When I first started my weight-loss journey in 2015, I knew I had to eat
right and exercise. I wasn't sure how I would exercise, but I knew I had to
make it a part of my journey. I couldn't stand up for any length of time
and I was on a walker; but I had to do something. I wondered how I was
going to do what the doctor told me to do regarding eating without
exercising.
I was in my office lying on the bed and I asked God this question, “God how
am I going to lose weight when a previous doctor told me that I would never
be able to lose weight because I couldn't move?” I heard a soft voice that
echoed back in my ear ‘but… what does Dorcas say?’ It was at that point, as
I lay flat on my back, that I lifted my left leg up. That was the leg with
the most problems. I started to count, and I could only count to 5 and my
leg automatically fell back down. It was as though my leg had no strength.
I felt paralyzed. I kept trying to raise my left leg and it kept falling
down.
At that point, I realized I had to move what I could. I knew I needed
to start somewhere, I was determined to start. There was nothing wrong with
my right leg, but I wanted both legs to be in sync so whatever I did with my
left leg, I would also do with my right leg. The first couple of months when
I exercised, I was only able to do 5 leg exercises at a time. I did 5 on the
left leg and 5 on the right leg. Then I began to lift my hands in the air: 5
lifts and that was it. One day I looked over in the corner and I saw my
mom's cane. I got the cane and started lifting it up above my head 5 times.
I was so proud of myself because I didn't know I could do that. Next I took
the cane and moved it behind my head like I was doing sit ups without moving
up and down. I knew then I was on my way. I shouted out in my office,
“Dorcas you're on your way!” This may seem simple or like it’s not much,
but it meant the world to me. Here I
was a couple of months after I had talked to the doctor, and after I had
wondered how I could exercise, and I had begun to move what I could.
Despite not being able to walk I found a way to exercise.
Spotlight
|
"Never lose hope in difficult times."
Never Give up Never!
Dorcas C. Chandler |
Over the next couple of months I became able to lift my legs 10 times. I
figured out that by placing my foot in the handle of the cane I could
increase my leg lifts from 5 to 10. My determination would not let me quit,
and little by little I pushed myself to do more. A few months later I was
able to lift my legs 15 times. One year later from the time I first did 5
leg lifts, I can now lift my legs 100 times without the cane. I do a
hundred sit-ups in the bed. Any exercises I do where I am lifting my arms
and legs or lying on my side or on my back, I do it in increments of 100.
Wow! I am so proud of the progress I have made because I did not stop or let
defeat dictate to me. Now I have set new goals: once I get up-which I will
report, “VICTORY! I WILL BE ON MY WAY TO THE GYM.”
I have written 5 exercise songs and titled them “Light On Your Feet-Weight
is more than food.” I hope to inspire you to simply move what you can! I am so grateful
to God for what He is allowed me to do. Please understand that I'm still on
a walker and I still have pain in the left side of my body; but not as much
as I had before. Still today, one year later I am eating right and
exercising. Sometimes I don’t feel like exercising, but I choose not to
settle for the negative voices in my head that tell me I can't. I’m here to
tell you: OH YES I CAN-and you can too! Just move what you can!
Please understand you should never attempt to do exercises or start a diet
without first consulting your doctor or a medical provider. I don't know
your situation. One thing I do know is that life is beautiful and so are
you. Good health waits for us all!
