I bring you this additional Thursday post to show you something adorable. This brightened my day and in turn my entire work week.

This bear got trapped in a skate park. Someone threw down a ladder to help it get out and you can see it climbing up the ladder.

http://www.9news.com/9slideshows/gallery.aspx?slideshowname=08-25-09-Skate-park-bear 

Click the Next button to see each picture. I LOVE this!

The other day, a company emailed me (and a bunch of other bloggers) to promote their weight loss product. I am not going to get into details on what this product is or who the company is because I am not interested in slandering anyone.  We all have to make a living, I guess. But there were a few  things about the initial email as well as the response to my reply that really irked me.

The initial email said that this company was writing to me because of my blog’s focus on weight loss. Right away, I knew that this company did not actually READ my blog. When have I ever talked about weight loss (aside  from recounting my personal weight experiences in relation to my gastrointestinal issue)? Yes, I promote a healthy lifestyle and express my thoughts on health. Yes, I love exercising and I discuss my workouts in great detail.  But eating healthfully and working out are part of living a healthy lifestyle for me — and should be for everyone. I don’t ever discuss tips on losing weight, aside from expressing to the best of my ability that if you eat clean, real, whole foods I strongly believe your weight will stabilize. Notice I said stabilize — NOT lose. I never discuss calories unless it is part of a product review. I don’t count calories and honestly, you wouldn’t want me to discuss my own caloric intake because I have a tendency to round everything up to the nearest 500. And worrying about calories isn’t really necessary if you’re eating vegetables, fruits, sprouted grains (or high quality whole grains, but check the ingredient list), nuts, non-factory meat, real eggs (from happy, free chickens), small amounts of real butter, milk (if you can tolerate it), and on and on. Eat cleanly and it will all work out.

(Which reminds me, I still need to discuss the books In Defense of Food and Real Food and I just got The Omnivore’s Dilemma. I will probably do a summary post of all three when I finish Omnivore’s.)

Okay, so maybe she assumed a blog largely about health and fitness must be about weight loss if it was written by a girl. Or maybe that all readers of these blogs are trying to lose weight. Some are — and good for them! I am all for being as healthy and in shape as you can be. But still . . . at least read my blog if you want me to promote your product.

So I responded with a nice note, thanking her for the offer and explaining that I try to avoid processed foods containing GMO soy and corn (their product was processed and contained these things) and that I try to educate my readers in this as well (again, if they read my blog, they would know this). I further expressed my thoughts on eating cleanly to stabilize weight rather than relying on a product. I said it nicely and concisely.

Aside: Has any “weight loss product” truly helped anyone long term? Maybe, but generally no, as the diet trends and fads come and go. And any tool that means putting more chemically processed junk into your body cannot be a tool you’d want to rely on for very long. Unless you are a fan of cancer.

After my response, I thought all was done. Wrong!

The woman from the company replied back and said:

“I understand that you don’t feel that our product is a tool you can use in your weight loss program, but if you change your mind please let me know.”

And herein lies the source of my anger. The reason I am even writing about this at all, because if it had been left with my last email I wouldn’t have ever thought about it again or put it on this blog. But this, this one line, got me angry:

My weight loss program.

Why would she think I am on a weight loss program? I’m not going to tell you my weight on here, but let’s just say I am a fairly thin girl with a very small frame and I should not be on any weight loss program if I want to be healthy. Me going on a weight loss program would likely be considered an eating disorder.

A more appropriate response to me would have been “I understand that you don’t feel that our product is a tool you can feel comfortable sharing with your readers . . .” That would have been fine. But. My weight loss program? Is it because I am a girl, I must be on a diet? Or because I work out and no girl ever works out unless they are trying to lose weight? Or because I try my best to eat healthfully and no girl would ever choose carob over chocolate unless she was trying to drop some pounds? (Note: Carob satisfies the chocolate cravings. Try it — in its unsweetened form if you can! With none of the chemical aftertaste of M&Ms.)

I know, I know. I am overreacting. It just bothered me. It bothered me that the marketing company for a product that promises weight loss through sketchy methods would assume I am on a weight loss program. It bothered me that they are blindly throwing their product out there without checking who they are relying on to promote it. You’d think they would at least read up on who they contact to make sure values align, etc. What if I liked murder and wrote my blog about murder and weight loss? Would they have still contacted me to promote their product? Probably. Although you can probably safely assume that any company that makes a quick weight loss fake ingredient GMO product designed to “trick” your body wouldn’t exactly have the most ethical standards.

And our bodies do not need to be tricked; that is in fact what processed foods and imitation “low-fat” labeled foods have been doing to them for years. And what did that do for us? Cancer, heart disease, diabetes to name a few. Stop tricking your body and just treat your body right. I am not perfect myself — when the (probably processed) cookies are out, I will eat them. I am not preaching perfection. I’m just saying do yourself a favor, stop stressing about how many calories are in your Snackwells cookie, eat a peach or two and take a walk outside. All you can do is your best and no one’s best is perfect. Trickery is not needed!

OK. Rant done.

Come back tomorrow or maybe early next week to hear about the very strange Counting Crows/not really Counting Crows concert I went to on Tuesday night. And see pictures. And maybe see videos if I can figure out how to put them up.

And click here if you want to contribute to my fundraising efforts for the World Trade Center Run to Remember. That is a 5K race I am running (my first!) on September 6. The proceeds I raise go to a charity I selected called the September 11th Families Association.

Big news! I decided to run another 5K. This one actually happens a week before my Komen Run for the Cure 5K, so it will be my first race ever.

I will be running in the World Trade Center Run to Remember (WTCRTR). This is the race’s inaugural year and will be a celebration of the lives of those lost on September 11, 2001. Everyone participating will be running in honor of someone who died in the terrorist attacks that day. Each participant has the option of selecting a name of someone they knew or allowing the computer to select randomly. Since I was fortunate enough not to have lost anyone close to me that day, I let the computer select a name. I will be running in honor of Oleh D. Wengerchuk. His name will be displayed on my bib.

Click here if you want to contribute to my fundraising efforts. I selected the September 11th Families Association as my pledge cause. Here is some information about this organization:

Not-for-profit organization was founded by New York City Fire Department families in November 2001 to provide information to all 9/11 families. Our mission is to unite the September 11th community, present evolving issues, and share resources for long-term recovery. The Association maintains an active database of 4,500 immediate family members of victims who died on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and passengers on the four planes. Since June 2002 the Association has published a quarterly newsletter of resources and information for 9/11 families. The Tribute WTC Visitor Center is a project of the September 11th Families’ Association that offers visitors to the World Trade Center site a place where they can connect with people from the September 11th community. Through walking tours, exhibits and programs, the Tribute WTC Visitor Center offers Person to Person History, linking visitors who want to understand and appreciate these historic events with members of the 9/11 community who experienced them firsthand. Family members, survivors, recovery workers, volunteers, and residents of Lower Manhattan volunteer at the Tribute Center to share their personal experiences with visitors.

I actually walk past the Tribute WTC Visitor Center every day to and from work, which is part of the reason I chose this organization. I like that I see all the good they do firsthand. That also means I walk past Ground Zero every single day. It is tough so I am glad I am able to contribute in this way.

The race takes place on Governor’s Island. I have never been there, but it is a quick ferry ride from Manhattan. The run will take place largely around the perimeter of the island, with gorgeous views of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island.

The registration form asked me to estimate my race time, so I selected 30-35 minutes based on my experience with this distance, although I hope I end up being a little faster. My best friend Rae is coming with me to cheer me on (I believe she has plans to make a sign for me – how exciting!). Rae went to a concert on Governor’s Island a few weeks ago, so I feel more comfortable finding the right ferry and all if she is with me! Later that day we plan to kayak.

If you are going to be in the NY area on September 6, I strongly encourage you to participate. The WTCRTR event organizers are asking  participants to ensure there’s a runner/walker for each person lost on 9/11. If you aren’t comfortable running a 5K, there is also a 3K family fun run/walk, so there is something for everyone.

Let me know if you decide to sign up!

Hello friends! I am doing much better today, thank you all for your concern. After work I went somewhere that makes me better. Before I start today’s post, I just wanted to clear something up.

People comment and make recommendations for what my illness could be. It is very nice of these people to offer up their time and knowledge, but I feel I haven’t been clear. I know what I have. I know what it is. I have had every test you can imagine, and lots of procedures to boot. It is crystal clear what is going on with me — and it is not celiac, lactose/gluten intolerance, etc. Believe me, the simplest explanations (which aren’t really explanations because these syndromes would NOT cause my symptoms anyway) were ruled out at the very beginning.

I don’t discuss what it is that I have directly on here because I’d like to maintain some semblance of privacy, as every time I post a new blog it gets automatically broadcast to all my Twitter and Facebook friends. That said, I am happy to discuss my GI illness in detail if you email me directly. After 2 years I have lost all modesty and squeamishness, and can discuss pretty much anything.

Okay, on to today’s topic. Running!

Last week, I calibrated my Nike + iPod. There is a little track right off my running path, and after some internet research I found out that it is 1/8 of a mile. The default calibration setting is 1/4 mile, so I decided to run the track twice to calibrate. I did have an issue with the calibration and that is as follows: I clicked the calibrate button and started running but it took a few seconds for the voice to come on and say “beginning calibration”. As a result, I tried to end my laps at the place where I was when the voice spoke, but I don’t know if that was the correct spot or if it started as soon as I pressed the button? So it might be a little off.

I went on a modified version of my run after. I was slow. I didn’t get to run my full route until today but I woke up feeling like I could go back to sleep for 3 more hours. I dragged myself out of bed and got dressed in my new running shorts! I forgot to wear them on Friday when I ran — can you believe that? I remembered too late and then all I could think about during that run was how much I wished I had my new shorts and how much better my run would be (as if it wasn’t good a bunch of times on the Soffees!) and how much less hot I would be, etc. It was a sticky day.

Anyway, today I remembered. They are so cute, you guys! I should take a picture modeling them. I will be wearing them to my 5K next month, so I’ll be sure to get photos with Missy then. And now I plan to get a breathable shirt as well. I wear cotton wife beaters when running. I have a bunch of workout shirts that I got on sale at Lululemon, but they all have built in bras and I need one without because when I run, I need my Ta Ta Tamer bra (which I need a new one of, the cleaning lady threw one of mine in the regular wash – ugh)! So I will be making a special stop in there soon. And by soon, I mean today.

The velcro I used to fashion a larger iPod armband worked beautifully. I just attached a piece around the Nike + iPod sensor and stuck each side on it. No need to buy a new armband when velcro is cheap!

So I started on my run. Usually, I feel great at first. It is before any cramps can start, I am not out of breath yet, I feel great to be out there and running. Today, I felt awful from the beginning. Just tired and winded. A few minutes in, my right side ribcage cramp started hurting. I had gotten it to the point where it doesn’t start until later, but not today. A little further in, my neck pain started. I had not gotten neck pain during my runs since I started stretching my neck first. Luckily, that pain didn’t last long.

I was running very slowly because of the cramp and feeling tired. Even after the cramp started to dissipate, I was scared to go any faster because that is a one way ticket to re-cramp. I also just didn’t feel like I could go any faster. I wondered if I could even finish. I was having a hard time breathing. The rest of my run seemed so far.

I pushed through it and then my right hip pain started up. This is the very first pain I  got the first time I tried to run outside a few months ago. I know, I know, I sound like such a whiner. But I just wanted you to all get a feel for what I was experiencing today! I did try to change it up and run on a dirt path next to the pavement to give my knees a little rest. I felt like I went a little faster there.

I was getting close to the end and as tempted as I was to skip the pier and just finish up, I was too curious to find out how far my route is with the calibration. I had a feeling 3.87 miles was not correct, but figured it was maybe 3.5? I needed to know.

The pier, usually an enjoyable part near the end of my run, felt like torture. I was dragging my legs. The final leg of the run is this long steep ramp out of the park and onto the street. That was almost impossible for me. I was huffing and puffing.

I decided during the run that I need to get on the elliptical more often and ramp up my cross training. I used to do elliptical all the time, but I’ve been lazy with it. I need to build up my stamina again!

When I finally finished I could not have been happier. I stopped the run a few feet before where I usually do because I was just THAT ready to be done. I went upstairs, soaking wet with sweat even though today was much cooler than last week and there was a nice breeze, and I had to sit down right away because I felt so nauseous. That was a running first for me as well.

I felt too out of it to take my sweaty clothes off for awhile and removing my knee sleeves was an ordeal. But I was happy because I did it! Even though it was hard and I was miserable, I did not stop and walk once during this time. I know there is no shame in walking and lots of much more experienced runners do it all the time, but I wanted to get through this short distance that I have gotten through so many times before.

And here are the stats (too tired to wipe up my sweat so the stats were written on paper while my sweat dripped onto it. sexy.)

Distance: 3.13 miles — VERY different from 3.87, huh? Even if my calibration was off, this seems much closer to reality. Warning to users: Nike + iPod is NOT at all accurate out of the box.
Time: 33:59 — 2 minutes slower that my great run last week – which goes to show that my speed from the last run was way off too! My goal for the 5K is once again 10 minute miles.
Pace: 10:51 minute miles. I know I can do better. But does anyone have tips on avoiding the ribcage cramp?? Even though I ate nothing before my run, it started right away today. A very light, early dinner the night before will probably help. Anything else?
Calories: Nike + says 247, HRM says 328. Considering the HRM is touching my body the entire time while calculating in my weight and the Nike is only by weight, I go with 328.
Avg HR: 176
Max HR: 195

I will also be sure to use my Nike + iPod during the 5K since I know that distance and I can see how close the Nike gets.

Despite all the obstacles, difficulties and challenges, I am really glad I ran today. My friend Melissa at FitnessNYC wrote a post this morning about a difficult run she had — and she is a marathoner! It made me feel better to be reminded that my bad run wasn’t because I am a bad runner, it happens to everyone. We all have off days!

And the great news is that my left knee, the bad knee, feels fine! The right knee is a little tight but not too bad, and the right hip is the worst of the residual running pains today. I think it is my hip, it is a little lower than where I consider the hip to be but I could be wrong. It is at the very top, outside part of my thigh. Thoughts?

While I was researching what exactly it is that is hurting, this sponsored ad came up. Creepy:

I will not be bidding on any leg joints on eBay.

Random, but I came across this yesterday and found it fascinating (Hi Cassie!). Fascinating because, well, gross and also because I have a friend named McGriddle (Hi McGriddle!).

And here I was thinking eggs were eggs and cheese was cheese. Shows how much I know…

Needless to say, I am glad I never ate one of these. And never bid on a leg joint on eBay. I have lots to be grateful for.

In last week’s BeamGreen post, I forgot to show you the pictures of Stogo ice cream with my Babycakes cookie!

Okay, all better.

Anyway, I had great plans for this weekend and none of them worked out. You would think that after being in constant pain for a year and a half and semi constant pain for 6 months, I would know what medicine to take to stop said pain.

I don’t.

My second GI doctor has given me a number of pain meds. None of them worked. And any doctor I saw following that one warned me to never take any of those meds anyway, as they will cause the underlying problem to become worse. That same doctor also gave me Vicodin, which the following doctors also warned would contribute to the problem getting worse. Although when the pain is bad enough and the others don’t work, that is the one I’d turn to.

So the problem is — if the pain meds I have don’t work and make the underlying problem worse, then what can I take when I am in pain?

I have trying to find out this answer for a very long time. Unfortunately, if such a medication exists for my pain, no doctor I have met with knows about it. I just called my newest doctor and left a message for her to call me back about this. This is because I have been in pain for days now.

Last week I was having a pretty great week, stomach-wise. Monday – Friday all was pretty good. On Saturday, I woke up lethargic and spent the entire day napping. At the height of my GI problems I was constantly lethargic, and now that I am better at handling my situation it has not been so bad. But on Saturday I was just out of it. I was also not able to eat much, which didn’t stop me from eating much at a barbecue at the boy’s family on Saturday. When the food is there . . .

So it is probably no surprise that I woke up on Sunday unable to move. The pain was sharp and the pain was pressure. It felt like little people are punching me all over. My plans to run didn’t happen. My plans to go to Missy’s sister’s wedding didn’t happen. I didn’t leave the apartment all day. I just laid around saying ow and reading books.

The books I read:
Everything Sucks: Losing My Mind and Finding Myself in a High School Quest for Cool by Hannah Friedman
Sickened: The True Story of a Lost Childhood by Julie Gregory
I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron

All the above books were great.

And I just started Born to Run:  A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seenby Christopher McDougall — anyone read this? I am so excited about it!

The boy read it and made a unique in response to what he read. He will be writing a guest post soon all about it.

As you can see, I was on a major memoir kick. And I still am. After I finish Born to Run I have two more memoirs I want to get to, including Dumbfounded: Big Money. Big Hair. Big Problems. Or Why Having It All Isn’t for Sissies by Matt Rothschild.

Anyway. I thought for sure I would be fine by Monday morning. So I laid out all my running gear, excited for the perfect weather that they were predicting. I calibrated my Nike + iPod last week and was excited to get a more accurate idea of how far my run is and how fast I run. I set my alarm for 6:00 and went to bed early.

When my alarm went off, all I felt was pain. Intense pain, worse than Sunday’s. It hurt so much. I tried to picture myself running and my vision included lots of pain and going slow and being upset. I knew getting out of bed was not an option. I went back to sleep and had a dream that I was running in a strange marathon that included stops all over and talking to lots of people and going to all these places inside other places. I woke up every now and then to groan in pain and wonder how I would go to work. I considered working from home.

At a little after 7:00, I finally forced myself out of bed. Once I started moving around, the pain wasn’t as bad, but I still keep feeling intense stabs. And it still feels like someone is punching me. Which sucks, because when I went outside the weather really was perfect.

I hope I will be better for tomorrow morning. I want to run in this weather, I want to not be in pain. I want my doctor to call back with some suggestion for what I can take.

What is hardest for me is the realization that just because I feel much better overall these days, I am NOT better. I’m going to feel pain and discomfort and lethargy and there is nothing I can do about it because as good as I might be feeling, the problem is still the problem and that didn’t change. What changed is that I know how to deal with the problem much better. The doctor who will be calling me back is also going to have some other information for me about next steps going forward, so hopefully I will learn something new today. And hopefully the pain will stop.

Let’s wish for a run tomorrow!

Click here for FitnessNYC’s Physique 57 DVD giveaway — but don’t click because I want to win this one.
Click here for Prior Fat Girl’s cookbook and apron giveaway.