Stay Active

Years ago I had a cardiologist whose last two words he would say to me before leaving the room were “Stay Active”. I’m sure he said that to all his patients, but it was good advice. Bad things happen to your body when you live a sedentary lifestyle.

When I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, my mind was playing all kinds of tricks on me. Yes, I became tired when I did too much, but I found I was using that as an excuse to do as little as possible. I was becoming sedentary. I was allowing snowflakes to snowball. Just as you would imagine, I began to put on weight and I’m sure I was losing any muscle tone I had left.

In addition to Myasthenia Gravis, I also have some heart issues. When I mentioned to my cardiologist that I was beginning to put on weight and needed to exercise, he recommended I attend Cardiac Rehab at Thibodaux Regional Fitness Center.

Living in the Deep South isn’t conducive to getting a lot of exercise outdoors during the summer, especially if you have MG. The heat and humidity are unbearable. I often use the term “oppressive”. Being able to exercise in an air-conditioned facility sounded like a good idea, but I wasn’t sure how much it would cost and whether or not insurance would pay for any of it. I went down to the fitness center to find out.

The staff at Thibodaux Regional Fitness Center were very helpful. I learned my Medicare supplemental policy would pay for Cardiac Rehab if it was recommended by a doctor. Not only that, but the plan would also pay for a fitness membership provided I worked out at the facility at least 10 times per month. I contacted my cardiologist, and he was more than willing to prescribe Cardiac Rehab for me. Now I had no excuse.

I was a little hesitant at first. I knew I had to be careful about over-doing it due to my MG, but I also wanted to get the best workout I possibly could. There were six well-qualified members of the Cardiac Rehab Staff and each of those professionals were there to help. They not only were experts in cardiac rehabilitation, but each of them were also experts in making participants feel welcomed. They truly cared about you and watched over you as they guided you through a workout routine designed specifically for your individual level and abilities. They knew I had MG, so they started me on pieces of equipment that were well-suited for me. They also monitored each of the patients with an EKG. One day my unit apparently wasn’t functioning properly and they were immediately by my side, inquiring about how I was feeling, checking my blood pressure and testing to assure it was the unit and not me that was malfunctioning. They truly cared.

I spent eight weeks in Cardiac Rehab, going three days a week. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. It made me get up in the morning and go to the gym, something I hadn’t been great at doing since my hockey days. I met friends there (including my Cardiac Rehab Staff friends) and had numerous enjoyable discussions. I looked forward to going. And when my eight weeks were up and I rang the bell to announce my graduation from the program, I did so with a bit of sadness because I knew I would be missing all those wonderful people.

I developed a plan. Although I was no longer part of Cardiac Rehab, I was going to continue going to the fitness center under my membership. Although I would be in a different part of the facility, I was already in the habit of going, so why not just keep going? I continue to go to the fitness center on a regular basis and utilize similar pieces of equipment to the ones I was trained on during Cardiac Rehab.

So, what did I learn? I learned if I take my medications prior to going to the fitness center, I can get in a good workout despite my MG. More importantly, I learned I feel better when I work out regularly and I’m losing weight. I still get tired after my morning workouts, but afternoon naps help. Ironically, the excuse I was previously using for not exercising (MG) no longer held water. I found I could exercise. I could get into a routine. I could feel better. I could lose weight. I could make sure Myasthenia Gravis doesn’t get the best of me. I could fight it and feel better because I did. And so can you.

You don’t need Cardiac Rehab to stay active and get into shape; you just need determination. I think anyone with MG would benefit from staying active and a good fitness center will help you do that. Even if you’re already in a wheelchair, the experts at your fitness center can help you find exercises you can do to help prevent your lifestyle from making MG even worse. And if you’re mobile, you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel after a few weeks of exercising. Check with your medical insurance company. They might even pay for it.

I still run into many of the friends I made in Cardiac Rehab, including friends from that expert Cardiac Rehab Staff. When I do, they bring me joy. It was a blessing for me and getting into a good exercise routine can become a blessing for you.

Stay active.

My cardiologist was right. He never knew I would one day end up with Myasthenia Gravis, but his words of advice apply to everyone regardless of whether or not you have MG. Get out of the house. Go to a fitness Center. Let the experts show you what you can do. Make friends. Feel better. You’ll be thankful you did.

If we’re going to stay #MGStrong, then we need to keep our bodies, our minds and our spirits strong. We can do this.

I want to say a special “Thank You” to the Thibodaux Regional Fitness Center and all the fine people who work there. You’ve taught me I can stay active and love doing it.