As I write this article, yesterday I attended the memorial service of my friend’s 22-year-old son. I have to say, it was heartbreaking and hard to bear for many reasons. My friend Melinda has shown an amazing amount of strength throughout the time I’ve known her. Her son Jake was in a car accident in 2007 and left with a severe traumatic brain injury. He required 24-hour care for the rest of his life. Recently, he took a turn for the worse and sadly passed away after a long battle.
I met Melinda when I first moved to Rockwall a few years ago. I became a part of a group of ladies that went out together and it’s how I got to know some people in the area. Ironically Melinda and I, along with our friend Kim, had something more in common- we all had sons who had suffered traumatic brain injuries to different degrees. They were all different situations and very different outcomes, but I always felt like there was something that brought us together. Although I am deeply saddened by Jake’s passing, I have to say that Melinda is also very inspirational. Nobody can truly know what she is going through, or what she is dealing with, but anyone that has seen her as a mother knows that she was always there for Jake and kept pushing forward, doing what she felt was best for him, no matter what the sacrifice.
Looking at what Jake went through and what Melinda, as a parent, had experienced, it is humbling and puts most other situations into perspective. I won’t compare losing a child to anything else in the world, but I hope that in some way, their story will inspire you to overcome whatever obstacles you perceive to be in your way and to keep moving forward and pushing through.
Here are some tips for various setbacks that commonly throw people off track from their goals:
• A health issue- injury, severe illness or disease can really wreak havoc on a wellness program. Talk to your medical provider, most will encourage you to continue a healthy lifestyle, including a training program and good nutrition to help you through your recovery. If you break an arm, you can still work your legs. I learned after orthoscopic knee surgery many years ago that I would have recovered much better had I stayed active. I also gained over 20 pounds from my couch time and ice cream consumption because I felt bad. Hindsight is 20/20. If you are diagnosed with a disease, again, most medical providers will encourage you to continue eating well and exercising to help your body to fight the disease.
• Relationship ending- many times people will avoid the gym if they went there with an ex, or because their regular habits are changing, they allow that to change their fitness habits as well. Try to focus on yourself and give yourself extra self-care during a breakup and keep active going to the gym, your current Zumba class, or try something new.
• Depression- Although it may be hard to feel motivated when going through situational or chronic depression, exercise is proven to raise endorphin levels and lower the rate of depression. Exercise can also boost your self-esteem, helping with many symptoms of depression. Eating healthy also aid in managing and preventing depression, eating foods high in Omega 3s such and tuna and salmon, avocados as well as increasing Vitamin B and D, and amino acids all have been shown to help.
• Financial issues- Many places, like the YMCA, offer scholarships and other gyms offer some very low cost options, such as Express 24 Fitness, has memberships as low as $15 per month. Many classes offer a free first class or a week trial. Depending on the situation, there are also many workouts you can incorporate at home, outside, with a video or taking a recreation center, low cost class.
Liz Jones is the Wellness Coordinator for the City of Mesquite and a wellness professional in Rockwall, Mesquite, Wylie and surrounding areas. She is a writer, certified yoga instructor, personal trainer and wellness coach. She holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Strategic Management, with a graduate certificate in Ethics and Leadership. Her undergraduate studies included communication, business, writing, art, fitness, and dance. Liz Jones can be reached at: [email protected].