|
It's been a tough go. I've been doing Crossfit 3x or more a week and I have been building muscle and losing fat, but seeing no changes on the scale, which I know I shouldn't rely on, but I still have a goal to reach, ya know what I mean? I'm wearing smaller clothes. Others have commented on seeing changes in my body.
So, I can deadlift 190 lbs and bench press 105 lbs and row 400 metres in 2 minutes, and it feels great. I did 60 burpees the other day. Not perfectly, but I did them much better than in June. I just keep trying to remember those accomplishments and trusting that as my body builds the muscle and burns the fat, eventually the scale will go down.
It's just that I am a wee bit competitive and the 80 extra lbs holds me back from doing a lot of the body weight exercises like push ups and pull ups, etc. that other women are getting close to doing. The good news is, having hauled around my former 280 lbs, means I'm one of the stronger women at the weight lifting.
I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and I'm really hoping that if I can stand wearing one of those masks, and I can get a good night's sleep, that it will improve my mood, and my athletic performance positively.
Anyone had experience with a CPAP machine and how it worked for their sleep apnea?
Of course, the seasons are changing and that has kicked up my fibromyalgia. I had almost forgotten how bad the pain can get. And how frustrating on top of the muscle pain from working out. Somehow, they are completely different. Maybe, because the muscle pain has a rational cause? And a rational progression from bad, to better, to gone. Sigh.
Thanks for all of your support FS Warriors. I try to keep up on your journal entries and I am with you in spirit !! Keep up the good fight, WE WILL PREVAIL !!!
|
 Comments
That's terrific, Chris! I'm sure you look great! I'm guessing you're quite tall? Wish I was as fit as you, and to be doing all that with fibromyalgia is quite something. Brilliant! Hope you get your sleep sorted out, awful when you don't sleep well. Well done again!!!
01 Oct 15 by member: heidij123
|
I hope you can sleep good again, just imagine you are an astrounaut when you go to sleep and the machine won't feel as weird ;-)
01 Oct 15 by member: snezica
|
I use a BiPAP. Frankly, I can't sleep without it. Breathing is NOT overrated!
01 Oct 15 by member: Johanne
|
Thanks heidij123. Nope, not tall, average at 5'5". Now I'm curious, why did you think I was tall?
If I slept, I would dream about sleeping more than 5 hours in a row. LOL. Thanks snezica, I'll do that, an astronaut, hmmm. LOL.
Thanks Johanne, it's nice to hear that someone has adapted to using it and that it has helped.
02 Oct 15 by member: ChrisSpark
|
I have used a CPAP for about 5 yrs now & have trouble sleeping without it. I can only use it with the 'nasal pillow' mask which does not cover the nose eyes at all & feels very unobtrusive. I made sure to use it while watching TV when awake to work myself into getting comfortable with it. Now, I never wake up tired like I used to... Good luck with it. Sincerely, Robb
02 Oct 15 by member: glendaleguy
|
Chris, I'm about the same height as you. I guess I was just looking for reasons why you can lift those weights and I can't! I need an excuse, lol. I bet you're not as old as me! But seriously, that's some achievement, and I do wish I could do that. I think I'm doing well if I can press 35 pounds!
03 Oct 15 by member: heidij123
|
Oh heidij, I didn't start out in May lifting those weights, lol. I thought I was doing well to lift the bare bar at 35 lbs. But it is incredible how adaptable our bodies are to heavier and heavier weight and our gym focuses on "lifting heavy". We have mostly over 40s and 50s at the gym, all the way up to late 60s and they are lifting weights like they never thought they could. But initial strength really varies. And we all have parts that are weaker than others. One thing I will say, having used weight machines in the past, is that lifting free weights increases strength a lot faster than using machines. Don't get me wrong though, I hurt, a lot, almost every day. But then with the fibromyalgia, I hurt almost all the time anyway. The funny thing is, the only time I DON'T hurt, is when I'm all warmed up and working out at the gym and until I cool down.
03 Oct 15 by member: ChrisSpark
|
Thanks Robb, it really is nice to hear. I hope I have the choice of that style of mask. As I understand it is sort of, "whatever works best". So we shall see.
03 Oct 15 by member: ChrisSpark
|
Chris, I've never tried using free weights, so that's interesting. My wrists are weak, I'm working in those, and my elbows get sore if I work them. I plan on doing light weights for a long time to try and strengthen those things, and then try and build it up very slowly. Still don't think I'll get up to your weights though, ha ha!
04 Oct 15 by member: heidij123
|
Heidij123, it's interesting, because free weights seem to do more for strengthening the weak spots likes wrists, elbows, knees. Place that were always weak for me too. I hope you enjoy working with the weights. I've found I really love it.
04 Oct 15 by member: ChrisSpark
|
Thanks for that Chris, it will be interesting to see if I can get anywhere with it. I think I need to take it very slowly. I've generally been quite impatient, but I think losing weight here is teaching me to be patient! Thanks for your post, too - very inspiring!
04 Oct 15 by member: heidij123
|
Awesome Chris! we are on a similar journey. I am in smaller clothes but the 'Idiot Box" seldom moves and I do not care that much. I want to be strong, fit and have a "normal" bodyfat to muscle ratio.
|
Thanks HCB. I know we shouldn't rely on the scale, but oh boy I don't want to carry this weight around anymore! But it does feel pretty good being stronger. It's a nice surprise when I can lift up a 35 lb of dog food or a huge laundry basket with ease now. LOL.
06 Oct 15 by member: ChrisSpark
|
You're doing great, Chris! Just keep doing what you're doing & that devious scale will start going down. As to the CPAP, I've been on one since Feb. 2014. My apnea is too severe for the "nasal pillow" mask. I have to wear one that covers my nose, but not my eyes. It's a pain, because it presses on the bridge of my nose & I have chronic sinusitis so makes it hard to breathe through my nose. That being said, the CPAP machine literally saved my life. My sleep study showed that my breathing cessation periods were very long, almost to brain damaging levels. I have a real love-hate relationship with my CPAP, but it really does help me sleep better. I hate all of the cleaning & maintaining that it needs, I feel I'm always refilling the water container, cleaning it, replacing parts & messing around to keep it working right. But it definitely beats dying in my sleep, LOL! I really like snezika's idea of pretending you're an astronaut, I've been feeling more like there's a giant amoeba sucked fast to my face, so maybe I need an attitude adjustment, LOL! Best wishes to you with the CPAP, & with your continued healthy eating, strengthening & weight loss success! ~ ((Skinny Hugs)) GLAMMER
09 Oct 15 by member: GLAMMER
|
Thanks for the feedback about the CPAP GLAMMER. I feel sure it will take some getting used to and the cleaning and maintenance part will be a trial, I'm sure. Hopefully it will make a difference.
Cheers !
09 Oct 15 by member: ChrisSpark
|
| |
|
|
| |
Submit a Comment
You must sign in to submit a comment
|
|
|
Other Related Links
Members
|
ChrisSpark's weight history
|