Bend at the Hips, People!

Did you ever notice when you're injured that everything you need to go about everyday life is in the exact position you need to NOT get into?  Eggs for breakfast, bottom shelf of the 'fridge. Washing machine? Down the flight of stairs? Dish detergent when you run out doing dinner dishes? Under the sink. Lunch boxes to pack for school? On the bottom shelf in the kitchen.  I could go on, but you get the idea.

That being said, let me just say I was proud. I was in that driveway on Saturday afternoon, shoveling to beat the band. I felt like a snow plow, or even better, the shoveling queen.  I was bending over at the waist, lifting tons of snow, and twisting to throw it out of the driveway.  That big snow bank piling up was proof of my awesome effort, until it happened.  You know, the 'ohhhhhhhhhhhh noooooooooooooooo, now I've gone and done it,' moment, where you know you've pulled your back.  But I was only half way done w/the driveway, and the rest had to be done.  So I finished.  Much slower, and a lot more carefully...but I finished.

And there are things to do in the house. The kids will help, willingly, but this weekend there was only one in the house, and he's 6. ;)  He did help, and cheerfully so, but there's only so much you can do when you're in Kindergarten.

Today, Monday, I'm really feeling it.  I felt like a penguin hobbling out of bed this morning, and a crow walking around.  Chest pushed out in one direction, rear end in the other, trying to straighten that back and walk tall.  Just a ridiculous sight. Go ahead and laugh or cringe at the visual, I've done both.

And so I leave you with some very precious Monday morning advice:  If you're shoveling snow this season (or any season), bend at the hips, people, and don't lift, twist, and throw.  Believe you me, your back will thank you.

Thankfully, muscle strains are temporary, and this too, shall pass (quickly, I hope). :)