One of the favorite things I have heard from a patient is: you’re a doctor, you don’t have to worry about blood pressure. Implying, of course, that doctor’s don’t struggle with their health.
This week I certainly struggled with my health, all thanks to that viral illness that started last week. I had hoped to increase my exercise regimen for the new year, and instead had to work on rest and recuperation.
In retrospect, I wonder what exactly I picked up while traveling.
- Saturday: Unpacked from the trip and spent the rest of the day in bed. No exercise.
- Sunday: Logged into work from the sofa, and started to clear the EMR back log. Walked from the sofa back to bed. No other exercise.
- Monday: First day back at work. Was able to leave early, to lie down and nap. No exercise.
- Tuesday: This was a longer day (though less long than it would have been before reducing my hours). I was exhausted half-way through the afternoon. Several co-workers suggested I should go home. No exercise.
- Wednesday: No required clinical work meant I stayed home. By late afternoon, I was considering whether I should exercise. I didn’t.
- Thursday: A longer day, I made it through without too much exhaustion. I must be improving! Still no exercise.
- Friday: I had to do some walking around the hospital complex today. Not too fast, and I still got a little tired. My Fitbit claims my walking totaled 32 minutes, which I doubt, but which I will report.
Total: 32 minutes walking, lots of rest with tea + honey, cough drops. As far as hitting my goal of 150 minutes of moderate exercise, I’d say this was a fail. As far as taking care of my health, I think I did pretty well. The challenge next week will be to push myself to exercise without overdoing it.