Google Diagnosis

Good COLD morning!

It was 25 degrees in Ocala this morning, meaning you northerners must be shakin’ in your boots!

Last Night

Ryan and I took Sadie on a cold walk before dinner last night and came home to eat hot homemade soup. (More on that at lunchtime, because I’m pretty positive leftovers will be my lunch today.)

We spent the hour or so before bed immersed in The Scorch Trials and are already thoroughly enjoying the novel. For my fellow PBF Book Club participants, we’ll be voting on January’s book tomorrow, so stay tuned. Discussions about December’s book, The Violets of March, will take place today!

Workout

Today’s workout introduced arms back into my strength-training routine!

I’ve been cautious about working out my arms ever since I seriously sliced my pinky on Saturday. Today I figured I’d do whatever exercises didn’t stress my pinky or put pressure on my still-healing wound.

In the end my workout looked like this:

I super-setted the front shoulder raises and tricep dips and this workout flew by!

Google Diagnosing

During my workout, I also spent some time talking with two doctors at the gym.

This morning I awoke with a really odd feeling right above my chest… almost like a gigantic bubble that wouldn’t go away. It didn’t feel like a burp or anything else I’ve ever felt before and I was a little unnerved.

When I would drink water it would briefly subside, but then quickly return.

I’ve seen these two guys working out at our gym before and noticed them leave in scrubs after showering. I eventually got the courage to go over and pester them about my weird bubble thing since I figured they were in the medical field. I’m sure they never get asked random health questions by anyone ever.

Though they didn’t have a direct answer for me (obviously), they made me feel better about my weird bubble and I went about my workout feeling a little less anxious than I did when I first Googled my symptoms on my phone on our way to the gym.

Google diagnosing can make you one paranoid person! I often turn to the internet to “self diagnose” any issues I’m having and most of the time I feel like it’s a fairly decent resource if you rely on reputable sites like the Mayo Clinic for answers, though nothing can ever take the place of actually seeing a doctor. (Please know I’m not advocating self-diagnosing!)

I used to write about pharmaceuticals, side effects and medical conditions in my previous job and let me just say that I’m surprised I didn’t turn into a hypochondriac! Surprisingly, that job actually made me feel much better about knowing where to locate quality resources online and gave me  better understanding of knowing when issues are serious enough to seek out a professional opinion.

Breakfast

After we got home from the gym and showered (thank you, Ryan, for washing my hair while I had my left hand wrapped in a plastic bag), it was time for breakfast.

I ate a filling batch of overnight oats made with Greek yogurt, milk, chia seeds, honey, oatmeal and a freshly sliced banana.

Question of the Morning

• Do you ever use the internet to “self diagnose” health issues? Any crazy stories out there?

Of Possible Interest

• A Rebuttal for Nearly Every Excuse Not to Go to the Gym (TinaReale.com)
• Top 25 Fittest Female Celebrities (FitSugar.com)
• Top 10 Healthiest New Years Resolutions (MSN.com)
• Delicious and Filling Healthy Quinoa Recipe (FaithandFunfetti.com)