Today, I hit 50 rides at CycleBar and I am both incredibly happy and proud of how far I have come. For those of you who don't know, CycleBar is a franchise that offers many different indoor cycling/spin classes ranging from 30-45 minute rides. They are all rhythm based rides with arm weights, choreography and of course stretching at the end which all makes them really fun to go to.
I started CycleBar about 5 months ago after much hesitation. I was worried about being able to maintain my weight, as well as worried that my stomach pain would come back. I had finally just been able to maintain the weight I was at and after over a year of being pain free, the last thing I wanted was that to flare up again. But, after just a couple of classes I was able to figure out how and what to eat/drink prior to the classes (in order to not cramp), as well as what time of day my body likes to exercise. Those have made a world of difference.
I have found that exercising in the morning due to having gastroparesis, has made exercising actually possible. Having a light snack/breakfast and allowing about an hour or so to digest, then exercising (instead of doing so in the evening when an entire days worth of food still processing), is most likely best at least for myself. I have also found that I have gained muscle weight in my legs and arms which has both made me gain weight and feel good about my body.
What about fatigue? I understand so many of us are chronically drained energy wise. It took me about 8 months before I could walk more than a block down the street without stopping in pain or pure exhaustion... but I promise the more you work on your health, the better you will get. I started with small walks around the block. They then turned into 1-2 mile walks a day, then I got myself a trainer and we focused on building arm muscle, and now I am doing both weights and cycling. This has all taken place in the last 10-12 months.
What got you started?
There are two reasons that really got my butt into gear and actually attend a cycle class: 1) Moving to Canada, and 2) Dempsey Marks.
1) Most of you who know me personally or follow along my Instagram, will know that I am moving to Canada a week from tomorrow! Crazy how times flies. I am moving to attend a Naturopathic medical school where I will be for the next 4 years! A big part of wanting to attend CycleBar specifically was because there was one in Toronto where I will be moving to. I wanted there to be a sense of community or "home" feeling when I got there.
2) For those who don't know who Dempsey Marks is, I came across and article on her months ago, her website is linked here: https://dempsey-marks.squarespace.com/about She has/had Gastroparesis and she pretty much exercised her way out of it. I will leave you to read up on it if you'd like, but I can honestly now testify to the power that exercise has had on my own GP. I am not saying that exercise will cure you, but I do think it can drastically improve your symptoms and give you some hope.
We all know exercise is great for both our physical and mental health, and Gastroparesis wise it's helpful to consider the effects it can have on strengthening stomach muscles to help aid digestion. Mentally, it has also allowed me to feel better about my body; stronger, less scrawny, more confident. I feel like for the first time in 2 years I can actually do something.
Why cycle classes specifically?
Apart from wanting to do CycleBar because there was one in Toronto, I really chose cycling on a whim. I have never thought of myself as a runner (it doesn't look appealing to me in the slightest), and cycling is both great for your knees as it is your cardiovascular system. To be honest, I wasn't expecting to enjoy cycling as much as I do now but I think CycleBar has just the right amount of hardcore exercise as it does fun.
Have your symptoms decreased?
Since February when I started, I can definitely say my GP symptoms have decreased, as well as my Hashimoto's antibodies, pretty significantly. Do I think they have improved solely because I have exercised? Not entirely, but I know exercise has really helped me with them. I have been able to reintroduce foods back into my diet more and faster than I was before, my pain has been minimal, my appetite has almost fully returned, my weight has increased, my hair has stopped falling out, my fatigue and mental clarity has improved and I have felt the best I have in years.
Getting out of your comfort zone and trying to exercise again is 100% worth it. If you find that a certain form of exercise doesn't do well with you or that you don't enjoy it, try something else. If anything finding the exercise that fits best with you will make you feel better about yourself, your body and you will have fun doing it.
Stay healthy,
Loreal
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