Are you like me this Winter? 

My Workouts Were Lacking During the Longest Winter Ever.

Have you ever had a year where you feel like your body is working against you? This year has been that year for me. As soon as the snow began to fall in September or October, I continually got sick. I first had bronchitis, sinusitis, and a double ear infection. This happened over and over, it was like I was allergic to the snow. My doctor also thought I had covid although my test came back negative. Good thing I started using a Netti pot and that cleared me right up. My most recent ailment has been kidney stones. I already have a whole post about that. 

This year I was prepared for all the snow and I bought indoor workout equipment. I have a Fitness Cube, Core Max, RAVS Vibration Plate, Pilates bar kit with resistance bands, a Thigh Master, and more. Now, I am ready to be outdoors walking or riding my bike. I look forward to seeing putting on a pretty show for me. 

The great thing about the smaller home exercise equipment that I have, is they work as well as any gym if I take the time to exercise with them often. After I got over my recurring Covid like illness, I started using my equipment regularly. In fact, that is how I found out I had kidney stones. 

I love my vibration plate. As a teen, I was in a rollover and I wasn't wearing my seatbelt. Since then I suffer frequent body aches and stiffness. The plate gently moves my muscles and gets my blood flowing before I begin the day or a workout. Usually, I also love it as a workout on its own when set to higher intensity levels. 

There I was using my vibration plate and feeling like I needed to double the pace at which it vibrates. I wanted to be a hot Momma and not gain the Winter 20 lbs, which can be common with such long hard winters. My muscles were warming up, my skin was wiggling, and my fat was jiggling, and I was feeling good until I wasn't. My kidneys began to hurt and it was hard to get a breath. I was only able to stay on for just over 4 minutes that day. I usually find my vibration plate super fun to listen to music and dance around on, but that day I couldn't. 

I have still been able to use other things, most especially my Yoga bar. That thing rocks. I can attach more bands for even more resistance. Through it all, my arms and legs are looking good. 

Are you looking forward to working out in nature like me? 

Which is worse, the pain from Kidney Stones or Childbirth?

I have heard it said that passing kidney stones is like giving birth. Having been through Childbirth and passing kidney stones, I feel ready to share the EXTENSIVE research, that I am still conducting, here are my current findings. 

Kidney Stones: They hurt, and they can hurt really badly. I have had extreme back pain on and off for weeks. I’ve suffered other pains throughout this, and I still can’t figure out why I have them. Honestly, I would compare kidney stone labor to the labor that comes with childbirth, although my kidney stone labor is lasting longer. 

Men, I thought you all were exaggerating. Yes, even my wonderful sweetheart. I couldn’t imagine their hurting this much for tiny little stones. As a woman, I now know that men are not wimps. (I say men because I am the only woman that has had stones, that I know of. Although I think my mom had some, I am not sure.)

Childbirth: My personal experience is that babies are much bigger than stones. Mine were between 8 lbs. 2 oz - 9 lbs. 14 oz each. Having a baby IS more painful.  

Yes, labor and stones are fairly even, but no man can ever experience the dreaded ring of fire. They don’t suffer the stretching or ripping that women experience during childbirth. I would guess that a stone would need to be the size of a lemon or apple for them to feel a similar pain. Still, those comparisons are smooth with no bones or hard angles. Men will not feel like their bodies are splitting in two, as women do while experiencing the ring of fire.  

Never having experienced a C-section, I still believe a C-section delivery would be more painful than passing kidney stones too. 

If you know someone, male or female, with kidney stones believe that they are really hurting. For all we know, it is one of the worst pains a man can feel. When my sweetheart had kidney stones he wouldn’t take any pain medication, and now I know that he IS Superman. I’m a wimp and am taking my pain medication.  

Today, I had a Shock Wave Lithotripsy done and the doctor said it broke up the huge stone that was causing a blockage and the most likely culprit of most of my pain. I can see the light at the end of this long dark tunnel.

Let me finish by saying, I am thankful for modern procedures and the doctors who study and learn to perform these helpful procedures.