Three years ago today I came home from Rehab.
joyzy
Posts: 97 Member
I suffered a spinal cord injury at age 30, due to genetics and being significantly overweight. I had emergency surgery: laminectomy, discectomy at L4/L5, and decompression of the spinal cord. I was left with cauda equina syndrome, temporarily paralyzed from the waist down and had to live at a rehab hospital to learn to walk again.
I was a stay at home mom of three daughters, at that time they were ages 5, 2, and 9 months old.
After a month I had regained enough sensation and strength to return home with a walker. My neurosurgeon advised me that this could happen again and I needed to lose weight to prevent it. I weighed 270 pounds at 5'8" tall.
That day I signed up for a MFP account. I graduated to a cane and began daily exercise of slowly walking around my block. The first day I walked a quarter mile and it took me 25 minutes. SLOW. But moving. Counting calories worked. I ate about 1600 calories/day.
Each day I added a little more walking. Eventually I could walk for 45-60 minutes without the cane. We joined the YMCA so I could exercise.
During the course of the following year, I lost 100 pounds and began running. I was NEVER a runner, ever. I couldn't even run one lap around the track in high school gym class.
2.5 years after my injury, I ran my first marathon, the Philadelphia Marathon, in 2013. I still can't feel down the back of my right leg and the bottom of my right foot is numb too.
This spring I ran my second marathon, the Pocono Run for the Red Marathon.
I include my kids in my exercise when I can. I'll run while they bike, or I'll push them in the jogging stroller, or haul them behind me on my bike trailer.
Now, I work at the YMCA. I'm a group fitness instructor and I lead the Running Club, and I started up a new class called "Moving with Joy." (that's my name :-) ) This class is couch-to-5k type class where beginners sign up and we train over a 2 month period up to a 5k race at the end of the session. I LOVE teaching this class. I also work as a Y Coach for new members, determining their goals and directing them toward the classes and programs that suit their needs. I get paid to exercise with people! It's awesome!!
A few weeks ago we had a fundraiser where staff members rode on a bike to raise money for the local kids' water safety camp. I rode long and collected donations enough to fully sponsor three kids to attend the camp at no cost to their families!
So, here I am this summer at the beach. No longer 270lbs. Much happier, more active and happy to be able to walk...and run!
SO, if I can do it, you can too. For goodness sake I couldn't even walk. Now get out there and MOVE!!! :-)
Joy
I was a stay at home mom of three daughters, at that time they were ages 5, 2, and 9 months old.
After a month I had regained enough sensation and strength to return home with a walker. My neurosurgeon advised me that this could happen again and I needed to lose weight to prevent it. I weighed 270 pounds at 5'8" tall.
That day I signed up for a MFP account. I graduated to a cane and began daily exercise of slowly walking around my block. The first day I walked a quarter mile and it took me 25 minutes. SLOW. But moving. Counting calories worked. I ate about 1600 calories/day.
Each day I added a little more walking. Eventually I could walk for 45-60 minutes without the cane. We joined the YMCA so I could exercise.
During the course of the following year, I lost 100 pounds and began running. I was NEVER a runner, ever. I couldn't even run one lap around the track in high school gym class.
2.5 years after my injury, I ran my first marathon, the Philadelphia Marathon, in 2013. I still can't feel down the back of my right leg and the bottom of my right foot is numb too.
This spring I ran my second marathon, the Pocono Run for the Red Marathon.
I include my kids in my exercise when I can. I'll run while they bike, or I'll push them in the jogging stroller, or haul them behind me on my bike trailer.
Now, I work at the YMCA. I'm a group fitness instructor and I lead the Running Club, and I started up a new class called "Moving with Joy." (that's my name :-) ) This class is couch-to-5k type class where beginners sign up and we train over a 2 month period up to a 5k race at the end of the session. I LOVE teaching this class. I also work as a Y Coach for new members, determining their goals and directing them toward the classes and programs that suit their needs. I get paid to exercise with people! It's awesome!!
A few weeks ago we had a fundraiser where staff members rode on a bike to raise money for the local kids' water safety camp. I rode long and collected donations enough to fully sponsor three kids to attend the camp at no cost to their families!
So, here I am this summer at the beach. No longer 270lbs. Much happier, more active and happy to be able to walk...and run!
SO, if I can do it, you can too. For goodness sake I couldn't even walk. Now get out there and MOVE!!! :-)
Joy
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Replies
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WOW!!! So inspiring.0
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Beyond inspiring...WOW, what a come back and you can see the "joy" in your face. Thanks for sharing your story...it made my Friday
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Wow! You look Awesome. Truly inspiring story - Congrats on your weight loss0
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Thank you so much for posting this. Others would have given up and instead you gave it your all.
P.S. You also look hot 0 -
Amazing, amazing, AMAZING!! There really is no excuse not to get fit and live a healthy lifestyle. You are a true inspiration!0
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loved this post! Well done lady you have done amazing!0
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I think I got something in my eye...0
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Incredible determination and just what I needed to read. Thank you!0
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AWESOME!!!0
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I rarely respond to posts, but
YOU ARE AMAZING!0 -
You are an inspiration. Shows what all of us can do it we can stay committed. Thank you!0
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Amazing and inspirational story! Thank you for sharing and congrats on your success! You look beautiful!0
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Oh my goodness you look great. That's a wonderful story not to mention an inspiration to your kids.0
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You are amazing! Phenomenal transformation and determination!0
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You look incredible, and your story is so inspiring!! Way to go!!! You're setting such a wonderful example for your girls as well
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What a great way to start my day! Thanks for sharing!0
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WOW! What a truly amazing, uplifting story. Thank you so much for sharing!0
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PREACH IT SISTER!!!!! Well Done!0
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Congratulations! You look wonderful! Thanks for sharing your story. :-)0
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That was awesome, I wasn't feeling like running today. Now I do. Thanks for the boost!0
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Love this. You look amazing.0
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What an amazing story! I admire your strength to push through such difficulties to achieve your goals. You have so much to be proud of!!!0
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Wow, very inspiring. Congrats on all you have accomplished!0
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Absolutely wonderful! I love your story. You truly are an inspiration to all! Keep up the AMAZING work!!0
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Phenomenal! You should be proud as hell of what you’ve accomplished.
Edited: You look fantastic, by the way!0 -
What an amazing story! Truly inspiring!0
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Thank you so much for sharing that Joy! I have no excuse not to get off my butt and walk today so that's what I'm going to do. Congrats on your amazing transformation!0
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The first success story that I read all the way through, and made me a little teary. Congratulations! And thank you, for all the good you're doing!0
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If this doesnt get people off their @ss and start moving...I don't know what will.Fantastic job!0
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