Wednesday, April 10, 2013

My newest obsession: spinning

I know it has been some time since I last wrote a blog entry. My boyfriend of nearly five years proposed around my birthday last May 2012 and we were married March 16, 2013. It has been a busy year with a lot of changes like a new job and planning the wedding so time has slipped away. My condition has remained about the same but I do notice that my leg is slightly larger than it used to be which probably means that I need to revisit physical therapy. One big change that I have made within the last several months is my obsession with spinning. One of the women that I’ve met over the years through Lymphedema sites told me how she enjoyed cycling and was improving her Lymphedema. I live in Chicago and am also horrendously klutzy so being on a bicycle in the streets of Chicago sounded like a death sentence. I opted for the safer gym version of spinning. Running had and still is, too painful for me. Many women with Lymphedema can jog and enjoy it so don't hesitate to give it a shot but unfortunately, I have to quit running. My leg would get very swollen and painful after running and I was having more hip pain than with just walking. That's when I decided to give spinning a shot. I started going to one particular instructor who is gifted in instructing a spinning class and plays great music like deadmau5. The workout is much more challenging than my typical elliptical routine. My body quickly got back into shape and in better shape going to spinning 3 times a week than doing the elliptical for 5. The classes are intense and past paced so you don’t feel like you’ve been working out for a long time. I also have noticed that my hip pain is nothing like it used to be. I still have flare ups but nothing like the pain I had when I was jogging. The various positions of spinning are likely what’s ideal for our legs. In spinning positions 2 and 3, you are raised up from the seat which allows for more lymph circulation than in the seated position. Another wonderful aspect about spinning classes is that you control the resistance and speed. If you start feeling pain or like your Lymphedema leg can’t keep up, you can keep the resistance low and go at a slower pace. Like always, please remember that while you are strong, you also have Lymphedema. There are good days and bad. Sometimes will be more challenging than others. Some spin classes I feel like I don’t have Lymphedema and others, my leg finds too exhausting. Just be careful with any exercise and adjust to what your leg is telling you.

5 comments:

KimberlyK said...

So good to hear from you again. And on a positive note!!! Congratulations on your marriage and your new found love of spinning. Glad you came back to write. Hope to hear more from you.

KimberlyK

Anonymous said...

Oh, Congratulations on your marriage Lindsay! Actually I just got married myself:) And so very much into biking with my husband.. It is very hard though but I try my best and it always feels much better after some exercises!
I hope you all girls are doing great and dont lose hope!
Stay Positive:)

runnermom said...

So glad you're back at your blog! Congrats on your recent marriage! -Angela

Helenmarie E said...

I am new to Lymphedema, just diagnosed in the last week after 2 years of guesses and other surgeries. I too have it in the hip and right leg. It is good to know there are positive things to do. Thank you for your blog, it gives me hope. Helenmarie E

Anonymous said...

Hello. Thank you for your blog. You can read my story on an interesting blog
http://lymphnodetransplant.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/primary-lymphedema-jessicas-story/

The author of the blog has, unlike we, secondary le and she had the lymph node transfer surgery done.
I am very much interesting in this surgery too, but since it is not much used on primary le, i am still holding back....
Your story looks similar to mine, and I guess to all off those primary lymphies.. I was lucky to get diagnosed already 10 years ago... but still I found many many stupid doctors! It is hard to believe that even in 2009 you had troubles finding doctors who could give you proper diagnose.. Primary le occurs in 1/6000 people! So in a football venue there are already 10 .... This is not soooo uncommon as doctors want you to believe, so you could feel like a freak, and they do not have to be ashamed for there ignorance. But they should!