I see a lot of fitness commercials, posts on Facebook, pins on Pinterest, all referencing strength and "getting it done". All of course with pictures of perfectly toned, muscular, sculpted bodies. Obviously, they "got it done", right?
But what if physically your body doesn't move that way? Not by choice but by some circumstance or condition you can't control? What if your mind wants something your body can't give you? What can you do to give your body the exercise and level of fitness it needs to stay healthy?
I learned very quickly that medication side effects can be very devastating to my body. I found out that because of a long winter I was also vitamin D deficient. Combined with the turmoil of a scary unknown diagnosis, my body began to betray me! Mind and body began to fight. I needed to move to relieve stress, but fatigue is so strong that moving can be dizzying! It's one of those catch-22's. Anyone with a bad knee, hip, joint, etc.., knows how this goes down. One day you're going strong, then you're down for 6 weeks straight.
So how do you find a way to move and get into some kind of specialized fitness routine when your body isn't cooperative?
Good question, and one I intend to research, because I'm tired of the cookie cutter workouts for the physically fit. I'm tired of the "sweatin' to the oldies"- type stuff. I'm not 23. I'm not 63. I don't want a gym membership. I want to work out for free at home! I don't need a group. I don't need a trend. I simply need to tailor a plan for a body that doesn't fit the mold. It doesn't stay well. It doesn't do "every Tuesday at 7", and it may only be good for 1day a week if I'm lucky right now. I would love to be able to share with others who find this to be their reality. Not to commiserate, but to share success stories and help each other get past the obstacles, just like every other fitness group!
And I don't need to feel guilty about not working out or be told I'm "making excuses". That's what got me thinking that people with chronic conditions need special types of workout plans. We don't fit that mold! My friends with fibromyalgia tell me that they have widespread pain that can make it unbearable to do any physical activity. How then would they stay busy enough to keep the mind from becoming depressed? I guess it's no mystery why depression and fibro go hand in hand. That is so sad to me.
My father in law has MS, but is able to do more than most men his age! It's amazing to see. His gait is pretty wobbly, but he's walking, and he's still handling a chain saw. The day he puts that away, it will be over, I'm sure. He is an inspiration.
I've found a few things I can do right from my chair with my hand weights. I can also do lunges until it bothers my bum knee. Forget cardio for now. The fatigue is ridiculous, but I do take small walks. I am nowhere near my past workouts and I am carrying more weight than I want to be. I felt pretty good though at my last EEG. The tech complimented me and told me she wouldn't classify me as overweight at all. Sometimes flattery is good. I'll take it.
I eat pretty healthy, but I'm not going all crazy with that either. I prefer the taste of healthy and homemade food over junk because of the way I was raised, so that helps. I've never ever eaten hamburger helper! Ever! :) but nonetheless, I do need to eat better and move more.
I will be thinking about and praying about some fitness ideas for the chronically ill. Maybe it's a matter of doing doing some research and seeing what's already out there. I would love to get us moving physically, positively, and in a spiritually supportive way. It's bad enough to have your body start to betray you, but when the mind begins to follow, then anxiety, depression, and loneliness, it's just too much for one person to bear.
It's clear there isn't just one path to fitness. Everyone is different for sure. I don't get many commenters here, but I would love to hear what you think if you happen to stop by and care to share.
3 comments:
This is an excellent topic and one I can relate to. Personally, my main forms of exercising are walking and gardening. When I walk I take the dog for extra motivation. Some days my feet are numb and I can't muster a walk and some days I'm just too exhausted to do much of anything. I have a friend who suffers from NF and is constantly battling tumors, he is a huge fitness buff I can ask him for ideas on exercise for the chronically ill. I definitely think a person's fitness routine has to mesh with their lifestyle and it has to be something they can actually accomplish. I also think that many times people equate thin with fit and that just isn't the case. You can be thin and not fit at all I know this from personal experience. Sorry for rambling, but this is a great topic. I can't wait to hear your ideas! I'd like to be healthier too, but it's hard to find something that works...especially on the bad days.
Have a read of the history of Pilates. There were exercises for those who were bedridden, and for the very week throughout the war.
You have a pool. Great place to start slow workouts.
Blessings sister Jami. May your healing come swiftly in Jesus name.
What a great topic Jami. I struggle too with the whole fitness thing. I've given up mostly because of fatigue. I also need accountability. Going to some "group" doesn't work. My fitness level is way too low for even aquasize. So far I've been losing weight by just watching what I eat. I think those days are coming to an end. If I want the rest of this weight to come off I have to move. I even have a hard time remembering to do my physio. So any ideas would be really appreciated. How to build some accountability would be good too.
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