1) A HIIT compliment
Wednesday night’s HIIT class was completely full, which is pretty rare. This class has 8 workout stations and you rotate through each one. Typically, my mom and I can be in our own “group” during the Wednesday night class, although sometimes we’re joined by another person. This time around, every group had four people and it was the first HIIT class for one of the women in our group. The first station we chose was a burpee with a deadlift holding a kettlebell. The first thing she said was, “Oh, I can’t do a burpee!” and then proceeded to look at the kettlebells (I think the smallest one was 25 lbs) and went to the shelf to get a 10-lb dumbbell. Me? I was ready to get the burpee station over with first and was just fine doing a deadlift with a 25-lb kettlebell.
Then, during another station, we had to do high knees while holding dumbbells high above our head. I chose the 15-lb dumbbells and this woman chose a lighter weight, but didn’t even attempt to hold the weights high, she just held them up to her shoulder. And then she saw me doing the workout as intended and was like, “How are you doing that?” And I had to admit that I’ve been coming to this class for a year, so I have built up the endurance and strength to handle (most of) this high-intensity workout.
And I’m not saying all of this to demean this woman. She was a conventionally thin woman and you would think she would be the one killing this workout, not me. But I’d like to think I gave her the permission to not be limited by her own expectations. In the second round of the high knees station, she held the weights high above her head like I was doing and got through the next two rounds like a pro.
What this reminded me is that I have come so far in the past year. I no longer need the modifications that my HIIT trainer used to give me, and I’ve even noticed that my lower back pain has decreased dramatically. (I used to struggle with it during every HIIT class and even wore a back brace for a period of time.) My standard weight is 15 lbs (dumbbell) and 25 lbs (kettlebell). Sometimes, I can even handle the 20-lb weights. And this is because my HIIT instructor pushes me in every workout to exceed my own expectations and in doing so, he has taught me how often I limit myself. Because I am just like this woman in some respects. There are still some workout moves I don’t do because I don’t think I can. For example, I’m still doing push-ups on my knees even though I am certain I can do them on my toes. I’m still letting myself take a break during a hard cardio set even though I want to be a person who pushes through.
And because of this woman, in my HIIT class yesterday, when the instructor asked us to get a set of dumbbells, I opted for the 15-lbs dumbbell, even though my brain was telling me to pick up the 10-lbs and take it easy. I also made it through an entire 30 seconds of plank jacks at the end of the workout when previously I would have taken a break after 10 seconds. This is my reminder that I can do hard things and I can be the kind of person that doesn’t quit even when I want to.
2) Medical updates of the week
From now until early August, my life is going to be filled with tests and doctors’ appointments and all that fun stuff. And who knows what will happen afterward, depending on any diagnoses. This week, I, erm, collected my stool sample. I will not say much about this, other than it traumatized me and the fact that they only provide one pair of gloves in the kit is criminal. (Thankfully, I have a whole box of gloves from my old hair-dyeing days!)
Yesterday was my ultrasound at my gynecologist’s office. While I won’t know my official diagnosis until I meet with my doctor next week, I took a peek at the screen afterward and noticed that there were two measurements for Fib 1 and Fib 2. I snapped a photo, uploaded it into ChatGPT, and asked if that meant I had fibroids. Apparently, yes. One is small (under 2 cm) and one is medium-sized (4.5 cm), and that’s the one that’s probably causing the more intense period symptoms. But wow, imagine if I kept brushing off these bad period symptoms as just part of being a woman!
I am so, so thankful to Michelle, who was the first one to encourage me to ask my gynecologist for an ultrasound to make sure my intense periods weren’t due to fibroids or polyps. (And extra thanks to Nicole, Julie, and Tobia for seconding, thirding, and fourthing Michelle’s suggestion.) This blogging community is everything!
On the docket for next week is bloodwork to test for Celiac and other food allergies and my follow-up gynecologist’s appointment.
3) Should I do “101 Things in 1,001 Days?”
Tobia has been posting about completing her latest “101 Things in 1,001 Days” list, and I have the itch to create my own! Basically, this is a challenge where you set 101 goals to complete within 1,001 days (which is just under three years by a few months). I did one of these lists a long time ago, but gave up after a few months. It’s a fun idea because there is so much that can happen in 1,001 days! That’s such a long time, and it would allow for more long-term goal planning than I currently do. But I also know how quickly I need to pivot on my yearly goals when I realize something I wanted six months ago isn’t necessarily something I want today. I worry that happening a lot more with such a big list of goals and a longer time frame. Anyway, right now, I have started a Google Doc to do some planning. I set the start date as August 1st, and we’ll see if I go through with it. I guess it will depend on whether I can really come up with 101 goals!
4) More London planning
This week, my mom and I met with our beloved travel planner Amber for more London logistics. Because Amber is so dedicated to her job, she went to London this month to scope out the scene. (Okay, fine, she actually went with her best friend to see Beyonce, but I like to pretend she’s just a full-service travel planner.) She had lots of great advice for us, especially some of the public transportation logistics, which is the part of traveling that I hate the most. I just really struggle with public transportation! She also saw the hotel we’re staying at and was able to scope out some nearby restaurants we’ll be able to walk to.
One thing I want to mention is that using a travel planner doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t get to do the fun part of planning a trip, like research and scoping out the places you want to see and building an itinerary. My mom and I did all of that on our own and built an itinerary. We’re working with Amber to fine-tune the itinerary to make sure we’re being as efficient as possible and not missing any must-see sights. Plus, she’s doing all of our bookings, which is not the part of trip planning I enjoy, and is also researching different types of travel insurance/rates for us. I’ve also asked her to provide specific instructions on how to get to certain places and restaurants to eat at. We are not foodies and I work better when I know exactly where I’m going to eat for each meal, rather than playing it by ear.
Anyway, Amber is a true gift and I know she’s the reason this trip is going to be EPIC. And if you need a travel planner for your next trip (or just want someone to help you find a good deal on a cruise or travel insurance, she’s your girl).
5) A reading retreat weekend
It’s going to be a low-key weekend for me, and I’ve decided to make it a semi-reading retreat. My mom and stepdad leave today for a short weekend trip, and I am on Chip and Lucy duty. (I always stay at their house when I dog-sit since it’s easier, and I check on my girls once a day.) I figured that I’ll be spending a lot of time snuggling the dogs and generally being lazy, so why not try to get through a few books this weekend, too? My goal is to log 15 reading hours!
What’s on your agenda this weekend?
Booyah for HIIT progress! Now you’re showing the newcomer how it’s done!
Congrats on being on the other side of collecting the stool sample! We’ll have to trade notes when you get there, but the colonoscopy prep will be a breeze by comparison. Yay for Dr. Michelle & Team but I wish that your doctor had put in just a little more interest into finding the cause of your pain.
I think that 1,001 days is probably not a good fit for me, since my interests fluctuate frequently. But on the other hand I do have a few long term interests going on right now with travel. I’m going to dive into Tobia’s posts about it.
Enjoy your reading weekend!
I can’t blame my doctor here – I never even told her I was having really bad periods! I told her everything was just fine, so how was she to know? It’s a good reminder to bring up symptoms like this, even if I think things are “normal.”
I like the idea of setting some very long-term goals for the 1,001 days list, but like you, my interests fluctuate frequently! So, we’ll see!
It is such a rush when you notice improvement in physical fitness. The changes can be so tiny and then one day it clicks that – Wow, I’m stronger than I used to be. Gold stars for all the hard work that led you to this point.
I’m sorry there are likely fibroids…but also, it is so helpful to have an answer and there are solutions. All the best in the next stages of your gyn journey. I’ve been there and it’s exhausting and messy and awful and such a relief and triumph to get through to the other side.
Enjoy the reading retreat. I’m solo parenting this weekend (and next) and some friends invited us to do a challenging hike that the kids have been asking to do for years. I’m a bit nervous and need to head to the grocery store to buy portable food to take with us, but I’m also excited to try something new (we have to climb down a fairly steep cliff). Stay tuned!
I’m not excited about what comes next if the fibroids are indeed the diagnosis, but at least I have some answers to my really bad periods!
GOOD LUCK ON THE HIKE! That sounds like a big challenge and I’m proud of you for saying yes!
Ooh, a reading retreat! It sounds like a great setup. I’m thinking of making Wednesday a mini-reading retreat for myself. I wish I could manage a whole weekend.
Nothing like a newcomer to your HIIT class to show you how much progress you’ve made. And, yes- we’re limited so much by our own expectations. I’ve noticed that about myself lately- I don’t think I’m pushing myself as hard as I could.
Yay for the stool sample! I remember doing that once, and how I mentally crossed “lab worker” off my list of dream jobs as I handed to disgusting thing over. Hopefully you’ll get some answers soon.
I hope you can make Wednesday a mini reading retreat! It’s going to be nice to have a mostly lazy weekend ahead of me!
I was JUST thinking about the fact that there is something who will be PROCESSING MY SAMPLE. THAT IS THEIR JOB. Gahhhh. Could not be me!
“101 Things in 1,001 Days”?!! I couldn’t do that. I know I want to do things, plan to do things, then do them but without lists or limits. Fascinating idea, but not for freewheeling me. Amber sounds like an absolute gift. You’re going to London! Your reading retreat ideas will be healing and fun. This weekend I’ll be outside catching up on gardening. These last few weeks with the cicadas everywhere I’ve not been attentive to *waves hands around* anything out there.
I totally understand not wanting to do a challenge like 101 Things in 1,001 Days! We’ll see if I go through with it AND can keep it going for almost 3 years.
Good luck with all your gardening chores!
You are a HIIT rockstar, Stephany! I am so impressed that you’ve been sticking with it, and more impressed that you are acknowledging how well you’re doing and giving yourself hard-earned props! Way to go!!!
I love the reading retreat plan. That sounds so fun!
I also giggled when you said that you still get the “fun” of doing research and planning for your trip, despite using Amber’s help. I hate those things with a fiery passion. But my husband loves them, so I get that there are people with different feelings about the topic!
Amber can also do the not-so-fun parts of planning a trip for you! I don’t mind the research to figure out some of the stuff I want to do, but I hate figuring out the logistics! I have asked her to be VERY SPECIFIC on how we get to each place on our list and how to get back to the hotel. HA.
Damn Stephany! I am so glad that lady joined your group and made you reflect on all your progress! I am so proud of you! And happy to hear your hard work has helped with your back pain. Cause if it doesn’t make you feel better… then what is the point?!
Gosh, I am so glad folks encouraged you to check with your gyno for fibroids and polyps too. It’s so important to get things that are unusual checked out! I know someone who thought they had a rash and went to to derm and it turned out to be so much more. I’m so grateful they went in.
Amber is the best! That is awesome she was there to see some of those things in person. I remember the London tube being super easy to use! And now you will have even more tips with it! Yay!
That’s funny you say that about the dermatologist because I thought I had a skin tag on the back of my leg that needed to be removed, but my derm was like, “No, that’s a mole,” and sent it out to be biopsied! Hopefully it’s nothing, but it’s crazy that we sometimes have no idea what’s going on in our bodies!
I’m looking forward to experiencing the London tube, even though I am not very confident my mom and I will get a good grasp on how to use it. We are such noobs at public transportation!
How rewarding to see how far you’ve come at your HIIT class. It’s so nice to see the progression you are making! That class sounds awesome! I would love something like that.
I hope you hear back about the ultrasound soon so you know what your next steps are. Good for you for following up after the appt!
Your reading retreat with the pups sounds awesome! It’s going to be HOT here this weekend. Tomorrow Will has a play date with friends from school at a park with a wading pool. Then on Sunday we are going to our friend’s house mid day for lunch and outdoor fun. They live on a lake and are the best hosts. Their son is Will’s age so are in a similar stage of life.
I wish you could come to my HIIT class, Lisa! That would be even MORE fun. 🙂
I have an appointment with my gyno on Thursday to learn more about my fibroids and possible treatments. Very interested to know what she recommends!
Wow, Stephany! You weren’t kidding when you mentioned that you were dealing with a lot of health issues. I’m glad you’re having them attended to, and I hope they are resolved soon.
I’m excited about your HIIT prowess and for your England trip. A reading retreat weekend sounds lovely…
I’ve never been in so many doctor’s offices in my life! Is this what it means to get older? Wah!
I’m so proud of you!!! You are doing so great in your HIIT classes and you’ve come so far!
I am also proud of you for taking charge of your health. Fibroids really would explain so much, and it is so important to take care of them. Good for you!! Lots of appointments, but you’re doing it!
London will be so fun! I’m excited for you.
I’m going home tomorrow – 10 hour drive but I’m really looking forward to being home. That’s how my weekend is going. I’ll let you read between the lines.
I’m sorry your weekend wasn’t the best! 🙁
It is very overwhelming to be in so many doctor’s offices so many times, but I hope it’s just going to be a rowdy summer and then an easy end to the year. PLEASE!
Congratulations on your HIIT progress. Being able to do more seeing concrete evidence is so satisfying. I am headed to a barbecue with neighbors this weekend and enjoying the air conditioning since it’s hot here.
It’s so great when I can see the concrete progress in my endurance and strength! These HIIT classes are so hard but so rewarding!
One thing that is true with exercise is that it doesn’t get (much) easier, but you will get stronger… and damn, isn’t that the most amazing feeling a year later, especially when someone else pays you that compliment!! I am so proud for all the hard work you’ve done, Stephany!
I am really sorry about all your health issues, though (I think I am not entirely caught up, so I’ll have to find out what you’re having all these tests for), but I am glad you’re getting to the bottom of things! I know it’s a hassle, but so good that you’re being proactive! I am hoping for good outcomes!
I am super-excited for your trip to London! I’ve only been there once – on an unplanned layover – and didn’t see much of the city, so I’d like to go back and I am already looking forward to your travel recap!
The quick synopsis of all my health challenges is that I’m falling apart. HA. I’m dealing with fibroids, carpal tunnel pain, and GI issues. The GI issues are the biggest nuisance and I’m doing a lot of testing to get to the bottom of things. Could be just anxiety (wouldn’t be surprised with the state of the world) but maybe not.
We have so many fun things planned for London! I can’t wait!
Oh Stephany, I’m sorry to hear that you have fibroids. I’m so proud of you for taking charge of your health and asking for the ultrasound. How great that your doctor got your test scheduled so quickly! I’m sure she’ll have good advice and treatment options, and hopefully you’ll be feeling much better soon!
I’m sending you a big standing ovation for your HIIT training!
Amber, the travel planner, sounds like a dream come true. That’s how I’d like to take a trip!
I hope your reading weekend is going well!
I am so grateful to YOU for mentioning fibroids because it didn’t even occur to me that this could be something more than just typical “women problems.” So I’m glad I finally have an answer for it!
Amber is a DREAM. I know our trip is going to be 1000x better than I imagined because of her!
I just had to comment to say DAMN, woman! Look how far you have come! You’re working out, you are STRONG (physically), and you are even stronger mentally! Addressing your health issues can’t be easy, but you are doing it. Seriously. Go. You. <3
oh my gosh… I am just reading this post and seeing you consider the 101 in 1001 day project. Well you know my answers. Yes of course. I would suggest write down the goals and when you are done start the countdown. Putting a date on this and then filling it all up might be too much pressure. You could also do it like Michelle who started with a few blanks she then filled later. It would be wonderful to have another person doing this alongside with.
Also, sorry for all the medical issues. I know you are already deep into all the tests and appointments.
Most of all though I think your HIIT improvement is so so awesome. I have lately slacked a lot in my exercise routine and having no-one around that keeps me accountable I sometimes wonder if I am not pushing hard enough. definitely something to think about. Anyways, this is very encouraging and I think some very thing people are not as healthy as you would think. and strength is such an individual thing too.
London… so excited. I am heading to Poland today to meet up with Kyria.