Making Your Own Rules

I love books that inspire and encourage me on my goals of well-being. That is what Tara Stiles book “Making your own Rules Diet” has done. Inspire and encourage me to continue on what healthy feels like for me. As I wrote yesterday in my post “Starting Where I am at”. I realize that I don’t need to compare myself to others in my life when it concerns nutrition and fitness. I realize our bodies are different. Our issues with our bodies are different. For me, I live with a trach. So vigorously working out will not work for me because of the fact I don’t get oxygen the same way others do. I was born with an unusually small trachea and it has been even made smaller with my size 5 trach tube. Consider this, a normal healthy trachea is between 12MM and 14MM. Right now mine is a 5. That is more than half the size of a healthy one. So of course my breathing and what I can do is going to be different. Despite this I have not given up or thrown in the towel. I have come close because I am frustrated. Also my joints are not happy if I do a lot of cardio, especially for 45 minutes. I understand cardio is important. I just haven’t figured out the cardio that will serve my weight loss and keep me from losing oxygen. In the past before I figured out and accepted about my trachea issues. I used to measure my oxygen with my oximeter and I always had lower oxygen levels. Sometimes even in the 80’s.  I know that when I do the stretching exercises and even the sit to stands that my Physical therapist has given me my joints don’t hurt. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but I know it is something I have to accept. So what Stiles is saying is making my own rules for my own well-being. Forget about the hype from personal trainers who are not in your body. Yes, they have knowledge, but you ultimately have the power to know your body and how you handle movement and even food.  I am also with Stiles that the pain equals gain motto that many in the personal fitness area live by is wrong. Pain doesn’t always mean gain at all. It can mean you are hurting yourself. I have to admit that I am guilty of not listening to my body. I work myself up to I am in so much pain it takes me days to get better. Not listening has caused me some issues. That is funny. I am a listener to others, but I have a hard time listening to my own body.  I also hate feeling guilty and ashamed because I cannot measure up to what a personal trainer or individuals on my Facebook page or friends can do physically. Just to share. I have some amazing friends who have supported me on my journey through Vasculitis and my trachea dilemma. So I am not knocking them from achieving their own goals of well-being. It is my own monster mind that is hindering me. I know it is something I have to face and kick in the ass before I just give up. I wish I could talk to personal trainers or train them about how to approach those with joint issues or trachea issues about moving their bodies and how to achieve getting stronger. I am praying that I can find a trainer that will be willing to learn with me as I travel this road. I know I am an unusual case and I know that personal trainers, as well, as others have no experience dealing with trachea issues and health issues like mine. I sometimes feel like I am flying by the seat of my pants and I hate that. I am blessed that my ENT is one of those doctors who have not told me to thrown in the towel. I know God sent him.

That being said. There is one section of Stiles book where she asks her readers “Does it serve you?” She means by this question does the habit or choice you are making serve the ultimate goal of health or other goals. I am still digesting my answer to this question. I have a feeling this is one of those questions that I am going to continually ask myself. Not only for my being well goals, but the many other goals I have in my life. Though I am not going to be a vegan, I know that much. I still enjoyed this book and the fact that she shows some great yoga moves that I can incorporate into my morning movement routines. This is only after I get into the habit of doing the stretching exercises that my PT Therapist has given me. There are several moves that I know will work well for me and my joints. There are many possess that I know I am not able to do at this moment of time. Who knows I might be able to do them at a later time. I can hope. I can work towards them. Check out her website if you can’t get her book. She also has a YouTube channel for yoga movements. Also, I have not tried meditation. But she has several in her book that work on anxiety and stress. I’m thinking about it. Because in the bible it says meditate on his word, so I am contemplating what that will look like to help me reduce the stress and anxieties I feel in my life. As you can see I got a lot out of this book. It came just at the right time for me. Check it out or at least check out her website. The sad part is I almost skipped the opportunity to read this delightful book. Because I had made a decision to not read anymore diet books. Reading them made me feel less of a person because of my health and my abilities. This one did not make me feel that way. That is why I love it.