COUCH TO 5K a little positivity!

[nikki25]

Hi everyone!

Hope all is as well as can be. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on here.

Long story short, I was diagnosed with SLE at 13yrs old I have rheumatoid arthritis, Fibromyalgia, osteopenia, reynard’s etc.

I have always liked to try stay as fit as possible walking/swimming when my pain was manageable.

I started Yoga around 3months before lockdown and although it was only for a short period of time, after the first few weeks I found it really helped ease my pains especially on a night when I lay down for bed it would take around 20-30mins for pain to ease in my back It felt like someone was sat on me crushing me.

This gave me some hope!

When I was told to shield i carried on for the first month or so at home.

I suddenly got some motivation and decided to give myself a challenge and I Have just completed week 5 run 2 of couch to 5k training on a treadmill. It is not! Easy and I am over the moon with myself how far I have come, I never thought this would be possible and I’m really hoping My body will allow me to complete this challenge.

I wanted to share this On here as who would understand better than you all!

Has anyone else taken on this challenge? Was you successful?

Please Wish me luck and if you would like I can keep you updated on how I get on 😊 I am also raising awareness and funds for lupus uk xx

[Spanielmadlady]

Keep going my lovely 🙌

[nikki25 in reply to Spanielmadlady]

Thank you! 😊 x

[Spanielmadlady in reply to nikki25]

You are an inspiration to all of us lupus sufferers xx

[svfarmer]

Amazing 😊Oh yes please keep us undated on how you get on - before lockdown I did Pilates for 2 years with my mum twice a week at a class, I did try at home but I’ve lost motivation 😩 don’t know how to get it back. Good luck xx

[nikki25 in reply to svfarmer]

Thank you!

I really hope you find your motivation again! It is very hard in lockdown and I can’t imagine how many people young, old, people with disabilities etc are handling it.

I had gone through a lot in 2 years to get where I was before lockdown and I didn’t want it to push me back, all the hard work I put in to get my head out of a dark place with anxiety and depression again.

This Is where I found my motivation and I am very lucky to have a husband and children supporting me through this huge challenge. xx

[KayHimm]

You are truly amazing! I was going to hang out in the shade with my iced coffee until I read your post. After gaining all of the weight I lost during Covid, I am now truly in lousy shape. But I will think off you as I buzz around the neighborhood!

Keep us posted on your progress!

Xk

[nikki25 in reply to KayHimm]

Thank you! 😊 if you haven’t got one already maybe invest in a step counter. I use a Fitbit They are a great way to count your daily steps and if you track after a week your average daily steps it’s a bit more easier to set a little goal for yourself. This is how I started to get to where I am now just with small steps xx

[KayHimm in reply to nikki25]

😀 Did think of you on my walk. May have to get one those Fitbits!

Small steps is the way to go. Just found I may have post viral lung issues from Covid. May have to wait until this gets sorted out before I get back to the tread mill.

Cheering you on!

Xk

[nikki25 in reply to KayHimm]

I hope you enjoyed your ice coffee 😀and thank you for the support.

I really hope your cough clears soon and you can gets back to your treadmill ASAP xx

[CecilyParsley]

Wow Nikki that is amazing. You should be so proud of yourself. What a massive achievement. I started using the treadmill four weeks ago. I cannot run, in fact I struggle to walk but I am pleased with what I have achieved. I have gone from sitting down all day to doing 17.5KM in a month. It is nowhere near your achievements but for me it is huge. Good luck with it. You should be so proud xx

[nikki25 in reply to CecilyParsley]

WoW That’s Amazing 👏 Every step is an achievement when you haven’t been doing it and not use to it and if you have a not so good day, that’s also ok as your body needs time to rest and recover so never feel guilty for having a day off.

There have been times in the past I have also struggled with walking so I can relate. Keep it up and well done!

Thank you 🙏 xxx

[CecilyParsley in reply to nikki25]

Yes it has been a nightmare since I fell and broke my nose, smashed my front teeth out and cracked one kneecap. Despite physio, acupuncture and weekly visits to the chiropractor it will not bend far. Then in a gentle exercise class I was attending three days a week the other knee dislocated. The Orthopaedic Surgeon said the kneecap was loose on one side and I had no cartilage in either Knee. The only option double total knee replacement. I lost 7 stone very hard when your mobility is so limited. I cannot drive now because the knee pops out and I nearly crashed the car as I could not raise my foot off the accelerator . A friend who was with me had to literally lift my leg off as I screamed. I have been five times for a pre op assessment. Five times I have been turned away because I was nit fit for surgery ie thyroid function too low, pleurisy, Prinzmetal angina, ear, throat and bladder infection and lastly I had put on weight due to inactivity and depression. So then I took myself off the list went to the gym and back to exercise class until my Rheumy doubled my Hydroxychloroquine and I developed fluid on the maculars and I was taken off it. Since then I have had chest infection, cellulititis, and seven UTI’s. I have sat for months feeling depressed and despairing so I decided to try to do some exercise. It hurts like hell. I shake like a rat and am nauseous afterwards due to pain but I am doing it. Thank you for your words of encouragement, it means a lot xx

[nikki25 in reply to CecilyParsley]

Your very Welcome and Wow! 🤩 Thats some dedication! you should be so proud of yourself! just please take it easy and know you’re limits. I know it’s not an option now unless you have access to a hot tub 🤔 but something you could look into in the near future if you like water is water workouts it could be a good way to get some exercise without putting to much pressure on joints etc.

well done! and remember small steps to success 😊 xx

[CecilyParsley in reply to nikki25]

Thank you Nikki unfortunately I have a real fear of water after a nearly drowning episode when I was five and unfortunately despite my best efforts I just cannot exercise in water for fear I fall under. I am limited because I cannot use the exercise bike because my knees just will not bend. When I have used the gym I can only do the treadmill and a few arm exercises. I find the gentle exercise class more fun because we use balls, bands, hand weights and rackets.iI have bought myself a light set of hand weights and some resistance bands which I also use. I think as long as I am trying my best the that has to be good enough xx

[nikki25 in reply to CecilyParsley]

Aww So sorry to hear that.

You are doing amazing! Keep going, Your trying every option possible that’s suitable for you to keep moving, that’s definitely good enough it’s exceptional well done! xx

[CecilyParsley in reply to nikki25]

Thank you. I really do try so hard and I am a vegetarian and do not drink milk so I eat well, no processed foods or junk food I make it from scratch. I wish the doctors would give me some credit for trying but sadly all they see is a lazy fat person. I never used to be this way and if I could get my knee surgeries I would do even more . I really wish you luck in all that you are doing. You shoukd be so very proud of yourself xx