I live in Southern California and June 15 was a BIG day for us. We are entering “no tier” territory.
So many emotions are arising in me. Today, I’ll share how I’m feeling. I hope you will share how you are feeling also.
Summer is coming and the air is filled with an incredible energy like I have never experienced before. I’m finding that people are so open, friendly, and kind. People just want to talk and share their COVID experiences – some incredibly heartbreaking, but some are filled with a sense of complete renewal. I can’t get enough of life right now!
My first plan is to reconnect with as many of my friends that I haven’t seen in so long. I’m making an effort to go to lunch or meet for a yoga class with friends. I’m trying to just take the time and reconnect whenever possible.
I’m also trying to figure out what my new normal is going to look like for this summer. It’s a one day at a time attitude. I’m deciding what I’m comfortable with doing. So far, I’m back to my regular yoga schedule. Heading back to yoga has been just wonderful. I love my LifeTime family. I found that my body (and maybe my metabolism) changed a bit this last year. I’m trying to find my body’s new normal.
My weight affects my scoliosis pain a lot and I’m finding it very difficult to drop the weight that I gained during the pandemic. I found this great article from Harvard Medical School and this paragraph really explains perfectly how weight effects bones and joints:
“Let’s look at weight and your knees. When you walk across level ground, the force on your knees is the equivalent of 1½ times your body weight. That means a 200-pound man will put 300 pounds of pressure on his knees with each step. Add an incline, and the pressure is even greater: the force on each knee is two to three times your body weight when you go up and down stairs, and four to five times your body weight when you squat to tie a shoelace or pick up an item you dropped.”
That is a lot of stress on bodies. It’s also something I can control.
So, if 10 pounds of extra weight increases the force on your knees by 30 to 40 pounds with every step you take, then even a few extra pounds puts more stress on the knees. I have found even losing a couple pounds helps, you don’t have to lose a lot to have a healthy impact on arthritis. Almost any weight loss can have beneficial effects, especially in reducing pain.
This is my plan to get rid of the extra weight I put on, which is causing my back pain:
1. Diet. My current calorie intake, which I feel good with, will help me loose those few pounds. Im eating more protein. When you are trying to gain muscle mass and lose fat, this is a healthy way to accomplish this.
2. Exercise. I am so happy to be back in yoga. I am also incorporating a new weekly weight room plan. I am working on strength training to get back the muscle mass I have lost. I also have been concentrating on my core muscles. A strong core is the most important aspect for a healthy back. I’m also working on gaining back my flexibility through regular stretching. My cardio consists of taking my walks. I love the routine I’ve developed during the pandemic.
Last night, I went out for a drive along Pacific Coast Highway. I wanted to feel the energy – to see how people were reacting to this re-opening of our beautiful state. I was so happy to see smiling faces and a sense that things were going to be okay. I wanted to stop for dinner but there were LONG waits everywhere. I was so happy to see that!
I kept driving the coast, it was a very warm evening. The sun was starting to go down and I decided to head back to my neighborhood and try for dinner now. I decided on a new restaurant, Glasspar. It was still crowded but there was a seat at the bar. When I sat down, everyone was so friendly and had a story. I made some new friends and hope to see them soon for a walk. It felt so wonderful to be around happy people who all have a story from this past year.
I am so excited to be able to go out with a new sense of freedom and feeling safe again. I’d love to hear how you are doing at this new milestone we have reached.