Hi everyone, I just wanted to share a little “win” from this past weekend because I know how frustrating it is when you feel like your world is shrinking. My husband and I have always loved hitting the local outdoor flea markets on Saturday mornings. It used to be our favorite tradition, but over the last two years, my right hip has made it almost impossible to enjoy. I’d usually make it about twenty minutes before the burning started, and then I’d spend the rest of the time sitting on a folding chair by the kettle corn stand while he walked around alone. It felt pretty isolating, to be honest, watching everyone else enjoy the sunshine while I was stuck.
Well, this past Saturday was different. We spent nearly three full hours browsing the stalls, and I didn’t have to sit down once until we were actually done and headed to lunch. I’m still a bit in shock! I’ve been really diligent about the physical therapy exercises my doctor recommended back in January—lots of “clamshells” and bridge poses—and I think the consistency is finally starting to pay off. I also switched to a pair of those high-cushion walking shoes that look a bit like marshmallows. I used to care about looking stylish, but at this point, if they let me walk without a limp, I’ll wear anything.
The biggest change for me, though, was starting the low-impact water aerobics class at the community center twice a week. At first, I felt a little silly in my swim cap, but it’s been a total game changer for my range of motion without putting that crushing weight on my joints. I used to think that “resting” was the only way to avoid a flare-up, but my PT explained that my muscles were actually getting weaker, which made the joint take more of the impact. Strengthening the glutes and core has been the key.
I’m not saying I’m pain-free—I definitely felt some stiffness when I got home—but it wasn’t that sharp, “I need to take a pill and lie down” kind of pain. It was more like a normal tired feeling. If you’re struggling right now, please don’t give up on the boring stuff like the daily stretches. It took me four months of doing them every single morning before I saw this kind of result. It’s a slow process, and some days I really didn’t want to get on the floor to do my bridges, but seeing those vintage quilts and finding a new lamp for the guest room made it all worth it. Sending love to you all!