This is a continuation of my story documenting the parts of my life that have brought me to Day 0, when I decided to change my daily habits for life, and for the better, to ultimately achieve my goals of reaching the best shape of my life, being fit and healthy, and full of energy. For other posts, see the rest of my story.
I have a bit of extra time this morning since I woke up early, and the start of the ShredderSphere has given me a bit more incentive to revisit and explore where I came from, and reinforce my PRW (see Adam's My Biggest Secret).
My last speedbump left me getting ready for university and learning to deal with ulcerative colitis. I had spent the summer building my strength up and getting my UC under control. However, with UC, flare-ups have a high occurrence during periods of stress.
Well, I just found this site that documents stressful life events and their relative stress level. When I put in the situations that I was in when I moved away to college, even though I was lacking the big ones, like dealing with death and divorce, I still would have scored over 300 on this test. This would have put me into the high range. Well, that sounds like a recipe for a flare-up, even after I had brought my UC down to a more manageable level over the summer through medication, rest, and moderate exercise.
I was moving away for the first time longer than a week or so, living in residence, living with a roommate, eating residence food (blech), dealing with my UC, seeing a chiropractor for my back pain, making new friends, not seeing my old friends, no longer playing sports, all the while taking a full course load in engineering with the pressure of having to maintain a high enough GPA to retain my scholarships. I came from a small town, so I was really unsure of how the small, "hometown hero" would handle the big city (relatively speaking, I am from Canada...).
I was sick. I was on a restricted diet, eating almost nothing but plain broiled chicken breasts and boiled potatoes (no salt, butter, toppings of any kind). I had to severley restrict my intake of salt, spices, flavourings, fat, fruit, fibrous veggies, dairy, sugar, caffeine, and the list goes on and on. If it had any type of fancy taste, I wasn't allowed to eat it. Bascially, I dreaded eating, but I was so hungry all the time. I was starving, but anything I ate would make me naseuous. Not only that, but as a first year university student, I had to severely restrict my alcohol intake as well. I had maybe 2 or 3 drinks my first semester. Not really the Animal House frat party lifestyle that people think about when going to college.
In addition to this bland diet, I wasn't exercising. I wasn't playing any of the sports that I used to. At this time, I was concentrating on getting my UC under control and doing the best at my studies. My body slowly withered away. A lot of my strength and muscles I had built up from my years of playing sports was disappearing. I didn't gain the freshman 15, I lost 10, and I'm sure most of it was muscle. This didn't help my back either. I needed those back muscles to keep my body stable and the pain down, and sitting at a desk all day doing schoolwork doesn't help the matter.
I was tired, and miserable, but still trying to enjoy the university experience. I made a lot of new friends and still managed to enjoy myself on the odd occasion. But it was a very hard period of adjustment. I was able to relax a bit more in the second semester after I had received my fall term marks. I had scored a perfect 4.3 GPA, straight A+ in all my courses. I had made the jump from smalll town high school to large University standards. To keep my all my scholarships, I only needed to keep a 3.7, so I now knew that I had a little bit of wiggle room and didn't have to stress myself out more about my schoolwork.
I slowly adjusted, gained some strength back. My UC wasn't as bad, and I slowly added more things to my diet. I also signed up for a couple intra-mural sports that weren't too demanding on my body. I ended the year with all my scholarships intact. I felt a bit more myself and was staying more active, as well as enjoying all the new friends I had met. Things were a lot different in my life at this time, but it was a new life that I was adjusting to. I was happier, but I was still sad about the life I had left behind. Growing up is hard to do, and my illness and injuries were putting me through more growing up than I wanted to deal with at this point.
Showing posts with label speedbump. Show all posts
Showing posts with label speedbump. Show all posts
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Speedbump 3: A life changing discovery
This is a continuation of my story documenting the parts of my life that have brought me to Day 0, when I decided to change my daily habits for life, and for the better, to ultimately achieve my goals of reaching the best shape of my life, being fit and healthy, and full of energy. For other posts, see the rest of my story.
I first starting really following a regular workout program after hockey season had finished up in my Grade 12 (final year) of high school. I had done a little bit of lifting here and there, and knew the basics regarding reps, technique, breathing, rest periods, and progression, but I didn't make it a regular thing until then. Mostly because I was young, still growing, didn't have the time, and didn't feel like I needed them. That all changed with the onset of my back problems. It was now necessary for me to make a commitment to strengthening my back muscles, and the rest of my body to support everything.
This however, wasn't my life changing discovery.
This is perhaps the hardest thing for me to write about and I still think that there's a part of me inside that is still suffering from denial. I don't know if I've ever fully accepted this, but I've been slowly learning to live with it. At the time though, I was riding an emotional roller coaster. I was finishing up my senior year at high school, enjoying the last bit of time I had together with my class before we all went our separate ways.
About a week before our grad class was to go on our class trip canoing down a river for a few days, after I had spent some time getting tests done at what seemed like unnecessary hospital visits, I was told that I had ulcerative colitis. I had never heard of it up to that point, but hearing the phrase "chronic disease" didn't do much for me. I was prescribed medication and rest. Rest, as in, you really should skip this class trip of yours that involves 3 days of paddling and sleeping on the ground. I was crushed. I refused to give up on the class trip and without really understanding what was going on with my body, I demanded to go anyway. The doctor's of course didn't recommend it, but said they couldn't stop me, but warned me that it would set back my recovery time.
I went on the trip, and had one of the best times of my life spending the days paddling down the river in a canoe with all my friends that I had grown up with since pre-school. It was only after this, and all the graduation ceremonies, that I would have to focus on my newly discovered affliction.
If you don't like to read about poop and bottoms and such, skip the next paragraph.
Ulcerative colitis is an auto-immuno disease affecting the gastrointestinal system, in that it is the body's response to rid itself of some foreign body or toxin, that isn't really there or really a threat (much like allergies). This causes inflammation of the bowels that is triggered often during times that the body is put under stress. Usually, the first sign that is recognized is blood in the stool. This inflammation can be put into remission and the symptoms will subside with medication and rest (and removal of the stress). It is similar and related to Crohn's disease. Both are classified as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which is not to be confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome which is only symptomatic. The only difference between Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis, is the part of the GI system that is affected. Crohn's is found in the stomach itself, while Ulcerative Colitis is found in the large and small intestine. The biggest problem with these diseases, is that when the tissues are inflamed, then they are unable to absorb all the nutrients that the body needs that it gets from normal digestion. For this reason, when the first flare up is exhibited, weight (not specifically fat) loss is usually one of the signs. The other side of that, is that since the body isn't getting all the nutrients it needs, one usually also suffers from chronic fatigue.
By the end of the summer, through rest, some strength training for my back (I had also started massage therapy), and medication, I had my condition somewhat under control, but I still didn't fully understand what it was doing to my body. I wasn't doing everything that I was supposed to such as avoiding alcohol and fatty fried foods, eating small meals, taking all my medication, getting plenty of sleep, and avoiding stressful situations. I was starting University in the fall, so I had that adventure to look forward to, but my life had to shift focus from sports, to taking care of my health. This wasn't something that was going to happen overnight, especially for the athlete that was most known for his reckless abandon, sacrificing his body to stop that puck or baseball, diving in the air to keep that ball from going out of bounds, and slide tackling guys twice his size.
I first starting really following a regular workout program after hockey season had finished up in my Grade 12 (final year) of high school. I had done a little bit of lifting here and there, and knew the basics regarding reps, technique, breathing, rest periods, and progression, but I didn't make it a regular thing until then. Mostly because I was young, still growing, didn't have the time, and didn't feel like I needed them. That all changed with the onset of my back problems. It was now necessary for me to make a commitment to strengthening my back muscles, and the rest of my body to support everything.
This however, wasn't my life changing discovery.
This is perhaps the hardest thing for me to write about and I still think that there's a part of me inside that is still suffering from denial. I don't know if I've ever fully accepted this, but I've been slowly learning to live with it. At the time though, I was riding an emotional roller coaster. I was finishing up my senior year at high school, enjoying the last bit of time I had together with my class before we all went our separate ways.
About a week before our grad class was to go on our class trip canoing down a river for a few days, after I had spent some time getting tests done at what seemed like unnecessary hospital visits, I was told that I had ulcerative colitis. I had never heard of it up to that point, but hearing the phrase "chronic disease" didn't do much for me. I was prescribed medication and rest. Rest, as in, you really should skip this class trip of yours that involves 3 days of paddling and sleeping on the ground. I was crushed. I refused to give up on the class trip and without really understanding what was going on with my body, I demanded to go anyway. The doctor's of course didn't recommend it, but said they couldn't stop me, but warned me that it would set back my recovery time.
I went on the trip, and had one of the best times of my life spending the days paddling down the river in a canoe with all my friends that I had grown up with since pre-school. It was only after this, and all the graduation ceremonies, that I would have to focus on my newly discovered affliction.
If you don't like to read about poop and bottoms and such, skip the next paragraph.
Ulcerative colitis is an auto-immuno disease affecting the gastrointestinal system, in that it is the body's response to rid itself of some foreign body or toxin, that isn't really there or really a threat (much like allergies). This causes inflammation of the bowels that is triggered often during times that the body is put under stress. Usually, the first sign that is recognized is blood in the stool. This inflammation can be put into remission and the symptoms will subside with medication and rest (and removal of the stress). It is similar and related to Crohn's disease. Both are classified as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which is not to be confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome which is only symptomatic. The only difference between Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis, is the part of the GI system that is affected. Crohn's is found in the stomach itself, while Ulcerative Colitis is found in the large and small intestine. The biggest problem with these diseases, is that when the tissues are inflamed, then they are unable to absorb all the nutrients that the body needs that it gets from normal digestion. For this reason, when the first flare up is exhibited, weight (not specifically fat) loss is usually one of the signs. The other side of that, is that since the body isn't getting all the nutrients it needs, one usually also suffers from chronic fatigue.
By the end of the summer, through rest, some strength training for my back (I had also started massage therapy), and medication, I had my condition somewhat under control, but I still didn't fully understand what it was doing to my body. I wasn't doing everything that I was supposed to such as avoiding alcohol and fatty fried foods, eating small meals, taking all my medication, getting plenty of sleep, and avoiding stressful situations. I was starting University in the fall, so I had that adventure to look forward to, but my life had to shift focus from sports, to taking care of my health. This wasn't something that was going to happen overnight, especially for the athlete that was most known for his reckless abandon, sacrificing his body to stop that puck or baseball, diving in the air to keep that ball from going out of bounds, and slide tackling guys twice his size.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Speedbump 2: Injury and Pain
This is a continuation of my story documenting the parts of my life that have brought me to Day 0, when I decided to change my daily habits for life, and for the better, to ultimately achieve my goals of reaching the best shape of my life, being fit and healthy, and full of energy. For other posts, see the rest of my story.
After my crazy year in Grade 10, I slowed down my high school sports compared to the previous year. In Grade 11 I only played soccer and golf in the fall, hockey for one team and basketball in the winter, and then volleyball (and some golf) in the spring. It still was a lot, but at least I would get days off to rest. It was this year that my second speedbump started to manifest. I started having lower back pain, the great affliction that most people associate with getting old. I was 16. It wasn't too bad in Grade 11, it started out as mostly just a dull ache and I never thought too much of it. I would get spasms every now and then when I was playing hockey. Later in the winter season though, I injured my right knee in a game of basketball, straining my Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL). I went to physiotherapy for ultrasound treatment, did some resistance band exercises, and strapped my knee into a brace and kept playing. Hey, no pain, no gain, right?
Well, the knee wasn't too bad and got a bit better after a few months and was probably around 90% and by volleyball season I was running around making digs just fine. By the time summer came around again though, the nagging back pain started to affect my golf swing a little bit. The previous summer I had my best year of golf, qualifying for Nationals and winning and placing in a lot of the local tournaments after making a decision to drop baseball and focus on my golf game (two totally different swings!). Maybe it was mental burnout as well, but I failed to make it back to Nationals that summer, or even come close to my performance from the previous summer.
Into Grade 12, my senior year, the back pain started to progress even more. During hockey games, the spasms were getting worse and more frequent. They were getting so bad that my body would freeze up and I wouldn't be able to move temporarily. In a fast paced game like hockey, this sort of thing can't happen. I finally got to a doctor to check into it and I was back to the physiotherapist that had worked on my knee with some back exercises and ultrasound treatment. We experimented with taping up my back for hockey games and wearing a funny brace, none which helped stop the spasms. By the end of hockey season, the spasms had progressed into more pain in my hip and shooting pain down my leg. Throw in a pulled groin late in the hockey season, and it was apparent that my body was shutting down on me.
After my crazy year in Grade 10, I slowed down my high school sports compared to the previous year. In Grade 11 I only played soccer and golf in the fall, hockey for one team and basketball in the winter, and then volleyball (and some golf) in the spring. It still was a lot, but at least I would get days off to rest. It was this year that my second speedbump started to manifest. I started having lower back pain, the great affliction that most people associate with getting old. I was 16. It wasn't too bad in Grade 11, it started out as mostly just a dull ache and I never thought too much of it. I would get spasms every now and then when I was playing hockey. Later in the winter season though, I injured my right knee in a game of basketball, straining my Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL). I went to physiotherapy for ultrasound treatment, did some resistance band exercises, and strapped my knee into a brace and kept playing. Hey, no pain, no gain, right?
Well, the knee wasn't too bad and got a bit better after a few months and was probably around 90% and by volleyball season I was running around making digs just fine. By the time summer came around again though, the nagging back pain started to affect my golf swing a little bit. The previous summer I had my best year of golf, qualifying for Nationals and winning and placing in a lot of the local tournaments after making a decision to drop baseball and focus on my golf game (two totally different swings!). Maybe it was mental burnout as well, but I failed to make it back to Nationals that summer, or even come close to my performance from the previous summer.
Into Grade 12, my senior year, the back pain started to progress even more. During hockey games, the spasms were getting worse and more frequent. They were getting so bad that my body would freeze up and I wouldn't be able to move temporarily. In a fast paced game like hockey, this sort of thing can't happen. I finally got to a doctor to check into it and I was back to the physiotherapist that had worked on my knee with some back exercises and ultrasound treatment. We experimented with taping up my back for hockey games and wearing a funny brace, none which helped stop the spasms. By the end of hockey season, the spasms had progressed into more pain in my hip and shooting pain down my leg. Throw in a pulled groin late in the hockey season, and it was apparent that my body was shutting down on me.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Speedbump 1: Burnout
This is a continuation of my story documenting the parts of my life that have brought me to Day 0, when I decided to change my daily habits for life, and for the better, to ultimately achieve my goals of reaching the best shape of my life, being fit and healthy, and full of energy. For other posts, see the rest of my story.
My Grade 10 year in high school was perhaps the busiest I had ever been. Fall was filled with golf and soccer as usual, but by the time winter rolled around, I found myself on two hockey teams, as well as the varsity basketball team. Most schools around here limit a single persons athletics to a single team, but our school was small. Our basketball team lacked numbers, and our high school hockey team lacked a goalie. Between 2-3 practices and 1-2 games a week per team, I was so busy that I barely ever had a day off, and it was impossible to make everything because of schedule conflicts. My town hockey team took first priority, but alas, the girlfriend I had for all of 3 weeks was probably at the bottom. I guess that's why it only lasted 3 weeks. It's not like I could blow off a game and let a whole team down just to hang out with her. Girls just don't understand...oh, those wonderful teenage years.
Well, during this period of my life, I never suffered any major injuries, but it was about a 6 month stretch in my life that left a mark. I was young and reckless and felt like I was in great shape. I didn't realize it at the time, but I had burned myself out. I hadn't given myself a chance to let my body rest and recuperate. I probably blew my chance of hitting my goal of reaching 5'6 too. I wasted too much of my energy on sports, and not enough on growing! Well, given my genetics, I don't even think 5'6 was in the cards for me, but a little guy can dream, can't he?
My Grade 10 year in high school was perhaps the busiest I had ever been. Fall was filled with golf and soccer as usual, but by the time winter rolled around, I found myself on two hockey teams, as well as the varsity basketball team. Most schools around here limit a single persons athletics to a single team, but our school was small. Our basketball team lacked numbers, and our high school hockey team lacked a goalie. Between 2-3 practices and 1-2 games a week per team, I was so busy that I barely ever had a day off, and it was impossible to make everything because of schedule conflicts. My town hockey team took first priority, but alas, the girlfriend I had for all of 3 weeks was probably at the bottom. I guess that's why it only lasted 3 weeks. It's not like I could blow off a game and let a whole team down just to hang out with her. Girls just don't understand...oh, those wonderful teenage years.
Well, during this period of my life, I never suffered any major injuries, but it was about a 6 month stretch in my life that left a mark. I was young and reckless and felt like I was in great shape. I didn't realize it at the time, but I had burned myself out. I hadn't given myself a chance to let my body rest and recuperate. I probably blew my chance of hitting my goal of reaching 5'6 too. I wasted too much of my energy on sports, and not enough on growing! Well, given my genetics, I don't even think 5'6 was in the cards for me, but a little guy can dream, can't he?
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