My Journey Back

Terry and I walking the Disney World 5km Fun Run in  January , 2010.  Terry also ran the Goofy.

This was written for the arthritis society newsletter

I have fibromyalgia and arthritis.  I was losing my mobility and gaining weight.  I was taking medications but I just seemed to be getting worse.  My husband, Terry suggested we join the new YMCA and I should try the Arthritis Aquability classes given in the therapy pool specially designed for people with mobility problems. 

He thought the classes would help me.  I had my doubts and the last thing I wanted was to be seen in a bathing suit.  My mobility had gotten to the point that I needed a cane to get around and we had to use the elevator to view the upstairs when we took the Y tour.  We joined the first week the new Y opened and I was able to sign up for the Acquability classes.  I remember just getting from the change room to the pool was a major challenge because of my limited mobility. 

I noticed a difference the very first week in my mobility.  After the classes, I was able to put on my own socks and shoes which was a big accomplishment!  Within weeks, I felt like doing a little more after classes.  I also started going to the therapy pool even on the days there were no classes and doing my own workout.  I also added a bit of lane swimming and joined the Water in Motion half-hour classes in the main pool.  I found, even on my aching days, if I could just get to the therapy pool I felt much better. 

Bonnie, the aqua fitness director and instructor, noticed my improvement and felt that the extra workouts were working for me.  The first year I lost some weight and soon I didn't need to use my cane anymore.  The second year, Bonnie suggested that I was ready to join the regular aqua-fitness classes and didn't need the Arthritis classes anymore. I was nervous about attempting this so Terry joined me.  He found the aqua-fitness helped his legs recover after his running. 

At this point, I was able to do aqua-fitness on a regular basis and on my bad days I would do my own workout in the therapy pool.  My mobility had improved, my weight was slowly dropping, and I was able to reduce and then eliminate most of my medications.  In late 2008 I did my first 5km walk using Nordic Poles for extra support.  It was my first 5km walk in ten years.  I am not a fast walker but now I can walk!  Now I am doing Nordic Walking regularly.  Nordic walking is now also available at the Y and they have a nice trail to walk on. 

My weight has come down and I am five sizes smaller in my clothes.  I think the most important part of my journey was commitment, consistency, and making my workouts my number one priority.  I usually get to the Y five days a week.  My improvements didn't happen overnight.  I had to look at it as long term investment in my personal health and fitness.  There were a few bumps in the road with a few issues that stopped my workouts for a few weeks, but because I knew how good the pool made me feel, it didn't take me long to get back to the Y when I was feeling better.

I didn't attempt any strict diets; I only watched my calories and cut out most junk food.  The advice and encouragement from Bonnie and her staff has been a big help.  I have also had lots of fun and have made many friends in the classes.  Everyone has been very encouraging. Even total strangers have stopped to tell me they have noticed how good I am doing.  The Y has definitely changed my life for the better.

 In 2009, with the encourgment of my friends Bill Trewin and Linda Fullerton who walked with me I finished  my first 10km walk in a time of 2 hours 11 minutes.  I had been aiming to do it in 2 hours 30 minutes so was pleased with my time.  My aches and pains have not completely disappeared and I still have flare-ups but exercise helps. When I am aching really bad I still try to make it to the therapy pool because I always end up feeling better.  My main health goal is to keep moving and stay healthy.