I am a wife, a mom, a childhood cancer survivor, and an amputee. I am a thin person by genetics, but have not always been healthy. I have been an amputee for twenty years. I never realized until about three years ago that I was letting this hold me back on my journey to fitness health. I would play with my kids, ride bikes, but wasn’t finding the time for my own fitness. My husband is Active Duty in the US Army. Three years ago that brought us to the Washington DC area. I was assigned to Walter Reed (WR) for my prosthetic care. I was not happy about this as WR is about 45-1hr from our home. I thought it would be a huge inconvenience to have to drive there for care. My initial appointment I went in with the attitude that I was going to get it changed to somewhere else. Well I was told “no”. At my appointment I saw soldiers who had lost limbs for our freedom, yet I was complaining over having to drive to get to my appointment. That started my reality check. Over the first few appointments I talked with many of these heroes. They were amazing! So many had amazing fitness levels and challenging themselves daily. What was my excuse? I realized I didn’t have one. I received a new prosthetic with a better foot on it and that started me going back to the gym after years of not. Next I received a blade runner leg, something that I would not have been able to receive had I not had my care at Walter Reed. I had no reason to not be in shape and get out there running!
So this started a new happy mom and wife. I found a gym with a daycare and began to challenge myself. There were so many classes that i enjoyed, barre, HIIT, body pump, pilates, yoga, and piyo. I also began running. I initially used the couch to 5k app to get me going. I have found that running is so freeing for me. I am not a long or fast runner, but I am running. We moved last summer to Fort Leavenworth Kansas which brought change to my workout routine. Since living here i have began to ride my bike, swim, and go to crossfit. I am challenging my body with different classes each week and continuing to get stronger.
Of course my huge influence for getting in shape was meeting the Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed. I had NO EXCUSES after meeting them.
