#moveyourbody
Doing what I can to not only stay physically healthy but mentally healthy with these daily home workouts. ✨
-
Realistically am I making gains like I would in the gym, probably not. What I am doing though is staying focused on holding myself accountable each and every day to move and stay fit!!
-
If you would like to show support, head over to @fitletix_clothing and use code “ErinMel10” at checkout!! (Link in the bio )
.
#dowhatyoucan #stayfit #moveyourbody #fit #fitness #fitfam #fitnessaddicted #homeworkouts #mindsetmatters #motivation #focused #quarantinelife #alphalete #fitletix (at Sacramento, California)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_QYg-UHAtF/?igshid=12dm8og4blavh
Post link
I’m that person that just took a selfie at the gym and I don’t care.
I moved into my building about a year ago during the pandemic with all amenities closed till last month. First day back. ♀️
.
.
.
#health #wellness #fitness #runhappy
#sheddingcovidpounds #moveyourbody #movement #runnershigh #gymrat #myhappyplace #redheadworkout (at Los Angeles, California)
https://www.instagram.com/p/COym5etrkTw/?igshid=1lh9pxd7zgv5z
Post link
day 580 : i quit my job 1 month ago today.
.
this is currently what many of my days look like, and i’m not mad about it.
.
quitting my job was the scariest decision i think i’ve ever made, and i went back and forth agonizing for months on end. in reality, i needed the experience/to prove myself that i COULD go back to work, but the effect on my personal wellness and recovery was never positive from the start.
.
i am confident i’ve made the right decision, both for my soul and for continued focus and dedication to all of this return in function and feeling i’m feeling and continue to get back. i am amazed and eternally grateful.
.
i’ve gone back to driving #uber and #lyft, but to counteract all of that sitting (wellness, come on people) i’ve become a grocery shopper for #instacart and #shipt. turns out, it’s kind of the perfect training tool i need right now??
.
sometimes i end up at 6-8 stores a day. legs are definitely feeling it, but i’m refining my walk and getting some fast paces in! plus, carrying groceries is like, peak function training - am i right #fitfam
.
doc says i really don’t need any more physical therapy, but i’m NOWHERE NEAR where i want to be! anyone have any ideas for something a step beyond personal training with a touch of neuro?? #help
.
that’s enough of an update for now. just doing my best every day, which sometimes isn’t that great, but hey - does it really even matter?
.
cheers friends. keep on keepin on
.
.
.
#spinalcordinjury
#rebuild
#scirecovery
#notimeforparalysis
#whatparalysis
#notalldisabilitiesarevisible
#paraplegiclife
#incompleteparaplegic
#bionicbadass
#lifeaftersci
#nothingisofflimits
#moveyourbody
#keeponkeepinon
#neverstopplaying
#justgottagetthroughit
#healingisnotlinear
#ambulatorywheelchairusersexist
#dothehardstuff
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bte0eOmhSvX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=m0tmx3cvc70k
Post link
day 520 : !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.
don’t tell my pt’s at @uptsm that i did tigerFIT or multiple instances of jump rope today…three weeks post knee surgery is enough, right?
.
my goal was just to clear the jump rope past one foot - almost fainted when i cleared BOTH after a few tries!
.
jumping has been my new obsession. every day gets better and better. cannot wait to get after those tuck jumps! #impatience
.
.
.
#whatparalysis
#tigerfit
#exerciseismedicine
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#incompleteparaplegic
#moveyourbody
#thecomebackisgreaterthanthesetback
#jumprope
#practicemakesprogress
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrGYcpzBVAs/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=k2ur88s5ir8y
Post link
day 508 : be. still. my. .
.
i’m usually a bit of a (ok, maybe more than a bit?). i’m pretty grinch-y during the holidays, and thanksgiving is just ughhhhvdjskxnrkdjdjd….
.
but i’ve found myself feeling an unexpected wave of gratitude the last few days for the short list of things going well right now.
.
i forgot my cane and parking tag galavanting through the carolinas yesterday. bless @timberland boots for allowing this paraplegic to feel confident over most terrain, especially big gravel like the kind i ate it on about a year and a half ago lol. #walkingparaplegic
.
i also walked up that big hill in the background, and felt really good about it?!?!
.
i’m thankful for this sunshine of a man that was a bright light at a very dark time in my life. thanks for being stubborn when i was pushing you away
.
thankful for two loving parents that came to me when traveling was just too much for me this year.
.
thankful for the best pup pup that could ever happen to a person with sci. or any person. lucy, i dont know what i’d do without your dragon noises and cute zoomies every day.
.
also the fact that you’re an obstacle course because you refuse to move from taking up the entire hallway every time i walk by. my dog is daily physical therapy.
.
in the past few weeks, something has happened to my legs. i got up from a regular height chair with no hands yesterday. also a low-ish toilet.
.
and about two weeks ago, the top half of my left leg like, came back. sort of like it walked back in from vacation and was like, “what’s up?” it’s the weirdest thing ever.
.
anyway, i don’t like wine, but i drank wine. and i’m getting better at drinking and walking.
.
.
.
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#timberlandboots
#paraplegic
#incompleteparaplegic
#thecomebackisgreaterthanthesetback
#whatparalysis
#moveyourbody
#depression
#mentalhealthawareness
#endthestigma
#movember
#moustache
#ambulatorywheelchairusersexist
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqko4V3hkwb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ghnaej9xvicb
Post link
day 487 : i didn’t think i’d have the spoons to vote…
.
going to a conference next week (wish me luck surviving socialization and movement non-stop for 4 days) and i won’t be in town to vote. my initial thought was ughhhhhhhh now i need to figure out how to vote another way. and honestly, that was too big of an obstacle for me to file for an absentee ballot - i know it would have been easy, don’t judge me…some things are just too much for me to want to handle
.
realized i could do an absentee in person and had an unexpected morning with free time so TADAAAAAA.
.
i did a thing. #smallvictory
.
.
.
#ivoted
#paraplegic
#ambulatorywheelchairusersexist
#spoons
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#moveyourbody
#dothething (at South Carolina)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bprrts0hRUl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1icptsnccf69
Post link
day 460 : kinda sorta getting better at doing the “normal” thing?!
.
trying to give up my hands from taking so much weight off (ahem, cheating) without just faceplanting. #comeonquads #getittogether
.
.
.
#disabledandcute
#relearningtowalk
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#incompleteparaplegic
#paralysissucks
#paralyzedlife
#robotlegs
#stairs
#exerciseismedicine
#moveyourbody
#thecomebackisstrongerthanthesetback
https://www.instagram.com/p/BokBq9iBfpa/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3xfjn2siqtzp
day 447 : let me tell you about how joltingly honored i am to have been included in this first-ever women’s empowerment and powerlifting event benefitting an organization near and dear to my heart, @smartfitgirls.
.
feeling the boom of #intersectionalfeminism and meeting some of the most powerful, badass, and confident women i have ever encountered has been beyond humbling.
.
i’ve been sick with worry the past few months thinking, how am i supposed to get in front of people and talk about this injury and my life. i’m in a dark place, paralysis is heavy, and what do i currently have to offer to help anyone.
.
but, as i’ve made #vulnerability my commitment, i went up there, spoke my truth, and didn’t fall on the stage
.
my soul is bursting with magic at seeing how amazing this event was and how impactful coming together to truly support one another can be.
.
@chrissy_chard and @smartfitgirls, thank you for letting me be a part of this revolution, and let this be my insta-official notice that i WILL be powerlifting at this event next year. even if i can only crush the 15-pound bar!
.
to every person i’ve met this weekend - i am grateful to know you and have heard your story. thanks for sharing your good juju with me.
.
.
.
#uniteforstrength
#womenempowerment
#strongishappy
#thefutureisinclusive
#thefutureisaccessible
#spinalcordinjuryrecovery
#sci
#wheelchairlife
#wheelie
#thecomebackisgreaterthanthesetback
#exerciseismedicine
#moveyourbody
#vulnerabilityisstrength
#healingisnotlinear
#ambulatorywheelchairusersexist
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoC-LzThXZe/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1p3g4zosf5lwp
Post link
day 437 : 24/7 frozen toes have quite the way of putting a damper on my spirits.
.
or maybe that’s the plethora of other issues plaguing my body currently.
.
one week post-surgery today. been mainly using the wheelchair to get around because i’m limping a bit and trying to give the knee a rest while not developing bad walking habits.
.
the soreness of suddenly starting pushing a wheelchair around a hilly and obstacle-ridden town is no joke. also loading the chair in and out of the car (you can just imagine onlookers’ faces, but i came across the hashtag #AmbulatoryWheelchairUsersExist yesterday so that’s neat). i typically stand and load it in the back, but because my legs aren’t very strong, i can’t squat and lift correctly, so my form suffers and it’s probably not the smartest move (shout-out to bestie for calling me out ). my muscles hate me.
.
started full-time at work today. been ramping up my hours the past 6 weeks, but i still felt like it has been hella fast and all of the things that were helping me through my day the past few months i no longer have the time or energy for.
.
which leads me to the hard lesson i’m coming to learn about how healing is not linear. i’ve become so disheartened at realizing that i’m in another depressive bout. it so totally and completely sucks to not feel good, to feel numb, to not want to do anything including drinking and eating.
.
i know this is not forever, so i just plan on riding it out, gracefully or not. not judging and being kind to yourself is really hard b-t-dubs.
.
there’s so much more in my head, but i’ll save that for another day. if you’ve read this far, please know i am thankful for you and that i’m ok, just going through a low spot. thanks for being here, friend.
.
oh, and have I mentioned that i’m tired of paralysis and it’s domino effects?
.
.
.
#rebuild
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#learningtowalkagain
#notimeforparalysis
#whatparalysis
#notalldisabilitiesarevisible
#paraplegiclife
#incompleteparaplegic
#thecomebackisstrongerthanthesetback
#brokenbody
#bionicbadass
#lifeaftersci
#nothingisofflimits
#exerciseismedicine
#moveyourbody
#takecareofyourbodyandyourbodywilltakecareofyou
#liveyourbestlife
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnpZGm4hGJv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dxqt5sbg5w0r
Post link
day 430 : didn’t think i’d be going under the knife again so soon.
.
having minor surgery done to my left knee where i’m missing a chunk of cartilage. it’s making my recovery very difficult because i’ve got bone on bone popping every time my knee flexes and extends.
.
feeling eh about all of this because i know it’s going to set me back a bit for a small while, but i just want them to FIX IT. i have paralysis to attend to. #fixitnow
.
.
.
#rebuild
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#learningtowalkagain
#notimeforparalysis
#whatparalysis
#notalldisabilitiesarevisible
#paraplegiclife
#incompleteparaplegic
#thecomebackisstrongerthanthesetback
#brokenbody
#bionicbadass
#lifeaftersci
#nothingisofflimits
#exerciseismedicine
#moveyourbody
#takecareofyourbodyandyourbodywilltakecareofyou
#liveyourbestlife
#craighospital
#chickswithsticks
#keeponkeepinon
#neverstopplaying
#justgottagetthroughit
#vulnerabilityisstrength
#disabledandcute
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnWFkUNhB-h/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1uly371caafmy
day 414 : missing my body a little bit (ok, a lotta bit) today.
.
return to work has been more difficult than i’ve given it space for. been go go go the past few weeks without really processing how i feel about it.
.
working at a college recreation center means you’re surrounded by fit and capable bodies that like to move and play and exert massive amounts of effort. and i’m reminded every moment that i don’t recognize or trust this new body. i try to be present and positive, but spinal cord injury is like a snapchat filter that never turns off and has dampened my flame a bit. sorry if i’ve been a downer lately (and i know i shouldn’t be apologizing for it, but still)
.
anyway. it’s not all darkness inside of me these days. my burpee is getting stronger every time i try it, and our brand new fitness facility inspired me to get on my head again. i guess bionic spine still works the same upside down.
.
.
.
#rebuild
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#learningtowalkagain
#notimeforparalysis
#whatparalysis
#notalldisabilitiesarevisible
#paraplegiclife
#incompleteparaplegic
#thecomebackisstrongerthanthesetback
#brokenbody
#bionicbadass
#lifeaftersci
#nothingisofflimits
#exerciseismedicine
#moveyourbody
#takecareofyourbodyandyourbodywilltakecareofyou
#liveyourbestlife
#craighospital
#chickswithsticks
#keeponkeepinon
#neverstopplaying
#justgottagetthroughit
#vulnerabilityisstrength
#disabledandcute (at Clemson University)
Post link
day 413 : oh hey everybody, i went to florida last weekend
.
learning to walk on a moving boat for the second time in my life.
.
thanks mom & dad for boat life that i am so grateful for it was one of the things that ran through my head most while using a wheelchair because i didn’t know how i was going to make it happen. it’s a struggle to get around now, but getting easier each time.
.
.
.
#rebuild
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#learningtowalkagain
#notimeforparalysis
#whatparalysis
#notalldisabilitiesarevisible
#paraplegiclife
#incompleteparaplegic
#thecomebackisstrongerthanthesetback
#brokenbody
#bionicbadass
#lifeaftersci
#nothingisofflimits
#exerciseismedicine
#moveyourbody
#takecareofyourbodyandyourbodywilltakecareofyou
#liveyourbestlife
#craighospital
#keeponkeepinon
#neverstopplaying
#justgottagetthroughit
#vulnerabilityisstrength
#disabledandcute
Post link
day 404 : it’s not if you fall, it’s when you fall right?
.
i fell at work. lol. good thing i work at a gym and my co-workers are beasts. @jenlynnrod you the real bionic mvp today.
.
.
.
#rebuild
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#learningtowalkagain
#notimeforparalysis
#whatparalysis
#notalldisabilitiesarevisible
#paraplegiclife
#incompleteparaplegic
#thecomebackisstrongerthanthesetback
#brokenbody
#bionicbadass
#lifeaftersci
#nothingisofflimits
#exerciseismedicine
#moveyourbody
#takecareofyourbodyandyourbodywilltakecareofyou
#liveyourbestlife
#craighospital
#chickswithsticks
#keeponkeepinon
#neverstopplaying
#justgottagetthroughit
#vulnerabilityisstrength
#disabledandcute
Post link
day 395 : this day has been a long time coming!
.
i remember being in the hospital and asking how long people tend to wait to return to work after spinal cord injury. shocker, everyone’s different, but they told me that some people wait 2 years. i literally couldn’t believe it and could not even imagine taking 6 months off.
.
13 months later, to the day, i’m finally back. and i felt like i needed every moment of each of those months before being alright to return. the mental struggle has been real, and most times harder than the physical. but i finally feel well enough to continue doing my life’s passion.
.
my office has been so incredibly supportive of me this past year, and i’m very grateful that they worked with me to get a more accessible office location, sit/stand desk, and a swivel chair with a lock on it. because those things are scary af.
.
super extra shout out to @vickicroberts for wearing your headbands & hightops shirt for my return and setting up my office so i wouldn’t want to crawl into a hole and hide after not touching these things for a year
.
from the bottom of my heart, #fikefam thanks for being so supportive this past year. i’m ready to keep making you proud of me!
.
.
.
#rebuild
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#learningtowalkagain
#notimeforparalysis
#whatparalysis
#notalldisabilitiesarevisible
#paraplegiclife
#incompleteparaplegic
#thecomebackisstrongerthanthesetback
#brokenbody
#bionicbadass
#lifeaftersci
#nothingisofflimits
#exerciseismedicine
#moveyourbody
#takecareofyourbodyandyourbodywilltakecareofyou
#liveyourbestlife
#craighospital
#chickswithsticks
#keeponkeepinon
#neverstopplaying
#justgottagetthroughit
#vulnerabilityisstrength
#disabledandcute (at Clemson University)
Post link
day 394 : here’s a compilation of some things i’ve been working on lately
.
any decent health professional would probably be concerned with me doing most of these things right now. Yolo, right?
.
vid 1️⃣ recap : psyching myself up to do what i’m about to do, my attempt at a jog because i have this overwhelming urge to run, little foot shuffle, mini squats, backwards monster walks, the best squats i’ve done in a year+, scaring the heck out of a pup while trying to jump without having something to grab if i fall, and my second day trying to do a modified burpee. [spoiler: i messed it up right away and don’t know how to hide my embarrassment]
.
vid 2️⃣ recap : massive struggles trying to fix myself, just giving up and showing you how i stand up now, and a real attempt at another burpee [i fell again lol], struggling, compensating, and YAY I FINALLY DID IT! #burpeesforever
.
#thegrindneverstops
#bettereveryday
.
.
.
#rebuild
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#learningtowalkagain
#notimeforparalysis
#whatparalysis
#notalldisabilitiesarevisible
#paraplegiclife
#incompleteparaplegic
#thecomebackisstrongerthanthesetback
#brokenbody
#bionicbadass
#lifeaftersci
#nothingisofflimits
#exerciseismedicine
#moveyourbody
#takecareofyourbodyandyourbodywilltakecareofyou
#liveyourbestlife
#craighospital
#chickswithsticks
#keeponkeepinon
#neverstopplaying
#justgottagetthroughit
#vulnerabilityisstrength
#disabledandcute
Post link
day 380 : soft blades of grass and beads of dew will forever be etched in my memory of physical feels.
.
i finally did it. i’ve been talking about attending a live yoga class for an incredibly long time. once again, mental blockage preventing me from going through with it.
.
a surprise encounter with an old student and soul sister this past weekend was just the i needed.
.
i love being outside and botanical gardens are my favorite. it was such a beautifully overcast morning and it was just what my body and soul needed.
.
these past few days have just been comedic (in the twilight zone sort of way). my favorite thing about yoga is being able to cut the crap out for a bit and bliss out by appreciating the heck out of the power and magic that make up our bodies. this was that for me today
.
.
.
#paralyzedyogi
#rebuild
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#learningtowalkagain
#notimeforparalysis
#whatparalysis
#notalldisabilitiesarevisible
#paraplegiclife
#incompleteparaplegic
#thecomebackisstrongerthanthesetback
#brokenbody
#bionicbadass
#lifeaftersci
#nothingisofflimits
#exerciseismedicine
#moveyourbody
#takecareofyourbodyandyourbodywilltakecareofyou
#liveyourbestlife
#craighospital
#chickswithsticks
#keeponkeepinon
#neverstopplaying
#justgottagetthroughit
#vulnerabilityisstrength (at South Carolina Botanical Garden)
Post link
day 374 : someone made this cake for me a year ago today.
.
#timehop has been simultaneously a bright light and a pot-stirrer the last 10 or so days. going through the pictures and feelings of those first few days has contributed to my #ptsd flaring up and a ton of “oh shit” moments that i haven’t had in a while.
.
nevertheless, what’s written on this cake could not be more true. regardless of how difficult this road has been, i wouldn’t trade it for ANYTHING.
.
.
.
#rebuild
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#learningtowalkagain
#notimeforparalysis
#whatparalysis
#notalldisabilitiesarevisible
#paraplegiclife
#incompleteparaplegic
#thecomebackisstrongerthanthesetback
#brokenbody
#bionicbadass
#lifeaftersci
#nothingisofflimits
#exerciseismedicine
#moveyourbody
#takecareofyourbodyandyourbodywilltakecareofyou
#liveyourbestlife
#craighospital
#chickswithsticks
#keeponkeepinon
#neverstopplaying
#justgottagetthroughit
#vulnerabilityisstrength
Post link
day 361 : bouncy chair coming through making me smile when i’m weighed down by bad feels today
.
a lot. is the only way i can describe where i’m at right now. paralysis is a lot for the brain to handle. if one more person tells me how great i’m doing, i might lose it.
.
it’s been almost-a-year of A WHOLE LOT. physically, i am fully aware of how damn lucky i am to be at this point 12 months post-injury. mentally, depression and listlessness is kicking back in. i assure you i’m here for the fight, but i’m not here for the sugar coating. as always, #paralysissucks
.
rough patches pass, as do all things. incredibly grateful for the people in my life right now. thanks work friends for letting me just cry.
.
.
.
#justgottagetthrough
#keeponkeepinon
#neverstopplaying
#vulnerability
#rebuild
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#learningtowalkagain
#notimeforparalysis
#whatparalysis
#notalldisabilitiesarevisible
#paraplegiclife
#incompleteparaplegic
#thecomebackisstrongerthanthesetback
#brokenbody
#bionicbadass
#lifeaftersci
#nothingisofflimits
#exerciseismedicine
#moveyourbody
#takecareofyourbodyandyourbodywilltakecareofyou
#liveyourbestlife
#craighospital
#chickswithsticks
day 354 : i interrupt your insta-feed to bring you two minutes of ridiculous antics that come with doing something for the first time.
.
find more ways to move. find more ways to play. #movementiseverything
.
awkward finger dance (just for you @addymariewillis) and makeshift curtsy at the end!
.
thanks @silaswade for and making sure was on point.
.
.
.
#hulahoop
#newthings
#firsttimeforeverything
#rebuild
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#learningtowalkagain
#notimeforparalysis
#whatparalysis
#notalldisabilitiesarevisible
#paraplegiclife
#incompleteparaplegic
#thecomebackisstrongerthanthesetback
#brokenbody
#bionicbadass
#lifeaftersci
#nothingisofflimits
#exerciseismedicine
#moveyourbody
#takecareofyourbodyandyourbodywilltakecareofyou
#liveyourbestlife
#craighospital
Post link
day 249 : bum foot ain’t gonna stop my from trying new things.
.
i find jumping fascinating. i can’t quite figure out how to get the power behind it, but this was the first attempt at a jump. second was WAY more successful.
.
don’t mind my gimp bum foot walk, and also almost falling. i’ll catch myself at important times like this, but not when i’m doing silly things like locking a door or walking to a bathroom.
.
.
.
#rebuild
#spinalcordinjury
#scirecovery
#learningtowalkagain
#notimeforparalysis
#whatparalysis
#notalldisabilitiesarevisible
#paraplegiclife
#incompleteparaplegic
#thecomebackisstrongerthanthesetback
#brokenbody
#bionicbadass
#lifeaftersci
#nothingisofflimits
#exerciseismedicine
#moveyourbody
#takecareofyourbodyandyourbodywilltakecareofyou
#liveyourbestlife
