I too am guilty of this. My whole life I have been athletic and able to succeed in almost anything I attempted. I would get an ache or pain from one sport or the other and just shrug it off, positive it was just a pull or sprain, no need to worry. I took my health for granted.
Over the past year I had wanted to seriously get into Crossfit. Compete and be the best I could. I attended Regionals and got to watch Rich Froning compete in person! I had one of the best athletes I have ever known/met as my nutrition coach, Holly Mata. I have become really good friends with most amazing Crossfit couple ever, Jen and Sam Dancer. Went to Christmas Abbott's health seminar and was able to hear her life story from her own mouth. Life changing experiences, but none of them gave me the motivation I needed to get off my ass. Why? Because I wasn't the best at my box or anywhere close.
I hated that I was having trouble with what seemed to be easy for everyone else, squats. Why couldn't I do them? I put in some many extra hours working to only end in tears from being so pissed off. What was wrong with me? Out of frustration I found excuses to not wod. Then my slap in the face came.
Over the past few years I have been having problems with my right arm. It would get numb just from holding the blow dryer or putting on make up. I would just shake it off until it felt better and go on with my day. Over the past month it has gotten to where my arm is numb almost all day. It goes from really numb to almost barely numb. The other day I couldn't even hold my fork while eating a salad. So finally I went to the doctor. To put it simple, I have inflammation around my spine and my neck vertebras are deteriorating. I can no longer practice olympic lifting until we can figure how severe it is. There is a huge red mark across my face!
I'm not sure what happens now but I do know I have a huge support system around me. I am still able to condition, which I hate, but the more active I am the less likely it is to get worse. The biggest step I have taken since the news is this, writing about it. I come from a family that doesn't share medical news. Not unless it's serious and we need to spend time with someone to say our good byes. Over the years I have learned to not take people for granted by accident. I learned about my dad and his many heat strokes during the summer months to only call during one of his ER visits. Man, was that another huge slap in the face. I guess we just don't want to worry the ones we love. It's just the way I grew up. But at times like this, it's the loved ones we need to inform and lean on. I have learned it's not a weakness to admit you need their support and prayers.
That being said, every day we wake up is a gift. Kiss your babies and hold them tight. Call your loved ones when you think about them. Hear their voice, don't just send a text. Run that 5k you have always wanted to run. Who cares if your not the fastest or the best. At least you lived that day and fulfilled your wants/dreams. We only have one life to live, make the best of it.
Holly Mata and I at the MAC competition.
Rich Froning and I at the Crossfit Regionals.
Christmas Abbott and I in Dallas, TX.
