multi-tasking

Multi tasking is the m.o. of all those of us blessed with ADHD, especially moms, since all moms multi-task, even the "normal" ones. So, you can only imagine my joy at having weights I can use while practicing the violin, doing laundry AND cleaning my oven.

The set of vaginal weights arrived on Tuesday and for a moment I dropped everything I was doing, which was practicing the violin. I had just picked up two of the pieces we would be reading the next night at rehearsal and I wanted to listen to them on you tube while flipping through my part and even trying to play along. I was practicing while sitting down because it's orchestral music and that's how I'll perform it when the time comes.

Anyway, as soon as I saw the delivery truck drive away, I ran outside. The package said it was from essential control (LOVE that name) so I tore it open and immediately assembled the essentially conical shaped weight (no, it's not a tiny barbell) so that it held the lightest of the 5 inserts, washed it in the ktichen sink and, with a casual glance at the instruction pamphlet, inserted it into my vagina.

Lovely.

Imagine a very heavy, slippery tampon. To keep it from falling right back out, you must contract the same muscles you would use to stop the flow of urine. You also should wear snug underwear, just in case your muscles tire out. The brochure recommends using the weight initially for just 15 minutes. Once that is achieved, it suggests adding various physical activities like walking, climbing stairs, deep lunges and eventually, jumping on and off a BOSU.

With the weight securely in place, I decided to practice Brandenburg 4, so that I was standing up...because that is how I will perform it.

The next thing I knew, it was time to pick the boys up from school so I just ran out of the house with the weight still in place. Before I knew it, I had been contracting my pelvic floor muscles for over two hours straight. My muscles were not twitching, but they were very fatigued. It was a stupid thing to do, but it's so typical of me to overdo something the first day.

The next day, I realised almost immediately upon re-inserting the weight that I would need at least a day to recover.

Today is the third day and I used the weight for just a short time this morning after getting the kids onto the school bus. I remarked to my husband, who was preparing to go to work, that I feel so frustrated by what is seemingly a long road ahead of me. To be at the first level of "competence", on the very lightest weight, rather than mastering it instantaneously, feels very discouraging.

His response was "um...HOW many days ago did you get the weights?"

And so, I smacked him in the back and said "shut up!" and "have you met me?" and we laughed.

I'm about to leave for New York with my teenage son, and the weights (as well as the violin) will be staying home without me. I will do core and pelvic floor exercises every day, though: on the airplane, on the subway, while waiting in line to buy tickets to a Broadway show, and presumably during the question and answer sessions at Columbia and NYU. I'll resume my full "workouts", my violin practice, and my visits with my lovely physical therapists, after Spring Break, and I'll check back in with you then.

Ciao!