For Everything There is a Season

https://www.thoughtleaderlife.com/r0aby5n "In order to write about life, first you must live it." ~ Ernest Hemingway

Category: exercise (Page 2 of 2)

Exercise and Sjogren’s

April 23, 2012 / / 8 Comments

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“Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states”. ~ Carol Welch

see url I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about exercise lately. And about having an autoimmune illness. No surprise considering I have been back in the gym for about two weeks now. I cannot lie; it has been difficult at times. Before the whole Guillain-Barre incident this past January, I was, in between Sjogren’s flare ups, getting some exercise by walking my dog. I was also doing some strength training for a few months. However things are different now. Since I lost so much of my abilities to function with the Guillain-Barre incident, being able to move, walk, and just get out of bed has taken on a whole new meaning. I have definitely had to work harder at exercising in order to regain my strength, balance, and functioning.

Buy Diazepam Powder With the help of a staff person at my gym and more importantly, with the help of my physical therapist, we have come up with a routine combining resistance work, weight lifting, and cardiovascular work in an effort to continue building up my strength, stamina, and to help accomplish my weight loss goals. The reason why I say it has been difficult is because I have so many factors working against me in my endeavor to get healthier and stronger. I am not exactly what you would call an athlete and never have been. I have the Sjogren’s syndrome symptoms to deal with as well as issues with the nerves and muscles in my head and neck. And let us not forget that I am weaning down on my prednisone which tends to aggravate my joint pain, stiffness, and a host of other issues.

Buy Genuine Valium Online Uk Many times I am sleep deprived either due to pain issues and medications. Many times I am unmotivated to exercise because I am just fed up with always struggling to get through the day. Many times I don’t want to get any exercise because I know for a fact that it is likely I will be very sore the next day. And really, I already have enough pain and fatigue issues to deal with.

https://trevabrandonscharf.com/rcikpwt8nv But I do it anyways.

https://semnul.com/creative-mathematics/?p=4ad6ssxtcy I have found that all of those above reasons I listed for not wanting to exercise are one thing: excuses.

follow site The excuses can go on and on. Poor me, I cannot exercise because I am in pain. Or because I have this terrible chronic illness. I am too tired. I can’t use a a certain piece of equipment because I am too fat or too uncoordinated. I cannot exercise because I need the energy to do other things today.

https://traffordhistory.org/lookingback/uvf3weho I will be the first to admit that I have had to work much harder than I would have liked to work this time around in order to pace myself through the week so that I can get some type of exercise on an almost daily basis. Sometimes it has meant giving up something social I really wanted to do that day or not having my home as clean as I would like it. It has been a matter of prioritizing. I do this prioritizing because I strongly feel that exercise is going to be one of the key factors in helping me get well or at the very least, hopefully help decrease the incidence of further Sjogren’s complications.

Buy Diazepam Usa The results I have seen, first in the seven weeks of physical therapy I have had and more recently in the gym, have shown me how essential getting exercise is in the management of my autoimmune illness. Yes, I have been dealing with a lot of muscle soreness from using muscles that I didn’t know I had. And I am absolutely useless after about 4pm as I am so exhausted from the exercise that I can barely function. But guess what? When my Sjogren’s is in full gear, I am pretty much useless after 12 or 1pm anyways. Far as I see it, I am ahead of the game right now.

go to link So the benefits I have seen so far is the quick recovery I have made from the Guillain-Barre. Until that 4pm time, my energy level has increased dramatically during the day which overall, has improved my quality of life. The withdrawal symptoms from the prednisone have been much better than usual although admittedly, I am not sure if this is due just to the exercise or to my dietary changes as well. The biggest change however has probably been in my stress level and overall well being. I try to do my work outs in the morning when I tend to have the most energy. I swear that I am getting high on the endorphins.

https://www.fandangotrading.com/qhh4iqj8 I think that oftentimes those of use who have an autoimmune illness or any other chronic condition feel that we cannot exercise as it will make us worse. Or that we are too sick to do something. And there are those rare people, such as quadriplegics, who truly cannot do any exercise on their own. However that is not the case for most of us.

Buy Generic Valium Uk It doesn’t have to be all or nothing and there have been many studies proving the benefit of exercise on pain and fatigue; as well as the depression and anxiety that often accompany various chronic illnesses. There are so many different ways to exercise that do not have impact on our joints such as swimming or resistance exercises. You would not even believe the bicep muscles I have developed just from doing some simple exercises at home using an exercise ball and a resistance band. I guess the point is to just do something. Anything. Whatever you are capable of doing is better than nothing at all. And who knows, you may even surprise yourself.

Buy Diazepam Online Eu Photo: Courtesy of Chuck Myers

Trusting My Body Again

April 12, 2012 / / 12 Comments

https://www.modulocapital.com.br/rfumyfplppf “Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states”. ~ Carol Welch

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https://www.modulocapital.com.br/884652d It is two o’clock in the morning and I have to go to the bathroom. I try to get out of the bed and realize that I cannot physically get my body to sit up. I am too weak and don’t have the strength to even get myself to the edge of the bed. I wake up my fiance, who was probably half awake anyways, so he can help me get out of the bed just to use the bathroom. I am frustrated and scared.

https://boxfanexpo.com/xivb5va Three months go by.

source site It is eight o’clock in the morning and I am staring down a very large machine called a cross trainer. Seems like the biggest bang for my buck as it will give me a good cardiovascular work out with minimal impact on the already painful parts of my body. I expect to last three minutes on it. I start and my legs and arms just keep going and going. I am on it for twenty-five minutes. I am exhilarated.

go I have won.

source I found out three months ago that in addition to having Sjogren’s syndrome, I was afflicted with a neurological disorder called Guillain-Barre, which was causing severe body weakness, difficulty walking, and severe pain to the point that I wished I was dead. Even the simplest of tasks was difficult. Guillain-Barre arrives like a freight train, does its damage, and leaves. I was extremely lucky that I had a milder version of it and was started on steroids relatively quickly which may have lessened the blow of the illness. I was never completely paralyzed and did not end up on a ventilator like some people do. I still count my blessings every day about that.

https://www.thoughtleaderlife.com/sfky8kziw I have been working my tail off ever since January to get better. I already had several strikes against me due to the Sjogren’s syndrome and the Guillain-Barre, along with some blood clots in my lungs; all of which presented more obstacles in my recovery than I knew what to do with. Physical therapy was, and sometimes still is, brutal and exhausting. In addition to all the previously mentioned diagnoses, I was also diagnosed with occipital neuralgia in February. This has resulted in severe head pain and headaches. Yet another obstacle. Or an excuse, depending on how you want to look at it.

go to site But even on my worse days, I stuck with the physical therapy and as the weeks progressed, I started to notice a significant improvement in my strength. I no longer fell over when I crouched down to get a pot or pan out of the lower kitchen cabinet. I could lift a plant above my head again. Taking a shower was a routine task again although I must admit, I don’t take my ability to do that for granted anymore. Come to think of it, I don’t take my ability to do anything physical for granted anymore.

Buy Diazepam 10Mg Uk Next Day Delivery My most recent goal in physical therapy, besides getting the occipital neuralgia under control, was to get back into the gym. I was exercising in one way or another before this whole fiasco began in January which to be honest, is no small feat because of the Sjogren’s syndrome. I am frequently plagued by joint pain, muscle pain, neurological pain, breathing difficulties, and the list goes on and on. Some days I would go to the gym and some days I would take a walk with my dog. I was usually not exercising to the point of winning any marathons, but I have found that pushing myself to get physical activity whenever possible has been helpful with my Sjogren’s symptoms; provided that I do it within reason. Not to mention all the other excellent health benefits.

Buy Diazepam Cheap Online Uk I had been going to a Planet Fitness in town and had decided that instead of renewing my membership there, I was going to try a different gym that had a pool. My reason for this was that my Sjogren’s issues were occurring more frequently and if I had access to a pool, I may be able to get exercise in the pool on days that I would typically be too sick to exercise. It would be less impact on my joints. Problem was, I was hit with the Guillain-Barre before I had the chance to join this new gym. I was recently cleared by my physical therapist to get back to the gym. Unfortunately I had a fall three weeks ago and still have an open wound which will keep me out of the pool right now, but there were so many other things I could do at the gym besides swim.

https://trevabrandonscharf.com/oc95nkkvrtl If I could just get the courage to go.

follow Here’s the thing: I was scared. I felt comfortable at my old gym. It was simple and familiar. There has been so much upheaval in my life over the past few months with my health and I find that I am not quite as open to change and new surroundings as I was once. I feel more vulnerable. I feel the need to protect myself. I have always been self conscious about how I look and gyms have always been intimidating to me; especially one like this that is not simply laid out and where I do not know anyone. All of a sudden I felt very insecure about this new place with its different machines, new classes, and unfamiliar rules. It was my insecurity at its finest you could say.

see Today was the day to just do it. I was hesitant at first because I was having more joint and muscle pain than in past weeks and my head was acting up after the physical therapist worked on it extensively yesterday. But I had previously chosen today to start going because except for some blood work, I had no doctor appointments or other pressing commitments that I could not get out of if I had to. So if I was down for the count afterwards, so be it!

https://ragadamed.com.br/2024/09/18/kql9zuh2 No excuses.

https://www.fandangotrading.com/4o1ahwgim And guess what?

Diazepam 10 Mg Order I loved it.

https://semnul.com/creative-mathematics/?p=ccqcdl8 When I got to the gym this morning, I asked about signing up for their free two session orientation and the staff person that was working the desk, Tom, talked to me about what I specifically wanted help with. This of course led to a conversation about my physical therapy, why I was doing it, my diagnosis etc. He immediately put me at ease and gave me a lot of various ideas about different work outs, especially in regards to classes and the pool. All of a sudden, I didn’t feel so overwhelmed. I felt like this was doable. I felt more secure.

I decided that today I was going to do my physical therapy exercises at the gym instead of at home and get an aerobic workout as well. I spotted the cross trainer, which is similar to an elliptical but looked more difficult as there was an incline. I liked the fact that it overlooked the pool area where I could observe a water aerobics class while I was working out. Besides some walking with my dog over the past week, I have not had any aerobic activity since maybe around Christmas and I anticipated that I would be starting from square one again. I jokingly told Tom that if I lasted three minutes without keeling over, that would be sufficient and I would move on to a bike or a treadmill, both of which had a lesser chance of making me pass out. We figured out, based on my age and recent physical issues, that my maximum heart rate should be around 140.

I don’t know what the deal was, but I was on that thing for twenty-five minutes. Granted the machine was at the easiest incline and resistance, but who cares?? Maybe it was all those physical therapy sessions or hours and hours of doing exercises in my living room. Maybe three months on a new eating plan has helped. Who knows. I was surprised at how much endurance I had and how well I did cardiovascular wise. Not that it was easy, but I got through the twenty-five minutes unscathed. After so many long months of being in bed or on the couch, it felt so good to be sweating and to be able feel my heart pumping so fast again.

It felt good to be out of the house.

To be having fun.

To be able to out one foot in front of the another.

To trust my body not to fall apart.

I know that this morning’s work out will probably wipe me out this evening and maybe even the next several days to come. There will be Motrin involved, maybe some stronger pain medication if I am desperate. Hot packs will once again be my new best friend. I also know that due to the Sjogren’s syndrome, exercising of any type will always be a constant battle for me; probably one that I will have to deal with every single day of my life. But for today, I feel like I can say that I have conquered yet one more obstacle on my path to wellness and healing.

And you know what?

It feels pretty amazing.

Photos Courtesy of Google Images

Taking Responsibility

April 1, 2011 / / 7 Comments

A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life. ~James Allen

I attended a conference the other day in which some statistics were presented about obesity rates in different parts of the world. It stated that women in the United States have an obesity rate of 36% which earned us the number one spot for modernized countries. For men, it was somewhere in the low 30’s. Seriously? Note that these are percentages for women who are obese, not just overweight. The difference is that to be obese, your body mass index (BMI) must be greater than 30%. The rates for the countries that scored lower on the list such as Japan and Korea were in the range of 5-7%. I am sure considering the drastic differences in the lifestyle habits between us and our Asian friends that no one finds these numbers surprising, but the reality is, it is a strong statement about the lifestyles that we live.

I don’t want this to be a blog about numbers though. It is about health, our health and the health of those that we love. We are an incredibly unhealthy society and I am no exception. I have been overweight (and then obese) since I hit puberty. At my highest weight, I was approximately 100 lbs. over what experts would consider a “normal” weight for me. The reasons for this were many: bad eating habits as a child, lack of exercise, antidepressent medications, autoimmune medications (especially steroids) and the big one-emotional eating. I developed what I think to be an addiction to sugar and processed foods. I come from a family where heart disease, diabetes, and especially cancer are rampant. I have a mother who has had ovarian and breast cancer (breast cancer has found to have obesity as a risk factor) which subsequently puts me in a high risk category. I myself am a cancer survivor and because of treatments I received, am at risk for secondary cancers. But yet, that didn’t stop me from consuming quarter pounders and french fries. Despite the insane amount of health problems I have had (many not weight related but that is besides the point-I was sick of being sick), I still threw crap like soda, fried food, cookies, candy, potato chips, etc. etc. into my body on a daily basis.

Because of many factors, I lost a good deal of weight over the past two years. Mostly because I dealt with my emotional eating issues (some of it in therapy) and no longer turn to food for my comfort. I was more physically active by walking my dog on a semi regular basis. I was cooking more at home. The reality though was this: I was still overweight (technically still “obese”). I was still unhealthy. Even though I had made some great strides with Chinese medicine in dealing with the autoimmune disorder, I was still plagued with pain and fatigue. I was sick of being sick. I was sick of craving crappy foods. I wanted to be able to get through a day like everyone else. I wanted to learn to ballroom dance. I wanted to be fit. I wanted to be healthy. I needed to take responsibility.

So about a month or so ago, I decided to take responsibility for my body. I have spent an obscene amount of time reading, researching, and figuring out how to get myself out of this hole that so many of us have fallen into. A lot of it is mental. I really wasn’t sure I had the capability to be healthy and fit. I didn’t think I had the capability?!? How sad is that? That’s ridiculous Yes, I may have some physical limitations but for whatever I lack in that area, I make up for in intelligence and determination! I mentioned this to my boyfriend (the not being able to do it part) while we were watching the Biggest Loser one night and he just looked me right in the eye and said he thought I could do it. He thought I could lose that last 40 lbs. and be fit. Like they say, sometimes you just need one person to truly believe in you…

I will not diet. I strongly feel that dieting is harmful to not only a person’s body, but also to their soul. What I did do is change my nutrition. After I had started acupuncture last November, I had made some changes such as cutting soda out of my diet (one of the hardest things I have ever done) already, but I needed a big overhaul. So I have begun eating I guess what is called a “clean” diet. I am trying to focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. My goal is to reduce (and hopefully eliminate) processed foods. That is what makes us unhealthy and fat. I try to eat organic as much as possible. I am not perfect at it but I do the best I can and try to be patient with myself. It’s a learning process.

Exercise has now become a regular part of my life. I stalked Planet Fitness’s website for a while waiting for a good promotion so I could afford to join a gym. I prefer to spend time outside walking my dog, but I figured the gym would give me a place to exercise so I have no excuses for when it is raining, snowing, too hot, or too cold outside. I do live in New England after all! I also wanted to see if I could build up some muscle strength by using weight machines. The exercise part has been very tough for me to figure out in terms of my joints, fatigue, etc. I have to closely monitor what I’m doing and when I am doing it in order not to overdo it. But I just keep telling myself that research has proven beneficial for joint pain as well as asthma so I keep at it. I do think it will get easier as time goes on.

So that’s my story…and I’m sticking to it! I have to admit, it is not an easy story to blog about (who wants to admit that their BMI is over 30??) but I figure that I am not alone. I can’t be alone. Over 1/3 of us are obese in this country. Some people say they are OK with that, being obese or overweight. They say that they only live once, so they are going to enjoy their daily diet of double cheeseburgers and french fries. To that I say: power to you. Me? I only live once too. And you can sure bet that I am going to enjoy the hell out of it for as long as I possibly can. And it’s all going to start by taking responsibility.

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