What does ‘winning’ mean to you?

Everyone needs to have their own measure of what ‘winning’ means to them. ― Ken Sayles

Others might not be so impressed, but for me, balancing on a paddleboard in the open water was a huge win. Adding the extra motion of paddling - bending and extending the arms, using the water’s resistance to propel myself forward, all the while using my core and leg muscles to balance - and I felt like an Olympian!

6 years ago, I could barely stand on dry land. After taking a step or two, my legs were know to buckle underneath me. I couldn’t even sit for very long because of the severe lower back pain, intense pain that would send sciatica down one leg or the other.

My condition was infuriating and random. Every morning I woke up paralyzed with stiffness. I was only 34, but I would roll out of bed like a feeble 90-year-old woman. I couldn’t lift my legs to put on underwear or jeans. I couldn’t bend over to put on my shoes. I had to swivel my body in and out of the car. I quit Pilates, something I really loved and thought I might even become an instructor. There was a short period of time where I was completely immobile.

After an Ankylosing Spondylitis diagnosis, many doctors, medications, holistic advice, and years of trial and error to fix myself, I’m joyfully returning to a moderate activity level. I joined a gym, and I’m taking a few yoga and pilates classes a week. I’m swimming again, and doing a few rounds of the weight equipment when it feels right.

But, unlike before, when I had a “no pain, no gain” mentality, I’m going to heed the warnings in my body. If there is pain, I’d better rest and reassess.

Rest and reassess. This is winning to me.

Have you ever stepped away from an active life, and returned to it after a time? I’d love to hear your story.

💚Ali