Multiple Sclerosis And Exercise

I have been doing some research regarding MS and exercise.  The National MS Society actually has some really good information.  I have actually felt a little challenged by what I read there recently.  My favorite website for motivations is called Active MSer's.  It is the site where I was able to learn about the different cooling vests and how well they do or don't work.  Plus, I get to read about people who continue an active lifestyle and make the most of life even with MS.

I was reading weight lifting is very good for people with MS.  I have also been encouraged to do more weights to help with weight loss.  I had really been putting off weights because I'm training for the half marathon.  However, today I decided I would try the Centergy class at the gym.  This is one of the classes the gym says counts towards a weights work out.  It is really a lot like yoga, but man it is hard!  It really did work every part of my body as well as stretching and balance.  I have spastic muscles thanks to the MS.  They are always super tight.  For example, I can't bend and touch my toes without bending my knees a LOT!  I also have very poor coordination and balance.  I'm not sure if it's all MS related or just who I am, but I have NONE!  The stretching and balance work in the class are as hard, if not harder, for me than using my muscles for strength.  I'm hoping I can go to this class at least once a week.  It really challenges me.  I just hate feeling so inept in front of other people.  It is going to take a lot of stick-to-it-ness, but I know it will really help my MS related problems.

I'm hoping changing my lifestyle, exercise and doing the best I can do will help decrease my weight AND help all of the crappy MS symptoms I have.

How Frustrating

Crap. Now it's two days in a row I haven't exercised.  It really hasn't been by choice either.  Yesterday I had an appointment at the MS center for a research study I'm a part of right now.  These appointments take hours.  Because of that, my entire morning until I picked the kids up from preschool was busy.  After school, the gym's childcare is closed until four o'clock.  Then, the girls had ballet, and Josh and I went to the grocery store.  I would have gone to the gym after dinner, but one of the girls from work has a sick child.  Because of that, I was on call all night last night.  I was exhausted when I got home, and I slept all day long.

This morning, I ate 12 donut holes worth 600 calories.  However, I was awake for 24 hours.  How do I count those calories?  I didn't eat poorly at the hospital though.  Does that count for anything?

Now, I'm about to go back to work for the night.  I really just want to exercise.  It's always harder to eat right when I don't exercise.  Oh please let me stay good for the night........

6 Miles

Sometimes being self reliant is a good thing. Today was one of those days. My sister, who is going to run the half marathon with me, is pregnant. She's in the first trimester and feels rotten. I had to make the decision for myself that I am going to train even if I have to do it by myself. I did it! I ran 6 miles, albeit slowly, but I fid it! Next week I'm aiming for eight!

Cooling Vest

My Multiple Sclerosis makes everything a little more of challenge for me sometimes.  This is especially true when I exercise.  You see, I have this lesion on my cervical spine that greatly affects my legs.  When I get hot, my legs, feet and everything to my waist tingle and go numb.  There's really only one way to help this issue.  For Christmas, my mom bought me a cooling vest from Arctic Heat. It helps me so much!  For the first time since I had the relapse affecting my c-spine, I'm exercising!  I missed exercising a lot, and I gained tons of weight.  Now I don't have an excuse to not exercise.  I feel like I'm getting in control.  I think I can do this....again!

Have I mentioned I'm training for the Disney Princess Half Marathon!  Yep!  I'm telling you!  I feel really empowered with the cooling vest!  I know I can do it!  It's going to be hard getting ready so soon, but I can do it.  Please pray for me.  I want my life back.  I want my weight to get under control.  I don't want my MS to control me as much as it has lately.

Scale

It is so embarrassing to admit I can't step on the scale.  I'm too afraid to see what the number is right now.  However, I know if I don't look soon, I will begin to feel discouraged.  I don't want that discouragement.  I'm going to try soon......

Take 5 Million

I just want to lose weight!  Really?!?!?!?  Is it the impossible I'm asking here?  I don't know anymore.  I even looked into bariatric surgery.  My insurance doesn't cover it.  I'm back at my old gym.  Im just more comfortable there.  It's closer.  It's cheaper.  These are all important to me right now.  My sister and I are running a half marathon next month.  I have no idea how I'm going to survive it, but I will.  I'm actually training pretty hard for it right now.  My goal is to lose some weight in the process.  I just hate being fat.  Come on me.  I can do this..........

I Can't Quit

I can't quit.  I hate being fat.  I hate it.  however, this summer has been hard.  It's hard to lose weight without having time to work out or eat right.  In fact, these are the times I tend to gain weight.  I feel like I'm coming back to the land of the living and can now exercise.  I have never been so happy to see the gym in all my life.  Next week week I'm doing some metabolic testing at the gym.  It is going to help me know exactly what I need to do to lose weight.  It is even going to tell me where I need to keep my heart rate willing exercising to lose the most weight.  Please pray I can do this.  I want to be thinner and healthy.