It's Just Not Fair

Btw- I know that this is a very "first world" issue. I recognize that. I have no need for you to tell me how spoiled I sound. I'm well aware of it - my husband does his utmost to keep me grounded. :)

Starting about two weeks ago, I began to take a multiple vitamin, along with a separate "gentle" iron. I added these to my regimen of fish oil, vitamin D and calcium/magnesium/potassium.

I eat pretty healthy meals. I have a super fruit smoothie with spinach, 4 kinds of fresh fruit, protein powder, and non fat yogurt (based in V8 Fusion juice) every day. I drink lots of water. I talk a lot about drinking, but in reality, I have 1 drink maybe twice a week, if that.

I exercise every day. I walk, I run (slowly), take Core class and boxing class. I keep tabs on my weight.

I try to get 8+ hours of sleep as often as I can.

I try to stay away from junk food. I don't like to eat fast food at all.

My husband loves crap food. Eats it all the time. Eats ice cream bars, cheetos, egg and bacon sandwiches. Visits fast food places about 5 times a week. He sleeps maybe 5 hours a night. He goes to the gym a few mornings, and tries to walk on the treadmill every day but that doesn't always happen. He doesn't take vitamins. Rarely drinks enough water. Sits at a desk all day. He's got a bit of the "dun lap" disease.

On paper, I am *much* healthier.

So, why, am I the one who got sick more than a week ago - and while I'm not sick still, I'm super tired and run down and still experiencing coughing jags. I'm wiped out and exhausted and want to remain in bed all day, which is unlike me. In short, I don't seem to be recovering as quickly as I would have anticipated.

When we went for the Turkey Trot run, he ran the entire thing with no training, no prep, no difficulty. (He did the same when we did a half marathon.) He has boundless energy and he's never ever tired.

Today, I think healthy living is a fallacy.

Comments

[amanda]

I totally hear you- pretty much the same story with me, I get everything that goes around and I frequently feel just wiped out. I recently started taking a spoonful of this stuff every day (you can buy it, but it's super easy to make yourself) and I've avoided 2 bad colds that the kids got. This is a huge first for me. It might not hurt to try. Here is the recipe:
http://myblessedlife.net/2010/12/how-to-make-elderberry-syrup.html

[Headless Mom]

Totally agree.

[bama Cheryl]

I feel your frustration. My husband isn't physically healthy but I'm always jumping (sometimes literally) into new healthy exercise, food, etc. BTW, I now know to hate burpees first hand. Ugh. Some guys just have all the luck and all the physical stamina. Get better!

[Not Beehive]

I'm one of the out-of-shape ones who never exercises and never gets sick. My ex is a super athlete, eats better than I do, and is always sick with something. I'd like to think it's karma in his case. But not in yours!

[MelissaS]

doesn't that kill you? My hubby is so similar!

Oh, and I wanted to tell you that I used the recipe you posted for Fruit Filled Oatmeal Bars with homemade pumpkin butter in place of the fruit/jam. YUMMMMMMM! Love that recipe and make it quite often, but my fave is this latest version :)

[Brandy]

Same here and I ended up in the ER last night with what has turned out to be fluid in my lungs from some kind of infection. *sigh* You're right, it's not fair.
Hope you feel more you soon!

[Angie]

I'm thinking it's Thanksgiving. Not the eating, but the cooking, cleaning, all the extra work we moms do for the holiday that leaves us vulnerable to illness (I'm sick, too), and then tired and run down too. As for his boundless energy, I agree, it's not fair!

[Tara]

Think about it this way. You are (I'm assuming) around germy kids for a greater amount of time than your Hubby and so the odds of you catching something are greater than his. I have a super healthy friend who catches every cold that comes along, it seems, so you're not the only one. What you're going for is longevity. Your hubby's habits will catch up to him eventually. Probably. LOL

[Carrie]

I have two words for you:

Genetics and Men

Genetics/constitution counts for a lot of this, but also men just seem to have fewer health problems than women - although bad habits do catch up with them! - due to our having cycles and more hormonal ups and downs.

They have more muscle fibers so lose weight and keep muscle more easily.

[Sara]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I think it's too much exercise. That runs counter to Conventional Wisdom, but you work your body pretty hard. While I like the way I look and feel when I exercise, I have NEVER, NEVER, NEVER lost weight during those months where I worked out as much as you are. So, if I look just as good, feel just as good (only less exhausted), and weigh the same, why not do just 3-4 days (mostly 3)?

[Sara]

Oh, and I do hope you feel better soon! :-)

[Tia G]

Sorry to hear you are having a day.... Tomorrow will be better.

[addy]

I hate being sick! Ireally do. Hope your energy returns soon.

[Laura H.]

Awwww, no fun! Hope you feel better and back to your normal soon.

[Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith]

I have been sick for FIVE weeks, my husband was sick two days. He says I am sick because I don't take naps, and have worn down my immune system. He even said he will out live me because of it. He is a BIG fan of naps. The man can fall asleep in two mintues flat.

[Diana]

I can relate on the hubby/fitness issue. Mine never works out, but can jump on the treadmill and do a 6 minute mile like it's nothing, goes out in the summer and runs a 5k for charity like it's a walk in the park. Eats whatever he wants, drinks soda daily. Drives me batty.

As for the illness though I think it's just a matter of confusing fitness with immune health. IMO, they are two very different things.

[Jen]

Don't shoot the messenger…
Cut gluten for two weeks and see how you feel. I technically don't have celiac, but a pretty intense gluten sensitivity. If I eat it, I get brain fog/extreme exhaustion/over the top irritability/horrible depression. It's a thought. I haven't always been this way; I burned out 3 ½ years ago and I think that was the major stressor that caused this.
Again. Just a thought. Don't shoot the messenger.

[Carrie]

Do you take vitamin D? My chiropractor advised vitamin D drops for me. It really has helped both with some of my fatigue plus the amount of illnesses we were getting. I also give it to all my kids. Not a lot. I give them about a drop or two a day. When school first started we were getting sick constantly and since I have started giving that to them we have just had some minor sniffles. There are articles about it on the Internet. It boosts the immune system. Hope you are feeling better.

[Carrie]

After I posted this I went back and read that you do take vitamin D. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. Keeping you in prayers for good health.