If you follow me on Instagram (on either my blog Instagram account or my personal one), you may already know that last week was a bit of a rough one. Last weekend started out with a family wedding and ended in the Emergency Room with a CAT Scan. Today, I’ve got some quick life updates along with a killer bicep and core workout for your next Arm Day.
Last Sunday, after a bad fall (detailed in the above post) and a late-night trip to the ER, we discovered two things: That I had sustained a minor concussion and that I appear to have a low-blood-pressure condition called orthostatic hypotension.
Since high school, I’ve noticed in the mornings that if I hop out of bed too quickly, I can become dizzy, see spots and need to sit down for a moment to feel normal again. My parents took me to the doctor for it as a teenager after one busy morning I jumped out of bed to get ready for the day and became so dizzy that I had to sit down on the floor to narrowly avoid passing out. At the time, the doctor didn’t have any kind of answer for me other than “well, if you don’t feel good when that happens, just don’t get up too quickly in the morning anymore.” ? So this time around talking to another doctor, I was glad to get better clarity on why that happens. (Although the recommendation still stands for me not to get out of bed too quickly. ?)
I took it easy last week with a couple days off work and no working out Monday-Friday. By the weekend, my fatigue was wearing off and I was feeling much improved from those first few days. I had doctor approval to gradually ease back into my exercise and gym routine based on how I was feeling and responding to normal activities. On Saturday, I decided to give the gym a try, and it went well! I performed a low-impact seated bicep workout and did some floor core work.
This week on my blog Instagram, I shared my full bicep and core workout from the weekend, along with some tips on how I’ve managed to maintain a regular exercise routine in spite of past injuries. So check out my post below!
Seated Bicep Workout:
7 Rounds, 15 Reps for each movement
- Hammer curls
- Angled out bicep curls
- Incline hammer curls
- Incline bicep curls
Core Work:
Abs: 100 reps for each movement (modify the leg lifts by bending the knees).
Scroll through the videos below for demonstrations on each movement.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqFt6QjFuIW/
All writing and video content copyright © 2018 Rachel Elise Weems Woods
Ruthpreston says
So sorry you had a bad fall. I got a concussion a few years ago and saw stars for sure. I definitely had that whole stand up too quickly feel like you’ll pass out thing. Wishing you a full recovery!
Reese says
Sounds like you might have a similar blood pressure condition! But thank you so much for the well wishes!
Mimi says
I’m glad you are ok that mast have been a scary weekend! Good workout btw
Reese says
It was quite a crazy weekend, all things considered!
hal says
so sorry you had a bad fall… a concussion i’m sure is never a fun thing… but at least it led you to realize about your condition – silver linings right?
Reese says
That’s right! At least now I have more information, so that’s a silver lining for sure!
Rhonda Sachs Albom says
Both of my children have sustained concussions in the past. It’s never fun. Glad to hear you’re feeling better and also that you got diagnosed. My daughter often feels dizzy and loses vision when she gets up suddenly, so I might mention it to her.
Reese says
My mom actually had a far more severe one earlier this year, and it is not fun at all! Fortunately, my fall was not as serious as her fall and head injury, but we knew some of the warning signs of a concussion from her experience!
Leigh Suznovich says
OMG, so sorry about the fall! Concussions are no fun, glad you’re ok now. The workout looks killer.
Reese says
Thank you! It was definitely no fun, but I feel like I’m well on the road to recover!
Luci Cook says
That sounds like a really eventful weekend. I’m glad that you are doing better now from your fall.
Reese says
Thank you for the kind wishes! I’m glad that things are turning around too!
genaadventure says
I am so sorry you had a bad fall 🙁 But I am glad you are so motivated and encouraged to move forward no matter what. Get well!
Reese says
Thank you! I am certainly doing my best to move forward!
genaadventure says
You are doing great girl! We should all be inspired by you!
Rachel says
THat is a lot of head injuries for one weekend! Sounds like it was a rough wedding for the guests.
Reese says
I forgot to mention it in my Instagram post, but there were actually three people including myself and my brother who experienced head injuries. The night before the wedding, the mother of the groom had a bad fall, hit her head and had a black eye at the wedding the next day! They say bad things come in sets of three sometimes, so hopefully, that’s all!
Crystal Marie says
What a crazy time. Glad you’re ok. I need to give this workout a try.
Reese says
Thank you! And you will absolutely get a good workout in with this one! Go for it!
Amanda says
So sorry about the concussion! Hope you are feeling better…and always looking for good arm workouts!
Reese says
Thanks, girly!
nwebb8 says
I’m so sorry that you got hurt. I could sure use your arm workouts during the week!
Reese says
Go for it, girl! Weight training is so good for the body and stress relief!
Nina Bashaw Photography says
I am so sorry to hear of your fall but I’m so glad you got the care you needed and that you’re okay! This arm work out looks easy to follow but challenging at the same time, I’m going to try this tomorrow at the gym!
Reese says
Woot! Get after those arm gains, chica!
Christine says
Oh no…I’m so sorry to hear about your fall but it looks like you are back at it. You don’t skip a beat! The arm work out looks like a good one. Man, do I need to get on it with working out more.
Reese says
Thank you! I’m glad to be feeling more like myself again!
Marriah Tarango says
So sorry to hear about your fall but thank goodness you’re back at it now! I hope everything continues to go great especially now that you have a diagnosis.
Reese says
Thank you, girl!
Patricia G. says
Oh no! I’m sorry about your concussion. I hope you are feeling better, and that the concussion will heal soon! You are very ambitious about exercising and I admire your drive and passion to get out there and do some exercise, even though you may be injured!
Reese says
Thank you! I work in gyms, so physical activity is a big part of the job! So long as I can continue to exercise safely with doctor approval, I like to jump back into it!
Amanda says
Take it easy, girl! Concussions are serious business!
Christa Anne says
I’m so sorry you had such a bad fall, but I’m glad you now know the cause. I go crazy when I can’t workout, but I know it’s sometimes necessary. This looks like a great (and hard) workout!
Reese says
Exercise is definitely a huge stress reliever for me and I like to get some in 6 days a week if I’m able!
Jem Castor says
So ironic because we are currently at the hospital right now too. I hope you feel better soon and that your concussion doesn’t get worst.
Reese says
Thanks, Jem! I hope things are okay with you and your family at the moment too!
Slay At Home Mother (@slayathomemothr) says
I’m so glad you are okay! Sounds like such a scary fall 🙁 t’s good that you know what caused it though!
Reese says
Yes, I am very glad to have some better answers this time around!
Apoorva says
Thanks for the workout ideas and routine. I am now following you on instagram. I really want to get fit.
Reese says
Awesome! I have lots of good tips and workouts for doing that on my Instagram!
Kate werth says
Rough news about your fall and your brother! What a weekend! I have found that some mornings I wake up visibly shaking and I figured it was a sugar thing. Maybe a better workout routine is what I need.
Reese says
I would definitely say to consult with your doctor on the shaking (it’s better to be safe than sorry!). But a consistent workout routine will do wonders for many conditions!