So far the data is telling me my "lows" fall on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. This is definitely different than when I first started this process back in 2017 where the scale lows consistently fell on Saturday & Sunday.
This is likely because my greatest cal burn of the week is on Tuesday when I do a 45 minute ride on the recumbent bike and usually burn up to 560-580 cals in a session. This is why I couch the highest calorie day of my weekly allotment on Wednesday.
Honestly, the morning after a 580 cal burn my cat starts looking tasty with some fava beans and chianti, LOL!
It's interesting to me that Friday morning is where I now hit the second low of the week. I usually couch weights on Thursday and back in the day often hit my highest weight of the week on a Friday, because of the inflammation.
Trust me, these glutes and shoulders can attest to putting in the work. But, I also find it absolutely fascinating that after weight day is now when this body feels the most limber and flexible.
And, no this was not the case 2 years ago. As one might expect, Friday was a "sore" stiff day. But, now lifting has the complete opposite effect. Even my right leg which is affected most by the MS with stiffness and spasticity is wayeeeee less stiff and I actually have increased sensation all the way down to my feet!!!
What is this madness! LOL - I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth.
But, is it possible...can it be...that strength training and weights somehow increase the intensity of those electrical pulses between brain and spinal cord that help increase mobility and optimum motor function???
Obviously, it didn't happen over night. But folks, the difference in mobility the day after weights is really nothing short of astounding. Sometimes, this MS'er feels like she's got brand new legs the day after or finally let loose from being captive in stone.
The data on MS and fitness is so pathetically paltry. MS society just came out with "fitness" guidelines for MS'ers based on our degree and brand of mobility impairment. Apparently, I fall under 150 minutes/week for both functional and active exercise.
Err...This body has surpassed that by leaps and bounds.
2.5 hours of exercise/week?
That's like one day of resistance training for this gal.
No wonder poor Vikki at St. Lukes rehab center confessed she and her apprentice were having difficulty finding exercises to keep this body engaged because it had already far exceeded what they thought it capable of doing.
Do you know not even 20 years ago, Neurologists actually told their MS patients to do the least amount of exercise possible because they thought it actually worsened the MS.
It's true, symptoms can intensify in what they call a "psuedo flare" but it has nothing to do with the actual condition progressing. New lesions do not all of sudden start popping out of the woodwork due to physical exercise in MS.
The symptoms worsen simply because of the damage done to the central nervous system from the lesions we already have. Kinda like when someone's pet has chewed on a phone charger and the wire is popping through. Expose that charger too intense heat or cold and it's likely not to conduct a charge to well and your phone's battery will have a hard time getting the juice it needs to function.
And, yes it really is that simple when it comes to the damage incurred by MS lesions.
But, put that chewed up phone charger in a temperate environment and it will likely charge that phone up just fine, depending on the damage of course. Sometimes, ya just have to get a new charger or pull out the duct tape.
or in an MS'ers case - put the dang AC or fan on :-)
I chose a different route of course. Against, my neurologists suggestions I said, "To hell with cooling vests and fans...I'm leaning in." I subjected this body to 90 degree days with 20 lb weighted vests and subzero temps and cold showers, because I had already come to understand what apparently they don't teach folks in med school.
The brain and central nervous system are incredibly elastic. It can adapt and develop workarounds and actually carve out new neural pathways to get the job done.
It may take some time and the adaptation may not live up to the standard of "normal" the medical industry has drummed up, but apparently this body's adaptations were enough to challenge the knowledge, skills, and abilities of one of the most vetted MS physical therapists at St. Lukes rehab :-)
So, Imma keep going because so far, this body has proved to be a better trainer, coach, and rehabber when it comes to managing this condition than any specialist or PT thats been thrown its way.
And, if weights are what this body needs to feel limber and flexible - than weights it will have! :-)
If you can believe it, they just started doing research on the impact of fitness on MS patients about 5 years ago, so these new exercise standards are just a beginning and I am thankful they are now prescribing fitness be just as much a part of MS treatment as Big Pharma's experimental drugs.
It's a start...
However, I am down on my numb knees thankful on all that is holy I kept going and continued to do my own thing based on what this body reveals to me its capable of and from what I learned from my years studying brain theory.
That Grad degree came in good for something lemme tell ya!
Anyhow, time for breakfast! It's protein pancake day with taters! One of my favorites!
Have a blessed day, everyone!
P.S. Did you know butterflies are one of the few insects in the world that go through near complete cellular disintegration with just a few cells left over to help organize and transform their physical material so they can emerge from their cocoons as the beautiful spectacular creatures we know them to be.
