Welcome to this week’s edition of the Five Minute Friday link-up!
If you’re new, we’re especially glad that you’re here!
You can learn more about the link-up and how it works here.
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This week’s FMF writing prompt is: MAINTAIN
Setting my timer for five minutes, and . . . GO.
I haven’t shared much about this part of my story, but for the past few years, I’ve been dealing with bouts of unresolved chronic pain. I’ve had two surgeries in the past three years to try to resolve the issue, and only after the second surgery did I find a medication that seemed to relieve the pain. The only problem was: it caused significant weight gain. I don’t know why I’m sharing this publicly, but after I started the medication, I gained twenty pounds in nine months. I couldn’t stand it any more, so I stopped the medication. Within two weeks, my pain returned. I tried to stomach it for two months, but it became so debilitating I couldn’t even go to the grocery store or walk through Kohl’s to return an online order.
After two months, I relented and decided to go back on the medication. It took five weeks this time for it to kick in, but I’m happy to report that the pain has subsided. Now that I can move again, I’m determined to move my body more frequently in an effort to quell additional weight gain.
I (re)downloaded the Couch to 5K app on my phone and decided to get myself up and out the door in the mornings to walk/jog.
Much to my surprise, today was Day 6 of exercise since I started the plan eight days ago. Though I still catch myself stepping onto the scale each morning in hopes of a reduced number, I’ve come to terms with the fact that all of my efforts to exercise in combination with the side effects of the medication may balance out to stagnancy. And yet, it is worth it if the increased movement will help me maintain my current state and also (hopefully) aid in keeping future pain (or other issues) at bay.
Again, I don’t know why I’m sharing all of this now except perhaps to say this: sometimes I have high hopes and unreasonable expectations, but I’m learning that the opportunity to maintain is no small thing.
STOP.Â
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CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA
I know this is not a typical thing I would share in this community but since we’re all “word people,”
I thought I’d share anyway:
I’m selling customized wood panel wall art and would be honored to take your requests!
Panels are 10″ x 10″ and cost $19 each plus $6 shipping (U.S. mailing addresses only)
Your last name, Be still, Grace, He is able, Grateful, Trust,
Trust in the Lord, He is faithful . . . or any other word of your choice!
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Join the link-up with your own five-minute freewrite below, then visit your link-up neighbor to read their post and leave an encouraging comment:Â
Kate, sharing this, you’re a heroic inspiration.
She stepped out of the shadows,
a private world of pain
(where most remain, yeah, Heaven knows!)
to offer aid and gain
to those who labour on alone,
afraid to show a weakness,
stifling every tear and groan
to forge a life of bleakness.
But hark ye to our treasured Kate,
a woman of Psalm 31,
a woman whom the Lord made great,
a woman who reflects the Son
in each word that in grace she writes,
words that flame in Heaven’s lights.
Three minutes thirty, and we love you, Kate.
You are very kind, Andrew! I hesitated sharing for a number of reasons, foremost because my experience pales in comparison with countless others who have suffered so much more, including you! Grateful for your presence here.
Dear Kayte, Thank you for sharing your vulnerability, I know sometimes it’s hard to talk about. I live with several chronic illnesses, including chronic pain, trigeminal neuralgia, Fibromyalgia, “complicated” migraines and a few more. My pain is overtaking at times and functioning is really, really hard, and the fatigue can be relentless. I have began writing about chronic/invisible illness on my website. There aren’t that many there yet. Sometimes I hesitate. But then I got to thinking, Someone out there may need to hear my words, those “you too? I thought it was just me” words. And I may never know who my words touch, and thats okay, because God does. Then I am more relaxed and less anxious about writing.
Amen! Thank you for sharing, Paula. So sorry for your ongoing struggles as well.
Wow, Kate, my heart goes out to you. I’m such a wimp when it comes to pain and don’t deal well with it at all. I had such high hopes when I started physical therapy and sometimes wonder why I keep doing all the PT exercises that take such a chunk out of my day, but your statement “sometimes I have high hopes and unreasonable expectations, but I’m learning that the opportunity to maintain is no small thing” is a very timely answer.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Sandra! I hope you find some benefit from your PT!
Praying for you this morning, Kate. May God use this trial for your good and His glory and in ways that surprise and amaze you. Thanks for being an inspiration.
Thank you so much, Donna! That means a lot.
I thought addressing the crippling pain of arthritis in my knee by having it replaced would make it “easy” to lose weight, and I was wrong. It’s never easy! Maybe more doable, but not easy. But I’m starting to see it like you – maintaining the level of health and movement (and even weight) that I have now is still GOOD and I’m thankful. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing, and I’m praying for you!
So true, Kym! And thank you for taking the time to comment and pray!
its hard yes, to maintain weight in the face of things determined to help you put it on. My prayers for you in this struggle. FMF11
Thanks, Annette!
Kate,
So sorry to hear about your struggles. My husband struggled with weight for many years. He tried to exercise but it didn’t work on the weight. We found the Paleo diet most effective. Basically – no sugar, no wheat (gluten), lean meats and tons of veggies. (and fruit is okay in moderation). There are so many recipes on line. But after watching the movie FedUp, my husband said, “Oh, so a calorie is not a calorie.”
Praying for you, my friend.
Blessings
Janis