I’m doing a new program in the MS gym called standing strong. Yep has a lot to do with standing. I started phase 1 with my therapist. It had a lot of floor work as well as chair work. So I started integrating it with my previous program. I’m done with therapy but I really wanted to continue with this new program so I was determined to find something that I could make work without needing someone’s assistance to get me up. First decision I made was to start phase 2 of the program. Phase 1 has a lot of things to help release spasticity then exercise then a release then another exercise and I find it can go sometime slow. I didn’t want to be on the floor for that. Plus I really did complete phase 1 multiple times even if it wasn’t in that exact set order. So I moved to phase 2 knowing it was not going to be easy.

It certainly has NOT been easy but that is what I love about exercising. I love the challenge, I love sweating, I love when it gets hard, I love knowing I’m working, and I know I’m working in this phase. I’ve only done three days of this program and it is kicking my ass. This is the first time I haven’t been able to complete an exercise all the way through. I actually have to take a break. It’s broken out into three parts floor work chair and standing. The standing exercises are always last. I have to take that break before I can complete the standing exercises. That’s where I’ve been writing my blog.

Yesterday I wrote on the members board asking is it OK that I don’t complete all the way through? And most of the responses were of course, which I really know. Then there was one person that said if you’re fatiguing you really should stick with exercises that are chair orientated. Anyone that knows me and knows my perseverance and determination with MS knows that’s not something you say to me. I’ve been working out for a long time. I have adapted to every inch of the disability as it’s gotten worse. I’ve continued to challenge myself and not quit. I also know my body better than anybody. I know if I am pushing way to hard. I know she probably meant nothing by the comment and might even work but the gym and have to say a comment like that. However that, just fuel to my fire. I’m determined to get stronger and walk. I’m not in a rush. I know this phase might be a two week phase but for me is probably more like a 2 to 3 month please. It’s going to take me a long time to get to phase 3 because I have a lot of work to do and that’s fine. Doing the workouts consecutively is only part one of the areas I need to improve on. My glutes and hip flexors are very weak. These muscles will take a long time to build any strength.

I was so proud of myself once again kicking MS’s ass and taking names and then my MS reminded me that it has some names too. By MS symptoms reared its ugly head last night 15 minutes after my aid left. It’s such a shitty disease. It really just took all the wind out of my sails last night after I was on such a high. However I woke up this morning and started today’s phase 2 exercise program. I had to be on the floor to start and for the third day in a row, I got myself up to continue with the exercises. In my determination in figuring out how to do phase 2, I figured out how to get off the floor by myself. That is still a win And it has all to do with the exercises and programs and the work that I’ve been doing all this time keeping me strong. MS might have names but I’m still kicking ass.