Date:   8/12/2008 11:22:11 AM ( 17 y ago)
Hits:   623
URL:   https://www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1236057

Is it even possible?

It's not only possible, it's imperative.

OK, people, this is where the rubber really hits the road... like, literally.

We, of all people, need to fight the image of the muscular dystrophy patient in the wheelchair who can't move a muscle. You know as well as I do, that most of us, unless the dystrophy is very advanced, can move SOMETHING. Yes, it is definitely easier to wheel around in a chair. It's even easier to just sit at home and do nothing. But we will NEVER stop the progression, or slow it down some, if we don't exercise (yes, this is a grammatical double mnegative, but I'm leaving it in here for emphasis. Because I CAN. lol).

Now, for the FSH patient, there have been some medical studies done that show that exercise is beneficial. Doctors, of course, say "Don't overdo it." Here is my dystrophy dude hero and fellow FSHer Ryan Levinson's response to HIS doctors' advice:


http://www.ryanlevinson.com/






Now I have to share an amazing testimony with you about my daughter-in-law Sarah. When Sarah married my oldest son Bryan two years ago, she was overweight, out of shape, and didn't feel good about herself at all. She was an emotional eater. She brought a lot of emotional baggage into the marriage, as we all do, unfortunately. Six months into the marriage, Sarah had a severe gall bladder attack and "had to have" gall bladder surgery. Without a gall bladder, Sarah couldn't eat ANY fatty or spicy foods without getting violently ill. She had to take action. At age 23, she said she felt like someone in her 60's.

Sarah's sister, Rachel, is a triathlete and Irongirl. She is 5'8" and a size 4. That's right. She's also gorgeous... and married to a Special Forces Army parajumper. Sarah asked Rachel to help her get healthy and fit, since there were no other options except to die young. Rachel put Sarah on Bob Greene's Best Life Diet and told her about the Cool Running Couch to 5K plan.


http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml


It's been about 18 months since Sarah (and Bryan) started running and eating better. Rachel is raw vegan now, and Sarah is 80/20 with the occasional chicken or fish when she feels herself craving more protein. When Sarah started running it was an effort just to get her running shoes on and walk a mile. But now she runs every 10K in Austin and is starting to train for half marathons. Rachel runs full marathons. Sarah has lost 50 pounds and is as hot as a stick of dynamite. Sarah has started a ministry to Christian women now, helping them to realize their full potential. Her motto is, "There should be nothing more beautiful on this planet than a Christian woman." Sarah's mother and I are two of Sarah's first "cases." My personal transformation has been nothing short of amazing. Sarah is a gift from God.

My husband is a jock. There is no other way to describe him. lol He started the Couch to 5K last year and is absolutely hooked on running. He also runs 10Ks and has started talking about halfs. He competes, usually coming in second or third in his age division (a buddy of his always comes in first lol). All of my sons run 5 and 10Ks, my 13 year old daughter runs 5ks, and my almost 12 year old daughter is now out there walking and running a mile.

So being surrounded by so great a cloud of sweaty runners every day, I am daily "encouraged" to get out there. My problem with running, however, is that my lower back, hip girdle, and upper legs muscles are weak, so I have a difficult time keeping my balance. Another issue is that I have constant pain in my lower calves and ankles, which is aggravated when I walk. Finally, I can't tolerate cold weather. My muscles HAVE to stay warm or they don't move and I risk injury.

Even so, in my imagination, I am a runner. I run like a gazelle.

I told Sarah I didn't think I belonged in the runner's community. I thought they would laugh at me because I'm so slow and awkward. Sarah said, "Are you kidding? If you got out there and even did a fun run/walk, it would inspire so many people and they would cheer you on!"

So I'm going to figure out a way to do it.

Running magazines say if you can run for 20 minutes three times a week, you can run a marathon. You just work up to it.

The first step is getting those running shoes on, doing some stretching, and walking around the track once. You go for your own personal best speed. You compete with yourself. You love the body you're in, and accept that it is challenged. But at the same time, you realize, as Sarah's sister Rachel says, the battle is in the mind.

Muscular dystrophy isn't just a physical disease. It's also mental, emotional, and spiritual. All four components have to be addressed in order for there to be any reversal or slowing down of the progression.

And so, we begin.

xoxooxo,

Donna



 

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