Are You Working Out With RA Or Is RA Working Out With You?

I seem to have gone on a workout sabbatical.  I can’t really explain why, but I seem to have developed workout anxiety.

I just haven’t been able to do it.  I’ve thought about it, but it’s been easier to stay on the couch.

And a lack of working out, plus being on steroids, has been a bad combination.

You would think that with having a gym in my boyfriend’s father’s building, where we are living right now, would be a motivation.

But it’s almost too easy.  It’s there, and all I have to do is gone downstairs.

In the four months that I’ve been in New York, I’ve worked out about as much as I did in one month in Michigan.

In Michigan, I was doing kickboxing once a week and a workout DVD twice a week.

But as I say, I’ve really been struggling lately with balancing everything and one of the things that has taken a back seat is my physical activity beyond what I do to get where I have to go.  I have also been battling pretty severe fatigue.

While reading “Chronic Resilience” by Danea Horn, she suggests that you think about doing something because of how you will feel afterwards.  In our instant gratification culture, we want to feel great in the moment.

But sometimes pain or discomfort is worth it.

It’s a mind shift.  It’s much easier to not do something that seems hard or difficult than it is to tell yourself you will feel better and it will be worth it after you’re done doing it.

And think about it this way:

A 45-minute workout – I get 2.5 miles on the treadmill in that time – is just 9 five-minute songs.

It’s ¾ of an hour long TV show or 1 and ¼ of a half-hour long TV show.

My point is, time can fly by listening to music or watching TV and sitting on your butt.

Or in that time, you can get a workout in.  And by that I mean whatever you are physically able to do.  This varies for everyone.  I am not a runner and have never been a runner, pre-illness or now, so that is just something that is not on my list.  But it may be for you.

I have a rocking playlist that I rediscovered when I worked out this week, and it really helped me slog through.  And actually, it wasn’t even a slog.  When I was done, I did indeed feel good.

I had to chronicle my workout routine for last year, and I made my own video commemorating what I’ve done kickboxing wise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzveJhrSrCs&feature=youtu.be

I included it here in the hope that maybe it will inspire you to get off the couch, and do whatever you feel up to doing.

The winter can make it hard to get outside and stay active, not just for those of us with RA, but others, as well.

Of course, as it is January, the New Year, and time for resolutions, a few of mine include getting off of steroids, workout at least two but preferably three times a week, and drinking more water.

It’s important to take control over the things we can, and to try and work through the rest.