I am all about trying to find a balance… heck that is how this whole blog thing started out – my desire to find a way to lead a healthy, balanced life. I’m working on the exercise bit and doing pretty well (it helps that running makes me happy), I’m struggling (really struggling) my way through the healthy eating, slowly making progress, but I am also making sure to take care of myself preventatively.
Yes, it is great to go to physical therapy appointments when I am injured or to the doctor when they think I broke an ankle, but what about my general health? Well after numerous close calls, cancer scares, and even some ugly diagnoses I am the Queen of Preventative Medicine.
As I sit, bare assed, waiting for the doctor to come in (Really, why does my bare, cold butt have to be out the whole time I wait? That’s just awkward.) I know I should dread this appointment or be mad that it is taking valuable time out of my already busy day, but I don’t. Instead I feel strong. I feel empowered. I know that just like running and eating healthier this is an essential part of taking care of myself and I feel better for doing it.
I cannot help it and begin to chuckle when I have to put my legs up in those darned stirrups and I see me feet sticking up in the air. Holy crap those ridiculous runners feet! Disgusting! They are ragged, bruised, blistered, generally cringe-worthy and about two inches from my doctors head.
She glances at them and I explain, “Marathon training kills my feet.”
She tells me, “Running marathons should come with a warning – It’ll kill you.”
Feet up in the air, pants off, doctors head next to my va-jay-jay and I can’t help it – I smile.
If only she knew… Running saved me.
It made me want to get healthy, eat better, get out of that size 18/20, exercise more, push myself further, and make better overall health decisions (including sticking to all my yearly doctors visits).
In truth – I was in that office because now, more than ever, I value my health. I believe in taking care of myself and in preventing injuries before they happen – running taught me that.
What strange, interesting, or fabulous lessons/gifts has running (or exercising) given you?
FYI: As far a preventative medicine goes I visit the follow doctors each year:
- general/family medicine doctor – overall checkup
- OB/GYN – yearly female exam
- dermatologist – skin cancer screening (I’m still living down an unintentional thong incident)
- eye doctor – eye/contact reevaluation
- dentist – twice per year for cleanings and checkups
Running also got me to go to the doctor. I went for a much needed physical. I wanted to make sure my health was on point before I started training.
So fabulous that running keeps us up to date on our checkups.
Good for you on keeping up with the preventative medicine. I too, had a yearly exam at the gyno… & it was a very cold day in WI for it! LOL
Why do I feel like everyone had their gyno exam today? You aren’t the first person who has told me that. Must be the day for it.
I just read some of your older posts, I’m glad you are healthy! I had an abnormal pap smear one time, but ever since then everything has been fine. I still hate going there but I do go every year. Other than going to my PCP (oops) and the dermatologist, I do all of the same preventative things that you do.
I do see my PCP when something comes up though and I will probably go soon or when my insurance recommends that I go. I’ll also have to get a colonoscopy earlier than normal since colon cancer and polyps run in my family (my mom just had to have surgery last year because of polyps). Her doctor recommended that my brother and I go in earlier than normal.
I am glad you do all the preventative stuff too and glad you are keeping up on your family history so you know what tests to do.
Wise wise wise! I have definitely taken my yearly check ups and dr. appointments much more seriously since discovering running and overall healthy living.
I’m so happy that you found the courage to make the change and get healthy. You’re beautiful and you gotta take the up most care physically to stay just as great on the inside!
I actually have to set my dermatologist appointment tomorrow, I have been a little lax on it because I am going to be cut on and hear things I don’t want to hear.
Good luck setting up your derm. I have been cut on a lot too. However, better us have scars than have worse. Hope the appt. goes well.
I too am a fan of preventative medicine and even though I have moved EVERY year for the past 6 years (to where I have to find new doctors) I still do it! Especially eyes & teeth. My primary care physician says every 2 years for general physicals and every 5 for ‘down there’ doctors, but I see gyno more often than that. Plus I go to the chiro every 2 weeks….I do need to see dermo though before I am no longer on my parent’s insurance!
I would love to see a chiro, that would be fabulous!
I know that some people see down there docs less, jealous, but I have a bad past history so I am actually about every 6 months.
So proud of you for being smart and finding new docs even when you move.
Preventative medicine is so important! I really need to get myself to a Dermatologist soon….everything else I am up to date on!
I am crazy pale, blonde hair, blue eyed, always running outside in the sunny south so my derm visits are nonnegotiable. It’s not fun to have them poke and prod all your bumps, but I do feel better/safer afterwards.
I actually don’t have an OB/GYN here, although I do have a family doc and a dentist (I tend to go to my family doc for that just to avoid dealing with another doc). I’m not too picky about eye doctors so most likely the next time I need and eye exam, I’ll just go to Lens Crafters or something. Oh the joys of moving around and having to find new everything, but we really scored on the family doc and dentist since moving here. In fact, that was one of the first things I did, 2-3 months after moving here- find both of those docs. Asked a couple friends at run club for recommendations because I didn’t know anyone else much at the time.
BTW, I always wear bizarre socks to the lady visits. I’ve done this ever since the first time I went, just because you get to keep them on (and my feet are always cold anyway). I read or either someone told me that it would be a good way to cope the first time and I’ve just always worn crazy socks to the doc ever since. The nurses and doctors always compliment me on them, haha.
I never thought about crazy socks. I came straight from work and had dress shoes on with no socks at all. Hence scary feet!
Oh the preventative medicine thing — I’m working on it. I have found a local doctor here in BC, and I’m working on going to the dentist to get cavities filled (as in, working on actually getting my ass in the chair and not cancelling the appointment because it terrifies me).
You are a great example to us all.
Oh my gosh I wish I could give you my dentist. He is so nice, gentle, and cute.
My friends and I don’t mind going to see him;)
I hate those appointments to this day! Lol they make me giggle though…especially the awkward “I have my legs all up in the air but let’s chat” conversations
Yes, it is so amusing – Your head is next to my naked girl parts, but yes I would like to talk you about my day. HA!
Lol! Girl I am laughing at this because I feel ya! Yesterday I was in the doctor’s office with my feet up in the stirrups too! Luckily my doctor’s wife is a runner so he totally gets it! Good job on keeping healthy!
Were we all there yesterday? I think you’re like the 3rd person who has said the same.
Good for you abs!!!! That’s so wise, and I must tell you that you are the reason I went and had a physical and went to the dentist this year after not going to either for close to 4 yrs!!!! I know; I was terrible! But a post you wrote awhile back and knew to take your advice! Ty for that! Xxoo
I am so glad you went. I know it isn’t always fun. However, don’t you feel better now knowing it is done? Woohoo Jenna! So proud of you.
I’ve been following you on Twitter for a while, but I just now found your blog. Anyway, Running saved me too.
So glad you found my blog and so happy that you too feel as though running saves you. It is fabulous!