There are times when we need to push through the pain and lack of motivation to achieve our goals. Then, there are times when we need to stop what we are pushing through and listen to what our bodies are telling us. I don’t want to complain here, but lately I feel like a hot mess!
For the last few weeks I’ve been really struggling with feeling well. After the new year, my goal was being healthy. I started to plan out my workouts and log them for accountability [which I still am]. I picked up the intensity of my running and classes, was eating healthy and getting plenty of rest, but something wasn’t right.
Then, a few weeks ago I woke up to my on again, and off again sore throat and felt like I was 90 years old. I felt like total crap, so I decided to go to the doctor to see what was going on. I’m not sure where you live, but in this part of the country the flu and strep is running rampant and I wanted to to rule them out. After being swabbed a few times and running some blood work, everything tested negative. I was relieved, but I still knew that my body was hurting.
In addition to all that, the back of my heel has been aching and now has a bump on it. I’ve always had Achilles issues, so I self diagnosed myself with having Haglund’s Deformity. This is a condition where the soft tissue near the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed and the “bump” appears. I’m not 100% positive with my diagnosis, but I’ve had enough injuries to know my body. I knew that a daily ritual of rest, stretching, ibuprofen and ice was definitely in my future but I haven’t totally been listening to that advice and it’s still there.
Then, about two weeks ago my shoulder started with some pain and I noticed a hard bump on the collarbone. I ended up going to the doctor to get that checked out and it turned out to be an osteophyte. Basically that’s a fancy name for a bone spur. I have a future appointment with an orthopedic doctor, but until then, my shoulder activity is limited.
Finally, I started with a sore throat and body aches AGAIN on Monday and came home from school yesterday at lunchtime to rest. My symptoms aren’t severe enough to be called a flu, so I’m thinking it’s another cold. I have been teaching for years and have usually been immune to sicknesses, but this year they kicked my butt. This morning the sore throat is still there.
So, the moral of the story today is listen to your body. Push when you feel like you can, but if you are feeling run down, sore, tired, or have strange little bumps appear, stop and rest. Go to the doctor and see what’s going on. For me, my mind wants to keep moving, but my body is saying stop.