So an update. Since I started reframing my mindset about movement and fatigue (and since a colonoscopy showing no sign of disease), I have made major progress in my fitness in the last year and a half.
I started by working with a physical therapist to help with back pain and recover from a sprained knee and ankle from a fall. I walked a lot, thru all of the Ohio weather. I was very dedicated to after work walking practice and it helped.
The first summer of my fitness, I traveled to Big Sky, Montana, and Yellowstone National Park. The altitude kicked my ass, but my love of the outdoors and the awesomeness of nature was rekindled. I was surprised at how far I could hike and the incline I could do at a slow and steady pace.
The fall of my 39th year, I started working with a physical trainer, having completed my physical therapy. My trainer has been working with me on weightlifting and all of the benefits that come with that. I have found weightlifting to be an amazing hobby and am super passionate about it. I am seeing big benefits in my endurance, strength, stamina, and power from lifting. It has reduced nearly all of my pain and allows me to get back into hiking, biking, and swimming more effortlessly.
This summer, as the weather got gross, I got a pool membership at the RPAC, one of the finest pools in central Ohio. Swimming has been a joy, and I quickly got back to swimming a mile slow and steady.
I am now working on building my cardiovascular base so that I can enjoy the endurance sports I love. A few weekends ago I lifted, walked for two hours, biked 12 miles and swam 750 yards all in two days. That’s a sprint triathlon baby! I was wiped out for two days afterwards, but it was a great accomplishment and showed me what my body is capable of now (even while working full time)!
The nutrition knowledge I have gained from living with Crohn’s really helps with recovery. It also helps with listening to my body and avoiding injury, and taking time to heal when I am injured.
I have found the 10% increase rule to be helpful in building back my fitness capacity and avoiding injury as well. Any time I try to do too much too fast my body gets mad. But if I increase slow and steady I see great results.
It’s an expensive hobby, but paying for gym memberships and a personal trainer has been the best money I’ve ever spent. I have a whole new outlook on movement and the capability of my body as I move further into adulthood.
Eating Vegan with Crohn's Disease 