Exercising exhaustion

[coral_sybil]

So. Not a lot of people know me.

I'm workin' on getting into shape. For various health reasons, both physical, mental, and emotional. But I have to be very careful. So I am (still) working on a ducktape monofin (had to redo a layer after the cat got curious), and every time I take my measurements for the tail I get a little panicy.

So I'm saving up for a finfolk tail (I mean I live like a half hour from minneapolis, why not?), but I really want to get into shape so I don't feel self confident in the tail.

Work has been exhausting this week. But that doesn't stop my friend (who may or may not get into Mermaiding with me) from taking me to her school to use the pool and swim laps and some just water exercises.

I think I might make this my thread to keep track of my progress.

Today after the 6th lap I looked at my friend, "All my body wants to do right now is sit on the sofa, watch Netflix, and eat hotpockets"

"Yeah, but hotpockets and netflix won't get you into a monofin"

This pool, we've checked, will allow monofins. We're excited. But we still need to deal with the fact that I'm 5'9", 270 lbs, measures 46.5-44-49.5 Not healthy.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

You're not alone. I'm in my 40s and only have been exercising in the pool (mermaid swimming) for less than a month in total. I had planned to go every weekend but then I got a cold which to some people only take a few days to recover, it has taken me several months. I am now well enough to go swimming again, but I can't as we are moving house and I have to pack everything up!

My breath hold when swimming is less than 10 secs. That will give you an idea of how unfit I am too! But with time and practice, I'm sure we'll be as good as the pros.

[AniaR]

I have chronic illness that causes chronic fatigue. Sometimes having a can do attitude just isnt enough, and you have to set yourself more realistic goals. A lot of fitness minded people bug me with their attitude that if you just try hard enough you'll do well. Well.. I have dyspraxia, it means low muscle tone with not much hope for more. My illnesses make me exhausted. It's all I can do to get to the gym 2 times a week ontop of swimming. And this summer when I was swimming almost every day there was no gym. I also had to take whole days off just to sleep!

The best thing I can say is dont compare yourself to others. I have to work my ass off just to get to the point where most people start :p set your own goals, start small, and work up from there :) you dont have to be insanely fit to be a mermaid, that's a misconception. A good monofin will do the work for you and if you want to work as a mermaid- outside of aquarium performing you really don't need to be doing a bajillion impressive things to work.

[Seraphina Suds]

I feel you. We're right sitting the same stats actually and I'm always telling myself "go to the gym" or "don't eat that" and all manner of variations there of. But I'm so tired from work, chores, and general life issues that when I do have time to get to the gym, I don't have the energy. I had started working out at home (getting in shadow to get in shape haha) and ended up pulling some muscles in my back which has now developed into sciatica. I haven't been able to really push myself since then do to the pain, but I would love to get a chance to swim.

I think you're on the right path and it's great that you have a friend with you. Internet support is nice, but having someone right there with you is even better. I hope you do end up making this your progress thread. It'll be great to see how far you come since I know you can do this!

[coral_sybil]

Thank you so much for your support. The thing is swimming is really the only good option for me to get fit. I've broken both my ankles. One I walked on for almost a full week due to pressure from the boyfriend at the time to not go seek help. With my weight, even walking in dangerous, I've been put on a cane for a few days for just stepping funny.

I used to be in an eating disorder group, but I left due to practices that I found to be manipulative. But due to that I just can't trust myself with diets or exercise. I just don't know how far is too far, am I starving myself or eating too much, these are things I just don't know.

So we'll just have to see how things go. Today I was so exhausted that I found I could barely make myself reach out far enough to reach the alarm clock. Basically I ended up flopping like a fish out of water for a bit this morning.

[Sherielle]

Swimming with a monofin is such a GREAT workout! Keep it up and you'll find that you can last longer swimming and you'll start to not be so tired after.

[coral_sybil]

So this is the first week back in the pool after basically a week and a half off for sickness.

The first time it was me having a respiratory infection, coupled with a stuffed nose, a top of a stomach bug and I was a gross mermaid.

The following week the fiance was just a mess, and instead of swimming after work I was taking him to Urgent Care :(

We're thinking it's from the mold, but there is still no full diagnoses.... so.. he's still sick, but not bad enough that he needs me there the entire time. Which works since my breathing was getting harder and I realize I was taking a few steps back from trying to get back into shape. However, now my swimming partner is going to have blood tested to see if she had a hypotheroid problem. I mean it's all the more reason to work out... but at the same time it's concerning as I don't entirely know what that means for her health.

[Rivertee]

If she eats well and takes the proper medicine she'll be in good shape. My sister has thyroid issues and as long as she stays on top of her meds her daily routine doesn't change.

[Vrindavana Starfish]

I think what people have said so far is really important. Even for otherwise physically healthy people (I'm ridiculously healthy, and still struggling to get in "fin shape.") Currently, I'm working double time, 70+ hours. It's been all I can handle just to get to the gym once a week, and the last 2 weeks, not even that. I'm exhausted. When I get free time, where before I would have worked out, I sleep now, or rest. My diet is awesome, so I'm not getting in worse shape, and I haven't really lost any strength either, because I'm not forcing my body to do what it doesn't have the energy to do. Yeah, definitely work out as much as you can, but the "as much as you can" part will fluctuate with life events, and recuperative rest (not just cheetos and weeks of netflix marathons and true laziness) is just as important as the workout.

I've found that doing some yoga throughout my day has really helped. Not a whole yoga class or anything, but standing up and doing a pose every hour. I'll do handstands in my office, stretches while I wait for my tea to steep, etc. Just enough to keep limber and injury-free. When my workload chills out (in 2 weeks, I'll be down to one job!) I'll be able to focus more on getting in shape. Until then, the focus has been on not getting sick from exhaustion.

So don't feel badly about yourself. Even for those of us not suffering from chronic illnesses, getting in shape is a difficult process requiring constant self-evaluation and tweaking.

[coral_sybil]

And more self evaluating is happening this week.

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Fiance and I have decided it's time to reexamine how we do things.

[Vrindavana Starfish]

You two look swank! That's an awesome photo. :)