a little update
I haven't been much online lately. My last sign of life was the weekly update of week 14, on the 6th of April. That's already 2 weeks ago! So here a quick update:
First of all, I'm doing really well. Since I've started with physio exercises last February, something spiraled. And I am now one of those people that works out on a daily basis. I've started a new physiotherapy training program with Dr. Claire Bowes, which I'm doing 3 days a week. My knee(s) have improved drastically and I can feel myself getting stronger every week! This is my biggest win of the year so far.
Next to my sort of mandatory physio exercises (which I will probably have to keep doing the rest of my life, but I'm more than OK with that), I try to go on hikes several times a week. At least one of those hikes is with a weighted vest. Every two weeks I try to up the weight, if my body allows it. Currently I'm working with 6kg and I will soon upgrade to 8kg. I'm enjoying these weighted walks a lot! It's crazy to feel how the first hike with a new pack is still heavy and I have to go really slow. The second walk is already a lot easier on the shoulders and legs. And the third walk I can even keep a faster pace. It's my favorite way of exercising without straining my body too much.
I have also added weight training to my routine and try to lift 2 - 3 times a week. It's something that also makes me feel more strong. My body is losing weight and is getting more toned. I feel stronger and more like myself again (how I used to be pre kid). I'm following one particular routine, but I'm also hungry to learn more about lifting. So next week I'm starting with the Lift & Burn Challenge from Cheryl Coulombe, following her weight lifting program 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. I will hopefully learn a good basis and routine I can follow, instead of just doing something without an idea of what is actually beneficial (like now).
So, lot's of changes. Good changes, a better health, a stronger body. Feeling better than ever. But still feeling flabbergasted about the 360 turn I've made this year. Who would've guessed this? That I would get into sports in this way? I'm still amazed every week what my chronically ill body can do. It's the first time in my life that I feel like I can trust my body getting stronger. I still have to be VERY mindful to not injure myself or do too much. And yes, I still have days where my body reacts 'bad' on exercise and I'm in bed for 2 days with a gigantic migraine. But slowly my body is getting stronger.
And it's not just the getting stronger that I love so much. Now that I'm moving on a daily basis, I just can't understand how I never found this out before? My body screams for this much movement every day. I feel like I finally figured out the puzzle of my chronically ill body. My body and my head feel so much better when I can do sports in the morning. When I can lift weights or go rucking. To challenge my body, but still within the limits that my hypermobile and fibro body can do. It feels like sitting really is the enemy, because it gives me constant pain. I need to move! But also not too much because that will also give me constant pain! :') I'm so happy I have found ways that fit to the needs of my body. No (team) sports that are quick and hard on my joints. No bendy yoga, that make my joints even more unstable. Just slowly challenging my body with weights so it can work, but not too much ;)
You can probably see where all my time is going lately ;) I feel happy and lucky that I have found this new lifestyle that seems to fit so well. That is improving my way of life. All off my time is going into it. And at the moment there's not much else. I do miss being creative, making my puzzles, writing on my bear blog or doing any other hobby's. But it's giving me so many positive things that it's worth it.
I will try to update here once in a while. And read all of your blogs!