Back to work, back to normal routines. Or maybe I should say what I aim to be normal routines. In the beginning of the month I put a goal in my mind to take a good walk after work every day and on my days off either go to the gym or take a longer/harder walk. So Friday came around and I had a lot of motivation to walk. No problem to take the dogs for a walk and they were as happy.
Saturday… I was home over an hour late from work and the motivation wasn’t there as the day before. But I didn’t let that stop me. My strong mind had to win over my lazy body so the dogs and I went on a nice walk. It felt really good once I was back home and I was proud that I did it.
Sunday… again home a little late from work but I had motivation again to do the walk. This time I added some music in my ears. I usually don’t have my headphones with me walking the dogs so I can hear cars and other things that I might have to take action for. But this time I did and it worked awesome. We had a higher pace than normal and BamBam had to trot now and then to keep up. We made it back in 56 minutes whereas usually we are just around 59 minutes. I was tired in my muscles.

Today I’m off work and I had in my mind to go to the gym when I woke up, not knowing how I would feel about it. But to my surprise I was actually motivated to get it done!

Last year a physical therapist made a workout routine for me to follow that was made for my form of diagnosis, cardiogenic syncope. I have decided to start from the beginning again with that program which means right now I only do three machines; the rowing, the sitting ellipse and the treadmill. Then, as time goes I add time, hardness and other equipment. It’s a long step by step process that goes after how I feel.

I like the rowing machine. It strengthen my muscles that I use at work when we are moving patients as well. That helps my motivation to sit here for 20 minutes and suffer. But as long as I don’t look at the timer it goes pretty fast and sometimes easy.

I don’t know why I find this one fun. Right now I’m on an easy level (level 4) but the higher I get the more fun it gets. It’s just a machine that fits me well I guess and that’s why I like it. Gradually the level will be harder but today I felt really happy with my accomplishments and it felt like it was just what my body needed.

Most people starts with the treadmill but I have to finish with it. The reason is that this machine can sometimes make me dizzy. I find it strange because I am walking normally but on a treadmill I have to be very careful stepping off. When I asked my cardiologist about it a while back he said that it’s probably because when I stop walking my blood pressure plunges (that is normal for me) and with that my balance need time to adjust. While on the treadmill my body is walking but not moving forward and suddenly my body is moving forward and that is confusing for my balance. It only takes a minute and it’s good again but to have to continue on other machines after that is not preferable so that’s why I do it last.
This is of course the machine that is the easiest for me. I can walk forever. What I don’t like is that my watch does not take in consideration if I have any incline settings so depending on what program I do the iWatch doesn’t reflect it correctly and I have to manually edit it. Today was without any incline so it agreed with the treadmill!

I have also made some nutritional changes. For example invested in a Nutribullet so I make myself a shake every morning. This shake is containing of milk, a fresh fruit, a frozen fruit and some protein powder.

This is my breakfast before work or after my morning workout. It keeps me full until lunch when I try to have a light meal, either a salad or some pasta depending on where I am or what I’m doing. So far it’s working really well! But we are only on day 4 so… but I’m very motivated to keep going and see the change!

I am posting pictures and progress on my health instagram account @WalkingWonderWoman. Since I know that people can get a little fed up by health journeys I created a separate account for it, simply just to inspire and show that someone with my condition has her up’s and down’s but it’s worth to keep on fighting!

For the third consecutive year I have signed up for the Run The Year Challenge! The ultimate goal is to walk or run 2022 miles in 2022 but I know that ain’t happening. But I will keep the goal I have for 2021 which is 1500 miles. I know that I won’t meet my goal for 2021 but that makes me even more motivated for next year. When they open up for it I will create a EMS team (5 people) and the team will have the the goal to make 2022 miles together. So if you are in EMS let me know if you are into this challenge as well so I can sign you up on the team when it’s open!