Another good week in the books! Only four workouts despite planning for 5. Working the 12-hour overnight shift just isn't conducive to getting in a workout. After my first try at Body Pump I was sore and stiff for 2 days! My quads were literally tender to touch they hurt so bad! But I know its just muscle breaking down so it can build itself right back up! I did Body Pump again last night and it was great. I think actually worked harder but don't feel quite as sore today.
Random gym thought: The gym makes for excellent people watching. You get the meat heads that look like they drink 12 raw eggs every morning for breakfast. Then there's the scrawny white guys trying to bulk up but you know they never will. And of course there are the women who look like they just came from a night out on the town with full hair and makeup (and perfectly coordinated workout attire) who don't break a sweat the entire hour they're at the gym. Luckily most of the people at my gym are similar to me: average, if not over-weight, just trying to get or stay healthy who wear grungy old t-shirts and ratty tennis shoes.
I've also seen some strange things at my gym. Two come to mind - the middle aged woman in the shallow end of the pool wearing a beanie on her head while walking laps IN the pool. And an older skinny Asian man in shorts so short you couldn't see them under his t-shirt unless he raised his arms. At least all the people watching keeps the gym interesting!
Now I'm off for a 2,000 yd swim!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Flab to Fit - Week 5
This week went really well! I didn't work out Mon-Wed because I worked the swing shift (11a-11p) every single one of those day and I find it really hard to get a workout in. However, I made up for it working out the remaining 5 days in a row (including today)! Three of the workouts were my normal elliptical followed by weights, one was a swim and today I tried Body Pump for the first time.
I enjoyed my swim so much! I initially planned to do 1500 yards which is 60 lengths of the pool or 30 laps. Once I got to the 1500 yards I felt like I could keep going, so I did! I ended up doing 2000 yards and it felt great. I forgot how much I enjoyed swimming. I can decompress, think through my day and by the end I'm tired but relaxed. Plus its a great whole body workout and my arms are jello by the end. I plan on getting a water resistant watch so I can actually time my laps and measure then increase my speed/intensity.
Like I said previously, tonight I tried Body Pump. Its an hour-long class that incorporates all kinds of weight based exercises. You use a barbell for most of it and it's intense! We did squats, lunges, rows, bicep curls, tricep extensions, crunches and dead lifts to name a few. I have a feeling I'm going to have trouble sitting, standing, and raising my arms above my head tomorrow! I definitely plan on going every Monday night now. It'll be great for toning and building muscle mass!
Okay, random note. When I workout I love to listen to music on my iPhone. My playlist isn't very long and I really could use some new songs so I'm open to suggestions! However, every time I finish I play a specific song "The World's Greatest" by R. Kelly. It's totally cheesy for me to say but it makes me feel good and I recognize the fact that I'm pretty awesome for working out!
Funny thing is the next song on the playlist is "Dream Big" by Ryan Shupe. Its pretty fitting because its keeps me inspired. Although I feel great about myself for working out, I have to keep working toward my dream/goal.
What's on your workout playlist?
I enjoyed my swim so much! I initially planned to do 1500 yards which is 60 lengths of the pool or 30 laps. Once I got to the 1500 yards I felt like I could keep going, so I did! I ended up doing 2000 yards and it felt great. I forgot how much I enjoyed swimming. I can decompress, think through my day and by the end I'm tired but relaxed. Plus its a great whole body workout and my arms are jello by the end. I plan on getting a water resistant watch so I can actually time my laps and measure then increase my speed/intensity.
Like I said previously, tonight I tried Body Pump. Its an hour-long class that incorporates all kinds of weight based exercises. You use a barbell for most of it and it's intense! We did squats, lunges, rows, bicep curls, tricep extensions, crunches and dead lifts to name a few. I have a feeling I'm going to have trouble sitting, standing, and raising my arms above my head tomorrow! I definitely plan on going every Monday night now. It'll be great for toning and building muscle mass!
Okay, random note. When I workout I love to listen to music on my iPhone. My playlist isn't very long and I really could use some new songs so I'm open to suggestions! However, every time I finish I play a specific song "The World's Greatest" by R. Kelly. It's totally cheesy for me to say but it makes me feel good and I recognize the fact that I'm pretty awesome for working out!
Funny thing is the next song on the playlist is "Dream Big" by Ryan Shupe. Its pretty fitting because its keeps me inspired. Although I feel great about myself for working out, I have to keep working toward my dream/goal.
What's on your workout playlist?
Friday, December 2, 2011
Happy Anniversary to me!
Last week marked my first anniversary in the Emergency Department. I can't believe its only been a year since I started. Some days it feels like yesterday, others it seems like forever ago. I've learned sooo much in a year but there's still so much to learn.
In a year, I've gone from essentially being a student to evaluating, diagnosing, treating and discharging (or admitting) kids on my own. I've sewn countless lacerations, drained too many abscesses to count, and have completed several lumbar punctures, including 2 champagne taps! I know when I'm in over my head and when to ask an attending for help. I find that every day I feel a little more comfortable. That being said, there's a little bit of discomfort in every day. But that's a great thing. It means there's never a dull day at work!
Along with learning the medicine, I've learned the politics. When I get wrapped up in the drama, I try to step back and remind myself why I'm there. At times I dread going to work (because I'm tired, cranky, have lots to do at home) but when I get there that feeling evaporates. Seeing a child smile or getting a thank you from a parent gives me a feeling that I can't describe. A few weeks ago a patient of mine who was 7 or 8 years old, if I remember correctly, said the most gratifying thing I've heard in a while. After being extremely anxious initially, he ended his visit saying "I love this place. When I grow up I want to work here." Ugh, my heart melted. It's those experiences that make me love my job.
Its been a year of stress, learning, anxiety, building confidence and finding myself. And I wouldn't trade it for anything! Here's to many more years!
In a year, I've gone from essentially being a student to evaluating, diagnosing, treating and discharging (or admitting) kids on my own. I've sewn countless lacerations, drained too many abscesses to count, and have completed several lumbar punctures, including 2 champagne taps! I know when I'm in over my head and when to ask an attending for help. I find that every day I feel a little more comfortable. That being said, there's a little bit of discomfort in every day. But that's a great thing. It means there's never a dull day at work!
Along with learning the medicine, I've learned the politics. When I get wrapped up in the drama, I try to step back and remind myself why I'm there. At times I dread going to work (because I'm tired, cranky, have lots to do at home) but when I get there that feeling evaporates. Seeing a child smile or getting a thank you from a parent gives me a feeling that I can't describe. A few weeks ago a patient of mine who was 7 or 8 years old, if I remember correctly, said the most gratifying thing I've heard in a while. After being extremely anxious initially, he ended his visit saying "I love this place. When I grow up I want to work here." Ugh, my heart melted. It's those experiences that make me love my job.
Its been a year of stress, learning, anxiety, building confidence and finding myself. And I wouldn't trade it for anything! Here's to many more years!
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