Celebration | Breakthrough

legaljen1969

I finally got back to cardio training at the gym. My last session at the gym was January 20th before my lumpectomy and then my mastectomy. Then just as I was released to do strength training, COVID-19 closed down the world and my gym was ordered to close. I have been walking and doing a little bit of yoga all along. On Monday, my gym re-opened. I was so happy. I am still having to build up. Monday's cardio was a mess. I couldn't get good control of my heart rate and slow it back down. I was used to doing 30-45 minutes of interval training AND then about 45 minutes of strength training. Well Monday was 30 minutes cardio only. Wednesday was 40 minutes interval training and I tried a little weight session. It was interesting to feel the sensations in my body. I immediately felt how much I was favoring certain muscle groups and how I was compensating. That's the great part about having a good trainer before my surgery. I immediately knew what I needed to do when I felt things I shouldn't feel. I knew what I shouldn't feel.
I look forward to starting again with my trainer soon. Get ready world, I am coming back.

MarcieB

It sounds like you are making positive strides, and I am impressed with your determination. I am also envious of your gym being open. And didn't you describe an incident last week that happened in chair salon? Where do you live??!! Are you required to wear a mask in the gym? (I would think so?) And is it difficult to do strenuous exercise with a mask? My husband and I walk every morning and we do not wear masks for that, we are in a country setting. I know when we do a more vigorous walk we do not talk because we need to focus on breathing and I can't imagine that being easy with a mask? Just curious.

legaljen1969

@MarcieB. We are encouraged to wear masks in the gym, but not "required." People have been pretty mindful to maintain a good amount of distance at the gym. Instead of having spray bottles and towels at every machine, each patron is given a spray bottle and some towels when we come in and we take that from place to place and wipe down as we go. Maybe not a perfect solution, but when the spray bottles are gone, that means the gym has reached capacity. No-one else in until towels and spray bottles become available again. And yes, I did speak of the hair salon. We are definitely "required" to wear a mask there. I am "mask compliant."

I have been using a "paper" mask in the gym- more like a surgical type mask. I was given some after my surgery and during the time I had home health. My mother also had some that my grandmother's home nurses used. My grandmother passed away in 2018 and the masks were still in some of her belongings that my mother had not yet discarded. I wasn't using any of the "stockpile" and taking from health care workers. I really struggled with using them, wondering if they should have been donated and after being told I was selfish for using them and that I was taking away from people who needed them. I don't know what to think sometimes. It's all been a little strange.
I am using a cloth mask at the hair salon because I am more sedentary there and can focus on breathing. The masks really make me claustrophobic. I had a panic attack the first time I used my cloth mask. There is a LOT of talking myself through the mask wearing. There is a lot of self re-assuring. LOL But I know it's necessary so I just have to try to get over it.

legaljen1969

Oh, and I live in coastal South Carolina. We are going to be hit with the tourist wave very soon. As a matter of fact I think the first wave started arriving this past Thursday. Now I am having to be absolutely certain I wear a mask because our population has almost doubled in just a couple of days. I don't know how on earth people are going to maintain space and distancing. I was stopped in traffic the other day and looked over at a restaurant and noticed there must have been over 100 people standing around the bar elbow to elbow. No thank you!!
It's amazing how I used to say "Look you just have to get used to the crowds and be willing to let people into personal space." Now I am like shouting on a bullhorn "Keep your distance or i will cough in your direction on purpose."

Kp2018

legaljen1969, I am happy for you that you have resumed your exercise program. I attribute much of my well being to being physically active, so I know how important this is for you.

Thank you for your description of how your gym is attempting to keep patrons safe. It will be interesting to see the course of the disease in your state.

MarcieB

legaljen, how are the beach towns doing in the coastal Carolinas? I am asking because every year for the past 15 years my husbands children (4 families) and our grandchildren gather at the beach for a summer vacation together. We rent a house - each year it has to be a bigger and bigger place because of adding more family! We go to Carolina/Kure beach, just south of Wilmington, north of Myrtle. Not everyone could make it this year, (which is RARE!), but we arranged for a house the second week of July. I am still hoping e can do it, but my husband's daughter is a PA in the health care system and she is super sensitive to the threat of virus. We haven't canceled our reservations (the landlord is keeping it open considering the circumstances)), but it looks like that is probably what is going to happen. It just breaks my heart, I always look forward to going there.