Susie's Back (and neck!) Log

[Susie Rosenberg]

Wow....I'm so easily thrown off track these days.

Had a couple of over-the-top stressful days. Family health matters. Blew me out of the water. Yesterday, I was so tense, my lower back just spasm'ed up while standing at the sink. Then, it felt sore like I'd been hit with a bat.

For most of 18 months, when I had troubles like-you-wouldn't-believe-if-it-were-a-movie, I managed to get some kind of workout done at least 4 days a week, and my diet stayed clean. I don't think I could have survived what I had to deal with if I didn't.

Yet now, because I'm out of the habit and my motivation's flagging, it's that much harder, and it goes out the window at the least obstacle.

I *know* I will feel better if I eat well and exercise smart. I guess I have to acknowledge there's still a lot of ongoing sources of stress in my life, and cope. I can't take care of people if I don't take care of myself. I have to practice to think of myself not so much as the source of strength and caring, like a bucket with a finite amount of water, but as a channel for Universal strength---yielding strength--that is infinite. Waves of life. Pulses of energy. I have to remember it's possible to "surf" the stress rather than drown in the wave.

And given the givens, it's probably wise for now if I focus on health and strength, not so much on losing 10 pounds. The weight will come off if I keep my focus on healthy eating and let my activity creep up. I'm not eating as consistently well as I should for rebuilding my wellness, and that's a priority.

Now, I feel better.

Today, I need a healing walk of some sort. It's very cold, but I need to be outside.

Susie

[Jay Cohen]

Yep, stay the course, day in, day out.

[sarena kopciel]

As life dictates, obstacles will come and obstacles will go. As you state so eloquently yourself, focus on self will help you cope and manage when those obstacles come to kick you in the a**!!

And you know, your virtual community (and some you have already met) will be here for you when you need to vent.

[Allen Yeh]

Originally Posted by Susie Rosenberg

Wow....I'm so easily thrown off track these days.

Had a couple of over-the-top stressful days. Family health matters. Blew me out of the water. Yesterday, I was so tense, my lower back just spasm'ed up while standing at the sink. Then, it felt sore like I'd been hit with a bat.

For most of 18 months, when I had troubles like-you-wouldn't-believe-if-it-were-a-movie, I managed to get some kind of workout done at least 4 days a week, and my diet stayed clean. I don't think I could have survived what I had to deal with if I didn't.

I know exactly how this feels, and I've really only gotten to a point in the past few months were I have been really consistent and trying to make up for lost days and such. I know if I don't do it it makes it so much harder to cope with everything else.

Stay strong!

[Susie Rosenberg]

I'm grateful for the support and encouragement, folks. Thank you sincerely.

A milestone today, something else I'm grateful for. Until today, I could not walk longer than 20 minutes without pain bad enough to need to stop. Pain in my neck, upper shoulders, edging in to lower back. I'd learned to mitigate it by bringing my scapulae together and down, creating a shelf for my poor atrophied neck muscles to rest upon.

Well, today, in 24 degree cold, I walked for an hour. A SOLID HOUR!!!! I haven't been able to walk that much since before my surgery. THANK YOU, Lord!!! And I didn't have to think too much about my posture, either. I just didn't have the usual pain....a teeny faraway ache but very minor.

This is A Big Deal...I'm thrilled.

Susie

[Jay Cohen]

That's great news.
Have a super weekend.
Eat great food.
Read a good book.

Jay


“In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins - not through strength, but through persistence.” Buddha

[Susie Rosenberg]

Originally Posted by Jay Cohen

That's great news.
Have a super weekend.
Eat great food.
Read a good book.

Jay


“In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins - not through strength, but through persistence.” Buddha

Oh, I've got a bagful of good books from the library, including---

VANISHING TRIBES by Alain Chenevier
THE BONE COLLECTOR by Jeffrey Deaver
FULL CATASTROPHE LIVING by Jon Kabat-Zinn
WAISTLAND by Deidre Barrett (about paleo living, in a manner of speaking)

B: 2 eggs w/ 2 slices bacon and half an orange
L: handful of pecans, cooked kale in bacon, touch of leftover pot roast
D: large green salad, half rack of beef ribs.

Susie

[Susie Rosenberg]

There's been more mental than physical "training" the past couple of days. I've been very tight and very sore, so physical work has been limited to lots of stretching. Tomorrow I will take my dance class and see how I do.

I found my way today to a group meditation, link here:

http://www.albanyktc.org/about_ktc.html

I am finding a deep need to develop a more disciplined meditation practice. Since I can't exercise hard the way I used to, which was my mindfulness practice, Ineed to develop my ability to sit. There's a lot of "static" within, I need a clear channel.

Susie

[Craig Brown]

Susie, I just picked up this book in Portland last week and it is quite good.

Kettlebells, yoga, meditation and guitar are where it's at for me right now!

Craig

[Jay Cohen]

Originally Posted by Susie Rosenberg

There's been more mental than physical "training" the past couple of days. I've been very tight and very sore, so physical work has been limited to lots of stretching. Tomorrow I will take my dance class and see how I do.

I found my way today to a group meditation, link here:

http://www.albanyktc.org/about_ktc.html

I am finding a deep need to develop a more disciplined meditation practice. Since I can't exercise hard the way I used to, which was my mindfulness practice, Ineed to develop my ability to sit. There's a lot of "static" within, I need a clear channel.

Susie

Good job.

If you can sit on a regular basis along with working with a teacher, or attending Dharma talks, it will really help.

Be well, train on.

J