Running the Race Against Lyme Disease

I walked into the Cherry Hill Clinic yesterday and before I could even see anyone, I heard, "Lisa, sit down and talk to me about what's going on." Dr. Molly wanted to hear all about my week before she blended my IV bag (aka my Lyme Juice).  She already knew about my fatigue, but I also shared with her my brain fog issues, back/neck pain, as well as the new joint pain. "You're going to feel great when I'm finished with you today!" she says.

Any of my fellow Lymies will agree with me, that when someone makes a statement like that, you're a bit skeptical. I haven't felt great in two years . . . . we'll see. So, I sat and chatted with other patients about what bring us to the Cherry Hill Clinic as my body was filled with Dr. Molly's special Lyme Juice. An hour later, I headed back to work at Cherry Hill Health & Racquet Club to finish up my day and #TRAINLIKEAGIRL with Liz.

I made my way back to Parisi, feeling a bit motivated and ready for a killer workout. Unfortunately, Liz was out sick (get better soon, Liz!). Back to my office I went, wondering what to do with all of this so-called energy I was going to have.

I texted my husband and asked him what he thought about going on a family jog later that night. He was skeptical. I always have good intentions . . . but that's usually all they are - intentions. But I don't know if it was that second cup of coffee or the Lyme Juice, but all of a sudden around 3:00 pm I was over come with energy. I flew through my work at the office, actually turned the radio up pretty loud in the car (it's usually on super quiet because of the constant headaches) and sang along to my favorite songs on the way home.

When I got into the house, I ran right up to hubby, gave him a hug and kick, then started launching round house kicks at him. Round house kicks are the true tell-tale sign that I'm feeling better! I'm a kickboxer! After dinner, I bounced on the trampoline with the kids for awhile (sticking my back tucks every time, I might add!) and then we did it . . .  we went for a family jog!

For our first family jog, my daughter suggested we leave the chihuahua at home, because there are always a lot of dogs at the park (he doesn't play well with others). So, I can't claim that I out-ran my dog, but I can brag that I totally out-ran my 9 year old daughter AND kept up with my 9 year old son on his bike! Thanks to Dr. Molly and my #TRAINLIKEAGIRL trainer Liz, I feeling amazing!

If you are struggling with any ailment, whether it's Lyme Disease, like me, Fibromyalgia, MS or even the every day stresses of life, don't let another day go by without doing something about it. Call Dr. Molly today for a free consultation and come into CHHRC for a free 21 Day pass - it's time to get back into the game! I'll race you to the top!

My Race to Beat Lyme Disease!

Three weeks into my Train Like A Girl program and I'm feeling really good! I had a bit of a roller coaster week with my energy and I even attempted to go for my first run (attempted - being the key word). I live just a few houses away from a trail that I used to run daily (pre-Lyme). Since my diagnosis I've attempted a few times to jog just a fraction of the trail, with varied results each time. This time I made it from my driveway to the beginning of the trail and was exhausted. You know you're off when your five pound chihuahua is pulling you to go faster!

Yesterday, during my workout Liz was asking about my energy level. When I told her about my pathetic attempt at a run, she encouraged me to keep trying and reminded me that walking is still a great option - along with bike riding. I think that'll be next. The kids are excited to have mom "back" and our family bike rides are something they've been looking forward to again!

Liz tortured me with more leg workouts and crazy medicine ball drills to engage my core. Just when I think I know what to expect, she switches things up on me! I'm definitely starting to see some definition coming back and my clothes are starting to feel the way they're supposed to! 

Like many girls, I've always struggled with my body image, obsessing over sizes, pounds, body fat percentages . . .  but there's something about this TRAIN LIKE A GIRL program that has changed me. We never focus on what the scale says, we never measured my waist to see if it's getting any smaller - it's just all about feeling strong. As a mom of four I need strength just to get through the day! And even on those days, when I feel emotionally weak and think I should just take the day off from training, I feel stronger and confident that no matter what life throws at me, I can beat it. Whether it's kids fighting in the car during the 45 minute ride home or the dirty clothes that are literally over-flowing in the laundry room,  I know I have the strength to tackle them (and with four kids, sometimes that's what it takes)!

Tomorrow I go for my Lyme Juice with Dr. Molly at the Cherry Hill Clinic. Thursdays are now my favorite day of the week, because I know that after my treatment I will be even more energized! In my future, I see a little chihuahua struggling to keep up with me, as I RUN past my kids on their bikes!

Fighting the Flare Up!

This was the first time I struggled even motivate myself to #TRAIN LIKE A GIRL. I had just finished my weekly treatment at Cherry Hill Clinic but instead of feeling energetic and inspired - I was whiny, mopey and sluggish. One of the things I've learned during my Lyme Fight is that when the Lyme bacteria and Co-infections are flaring up, my body rejects everything. Linda, my nurse at Cherry Hill Clinic, was having a tough time getting any of my veins to cooperate; the shots I'd been receiving for energy seemed to have zero effect this time; and when it was time to draw blood, my veins just stopped working. Linda said this is very common for Lyme patients when they're having a flare up. It's like our bodies are actually rebelling. 

This theme seemed to carry through to my workout as well. I was a little more sluggish than usual and although I feel the GOOD sore today, last night I was laid up for most of the night, unable to do things for myself. It was a bit discouraging, but this is a learning process. Just like anything else, I can't learn from the experience, if I don't try. 

Take away for today: The next time I have a Lyme flare up, I will take a break from training and allow my body to rest. 

Today, I'm still #fighting with headaches, arthritis pain, back pain (not the good kind) and exhaustion. But, this flare up is temporary . . . however,  what is is NOT temporary, is my will to #fight and win! That is permanent! 

So, no matter what you're dealing with today, decide for yourself if you're going to push forward and learn from it or if you're going to give up. If you're ready to push forward with me, come to CHHRC and we can #fight together! 

Tuesday, July 14th is FREE Guest Day at CHHRC! Come workout with a friend and you both have the chance to win $500! Check it out!

Are you uneven?

This week, I found out that my hips were uneven, my back was out of alignment and that I've never really worked on the BACK side of my body! I guess I've always focused on what I see in the mirror . . . my abs, my thighs, my arms - I thought I had done back and legs workouts before, but it wasn't until I worked with Liz earlier this week, that I realized I had never truly "engaged" those muscles before!

I felt a new sore this week, that I have NEVER felt. I have a weak lower back from an old gymnastics injury that I have just dealt with over the years. Even at my fittest/healthiest, I would still have to take breaks, while the family walked ahead of me down the boardwalk, because of the pain in my lower back.

I never realized how many different things attributed to this pain. After one back/legs workout with Liz, I started to feel those muscles strengthening and I felt a different pain in my back. Sure, I've had shooting pain up and down my back, achy lower back pain and even back labor - but I had never felt GOOD back pain! It was a beautiful thing. I guess 40 years late is better than never. 

I also never realized how important breathing is during your workout. I always thought it was just so you wouldn't pass out. I never realized how much it helps you to do the exercises CORRECTLY! Moves that seemed totally foreign to me, somehow became much more natural as I started to breathe the right way.

Take away points for today:
Slow down. Breath. And take a moment to weigh your life . . .  Are you uneven? Do you spend all of your time working, cleaning, doing yard work, taking care of others, studying? We all need to learn how to distribute our time evenly and dedicate more time on our health and fitness and less on that ever growing "To Do" list.

Start now, by taking advantage of CHHRC's FREE 21 Day Pass! Click here for details. Get even with me!

Fight Lyme: Like A Girl - DAY TWO

Day two:
Remember the other day I wrote about walking down the long hallway at CHHRC after my first #Train Like A Girl workout with jello legs? Well, the jello quickly turned into ooooh sooooo sore quads! But the good sore! The kind where you know that it was a RESULTS driven workout!

For day two, I had just finished my fourth IV treatment with Dr. Molly at the Cherry Hill Clinic. She had mixed up my treatment a bit and gave me an additional treatment for my fatigue. I asked her if it was okay for me to workout after my treatment and her response was, "ABSOLUTELY! I recommend it!" So, off I went!

Liz wanted to focus more on the upper body (thank goodness!) and continue to develop core and flexibility. My training partner today was Noelle Smith who plays Lacrosse at Trinity College. Needless to say, Noelle put me to shame not only with her increased weight in EVERY exercise, but she flew through the drills like a Pro! With each exercise, I started to feel a bit more comfortable with getting back into the fitness world. Muscles really do have memory!

I mentioned to Liz that I was nervous to push myself too hard during these workouts, because with Lyme Disease one of my biggest symptoms is DEBILITATING fatigue. Fatigue is a common word, doesn't mean much to anyone any more - but debilitating fatigue is when you physically can not perform your day to day functions. Over the past two years, doing simple tasks around the house would often result in me being laid up for days. So, when I'm 3/4 of the way through a rep, I had to ask myself if I should really push through it, risking bad form and a possible Lyme relapse, or do I just take a break. Well - there's a reason I'm working with a trainer, right?! She knows the answers to these questions! The program Liz has me doing requires lighter weights, with more reps (three - four) so that I can take those breaks. Not only does Liz have her Masters of Science in Exercise Science, she also was a five year, three season athlete that competed at Division 2 level! With her own experience with numerous injuries, she is extremely passionate about working with female athletes, specifically in the area of strength and technique to avoid those injuries!

Whether you're a collegiate athlete like Noelle or a plain old wife and mom of four like me, a strong core is very important. Liz has me doing several different exercises to strengthen my core. Here's me doing a Three Point Russian Twist. This is something you can do at home, in the office or at the gym:

Interested in trying this or any other exercises to get you back to the shape you want to be in? Try any of our CHHRC classes or Parisi Programs. No matter what fitness level - we have the right class for you!  Check out our website for more information!