PhDs with April Showers

Hi, Z. In a cruel April fools joke, it's snowing today. Was sleeting last night. Warm enough that it's not sticking, but it might kill all the fruit blossoms like last year. The orchards took a major hit--no peaches, plums, nectarines, pears at all. Want to share some of that sun with us?

The PA who does my trigger point injections suggested the neurontin I'm on could cause weight gain, even though I've been on it for years. The side effects can change over time. We've been trying to transition it to Cymbalta, but I might still have to take both. So tired of taking pills. Next week I'm trying a 30 minute body fit boot camp. She said it's okay but to be careful with shoulder/neck lifting. They do present modifications, and I can go back for more injections if the muscles really spasm. I have two friends who go all the time, and they've both lost a lot. 2 miles from home, so it's hard to make excuses. First class is free, but it is pricey after that.

Unemployment is causing headaches now. They say I was "overpaid" for two weeks last summer because the university gives one paycheck for the whole summer, and I didn't report "income" for the weeks my class wasn't happening. Last year the school had to send a letter, so I asked them to do it again. Just a pain since the state doesn't look at the history and get it. Kind of like they don't get the concept of per diem.

Fuzzy kitty had a good time with one of my good friends last night. The only person she really loves besides me--rolled over for belly scratches, sat on her lap. She doesn't even do that with my parents or the 'guy.'

Hi, Z. Tried the boot camp yesterday. They were fairly helpful with modifications, like the one time she looked at me and said--you won't be doing this, because it involved elastic bands behind the neck. I hurt today, mostly my mid/lower back and a lot in my neck and back of head. The last one I expected. It hurts, but no worse than when it hurts enough that I run back to the chiropractor. I purchased a three-week trial for $71, unlimited classes. It is pretty expensive if I decide to do it for real, with the cheapest package a whole year prepaid. It is only 2 miles from home. Hard to predict the future in terms of where I'll be working, though. I'd also want to ask if they can put it on "hold" if I have to get wrist surgery. They also do individual appointments about every 4 weeks for nutrition talks and general check-in on progress, which might keep me a little more accountable.

Off from school until after Easter. I really need this break. Just not loving the job. The kids can be rude (had to write one up today for mild sexual harassment--of me!). and they argue about dumb things like requiring a pass. I did get to teach research skills yesterday, which was fun.

Ct, are you gonna give it a go for the boot camp? Can you do more teaching research skills? That seems interesting and oh so useful and not taught enough.

GS, I'm glad you feeling out of the woods. so A more week left, after this week?

I was in training on Monday and Tuesday, and it wiped me out. It was useful but also disheartening as i could see some of my weak points. The trainer was OK, but not fantastic. At the end she was definitely showing favoritism towards some, and not towards me. that was uncomfortable, but it was really obvious toward the end so i just bucked up, and let the training end peacefully. on the other hand the other trainees were great and i really found their feedback helpful. it was painful but probably quite useful.

Ct, but still, couldn't you tell teachers about how well it went, how you enjoy it and ask individually, as you cross them at lunch or breaks if they are would like to have you go over that with their kids? i'm glad that you are finding boot camp mostly good.
do you track your food? i sometimes track on myfitnesspal. If i track faithfully, regardless of what i eat, i usually lose. I often re-start tracking eating my usual and see that it's really a lot of calories. I'm small and have a slow metabolism, so basically i (like my mother and sisters) have to eat really less than average for my activity level, to avoid gaining weight or being heavy. It's not fair, but that is really how it is.

some people are born into abject poverty and others have the relatively very minor misfortune of a very slow metabolism. it's quite possible that much past dieting slowed the metabolism, but i think it's also largely genetic.