A while ago I posted saying that I wanted to take part in a bike ride for charity in a couple of years. I really would like to do this because it gives me something to aim for in my life and something that I can work for DESPITE everything else. Whilst my progress has been stalled over the past couple of weeks, thanks to breaking my ankle, I've devised a plan to hopefully get me to where I want to be.
I'm not one of those people that can say, before chronic pain/illness I was fit and then it took everything away from me. I didn't do very much before I got ill. When I look back on it, it was probably because my joints always ached (due to hypermobility) however, I never actually thought this wasn't normal. I danced and did gymnastics and trampolining, all things aided by my hypermobility. I still love to dance, but now chronic pain decides when I can and can't do it. So I decided that once my ankle heals there are going to be some changes made. I actually like bike riding, I hate running (because of my joints), love swimming and dancing so that's what I'm going to do.
I've heard that it takes around a 21 days, lets say a month to form a habit, so that's exactly what I'm going to do. On Saturday I stopped eating hot chips. I'm not going to say that I'm never going to eat them again, because that's unrealistic, but recently, with my ankle I haven't been able to cook for myself, so I've found myself eating a lot of oven baked chips. That's got to stop. Bring on the healthy soups, salads, sandwiches, anything! I hate feeling unhealthy. However it is unrealistic to say I won't eat them again. Chips have been my lifesaver my entire life. Because of my multiple food allergies, it has often been the case (especially when I was younger) that we've gone out for dinner and all I can eat is chips. So I'm not going to say never again, just not as frequently, and not for the next 21 days. That also means no fast food, as I can only pretty much eat chips from fast food places. It's going to be tough, but it means that I have something to focus on whilst my ankle heals.
I've also created an exercise plan that I think it very achievable, if I put my mind to it, for when I can use my ankle again. My aim is ride everyday (except Sunday), dance at least 3 times a week and go swimming once a week. As I don't think I'll be going back to work anytime soon, this is quite achievable, but if I have to cut it back to just riding everyday, then I won't be super disappointed. I want to get fit, to feel great, to strengthen my joints and help reduce chronic pain. I read something today that said that those that are fit and healthy generally experience less chronic pain. However, I don't know if that's because they haven't found a cause for chronic pain yet, and are just guessing, because my thoughts are that some people are genetically predisposed to chronic pain.
I also read (yes I've been reading alot!), that it's good to reward yourself, for achieving certain goals, so for not eating hot chips, I will reward myself (once I can start exercising) with some new exercise clothes for riding and dancing. Maybe I might be able to get a MISFIT activity monitor for christmas, but if not that can be another reward, or maybe even a new laptop! Mines seriously dying, but I need to save up a bit more money before I can do that!
Anyway... Can't wait until I can actually get out there and achieve my goals. My ultimate goal would be that becoming fit and eating healthy will help reduce chronic pain, but if not, at least I'll look pretty good :)
BB :)
I'm not one of those people that can say, before chronic pain/illness I was fit and then it took everything away from me. I didn't do very much before I got ill. When I look back on it, it was probably because my joints always ached (due to hypermobility) however, I never actually thought this wasn't normal. I danced and did gymnastics and trampolining, all things aided by my hypermobility. I still love to dance, but now chronic pain decides when I can and can't do it. So I decided that once my ankle heals there are going to be some changes made. I actually like bike riding, I hate running (because of my joints), love swimming and dancing so that's what I'm going to do.
I've heard that it takes around a 21 days, lets say a month to form a habit, so that's exactly what I'm going to do. On Saturday I stopped eating hot chips. I'm not going to say that I'm never going to eat them again, because that's unrealistic, but recently, with my ankle I haven't been able to cook for myself, so I've found myself eating a lot of oven baked chips. That's got to stop. Bring on the healthy soups, salads, sandwiches, anything! I hate feeling unhealthy. However it is unrealistic to say I won't eat them again. Chips have been my lifesaver my entire life. Because of my multiple food allergies, it has often been the case (especially when I was younger) that we've gone out for dinner and all I can eat is chips. So I'm not going to say never again, just not as frequently, and not for the next 21 days. That also means no fast food, as I can only pretty much eat chips from fast food places. It's going to be tough, but it means that I have something to focus on whilst my ankle heals.
I've also created an exercise plan that I think it very achievable, if I put my mind to it, for when I can use my ankle again. My aim is ride everyday (except Sunday), dance at least 3 times a week and go swimming once a week. As I don't think I'll be going back to work anytime soon, this is quite achievable, but if I have to cut it back to just riding everyday, then I won't be super disappointed. I want to get fit, to feel great, to strengthen my joints and help reduce chronic pain. I read something today that said that those that are fit and healthy generally experience less chronic pain. However, I don't know if that's because they haven't found a cause for chronic pain yet, and are just guessing, because my thoughts are that some people are genetically predisposed to chronic pain.
I also read (yes I've been reading alot!), that it's good to reward yourself, for achieving certain goals, so for not eating hot chips, I will reward myself (once I can start exercising) with some new exercise clothes for riding and dancing. Maybe I might be able to get a MISFIT activity monitor for christmas, but if not that can be another reward, or maybe even a new laptop! Mines seriously dying, but I need to save up a bit more money before I can do that!
Anyway... Can't wait until I can actually get out there and achieve my goals. My ultimate goal would be that becoming fit and eating healthy will help reduce chronic pain, but if not, at least I'll look pretty good :)
BB :)
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