Exercise-Induced Argh

In the scheme of all things significant this is a small irritant. But it is mine. I have exercise-induced asthma. All of those times I used to work out, get tired and still be trying to catch my breath the next day made me feel lazy. Who knew the airways were constricted? I did not. Since I have known I take two magic puffs pre-work and when I have colds and my asthma is well-managed.

 

Well, for some reason, those two puffs aren’t enough now that I work out more regularly and with weights. I’m taking WAY TOO MANY PUFFS and the asthma is ahead of me making me tired and crabby. You know you are tired when you have a dream you are meeting up with a friend and she says, “Let’s just sleep for two days,” and I say, “Great, we’ll all wear our pj’s.” The friend and I really did meet today but we were dressed and even managed to make it outside to watch our daughters use bikes and scooters.

 

Anyhow, it is annoying not to take in a big full breath. I do not like being tired. It seems unfair to get asthma from working out a lot as opposed to say, I don’t know, breathing in chemicals on purpose.

 

Aha, though. It might be the chemicals at the gym used before and after each time on the weights. So, maybe I’ll be more aware of allergens. Can I just say, and i know it’s not a big gripe, wah wah. I am trying to focus on health not beauty, on strength and not skinny and this asthma is messing with my plan.

 

And I am SO resistant to the steroid preventative medicine even though it might be just what I need because of that steroid word and my asthma is annoying and irritating but not disabling. Do I need such a potent drug. So, for a week, I’ll take allergy med cine, read about natural remedies for asthma and then make some decisions.

 

But I’ve been retiring early all week and on an a motor of low energy. The good news about any setback in health and fitness is it does BRING awareness of how wonderful it is when health is not even a question or a thought. How lucky am I most of the time not to contend with ANY health issues. There are those fighting for life, battling chronic and painful and debilitating illnesses all of the time. I am rarely as grateful for good health as when I’m not feeling my usual self.  There is appreciation and gratitude and awareness of all the days I gulped good health and didn’t even say, “That was tasty. Thank You.”

 

Today, I’m tired and grateful that most of the time I have plenty of energy and good health. And, I am aware of those in my life and not in my life who struggle with serious health issues.