I have Ehlers-Danlos Type 3 (hypermobility) and a natural dislike of exercise. Also mental illness, which can sometimes make it difficult to motivate myself.
Two years ago, when I started working from home because of the virus, I suddenly had more time to take little walks around the block. I had more time to prep and cook meals. I almost immediately went from sedentary (and in terrible pain) to walking 10,000+ steps most days. I got mildly injured several times, so I invested in bandages, BioFreeze, and heat packs. I worked my ass off and lost 45 lbs in a year, going from 231 to 186 at 5'4" as a 39 year old ladyperson.
And then... I got a traumatic brain injury. A year ago, I received a really bad head bonk and it completely derailed me. All of a sudden I had no energy, was dizzy, couldn't concentrate, and was once again eating my feelings to try to deal with the trauma of what had happened to me. The TBI wasn't my fault at all, and it's actually a really shitty story that I am legally required not to tell anyone about because I finally got a bit of $$$ (not enough) for how bad I got fucked up by it.
I am now mostly back to myself, although I have persistent and possibly life-long issues from the brain trauma. I am trying to get back on track. I had almost hit my top weight from two years ago when I enrolled in a insurance-sponsored health coaching program. They sent me a scale (I already owned a scale, but still, nice.) So I weigh myself when I remember to, and just from trying to eat less crap (and eat less, well, everything,) I've lost about 4 lbs in the past month.
I know I went WAY TOO HARDCORE two years ago and it wasn't sustainable. I'm trying to build good habits now that I can maintain for the long haul. And cardio is good for recovery from brain injury. I'm rejoining Loseit so that I can be accountable and also feel a sense of community and hope. I still don't have a lot of energy for exercise but I'm trying to at least get the ball rolling on that. I'm turning 41 soon and I don't want to be out of shape at 45/50/60.
If anyone has advice or support, if anyone has tried to heal from a devastating injury and get back on track, please respond and let me know how you did it.
Thanks.
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