For Kristin Williams, ulcerative colitis gave
her a boost in the direction of her exercise
dreams. She is a certified Pilates instructor
and teaches classes, even though some
days she isn’t feeling her best. “I’ve had to
stay confident and tell myself that I can work
through anything. When I got my certification,
it felt like the biggest achievement. No one
around me knew why, but getting that piece
of paper was such a huge validation for
overcoming my mental and physical every day
struggles and becoming a fitness instructor,
someone people look up to for being in great
shape and good health.”
Since being diagnosed in 2007, though
difficult, Kristin has continued to keep her fast
paced exercise routine. “I’ve been athletic my
entire life; in fact, it was on the tennis court
during a match that I really realized something
was wrong pre-diagnosis. I ended up doubled
over crying on the court and couldn’t go on
with the match. Before that point, none of the symptoms I was just starting to experience
had affected my ability to exercise. Since that diagnosis, I’ve realized how ridiculously
important it is to exercise, because stress plays such a huge part in triggering my
symptoms. Yes, there have been months where I’ve been so sick and bedridden that I
couldn’t move -- but because of that, I’m so appreciative of when I CAN exercise, and I
do.”
On flare days it can be very nerve wracking to attempt any sort of exercise. Some suffer
long periods of time in a flare but still do not want to lose sight of their personal fitness
goals. “The downside to being in the middle of a 2 year long flare is that there are rarely
good days. I have to take what I can get. A ‘good’ day for me is by no means a good day
to a healthy person. I really make a point to go to my Pilates classes or do a routine on
my own when I feel as if I can, because my days seem to be so much better when I can
do that. I’ll go into a class feeling so uptight, and leave feeling completely relaxed. I know
that’s so crucial for my insides! Plus, I’ve always liked being in shape, and anyone with
IBD knows how important it is to feel as good as possible about yourself, because most
days that’s just really hard to feel. People have seen me and said, ‘you look awesome!
I would never think you’ve been through what you have.’ I’ll always take that as a huge
compliment, because I work so hard,” said Kristin.
On days, months, or years when you find yourself in a flare, you may find yourself
wondering what exercises are safe and healthiest. “I absolutely love Pilates--since
becoming a certified instructor, I have routines that I’ve actually written up that I can
follow from the comfort of my own home, and I love that. It involves free weights,
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