What are house-bound Hamsters doing for their honeys this Valentine’s Day..? I’m making dinner and writing a poem, cuz it’s what I’ve got! Other ideas?
Month: February 2018
2/14/18: DOMS on Valentine’s Day

Den of Positivity, 100 days PI, 71 PO:
After a new workout or PT exercises, I usually experience Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), AKA “muscle fever“: “the deep muscle soreness that surges 24-48 hours after an unfamiliar workout intensity. DOMS is much weaker after the next workout, but the first bout can be so fierce that people avoid starting valuable exercise programs, especially strength training.” This kind of makes sense for me; my brain processes new material slowly. Why should my muscles be any different?
After a Saturday of extra sitting & walking at a conference, I spent Mon. & Tues. back on the couch instead of at work. Now I’m posting these words in order to get myself off my hamstrung ass and do some PT exercises, even though everything between my belly button & toenails is DOMS sore. In my darkest moments of pain, I totally lose my head & start to feel afraid of movement, which is appalling me. Hopefully just moving will bring on some positivity. I don’t have to love my pain, but I will try hard to accept it, and to love myself as fiercely as possible. “I’m starting with the [Meg] in the mirror…”
Happy V-Day, Hamsters. Love you to the moon and back.
2/13/18: Crockpot Recipes
On a thread in here yesterday I offered a couple Hamsters some healthy recipes for the crock pot / slow cooker, and then thought, why not share with the group? I’m adding my list with a link to a googledoc, and others can post their favorites in the comments. A few of these come from the wonderful folks at Prime Fitness & Nutrition in Westford, MA, where a mentor of mine is Manager. They have a great nutrition blog.
* For those of us in the warmer hemispheres right now, crock pots are great for summer, too. You don’t have to turn on the oven and heat up the whole house.
It’s easy to let our healthy eating habits slide when we’re in pain, immobilized, bored, or depressed. Let’s help each other get back on the protein-veggie-goodfats train.
2/12/18: One Step, One Step, One Step

One step, one step, one step. We’ve got this. Have a great week, Hamsters.
2/11/18: PT 2x/Week to 1x/Week
I’ll be 10 Weeks PO this week. Last week at the end of my PT session Melissa told me we could go down from twice-a-week sessions to once-a-week, and I celebrated because it means progress. And then I went home and just flat out wept, because it means seeing a little less of someone who has been kind & funny & caring & wise & encouraging & a really good masseuse.
2/11/18: “In the Depth of Winter…”

2/11/18: Nick Vujicic
Ima jus leave this right here.
If the superimposed music drives you crazy… here it is without:
2/9/18: GISFW Annual Corporate Meeting
My gym is part of a franchise whose annual corporate meeting is tomorrow in Boston at a hotel. It’s a full day event from 8:30-5:00. I’ve been to the same event the past two years and know what to expect – a lot of sitting. My boss is happy I am going and supports my leaving early if I can’t make it through… I want to bring an ice pack with me but I don’t know how to keep it cold enough…think I should just buy a bag of ice from the hotel when I get there..?
2/8/18: Neoprene Sleeve Recommendations

I’m looking ahead to the end of this month when I’ll be 12 weeks PO. My rehab protocol mentions wearing a neoprene sleeve over my hamstrings during exercise & activity. Has anyone bought a particular brand or style they’ve liked?
2/7/18: I Put My Socks On
Den of Positivity, 3 mo PI, 2 mo PO:
I posted this on my own FB page a year ago today, likely over political tension in both the country & my extended family. It feels relevant today not only for my hamstring recovery & midlife unraveling, but because on Monday I put BOTH of my socks on without the sock helper. Might as well keep them on for a while.

