Those of you that know me, know I love to workout. I used to do half triathlons, full triathlons, half marathons, and one full marathon. When my body started rejecting working out, even a light 20-minute workout, I knew something wasn’t right. That led me to my Hashimoto’s diagnosis. At that time, I was also diagnosed with Adrenal Fatigue, which I think most people with chronic illness/lyme have. And the more I learn about my body the more it makes sense – Adrenal Fatigue is really just mitochondria dysfunction. And if your mitochondria are not functioning properly it can lead to a lot of health disarray.
So I had to do one of the most difficult things for me personally….quit working out. I know that sounds lame when I put it that way. But I had found my groove with working out. I loved everything about it. The independence of it, the endorphins, walking up to the machines at the gym with my headphones cranked to my favorite song. I loved tracking my workouts and seeing if I could lift more weight the next time I was at the gym.
I have a theory about my chronic illness. I think it’s here to teach me a life lesson. And in order to learn the life lesson, I needed to get hit where I would feel it the most. And that, it did! It hit my energy levels, my body and my ability to workout.
Sure, I did some yoga and Qi Gong. I went for walks. But nothing was really filling my soul like it used to. I gave up on working out for a bit because it was easier than having to face that fact that my body wasn’t working like it “should”. I had a lot of negative things to say about my body at that time.
It took a good five years to come to terms with this (it went way deeper than just working out). I can say I am actually there now – I have met my body where it is. I am the “fluffiest” I have ever been and I am okay with that. This is a big deal, being that I grew up in a family where weight and looks was always being commented on. My mom constantly talked about her “big butt”, in a negative light. Also, she is a toothpick so she DID NOT have a big butt. Also also, big butts are awesome, so who gives AF…I digress. There was lots of commenting on females with long, lean legs. If you have seen me, you know I have short and muscley legs (and now fluff and cellulite). So I have had to do some serious self-love in this department. I have had to meet my body where it is and learn to love everything about it. Not all days are perfect. I still try to wear things to cover up my “least favorite” body parts sometimes. But I am making progress and love my body for everything it has been through and it still shows up to walk with the dogs, drive my car, hike mountains, snowboard, paddle board, dance and do some pretty sick PARKOUR!!!
I honestly feel like it is so “last year” to be obsessed with what our bodies look like. Our bodies are facking amazing! They fight off viruses and bacterial infections all the time, without us knowing it. They are self-healing beautiful creatures. Our bodies carry our souls for us. Our bodies allow us to hug the ones we love and hold those dear to our hearts. Our bodies get us outside into the fresh air, nature and sunshine. Our bodies show up for us every damn day, no matter how nasty we may talk/think about them.
In all of this I have shifted my focus on working out. My workouts are more purposeful. I still like to get movement in and I do so with a big respect for my body. I no longer have the mindset of “pushing through pain”. I check in with myself in the morning and I do what I feel is best for my body. If that means it’s a rest day then I rest WITHOUT GUILT. HALLELUIAH! If that means I can hit it a little harder, then I do.
Over the years I have gathered insight from health programs, my chiropractor, etc. to come up with what works for me. I am currently mostly focused on functional fitness. This is more of a holistic mindset that I have set for myself. I focus on keeping my body in condition to do the things I love as much as I can. I focus on getting movement in for my mental health and my lymphatic health.
Functional fitness for me means that I focus on core/glutes and functional movements. My “core” focus isn’t 6-pack abs, but deep core muscles, transverse abdominus style! Glutes is the whole glute, every part of that booty! Our core and glute muscles help the entire rest of our body do the things we love to do. I also incorporate a lot of balance work. And once in a while I will add in weight for my workouts, especially when preparing to go out West to go hiking and/or snowboarding.
My Movement Goals (simplified):
- Meeting my body where it’s at
- Working out in line with my hormonal cycle
- Core and Glute focus
- Functional/Supportive Fitness
- Lymphatic health
- Mental Health/endorphins
- Falling in love with my body in a newfound way
My Favorite Ways to Move (simplified):
- Rebounding
- Dancing
- Walking with the dogs
- Hiking (variation in lengths and hills/terrain)
- Keeping it fresh/changing it up
- You may catch me ice skating, rollerblading, snowboarding, roller skating, long boarding, doing yoga….
- Balance work/balance board
- Core/Glute focused movements
I have a couple of references that I fell in love with over the past couple of years, and continue to go back to. I will share them just in case anyone wants to check them out. And if you are in the area and want to try Pvolve with me, I have all the equipment and am always looking for a workout buddy.
- Dr. Christina Jahrling – Her Core Strength & Recovery program is fire! It taught me how to connect with my core and better utilize it during workouts. I am regularly re-connecting with this program.
- YogabyCandace – She has a lot of really good yoga content (hence the name). BUT she has also created Intention Factor, which is a focus on Intentional Fitness. She created this program since injuring her back years ago. It was how she healed and built back core strength in order to prevent future injuries. I have done her glute program, her posture program and hopefully will be able to do her full program once I gain more strength.
- PVOLVE – Okay, this one I am OBSSESSED with! I am such a cheap ass that I normally don’t pay for monthly subscriptions to anything. But I have been doing this online platform for over a year. This program has helped me connect and fall in love with my body and working out again. This is the first workout program I have found that I don’t get bored with. It also does not spike my cortisol. Which, after spending most of my life in flight or fight, is a huge win!!! They have so many video options you literally would never run out of new workouts. They have beginner level, advanced, cardio-ish…I could go on and on about their options. I purchased all of their equipment (again….that is not like me due to me being an aforementioned cheap ass). All of the programs are focused on functional movements to help us live our best lives! (think core, glutes and lots of balance!). This program also helps me focus on being mindful throughout the workout. Have you ever tried to do balancing moves while thinking about all the chores you need to do, or the groceries you need to buy, or what Zac Efron looks like without his shirt on? NOT happening if you prefer to stay upright and not tip over and face plant next to your workout equipment. They have a free 7-day trial too! I could go on and on about this so I will stop here while everyone is thinking about a shirtless Zac Efron. Wink wink…
This is not an ad, I simply wanted to write down where I am at with my movement/fitness for a couple of reasons. First, for my personal reflection and something I can look back at someday. Second, to highlight that we are all at different places in our journeys and it’s okay. Some of us are killing our marathon training, some of us would never even dream of running a mile, some of us get our workouts in by running after our crazy ass kids. Wherever we are at, it’s cool. Move your body in ways that make you feel good. Love that body for what it can do. And when you do get movement in, be sure to thank your body for the ability to carry you through a workout or hike or swim.
And whatever you do check yourself out in the mirror, cuz DAYUM, YOU LOOK GOOD…!
Onto the next Adventure,
EZ
