I went to Barwis right from work. Connor just happened to come out as I was getting out of my car so he helped out and pushed me in. I saw Megan as Connor pushed me in and she stopped, hugged me, and pulled up a chair to chat. We talked of the progress Claudia and Garret have made. She works with them and it was good to hear a trainer’s perspective. I’ve only had trainers who were dudes and they don’t talk so much. We talked about how the progress is a slow process. I told her that I read the Barwis Methods website regarding injury recovery and what to expect. I can’t paraphrase this so well so here it is:
“It may take some real time and a great deal of effort to overcome your injuries or motor difficulties, often depending on your initial condition, attitude and effort. For others, your change will be much faster, coming in with a cane and leaving it behind. Some people train 3-5 times per week, others come in for a short period and go home with specific exercises to work on their own before returning for a reevaluation. Depending on the nature of your injury and your current condition, it is possible to have you training along in a group environment just with specific, calculated exercises to assist your recovery. If you are seeking help, it is very important that each you come into our programs motivated to work hard, determined to keep a good attitude, and a steadfast belief that you will recover as your body conforms and adapts. With these character traits in combination with the world-class training, almost everybody comes through the program as a dramatically different person!”
I train 3 times a week and am motivated to work hard and determined to keep a good attitude. I’m working on keeping a steadfast belief that I WILL recover. I waiver sometimes. We ended our conversation with me telling her, “Little by little…” It IS a SLOW process! Then Mike came to get me. He stretched me like CRAZY! My Mom took a pic last time of one of the stretches Mike did last time:
Mike did this stretch on Friday. He’d get my leg set, would look at me, and then lean. After I would gasp, he’d ask, “Ooh Doggie!”? Then he’d remind me that all I had to say was, “Ooh Doggie!” and he would stop leaning as he leaned in a little more. I wouldn’t say it for a couple of reasons though! 1. I wasn’t giving him the satisfaction of saying it and 2. I knew that if I endured even this for a little bit longer, it will make walking that much closer. Each time he leaned, I gasped, and felt an almost searing pain in my butt and hamstring. The pain continues today; it’s the trifecta of pain (butt, quads, and hamstrings) for sure but, it’s got to hurt if it’s to heal. I have to keep that “steadfast motivation and determination” and walking won’t be that far off. Right?!