I think everyone (well except Jillian Micheals and maybe
some marathon runners) have highs and lows when it comes to exercising. You do
well for a while, see results and maybe even get a little cocky then slack off.
I mean with a reason of course. Work becomes overwhelming, kids schedules make
it hard to find the time or you get sick and the motivation doesn't really come
back when the virus leaves. Most you get back on the horse eventually.
I am getting back on the horse, well technically it’s a stationary
recumbent bike.
Finding that ‘new normal’ with Dysautonomia is a work in
progress.
Dysautonomia (or autonomic dysfunction) is a broad term
that describes any disease or malfunction of the autonomic
nervous system (ANS).
The chronic illness (much like life in general) is always
changing. Once you get a handle on one thing and it becomes doable something
else goes haywire. September and October were awesome. I still struggled
with a few things; paresthesia (pins and needles) was a daily companion and
had pretty regular episodes of tachycardia and bradycardia but I was eating
well and working out every day.
Those who know me in ‘real life’ saw what I was getting
done. I rode 116.9 miles after my pledge of 100 miles for National Invisible Illness Week in September and in October I did
a 100 push ups challenge. I even took up Pilates twice a week.
Then November and December came, I was in the hospital with
bradycardia, my heart rate stayed in the 30 and 40’s for over 24 hours, a few
days after I came home it went back to normal. Then the flu hit. Even after the
flu was kind enough to leave me Chronic Fatigue came to visit and nestled in
for far too long. I dare to admit CF is still hanging around and the fog is
unbearable, unflattering and undeniably hard to shake. Then I was hit with
vision issues, out of nowhere one day everything went double. Apparently the
muscle in each of your eyes, the ciliary muscle, which allows for you to transition
from near to far is part of the Autonomic Nervous System. (Thanks ANS!)
So now we are half way into January, time to pull it together.
I hauled myself onto the stationary recumbent bike and told myself to pedal,
slow and steady but by god body please pedal. So for 30 minutes I did just
that, 3.3 glorious miles towards getting it back together.
Like everyone I have the highs and lows of working out.
Dealing with chronic illness can exaggerate the lows and we may take longer get
back up, but we will.
Good for you girl! You, unlike the rest of us, have an extra legitimate reason to fall of the wagon, or bike. But you pushed on! Way to go! Sometimes "working out" like everything else in life needs to morph into something else. 100 push up challenges and bike commitments an always be our "normal." So roll with what you body tells you works you well and feels good. It may not look the same as last time's wagon ride, but it is still perfect! You are awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteVicky
www.thepursuitofnormal.blogspot.com
Hey! I am on the same page with you! I use to do yoga twice/day, run 10-12 miles/week, walk 5-7 miles/day... Then POTS hit and I couldn't go up a flight of stairs for months. I too have had to deal with the ups and downs. Some days we have energy, some days not. Some months are hard, some are not. I try to breathe some fresh air every day. Maybe that means I sit outside. Maybe a walk, maybe a run, but I feel accomplished if I GO outside!
ReplyDeleteI have tried doing things the other way... you know, the one where you push yourself way too hard working out, then can't get out of bed for two days without passing out. That simply doesn't work so I am letting go and trying to be more gentle.
Good luck and thanks for sharing!!
Thanks Vicky ad Jackie,
ReplyDeleteJackie it is so true! Push and pay, pace and play!
Carrie JMM
30 minutes? that's wonderful! i'm restarting my workout plan this month, too, after a few months off. it's difficult to get back into it, especially while fighting the fatigue. good for you!
ReplyDelete