If only I could take a nap in the sun....
On some days I have been coming home and taking a nap. At 5:30 p.m. I love naps, and usually will take one about once or twice a month. Now I am taking them once or twice a week, if not more. My body is just plain tired. I was really excited to go out and work with Chance the other day. The weather was perfect. Mid 60's and sunny. I got home from work and the minute I walked into the house, I saw my OH taking a nap, that was it. I plopped this tired body on the couch and snoozed for awhile.
If only I could cover my face in a fuzzy blanket....
My back is aching....probably from lifting saddles all day and bending up and down. I can't bend from the knees like your supposed too. After I had knee surgery on my ACL, my knee flexibility is not very good. You know how you can get on your knees and sit back on your feet? I will never be able to do that again. My knee doesn't bend like that anymore.
My eyes are hurting....probably from lack of sleep. I really need to get to bed earlier. But by the time I get home from work which is around 5:30, eat dinner and spend some time with my OH who has to be in bed by 7:00 p.m., spend a few minutes on the computer, and then I go out to the living room to watch some t.v. shows that I can't miss. Then at 11:00 p.m. I will spend a few more minutes on the computer. I end up in bed at around midnight. Late, I know, especially when I have to be up at 6:00 in the morning.
My ankle is throbbing....probably from walking on uneven arena footing. I still have a few issues at times with that ankle I injured before I went to Scottsdale. Most days it doesn't hurt. But some days, it aches and throbs, like today.
My knee is totally bruised and sore....probably from the horse my assistant trainer put me on last week. She put me on a hot, english (saddleseat) horse and he slammed my right knee up against the arena wall. Ouch. Then I slammed my leg right below that same knee into the door of our garage, and I bruised the knee cap of that same knee with a lunge line (don't ask). All in 3 days time. My knee is covered in bruises, scratches and swellings, goodness.
And my brain is fried....probably from all of the above.
If only I could sleep in awkward positions....
I eat very well. I have noticed that my appetite has really increased in the last few months. Even after a huge dinner I am still hungry and will eat a bowl of cereal or something else. My OH swears he isn't going to be able to afford to feed me for much longer. I have never been a chocolate lover, I love salty foods. But in the last few months I have started to have some serious chocolate cravings and there has to be chocolate in the house for me to eat. I am even buying candy bars at the convenience store now, I haven't done that since I was a teenager!
If only I wasn't this grouchy when I woke up....
Really I am not complaining, I love my job (I just need to vent). But I realize that this body isn't getting any younger and I need to learn how to take care of myself. I need to get to bed earlier, and I need to get more energy somehow so I can function and work with my own horses after a hard days work. I'll eventually have to mow the lawn, keep up on flowerbeds, catch up on housework (spring cleaning is coming!) and there are so many projects I want to start, like painting and re-doing our office. But how does a tired, beat up body find the energy to start a project like that? Motivation? I am highly motivated when I am at work, but when I get home, gone. The last thing I want to do is start a big project. I know I need to just DO IT, and it is so easy for me to tell myself that.
If only I could get my butt off the couch....
I am sure once the temperatures start to rise and the sun starts to make a comeback, this lack of energy will go away and I will be rearing to go! Hopefully!
36 comments:
I got tired just reading ths!! My first piece of advice is "lose the T.V.!!" If something has to go, that should be it. You are eating more because your rigorous physical demands require more fuel. Don't worry about that. But get to bed before midnight! (says the woman who wrote this at 2:30a)
I want to snuggle with you and your kitty! I'm tired just reading how tired you are...I know better, but you sound like a pregnant girl! OMG! Would that be a hoot?!!! Take Care sweetie!
Cats are pros at resting and taking care of the cat - I see you're getting lots of help getting up from the couch! Hope you can get some more rest soon!
Make sleep you first priority and everything else will miraculously fall into place. Really. Do it for your sweet Chance. She needs you to be rested for her!
Rest, rest. You can live without tv and the computer will wait. Sugar makes me more tired.
Hang in there.
When my schedule changed, I went through the same thing. I cut back on computer time, which means less blog posting, but so be it. I also cut back on TV, watching only shows that I really like rather than just vegging out. If I may also suggest it, try some Pilates or yoga, or a combo. It will help your body feel better, give you energy when you need it and allow you to relax when it's time. Doesn't have to be a lot, but you'd be amazed at the difference.
Everyone knows the healing powers of chocolate LOL!
Well, I too struggle with the energy levels PG, but I can maybe offer up a bit of advice on the joint pain. I take Flex-A-Min. It has Glucosamine, Chondrotins, MSM, and Hylaronic Acid. Get it at WalMart (just be brave. Don't run screaming from the WalCreatures!)
Dear Husband and I have been taking it for umm... seven years now. I ran out recently, and for about two months forgot to pick up a new bottle. Then I wondered-- is it really helping? I can say from the way my back hurts, my knees, that old break in my foot.. etc... It. Helps.
Try some. If you don't like it, I'll buy the rest of the bottle from you! ;)
I think we've all been at that "I just want to sleep…forever" point in our lives more than once. All of the suggestions above are great, but one good way to kick-start yourself is this:
Stay in bed all morning on a weekend, preferably with someone bringing you breakfast and coffee and your favourite reading material (NOT a computer, that is not restful) … don't worry about all of those projects, just concentrate on relaxing and resting.
Pair that with a decrease in TV and more sleep, I'm sure you'll feel better in no time. Your horses will still be there when you feel better.
You do an awful lot of physical work so I'm not surprised how tired you are. I can't imagine grooming and saddling that many horses! Yeah, even with precautions, those horses are plain dangerous to one's health, sometimes. Although, like Cousin B. I can't keep from wondering, are you "P"?
You DO sound tired! I hope you can find the right balance between work and living your life at home. Don't get burned out!
AHHHHH Yes! the glam and status of working in a pro training barn..... LOL!
In my younger days I had so much fun I decided to launch my own program and barn.... unfortunately I couldn't hire people like you and did it ALL!
The fun factor sure does evaporate some days, and the fatigue. OMG!
Pace yourself, eat well(lots of veggies and lean protien) and keep up the good work, I think with the better weather you will find a good flow.
I think it's time that you start planning a vacation, even if it is just to spend a week at home with your own horses. I find that when I don't at least have a vacation planned, I start feeling burnt out. However, knowing that I have some time off on the horizon gives me energy.
Please do your best to get some sleep. You know how easy it is to have an accident when you're tired and you need your wits about you all the time with horses. I find myself stumbling and tripping over things all the time when I'm tired. Are the horses stabled all year round, or will they go out soon? Ours go out at the beginning of May and stay out until November, which is bliss.
Welcome to your upper 30'! :)
I agree w/Mrs. Mom, start some joint supplement! Look at how it affected my horse. You will have achey joints as you get older, probably due to former injuries. And our mom and all her sisters have those same achey issues, whatever it is. You are in a physical line of work so you will really feel this (but also be in good shape, which is a plus! :)
I have been really tired, too. Have you have your eyes checked? I am getting an exam in two weeks. I think if your eyes are straining to work correctly, it can seriously tire you out and you don't realize it's your eyes. I believe you told me this many years ago yet I never see you wearing corrective eyewear. Your eyes could have gotten worse? Something to think about. Glad the workload has gone down at the barn, sounds like you are enjoying some new duties (like ponying.) That job is exhausting and has a high rate of burnout, it just comes with the territory.
TV and the computer are tiring on the eyes and huge time-sucker-uppers,LOL! But we are so addicted. I have been trying to limit my posting and blog reading. I have also stopped editing my photos because it takes so long.
You can DVR some shows (except the voting ones!) and watch them on the weekend instead of at night?
Hang in there...you'll get back to yourself.
p.s. Cousin B's comment- look at the can of worms she opened! :)
Awwww, you do look exhausted. Maybe it's just because it's all catching up with you? You really haven't slowed down since before you left for Scottsdale.
Naps and more sleep are a good thing. And having soft sleepy Dakota join you is even better. Cats seem to put some kind of sleep spell on us when they cuddle. Maybe it's just because they want us to stay still and give them a warm soft place to nap? hehe!
Your poor knee! Ouch! Sounds like you'll never be able to play the Catcher position in Baseball, eh?
Or you could do like I did and slip and slide in the mud and ice and forcefully cause your knee to bend in half by ramming your heel into your butt. Nice, eh?
Nah, I wouldn't recommend that, but I will say that it's helped with my ability to bend my knee better than I could after my ACL surgery. I think the fall might ahve torn some scar tissue and adhesions.
But now I know why the doctor puts you under to do that same procedure. gah!
You might want to consider wearing the Professional Choice Miracle Knee Support while you're working. t will save your knees, giving lots of support and give some cushion from wall rammings, too.
I'm amazed at how comfortable it is and how I forget I'm even wearing it.
If I were you, I'd get two. One for each knee.
lol!
Feel better!
~Lisa
Vent away girl, I feel every bit of your pain. Amazing how crappy getting old is. My knees can't take anything anymore. Much like yours, I can't kneel and bend back w/o tearing something.
30 horses a day? My gosh!!! I'm at 15 here, not all need something every day, but I can't imagine 30 horses, tacked and groomed and ridden. That's a crazy schedule!! I'm glad it's slacked off for you :)
Rest up. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!
You are putting in alot of hours and hard work, you should be tired. Just do what you need do do for your self cause everything will wait until you have the energy to do it. That's what I have discovered, life is to short, do what you enjoy when you aren't working. Have your OH go fishing with you soon, you love that!
It's easy to get up when you remember that people die in their sleep.
Just a suggestion, but try starting the day with a smoothie -- we've been doing a variation on Alton Brown's recipe... Making it for two, I put the blender on the scale and zero it out... Then add 6 oz. of soy milk (and zero it out again between each ingredient)... 6 oz. of Acai juice (or a mix of acai and whatever, or grape), 6 oz of greek yogurt... Then a frozen banana -- if you buy ripe ones, you can peel and freeze a bagful all at once... Then 6 oz each of blueberries, peaches and strawberries... That's the basic recipe that you can then mix up as appeals to you... This makes two HUGE smoothies, one for me and one for my OH. And I'm actually feeling better! Not losing weight, but feeling better. And you can add some protein powder... I add Juice Plus+ powder.
Yeah, PG Mrs. Mom has a great idea for you to take Flex A Min or Move Free works well too. Wal Mart is the place to get it cheaper. I take it myself and it really helps joint pain. You are just working so hard and it is a big job working at a stable and you still haven't gotten used to it and the female monthly visitor makes it worse for being tired....
I didn't read all the comments as I'm having trouble too keeping up and shaving as much time as possible off things so I may be repeating something already said but here goes anyway. You are much younger than me but the injuries and hurt pile up. Start being careful now so you don't pay later. Try to find ways to do things that save wear and tear. Things that I took for granted would heal when I was younger did but the accumulation over time is what I'm paying for now. Simple stuff like standing on a stool rather than lifting over your head. Using a cart to move things rather than lifting. Don't be a hard ass about it like I was.
And when I worked in a stable it was tiring but it was also hard to sleep because of being so wired all day. I'm not sure if that's the case with you, but if it is, find a way to decompress. And sleep is more important than blogging as much as I love hearing from you.
Take care!
I know how you feel! Seems like lately all I ever do is injure myself and my job may not be the most physically demanding, but it is emotionally exhausting because of the poisonous environment and coworkers. By the time I get home I have no motivation at all!! If you figure out a way to solve this problem do please share the solution on your blog lol. I agree with what people have said before that the T.V. takes up way to much time. Sleep is so much more important. I can't function on less than eight hours and getting too little sleep is sooooo damaging to you in the long term. I understand how you feel about certain shows, but maybe you could invest in a DVR (I want one so bad!)? Good luck!
Cousin B~ I know how much the family would really love to hear that I am having a baby, but I am not. Sorry to disappoint you all!
Mrs. Mom~ Thanks for the suggestion of Flex-a-Min. I used to take a joint supplement years ago, but quit for some reason. I will definitely have to get some more!!
Autumn Mist~ Our horses are stabled all year round. Except for all horses 2 yrs and younger. They are out to pasture. They get brought in at 2 yrs to start breaking.
Ptolemy~ That smoothie sounds so delish, and I will have to try it!! Thanks for the recipe!
Achieve1Dream~ I do have a DVR and try to record as much as I can. One of the problems I have is trying to find time to watch what I have recorded! I only get one day to spend with my other half, so I won't watch any recordings when we are together.
LOL! While we might all like to tease you, you could NEVER disappoint us...just the opposite, we are very proud of you!
SO sorry you are feeling this way sweetie. I know exactly what you are going through. I feel like my job is sucking the life out of me sometimes. I have done some changes. I am not spending so much time on the computor. I miss reading and commenting. I am really trying to go to bed by midnight or earlier. Really trying to hit 11:00. You have some really good suggestions there. I know you eat really good, but don't know if you do breakfast. A protien drink would be really good. I also put yogurt in mine. I agree that sugar probably isn't so great. Try fruit instead. Just take time for you. I found when I need to just lay down and watch a movie or nap, I do and I feel better. I do hat alot before I go to work in the afternoon. I love and miss you. If you need something, let me know.
Eat more, sleep more. Is the facts of life when you have to work as hard as you do on a daily basis. Hope you realize that there aren't many 20 year olds that are working as hard as you are there sista.;)
I bet you are still worn down from the AZ trip. Think about it - you hurt your ankle before your left, it was an exhausting trip there and back, not to mention the work you did there. Then you come back & it is non-stop. Sometimes the body just plain gets tired! I had it happen last fall after a couple of long riding weekends back to back - one of them competitive trail - and still squeezing in work & kids activities. I just plain had to sleep.
Sleep, sleep, sleep!!! I work at a very high stress job, and keep up our acerage, AND train two horses for showing. If you want more energy, you need to get more sleep!
I'm up at 4:30 every morning to clean stalls and turn horses out before I get ready for work. Then I'm at work from 7:15am to around 5:00pm. I work both horses and take care of odd jobs around the place, usually keeping me outside until after 8 every night.
The key to surviving ont go all the time is that I got to bed around 10pm. I know that my body needs at least 6 hours, so I make sure I get that much sleep every night. If I don't, I and so tired at the end of my work day, that I don't even want to think about my nightly chores!
I don't know how anyone could have your job and not be starving and sleepy all the time! You do A LOT! You have one of those jobs that has your fitness program built into it! I bet your arms are all ropey and muscley now and not as skinny as carrot sticks like before! JUST KIDDING! Just think of what your body would be doing if you weren't working so hard: it would be languishing and you would be craving all the motion. I do feel badly about your knee though. That must be tough! It sounds like you need a good massage therapist in your schedule!
Six hours of sleep just isn't enough. It'll not only make you tired all the time, it can kill you. People getting less than 7 hours a night are more prone to heart disease and cancers. You sure don't want to go there.
You'd be surprised what that one more hour of sleep will do for you. It may take a bit for your to recoup from being sleep deprived but in the end you will feel a huge difference.
I know, been there and done that. That extra hour makes all the difference.
geez. Now I'm tired. Maybe you should get some blood tests, just to make sure it isn't anything medical. Having said that, I worked on the racetrack (long ago), 7 days a week, getting up at 4 AM every day, for 8 months in a row, did that for about 6 years. I was always exhausted, had to take naps in the afternoon, which made me realize how tired I really was - they didn't help. Now, 30 years later, I am still catching up on my sleep. : )
- The Equestrian Vagabond
I'm all for napping too! Isn't it rotten luck that when you finally begin to work at a dream job, your body is beginning to get too old to tolerate it easily. Hang in there, it may just take a while yet to adjust and GO TO BED EARLIER!
If only we could all lead the life of a house cat! :-) Sorry to hear that you are tired - but I'm not surprised since you work such a physical job!
Hope you can get some rest and start feeling back to your normal energy levels soon!
Sorry you are feeling so run down - maybe just a couple of nights extra sleep would help. Not forever - just a couple of nights in a row of going to bed at 9 or 10. Recharge your batteries then go back to your regular schedule....
Sounds like you're overwhelmed! You've had a busy few months, so that's understandable. I hope you get a schedule going that works a little better for you.
Okey...dokey, sounds like it might be time for sleeping in every chance you get, turning off the TV and computer and going to bed as early as possible as often as possible for a while. Forget the stimulants (coffee, tea, coke, etc.) for a while especially until you're feeling rested. If you're not taking at least a multi-vitamin, get a good one. Get some vitamin D3. If you're still not feeling better after a few weeks, get some bloodwork done just to be there isn't a physiological cause for the fatigue. Okay, done with the nurse lecture. I do hope you feel better soon.
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