Food experiments

So, I have never been a believer in, or really understander of, macros. I eat what I like and make an effort to get all my vitamins and minerals from food, but the whole thing where you tweak the ratio of fat to carbs or whatever is just lost on me.

But I was reading a discussion about it somewhere, and a particular short-term muscle building plan someone was on, and their struggle to get enough protein without going wildly over in the other areas, so I googled “40-40-20 diet” because I couldn’t wrap my head around what that would actually look like:

“A five-foot-seven, 140-pound woman needs just under 2,000 calories per day to maintain her weight. If she follows the 40/40/20 protocol, she should consume 200 grams of protein, 200 grams of carbs, and 44 grams of fat per day.”

Whaaat 200g of protein per day? I rarely get as much as half that. I wondered, could it even be possible to eat that way? What would it look like? 

So, kidfree weekend and all, I thought I’d give it a shot: 

Not exactly right... would have helped if I had the idea first thing in the morning, before I ate a scone with butter and jam! was really difficult to force myself to eat this way. Did not want those chicken breasts at all, but felt I should eat something, as I had a massive deficit, and also got my second Shingrix jab yesterday, so didn’t want to skimp on nutrition. But as you can see, I failed on every measured nutrient except B2 (niacin) and my favourite, sodium.

I know this type of eating plan is only supposed to be a short term thing for people who do it, but yikes!

Fatigue

Despite a fairly lazy long weekend I am still feeling pretty wiped! Spots are nearly gone—just discoloration now more than anything—but from what I've read the fatigue/malaise part of shingles can stick around for up to 5 weeks. Hope that's not the case here! This week is a busy one and I need all the energy I can get!

I knew I was stressed, but…

I have shingles!

This spring has been hard, per usual, although less hard than other springs. I handled my grief a lot better, but also compensated by over-scheduling, too much volunteering (although I had no way of knowing how disorganized that one group would be, but note to self, just assume the worst and do not take on extra during spring), too many clients with the side-hustle, lots going on at work, the usual romantic woes, etc.

Anyway.

Last week, I put “gardening” in my calendar as a lunchtime appointment. It felt great! Getting outside in the sunshine, at one with nature. Good for mental and physical health both. The next day I had spots, and wrote them off as from a bug or plant (we did have a patch of nettles pop up one year). The day after, a couple more spots. Two days later, a few more. Main patch by my right knee, the others further up my leg—they’d make a neatish line if you joined them up.

And they hurt, and seemed to be getting worse, not better. I tried peroxide and bandages so at least they wouldn’t be bothered by the hem of my skirt etc. They just got worse. I got a new ointment yesterday and tried it this morning while googling “rash that doesn’t go away” and “rash on one leg only.” Shingles came up, and it did look in the early stages the way shingles looked last time. So I made a virtual appointment.

I never brought up shingles, but the Nurse Practitioner did, after looking at the photos and asking a few questions. Ugh.

Now I’m waiting for the prescription to go through, so I can get a topical steroid cream (it’s too late for the anti-virals). 

I’ve also had subconjunctival haemorrhage twice in the last couple of weeks. Not related apparently, but can also be a sign of stress. Keep thinking of that book, When the Body Says No. My body is saying NOOOOO!!!!!

A difficult winter

I have had a fairly difficult winter so far, and as a result am completely off track as far as diet and exercise go. I can feel my jeans getting tight, so I know it’s time to get moving!

In my defence, we have had some record-breaking cold temperatures. Also, I was horribly sick in December—whooping cough and shingles at the same time! Followed by noro! It’s frankly amazing that I left the house at all.

That said, the slow recovery from whooping cough has made me very aware of the sad state of my lungs, and the fact that I need to get moving to get them strong and healthy again. I’m back on an inhaler—the Symbicort Turbuhaler—and hoping that will help. I have crazy killer coughing fits that leave my body aching, and I want them to stop! Interestingly, they don’t seem to be brought on by exercise at all—mainly scents and smells. I am seeing an allergist next week who will be able to give me some answers, I hope.

Also, I learned recently that low blood pressure can make exercising difficult. And I have low blood pressure! Mostly when people hear that, they say, “Great, lucky you,” but it can cause problems, and apparently can especially cause problems with regards to exercise. So I’ve been reading up on that, and how to manage it. Some key factors include pre-hydrating (dehydration can cause a pressure drop) and an active cool down (taking it too easy after exercise can lead to blood pooling in the legs). Compression tights are also recommended, maybe that’s my next step?

This morning I went for a run for the first time in months. My lungs were fine. My big toe is a little achy—not hurting per se, but just kind of sending me a signal, saying, “Hi, remember me, your broken bone? Please be gentle!” I do love the fact that, even though I’m no athlete, I can do all right despite not having run in months. Only ran about 3km this morning, but when I think back to my first attempts at C25K, and how I struggled to get through the 60-second runs and barely recovered during the walks, I am astounded at how my body says, “I remember how to do this!” and just keeps going.

Hope the weather holds so I can keep going!