If anyone has an excuse to sit back and say, "Meh," when it comes to physical activity, that would be me, right? Too much exercise can leave me hurting for days -- and I don't mean that good kind of hurt that comes from sore muscles. I mean a stinging pain and deep, throbbing ache that many of my lippy sisters will understand on a deep level. I'm not sure what causes it or if even doctors who study this disease really know. My theory is that the lymph fluid that clogs our system so thoroughly pushes on the nerves and makes them hurt, and I've come up with this theory since observing that intense activity tends to cause hella swelling in me. I tend to gain an average of 10 lbs. after a good day of exercise -- and that's on average. Really hard activity or several days of exercise could leave me 15 lbs. heavier, and it usually takes a week or two for all that fluid to work its way through my system and out of my body.
Anyway. It's as good a theory as any other.
But forget the pain because to me, moving isn't optional. Remember my move-it-or-lose-it post? I'm terrified of not moving. The pain isn't pleasant, and it can be disabling at times, but sitting on my bum is a scarier proposition because sitting on my bum is a guarantee I'll get worse. Sitting there and doing nothing allows my muscles to atrophy. It will allow my body to get FAT fat on top of the lipedema fat. And while I'll admit that I've already got some regular fat to deal with, I'm not about to let that situation get any more out of control than I absolutely have to.
The fact is, we lippy ladies are at high risk of developing secondary obesity. That's not a judgment. And those women who do develop secondary obesity have an even harder time of it because then they have to deal with all the health risks of that on top of the health risks of the lipedema. It's not always preventable, either. I know, I know -- people think that it's as easy as calories in/calories out. I wish it were, but for those of us with fat disorders, we have a lot more going on with our bodies.
So I try to get some exercise in every day. It isn't always intense. In fact, it rarely is because of that whole pain thing. But every once in a while, I do like to push myself to my limits, and for me, that was yesterday. I went to Cahokia Mounds, which is actually pretty interesting apart from the physically challenging part. I took my big ole lippy legs and climbed all the way to the top of Monk's Mound, which, if I may say so myself, was a bit of an accomplishment (hey, not even all regular non-lippy people can manage it!).
Anyway. It's as good a theory as any other.
But forget the pain because to me, moving isn't optional. Remember my move-it-or-lose-it post? I'm terrified of not moving. The pain isn't pleasant, and it can be disabling at times, but sitting on my bum is a scarier proposition because sitting on my bum is a guarantee I'll get worse. Sitting there and doing nothing allows my muscles to atrophy. It will allow my body to get FAT fat on top of the lipedema fat. And while I'll admit that I've already got some regular fat to deal with, I'm not about to let that situation get any more out of control than I absolutely have to.
The fact is, we lippy ladies are at high risk of developing secondary obesity. That's not a judgment. And those women who do develop secondary obesity have an even harder time of it because then they have to deal with all the health risks of that on top of the health risks of the lipedema. It's not always preventable, either. I know, I know -- people think that it's as easy as calories in/calories out. I wish it were, but for those of us with fat disorders, we have a lot more going on with our bodies.
So I try to get some exercise in every day. It isn't always intense. In fact, it rarely is because of that whole pain thing. But every once in a while, I do like to push myself to my limits, and for me, that was yesterday. I went to Cahokia Mounds, which is actually pretty interesting apart from the physically challenging part. I took my big ole lippy legs and climbed all the way to the top of Monk's Mound, which, if I may say so myself, was a bit of an accomplishment (hey, not even all regular non-lippy people can manage it!).
Across the river (that blue thing down there), you can see the Arch.
Not in this picture, sadly, though I tried to get it.
It's kind of incredible --
Like a melding of old and new cultures.
Of course, by the time I actually reached the top, my legs were already in full "SWELL!!!!!" mode. I sat for a bit and wondered if they were going to completely balloon up and fly away without me.
Look at them! Yikes! After I realized they were going to stay firmly attached, I decided it was time to head back down and walk around the smaller mounds. There are several trails winding through "woodhenges" and many smaller mounds. The whole area is just so pretty and peaceful (apart from several large groups of sweaty school field trips that happened to be there yesterday). It really is a nice place to go and walk around. I can only imagine what it must have been like when it was one of the, if not THE, largest cities in the Americas.
All in all, we had a great day. Oh yeah, I had a little partner with me. He has MUCH better endurance than I do. Then again, he's 30+ years younger and has normal, healthy legs. :D
Lipedema is a challenging disease. It can really hold you back from doing the things you love. But it doesn't have to keep you housebound and unable to do everything you love. I may not be able to run up and down those steps on Monks Mound, but I can still haul my lippy heinie up and down them. You may not be able to walk up and down them, but you might still be able to walk around the trails. And if you can no longer walk? Get that scooter out, and get yourself some sunshine. Push yourself, and test your limits. You will feel so good when you can accomplish something you never imagined you could.
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