonderful to keep your favorites (and those volumes you truly will refer back to), others have got to go to make room for new ones.*

josh and i have actually done this multiple times in the past — a HUGE culling of our collections when we moved from durham to chapel hill, and a smaller one in the interim. but when i surveyed the shelves, there were still a number of candidates for weeding. some representative examples:

2006 guide to pediatric infectious diseases, anyone?

✭ an extra copy of catcher in the rye?

i took away 10 volumes in sum — i was limited as josh was at work and i can’t exactly trim his collection without permission.

the end result is still not what i’d like it to look like, but it’s better!
also, that sad little DVD collection had better watch out . . .

* i know i could just go kindle – after all, i ditched all my CDs for digital media years ago! — but i have such an attachment to the physical PAGE. even though i feel guilty about the environmental impact of books, i just can’t bring myself to let go. yet, anyway.

today’s excitement
rounds (yes, i actually have to GO IN to the hospital — can you imagine?) (if i can make it in the SNOW — am i still in NC?!) (in case the tone is missing there, i’m kidding. it’s been a ridiculously easy call week), and then more of this:


i have a presentation on cushing’s syndrome to give tomorrow. luckily i took advantage of the quiet christmas evening last night to get most of it done.

—————————————————————————

12.25.10

workout: 30-day shred level 1 + 30 minute gentle hatha yoga from yogadownload

cooking: nope. but i think i am going to bake something fun tonight!

2 Comments

  • Reply Susannah March 10, 2019 at 7:24 pm

    This is definitely not what you will want to hear, but I wanted to give you some "tough" encouragement on the weight gain subject. If the ovulation issues are at all related to hypoth. amenorrhea, then you really might want to consider purposefully gaining some weight. Many women with HA, including those who are underweight and those within normal weight ranges, need to gain weight in order to resume a period. I know how much that sucks, but one thing I did for myself was to consider the weight gain my "first trimester." I was 5 pounds overweight when I got pregnant with my son and therefore careful to only gain 15 during pregnancy. Honestly, it wasn&#39t that difficult. Two days after delivery I was at pre-pregnancy weight, and withing 6 months I&#39d also lost the 5 extra pounds. This time around I had to gain the 5 pounds back before I got a period, and I will do the same thing again once we are hopefully pregnant with a second. I know it&#39s tough to mentally handle weight gain when you know you are a "normal" weight, but the "first trimester" thinking might help a little. Also, although I&#39ve never met you in person, from your pictures I can tell you that you could gain 10 pounds and still look thin! Seriously! Best of luck to you.

  • Reply jenn March 10, 2019 at 7:24 pm

    Sorry to hear about the somewhat "forced" change in your exercise routine. It&#39s a bummer to give up (or cut back) something you genuinely enjoy, even if it is for a worthwhile cause. Maybe this will be an opportunity to discover other things you might enjoy … like yoga! I love Blue Point. Some of the classes/teachers are hit or miss but in general I&#39ve had a positive experience there. Definitely takes a while to get in the yoga groove but I hope you end up enjoying it!!

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