Those Words You Don't Ever Expect to Hear

Hello my blog friends - today's post is a little different than my normal run of the mill fitness / clean eating / Beachbody post. I am writing this blog post because the next few weeks will be a little tough, I may be a little tired, and a little bit not my normal self and I felt like I should share why - I want to share my story and I just felt this was the best way to let family and friends in on what is going on and keep whoever wanted to know in the loop and updated.

These words have been my motto over the past week especially:

A Little Background

Earlier this year in April, I went in for my yearly check-up with my doctor, she is awesome, amazing and takes care of everything for me from my diabetes to my lady issues. I was so lucky to find an MD like her (she actually spends time with me and talks to me about everything instead of rushing out of the room quickly, as I have experienced in the past). So I had my check-up and that was that, she said she would call me if she had to discuss any results. A few days passed and then my phone rang "Dr. Robinson" popped up on the screen. I thought one thing, "Uh oh, my HbA1C must be high" - and that is exactly what I said to her when I answered. She said nope, that test was perfect. I need to talk to you about your pap, it came back abnormal... what is called cervical cell dysplasia.  I had been down this road twice before, once in 2000, and another time in 2003.  So I was used to the treatment. I went in in May to "take care of" the abnormal cells, and scheduled my follow up in June.
At my follow up they showed no improvement in abnormal cells, and since I was moving out to Crested Butte, the referred me to a doctor closer to my new home.

So I had visited my new doctor, who is equally as awesome (and is a total yogi/Pilates girl too!) and she ran some tests and did a biopsy and an ultrasound. The results did not come out great. They asked me to come in for the results.  I went in on a Thursday. The 17th of September. I just knew, when they asked me to come in that the results were not going to be great, but I think I was still totally in denial.

Then they said the words that no one ever expects to hear. "You have Stage 1 Cervial Cancer. You are lucky, you are proactive about your health and we believe this is going to be very treatable."  I don't care who you are or how proactive you are or how early it is caught, "lucky" and "cancer" do not belong in the same sentence. Like EVER.

So after meeting with my team, we set out a treatment plan to be initialized on the 19th of October... Then I got the flu. Bad. So they pushed back my first treatment by a week.

The Plan

• Cold Knife Cone Biopsy to remove the cancerous cells. Since it was caught so early it is only in my cervix, it has not spread at all, so they will remove a large portion of tissue, examine that tissue to make sure there are no cancerous cells in the outlining tissue they removed. If there is not any then that will be that for surgery. If there is then we may talk about a total hysterectomy. (I really really do not want to go that route, but we'll do what we have to do to keep me healthy.)
• 3 rounds of high- dose radiation each one week apart from each other. 
• Cannabis Oil 
• No Chemo is needed! Yay! 
• They said my nutrition is THE BEST they have seen in a long time! (Thank you Shakeology and Autumn Calabrese!!)

So I had my surgery and the first round of radiation on Monday. All in all I am doing OK, I am really tired, and had a few unpleasant side effects all of Monday into Tuesday morning, but am feeling much better as of today. 

My family and friends who already know have been completely supportive. I am so lucky to have a great team behind me. Brody has been great too, telling me I need "the hydration" and getting me anything I need. Corey is also wonderful and has been cleaning the house, doing the dishes, cooking dinner, keeping the fire stoked, and all of this while working 8am - 11pm every day.   

I will come back and update often and I am totally open to any and all questions you have. 

<3 Leanne 

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PIYO Ski Conditioning is Here!

Since I'm sitting here getting ready to launch PiYo in Crested Butte tonight, it seems like a good idea to address how to use it to get your body ready for snow sports before it's too late. Since we are just about 5 weeks away from opening day you might think it's already too late. Luckily, with Piyo you can get awesome results with your strength and flexibility (eh hem - Injury and joint protection!!)

In a perfect world, you'd begin your training for skiing as soon as the last season ended. This would give your body time to adapt and grow strong before it needed to engage in the rigors of the sport. But we don't live in a perfect world, so let's start today!

PiYo Strength is a mix of basic yoga moves (primarily basic Sun Salutation, Warrior 1 and 2, Triangle and Reverse Warrior) My class is a fast-paced workout designed for balance, coordination, strength, and stamina, and is recommended for anyone from the beginner to the advanced athlete. PiYo is a mixture of Pilates and Yoga, a bit of cardio, and a lot of strengthening!   The plus is that attendees of PiYo classes should go and can go at their own pace  This dynamic fusion workout is easy on the joints, yet delivers strength, balance, agility and flexibility in one unique calorie burning workout - which will all help you prepare for a great season on the slopes or Nordic trails. 

You know that feeling after the first day or two back on your skis? The "i'm so sore, I need to hobble around" feeling? Well conditioning your joints and muscles beforehand can help lessen that initial soreness. Often the large muscles can take the constant motion and pounding of the legs, but it is getting the secondary muscles trained and conditioned to help avoid injury: that is the key to avoiding that sore muscle feeling. 

Here are the primary muscles used in skiing and how they are utilized: 

Quadriceps: Quadriceps are probably the most used muscle group in skiing. These muscles hold you in position as you ski and provide protection for your knees. Great exercises for the quadriceps include squats and lunges.

Hamstrings and Gluts: When skiing downhill, you typically hold your body in a flexed position, which is leaning forward from the hips. This requires great strength from your hamstrings and glutes as they help stabilize your body. Work your hamstrings and glutes with squats, one legged squats, warrior 3, down dog, and single leg down dog. 

Inner and Outer thighs: Your inner thighs work like crazy to keep your skis together. Your outer thighs keep your body stable and help you steer. Some great exercises are side lunges, inner and outer  thigh strengthening muscular movements, and bowler squats/lunges.

Calves: Because your knees are bent as you ski, your calves (specifically the soleus) help you stay upright so you don't fall over (your boots help too). You can work this muscle by doing seated or standing calve raises and of course keep it flexible with stretches. 

Abs and Back: As you're in a flexed, bent over position, your back has to work like a maniac to hold your body in that position. To protect your spine from injury, your core must be conditioned. Work these muscles with exercises like beast (you'll learn!), kick throughs (pictured below), V-ups, back extensions, planks, and push-ups!

Arms: Along with your back, arms help push off with your poles while stabilizing your shoulder joints. Be sure to work your biceps and triceps along with the rest of your body and Piyo will certainty get that done!

This is a whole body workout to do for the ski preseason which will be great for getting your body in shape and keeping it flexible and strong to prevent injuries! 

Leanne is an APTA accredited Physical Therapy Assistant for the past 12 years and has been in the health, fitness and wellness industry since 2001. Leanne carries a passion for assisting clients and athletes in the planning and execution of any and all mind, body and wellness goals. She is a certified PiYo instructor and certified diabetes educator specializing in clean eating and nutrition as well. Since moving to CO in 2011 she has taken a passion in outdoor activities and getting the cross training experience indoors to help you become a better outdoor athlete! 

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