“I am not an exerciser. I am not an exerciser. The gym smells of sweat and the soles of heated up tennis shoes.” My train of thoughts ran over and over for all the reason why I never exercised.
But I can walk, I can stretch, and I can do yoga. The self-efficacy behind supporting movement is much more powerful than the actual exercise regime itself when one is trying to handle all the MS symptoms, pain, tingling, darkness, and numbness. My challenge was how am I going to walk through my diagnosis which is following me everywhere I go. It is really my second shadow.
While participating in a clinical study “Online Behavior Change Program for Promoting Physical Activity” from the University of Alabama’s Exercise Neuroscience Research Laboratory, I had many “aha moments”, and I can proudly say I am an exerciser who walks, bends, and does yoga for health improvement.
How did this transformation happen? As a college professor, I am into learning, and so I began to reflect on my biases, mindfulness or lack thereof, and how my body was feeling. Sure enough walking and becoming aware of my MOTION and MOVEMENT were the keys for increasing my activity levels, strength, and well-being. Nothing else really changed–only my thoughts about what I needed to do to feel better. The clinical study was the impetus to do the metacognitive thinking that has spurred on my improved and varied forms of movement.
Now bending down to pick up my shoes is a stretch in motion and balance. Picking up the newspaper is an opportunity to touch my toes, smell the flowers, and inhale the morning air. Loading the dishwasher is a way to do my side stretches and still hold on to some breakable item. Brushing my hair reminds me to align my posture. Carrying in a grocery bag in each hand promotes arm stretch and balance walking.
Oh yes, I am an exerciser now, and I love it.
MS Fortunate 