In rehab I worked hard. HARD. I started out being extremely weakened due to the fact that I'd spent months in my recliner sidelined by pain - especially in my ankles. So I worked hard and got a lot stronger. Strong enough so that muscles were visible instead of flab. I had promised myself I would continue to exercise once I got home. However in reality things haven't worked out that way. I've been in a lot of pain and it's so hard to pull yourself out of the swampy quicksand of STASIS that chronic suffering causes and do anything that requires effort.
I accuse myself of laziness. However years ago following an epidural injection into my spine I had relief from my back pain ---for four whole days. I tore the house apart...cleaning and rejoicing in my ability to put out effort. It was a big relief to me to know that I am NOT lazy. Pain simply freezes my ability and desire to do anything physical. It also does a number on my mental alacrity and motivation to think.
So I can't move...
I can't think,.
And I want to. I really do.
I have a Nike t-shirt that says "JUST DO IT!!" Years ago when I was walking several miles a day, there were many days I didn't want to do it. Didn't want to sweat or breath hard. But truth is that I had the hardest time STARTING when I'd missed my workout for a couple of days. The first 4 or 5 days are hell. I had to really dig deep to "Just do it" but then after those few days something miraculous happens. I started to love to sweat. The harder I worked, the better I felt and those old endorphins would just pick me up and carry me for the rest of the day.
I know that is likely what would happen were I to pick up some weights and go to work. My left leg is going to be atrophied and shriveled up if I don't do something about it. Already I am losing tone. But I think I could get it back pretty quickly if I start right away. It's going to be hard to do anything aerobic - without putting any weight on my foot. Also my asthma has been troublesome with activity.
In 2010 when I began my exercise program (and lost 70 lbs in the process) I had one rule: each day I have to do a little more than the day before. Initially I walked down my driveway. And that's all I could do. Then I walked to the front of my next door neighbor's house....and the next day to the house next to that. And soon I was doing an hour of aerobics without any serious difficulties.
That was then.
Now I'm going to have to be a lot more understanding with my limitations. Pain now is way worse than it was back then, and I have many joints that are no longer functional. But they say where there is a will there is a way. I don't know how much 'will' I have right now...but maybe an ounce of 'want to' will carry the show.
Check out the video above.
I accuse myself of laziness. However years ago following an epidural injection into my spine I had relief from my back pain ---for four whole days. I tore the house apart...cleaning and rejoicing in my ability to put out effort. It was a big relief to me to know that I am NOT lazy. Pain simply freezes my ability and desire to do anything physical. It also does a number on my mental alacrity and motivation to think.
So I can't move...
I can't think,.
And I want to. I really do.
I have a Nike t-shirt that says "JUST DO IT!!" Years ago when I was walking several miles a day, there were many days I didn't want to do it. Didn't want to sweat or breath hard. But truth is that I had the hardest time STARTING when I'd missed my workout for a couple of days. The first 4 or 5 days are hell. I had to really dig deep to "Just do it" but then after those few days something miraculous happens. I started to love to sweat. The harder I worked, the better I felt and those old endorphins would just pick me up and carry me for the rest of the day.
I know that is likely what would happen were I to pick up some weights and go to work. My left leg is going to be atrophied and shriveled up if I don't do something about it. Already I am losing tone. But I think I could get it back pretty quickly if I start right away. It's going to be hard to do anything aerobic - without putting any weight on my foot. Also my asthma has been troublesome with activity.
In 2010 when I began my exercise program (and lost 70 lbs in the process) I had one rule: each day I have to do a little more than the day before. Initially I walked down my driveway. And that's all I could do. Then I walked to the front of my next door neighbor's house....and the next day to the house next to that. And soon I was doing an hour of aerobics without any serious difficulties.
That was then.
Now I'm going to have to be a lot more understanding with my limitations. Pain now is way worse than it was back then, and I have many joints that are no longer functional. But they say where there is a will there is a way. I don't know how much 'will' I have right now...but maybe an ounce of 'want to' will carry the show.
Check out the video above.
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