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IT'S NOT JUST WALKING
While the starting tips I placed on this site are quite
helpful, they are merely a starting point for you. They are intended to
show you some of your own potential after applying a little bit of
effort. If you understood and applied the information correctly you
should have noted that your balance and movements improved. And with
that improvement you undoubtedly were happy with the results YOU made
for yourself. Now you need to do something to make it a permanent part
of you. Better still, now you need to do something to “bump it up a
notch.”
Let’s begin with your thought process.
You’ve seen yourself do better when you practiced some simple concepts.
Then you probably saw yourself fall back into your old ways when you
“forgot to think about what you just learned”, or you stopped using what
you learned altogether,
for whatever the reason.
One of the biggest
reasons I’ve witnessed is the “I’m too tired” factor. Yep, been there,
done that. You do a little bit and love the experience; then reality
kicks your fanny. Now you’re clumsier than you were before…..right?
And you’re stiff from exercising a little to strengthen your legs and
you have to “rest” for a couple days because you’re clumsier than you
were on one of your “bad days”…….right? You just can’t win, because, no
matter what you do, this disorder in your head isn’t going to allow it!
Yep, been there, done that! This first step is by far the most
difficult.
Concept #1: DON’T LISTEN TO YOUR NEGATIVE
SELF!
Concept #2: DON’T LISTEN TO YOUR
NEGATIVE SELF!
Concept #3: DON’T LISTEN TO ANY ONE ELSE’S NEGATIVE SELF!
Concept #4:
Visualize yourself being normal.
Concept #5: ACCEPT YOUR VISION AS YOUR
FUTURE.
Concept #6: DON’T LISTEN TO YOUR
NEGATIVE SELF!
Concept #7: DON’T LISTEN TO ANY ONE ELSE’S NEGATIVE SELF!
Concept #8: GET OFF YOUR FANNY. INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE.
BEGIN THE WORK TO MAKE YOUR VISION YOUR REALITY.
All of us have a pity wagon we hop on
every now and then; me too. But I really want you to try something for
yourself. Set yourself time limits for being on your pity wagon
L to the best of your
ability. Boy is that tough sometimes. And let’s face it, sometimes we
deserve to be up there.
Just try to not go there as much.
Here’s a short story I witnessed on this subject.
I was in a store the
other day when a voice from behind me politely said, “Excuse me please,
I can’t walk without my walker and I have to lean over this cart to
move….I’m sooooo tired.” I was inadvertently blocking the aisle in my
search of the merchandise on the lower shelf. “Oh I’m sorry”, I replied
and quickly stood and moved to one side. Initially, I expected that I
would need to help this person from what was spoken, but there
was a tone to the voice which led me to have the hunch that things
weren’t quite that bad. You’ve heard the voice and sometimes thought,
“And would you like some cheese with that whine?”
As I watched this person walk past me
in search of a store employee, and complaining all the way, there were
at least three times in as many minutes where the drama star entered
onto the stage. Whenever someone else approached, or when this person
wanted some attention, the disabling condition became much worse and
labored. However, when this person was alone, examining some
merchandise, and then talking about it with a store employee, the
disabling condition suddenly dissipated substantially. Sounds like one
of your kids trying to get out of going to school doesn’t it?
It was
that obvious.
My point here is simple, try your best to not make your situation
worse in your mind than what it really is.
So let’s assume that you are psyched
about the vision you have formulated and committed to make it happen.
(NO, I didn’t say psycho, as some of your family and friends might
lightly joke. L) Ok, well
maybe you can only muster an, “I really would like some of my normal
back Doc…….but I’m having problems totally buying into the idea that I
could…...” That’s OK. That just means you’re just as normal as me; and
everyone else.
But hold on tight to that little
glimmer of hope. Hold on to that little glimmer of light way out there
in the distance. It’s that little glimmer which is going to help push
you forward when the going gets tougher. That’s the difference between
you, and those who have given up, or can’t see themselves ever doing any
better.
Now use it to your advantage before you change your mind! AGAIN!!!
Let’s begin the next process. You are
going to search out the best Wellness Center, gym or fitness club in the
area. I want you to search for the one which has not only the
strengthening machines (free weights are not for us), but also personal
trainers, movement classes and cycling. (Pools optional depending on
your situation.) Next go to the facility and talk to the person in
charge of the center and/or the person in charge of the programs. Tell
them about your diagnosis, problems and reasons for being there. Tell
them you want as much of your normal back as you can possibly find. You
need to hear them say to you, “We can help you. We can work safely with
your disabilities in a safe environment and help you get better.”
Ask
them if they have any other people with disabilities who use the
facility.
You need to find a place where you feel comfortable and the staff is
knowledgeable.
Here is a good example, and it's where I go:
LMHS
wellness centers home page (the Cape Coral center)
When I reference movement
classes I am referring to Pilates, Yoga, Tai Chi, martial arts, or the
many other offerings which will provide you with instruction in
stretching, balancing and movement skills. There are many different
activities of this sort to affect the same desired effect. Some have a
name, some don’t. Any of them have a place for somebody. So, if it
looks like fun and/or provides you with a challenge, by all means go for
it. For example, the many forms of dance will offer you some fun,
improve your skills and enlighten your social life. There is nothing
quite like losing yourself to the music and mood of the dance floor.
Your goal is to work
yourself up into a total body fitness program.
You will amaze
yourself at the results within a few months. You’ll then want more and
look forward to the next “bump it up a notch.” You’ll know when the
time is right to add more to your work out diet as you progress.
And remember that vision
I told you to find within yourself. Keep it with you each and every
step. In the beginning your ambitious attempts may become stifled by
the reality of your disorder. May become stifled…..? More honestly
spoken, they will become stifled mainly by you! It will be a grueling
task at first. You’re going to battle your mind and body….repeatedly.
The small improvements won’t be that obvious to you, but some of the
other people will notice and offer encouragement.
You will continue to judge yourself according to other people, their
abilities and their progress.
This is where you really, really have to be disciplined with yourself,
your limitations, your goals and your reality.
Re-focus on the vision
and put it into realistic proportions. You will modify it over and over
again as you keep progressing. This means that it’s going to grow
bigger and include more. Trust me. Use your vision to keep your head
in the game. Use it to motivate you. Use your small triumphs to boost
your enthusiasm and celebrate each and every one of them. I don’t care
how small they may seem to someone else; it’s yours……enjoy it…..
you
earned it the good old fashion way.
Excuses! You’re going to come up with
so many of them for this thing and that thing, this move and that move,
I can’t and there’s no way, the thing in my head won’t let me, I’ll fall
if I try that, to whatever it is you can imagine………I think I used them
all. Luckily for me I was surrounded by some people at the time who
essentially said, “And that makes you special….uh….how?” And
they were right.
They wouldn’t let me
“cheat” because of my disorder. I had to do it the correct way to dance
with them. And that, my friends, is much of the frustration you will
deal with. It is very difficult to watch others master the same
movement, and move on to something else, while you continue to struggle
and struggle and……….and finally something clicks. Then you celebrate!
This
process will repeat itself like a wave on a still pond. One day
you’re on the top, riding high and feeling great. The next you're
down in the trough struggling; wondering why you’re putting yourself
through the agony. But you’re stubborn. You’ve felt the
changes and your balance, coordination and walking is so much better.
As you walk you can actually look up off the ground and maintain your
stride as you feel the wind on your face instead of on the top of your
head. It’s wonderful. You’re attitude, ambitions and outlook
have all improved; and people have taken note.
And it’s about right here that it hits
you. You find that YOU have become the inspiration and motivation
for others.
Once again you’ll feel motivated, but this time it’s
different and much more powerful.
It’s contagious. I pray you become infected with it!
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