These past few days, I've been feeling a little discouraged, because I can't workout much, due to my RA. What I'd give to be able to go running, even just for 10 minutes. Or workout long enough to be drenched in sweet, and really feel my heart pumping. I try to workout, but the pain is just too much to work through, and I can't stand the feeling of it. A lot of my joints are almost completely bone on bone, and in some areas, they are bone on bone. The joints that are the most damaged are: Both my knees, my right shoulder, and both my wrist. When I try to work out, I can feel my joints cracking and grinding in the areas that it's bone on bone. Not only is this very painful, but it's a lot like nails going down a chalk board. It grosses me out, and it's hard to work through. It just feels wrong!How in the world am I going to lose 75lbs, when I can barley workout? I know losing weight seems like a huge mountain to climb for anyone, but for me, I sometimes feel like I'm trying to climb a mountain without any tools or gear. Sometimes I feel like it's hopeless, impossible, not fair, and just too dang difficult. Sometimes it makes me just want to give up.
Then, my darling husband, who I'm convinced Heavenly Father sent to this earth just for me, came home from work last night. He walked in the door, and said, "Close your eyes!" I was thinking, "Please tell my your not about to hand me my favorite temptation, because I've been crying all day, and I'm just not strong enough right now to turn any kind of chocolate away. I will most likely swallow it whole, like nobodies business!" I opened my eyes, bracing myself, and I saw this:
My husband did not come home with a delicious, chocolaty temptation for me to sink my teeth into, when I'm trying to lose weight (He's been known to do this). Instead, he came home with the Bethenny Frankle (I seriously love her), "Naturally Thin" book that I've been wanting, AND her, "The Skinny Girl DISH" book, to help me on this journey. He came home with a tool, and piece of gear, to help me climb this mountain.I heart him...
As I looked down at the books, I thought to myself, "This is what I CAN do."
I can't change the fact that I have RA. It's the cards I've been dealt. I can't change the fact that I can't go jogging, or even go walking for a long period of time. But I know whining about it isn't going to make me any thinner, and getting discouraged is only going to send me on a completely different path, going the WRONG direction! I don't have control over the things my body simply can't do, but I do have control over what I put into my body. I have to do what I CAN do, and stop focusing on what I CAN'T do!
I can eat healthy. I can be positive. I can be grateful. I can educate myself, by reading books on how to live a healthy life.
"This is what I CAN do."
And this is what I'm going to do.
I'm ready to conquer another weekend!
This weekend, I'm going to have my head in my new book, and not in the fridge saying, "Hmmm. I wonder what I can eat in here?" I'm going to try some new recipes this weekend, and I'm going to do lots of research on things I CAN do with my RA.
Happy weekend everyone!
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12 comments:
He's a keeper!!! Wow, is the author sure is SKINNY! I may have to look for those books!
BTW, I lost 70 pounds in 2002 without working out. They only exercise I did was walking outside. Are you able to walk for a distance? A lady in my choir lost 100 pounds simply from walking everyday...she swear she didn't diet at all. I find that hard to believe, but she swears by it.
I have the Naturally Thin book. It's really good with a lot of practical advise.
There was another book I read one time that had one of their weight loss success stories about a girl in a wheel chair. She was paralized from the waist down and lost over 100 pounds!! You can do this w/o exercise.
Wow. Your attitude is just incredible. Now I feel guilty for not working out, lol!
You've got the right idea though - do what you CAN do, and don't focus on what you CAN'T. It is possible to lose weight without exercise, you just have to really monitor your food.
I hope you can find some resources for exercise ideas for people with RA - there must be something out there...
And major kudos to your HUBBY for bringing home something good for you!
Dawne,
Sometimes I am able to walk for a long period of time (about 30min). Although it's sometimes hard for me to make that decision, because once I get done with the walk, there's like, no more walking for the rest of the day. I'm usually feeling good enough to get a little walk in during the day, but I know if I go walking, I won't be able to get anything else done. I'm going to try taking 5, 5min walks a day to see if that helps. It's not much, but I figure it's better then nothing...
Thanks everyone for your motivation and support. It really helps me :) It's nice to know there are people out there, in worse situations, who have been able to lose weight!
xoxo
I'm so sorry you are feeling discouraged! I am sure that RA is a difficult thing to deal with. But you have the right attitude...focusing on what you can do. I lost 28 pounds a few years ago, and didn't exercise half as much as I do now! Just do what you can, when you can. I read somewhere that even doing a little exercise for 10 minutes or so throughout the day, rather than in one long workout, can be just as effective.
And I love Bethenny! I'm interested to hear what you think of her books.
Thanks Meg! That's exactly what I'm going to try and do! I'm excited to see if it works!
Isn't she awesome? I don't know why, but I have a serious girl crush on her! :)
Oh I'd love to hear what you think of both of her books - I saw them a few weeks ago and should have picked them up :)
You have a great attitude towards all of this - don't feel discouraged!
Hey girl! Great attitude! It will carry you all the way to your goal...just keep it up and stay positive!
I don't know anything about RA personally, but it sounds horrific. I have a bad right knee...it cracks and pops a lot and feels like it wants to blow out sideways. I had to stop doing the treadmill and trying to jog (wanted to do a 5k this spring)...and I started the elliptical because there's no impact on my knee. Is this something you can do, or does that hurt your knees too? Just trying to help you think of something for cardio that won't hurt you. :)
Hey Tammy!
Thanks! I've never tried the elliptical. Now that I'm thinking about it, it totally makes sense! I'll have to try it! I'm also going to try swimming. Now that I've put my mind to it, I think I've come up with at least a few things, that will hopefully work. Thanks for the suggestion!
Hi Brittany - This is my first visit to your blog - it's great, and I wish you every success on this journey.
I don't have RA either, but bad osteoarthritis in both knees. I can totally relate to your being growwed out with the sounds - I recently did PT for my L knee after arthroscopic surgery, and for one of the exercises I slid down the wall against my back, and then back up. My right knee made the most horrific cracking and grinding sounds that you could literally hear across the room!
I love your blog, and will be back to follow your progress. Sounds like you have a wonderful hubby! I'm going to check out the books too - I need all the inspiration I can get.
Girl,
You impress the snot out of me! Your post reminds me of myself. As a matter of fact, read the quote that's on my blog today! It fits your situation perfectly. You are AMAZING! Stay focused and driven. I heart you!
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