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| Exercise to keep on cruising |
My fix to stay happy and healthy is mainly exercising and diet! There are days when exercise is hard and I have to make myself do it. Why? I think I’m afraid of the consequences if I don’t. Will I gain weight? Will body quit working? Probably not, but I’m afraid to find out. Besides, continuing is easy while starting over is really hard.
Continuing to feel good is my goal. So, I exercise! I’m addicted to the “natural high” I get.
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| Strength work 3 times /week |
Plus, I don't want to go back to feeling bad. Twenty five years ago, and before the diagnosis of MS, I thought feeling bad was my “new normal”. I learned that I have the Primary Progressive type of MS which exacerbates aging issues. I realized that at age 50, I was having issues similar to Mama's, loss of balance, flexibility, strength, and stamina !
Now I stay vigilant to any new problems when I do my daily walking. If a new ache or pain is persistent, I tell my trainer and physical therapist. They often give me exercises or stretches for the problem.
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| Love to walk in new places |
The issues contributing to feeling bad aren't always physical. Sometimes they are physiological. Migraine headaches are my best example. My headaches were so frequent and bad that I started tracking them on a calendar for several years. One month I had a high of 9 days of feeling lousy. After a year of doing Bikram Hot Yoga 4-7 times per week, I noticed fewer headaches. Then they disappeared altogether. A headache now can be managed with one Ibuprofen.
I love feeling good, especially having good energy! I also get an energy report from body when I'm walking. Some days my gait feels strong, easy and energetic. Other days I can barely finish and may cut the walk short.
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| Grandsons = Motivation |
My formula for staying on this path starts with exercise but is supported with diet and numerous therapies. I have written about all my therapies in this blog, judymanagesms.blogspot.com and YouTube channel, search for judymanagesms.
I eat a diet that reduces inflammation, boosts energy and keeps me regular. I rarely have bloating, upset stomach, gas, heartburn, or constipation, anymore unless I eat rich foods. Sometimes I have such good energy, that I overdo my activities. At the end of busy weeks, I am prone to a low energy day.
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| Vegetable juices work |
What works for me on DIET: Drinking cold pressed vegetable juices
Eating a predominantly vegetarian diet
Bone broth everyday
Significantly reducing gluten.
Drinking water
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| Yoga works |
What works for me on EXERCISE:
Strength training several times a week.
Walking 3 to 5 miles a day.
Massage - 2 x month
Memoir group (blog pieces) weekly
Toastmasters (speaking and leadership) weekly
Music lessons and practice (piano and harp) weekly
Learning foreign language with Duolingo App - daily
Staying healthy and feeling good will continue to be my goals. I often reflect on why I do these things. I believe that if I can, then I must. They make me feel good and productive.
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