C25K: Week 2 - Running In The Snow ...

Newsflash: I hate running in the snow.  It was great last week when there wasn't as much snow outside but now that the sidewalks are covered - i hate it.  

Someone had said to me that running in the snow was like running in sand - hard & that person is wise cause it does remind me a lot of running in sand. except there is the capacity to slip hard on ice or pound your foot into a giant ice/snow block. Neither of which feel good.  

I thought it would be the cold that I hate the most but I actually don't mind it.  The first five minutes are rough while my lungs get used to the ice I'm breathing in - but after that, when my body is working I find myself not even noticing the cold.  That said I doubt I will be running anytime the forecast is anywhere near -20 cause that is just asking for trouble. Perhaps on those days I will seek out a treadmill.

The goal this week is to go daily. Just because I have the time now that P is on holiday break from school.  A change that I am making in the routine is we will now be running in the evening and not in the morning. Trying to drag my butt out of bed before I have to get up is proving to be a very difficult task & I hate running on an empty stomach.  

:: So now the topic of food. What is your favourite breakfast to eat?  Something quick, filling and healthy? ::

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I Am Doing Something Crazy ... The Update.

First I want to thank you all for your encouragement and your tips and tricks that you shared with me last week. I survived that morning and even surprised myself & I went running 3 days last week. three people! I am here with an update on what I learned last week and hoping to pick your brain with a few more questions.

1. I am no good at running. seriously i suck. BUT each run I was able to run for a longer period and I can only get better from here. right? 

2. There has got to be something better out there for the 'girls'.  I read somewhere that running/jogging is the worst exercise for your breasts & I believe it.  Right now I am wearing 3 bras. three - just to keep everything stabilized.  I need to get some sort of super-sonic sports bra. Something that will fit and work and be comfortable.  Any ideas??

3.  I am afraid of falling.  It is winter here and I am running on the sidewalks. Where i live the city is notoriously bad at keeping their sidewalks clear of snow and ice and i am scared!  I break easily. I fall easily and I am crazy for doing this in the winter.

So the plan peoples is to do the couch to 5k program.  It makes sense to me and it lets me start off slow (so i don't feel like a failure!) and so many of you recommended it to me.  I am going to try to stick with this and will update you on my progress (or lack of).  I wont be tracking my weight because - well i don't want to obsess over those numbers. So i will use my running ability as a tracker on how i am doing. 

I plan to run 3-4 times a week - sometimes early in the morning and sometimes later in the evening.  I have two running partners but even this week when neither were able to make it for our Friday run - I went myself. shocker right. seems so simple. but it was cold out, it was late and i had a million excuses not to go but i did.

:: I would love to hear your suggestions on the best running bras, any words on encouragement and if you exercise where do you find the time? ::

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Today I Am Grateful For Extended Breastfeeding

As a mommy nothing makes me feel as bad as when my kids are sick.  This week my kids have caught the stomach flu - something that seems to be making the rounds everywhere. With this type of flu I always get really nervous about dehydration. It doesn't take a lot for a child (my kids are young - 4, 3 & 22mo) to get to the point of dehydration and it can be a struggle sometimes to do your best to prevent that from happening.

My kids kind of shut down when they get sick - not wanting to eat or drink or move.  The quiet I will admit is nice, but seeing them so not themselves is a bit heartbreaking.  Getting the older two kids to at least drink some water or diluted juice is easier now then when they were younger but for E is can be a struggle.  I understand too because when I don't feel well, the last thing i want to do with my upset stomach is put food or water in it.

That is why I am so thankful for "extended breastfeeding".  E is 22 months old and our breastfeeding relationship is still going strong.  

She gets the perfect comfort and medicine for when she is sick.  

And I don't have to worry that she is not getting enough liquid - at risk for dehydration - because my body is providing for her.  She  gets her liquid, food and comfort all from me - with an easy-to-digest bonus to it.  

So, today is a big THANK YOU to my breasts and body for making things just a little bit easier for my sweet, sick babe.

I love hearing from you! Leave a comment below ♥ Accustomed Chaos | Gluten Free Attachment Parenting™ Email: accustomedchaos@gmail.com

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I Am Doing Something Crazy This Morning...

Friends, today I am doing something so out of the ordinary.  Like crazy in my world on a few points. 

1.  I am getting up earlier then I have to.

2.  I am going out of the house without the kids.

3. I am going RUNNING. 

Oh the thought of it horrifies me. I don't run. Ever.  I walk a lot every day with the three kids- taking them everywhere in my Moby Wrap and/or our double stroller (my "Car") but running ... never.  I am more of a swimmer or exercise biker.

I have always been jealous of the people I see each morning pounding their feet on the pavement. Peaceful. It looks really peaceful.  Nothing but your own feet and some comfortable shoes and maybe some motivational music.  I have always wanted that.

My brother is coming with me. Bright {well, not likely bright} and early.  I will be attempting my first run. In the winter. In the cold and I am excited and nervous.  Starting slow & I am not making any promises to continue but the goal is to go 3 times a week.  It will probably be laughable but I can only get better {well, unless my knee craps out on me} and I could really use the stress release and quiet time. 

:: Did I mention that it will be snowing 5cm (2") tonight? ::

Wish me luck & if you have any tips for a new, first time runner/jogger I would love if you could impart some of your wisdom!

I love hearing from you! Leave a comment below ♥ Accustomed Chaos | Gluten Free Attachment Parenting™ Email: accustomedchaos@gmail.com

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Why I Have Been M.I.A These Past 2 Weeks

I feel so disconnected these past 2 weeks - I haven't been online much in this blog, twitter or my facebook page both last week & this week and that is SO not like me.  It is usually easy to get a hold of me and I love chatting with everyone and writing posts & all that stuff ... so to my loyal readers & new ones please let me explain...

You all know my household has been hit with a nasty flu after cold after flu and October 15th I was nearing the end of the flu (as were my kids and husband) but I still had this HARDcore cough that would have me gasping for air and puking (sorry, ew I know!). 

Well, dudes that Friday I coughed so hard I tore 3 muscles in my neck. Yeah, an injury only I could do and it has been painful!

trapezius muscle

I ended up tearing both my left and right trapezius muscles - I have had an ongoing issue with my right side that I had been prescribed physio and massage way back in June that I was supposed to go to 4 times a week, but scheduling with 3 young kids & a husband who just started a new job I had not been able to go. Now, I have totally messed up both those muscles.

Scalenus medius muscle

On top of the trapezius muscles I also tore my scalenus medius muscle on my right side.  I have been to the doctor twice in the past two weeks for the tears and I am currently on 4 different medications because of it: a high pain killer medication, high anti inflammatory medication, high muscle spasm medication and a med for my stomach because one of the side effects of these meds are ulcers.  Making you jealous aren't I?

So, to say the least I have been in a lot of pain, very tired from all the medication and a busy stay at home mom (thankfully my older brother is in town & has been here with me).  I have to do all these crazy exercises to try to heal plus fit in the physiotherapy and massage therapy sessions 4 times a week.

My apologies to those who are waiting for guest posts, articles, email replies - I promise I will get all back into the swing of things soon. Also -- if you are going to Blissdom Canada this week & see me asleep in the corner or acting all crazy - I promise it is just because of the medication ;)

::  How are all you doing?! I miss you! ::

I love hearing from you! Leave a comment below ♥ Accustomed Chaos | Gluten Free Attachment Parenting™ Email: accustomedchaos@gmail.com

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Celiac Disease: Introduced Gluten and 4 Months Later ...

I was diagnosed with celiac disease back in 2007. I had a bunch of life long health issues that looking back pointed to this fact - but when i was younger i was diagnosed as being lactose intolerant not knowing that many people with active gluten damage also can not tolerate lactose.

As an adult I knew something 'wasn't right' when i was on my honeymoon with my husband. I always had digestion issues and never really thought too much of it - it was my normal. Until that week long vacation.  Literally all i ate was tomatoes and french fries and i felt amazing. Amazing. 

I went on a very strict diet - liquid calories for 6 months because my stomach was so damaged and I was not able to digest or absorb anything. It was tough but i had more energy then ever, no headaches, no joint pain, my hair stopped falling out and no more digestion issues or horrible stomach pain. After the 6 months other food was very slowly introduced (gluten free of course) and i was doing great.  

I had 2 children at that time - 16 month old and a 3 month old at the time i was diagnosed. We still had gluten in the house and when i went back on solid foods we just kept our food separate.  Celiac disease has a genetic component to it so we held off introducing gluten into Princess R's diet until she was 14 months old (Big P was already eating gluten and we didn't limit that since he was already exposed). 

After 4 months of gluten into her diet it was very apparent that she had a problem.  18 months old and in the 4 months she has lost 5 pounds. Her stomach was bloated like she was pregnant, she had digestion issues that went from constipation to diarrhea and she was in pain. She was thirsty all the time and refused to eat anything that contained gluten.  I thought that point was interesting.  She was tired, clingy and had very dark circles under her eyes. 

I KNEW exactly what this was. 

I love hearing from you! Leave a comment below ♥ Accustomed Chaos | Gluten Free Attachment Parenting™ Email: accustomedchaos@gmail.com

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Oh Today Is Going To Be Fun ...

Well, today is going to be an interesting day for me. Big P has his school bus orientation today to get him prepared for taking the bus for kindergarten in 2 weeks. Yes, I am freaking out & No, I am trying not to let him see I am freaking out. His Daddy will be taking him today for the orientation & I am hoping it will help ease him about taking the bus. He is so excited to go to school but so nervous for the bus.

Then after that is done Hubby will be driving me to a medical appointment 1 hour away - a Tilt Table Test. Just another of the thousands of testing I have had done to try to figure all this out.

So, if you are sitting around wondering where I am (cause, you know i am that cool) - this is what I will be doing for 2 hours --- passing out:

I know you are jealous but try not to be.  I am also not able to eat or drink anything from Midnight until after the test -- and my test is at 2:00 - over at around 4:30 --- Oh, and they are going to make me pass out or have a seizure. Sounds like a great day, right?  I hope you all have a good day today!  ♥

I love hearing from you! Leave a comment below ♥ Accustomed Chaos / Canada Gluten Free Examiner Email: accustomedchaos@gmail.com

              

My Kidney Is Trying To Kill Me

Photo Credit

I hate complaining - honest I do. I have all these posts in my head that I want to get out but classic Devan, I have another kidney stone trying to kill me.

My 20th Kidney Stone - in 5 years

Normally, I only get stones when I am pregnant - another lovely complication when my body is busy making a baby. I have to be seen my a urologist as well through out the pregnancy & have to be medicated with pain relievers because the stone passing would cause contractions.

Last August I had surgery to remove 2 stones from my kidney that would be too large to safely pass and had a stent put in for 5 days. I thought I was done. Ended up passing 2 more after that surgery.

Well, turns out when I "let myself" get dehydrated I make these stones move. Not sure why I keep making stones - I am one of those weird ones that have both calcium and uric composition stones so last year my urologist placed me on a "Low Oxalate" diet and honest, I have not been following the diet. It is pretty limiting when i already eat gluten free & casein free...  and I suck.

If you have ever had a kidney stone - or witnessed someone plagued with a kidney stone you will know it is not a walk in the park. This shit is painful. Like make me vomit pain. I take pain well but this is exhausting. It can take up to a week for the stone to pass through me and I don't have time for that. I am thankful that I don't need to be in the hospital (I had to when I was pregnant to stop contractions) and I have pain medication to manage this at home. I can't be away from my kids.

Anywhoo - ramble and rant aside: Please bare with me as I wait for this to pass. I have some posts that aren't just babble (I promise) in mind and as soon as I can focus on them with out this pain and getting back into the swing of things from the whole NYC trip we will return to routine around here.

Thank you lovelies!

I love hearing from you! Leave a comment below ♥ Accustomed Chaos / Canada Gluten Free Examiner Email: accustomedchaos@gmail.com