Summer -- Where Have You Gone?

I know I'm not the only college student in the world who cannot stand summer simply because it means going home to, well, home. It's tough, but it seems like I'm actually ready to "leave the nest" so to speak and get an apartment next summer.

Tough decision considering I have to weigh in weather/cost/location. At home I know what to expect, but if I were to move north/south/you get the gist, but anywhere else, notsomuch. Thankfully I'm looking at places near school that I would just keep for the rest of my senior year (ohmygosh moment: I'm going to be a *junior* in *college*). So I really think that's my best option.

On a different note completely: Running in short-shorts?! NEVER AGAIN! That was simply horrible. It made it difficult to focus because every few moments I had to stop and readjust. Very annoying.

On an arthritis note, that is somewhat related to the above note: my knees started to bother me around mile 2 yesterday, so I switched to a trail by my house, much softer. It gave more and it was more interesting than running around and around and around a track.

Anyone else like trail running more than road running, or is it just me?

As promised I have another song for you guys: I know T.Swift is not a favorite anymore by a lot of people, but since I was never a die-hard fan, I think she's still okay. This is a nice running song (at least for me, but I think you'll like it too) because it's upbeat but the beat isn't TOO intense or fast that you feel like you have to keep up.

PS: Anybody else enjoy biking? My mom (Pants) and I have ridden almost everywhere this summer. We have our cute little cruisers and we just go.

Feel good today!

Exercise!

I've mentioned running/swimming in a previous post, but I'm having some issues staying focused.

ALL through high school I swam. . . there wasn't a single season that passed without SOME form of athletic swimming. It was great! I was always fit and eating wasn't even CLOSE to an issue. Mostly because I could eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and not gain an ounce because I swam it right off.

RAHHHH!!! BUTTERFLY!!!

Now that I'm in school I can't swim. SUNY Canton doesn't have a team (sad face for Brynna). So in order to keep the evil freshman (no I'm not a freshman) fifteen at bay still, I've decided to run for the cross country team. This is a HUGE change because the farthest I've ever actually *RUN* is 0.5mi. Which is not a lot.

I really need to start building a summer schedule around running. It's easy when I'm at work because I just run with one of the little girls I nanny. Running with her is fun and not a chore at all, but running alone is tough because I get in iPod mode then run too fast too soon and die out.

So, because I'm thinking about it, I'm gonna go for a run. Wish me luck!

Planning Ahead

I know that Arthritis can't stop me (or anyone else for that matter). Why in heaven's name should I let it have THAT MUCH control over my life?! Hell, I'm TWENTY! I need to live it up now!

That said, I always like to be prepared when I know I'm going to be staying out late, or working mah bod super duper hard during a workout.

Be prepared to pack essentials for late nights, or to prepare appropriately for an intense sesh at the gym.

PACK ACCORDINGLY!

• Bring a small little pill case, one that can carry no more/no less than about 400mg of Ibuprofen. These cute ones are great for putting in a little clutch for a night out with the gals!
• Pack an extra set of shoes in the car. . .your poor knees and feet will thank you VERY much for those the next morning. Everyone knows that the walk from your parking lot to your dorm ACROSS campus is the worst part.
• Dress weather appropriate. I know, I know, mini-skirts are swell for a night out, but are they really practical? notsomuch. I go to school in NORTHERN NY, let's just say that -23 is NUTHIN! From a dancing point, wear loose fitting jeans and that super cah-yoot top that's been hiding in your BFF's closet.

PREPARE ACCORDINGLY!

• If you're planning on starting any workout routine, consult your physician or your rheumatologist, they know your body too, and they're really good at their jobs (usually).
• Find good shoes, they're the most important investment for any sort of dry-land exercise plan. My personal fave: ASICS!

• If running isn't your thing, find a pool, I swam for what seems like forever, but let me tell ya, best workouts EVER, and you don't hurt after.
• Runners: Prep ice and heat so that when you get back the correct method of repair can be used, ice first, heat later.
• Take pain killers before if you've been having a rough week. . .it can prevent inflammation (and pain) afterwards.

FOR THE RECORD: I AM NO WAY ENDORSING OR SELLING NSAIDS! THIS IS STRICTLY MY OPINION AND IS NO WAY INTENDED TO BE USED AS A PAIN CONTROL METHOD.

Now that that's out of the way, have a great workout, or a fun night out with your friends!

Can you say STA-RESS!!??

Hey y'all! Okay, so who here has taken a final exam, or the SATs or the ACTs or another WICKED stress-inducing exam? (::raises hand::) Holla! I know for a fact that stress plays a HUGE role in my pain.

Those moments come fairly often at our age (hello, starting at 16 our lives are test HELL until we finish school). Now how does one with arthritis handle these moments?

*FREAKING OUT!?!?!?*

You gotta RELAX....take a deep breath, you're going to be fine.

Here are some tips for handling test-stress:

• Read your syllabus (if provided) to find out when all of your tests are, begin studying about 2 weeks before each exam. This allows you to review material you may have forgotten and ask questions WELL in advance.

• Study in a way that works for YOU! My method of choice is baZILLIONS (no joke, I took a medical terminology class last spring, LOTS and LOTS) of flash cards. This might not work for you. Other options include: seeing a tutor, re-writing notes (we'll cover notes in a second), recording your class and listening to lectures over again, and more.

• Okay, so notes! I know writing is a pain (literally!) but in my experience I absorb so much more of the information when I actually hand-write it. Laptops are great, but computer leads to solitaire leads to email leads to Facebook, you get the gist. If you are having a rotten day, use your laptop, but turn off the Wi-fi, and LISTEN (actively by asking questions).

• Notice that's the second time I've mentioned questions? Yeah, they're really crucial to your learning, and at the college level, you're paying MONEY to learn, shouldn't it make sense to you? Ask questions when you really don't understand something, or when you just need something clarified, then write it down in your super cute Lilly Pulitzer notebook!

I struggled my first year of school (college) because I got way in over my head and never really learned how to study. BIG mistake, I had a MAJOR exam and was way stressed out about it, and ended up not being able to write my exam! I took it late (thank you Prof G. of the Politics Dept at SUNY Potsdam!), and did okay on it. . .read: I got a C. . . dundundun.

Now that I better understand how I learn and how I study, I can avoid stress by working through it. No stress=no pain!

Managing Pain

Let's face facts: Arthritis pain BITES! How do we deal with it?!?

I know, I know, it's really hard getting out of bed in the morning. I mean just today I didn't want to move. Once I finally got up and started moving I felt fine. Don't misunderstand, I still hurt, but it's more manageable when I'm busy doing other things.

So, as the quote says, "You have to expect things of yourself * before you can do them". It's really quite true, I'm not 100% about the whole power-of-positive-thinking thing, but hey, in my case this helps (especially on those REALLY tough mornings).

As promised I have a song for you guys!

It's a more bass-ed out version of the song, and I LOVE jammin' to it in the car en route to whoknowswhere.

Have a really good day!

First Post

Lame title, I know, but hey, it is what it is, yeah?

My name's Brynna (hello, Brynna everyone responds in a dull voice), and I have arthritis.

I tried and well kinda failed at a previous blog because the whole ROTC thing didn't really work out for me (hello, arthritis, remember?). Due to my exceptional amount of experience with this evil disease, I think I'm qualified to say that it SUCKS!

My main reason for starting THIS particular blog is to help my little brother (Lil' Nosk) cope with his pain too, maybe help him on his bad days.

Lil Nosk has a number of issues, but only two come with official diagnoses; arthritis and ADHD.

(Lil Nosk three years ago, ain't he cute?!)

I'd like to make my first post about day-to-day pain. My thing is that it's more manageable when I remain active and SLEEP properly.

As some of you know, HP7P2 released at midnight last night, and I went to see it (happy dance!)!

When I woke up this morning (okay, 11:30, but STILL!) I was in a little bit of pain. In my experience, I have always been a tad uncomfortable when I haven't slept the proper hours during the night.

Remaining active when you're done with high school and don't have much drive to be in pain at that moment is REALLY tough, but motivation helps!

• Run WITH somebody, I went every morning this past week with the little girl I nanny, I'm very impressed with how well we keep each other going (yes, she helps me too).
• If that's 100% NOT an option find good music to listen to, I'mma do some research to see what's good and dance-y out there to help ya'll out.
• Set a goal and work toward it! Mine is to run with my ROTC-honey in the Army 10-Miler this November in DC.

Well I'm going to sign off for tonight. . .we'll see how tomorrow goes.