Overuse Injuries

It looks as though I may have won the battle with my much hated shinsplints.  Years ago, when my shins first started bothering me, I did a little research on overuse injuries and found out some facts about shinsplints.  There are apparently different causes.  In my case the agonist muscle, the gastrocnemius, is getting a full workout while the antagonist, the tibialis anterior, is getting almost no workout at all.  This causes exhaustion of the unworked muscle and eventually pain.  The painful state is what characterizes the shinsplints.  This is why it is so important to work the antagonist muscle.  If not, the agonist will become over contracted while the antagonist will remain weak.  In order for the antagonist to do it's job on a daily basis, it has to work harder than ever because the agonist (which is getting stronger) is working against it. 

I bought an exercise band and I used it to give my tibialis anterior muscle some resistance exercise.  I've been working with it every other day.  So far, after two days of working with the band, I went for a run and I had absolutely no pain in my shins!

Athlete's Curse

My new love for running apparently didn't come without paying some dues.  I have almost forgotten the one major drawback of being an aerobics instructor; overuse injuries!  Today, I call it athlete's curse.  It is an athlete's curse because overuse injuries can be very painful and they can keep you from doing the activities that you love so much.

The one overuse injury that used to attack me constantly was shinsplints.  Shinsplints and I are now mortal enemies!  I remember how painful they were when I was an athlete.  I remember teaching an aerobics class with an ace bandage around my shin.  It was the only way my legs would allow me to teach.  I was going to classes for my massage certification at the time too; therefore my legs were getting massaged daily and they still were still in pain.

Now that I started running again, my much hated shinsplints are back.  I will be doing some exercises to work the tibialis anterior (the muscle that hurts so badly), to see if that helps.  Hopefully I find success for I so desperately don't want to give up running.

Treasured New Discovery

I remember a time when running was something that I would avoid.  I would do brisk walking, biking, aerobic dance of many kinds, rollerblading and surge training; but never running.  I am surprised to find myself completely in love and addicted to this energizing new activity.

Two days ago I woke up and heard my husband coughing (it turned out to be a reaction to dryness).  Desperate not to get sick, I got out of bed and went for a run.  I'm not sure what possessed me.  I was already awake before he started coughing, and for some reason all I could think about was running in the crisp Colorado morning air.  So, I put on a tee shirt and sweatpants and went for a run.  I admit that I didn't go as far as I wanted to.  It didn't surprise me because it has been a while since I've done any cardio exercise.  I've been very focused on resistance exercise and weight bearing exercise.  I know from experience, however, that my distance will increase overtime.  Since I'm going to be running often, it probably won't be long.  I'm most surprised about how meditative running is.  My mind works so much more efficiently after a run.  Things are clearer, fresh ideas flood in to the point where I can't write things down quickly enough.  It is the most amazing thing! 

The only reason I didn't go out this morning as well is because I have to fast for some blood work.  I don't feel that it is a good idea to do such rigorous exercise when fasting like this.  I do look forward to my run tomorrow though.  I'm so excited about my new discovery and wonder why I never thought of it before.

Preparing For Halloween

Candy is something that I've refused to give to anyone for years.  The only time I've even purchased candy in the last 7 years was for a presentation.  I was demonstrating the gross lack of nutrition that is offered by things that we have the nerve to call food.  As a teacher, I NEVER EVER gave candy as a reward nor would I offer it to my neighbors for trick or treat.  For the last 3 winters I've had to get creative on Halloween.

The following presentation offers different ideas about what you could give to your neighbors for trick or treat this Halloween.  I may utilize some of these ideas myself.  There were a few that were both cheap and sustainable. 

Good News on Battle for Health Freedom

I believe that there is a "boo-hoo" in order for corporate monster Monsanto.  It looks as though Posilac, one of their crowned jewels, are so undesired by consumers that they may have to bag it!  The cows will be so disappointed.  Their days will be so boring without all of the pain from the constant mastitis.  What will milk be like without all of the hormones and puss?  It won't NEARLY be as toxic and disgusting!  I guess Monsanto scientists will no longer have to spend so much on organic milk anymore.

Bye-bye rBGH!!  You will be anything but missed!


A Decade of Consumer Pressure Is Driving Monsanto's Bovine Growth Hormone off the Market

The War on Vitamins

The FDA is really going to try and gain control over vitamin supplements.  It is really very scary how Monsanto wants for everyone to depend on them so badly that they are literally invading the government with their minions and creating situations where we no longer can depend on the sources that make us well.

Please click on the article below and stand up for your rights!  If you value your health, if there are supplements that you find GREAT for your body; please participate!

The War on Vitamins

FDA Disappointment

The FDA is suppose to be an impartial institution committed to looking out for our health.  My husband told me something interesting the other day:  when a politician says "I'm from the government and I'm here to help" in any way, shape or form, head for the hills!  I believe in regulation to protect others from corporate monsters like Monsanto's crooked manner of doing business, but we need to be very careful when government gets their camel noses under the tent of healthcare or agriculture.  Many of these laws have little to do with protecting us.  What it's really about is control; trying to control where we spend our money by subsidizing products that are toxic and unsustainable for reasons that I will never understand.  Then they try to further claim control by implementing these "protective laws" that really just stomp on our rights.

I'd like to say that I'm deeply disappointed in the FDA.  When I think about it, however, I wonder if we didn't shoot ourselves in the foot by placing the government in charge of our food in the first place.  Perhaps my disappointment should be in the fact that we Americans placed our faith in the wrong people.