Adding to the routine

 Well, here we are on Day 3 and I'm still feeling good and motivated. I even got up and did some stretching this morning! Anyone who knows me well knows that I'm not a morning person as I tend to be a night owl. However, I decided that I would start getting up a half hour earlier than normal to give myself more time to drink coffee and wake up slowly. I actually made that decision so that I could get to work on time as I had a bad habit of showing up ten minutes late the last few months of 2020 and I was determined to correct that in 2021.

So, there I was at 6:30 this morning, standing in the middle of my living room with arms outstretched. I won't lie, I didn't do a lot. Basically warmed up my neck, shoulders and arms before switching to my legs. My hamstrings and calf muscles complained as I gingerly bent at the hips and leaned forward, reaching for the floor. Only five minutes, but the heel spur I have been suffering with is much better today because of it.

Each new day I intend to add something to the routine. I know that a balanced approach is important, as I've hurt myself in the past by 'going hard' on an activity. When I was first learning to snowboard I had been doing a squat challenge. Well, snowboarding is all about squatting, on a board! After a couple of months, I went to the doctor due to the pain in one of my hips. Turns out I had caused hip bursitis and his recommendation was no more squatting! I definitely don't want to sideline my goals by hurting myself (again)!

Well, with all that said, I'm getting excited again to get outside. The temperature has come up a bit and is sitting at about -10 today. I'm glad about that as although I thought about bringing my snowpants today while I was walking yesterday, I didn't remember to grab them before work this morning. At least it doesn't look too windy!

Woohoo!! I more than doubled my time and distance from yesterday! I didn't push myself to go fast, but just walked at a steady pace. I was definitely glad to see the end in sight, and was a little huffy puffy when I arrived back at the office. My final time was 35 minutes and I walked 2513 m. 


 The best part is that although I was tired by the time I got back I'm not crippled from my walk. I have plantar fasciitis in both feet which can flare up from an overly long walk. Although today's walk was not a long distance, in the condition I'm in it was long enough. And, it's important to celebrate the small steps we take.

Speaking of plantar fasciitis, my doctor gave me a set of exercises to help with the condition. Although I should do them daily, I have to admit that I only really do them regularly when the condition starts getting bad. If you also suffer from this painful condition, check out the link below and give some of the exercises a try. I hope they help you as much as they have me!

Plantar Fasciitis exercises

Until next time, take care of yourself.

 





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