We are told that being fit and healthy means never having pain, injury, or issues, and therefore, we expect this from our bodies. For some, this may be true, although in my experience, I have never met someone without any injuries, pain, or physical challenges!
Chronic conditions like Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS), hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), chronic pain, migraines, arthritis, gastrointestinal irritation, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and others cause many challenges and make the reality of never having physical issues even more unattainable.
While we are unlikely to ever achieve a constant state of feeling AMAZING, we can build resilience and improve strength. However, when the image of healthy and happy is a person without injuries, pain, or challenges, how do we know when we’ve made it, and what does it realistically look like to build more capacity and see improvements in our health? Essentially, how do we know that we are going in the right direction?
Something ALWAYS Seems to Happen
Chronic pain, hypermobility, and chronic health conditions cause a variety of challenges in daily life. Many struggle with compromised immune systems and/or sensitivities that cause debilitating reactions, causing issues to arise, small or big, due to a combination of factors, many of which are out of our control. The sensation is that something ALWAYS seems to come up, and that we are always in a cycle of issues, which is, naturally, frustrating! Especially when we think what our health “should” look like is never feeling unwell.
In truth, chronic conditions do cause more symptoms and health challenges, increased sensitivity and require closer monitoring. For example, hypermobility causes joint instability, which increases sensitivity around movement- and lack of movement- in a manner that affects daily life and increases the risk of injury. This means that without careful consideration, daily life can become problematic. Additionally, factors that are out of our control, such as reactions to environmental factors, needing to sit on hard bleachers or riding in an uncomfortable car, often have more severe consequences.
Resetting “The Goal”
While chronic conditions increase the risk of pain, injuries, and other challenges, the first step to seeing progress is resetting our goal. The goal of a life without pain, injuries, and/or challenges is not only unrealistic, but it also sets us up for constant disappointment, primarily in ourselves for being unable to achieve it.
So, what is the goal?
Goals are highly individual. However, the reframe that I find helpful is twofold.
- To have a set of tools to better manage health challenges that are out of our control.
- To have a set of habits in our lifestyle to build improved capacity to support our bodies to be more capable in a manner that has value for us.
These indicate that the goal is not picture-perfect health, but the tools to manage what is not under our control, while building and supporting our health to meet our other goals.
Seeing Improvement
Due to increased sensitivity and a higher risk of injuries, chronic conditions cause issues to arise more frequently. Small injuries, gastrointestinal upsets, and health problems make it difficult to know if your health habits are helping. Indications that your health habits are helping you build strength and improve your health are, therefore, more difficult to spot.
Bouncing Back
One of the primary indications that you are improving is your ability to bounce back. For example, if you sit in a car or a chair that causes discomfort, how long does it take for your body to get back to being functional- partial or full functionality?
Commonly, individuals with a chronic condition experience a simple and small upset in the body, that quickly escalates into a multiple-month-long or years-long process of recovery. The ability to bounce back or come back after a small issue is a significant sign of improvement!
Increased Capacity- Even in Small Doses!
Chronic conditions cause many challenges in daily life, and it is common to experience difficulty with daily tasks such as standing while cooking, cleaning, or being able to walk around the grocery store.
When we look at capacity, in accordance with the fitness industry, we are made to think that being capable is the ability to deadlift 500 lbs, run a marathon, or complete an Ironman. However, I would challenge you to look at capacity on a small scale and notice changes that occur when you build health and fitness habits that support your life.
For example, if you were unable to go up and down stairs without pain, and now you are- that is improvement! Being able to cook, clean, or do other household projects without significant issues, when you were unable to do so before, is improvement.
Decreased Pain & Discomfort
One of the primary issues with chronic pain and chronic conditions is pain and discomfort which can be a result of lack of joint stability or sensitivy related to MCAS or other conditions.
Ideally, healthy and helpful habits and strength programs help to decrease pain and discomfort. You will notice that I did not say get rid of completely, as for many people, pain and discomfort will always be a part of life. However, with the right program and tools, it can be improved, making daily life far more enjoyable!
Forgetting About Old Worries
I find that humans have very short memories in many ways, which is sometimes a wonderful thing! A marker that your health and fitness plan is helping is that you start to forget about old worries. For example, if you had chronic hip pain and you were constantly thinking about how you sat down, as it decreases, you will start to not notice or consider how you sit. This is an indication that things are improving!
Finding the Right Plan For You
A health and fitness plan that is right for you will facilitate improvement in your health and wellness, both by providing you with tools to better manage flares and injuries and helping you build capacity. This requires us to let go of perfection, the image of never having pain, injury, or discomfort, and start to open our eyes to see the small shifts that improve our quality of life.
Ready to build strength that supports your life and takes your unique physical challenges into consideration? Sign up for a complimentary consultation with Chelsea today!