Lupus and Exercise

Ah exercise. Something everyone can benefit from in various ways, though not always easy to commit to.

Before I was officially diagnosed and in the height of my symptoms, if you asked me to exercise I would’ve laughed in your face…and then go lay down because all of the laughing would’ve worn me out. I wish I was joking.

My energy levels were completely sapped at that point. I would *literally* have to take a nap after showering because it would just exhaust me. Also, the amount of pain I was dealing with made exercise impossible. The blankets on my bed were too heavy for my joints. Seriously. My ankles actually ached when I had a blanket on them. However, once I was diagnosed and getting treatment, as well as cleaning up my diet, my energy levels started to return (I won’t lie. Prednisone played a HUGE role in this at first).

I started out slowly by doing some yoga videos in the morning before work (I will be forever grateful to Yoga with Adriene). It felt so good to be moving my body again. My mental health started improving (illness is not just a physical thing) and my joints were benefitting from this gentle exercise.

After completing a 30-day yoga challenge, I started incorporating more walks into my day. I’d get home from work and take my dog for a mile walk. We kept at an easy pace and listened to my fave true crime podcasts as we went. I was starting to fall back in love with exercise.

As I continued my gentle exercises and kept up my anti-inflammatory eating, I got really into fitness Instagram accounts. These women with their great muscles lifting heavy weights and just being badass inspired me. I wanted to be strong. I spent months unable to lift my arms up from inflammation, and now that I could move again, I never wanted to feel like that again. I started working out with weights at a gym. I LOVED it. I started putting on a little bit…like real little bit…of muscle fairly quickly (as a complete and utter beginner, it didn’t take much to start seeing small results at first.) which fueled my desire to continue.

Now 2 years into this journey, I have started to vary my workouts a little more. I’ve always been a big hiker (thank you, 10 years in Colorado ❤️), which I still continue. I’ve also started doing Zumba and toning classes with my mom. It’s fun, we get to spend time together, and I’m helping get her moving as well. I still lift 4 days a week, but I also realize the importance of resting and other forms of movements.

Basically, the point of my story is to express the importance of movement and how it can take many forms. Start where you’re comfortable, whether it’s slowly increasing lengths of walks, gentle yoga, an aerobics class, whatever. They key is just to move your body daily when you can. Something I couldn’t imagine doing has become something I can’t imagine living without. Take advantage when you can and do something to show your body some love.

#lupuswarrior #exercise #movement #wellnessjourney2023 #healthylifestyle2023