blonde10’s BodyBlog

I feel like a Human Weeble Wobble after completing today’s Crossfit routine. A wobbling, shaking, jello mess (and I Love it). Atleast I didn’t fall down or throw up! Crawling doesn’t count, right?

Totals after 20 minutes of 5.5 sets were:

145 air squats, 130 Sit ups, 115 KettleBell 2 Arm Swings, 44 pushups.

Yeah, I am working on pulling that pushup number up!!

My totals have increased since 2 months ago when my totals for situps were 80, air squats were 100, pushups were 60 (but, the girlie kind) No more girlie pushups for this girl!!  WooHoo!

Yesterday I had a Capsule Endoscopy. This technology allows for viewing of the small intestine previously only seen by surgery. The Capsule is a small camera about the size of a big vitamin. It emits an LED light and takes two (2) pictures per second as it travels through the gastrointestinal tract. The pill was easy to swallow, and I had about 10 electrodes hooked up on my abdomen (like an EKG hook up) and a back pack that holds the computer. These images are then downloaded to a computer and my doc will view the footage.

It does NOT replace Colonoscopy or Upper Endoscopy because the capsule cannot be controlled as to what it is viewing, nor does it provide the ability to take biopsies but, it does provide the ability to view the small intestine beyond the reach of the standard colonoscopy. The Capsule can examine the entire length, (approximately 20-30 feet) of the small bowel. Since my doc has already confirmed the reoccurence of my Crohns via colonoscopy, this test will show if there are any other areas he should be concerned with, and may be able to account for any other reasons concerning my anemias.

There is very little risk with this procedure; however if there is a blockage or narrowing in the small intestine, the capsule could become stuck at that site and require surgical removal. So, the immediate good news is that it came out, which means there are No Horrible Strictures! WooHoo! I am sure they will view the footage within the week and let me know what is what.

I called the doc at 1:45pm and I told him I pooped out the camera already (and NO, I did Not have to retrieve it).
He said "Are you sure? How do you know?"
I said "Yes, because my poop was blinking."
He said "And you have Never had blinking poop before?"
I said "No, although my surgeon thinks sunshine comes out my butt."
He laughed and told me to come on down and return the equipment.
He still didn’t believe me and asked if I actually saw the camera because that is a very fast rate of digestion. So, I apparently digest at least 2-24 hours faster than "normal" people. I KNOW I am NOT "NORMAL", besides what’s the fun in that???

I have to say the experience was surreal, like out of a science fiction novel. And if blinking poop wasn’t weird enough. The weirdest part was the swallowing of the camera to begin with. It was blinking and it was strange to think that it was gonna be inside me. I wish I could get a copy of the footage, I just think it is fascinating.

So, I went to the gastro doc yesterday. And I am "Officially" Lactose Intolerant… DUH! I have been telling him that for atleast 3 years! He is a wonderful doc but, sometimes he just doesn’t listen and he has two strikes against him being male and a doctor. I love him but, Geesh, this one he dropped the ball on. Although, I was smart enough to drink Lactaid all these years anyway.

Simply stated, Lactose intolerance is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme, lactase, that is needed to digest lactose (milk sugar). Because it cannot be digested the lactose stays in the intestine and ferments - causing intestinal discomfort, including abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhea.

All I had to do to be diagnosed was take a Hydrogen breath test. I had to drink 8 oz. of whole milk (Yikes), then 30 minutes later, I breathed into a tube that measured hydrogen from undigested lactose. Large amounts of exhaled hydrogen indicates that you aren’t fully digesting lactose and that you’re intolerant.

So, He wants me to cut out ALL dairy for 2 weeks to see if my symptoms improve. Yikes! I Love cheese! Oh Well. I have done it before. Recently, I have become obsessed with 1% Cottage Cheese, I don’t know what the heck I am gonna do without it now.

Lactose Intolerance is extremely common. So, if you experiencing any of those symptoms, ask your doc to test you for Lactose Intolerance. Your colon will thank you!

This concludes another Public Service Announcement from Gab.

I did my second Whoop Ass Crossfit workout using a kettlebell.

My Whoop Ass Workout #2 looked like this:

15 reps of Kettlebell Swings with 15 pound kettlebell
15 reps of Standing Twists with Kettlebell with 15 pound kettlebell
15 reps of Wide Legged Squats with Upright Row  with 15 pound kettlebell
10 reps of Step ups with 15 pound kettlebell (each leg)
10 reps of One Arm Dumbbell Rows with 15 pound kettlebell

I did 5 sets with No Rest as fast as I could without breaking form for 20 minutes.

I am planning to do varied Crossfit style workouts twice week in addition to my regularly scheduled routines. I am loving the heart pounding, and sweat dripping of it!! I even took a pic of myself after the workout, and I have the hugest smile on my face. I am looking forward to buying a new kettlebell, I think I am gonna shoot for a 30 pounder?! Oh Boy.

So, I was talking to a new "friend" of mine on here. This so called "friend" told me about CrossFit training. High Intensity, I only have to do it for 20 minutes, he has seen great results from it… Hmmm…I thought it sounded interesting so, I decided to try it today.  He warned me it would be like unleashing a "Can of Whoop Ass" on me and I may even puke??!! Yet, I still wanted to try it, in fact I couldn’t wait to try it?! Me, being an arrogant idiot, told him… Bring it on!!

I was okay, sweating, my heart was pumping, labored breathing, and then I got to the 3rd set and started to feel the sip of water I took before I started creeping up on me… YES, I said SIP!! All I could do was keep praying to the "NoN-Puking Fairy" to get me through this without puking!! I didn’t want to have to admit defeat to my "friend" especially over a darn SIP of water.

Then, I got to the fourth set and the nausea had subsided. At this point I was beat red, dripping with sweat, heart pounding and I started praying to the "Don’t let me Die Gnome"!!! The Gnome was listening because I got through the 20 minutes, and I lived to say … Thanks Neil, some "friend" YOU are!!!

My @ss has been Officially Whooped!! YOU weren’t lying.
P.S. - I can’t wait to do it again!! I loved the torture!!
I just have to remember:  Never take a sip of water before CrossFit Training ever again!!

I thought I would only be down for 2 days max, not 4 days! Geesh! Boy, it was rough!!
I woke up feeling good this morning and managed 35 minutes of Lifting and 35 minutes of Cardio. Ah Life is good again.

I started tanning yesterday. I love it. I am going for year number 2 with no tan lines! It’s a stupid goal but, it makes me happy. Especially, since no one will see I have no tan lines, it just makes me happy to say it. Yes, I know I am strange.

I started using Liquid Chlorophyll again this morning. Yes, the stuff that makes plants green. It is supposed to give you energy, help with the immune system, help with anemia, work as an antioxidant, cleanse the liver and intestines, and combat against odor and mold??!! I do not smell bad or contain mold, at least I don’t think so and no one has told me, but better to be safe than sorry?!

Anyway, Have a great Memorial Day Everyone. Thank you to all our soldiers who have served and are serving. Thank you with all my heart. Big Hugs to you all and your families.

Why is it that once someone says "You Can’t" have something, all of a sudden you Want it more than ever!? I can’t eat today ’cause tomorrow is another fun filled day with a colonoscopy and endoscopy for me! WooHoo! This morning even Plain Oatmeal sounds Terrific! I usually can’t stand it, and force it down my throat. Most times I will even forget to eat, I Know … What kind of Moron does it take to Forget to eat!!… You are looking at her!!

Atleast, I will soon be able to say… I Have The Cleanest Insides Ever… why I would want to say that, I have No Idea?! But, knowing me, I will say it to everyone I come in contact with tomorrow, just for a reaction.

I did a full body workout yesterday knowing I will not be able to workout today or tomorrow. It seemed like the right thing to do.  I am proud of myself for planning for it. I am serious about lessening my jiggle!!

It’s so cool at work today. The Blue Angels are flying over head practicing. They are so amazing to watch.

I think I am getting light headed from not eating, my mind is all over the place. Let me go eat some jello or something. I Hate Jello!

So, I go take an abs class at the gym, 30 minutes of nothing but Abs. Sounds good to me, I could use the help in that area. Before the class starts I am ALL psyched about it, I can’t wait to feel the BURN!! The buzz in the class was that they were really hurting from last weeks routine. I do the decline set up, I was a little scared of that, I never did that before… Now, I am thinking - What The Hell Did I Get Myself Into?? …And the class begins, Fast forward to end… I felt something but, it wasn’t bad at all.  Boy, I was disappointed but, it was FUN! And at least I didn’t Fall, like the guy standing next to me did! Oh Boy!!

Would I go again? - Yes

Did I have fun? - Yes

So it was worth trying it.

Do I work myself harder than a 30 minute abs class? - I think so because I feel the Burn and the continued burn when I do my own routine.

I will stick with my weighted crunches and bent knee hip raises. I Love them so!!

Anyone wanna go to abs class with me? I guess not.

Have an ABsolutely great day! -Gab

I have had a trying week! It has been a week of physical and emotional  challenges. A real up, down, high, low, focused, unfocused, confusing, clear,  sunshine, dark, cyclical, straight of way, progress, regression, fulfilling,  empty… All I know is it has been frazzling to say the least, and I am Not even  PMS’ing??!! Geesh! I needed to "Feel" a Lot this week in order to be able to  move forward. I am ready to face my next set of challenges, Fear and Denial be  damned, I am gonna get what I want!

I had been working hard at toning up my jiggle, and  was seeing progress! I had gained 3 pounds of pure muscle, my body fat dropped  by 1%… WooHoo! Darn it I am Proud of myself!! Now, I gotta switch gears for a  little while because of health issues but, that’s okay. I keep trudging along, moving forward, and  figuring it all out day by day, just ’cause I Know I AM Worth It!!

Last night, I tried taking my Iron pills before bed, Boy they Kill my stomach! It seems to have worked. I was able to do an hour of Cardio, it was low impact, but that is something! I haven’t been able to do anything, and was feeling quite useless and bummed.

I am  Fine! And in all ways because I keep learning, growing, and taking action. There  just ain’t no stopping this little determined ball of fire!

I started out 2 weeks ago headed towards the pinnacle of the roller coaster! On Fire, I tell ya! Life headed in the right direction, working out, feeling good, just Too Good!! Then Mr. Murphy paid me a visit and bit me right on my butt!! Oh the Horror!! (there is no real Mr. Murphy, I swear it) And whoosh, right back down my roller coaster went. Geesh!!

I was working out then passing out!! Literally, I was. Now, I can’t even get through a workout, just straight to passing out. My problem right now (amongst others) is darn Iron anemia. I had been taking my pills and eating a lot of iron rich foods, like a good girl. I went to the doc, he retested me and to our horror my iron levels decreased!!?? What? So, I am going for an upper Gi Series Tuesday, and hopefully it will show just what the heck is going on with me.

So, as a  Public Service Announcement from Gab, the symptoms of Iron Anemia are:
Paleness (I look like Casper)
Feeling tired (ummm that is mild, I am exhausted)
Unusual shortness of breath during exercise
Fast heartbeat
Cold hands and feet (mine go numb)
Brittle nails (I have the longest nails with diamond shaped pattern ridges from this)
Headaches (like there is a jack hammer in my head)

So, get yourself checked if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. You can still be low and not have any symptoms so, make sure you get your routine physicals done!! That is an order!!

I Love pumping Iron!!! Iron deficiency… not so much. just saying.
Oh well… Full Steam (iron) Ahead!!!!