I miss the fitness threads and the fitness Doms!

[FurryFury]

I'm glad the orthopedist agreed to another MRI but if that doesn't work consider another orthopedist. *hugs*

The orthopedist PooPoo'd me, but luckily agreed to at least more imaging (MRI). I want to run. I do not want to turn into a dumpling. but my foot won't let me. WHY WON'T YOU BELIEVE ME.

 

[BiBunny]

I'm glad the orthopedist agreed to another MRI but if that doesn't work consider another orthopedist. *hugs*

What Fury said.

I have a permanently effed up shoulder because of a retard orthopedist who told me I couldn't possibly have dislocated it by falling off a horse. Jackass.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

What Fury said.

I have a permanently effed up shoulder because of a retard orthopedist who told me I couldn't possibly have dislocated it by falling off a horse. Jackass.

Seriously? How could you not...he...SERIOUSLY?! man, now i feel like i got a good deal... But yah, he didn't outright refuse to acknowledge that I had "a problem". He just kept saying things like "well try wearing insoles when you run". Dude. I haven't run AT ALL in a MONTH (Except for some drunken episodes, but those only last about 3 seconds before the pain kicks in ) I should have had at least a measure of improvement by now if it was related just to my running. And I was professionally fitted by our running store (and they're damned good at their jobs) for my running shoes, thank you.

not to mention i have the problem walking to a lesser extent as well, and i DO walk with insoles in. further badnews: this office are the only good orthopedists in town and i'm not sure they'd internally refer me. I should have requested the guy who fixed my shoulder, but I couldn't remember his name xD

I still can't get over the fact some orthopedist thought you can dislocate a shoulder falling off a horse. Does he also think football players can't get concussions?

 

[BiBunny]

Seriously? How could you not...he...SERIOUSLY?! man, now i feel like i got a good deal... But yah, he didn't outright refuse to acknowledge that I had "a problem". He just kept saying things like "well try wearing insoles when you run". Dude. I haven't run AT ALL in a MONTH (Except for some drunken episodes, but those only last about 3 seconds before the pain kicks in ) I should have had at least a measure of improvement by now if it was related just to my running. And I was professionally fitted by our running store (and they're damned good at their jobs) for my running shoes, thank you.

not to mention i have the problem walking to a lesser extent as well, and i DO walk with insoles in. further badnews: this office are the only good orthopedists in town and i'm not sure they'd internally refer me. I should have requested the guy who fixed my shoulder, but I couldn't remember his name xD

I still can't get over the fact some orthopedist thought you can dislocate a shoulder falling off a horse. Does he also think football players can't get concussions?

Haha, no, only football players and REAL athletes can get injured. Don't you know riders are not real athletes, silly rabbit?

He told me that landing on my shoulder couldn't dislocate it. Apparently because I didn't want to wait 3 days with a dislocated shoulder so that he could see it meant that it was never dislocated in the first place. I had somebody roll that thing back into place for me before I even got up off the ground because FML, it hurt worse than anything I'd experienced before (or since). But, then again, he's pretty much known for his incompetence, anyway. He wouldn't even order an MRI.

I got a second opinion later, complete with MRI, and my shoulder joint looks like hamburger. It'd take surgery to fix it, and shortly after the second opinion, my father's company changed the way they did their insurance, and I was booted off of it. (This was when I was still in college.) So now I'm left with a shoulder that'll sublux whenever it takes a notion to because orthopede #1 got his medical degree out of a vending machine, and I can't afford surgery.

And that's not the *only* injury I have that has left me with problems because the doctors didn't believe they were that bad.

Moral of the story: You know more about what's wrong with you than they do. If they won't help you, get someone who will, so you don't end up a bitter old woman who can't walk and/or lift her arms over her head like yours truly.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Haha, no, only football players and REAL athletes can get injured. Don't you know riders are not real athletes, silly rabbit?

Oh god I know you're being sarcastic and it still makes me want to rise up and throttle you. God I hate that....

Moral of the story: You know more about what's wrong with you than they do. If they won't help you, get someone who will, so you don't end up a bitter old woman who can't walk and/or lift her arms over her head like yours truly.

I know right? Doctors have this BLESSING of having a patient that can be all "I hurt right here, in this manner, when I do this." I don't get any of that and I still listen to my non-verbal patients better 9_9

Also, don't be so hard on yourself. I suppose I can't tell you you're not a bitter old woman as you are a little bitter and I don't know your age but we love you anywaaaayyyy

 

[BiBunny]

Oh god I know you're being sarcastic and it still makes me want to rise up and throttle you. God I hate that....

Me. Too.

I know right? Doctors have this BLESSING of having a patient that can be all "I hurt right here, in this manner, when I do this." I don't get any of that and I still listen to my non-verbal patients better 9_9

Also, don't be so hard on yourself. I suppose I can't tell you you're not a bitter old woman as you are a little bitter and I don't know your age but we love you anywaaaayyyy

I'm 29. I'm old.

And I lurves you, too. Hope your doctor will get on it and figure out what's up with your foot, so it can get better soon.

 

[seela]

Ok, BBE and BB, bear with my silly question and don't throttle me, ok? Please?

But what makes riding a workout? I mean, I've heard it many times that it's an excellent workout and I've seen riders who are beat up after they jump off the horse. But I just don't get it. What do you do when you ride that makes it hard? Because it looks like you're just kinda sitting there and the horse runs and jumps and stuff.

This is an honest question and not intented to pass on judgment or say that riding isn't hard or whatever. I've just never had any contact with horses, ever. Except for once when my friend's cousin's baby horse bit my arm when I was standing next to the pen. But I've never touched a real grown up horse and I've never sat on the back of one, because holy crap they're tall and huge and scary. So I know nothing about horses, except that I probably wouldn't want to be real close to one.

So...why? What?

Oh and Bunny, sorry about your shoulder. I know too much about dislocating shoulders (operated 4 times now) and I know how horrible the pain is. Have you done any PT? I don't know what's exactly going on with your shoulder, but if you have a problem with subluxation - as do I, still, after all the operations - making sure your upperbody muscles are in shape will most likely help you.

And I'll be 29 in February. I refuse to believe 29's old.

 

[BiBunny]

Ok, BBE and BB, bear with my silly question and don't throttle me, ok? Please?

But what makes riding a workout? I mean, I've heard it many times that it's an excellent workout and I've seen riders who are beat up after they jump off the horse. But I just don't get it. What do you do when you ride that makes it hard? Because it looks like you're just kinda sitting there and the horse runs and jumps and stuff.

This is an honest question and not intented to pass on judgment or say that riding isn't hard or whatever. I've just never had any contact with horses, ever. Except for once when my friend's cousin's baby horse bit my arm when I was standing next to the pen. But I've never touched a real grown up horse and I've never sat on the back of one, because holy crap they're tall and huge and scary. So I know nothing about horses, except that I probably wouldn't want to be real close to one.

So...why? What?

No offense taken.

I can only speak for the kind of riding I do (or did, since I haven't ridden in a couple of years), not the kind BBE does, which is totally different.

But I will be the first to say that unless you're riding a real asshole of a horse, you don't really get a cardiac workout, not in the style of riding I do (did). But there is absolutely nothing better for a core workout. Every muscle in your torso engages the second you get on and stays that way 'til you get off. It does amazing things for your leg muscles, too. And arms as well sometimes, depending on the horse you're riding.

Most of the really hard cardio comes from taking care of the horses, rather than riding them: grooming, cleaning tack, lugging big bags of horse feed and hay bales and water buckets around, and, oh, dear Jesus, mucking out stalls.

Also, if it looks like the riders aren't doing anything when they're riding, it means they're really good. 'Tis not supposed to look like you're doing anything.

Oh and Bunny, sorry about your shoulder. I know too much about dislocating shoulders (operated 4 times now) and I know how horrible the pain is. Have you done any PT? I don't know what's exactly going on with your shoulder, but if you have a problem with subluxation - as do I, still, after all the operations - making sure your upperbody muscles are in shape will most likely help you.

Oh, God, 4 surgeries? I am so sorry. I will never complain about my shoulder again.

I did PT right after I injured it. Like, asshole ortho had me in PT the very next day. Didn't help at the time, and I think it may have done more harm than good then. If I'd been given a little time to heal, it probably would've helped, though.

Did I mention that I hit the ground so hard that I was bleeding internally? Because I was. (Not badly. Just bruised up a kidney, but still.)

And I'll be 29 in February. I refuse to believe 29's old.

I like the way you think!

 

[seela]

I can only speak for the kind of riding I do (or did, since I haven't ridden in a couple of years), not the kind BBE does, which is totally different.

But I will be the first to say that unless you're riding a real asshole of a horse, you don't really get a cardiac workout, not in the style of riding I do (did). But there is absolutely nothing better for a core workout. Every muscle in your torso engages the second you get on and stays that way 'til you get off. It does amazing things for your leg muscles, too. And arms as well sometimes, depending on the horse you're riding.

Most of the really hard cardio comes from taking care of the horses, rather than riding them: grooming, cleaning tack, lugging big bags of horse feed and hay bales and water buckets around, and, oh, dear Jesus, mucking out stalls.

Hmm. It makes sense that it's good for your core. Maybe I should try that some time. A friend of mine still has a pony, or at least an access to one, I believe. I guess that might be the perfect first step for me, because ponies are less scary than big horses.

I don't think I'd be too into the grooming and cleaning, though.

Also, if it looks like the riders aren't doing anything when they're riding, it means they're really good. 'Tis not supposed to look like you're doing anything.

Well yeah, my idea of what riding is or at least what it looks like comes from sometimes watching the Olympic riders, so I guess that's why I have the image that they just sit and wait until the horse has done the little step and twirl thingies they do. The ones who jump fences (what's the activity called anyways) seem to do a bit more, because they actually have to hold on to the horse so that they don't fall off.

Oh, God, 4 surgeries? I am so sorry. I will never complain about my shoulder again.

I did PT right after I injured it. Like, asshole ortho had me in PT the very next day. Didn't help at the time, and I think it may have done more harm than good then. If I'd been given a little time to heal, it probably would've helped, though.

Did I mention that I hit the ground so hard that I was bleeding internally? Because I was. (Not badly. Just bruised up a kidney, but still.)

All my joints are hypermobile, so I've been cut open more times than I pretty much can remember. But at least now I have anchors in both of my shoulders, three in one, four in the other, so now they don't get dislocated anymore and they only subluxate to one direction instead of three directions.

I really recommend you to start doing some exercises for your shoulder. I should do them constantly, but I too often let them slide. And when I let them slide, sleeping becomes a pain for me and that's when I start taking care of the muscles again (and stop taking care of them once sleeping no longer is a pain...). So it really works!

Seeing a PT would be the best, but if that's not a possibility, I'm sure there are some pics of what to do online. Start small, with a resistance band, and work up from there to push ups (start by doing against the wall and then go down) and dumbbells and kettlebells. Or you can even use waterbottles or cans.

Swimming is really good, too. Just don't swim crawl, at least at first. Breast strokes are the best for gaining strength for the muscles around the shoulders, or at least that's what my PT has me doing.

I hope your shoulder will get better. I know how painful it can get!

Oh, and internal bleeding sounds severe to say the least!

 

[bhndblueyes88]

seela, I grew up doing the Olympic-type riding, so I'll explain how it's a workout besides just the core stuff that BiBun has mentioned

In general, English Riding (little saddle, both hands always holding lightly on the horses mouth, jumping/dressage/etc...) entails more physical activity than Western. Because the saddle does not hold you in, you get a pretty damn good leg work out and when you're jumping so much of that balance and poise comes from your ass/thighs. You don't just "stand up in the stirrups" because that doesn't give you any balance what so ever. A proficient (not even expert) jumping rider should be able to ride around the arena at least once and over at least one or two fences with no stirrups at all. This is incredibly physically difficult. Also, because the horse is always in contact with the bit and our hands, it's a lot more of an upper body work out. I have lost a lot of muscle tone since my injuries and decreasing my riding, but I'm pretty sure I'm physically incapable of losing the knots in my rhomboid muscles It's essentially doing static Cable Rows the whole time. If you have a horse that rides like a freight train...well lets just say you can't necessarily lift anything the next day

Dressage (what you were mentioning) isn't very physically difficult at the level of the Olympics. You have highly trained horses and your muscles have pretty much entirely adapted to riding. What's physically difficult is working your horse and your own muscles to that level. But, that being said, if you're doing the training correctly and you've picked a suitable horse (i.e. a horse you don't have to fight), then it's one of the more physically easy english events. I counter that with saying almost anyone consistently showing at the lower levels does not have the money/resources to pick said horses...

Jumping and Eventing are physically difficult because of the speed of the work. Most high quality jumping horses are light on the hand and don't require hauling around a turn...but some do and again this is just speaking the "top tier". Additionally, as mentioned, standing above the saddle and balancing over fences can be physically demanding much in the way pilates or yoga can be. Eventing horses have the cross-country phase when you are galloping over terrain and large natural fences. It is always tiring to gallop horses because of the balance involved, but combine that with attempting to navigate said galloping horse and you can end your cross-country round totally bush-whacked!! (haha.)

As far as cardio goes, I do end jumping rounds with my heart pounding. It's a combination of excitement and the strain of muscular endurance. It is NOT a suitable substitute for aerobic Cardio workouts, but I do believe it's enough cardio to keep an active english rider healthy. I think it's worth saying that improving one's cardio with running DOES improve one's endurance in the saddle, so I feel there must be some noteable aerobic cardio component.

I hope that answered some of your questions

 

[lostandfound197]

As bad as I hate to admit it, I've nearly hit the point of no return. I keep slowly putting on more and more weight, and I'm getting old enough that it's starting to tell on me.

I have not been kind to my body over the years. I was very athletic when I was younger, but I never got proper treatment for any of my injuries, so those are all coming back to haunt me now. There's nothing I can do about the aging part, but I suppose if those joints didn't have to haul so much lard around all the time, they'd probably be a little more forgiving.

I'm 5'10" (178 cm if Google's correct). Until I went on Depo my sophomore year in college, I never weighed more than 180 pounds (82 kg) on a large-boned frame. I refuse to write how much I weigh now because it embarrasses me, but I wear a US size 22 pants and even larger shirts (because of that whole giant tits thing), so you can probably guess how terrible it is at this point.

Seems like I post in this thread every year about how I'm really gonna lose weight this year, but over the years, I've just crept up and up and up. Too many broken promises to myself, I guess. There's no guarantee I won't do the same thing this year, too.

But there is something sobering about realizing your body is literally breaking down under your own weight. I was never thin, but up until a few years ago, I've always been strong. I don't even have that to cling to anymore.

I've done so much work mental health-wise over the last couple of years that it seems silly to neglect physical health at this point. What's the point of being relatively mentally healthy if you're too fat and worn-out to enjoy it?

So, anyway..."My name is Bunny, and I'm a fat ass."

Bunny...I haven't read everyones response but wanted to say...I get where you are coming from here and wanted to say there is no such thing as a point of no return. It's more about when you are ready you can accomplish anything you want no matter how impossible it seems.

It took me roughly a year give or take and I lost over 70 lbs. I just finally got pissed off one day and held onto that long enough to get rid of the weight. I kept it off for two years, became pregnant unexpectedly and was kind of forced (long story) to eat poorly. I was scared to death that weight would come on and would stay. I'm now within 12 lbs of my prepregnancy weight two months after my lil miss was born. My biggest fear was going back to that "big" place. The only thing that ever worked was me wanting it bad enough to make me a priority. The only thing holding you back, is you. I need to keep that statement close for other parts of my life but that is another thread.

What I'm trying to say is I had many..many...starts and stops before I finally got it...but it was worth it. I had to do it for me, for being healthy. Had you talked to me when I started yet again I would have said it's impossible. I can't ever become small (I am smaller/healthier now than I ever was) was my inner mantra and I felt that at my age (then late 20's into my 30's) that it was just how my body was, especially after a baby. That lasted about a second until I saw other women that had had kids...and they looked good.

You can do it. It's like anything else..one day at a time and eventually the results will come. I used to think people couldn't "see" my issues..funny thing is...my "fat ass" was more telling than anything else that I wasn't happy. I literally carried it ON me.

Best wishes in this struggle for you.

 

[seela]

BBE, thanks for your post. It certainly answered my question and made me realize I really know absolutely nothing about horses at all. And forced me to google and learn new words in Finnish as well as in English, like bit, dressage and eventing. Learning's always good.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

BBE, thanks for your post. It certainly answered my question and made me realize I really know absolutely nothing about horses at all. And forced me to google and learn new words in Finnish as well as in English, like bit, dressage and eventing. Learning's always good.

I'm sure you knew more than nothing The information I shared one probably would not know without actually DOING it anyway...it's not the sort of information one just happens upon or learns from watching.

 

[FurryFury]

So, In Drink This, Not That, it becomes clear that yes, these authors DO know that fake sugars and additives are dangerous. This makes me happy. I'm now on the fourth of the series. A lot of it is wasted on me because it applies to people who eat and drink out a great deal. I'm a frugal girl so I rarely do that shit. It's the groceries and recipes I'm interested in. Though I will say that I've ordered the double pan fried noodles at P.F. Changs and yes, that stuff is baaaad but also soooo good. LOL

 

[Loverskitten]

So I lost probably 20lbs. (maybe more, i didn't used to own a scale-do now) this past summer on a strict diet. I've never had to diet, but after I hit my late 30's the weight just crept up. Yesterday, at a friend's house we were looking at pics from a few years ago, geez, I really let myself go. I didn't even know how/when that happened???? I wish a friend had said "you're fat, what happened?"
I hate those "I can't eat this, can't eat that" kind of people, but I'm afraid I am one now and will have to be for the rest of my life.
I'm doing a couple weeks of the strict diet to loose a few pounds I've gained since summer, bleh, I'd rather eat cake. I love cake.
Don't really know what my point is here, but being a woman sucks. Or just needed to rant.

 

[Loverskitten]

I also appear to have carb withdrawal rage or something. I should not post anymore for a few days.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

So update: My insurance denied the MRI because I hadn't tried conservative treatment under a doctor yet. My orthopedist has HORRENDOUS hours that I'm unable to readily accommodate at this time (at least, in a plan-for-it manner). While I probably should just go through the hassle of accommodating, at this point I'm just kinda pissed off with their office and have little desire to wait 30 minutes for him to spend 5 minutes talking at me and rechecking my foot that hasn't changed at all since last time he checked it.

My present plan is to give them a massive middle finger and just borrow a CAM boot from one of my friends who happens to have a similar shoe size. If it fits, I'll try that for a couple weeks and see if there's any improvement. If there is, I'll probably keep it on for a month or so in hopes I can fix it myself and fuck you doctor's office.

Side note: I think my favorite part of that discussion with the office person was:

"So, if I remember correctly you don't have extended hours?"
"Well...we're open from 8-4:45."
"Yah, so, the opposite of extended hours. Okay."

Oi....

 

[FurryFury]

Scary. Hope you are feeling better now?

I also appear to have carb withdrawal rage or something. I should not post anymore for a few days.

Wow. So sorry. Hope the boot helps.

So update: My insurance denied the MRI because I hadn't tried conservative treatment under a doctor yet. My orthopedist has HORRENDOUS hours that I'm unable to readily accommodate at this time (at least, in a plan-for-it manner). While I probably should just go through the hassle of accommodating, at this point I'm just kinda pissed off with their office and have little desire to wait 30 minutes for him to spend 5 minutes talking at me and rechecking my foot that hasn't changed at all since last time he checked it.

My present plan is to give them a massive middle finger and just borrow a CAM boot from one of my friends who happens to have a similar shoe size. If it fits, I'll try that for a couple weeks and see if there's any improvement. If there is, I'll probably keep it on for a month or so in hopes I can fix it myself and fuck you doctor's office.

Side note: I think my favorite part of that discussion with the office person was:

"So, if I remember correctly you don't have extended hours?"
"Well...we're open from 8-4:45."
"Yah, so, the opposite of extended hours. Okay."

Oi....

 

[Loverskitten]

Is sneezing exercise?

 

[FurryFury]

Well it makes me sore so I'm going with yes!

And BiBunny, 29 is so not old. I'm 52 and not old right now. I'll let you know, when I get there what old is until then you are YOUNG!

Is sneezing exercise?

 

[midwestyankee]

Well it makes me sore so I'm going with yes!

And BiBunny, 29 is so not old. I'm 52 and not old right now. I'll let you know, when I get there what old is until then you are YOUNG!

You're all soft...and young.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

So, I decided to go ahead and give Stevia another go of it. I'm still not a huge fan of the after taste, but I suppose I'm getting used to it. I think just using less is helping; I was using it like I use sugar/other substitutes and I think this stuff is more potent than that...

 

[gypsy*seer]

Is sneezing exercise?

BAHhahahahaha....!!!!!!

yes.

Well it makes me sore so I'm going with yes!

And BiBunny, 29 is so not old. I'm 52 and not old right now. I'll let you know, when I get there what old is until then you are YOUNG!

50 here...

and not old yet!

 

[bhndblueyes88]

As of this week, I'm consistently back within "normal" per BMI Probably even a little better than barely within normal, too, as I'm fairly certain I've put on some more muscle as well ^_^

 

[FurryFury]

Awesome!

^
5

As of this week, I'm consistently back within "normal" per BMI Probably even a little better than barely within normal, too, as I'm fairly certain I've put on some more muscle as well ^_^