And Life Goes On After My Birthday

It's been 6 days since my 38th birthday, and life is getting back to normal.  I didn't have a party or do anything grandious, but Izzy and I did have a pretty epic special occasion dinner at 1 or 8, which is a very cool modern Japanese French restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  The food was impeccably presented, delicious, and actually very healthy.

FYI, the chopsticks or spoon in every photo is Izzy immediately diving in to every dish, even a second of hesitation on my part and I would have missed my photo op.  When the food looks and tastes this good I like to have a visual for later reference.

So now that party time is over, I am happy to report that not only has Izzy gone to the YMCA in Greenpoint with me 4 times (twice this week and twice last week), he is once again a member as of tonight.  And it was his idea!  We've been doing the elliptical and running on the treadmill.  At this point the important thing is just to get moving and to establish a habit.  So far so good.  And the YMCA recently acquired all new cardio equipment.  I've especially been enjoying the virtual courses on the LifeFitness cardio machines.  For instance, I ran through the mountains of Germany the other night, tonight I chose urban New Zealand.

Tomorrow night is not a gym night for me because I have Spanish class, but Izzy told me that he plans to go by himself.  I love his determination when he sets his mind on something.  I always say that if the metaphor is running, he is the sprinter, and I am the marathon runner...  We are both "doers", just different types of energy.  Just have to figure out how we can work together towards the same goal, because when we do it's magic...

Oh and how could I forget? Sunday night was couples haircut night with Chester at Lance Lappin salon in TriBeCa!  Izzy said he didn't realize how much he needed the haircut until after he got it--he said he felt brand new!  I got some old grown out highlights + summer sun brassiness removed, in favor of a more fall-appropriate hair color.  Damned, new hair feels good.

By the way, I have noticed many of you liking my blog posts on Facebook or have made comments to me in person.  I would love it if you would comment here.

How do I get my mojo back?

Two weeks ago I had an appointment with my doctor, who had called me in to talk about my annual bloodwork results.  Every year my lab results show a vitamin D deficiency, and she gives me a prescription that I take once a week for 6 weeks. This time she caught me off guard and told me that in addition to my usual vitamin D deficiency, that I am also hypothyroid.  I have had the classic symptoms for as long as I can remember (always cold, dry skin and hair, enlarged glands in throat) but just never tested positive so most likely subclinical all this time.

I don't completely reject traditional medicine, but I'm not so much a fan of lots of doctors appointments and prescribed medications.  And I accept the fact that my metabolism isn't the same as everyone else's and I will have to work harder.  I wouldn't say that I'm perfect by any means when it comes to nutrition and diet, but I know what I'm supposed to do and I'm definitely better than most.  I would say that I try to live by the 80/20 rule: be as good as you can 80% of the time and live a little the other 20% of the time.  Living by extremes doesnt work for me.

I've done some reading since my appointment, and in hindsight, I have noticed the following symptoms increasing unexplainable in the last few months:

-sore muscles and longer recovery times (even Plantar Fasciitus can be connected with hypothyroid, which started bothering me about 2 years ago)

-foggy brain

-trouble concentrating

-gradual weight gain (over the course of 1-2 years) despite a regular exercise routine and generally healthy lifestyle with no major changes

My doctor prescribed me a low dosage of generic Synthroid, which is synthetic hormone replacement.  In 2 months I will take another blood test so that she can see how my levels are at that point and adjust my medication if necessary.  I didn't think to ask for a copy of my latest blood test, but I plan on getting one. The generic Synthroid made me feel space and medicated, and I read that some people do not react well with the generic versions and that the dosages are not controlled well.  She switched me to brand name Synthroid and I could feel the difference immediately... meaning, I don't feel anything which is a good thing.

So between the fatique and the generic medication that I thought I would get used to but wiped me out, I am way off my exercise routine.  I ran 3 miles on Saturday and I could really feel it.  Gonna focus on getting in some exercise most days at this point and just get a habit going again.  Just gotta get out of this funk.  Oh yeah, and my birthday is in 3 days, can I just skip it this year?

Registration just opened for the NYC Half Marathon on March 16, 2014.  I have guaranteed entry because I was a volunteer last year, but I'm going to hold off registering for a bit because the discounted price for New York Road Runners is $117!  (I hope everyone appreciates the financial commitment that it takes to compete in these events, in addition to the physical commitment!). I was perusing Hal Higdon training programs and am planning on a 12 week training program, which means I need to start training mid-December.  Hopefully this will keep me on track and give me some structure.