Mentally Exhausting Week
This was not the best week ever. There are a couple of things going on that had me pretty upset this week. Not the end of the world kind of stuff, but just frustrating things that I have very little control over.
The situation upsetting me the most is that I am not allowed to continue seeing my GP anymore, because I moved; here in the Netherlands you need to have a doctor in your post code and you need to “sign up” to a new one if you move. It’s a well known fact that in Arnhem there are just too many patients per GP and doctors are at their capacity with patients. I get it.
So I contacted my GP (we can’t make an appt if we are not sick, due to covid) and asked her for refills on my meds and also asked if I could stay for a little while longer until I could find a GP in my area.
She said “No”. I mean, there was no consideration, no “good luck”, nothing. I’ve been with her 10 years and she basically said “No, sorry. you have to find a new GP”. That’s it.
This is upsetting for one because there is only 1 GP in my new post code taking new patients. And they won’t let me sign in because “you already have a GP”. So where does that leave me?
And secondly, what is also upsetting is that I am on HRT for menopause and the last thing I want to do is have to go off suddenly and go back to the depressive state I was in, back in 2019. I finally feel a bit better these days and I haven’t even had a chance to discuss anything with her because of covid! She is very conservative and has told me this is the last time she will refill. I’ve only been on hormones for (less than) 6 months.
It took me a few days to feel less upset. I don’t even WANT to go back to my GP at this stage, so I need to somehow solve this problem. I have 3 months (HRT) to do that. Hopefully with a bit clearer head I can figure it out.
Time for the Weekly Run Down
Deborah and Kim are the amazing hosts for the Weekly Run Down! Feel free to join in as well to wrap up your week in fitness!
WEEK 31
Plan vs. Actual
Monday – 3.25KM walk, GLI gym 1 hr intake – no workout (appt w/different PT), 3.5KM biking
Tuesday – 3KM walk (office day) to and from train station
Wednesday – 3KM walk, W6R1 run, 6KM, GLI 1 hour, gym 55 min
Thursday – 2.22KM walk, gym
Friday – 2.75KM walk, W6R2 run , gym 55 min
Saturday – 2.5KM walk, parkrun in Alkmaar 5KM, 17/17 Dutch parkruns done!
Sunday – 2KM walk, long run W6R3, 1.4KM w/u walk, 10KM run (!!!)
Week 4 In Review
Monday – 4KM Lunch Walk, 1.5KM Treadmill walk
Tuesday – The Trip, 5.65KM walk
Wednesday – Bodypump, 5.5KM Treadmill walk
Thursday – 7.5KM Treadmill Run (walk 20min/ run 30min/ walk 20min)
Friday – 4.3KM Walk with Gerrit, 1.5KM Treadmill walk
Saturday – 5.5KM Run (w/u 500m, run 30min, c/d 500m), 1.35KM walk
Sunday – 7.75KM Walk
Running
This week was the last week of the running rehab program, week 8. I was already nervous about it because it was 30-minutes-in-one-go running. By Thursday I still hadn’t run, so I decided to do it on the Treadmill.
Thank dog for Netflix is all I have to say! I wanted to start running after a 1KM warmup but it was a bit of a false start so I made it a 20 minute warm-up. Then I started with a fairly relaxed tempo for 5 min, increasing just a bit every 5 minutes until I made it to 6:43 min per kilometer pace. I continued that for 10 minutes. I repeated to myself “just focus on this 5 min” (a bit of a variation from “run the lap you’re in” – wise words from Birchwood Pie). Total 7.5KM. Phew!
Of course Saturday was #notparkrun day and I literally did not run in the park! Because I wanted to attempt the 30 min again, I figured I’d have better luck if I ran more “flat” so I headed down to the Rijnkade. I also told myself it was just a relaxed run and there was no tempo attached to it, so no matter what I would just keep running.
To be completely transparent, I did stop to make a few photos. But, for all intents and purposes, I warmed up 500 meters, ran 4.5KM (30 min) and cooled down 500 meters. And it felt GOOD, y’all!
Walking
A mix of treadmill walking and outside walking this week. Because I’m still going for the 10K steps, and was short on time in some cases, I would make up what I needed on the treadmill.
Got some good outside walks in as well; in daylight and after dark And met up with Gerrit again <3
Other Stuff
On Tuesday the hubs and I worked out together! I did “The Trip” on Les Mills On Demand and Ron did a run. I also had a great session with Kim and Debbie on Saturday!
I also did bodypump on Wednesday; I didn’t feel like it but we set everything up after breakfast so may as well do it, right?
Home Improvement (does it count as fitness? LOL)
This week we didn’t do much except finally at the end of the week we started on the ceiling of the spare room (spare, music, lounge, work-space room). The panels and insulation are in now and Ron and The Boy P (which, by the way, I can’t call him that anymore because he turned 20 on Saturday!) closed up the seams of the wall panels and we also ordered the paint and other materials needed to finish up the room. (we can’t just go to the DIY store because they are closed; we CAN order and pick up at allotted times/days). Our goal is to have this done before February so the floor guy can finish where he left off.
I am so looking forward to being able to use this room, especially if we have to keep working from home for a while.
Stats this week:
Walking 30.1KM
Running 13 KM
Bodypump 1x
Spin bike 1x The Trip, 1x Biking with Blogger Babes
Total steps: 76,401 (avg 10,914 per day)
Totals for January
Walking 147.30KM
Running 47.5 KM
Bodypump 2x
Spin bike 4x
Total steps: 363,687 (avg 11,732 per day)
That’s a wrap!
How was your week? Do you get sidetracked when stressful situations strike? Are you glad we have made it through the first month? Are you goals still on track?
I’m actually thinking about *gasp* making some goals for February. And if I do, then you’ll see that on the Fit Five Friday – Ultimate Coffee Date post coming up!
I’m really, really sorry to hear about how your GP treated you. To be with someone for that long and then for it to end so abruptly is pretty upsetting. I hope that everything will work out and that you’re able to find a new GP soon.
Awesome job on all of your workouts this week. You have so much going on with the new house but still find time to get in great workouts! Sorry to miss the virtual bike ride this Saturday – hope to make it next time!
Thanks Kim. It’s been super frustrating between her, the insurance company and trying to find a new doc.
I do try to keep moving though, it does help burn off the crazy!
Hope you get the GP situation settled.
Great week with runs and workouts.
I run on Saturday mornings. Otherwise I’d ride with you.
My goal is just keep moving. Running or walking or both. And stay healthy.
Thanks Darlene! By the way those are great goals to have!!
I’m so sorry that its so complicated to get a new doctor! That is really frustrating. I hope you can get it figured out soon. Great job with your workouts this week!
Thanks Lisa!
That stuff with your GP is pure BS (in my humble opinion); so sorry for all that unnecessary drama. Aside from that, though, you had a great week with all your workouts ;-) I’m so glad to have you as part of the Biker Babes ;-)
It really is BS Kim. I am glad I am able to push through with workouts to try to keep my head straight. Loving the biking sessions so far!
Ugh on the GP issue. It’s a weird circle of hell — I’m so sorry. Yay on the run though — photo stops don’t count against you unless you’re in a race. :-)
Love the Witte Villa — but still like the windmill best.
Thanks Coco! I hope repeat the run thing again as well. I think you would like the Witte Villa in person. It just makes the park! But yes, the windmill is my fave.
That is a really unfortunate situation w your doctor. I would be really upset as well. I hope you are able to connect w a new Dr soon that you feel comfortable with. You and the hubs are doing such a great job with your new house. Wish I could get my hubs to workout w me! Thanks for linking up
Thank you so much Deborah. Does he like other sporty activities, your husband?
Grrr to your GP! You are a rock star for being able to focus on a 5 minute segment on the treadmill! Oof if it wasn’t for Netflix idk how any of us would get through treadmill running.
Thanks! Your “focus” tactic really helped me. I don’t know how I ever made it through treadmill runs at the gym before Netflix.
Ugh that is a stressful situation- especially since you need SOMEONE to give you the prescription for your medication! I’m glad you have a three-month “buffer zone” to get it worked out.
Yay for running! Hope you have a great week!
it is stressful! and yes right in the middle of a specific treatment! Thanks Jenny!
I’m so sorry about the GP situation. It seems healthcare is messed up everywhere these days. :( I hope you find one in time. It took me years to find one here, but that’s really because it just wasn’t a priority for me. My husband has had a real runaround with his meds, too, but thankfully in the end it did get sorted out.
Sounds like you had plenty of great workouts to burn off some of the stress, anyway.
It is really bad here in town. I heard of some people still looking since early spring last year. I mean, that’s nuts. What if you get sick?? I guess you just go to the hospital? Definitely helped to workout and try to release some of that energy.
I am so sorry to hear about your frustrations with your health care system. It sounds like you have only one option for your GP since there’s only one in your new area that is taking new patients, right? Do you need to cut your ties with your old GP so that you no longer have one and then the new GP will take you as a patient? It just sounds so complicated. Whatever the case, good luck with getting it figured out so you can get your HRT refilled before you run out. It sounds like you’re having good success with it and don’t want to mess it up.
Yay for running comfortably, and no, pausing for pictures doesn’t count as a stop. It was great cycling with you on Saturday and “meeting” Ron! Glad you two could workout together on Tuesday.
You and Ron are getting so much done on your new place! You’re going to love when it’s all done and you can relax and enjoy the place!
Thanks Debbie. So technically I would sign up with the new one in my neighbourhood and my current one would send my records over. But the one in my neighbourhood said, nope, you can’t sign in here, you already have a GP. Yes, one that wants me to find a new one… ugh. I’ve gone back and forth with both and it’s infuriating.
definitely glad I can workout to ease some of the pressure! Getting Ron to work out is tougher. He tends to focus on one thing at a time, which right now is renovating! But he’s been enjoying it even though I have to encourage him a bit.
Great work on the exercise :)
Thank you!
What an awful situation with your GP. I have been with my doctor for many, many years ago and will be devastated when she stops practicing. The way she is treating is also awful. She should be better about it. Hopefully things work out with the new one.
Your new place is looking good!
Thanks Zenaida! Yes I really can’t believe how my current Doc is being with me. So cold. And won’t talk to me; I have to communicate only online which I don’t think really helps.
Still work in progress but we are finally getting somewhere in this house!
What a bummer about your GP. It’s so hard to find a decent doc these days its beyond frustrating to have to lose them. Love the new Pie gym! Enjoy it!
Thanks Marcia. It IS hard to find a decent doc and not having a real choice kind of blows. I still need to get some things together in our tiny gym but we are loving it !
Wow that’s so strange that you can’t just see any doctor you want! My doctor is an hour away but I’ve kept seeing her because I like her, she knows my body and she’s a runner too. I wouldn’t change unless I moved out of driving distance of her.
Great job on your workouts this week! While I think January lasted a long time, it also feels like I can’t believe it’s actually February!