My Own "Caregiver Walk"

No, this isn't about the upcoming WALK MS...although if you haven't signed up to participate or made a donation, there's still time for you to step up and take care of that right now.

This is about a whole different kind of a walk that I've decided to undertake.  Most of us have heard that part of caregiving is remembering to take care of the caregiver.  And it's difficult to manage your caregiving duties while you are dealing with your own health issues.  But that's where we caregivers, as a group, seem to have a problem.  Because study after study support the observation that caregivers generally don't do a very good job of taking care of their own health issues.  And that includes me.

I'm overweight.  It's not a new situation, but it's a worsening situation.  And as I grow older (currently holding steady at 53) it becomes a situation too important to ignore.  Why am I gaining weight?  Well, there are 2 popular theories that may be at work here.  Theory #1 hypothesizes that because I typically face a reduced set of "options" in life due to my caregiving duties, when I do have options I make the most of them and overindulge.  Food is one of those areas of life where I can still exercise full control -- so I tend to choose more than I should.  Theory #2 is simple -- I don't make time to exercise.  Coupled with Theory #1, we have a popular formula for poor health now or in the future. 

I've decided to try to do something about all of this because proactiely solving my own potential health problems is a positive step for me and for Jeanne.  After all, I won't be much of a caregiver if I'm not around to provide care, right?  And so...I'm going to start walking.  I have few excuses -- we live in Southern California, so it's not as if there's a foot of snow outside my door.  Actually, we live right at the beach, with a park on the other side of the street.  Enough walking options?  I think so.

I've bought my pedometer, and I'm going to start pressing it into daily service as of today.  I'm also going to begin making smarter food choices.  Nothing incredibly drastic at first.  Just a few steps in a healthier direction.  You'll be along for the virtual ride here, as I report in on my progress.  And if anyone cares to add their own words of wisdom or encouragement, you're welcome to.  I can definitely use all the support that I can get!

If you are a caregiver and, like the majority of caregivers, you are overlooking your own health and exercise needs, feel free to join me in this effort.  It has a multitude of benefits, but perhaps the most important benefit is in just knowing that you're going to be there to continue providing care for that special person in your life.

Comments

[squiffy]

Carnival of MS Bloggers and the launch of a unique and inclusive Global Multiple Sclerosis Community

Hi,

I came across your blog via the Carnival Of MS Bloggers, I am Squiffy of Squiffy's House of Fun, on the list ;O)

You may be interested to hear about a new, unique and inclusive Global Multiple Sclerosis Community providing not only up to date MS News and Stories, but a place where those affected by Multiple Sclerosis can communicate with others affected by the disease, and the wider public, by means of Online Blogs, Discussion Forums and Net-based social interaction, which the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre launched onth March 6th in collaboration with cre8Buzz.

Why not come and have a look, there are already some established MS bloggers signed up, and maybe join in, it is a great way to promote your blogs etc.

http://www.cre8buzz.com/multiple_sclerosis

squiffs ;O)

[Lisa Emrich]

Hi, I apologize for the 'form' letter but it is the easiest way to pass word most quickly.

I am thrilled with the response to the MS Blogger project started at my blog, Brass and Ivory. I appreciate all those who took time to post about it on their blogs. I have discovered even more bloggers who have MS, whether they blog about the MS or not. A new listing is available at MS Blogger Community Project Revised.

Secondly, I'm looking for submissions for next week's Carnival of MS Bloggers. Information can be found at the end of each issue archived at Carnival of MS Bloggers. What I'm looking for this week are posts related to creativity. I discovered so many new bloggers who quilt, or knit, or crochet, or write, or photograph, etc. Basically, what do you do to express yourself?

Thank you so much for participating.

Lisa Emrich

P.S. I also apologize for any increased 'spamming' of blog comments due to my growing linklist of bloggers with MS. For that I am sincerely sorry.

[Linda]

I can really identify with your discussion on weight gain as a result of caregiving. I gained 15 pounds in 8 months. I am sure it is a combination of not eating properly, not exercising, eating any sweets that were in the house to comfort myself, and the 3 hypothesis you left out is weight gain in the stomach due to the release of cortisol from stress. I too am starting to eat better and exercise. Good luck.

[Linda]

I can really identify with your discussion on weight gain as a result of caregiving. I gained 15 pounds in 8 months. I am sure it is a combination of not eating properly, not exercising, eating any sweets that were in the house to comfort myself, and the 3 hypothesis you left out is weight gain in the stomach due to the release of cortisol from stress. I too am starting to eat better and exercise. Good luck.

[Jeffrey F Knakal]

Although Rhea and I are not members of the MS Society, I wanted to comment on your earlier words, "Most of us have heard that part of caregiving is remembering to take care of the caregiver....... Because study after study support the observation that caregivers generally don't do a very good job of taking care of their own health issues." Yes, for most people this may be true but you have the power to change that and step above and beyond the norm. What I've come to realize is that just because I'm also a caregiver of somebody with MS doesn't mean that I have to deny myself a truly healthy lifestyle. I'm in a similar boat as you for I am a man who lives with a female life partner suffering from MS disability: A woman named Rhea. I feed her by hand every day and do EVERYTHING for her. She, like your wife, is completely disabled both physically and mentally with this disease but smiles ALL of the time and really does enjoy life.
I learned a long time ago that if I'm not healthy it would be totally impossible for me to be strong for my woman and to care for her responsibly. So my health has to come first - And so should yours. My name is Jeff. I am 44 years old and in excellent athletic condition. The fact that Rhea is confined to a wheelchair doesn't stop us from together living life fully and in a healthy way. Starting a decade ago, the daily cycle on most days for us is to get Rhea into her wheelchair and park her next to the pool where I swim a kilometer plus - 44 laps (88 pool lengths.) I also do 111 sit ups as well and often go on long walks with her! Rhea enjoys watching me do this and likes the environments of which we share together. Rhea cannot do a workout but I can and when I do it I tell myself that I'm doing it for both of us. So exercise is something I have pursued aggressively and for both of us it works. I have found that depression is a force in life that completely disappears when a healthy clean lifestyle is pursued. So I strongly urge you to find an exercise routine and recommend that you bring your wife along every time you do it.
In the Destiny Calls entry posted on March 12, 2008 you wrote, "And so I've decided once again to take advantage of the free hotel accommodations and make the trip to Las Vegas." Wonderful news! I would add that it might be a great idea to once again take your disabled partner along on this future vacation and then later write about it in this blog. (If you have not already done that in the past.) Last August Rhea and I went to Las Vegas. It was a challenge because we did not bring along our own wheelchair. I arranged to have a chair waiting for us at LAX and then in Vegas at both the airport and at the hotel where we stayed. The same arrangements for wheelchairs were also made on the return journey as well. We went through five chairs on that trip. As you may already be aware, Vegas has a great system in place for people like us. Rhea and I got a room designed for disabled individuals, stayed in Vegas for five days, gambled only $5.18, ate out everywhere, went to some shows, and had a stellar time. The point I'm making here is just because your partner has a disability doesn't mean that life has to become stagnant, toxic, or boring. It is very possible to embrace life in a positive and optimistic fashion. And never forget, you are NOT alone and may just have more power in your life than you ever realized.

[Cheap Jordan Shoes]

Recently, I came across your blog and have been reading together. I thought I would leave my first comment. I do not know what to say, but I like to read. Good blog. I will continue to visit this blog very frequently.