Extol Sports August 2017 | Page 42

BodyBuilderMom POWERED BY EXTOL SPORTS, LAC & WHAS 11 By Angie Fenton Mommy Woes Working out with Coach Ryan Schrink is key to my success. #AccountabilityCheckIn In January 2016, I gave birth to the little body I “built” inside my own. Months later, I made a commitment to get fit and – eventually – compete in a bodybuilding contest for what will be the fourth time. Yes, the latter is going to still happen, though not as soon as I thought, and you know what? I’m ok with that. I’m no longer clinically obese, I’ve lost body fat and inches, I’m slowly but surely learning to balance life and work while taking time to exercise, and I don’t feel pressured to fit anyone else’s timetable. My coach, Ryan Schrink of Schrink Personal Training, continues to provide motivation and encouragement, as do many friends (and even complete strangers on occasion). Still, I’m now facing a little hiccup because of what’s informally called “mommy wrist” but is technically known as De Quervain Syndrome. My left hand has lost strength and mobility, and I’m experiencing some serious issues with wrist pain because of holding my now rather large 18-month-old daughter and have for the past year. Add making a living spent mostly typing on a computer, iPad or my phone, and I’ve got an issue that needs dealing with now. “So Mom, you going to exercise today?” Whether I’m prescribed physical therapy, complete or partial rest, surgery or a combination of all three, my bodybuilding quest can wait. It has to. But that doesn’t mean I’m down for the count. Here is how I’m staying the course – mostly – and you can, too: Keep a sense of humor. My wrist hurts and what I feel isn’t funny, but the fact that this has been caused by my daughter makes me laugh. But only because I am so going to be able to use this someday when she is a teenager and blames for everything that goes wrong. My wrist didn’t make me fat. I didn’t gain weight by having a bum wrist. I did this. And SPORTS 40 EXTOL SPORTS / AUGUST 2017 while some of my weight gain was due to having a baby, most of it was due to not caring, falling in love and eating whatever I wanted to, which was fun. But, I’ve already lost a bunch of weight and have started to get healthier. Sorry, bum wrist, but you’re not going to set me back. So, what’s next? I’m meeting with coach Ryan as soon as I meet with the hand surgeon. I guess I’ll know what happens next then. For now, these feet were made for walking and that’s just what I’ll do…while ensuring I give my wrist a rest.