Margot!!
Peer Supporter
The most helpful thing about this program is all the support from our wonderful community. Over the weekend, I was away and really struggling with my brain/body not cooperating. So I went on the forum to read testimonials (that always helps) and saw that Ellen replied to my post. I was feeling discouraged, angry, fearful and anxious that pain would continue and ruin my get away. I tried changing my tactics as Ellen suggested and it helped so much. Focusing on the fact that there is no structural reason for the muscle tension and pain worked really well. So for the rest of the weekend I shifted my self talk and focused on my body being healthy and free from structural issues that would cause pain. The walks up hill to get to the porta potty were really hard, I cried alot, but by the end of the weekend the walk was easier, I was able to walk the whole distance without stopping. I was also able to spend time relaxing, enjoying Acadia and the ocean. We got back sunday, I slept like a champ on sunday night and was prepared for the training I needed to teach on Monday. I want to write about this to remind myself of all the fears I had before the weekend and how everything worked out just fine. My body is healthy and capable. After a successful training on Monday, I went out for my 1st bike ride in about 30 years. I went around the block twice!! no falls. My hips started to get tight after the ride, so I started the self-talk again. I think my brain misinterprets and amplifies typical muscle soreness experienced when working out. I slept well, and this am the muscle soreness was pretty bad, but as I used self-talk and ran through a couple sun salutations the pain turned to soreness. Nothing a little biofreeze can't handle. This weekend I realized that I have a narrative around the hip pain. As a teenager, my mother took me to a chiropractor and that started the thoughts that I have multiple misalignments or something wrong with how my body works. Gradually over 30 plus years, I think I programed my brain to be fearful of the pain. I was taught to maintain alignment you have to be conscious of how you sit, I think this hyperfocus on how I hold my body gradually created the muscle tension I live with today. I always associated those misalignments with the pain I experience. However, even when my hip was "out" there was a time when that did not create pain and I can have that again. I don't have any misalignments or structural issues that make physical activity dangerous. Time to work with that narrative. I am going to go out for another bike ride today after work. More wins. Thank you, @Ellen , for helping me save my weekend!
