Moving It. When and How.

First, I am not a doctor.  I am not recommending any form of exercise.  Before you start an exercise program please consult your doctor.  On that note...

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis about 7-10 years ago.  I don't remember the exact date.  After the diagnosis and after starting Methotrexate, I was able to continue an exercise.  I was always warned about doing low impact exercises and lifting moderate weights...okay light weights. 

I made the decision to continue running because I loved doing triathlons.  My doctor would chastise me at every visit because I continued to run.  He wanted me to exercise but he wanted me to lift light weights and always mentioned doing crunches.

When I started lifting heavy, I continued to feel better to the point where I discontinued my medication.  I have been Methotrexate-free for 3 years.  So far so good.  I am not saying the two are related or that lifting heavy objects is good for everyone with RA or with any autoimmune disease.  What I am saying is that you need to keep moving.  You need to keep your joints active.  I would also say under the supervision of an MD and a knowledgeable trainer, people should test themselves a little.  Everyday health provided some exercise trends that they feel are good for people with RA.  I would also say they could be good for anyone with an autoimmune disease. 

http://www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/hot-exercise-trends-and-rheumatoid-arthritis/?xid=nl_EverydayHealthLivingWithRheumatoidArthritis_20140810#01

When I was first diagnosed with RA, I was traumatized.  Not necessarily about the condition but
what effect it would have on my running and general exercise routine.  I searched the internet for articles about those who had succeeded in maintaining and actually excelled as an athlete leaving me discouraged.  There were not many success stories out there.  That doesn't mean they didn't exist.  It meant that no one was talking. 

Here is the story of Britt Johnson, someone diagnosed with RA who is a runner or as described in the article...an athlete!

http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/the-hurt-blogger-how-i-became-a-runner-with-ra/?xid=nl_EverydayHealthLivingWithRheumatoidArthritis_20140810



You have to try, because you don’t know what’s possible.”—Britt Johnson  TWEET

HOT FUN IN THE SUMMER TIME

Well not really.  The title is deceiving.  I much prefer this

to this

Tonight, as I was eating another dinner of tomatoes from the garden I realized how much I love picking my dinner from the garden.  Not only is it fresh and delicious but a garden makes healthy eating much easier when you can go outside and pick tomatoes

peppers

eggplant

and some beautiful broccoli shown with the pickings of the morning

So although I am looking forward to snow and winter and football, I will miss fresh produce. 

And not everyone has space or the desire to garden.  A great alternative is visiting a Farmer's Market or joining a CSA.  I want local farming to grow and thrive...local just tastes better and I know
 where my food originated.  Check out the link for a great article on Farmer's Markets and CSAs.

http://pendexter.blogspot.com/2014/08/hot-fun-in-smmer-time.html

Great article!

FUNNY STORY

In the middle of the night I received the results of the first stage of DNA testing...I should probably tell me father the results before sharing here on the blog.

What a coincidence!  Write a blog, get results.  Apparently, there is still more testing to be done!

DNA TESTING

My travel to the Isle of Jersey was a magical time. The tour was organized by the Poindexter Descendants Association. What? Wait? Patti Pendexter...you are not a Poindexter. Well, maybe I am indirectly or even directly.

 The Poindexters have traced their lineage back to the Jersey. They've traced their descendant who immigrated from Jersey to Virginia. The family name on Jersey is Poingdestre. The thought is that the Poindexters immigrated to Virgina and the Pendexters to the New Hampshire/Maine area. But how will I know definitely. Well, the Poindexter Descendants association has set up family DNA testing...and my family is participating. Actually, it is my father who supplied his DNA for testing. This testing will hopefully determine the family connection to Jersey.

 What was most interesting from my visit is that Poingdestre descendants, link to a family or not, accepted you as one of their own. They wanted to share their family tree and history with you.

  Either way, as you know, I fell in love with Jersey. It is an island filled with activity and history and people who love their home.

The beauty of nature...

The history....

 

The glass church

 

 

One of the original family homes...

As you get older, maybe over 50, you take pleasure in knowing your beginnings.  When the DNA results are in, I will share more details.  I may even share the family tree. 

QUESTION????  HAVE YOU EXPLORED YOUR FAMILY HISTORY?  HOW ABOUT SHARING SOME DETAILS.

Overcoming...

It started on day about 9 years ago.  I had just finished my first triathlon.  The event was fun and exciting.  I was ready for more so I ditched my hybrid and went out an bought my road bike.  The bike I still ride today.  Subsequent to the race and buying the bike, I woke up one day with difficulty using my hands and difficulty walking.  This went on for several weeks.  It reached a pointed where I could not lift my arms overhead.  I even started using a cane.  Driving became difficult because I could no longer turn my head.  Anti-inflammatory medication did not alleviate the condition.  Research suggested that a vegetarian diet and IT WORKED!!!!!!!!  It also led me to creating these beautiful veggies.  This is today:
 

Health-wise I was now good to go.  I threw away the cane, put on my sneakers, re-invigorated my runnin and began training for a second tri.   

 

Don't exactly remember how or why but I became obsessed with doing the MS Ride to Provincetown.  It took me awhile to make the commitment because I do hate trying to raise money.   

 

During my training rides my hands started to become swollen and painful.  Eventually the pain spread to me hips and feet.  We were doing 45 to 75 miles in 90 degree weather.  I remember having to bail on one ride because my hands and feet could just no handle the ride.  I walked down Route 114 feeling bad for myself and guilty for deserting my training partner. 

 

Ultimately because of the weather, the Ride was cancelled.  The reality was I probably could not have done the Ride anyway.  My condition had significantly deteriorated.  I return to using a cane.  I couldn't open the front door most mornings and couldn't open a jar.  I struggled to get through each work day and came home just to sit on the couch.  Walking up and down the stairs was slow, prodding and took a very long time.  I had to will each foot to move to the next step.

 

In my mind the stairs in my house looked like this...

 

 

 

I will never forget those feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. 

 

Now imagine your child is fighting the battle to beat cancer...a much tougher battle than I was fighting.  Talk about a sense of helplessness and most things are out of your control. 

 

I am doing Reid's Ride because I am physically able to when once I couldn't.  More importantly I am riding to raise money for cancer research to replace helplessness with hope for a future.  Hope begins with research.  Research begins with finances. 

 

Please donate: 

 

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/PattiPendexter/2014_10th_Annual 

 

 What is the end of my story?  I was ultimately diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.  I took Methotrexate, a liver toxin, for 7 years.  I decided enough was enough and stopped.  Since that time, I have been mostly pain free.  I went back to triathlons and finally picking up heavy objects.

 

So on Sunday I will complete the 28 mile ride from Lynnfield to Gloucester.  Please donate. 



DEADLIFT PRs AND MAGICAL SHIRTS

I know I've said it before but I will say it again.  This shirt

makes personal records happen....even when you think it is going to be a bad day.  First, it is 8:00 AM and I haven't gone anywhere.  I am still sitting at home.  Finally I decided to start moving.

My right upper arm has been bothering me to the point where I couldn't lift it.  So I decided ninst4ead of the gym, I would take the bike out for a spin and see how the arm feels on the bike.  I will be riding 26 miles next Sunday for Reid's Ride.  So I pumped up the tires, started out on the road and the chain falls off.

The decision is made for me....off to the gym.  What happens.  I hit 1 200 pound deadlift for 2 reps.  I was trying for 3 but couldn't only raise it half way on the last rep.  I started at 165 for 3 reps and worked my way up.  200 pounds was accidently.  I thought I had put on 195 pounds.  Nope...200 pounds. 

The goal this summer was to hit 200.  Here we are July 12 and I did it.  Moving on to the next goal.

In all aspects of life achievement feels damn good.

Then I had coffee on the balcony overlooking the ocean with Dad and my stepmother Ann.  Another reminder how beautiful the ocean is and spending time with family.  You all know the Peep Man....

and Ann (She's the one on the right)

You would think I would remember to take pictures from the balcony!

GRACE

I know I have been MIA but I have been on the road and took some blogging time off.  Just a quick not to ask for your support.  I decided to do Reid's Ride this year despite the fact I have not been on the bike much this year.  At the moment she looks like she could use a little TLC.

GRACE and I thank you in advance for you $1, $2, $5, $10 or more donations.  I set my goal as $200.00 which is low.  I never underestimate how difficult it is for me to raise money.  Whatever I raise I will bike my butt off in support of adolescent cancer research.  Follow the link below.

Grace can't wait!

Here is my motivational speech and the link to donate.

For several years now I have wanted to do Reid's Ride. Reid Sacco was a young man who died of cancer at the young age of 20. He left his family way to soon. Reid's goal was to ride in a bike-a-thon to raise money for cancer research befo...re he died. Unfortunately he died before reaching this goal.

I am riding in honor and memory of family and friends who have been touched by cancer. I dedicate this ride to a friend fighting the battle right now. She is in my thoughts every day.

Please donate any amount that you can. Let me know if you are donating to honor or in memory of someone. The ride is 28 miles long. I will dedicate one mile to honor that person. They will be in my thoughts for that mile and I will add their name to my bike for that mile.

Thank you!!! If I post this message a lot, please understand. The bike-a-thon is July 20 which will be here before I know it.

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/PattiPendexter/2014_10th_Annual