Still Sloshing

After a couple more sessions of boot camp, I am still enjoying it. Starting to feel stronger, and enjoying it. I know that results will take some time, but damn I wish they could be more immediate! I think I may have lost a couple of pounds so far, but my butt still looks the same, and my clothes still fit the same… but I am sure the results are coming. I’ve done a couple of the at home work-outs as well, which are great. However, the last one I tried was jump-rope oriented.  Not so great for someone trying to avoid lots of jumping!! Since I was at home, and hence safe if I started to feel really ‘off’, I tried the 'Bounce 'n Burn' and I pushed through the whole workout (okay, it's only 20 minutes. But it's intense!). I’m proud of myself, and I made it through the workout and did my best to focus on the training, not the sloshing. I’ve been noticing more tinnitus lately, but I can’t say for sure if it’s the jumping, or the weather changing (it is fall!), or something else entirely.

During the 'in person' workouts, it seems that the higher my heart rate goes, the more ‘sloshing’ there is in my ears when I jump.  I am able to change the jumping exercises so that I am still working, but not jumping. My removing the jumping I am not doing something quite as high impact, which from a fitness perspective leaves me feeling frustrated, but better a little frustrated than dizzy I suppose.

There isn’t a whole lot of info out there regarding exercise and Meniere’s. Personally, I generally think that being physically active is a good thing (duh?). Growing up as a competitive swimmer, this is simply what I know. I have been active all of my life, and until a couple of years ago, very fit. When my Meniere’s symptoms first started, I was still swimming; sometimes I could not help but think that all of those flip turns finally caught up with me! It does not seem to make much of a difference to my symptoms no matter where my fitness level is at, which I find interesting. Exercise does help to decrease and manage stress, which can leads to less MD symptoms. That’s about the only connection I have been able to make so far – besides the jumping and sloshing connection, of course. Stay tuned – I am looking forward to when the ‘increased energy’ results of my fitness regime kick in – hoping that that can overpower the ‘sleepies’ that I get related to MD!

Booty Camp

Apparently I don’t have much to say about Meniere’s Disease lately – which is a good thing! I have been feeling good, for the most part. I’ve had a few off days here and there, but those are expected, especially as the weather changes.

I have decided to fill some of this space with my journey back to fitness- since it does come with unique MD related anecdotes! Last week I started boot camp with a great (Canadian!) company called ‘Booty Camp Fitness’. This all female boot camp style training claims to help participants drop fat and inches during the 4 or 8 week program. I am basically just looking for someone or something to kick me back into shape, and help me to incorporate fitness into my daily life again.

The first week was hard – walking was tough for the next couple of days! I did manage an at home work-out over the weekend, as well, which felt good. It is nice to feel my muscles sore – I know I’ve been using them! The next class is tonight, so wish me luck.

I notice that doing interval style training can throw me off a little bit; the whole purpose of this style is to spike participant’s heart rate for short bursts. For someone that has particularity low blood pressure (thanks to my diuretic), this kind of spike can be uncomfortable, and cause head rushes and a general off balance feeling.  I try to keep upright and moving as much as I can – laying/sitting down and standing up again quickly can compound these feelings. There is also quite a bit of jumping incorporated into the moves, which I find makes my head ‘slosh’ around a bit. I will have to find the line between working hard enough to help achieve the goals that I want, while not pushing myself so hard I feel unwell. The instructor knows about my condition, and I have taken all of the precautions that I can – I cannot let my MD keep me from fitness any longer!

The folks at Booty Camp give out a work-out DVD as well as a booklet to help track goals and monitor progress. I find this really helpful – I came up with a list of 25 wants/goals and some specific number based goals, as well. Currently I am signed up just for the 4 week program, but am already thinking that I will extend it to the full 8 week program – I deserve it.

I am already looking forward to not be able to walk tomorrow – yay for sore muscles!