Growing Pains

I need to start taking better care of myself, of my body. I'm down and out right now due to a strained chest muscle. It's quite painful, I was fearful last Thursday that I was having a heart attack. The pain woke me up several times on Wednesday night all along my left side throughout the chest area. It hurt to breathe normally by the time the alarm went off in the morning. My left arm was tingling. I was sure at 31 that I must be having a mild heart attack. I actually felt nausea as I got up and got ready for work. After a couple days of telling myself I'm not having a heart attack I believe I strained it doing several things last week.

Monday I did my 'weights' routine, really just the resistance bands but focusing on my upper body. Tuesday night I did 15 pushups, a record for the last year. Wednesday night I washed the dogs. Then the pain started.

In addition it seems my body is aging, with aches and pains just showing up from little things. I have been on a quest to be more active, lose weight and get 'healthier' since the first of this year. I ride my bike almost 100 miles every week (except the last two), I've lost 25 pounds and I have cut out red meat and most processed foods as well as alcohol (for the most part).

(Jan. 2008 picture of me and Petey)

(Dec 2007 Christmas Party with Matt- this is my picture of "woah, I need to lose weight!)

(Me last month- Aug 2008 after losing 25#)

Next I believe I need to start focusing on stretching and toning (safely, which means in moderate progression). And eat more vegetables.I'm taking a break from bike commuting for a couple days to let this chest muscle recover properly.