Yes, I still go to the gym...
One of the single most frustrating things about chronic illness is that everyone seems to have an opinion. When was the last time you saw somebody in a cast being questioned about their broken leg? I think it must be an innate human default setting - problem X is caused by Y. Not sure of Y? Oh, it must be your fault.
Since January 2018 I have had eleven hospital admissions, three stays in intensive care and hundreds of sleepless nights and even sleepier days. When searching for the reason for my illness, passers by often reference the gym... I’m sorry, what? You think the gym is the reason I can’t breathe, why I am in this much pain, why I let everyone down time and time again? Are you f**king mental?!
So this post is for those people. You people. As a qualified personal trainer and nutritional therapist, here are just FIVE reasons I still go to the gym:
Drug therapy
Steroid medications have MAJOR effects on the metabolism of calcium, vitamin D and bone. I live with the extraordinarily high risk of developing osteoporosis. Over the past ten years, dozens of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have shown a direct and positive relationship between the effects of resistance training and bone density. Studies show that strength training over a period of time can help prevent bone loss - and may even help build new bone.
I am also in the red zone for developing diabetes. While my steroids help reduce inflammation and reduce pain, they can also significantly increase blood glucose levels. Steroids increase the liver’s release of glucose, and cause insulin resistance, which leads to insulin working less efficiently. Again, you guessed it! Exercise helps lower your blood glucose, blood pressure, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
The fitter I am, the fitter my lungs are
Exercise builds up lung strength and boosts the immune system. No, I can’t control the air I breathe, but I can control how much air capacity my lungs have, this is known as the maximal oxygen consumption or VO2 max. When I used to compete in triathlons, I registered an ‘elite’ VO2 max, because of this I have much better resistance to attacks simply because my lungs can function more efficiently.
In fact, my peak flow (a simple measurement of how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs) is far better than most non-asthmatic friends and family members!
I LOVE food (and wine)
I love to eat. Sadly for me, I am built to see the extra pastry I had this morning! Exercise helps me keep the weight off, having weighed in at nearly 15 stone a few years ago, I really do understand how important this is.
When I carry more weight, I get more breathlessness because of the extra weight on my chest, my inflammatory symptoms are worse. Weight loss in obese individuals with doctor-diagnosed asthma is associated with a 48%–100% remission of asthma symptoms and use of asthma medication. You do the math.
My mental health
My fiancée will vouch for this one.
If I don’t go to the gym, my steroid induced grump takes on scary new levels.
We often talk about the mind and body as though they are completely separate – but they aren't. The mind can’t function unless your body is working properly – but it also works the other way. The state of your mind affects your body. Studies show that exercise can treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressant medication—but without the side-effects, of course.
Exercise is a powerful depression and anxiety fighter for several reasons. Most importantly, it promotes all kinds of changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It also releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in your brain that energise your spirits and make you feel good.
Finally, exercise serves me as a distraction, it gives me some quiet time to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts. Time for me.
My mobility and independence
There have been countless occasions this year I have been physically unable to walk a few steps to go to the toilet. Being in this situation is one of the single least dignified states you can imagine. I will do anything to build a better, stronger and more mobile physical entity.
One of the biggest mistakes I see in the gym is getting too caught up in the aesthetic focus of fitness. Of course it’s great to look good, but not when it comes at the expense of more important physical attributes like health and mobility. Mobility refers to our ability to move freely without stress on the body. Mobility training improves the range of motion of our joints and muscles. Mobility training can alleviate aches and pains as well as improve our body awareness, posture and defence.