LIPEDEMA FITNESS: Somatics

Saturday WOD at the dojo was about noticing areas in our bodies that need attention and slowly working them out.

I have been reading Fascial Fitness, which talks about practical exercises that help us stay flexible and mobile and pain free (wouldn’t that be nice). 

What I realized today in doing the ground work with coach, is that all of it sort of falls under Somatics.

Somatics is about a mind-body connection. Taking time to scan your body and listen to signals it sends (about areas of pain, discomfort, or imbalance, etc.) then with gentle movements and breath work easing into the edge of that discomfort and then back out into areas that feel stronger, and going into and out of each to knead it, massage it, coach says flossing it. Gently working out the discomfort to free up movement.

We did a lot of ground work, which can be very painful when you have lipedema (we have nodules in the effected areas that are painful to the touch, let alone applying pressure on kneeling or raising legs overhead while lying in the ground, etc.) , at one point it was so painful I couldn’t find the parts of my body that felt strong and at ease to counterbalance the areas that needed working on, it felt like my entire body was in pain. 

Thankfully we had a crash pad that gave me some relief, and I could then use my yoga strap to help raise my legs overhead - I typically do these movements in my bed, so I highly recommend that as an option.

At one point it felt like I sent my body through a press and all this congestion and stuffiness was left in my head. You can see the swelling in my face in the picture.

At another point during the class tears were running down my face. At first I was like what the heck is going on, but that is trauma I carry in my body being released. Our bodies are amazing tools, they let go even when we don’t know why or how. Letting the tears flow and not putting any guilt or shame on them is key, it is helping me heal, helping my body let go and make room for more healing. Mindfulness during body work is equally as important as breathing, and moving gently into position.

Another realization is once again, understanding my mind does not like going into places of vulnerability, I like (need) those things that make me feel strong, empowered, while living with a chronic condition like Lipedema, but I also have to be vulnerable sometimes in order to heal and move forward, letting go of what doesn’t serve my journey,

I look forward to exploring more with all this kind body work.

FUNCTIONAL FITNESS TRAINING FOR LIPEDEMA

FUNCTIONAL FITNESS for navigating our everyday lives includes training in fundamental movements.

FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENTS: Push, Pull, Squat, Lunge, Hinge, Rotation & Gait. All the stuff we do with coach every week.

When you see us lift and flip heavy items, like heavy bags and tractor tires, you may wonder why? 

It is because it trains us to be ready for real life. 

We learn proper form and techniques to protect our bodies under heavy loads.

We train with heavy bags, kettlebells, medicine balls, sand bags, Olympic bars, etc. so we can safely move heavy objects - like 50lb bags of ice melt.

I was reminded of this lesson yesterday when I had to carry that 50lb bag from the store to my car, from my car to the office, and from the office (in smaller quantities) up and down the ice moat that had developed around our office.

Navigating heavy objects across dangerous terrain = a very functional workout.

I was also reminded of all the agility work we do, ice has a way to remind you of just how agile one needs to be.

Feeling strong and grateful.

#lipedemafitness #lipedemastrong 

Living w/ Stage 3 Lipedema 2021 Lives

In 2021 Crystal from @cfitrevolution and I (Pattie) from @LipedemaFitness began talking about our Lipedema journeys, our self care routines, and some of the fears that come up while living (and aging) with late stage Lipedema, and decided if we were discussing these topics privately, others might also be interested, and have some of their own experiences to share.

In April we began with a live to share our personal stories, and where we were at, and what things we would be discussing, you can click here for the APRIL 2021 replay.

The following are the links to each month’s live, we are incredible grateful for the amazing guests we have had, and their generosity in ring their time, experience and education with us.

MAY 2021: Special Guest was Cara from @palegingerpear, who shared her surgery journey with us.

Cara has been sharing her surgery journey publicly on her Pale Ginger Pear Instagram page, and was so open to come on and share what that has been like with all of us.

Thank you Cara! 

Always so open and candid about what it has been like for her living with late stage Lipedema, and how surgery has changed her life.

JUNE 2021: Special Guest was Sarah from @born2lbfat, and for those that do not already know the amazing Sarah, she is a Lipedema, Lymphedema & WLS patient, and Healthcare & Insurance Advocate. The picture used in promotion of the live, shows her in DC where she was lobbying for the #lymphedematreatmentact 

Thank you Sarah! For sharing such great info. about Lipedema, Lymphedema and inclusivity with obesity, and helping make real change with all the work you do.

You, too, can get more involved - spreading awareness is so needed. If you don’t feel able to personally write, create awareness, share what others have created and educated you. You never know who you might help.

JULY 2021: Special Guest was Deb from @movewithdeb 

Deb is not only someone living with Lipedema, she is a Vodder trained Lymphatic Therapist, a CMT, and a Pain Recovery Coach who uses her training and vast experience to help people move more, and feel better, in their own bodies.

For quite some time now I have been a fan of her inspiring posts, which are always filled with such profound insight and caring towards healing, and helping us to heal ourselves. Thank you Deb!

AUGUST 2021: Special Guest was Crystal’s personal Physical Therapist, Kathy from @mcginty275.

Kathy is a Physical Therapist Assistant at John Hopkins Hospital in their Outpatient Rehabilitation Center. She strives to alleviate her patients suffering in the office, and provide useful resources for at home self care! 

She is certified as a Lymphedema, Lipedema, and Oncology Therapist and specializes in MyoFascial disorders and chronic pain. Thank you Kathy!

SEPTEMBER 2021: Special Guests were our coaches! Coach Mike Brooks from @leadfitness & Coach Bob Cornute from Sweatbox Fitness.

We had a zoom call prior to the go live, to let our coaches get to know each other, and it was no big surprise that they both shared similar beliefs on the importance of functional fitness, improving mobility and strength training.

It was a great (and fun) episode, thank you Coach Mike & Coach Bob!

OCTOBER 2021: Special Guest was Dr. Melissa Gallagher from @naturalhealthresources 

Dr. Gallagher taught us all about peri-menopausal & menopausal effects on Lipedema, what it means to be estrogen dominate, and some OTC suggestions to treat hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, etc.

Dr. Gallagher is so knowledgeable and caring towards her clients. She has a masters in Holistic Nutrition and a Doctorate of Naturopathy; Vodder trained certified Lymphedema therapist, and a Juzo Academy Educator. Thank you Dr. Gallagher!

NOVEMBER 2021: Special Guest was none other than Dr. Karen Herbst from @drkarenherbst 

Dr. Herbst is one of the most knowledgeable people on the conditions we live with, and she has been in our corner since before WE ourselves ever heard of Lipedema. We were incredibly grateful for this opportunity, and so thrilled to be able to share it with you live.

Incredible information about the changes to our bodies as our Lipedema advances (lobules, fibrosis, gait and mobility issues, etc.) was shared, a must rewatch episode! Thank you Dr. Herbst!

DECEMBER 2021: Special Guest Linda Anne Kahn from @lindaannekahn started our discussion into EMOTIONAL SIDE OF LIPEDEMA part of the series (which will continue into 2022). A very real, very un-talked about part of living with a chronic illness, like Lipedema.

Linda-Anne discussed self care for emotional healing, using techniques such as aromatherapy, breath work, mindfulness, and more!

Thank you Linda-Anne! You are always filled with so much light and love for our community.

Chrystal and I look forward to bringing you more topics in 2022! If you have any suggestions, let us know. Thank you to all those who tune in live, your questions add to how special these discussions are.

Reset, Restart, or Let it Ride

We have a saying in our house, “restart, don’t reset”. 

It is based on the less than ideal cable service we have, restarting the network is a regular occurrence.

But what’s the difference? 

Restarting is turning it off, and back on again, but resetting is erasing.

It got me thinking about that analogy in regards to self care treatments for my Lipedema.

Do you need to take a break from something you are trying for your Lipedema treatment? 

Then do it, power down that effort, and when you are ready turn it back on again.

Or do you need to reset what you are doing altogether? 

Do you need to let go of something, to let in something new?

Or maybe you have a routine that is working perfectly, and you need to let it ride?

It can be overwhelming, so looking at where you are in this very moment (it can change from day to day), is how we get the clues we need to know how to begin.