Two chronic illnesses, still fighting for my body!

PlaceboFX

So I started my path to fitness about 4 years ago, and when I started I could literally run about 15-30 seconds at a time, despite only being about 20lbs overweight and 22 years old.

It took MONTHS to build up to my first half mile, and then another several months to get to one mile. I began lifting weights, which felt great, but I felt like I was progressing and building muscle so much slower than everyone around me, despite how diligent I was, and how hard I pushed myself. I felt discouraged and a little burned out as a result. But I kept at it.

Well, I eventually lost about 40-50lbs (where I’m still at now), and built myself up to jogging 2 miles on average, though I managed 3 miles one single time. Never again though. 😂

Then I started feeling worse and worse. I brushed it off, and went about my life, until one day I woke up sick and didn’t feel better again for over a year.
Was ultimately diagnosed with the chronic illness POTS, which I’ve likely had since I was a kid, but Lyme disease at age 18 probably worsened it. (We’re also now all strongly suspecting EDS, just waiting to see a specialist.)

After numerous frustrating and disappointing visits with various doctors, I finally got into an amazing specialist who literally teaches seminars on my condition.
When I saw him, I couldn’t even do my own grocery shopping anymore. I was so weak and tired all the time, and my heart rate was out of control.
He put me on a new medication, which made me even sicker for about a month. It was almost unbearable.
But about 5 later, I started having good days. Then they became more frequent. Then they became my new normal. I started working out again.
I even realized an old dream and got certified in group fitness instruction! (Back in February. Then all the gyms closed. Sigh.)

I still build muscle and stamina excruciatingly slow. But that just makes me prouder of myself, knowing that I AM still building muscle, even with my body fighting me every step of the way.
I’m so excited for gyms to start opening up, so I can start teaching classes.
My ultimate hope is to become a specialist for others like me struggling to be fit while dealing with various types of disabilities and illnesses.

jenwalkingfurther

Well done and what a great ambition!!

sillysun79

PlaceboFX wrote: »

So I started my path to fitness about 4 years ago, and when I started I could literally run about 15-30 seconds at a time, despite only being about 20lbs overweight and 22 years old.

It took MONTHS to build up to my first half mile, and then another several months to get to one mile. I began lifting weights, which felt great, but I felt like I was progressing and building muscle so much slower than everyone around me, despite how diligent I was, and how hard I pushed myself. I felt discouraged and a little burned out as a result. But I kept at it.

Well, I eventually lost about 40-50lbs (where I’m still at now), and built myself up to jogging 2 miles on average, though I managed 3 miles one single time. Never again though. 😂

Then I started feeling worse and worse. I brushed it off, and went about my life, until one day I woke up sick and didn’t feel better again for over a year.
Was ultimately diagnosed with the chronic illness POTS, which I’ve likely had since I was a kid, but Lyme disease at age 18 probably worsened it. (We’re also now all strongly suspecting EDS, just waiting to see a specialist.)

After numerous frustrating and disappointing visits with various doctors, I finally got into an amazing specialist who literally teaches seminars on my condition.
When I saw him, I couldn’t even do my own grocery shopping anymore. I was so weak and tired all the time, and my heart rate was out of control.
He put me on a new medication, which made me even sicker for about a month. It was almost unbearable.
But about 5 later, I started having good days. Then they became more frequent. Then they became my new normal. I started working out again.
I even realized an old dream and got certified in group fitness instruction! (Back in February. Then all the gyms closed. Sigh.)

I still build muscle and stamina excruciatingly slow. But that just makes me prouder of myself, knowing that I AM still building muscle, even with my body fighting me every step of the way.
I’m so excited for gyms to start opening up, so I can start teaching classes.
My ultimate hope is to become a specialist for others like me struggling to be fit while dealing with various types of disabilities and illnesses.

sillysun79

Omg what a storie how I need to hear thing so much . I so understand I just got dignose with As I have inflammation in one eye planter fasciitis and heel pad sydrome. I did workout before but life got busy . Now I need to lose weight my daughter made me a workout plan she 18 she was taught by personal trainer and helping me. I have alot of hard time with my breathing to understand in my mind and do counting and proper exercise. My daughter is helping me control it all lots of repeat and repeat. Today is my first day of setting my goals I workout my chest and arms today. I hope we become friends. 😀