topic Re: Starting over in Wellness

Starting over

ANewHue — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 03:41:44 GMT

I've worked out my entire life sometimes
More than others but it was my lifestyle. There was a time when my body wasn't working and exercise got me back to living the best life I could being diagnosed with a chronic illness.
Well now after nearly two years of not working out consistently I have to start again.
I know I have to start slow and results take time. I know how difficult this is going to be and how I can't push myself because of my limitations. It's not like I'm 30 or 40 anymore. I guess a part of me is afraid to start. If anyone has been through this and can give any words of support I would appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

Re: Starting over

phoenixbrd — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 04:05:47 GMT

Let go of the fear/failure, embrace your courage and drive. You are taking a courageous step, don't doubt your ability. Love when I see/hear people beginning to take flight, so much respect.

Re: Starting over

ANewHue — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 04:12:00 GMT

Thank you so much @pheonixbird your kind words mean more than you could know. This just isn't me and I miss ME.

Re: Starting over

Drythe — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 01:54:36 GMT

@ANewHue

hope you get this.

I too am trying to fight my way back from a three year battle with a dastardly autoimmune illness (my second one) which has left me more physically damaged.

Do not know what, if anything I can accomplish. But, I must try, as this is not the way I want to be.

Wishing All the Best. {{{Hugs}}}

Re: Starting over

ANewHue — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 05:08:54 GMT

Hi @Drythe through the years I think many times we have found ourselves in the same place. I'm in this situation not because of me but I gave of myself and lost myself. DH retired which was another huge life change. After years of trying to adjust on being home alone and finally achieving a good balance my world was put upside down.
I guess this is my way of protesting , enough of everyone's else's needs I have been drained emotionally , mentally and physically. As of know from years before my efforts are never good enough. well my friend lets embark on this journey and all we can do is our best. A little a day and we will get stronger . My thoughts are with you as well, hugs

Re: Starting over

Foxxee — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 05:28:16 GMT

Sort of sounds like my life. I'd exercise faithfully for a few years, then some event occurred I'd use as an excuse to stop. Always started again even if it was a year later.

It was difficult because my muscles had atrophied, but as you say, start out slowly. I do best working out at home, the problem with going to a gym...took too much time, had to wait for the equipment, reasons I think I stopped exercising besides hating every minute of it.

At home, I can watch TV and the time goes quickly.

Re: Starting over

MJDinVegas — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 05:30:21 GMT

@ANewHue, start out with small goals and, when you meet them, set a new small goal. This is not a time to go from zero to 60. Make a note of your motivation and document why you want to make the change. Put a reminder in a spot where you will see it.

You can do this, little by little, step by step, day by day. Work to your goal and always remember your WHY.

Re: Starting over

MJDinVegas — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 05:35:55 GMT

@Drythe, my heart goes out to you. I have family members who have struggled with autoimmune diseases. They are as you said dastardly.

Somedays, I think, anything you do is an accomplishment. Start small and try to go from there.

I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Re: Starting over

Drythe — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 00:56:27 GMT

@MJDinVegas

Thank you, I really do appreciate it.

I have a mountain to climb, I won’t get to the top (back where I was) but I must go somewhere, ‘cause where I am is not where I want to be.

Re: Starting over

phoenixbrd — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 06:13:01 GMT

@Drythe You have always been so kind and supportive of others. I know that this is the time to be kind and loving to ourselves. Yes, we see that intimidating mountain in front of us, taking a step each day offers us hope and encouragement. Each morning, I meditate and set my intentions for the day. Every evening I review my day, what I accomplished and where I could improve. Each decision that I make for the better or worse, it is totally my decision to move a few more feet up that mountain. We can move forward, I'm letting go of all fear of failure. My heart is with both of you. @ANewHue @Drythe

Re: Starting over

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 12:15:07 GMT

I've re-defined my definition of "working out".

I spent many years working as a sales laborer (nursery/landscape) and teaching high impact aerobics.

My back and other joints have begun to deteriorate. I now lift light weights and walk, and try to make the most everyday has to offer as regards to activity. Talking on the telephone, I may stretch or do leg lifts. Ab crunches in the grocery line. As Moshe Feldenkrais teaches, every move with intention, but none wasted.

I have wasted more time recovering from injury than I may gain from efficient and proper treatment of my body and what it can do.

Good luck!❤️❤️❤️

Re: Starting over

phoenixbrd — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 13:18:28 GMT

@Sweetbay magnolia Love this...our conscious decisions count, our mind/what we think is everything.

@Sweetbay magnolia wrote:
As Moshe Feldenkrais teaches, every move with intention, but none wasted.

I have wasted more time recovering from injury than I may gain from efficient and proper treatment of my body and what it can do.

Good luck!❤️❤️❤️

Re: Starting over

Laura14 — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 13:34:55 GMT

@ANewHue Even thoughs of us who work out get into a rut and need to start over too. Never be fearful of improving yourself or your life. You go for it and don't look back!

Re: Starting over

m0rgan — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 13:48:35 GMT

If you can start out with a personal trainer for a couple of months. It will keep you going because you have to pay whether you show up or not. Also the personal trainer will give you exercises to help with your particular problems and not just overall exercise. I have done this and kept up with it for two years. It is expensive but so are workout clubs and I only pay for the trainer and do not have to have the club membership but still work out in the club. After it all becomes routine you can join the club and forgo the trainer. I still go to the trainer because I am not disciplined with exercise. I hate it.

Re: Starting over

SilleeMee — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 14:14:42 GMT

I did it doing baby steps (with the advice of my doctor) and I do have an incurable, chronic and progressive AI disease called scleroderma with limited mobility.

Re: Starting over

phoenixbrd — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 14:31:02 GMT

@SilleeMee You are a champ....those baby steps really add up.

Re: Starting over

SilleeMee — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 15:12:31 GMT

(((( @phoenixbrd )))) Thank you!

Re: Starting over

TeezNu — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 18:30:18 GMT

“.....exercise got me back to living the best life I could....” Use this as a mental touchstone for motivation.

I was in great pain, and lost mobility for several years in my early 60's. My life was essentially over. With surgery and physical therapy, I got a second chance to live a relatively normal, active life. My gratitude is over the moon.

However, I’m only human. Whenever I need some motivation, I think back to the rough times, and my journey back to health. I'm out the door in a short minute to bask in the sunshine while I do my exercise “walk of gratitude”, to celebrate my second chance at life.

You got this! ❤️

Re: Starting over

violann — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 18:38:18 GMT

UGH, Fibro.... presently in an enormously stressful phase of life. Sometimes the SHOCK of how much better I feel after some activity is VERY REWARDING.

Hoping you enjoythe same experience, @ANewHue .

EVERY LITTLE BIT YOU CAN DO IS BETTER THAN DOING NOTHING!

Re: Starting over

hckynut — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 21:00:51 GMT

@ANewHue

I have practically written my own Autobiography on this forum about my serious illnesses, along with recovery after recovery after recovery. Spent the best part from 2002-2016 recovering from 1 setback after another.

First I must tell you I have been into Physical Fitness since the late 1960's. Playing ice hockey was my primary(physical) type of love. From that came my running to help my Cardio for hockey.

From there I learned to love just running, just for running. Ran 10k races almost every weekend, and worked up to 2 full marathons(I was over 50), 1 mile/2mile/5k/10k, and half marathons. Well, as life would have it!

In 2002 I was diagnosed with PE(lung blood clots), 9 days in the hospital on an IV drip of Hephrine. Then put on Coumadin(Warfarin). Lucky to survive 1st round, but 6 months later? Had PE once again and another 8 days in the hospital, same IV Drip.

Recovering pretty well, but! Had my 1st Heart Attack, not bad enough, but when combined with Aspiration Pneumonia? Had it not been for my level of fitness and large lung capacity? I doubt I would be typing this.

Enough of my history, even though there are many many more. In short, each setback left me starting from ZERO fitness level. Work up for a few weeks or maybe a little longer, then BAM, back in the hospital, for at times up to 5 weeks.

My best friend in recovery? Optimism and a lot of it. Year after year after year, recover part way and then BAM! Then came 2015-2016.

I started walking on 1 of my treadmills. Started at 2mph for 2 minutes each day. Increased it to 3 minutes the next week and so on. Increased speed to 2.2 after a month and on and on for over a year. I told my wife, "hey, nothing has set me back and I am now in fairly good shape for a guy 78"! Maybe I will try ice skating once again.

I did, and after ice skating/playing hockey, and being a hockey referee for over 30+ years? I could not even stand up on the ice with my skates on. Fell and broke a Right Upper Rib, and then had a long talk with myself. "John, at 78, do you really want to punish yourself more"?

Yes, I put my skates away, went to Balance Physical Therapy for 12 weeks, along with doing balance exercises at home, every single day, for 30-45 minutes.

Didn't even look at my skates for about 4 months, then decided to give it another go. Little by little/fall after fall, I was regaining some of my skating skills. I went skating(still do) 2-3 times a week with each session being 2 hours. I now get "are you a professional/will you teach me how to XYZ"?

Was/Is any of this easy? Almost 14 years of pretty much "illness/recovery/illness/recovery", without my best friend OPTIMISM? None of this would have been possible, and I am now getting darned close to 80.

I've outlined how I recovered after my many "Starting Overs", what you do with the info I have tried to detail here, the ball is in your hands.

All I can do is wish you the best in your journey.

hckynut(john)