From Barely Mobile to Crushing CrossFit: How Pattie Conquered Lipedema with Fitness
Pattie was an active, athletic person her whole life - until a lipedema diagnosis in her late 30s practically immobilized her. Unable to get answers or relief from doctors, she turned to strategic exercise and community support to transform her mobility and reclaim her active lifestyle.
On this week's episode of Lipedema Link podcast, Pattie shares her inspirational journey leveraging fitness to conquer lipedema and dramatically improve her quality of life. Join us as we uncover her tips for rebuilding strength, boosting mobility, and managing lipedema through exercise.
Pattie’s Long Road to a Lipedema Diagnosis
After suddenly developing the disproportionate swelling and painful cuffing characteristic of lipedema following the birth of her daughter, Pattie desperately sought answers from doctors. But it took 3 long years before she finally diagnosed herself using online resources and connecting with another lipedema patient’s story.
Doctors’ warnings to avoid exercise due to her lymphedema only worsened Pattie’s condition. She lost mobility to the point she could barely stand for more than a few minutes. Unable to be active with her family, Pattie knew she had to try something different.
Creating Her Own Fitness Program to Regain Strength
Pattie and her trainer husband carefully crafted a modified at-home fitness routine catered to her abilities, starting with just 10 reps of basic movements like assisted push-ups and sit-ups. She focused on rebuilding her core strength first before gradually working up to standing CrossFit workouts.
Just months after starting her program, an emotional Pattie completed a 5K for the first time since her diagnosis. Walking her neighborhood driveway brought her to tears after years of losing her mobility. She used her newfound strength as motivation to keep improving.
Conquering CrossFit and Completing Triathlons
As Pattie’s abilities progressed, she joined regular CrossFit classes with her husband's athletic students. Their support empowered her to keep challenging herself. She shares how achieving milestones like sit-ups on an exercise mat fueled her motivation.
Pattie started competing in lipedema-friendly fitness challenges each year, completing obstacle course races, CrossFit competitions, and even a triathlon. She modifies each event based on her abilities that day, determined to participate regardless. Her inspirational drive proves anything is possible through strategic, adaptive fitness.
Tips for Managing Lipedema with Exercise
While Pattie emphasizes finding what motivates you personally, she provides tips that have helped her manage lipedema through fitness:
- Pool exercises like water walking provide gentle resistance
- Yoga and lymphatic stretching improve circulation
- Vibration plates can boost lymph drainage
- Compression wear during and after workouts helps control swelling
- Listen to your body’s signals around fatigue to avoid overexertion
Pattie’s mission is to motivate and support other lipedema patients in reclaiming their active lifestyles. She founded the Lipedema Fitness support group on Facebook, which now has over 11,000 members sharing their fitness journeys.
Her story makes one thing clear – exercise can absolutely transform mobility and quality of life for those living with lipedema. Start where you are, progress slowly, find support, and don’t give up. Your fitness goals are achievable, one small step at a time.
Conclusion
Pattie’s journey from barely being able to stand to completing triathlons demonstrates the life-changing power of fitness with lipedema. Her strategic, tailored approach to rebuilding strength and mobility is truly motivational.
For the full story and more of Pattie’s tips, be sure to check out her episode HERE. Let her empowering fitness triumph inspire your own journey conquering lipedema.
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