Well, if there was any concern about whether or not last Friday's 4000 cal surplus day would be put to good use. I hope this weigh in lays those concerns to rest. LOL. It was a wonderful pump that lasted me clear through Wednesday. And, just to make clear I don't "fast" after surplus days. I just return to the average 1700/day maximum. It definitely took all my workouts to the next level and I was able to graduate to a 6 lb. weight when doing my 60 pushups.
I have another surplus day scheduled for next Friday. And, Mom and I will be doing Thai. I will be sure to post some pics of my feast day. I think I will strive for 4000 cals again. Since our meals will be a bit more "Carbie" I'm hoping I won't be as full and it won't be as painful. Hope springs eternal, right? lol...But, the pump afterward is just too good not to want to try and take advantage.
The pic below is with me and my favorite workout companion. I realize none of my pics ever have me with the cane and I use one daily. There's no shame in my game. I love my canes and am quick growing a nice collection of colorful designer walking devices. I only use the cane outdoors. Folks with MS are extremely prone to temperature sensitivity which can and does increase stiffness and muscle spasticity depending on what kind of damage has been done to the central nervous system from lesions.
Extreme heat or cold can also cause neural fatigue as well in a person with MS and slow down motor function.
It was a rough Saturday night for these legs, God Bless them. I woke up with a leg cramp that caused my whole right leg to completely freeze all the way up to my booty. I was helpless for about a minute and not able to bend anything at all. At some point, I just laid on my side and waited for the muscles to unfreeze. It had become so frozen, that when it finally did relent and relax, I felt shaky, sick to my stomach, and both legs felt as if I had just hiked the steepest trail at one of my favorite hiking places.
In short, my legs ached all over and I was still having difficulty bending my knee. Needless to say, I'm upping the baclofen by another 10 mgs.
Poor legs.
I know it's easy to think after an episode like this to just take it easy and "not exercise". And, if one is feeling fatigued to the point of collapse, this is absolutely true. But, with MS if you can just put one foot in front of the other, then movement is actually THE BEST remedy for stiffness and spasticity. It also helps to release endorphins that aid with relieving the neural fatigue.
So, I grabbed my walking companion, threw on the 20 lb weighted vest, and with the support of the whole wide universe having my back the whole way...we accomplished our 45 minute walk in 90 degree heat. I didn't run or attempt to walk fast - I just put one foot in front of the other, and took my time and pleaded with the universe to stick with me and remove any obstacle that might keep me from completing it.
And, damned if we didn't get it done :-)
Have I ever said how much I humbly love and appreciate every beautiful cell, muscle, organ and tissue in this body?
Because, I do very, very much.
Have a wonderful blessed week everyone! I'll catch you next weekend post surplus day :-)
