Use It or Lose It

For most of my adult life, I've been active -by design. I've either body-surfed, bicycled, walked, took aerobics classes, cross-country machined, or did resistance training. I've always lived by the axiom, Use It or Lose It.

Last year, I began experiencing pain at the gym. Not the usual did-too-much-today type of pain, but a definite ouch!-type of pain. After six months of trying to push through it, I talked to my Internist, who eventually sent me to a Rheumatologist. I won't bore you with the details, but blood tests and a detailed history suggested Lupus. Treatment: anti-malarial drugs (!) and rest, lots of rest. The M.D. said that the pain I feel is actually damage to my connective tissue, so pushing through it is not a smart idea.

Not what I wanted to hear! I love being active; it was part of my almost-daily routine. And we are always told, Stay active to be healthy! I pouted, 'All those years of being active have ended here??!'

Well, after six months of rest and medication, I am starting to feel somewhat better. So today, I laced up my trusty Asics and ventured out to our local community college where they have a great new cushioned track (see photo). I did a mile of medium-paced walking. I can say it was uncomfortable, but not too painful.

I am elated... it appears I won't have to Lose It after all! =D