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.