Sticks and Stones

Yesterday, my sister and I were running errands in my truck and these two guys in a Mini felt it necessary to show their stupidity.  We drove by them thinking nothing of it, next thing I knew they pulled up a long side us (passenger side) and shouted “damn, how did you get that big?”  My sister looked at me and said ‘what?’ I am not sure if she heard what they said and was choosing to ignore it or if she truly didn’t hear what they said.  I am hoping she truly didn’t hear what they said.   A few miles down the road I saw them coming up in my review mirror, again on my passenger side. I have to admit I really wanted to swerve if for no other reason than to scare them.  But I didn’t and again, they felt the need to show their stupidity, this time yelling something along the line of ‘how much weight can that truck carry?”  We all know that I am not a little thing; my sister is bigger than I am and has had a weight issue the majority of her life.  It is not important why, and I will be the first to admit that I enable her more than I should.  It breaks my heart when she is not permitted to ride a ride at an amusement park because of her size or she has to get a seatbelt extender on the airplane. I do not understand why people find it necessary to make comments like those. 

How did you get so big, really?  Is that all you can come up with?  That took a lot of brain power didn’t it?  With the journey I have been going through I have learned that there are reasons why people get so big, it might be they have an eating disorder or they are on medication what causes weight gain.  Does it really matter why someone is as big as they are? 

How much weight can that truck carry? Really, how about we look at how much damage can that truck cause this car if we really distract you? 

Yes, it bugs me.  I know the name of my blog is Don’t Let the Fat Chick Beat You, I know I joke about “being fluffy” but it is still a very sensitive subject for me my ideal size is a 8/10, that is where I am happiest.  But that is not where I am right now  I am at a 16/18, my sister is at a 26/28. I would love to see me back in my 8/10 and she her in a 16/18, but it takes a lot.  It takes an entire life overhaul, which is something I am working on, but I keeping having slipups (I am to tired or I hurt to much, excuses, they are nothing more than excuses). 

Sticks and stones, right?

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

1 Year

On 20 May 2010 I found out that my primary doc suspected I have lupus.  I was reading over my initial blog Lupus and it is interesting to remember what I was going through then vs. what is going on now.  It has been a very emotional ride, I won’t lie.  There are times I get so made I storm down to my sister’s area and start screaming at her, there are other times I just lie in bed and cry.  Most importantly during races I hold my head up knowing that the fact I am even out there shows just how strong I have become. 



~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

Junk in the Trunk!

I freely admit I am still a child at heart.  When someone I know goes on a trip (no matter what the reason) I love getting presents when they get back!  Last Saturday morning my closest running buddy made my entire year!

I have made it more than obvious that I am on the fluffier side; I working on downsizing, but I will never be teeny tiny.  Last Saturday I was grumbling a little because I really wanted to still be in bed, but it was long run day and I had miles to put in.  I haven’t been able to see my friend Lynne very often because she has been training for a marathon and my next marathon isn’t until October.  Not only had she run her marathon, she was back in town, YAY! She stopped by at the beginning of the run to visit with people and show off her really cool medal (yes, the Flying Pig Marathon is on my list of races to run!).  She also handed me a bag with a green shirt in it.  I pull the shirt out and the front has ‘Southern Belle’ written on it.  I flip it over and almost fall over laughing about what the back says… “There is nothing pretty about skin & bones. You need some junk in your trunk. ™” I decided since Fridays are causal day I would wear it to work today.  I can’t wait to see if I get any comments about it. 

Oh! Knee is still being weird, grinding a little more than usual, but the pain has decreased since yesterday morning.  I was able to get some treadmill time in yesterday (taking it VERY easy) I was going 5 minute increments between weight sets and not really pushing it (not to mention I had my brace on).

It is Friday, it is my year one anniversary of facing lupus, but I will get to that later!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

I will listen, I will listen, I will listen

Saturday morning was a nice recovery run of 8 miles, I didn’t realize I was running with my two little buddies!  At mile 2 I was hearing ‘it’s not a big deal if you turn around at 2.5, there is nothing wrong with a 5 mile recovery run.’ I knew the port-a-potty was coming in up about a half mile and I was going to have to stop.  Luckily when I got to there the other little voice was saying ‘1.5 more miles is nothing! Not to mention it is a beautiful run!’ I am happy to say the ‘other’ little voice won out! By the time I got back to the start I was happy, I had been super slow, but it felt good!

Sunday I had planned on getting some more miles in, BUT I decided it would do me a world of good if I slept in!  Monday was an off day too (to much homework and to tired after class).  Tuesday a nice run in the gymlet. Wednesday I hit 24 and got some more miles in. 

This morning while I was returning to my car after dropping off Cuervo my right foot slipped (it has been raining all night) and my knee twisted (I am kind of used to it doing that), I was supposed to do 4 miles, but I think I am going to sit today out and get the miles in tomorrow!  I will see how I am feeling at lunch and decide at that time.  I might go down during lunch anyway and get a nice weights/abs workout in.  I have a nice race schedule this year, I will not hurt myself to the point I have to sit out most of the year and hurt myself and then push myself to mess up next year. I WILL become an Ironman next year!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

 Last week after getting back from Fort Collins I had a certified letter postcard on my door.  I put it in my car and forgot about it until yesterday.  I figured I would swing by the post office on my way home from work, I stopped in had a good joke with the mail person and she gave me my letter, it was from my rheumy’s office.  Ok, must be a bill.  I got to my car opened it up to read…

Excuse me? No reason why, nothing just not going to treat you anymore.  I went home and took some pain pills (my shoulder is hurting something fierce). While laying on my bed (allegedly calling everyone mommy) I googled her and found…

VITALS Comments

Apr 7, 2011

THis is one of the worst doctors I have ever seen. She never looked up from her computer, typed the entire time I was in the room, and gave me an extremely poor and depressing outlook for my diagnosis. When I went to another rheumatologist I could not believe how positive and uplifting he was. He gave me hope that I could manage my disease. I would NEVER refer anyone to this doctor or this practice.

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Feb 20, 2011

EXCELLENT STATE-OF-THE-ART CARE; WONDERFUL PERSON

I could not have asked for better rheumatoid arthritis care than I have received from Megan McNeil. She is very intelligent and follows state-of-the-art protocols. In addition, her manner is courteous and warm. I would not change doctors-- I have the best care in the world with Dr. MacNeil.

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Nov 23, 2010

VERY BAD EXPERIENCE

I saw Dr MacNeil and it was a bad experience. The Dr had already made up her mind before listening to my story. She typed continuously in her computer and didn't look at me during that time. She didn't show any emotion or caring toward me and my problem. She snapped at me and my husband when she diagnosed me as having Fibromyalgia and told us "It's a real disease" - which we knew. She never smiled the entire time. I let her know that I'd not be coming back to see her and provided constructive critism, but what I received was a certified letter stating that she would not longer see me and that I needed to find a new doctor to provide me care. It was a strange letter, but I guess we were in agreement that this relationship wasn't going to work.

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Jun 7, 2009

AMAZED

The other reviewers seem to have seen a very different Dr, than my experience has been! My experiences were a Dr. that didn't even look up from her laptop while talking to me. Was so eager to take an exact time frame, that even when called out of the exam room by another Dr. came back with only a couple minutes left for me & didn't change, in spite of being out of the room much of my appointments. Did not take the symptoms & side effects seriously on meds that were not working after almost a year. Treated me like I was overly dramatic, had zero bedside manner, and gave me the feeling she didn't think I was worth the effort. As a result I felt I was getting worse, finally after being treated with NO compassion & NOT being listened to, or changed on my regime once again, I left for another Dr. & practice that has validated my concerns, gotten me on an agressive treatment & I am now doing better than the year plus I was seeing her.

Read more: http://www.vitals.com/doctor/profile/1437107869/reviews/1437107869#ixzz1M9L4rcs3

Good news is, this morning I called one of the docs on her list (who just so happens to be in the same building as my normal doc) and I have an appointment with him in less than a month.  The office staff is a whole lot nicer and I think this will be a good move.  I am not sure about Dr. MacNeil though!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

How?

Yesterday I was going so backwards it wasn’t even funny.  I forgot my Starbucks cup (hey, I say 10 cents plus it has a boxer on it), I forgot my work badge AND I forgot my iPod!  I should have just gone home and called it a day! I could have gone down to the gymlet during lunch to get my workout in, but with no iPod (or headphones) I just couldn’t bring myself to doing it.  I worked through lunch and after work headed off to class.  After class I went straight to 24 Hour Fitness (I had changed before leaving work!).  I got on the treadmill did a 5 minute warm up and then got down to business. As I was warming up I posted on Facebook the fact I was doing a 5 mile treadmill run with no music.  I was running 6 minutes and walking one (I am still working on getting my endurance up).  Below is the conversation that was going on (I posted one reply during a walking break and the rest was when I was sitting in my car before leaving the parking lot). 

Sammie

‎5 mile treadmill run with no ipod :(

Sandra  How do you do it....Ugh.

Sammie I am at 24 where there is a lot of noise! The gymlet at work is to quiet!

Sandra  No how do you do all that exercise. I really so wanna buy my butt just doesn't get up. lol

Melissa  Good job...I HAVE to have my music to make my legs move.

Sammie  Total distance before cool down 5.4 miles. Sandra - find a local 5k about 2 - 3 months from now and start nice and slow (walk to the end of the block and back if need be). There are C25K (couch to 5k) programs that will take you nice and slow. Once you get moving you will find more stuff to do and you will start moving more and more!

Tammy Where are these C25K programs? I wanna try one! As u know I have never been able to learn how to run, but have always wanted too! :)

Sammie I think colorado running comapny is about to start one up (?) send me you email address and I will get you some info tomorrow

I got to thinking, why do I run/race, yes, I want to lose weight and look hot, whatever but it isn’t the main reason.  I started racing because I was told I couldn’t.  Then I found out that I have lupus and RA. Studies have shown that physical activity helps keep the symptoms at bay.  If I stop I will have admitted defeat and I just can’t afford to do that.  This is MY body, I am the boss, not the other way around.  I will listen to suggestions from my body, but it cannot dictate to me how I am going to live my life.

Today is World Lupus Day if you can find it in your heart to donate please do so, if you want to support me in my Walk for Lupus Now (click on Sponsor a walker and enter Sammie under the first name, My team is the “Lupie Butterflies”).

I hope everyone has a wonderful day (Oh, and I remembered my badge, cup and iPod today!)

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~

Take 5 in the Garden

The last time I ran this race was back in 2007 and I only ran it as a 5K, this time I did the 5-miler.  The morning was beautiful! The temperature was amazing, I mean really, you couldn’t ask for better weather!  I got to the start about an hour before the race (I like being nice and early).  The parking lot was a good distance from the start (which was very understandable); busses were provided if you didn’t want to hoof the distance (less than 2 miles).  As we pulled up I noticed there were only 10 port-a-potties.  With more than a half hour before the race the port-a-potty line was already out to the road (not a good sign).  The race finally started.  Luckily they started putting a start line down so your time didn’t start until you crossed.  I have said time and time again, I suck at hills (which is part of the reason my goal was so slow), nearly the first mile was uphill so I walked the majority of it.  The temperature was raising and the sun was beating down.  Finally we got to go downhill, the 5K-ers split off and the 5-milers kept going downhill and then some uphill, I was getting thirsty. It a race, they have water stops, I didn’t bring my own water (STUPID mistake!).  I get to the first water stop and they were tearing it down, no water was left! I was not the last person there was still at least a dozen plus behind me.  I trudged back up the hill, saw Coach Judy, posed for a picture made it to the second water stop and waited in line for a few drops of water, it was enough to keep me going.  Continued up the hill and to the next turn around point and then towards the finish line.  The last downhill before the finish line was finally right in front of me and there was a gal who was a good distance ahead of me I decided I would beat her! I started picking up more and more speed, I beat her! Thank God my sister was at the finish line, all I could get out was ‘no water on course’ she handed me her water bottle and I started drinking!  I would have to say the only saving grace to the race is the scenery. 

“Over 1000 runners will choose to run a 5Mile or a 5K course through a "picture-perfect" park, running amongst towering red sandtone formations on a paved, hilly course. Garden of the Gods Park, the crown jewel of Colorado Springs' Park System, plays host to this race on a beautiful May morning! In appreciation for using the park, we hope you will consider making a donation to the Garden of the Gods Foundation to keep this "jewel" a truly sparking gem!”

The lack of port-a-potties and water seriously dropped it on my list.  There is no excuse for running out of water and even their site boasts of the number of runners and they only have 10 potties?  Not good!

~If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: "He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned"~