Finessing My Fitness

So I turned a huge corner on Friday... I no longer need a chaperone! Hooray! (the chaperone was mostly for overnights since I had a few bad ones that I hope to never revisit).  My appetite has come back about 85% which is amazing since I lost about 8lbs in less than a week .. no bueno.  I put on about 2 lbs now which is so much better and I’ve been working on getting those healthy calories in prior to my next treatment on February 4th.  I’m sooooo happy that I’m feeling better and stronger each day leading up to treatment.  I will be honest, I was very scared with how terrible I felt last week and I couldn’t help but think to myself  “how am I going to make it another seven treatments if I’m always going to feel like this!?”  Insert my brother’s words of wisdom “you better get your mind right son.”  And so I did.

I started my building phase. Which is a term we use for Ironman training. The build phase in training is focusing on strength and power development leading up to the race. So basically six - seven days after my chemo will be my build phase.  Incorporate healthy calories, ungodly amounts of fluids, rest and yes folks FINALLY some exercise! All leading up to race day = Chemo day.  

So because my lifestyle is a lot different right now, so is my exercising and or training. The change is a hard pill for me to swallow but over the past five days I’ve managed to hold myself accountable.  I exercised but had to throw some “finesse” into it.  I’m allowing myself 15-30 minutes a day (of course depending how I feel and until I get a hang of this whole low energy chemo thing).  So within that time bracket I do cardio and strength.  Alternating from calorie rides on the bike to strength sets with dumbbells, kettlebells, lunges, squats, thrusters and sit-ups... Just keep moving! I would have liked to go for a jog but it’s been cold, low energy and now a blizzard.  I guess my pain cave of exercises will do.  Dr. Hamlin told me to keep everything at 60% of what I was doing so I think this is a great compromise for now *wink wink*.

I’ve been tracking my heart rate, recovery and sleep with the help of WHOOP.  If your into fitness and such things definitely look it up.  It really does keep an eye on my sleep and heart rate since things have changed and have been elevated since chemo.  WHOOP was something easy to commit to since my body has been noncommittal.  

My mind and body turned a huge corner last week.  Knowing that the first six to seven days could be bad and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel makes me feel more positive and stronger going into each session.  I’m grateful to have the tools and knowledge to get me to a good place physically and mentally each day even when I’m feeling my worst. But what I’m most grateful for is my family and friends who are there for me every day to help and support me on this journey.  Thank you for the advice, pep talks, love and support.

Happy Monday Y’all!