Owwwww

[piplover]

For the past few months, since about the end of November, a friend and I have been going to the gym 3 times a week.  We usually do the elliptical machine and treadmill, though we try to mix it up a bit with the bike, stair master, and weights. 

The gym we were going to was just a temporary one, though, very small, while the big, permanent one was being built.  At the new gym, they have classes, courts and all sorts of things. It's a proper gym.

The point of this is that today my friend wanted to do a step aerobic class. And I, being an idiot, said yes.  In my defense, I thought it was only a half hour, as most of the classes are. 

Long story short, I hurt, because I'm an idiot.  I know my limits. I've lived with a bad back and bum knees for over 7 years now, and I usually know how far I can push myself before I regret it.  Today, I pushed myself past that limit, because I didn't want to walk out in the middle of the class. 

In hindsight, I think I would have preferred walking out and being thought a wimp than having my knee go out on me and ending up on my ass. 

Yeah.  That was fun.

The hard part is that I don't think my friend fully understands that, even though I look healthy and usually don't have any problems, I have limits.  She doesn't.  She wants to do things, and some of those things I can do, and some I can't.  Like an hour long step aerobic class. 

It's my fault for not saying no, even though I knew it was probably a bad idea. I just hope tomorrow I'm not in as much pain as I think I will be. 

Also, I have no idea what the point of this post was, other than to write it down for posterity that I fell on my ass today, but then got back up and kept going.  I don't know if that means I'm stubborn or stupid. 

Comments

[erynn999.livejournal.com]

I think all of us with "invisible" health problems do this from time to time. We all get stubborn and stupid. You're not alone, but you'll get through it. Rest up.

[kirby-crow.livejournal.com]

The hard part is that I don't think my friend fully understands that, even though I look healthy and usually don't have any problems, I have limits.

I totally sympathize with this. I once let myself get talked out of walking a short distance back to the car for my asthma inhaler before a hike with friends. Thankfully, I didn't need it, but I was anxious the whole time because asthma + hiking in the summer is a recipe for disaster. In hindsight, I know I didn't go back because of embarrassment, and I always remember how dumb that was of me. :-/

Talk to your friend. People who like you will understand. :)

[piplover.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm usually pretty good, but every now and then I get fed up with not being able to do things and just say "to hell with it," even though I know I'll pay for it later. Usually my common sense prevails, but sometimes... Not so much.

[piplover.livejournal.com]

It's hard, I think, to stand up and say, "Wait a minute, I have to do this," especially when your friends are healthy and rearing to go.

It's also frustrating, when they are aware you have health issues. I keep thinking, "You know I have problems, why are you pushing me to do this?" And then it occurs to me that they just don't think about it. It's just not part of their consideration when they want to do something. They're not the ones who have to figure in days of pain and how far I can push myself.

I don't know, I can understand it, but at the same time it's annoying. I know it's up to me to take responsibility, but still...