This past Sunday, I participated in a Fun Run sponsored by the company for the benefit of World Vision. The day started a bit gloomy, it was raining the night before and it looked like it will not ease up before the early morning’s run. Fortunately it did, with just a slight drizzle when we got to the Rizal Stadium where the event was to be held. There were not too many runners in sight, blame that from the ever unpredictable weather that, at the very last minute, decided to tease and mess with the event. After an hour of waiting, the sun finally showed its face and vanquished the dark clouds, temporarily cooperating with the still sleepy runners .
We started out with a few minutes of warm up stretches, simple dance steps to add a twist, then we were off to the starting line. For a long time, sitting in front of the computer, typing and browing for hours had been my most reliable form of exercise. So, the first lap went by like eternity. Midway, I was already feeling a stinging sensation in my ankles. I would have dropped out if not for the constant urging of my race buddy. I silently wondered, what got into me to get myself into this. The seventh round was a struggle and not wanting to collapse on my face if I’d push myself any harder, I just walked all the way to the finish line. It’s the cool down, my buddy murmurred consolingly.
I knew I’d be hurting for a few days after the run, and true enough, I’m still nursing my sore legs and walking in a weird way until now. I wont be doing it again.. no, not for a very long time. But I’m glad I did it, anyway. The run was for a good cause and I have the certificate and the colored strings awarded at the end of each lap to show off to my friends. That’s good enough for me. 
Accounting work requires very little physical exersion. We spend most of the time sitting infront of the computer doing our crazy calculations, financial analysis, google searching, youtube viewing, IM conversations…. and all the other important stuff you could do with the modern gadget And over time, we had unsuspectingly amassed unwanted pounds that at our age, had proved a bit hard to lose. While it has been our long plan with my friends to do some running to shed off some of the weight, it had never really materialized until recently when we launched our own version of The Biggest Loser.
Our weight-loss project took us to PICC complex where, we found, is frequented by fellow runners. The tall trees provided the perfect shade from the early morning sun and added just enough serenity for relaxation.
The flowers growing along the fences, an interesting scupture and signages entertained our eyes, proving that running outdoors is more enjoyable that hitting the gym.
The first weigh-in will be two weeks from now. I don’t know if by then I’ll lose an adequate weight to get ahead of the others. But regardless, the inaugural run was more fun than we expected. We all hope that even with the coming quarter close, we’d be able to sustain the energy for a regular exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle no matter who wins the Biggest Loser.
Working nightshifts can really take a toll on your health. And it looks like I’m not gonna be on a normal schedule anytime soon, the least that I can do for my body is to eat healthy. That has been may resolve lately, and so fruits, vegetables, and fish have been the focus of attention at the grocery store.
Alright, while I’m at it, why not take it a little further…. let me DRINK to good health too! Squeezed fruit and vegetable juices are conveniently available nowadays and its super easy to grab a bottle or carton if you want some. So which one should I get… carrot or tomato? Maybe I need lycopene more so let me have the tomato juice.
Two days ago was the true test. I poured a tall glass of the chilled juice and feeling good about myself, I bravely took the first sip. And boy, did it make me gag! I didn’t know tomato can be this slimy…. it had the taste of raw fish mixed with okra extract. Yuck! Why didn’t I choose the carrot juice! Remorse remorse! I was almost scared to take a second sip yet I cant bring myself to just pour it down the sink. I was torn between walking away unscathed but with a nagging conscience for wasting away precious bloody lycopene and taking it in stride, get it done and over with! I’m doing this for lycopene! I repeated the thought over and over in my head and managed to gulp the glutinous substance quickly in controlled breathing. Success!
I dunno if I’ll ever acquire a taste for tomato juice. If I continue drinking it for a few weeks then maybe. Each time I open the refrigerator and see this pariah of a juice in the corner, I almost always cringe. The experience lingers more than the taste. Lycopene… I’d rather eat you than gulp you down again! I think I need betacarotene more this time…. 
Tags: lycopene, tomato
I reported back to work on Thursday and was welcomed by close to 500 unread emails (that’s few compared to some people). I was feeling better and I knew I could handle the backlog with grace. That optimism continued until the break of dawn when I felt a growing discomfort in my right shoulder. I dunno what is it with me these days, after the virus now Im suffering from muscle pains. I made a dash to the clinic and asked for a plaster of Salonpas. That should do the trick.
The following night was not any better, the pain was worse and the medicated plaster did nothing to soothe the pain. It was impossible to ignore. I felt I needed a brace or a sling to hang my arm on. Time to call our in-house therapist!
Our company takes reported discomforts seriously. In fact, the CARES program (forgot what the acronym stands for hehehe, I’ll check on it) was set up to assist employees who my have RSI – Repetitive Stress Injury – and provide support to correct their condition. Back in 2005, I was already enrolled in the program due to frequent migraines. It meant occassional visits by the therapist and Workpace (application that locks the computer and asks you to do exercises or leave your workstation) prompted more often leaving me no choice but to stop working. I was tempted not to make future reports to avoid the compulsory breaks so I can finish my work on time. But that is not the best option.
On the brighter side, I am lucky to be with a company that takes employees safety at heart. A lot of employers out there arent too understanding. I remember one of my supervisors before, telling me to slow down and take it easy. I didnt listen, I thought what is there to do but work. The repercussions of spending too much time at the office are manifesting at this age, and my supervisor’s words came ringing like a conscience with a trident. I’ll be kinder to myself from now on.
Tags: migraine, muscle pain, RSI
I’ve been out of the office for a week now and I’m getting anxious to return more so because its the start of another accounting close. The measles spots are gradually disappearing and I’m beginning to look normal again. Just to be sure, I paid the doctor a visit this morning to get the clearance. She didn’t give the green light… but advised to give it a few more days rest. Viruses have their incubation period and like a stained petri dish, I am still an active carrier. I didn’t know if I’d feel despondent or relieved that my unscheduled vacation was extended. Just thinking of the work piling up in my office desk while I am here, lounging in bed, is making me sick all over again. If only measles is not contagious, I’d be crawling my way back to work even if I’m half dead.
In last Saturday’s EK funfare, I accidentally hit my head on the edge of the Log Jam boat when it took a steep plunge into the water. It resulted into a lump and a slight throbbing just above my nape. When I got up for work on Monday night, there was still the negligible pain but it didnt stay that way for long. As the night progressed into dawn… then the dawn into early morning… it intensified into a threatening migraine. Maybe I hit a nerve or something, or maybe it triggerred an abnormality, the thing that Dr. House will most likely encounter. Oh well, maybe it’s just plain paranoia. Or maybe NOT!!! I was alarmed when I noticed rashes on my arms. I rushed to the washroom and checked the rest of my body and saw some more on my thighs. Still faint but I have them definitely. Not a good sign.
I dropped by the clinic before going home and upon telling the doctor that I feel weak, a bit nauseated, and then the rashes, she immediately put on a mask. Again, not a very good sign. I was told the headache is not from the lump, although that contributed a bit, but from the swollen lymph_nodes behind my ears. A few minutes more of consultation and I was handed the verdict – what I have is a Non Specific Viral Exanthem , whatever that is. My officemate gave her more comprehensible version – “tigdas hangin” (measles) – and it should be gone in a week’s time. I was strictly advised to stay home and isolate myself lest I spread it in the office at the most inopportune moment, the month end close.
EK is where the magic stays with you, so they say. In my case, it wasn’t just the magic that stayed. I caught a spell.. or more appropriately, a curse in the form of a virus.
Tags: headache, lump, nausea, non specific exothem, rashes, virus
