Set backs (they happen)

Control Your Controllables

I was so inspired by a patient recently that I had to write this post.

She's a lifelong runner — mid-40s, and a high achiever in running, career, and life. She's dealt with hamstring issues for over 20 years, including PRP injections and a BMAC procedure. Then, chasing after her wonderful pup caused a major setback.

So what did she do?

She controlled her controllables. She sat down and wrote out exactly what she could do to set herself up for success:

• Get good sleep (not the kind where you doze off to Netflix)

• Stay adequately hydrated

• Load up on protein

• Cut sugar (it's inflammatory)

• Cut alcohol (yeah, sorry — it's not helping)

• Stay active — walking, gentle biking, isometrics, slowly increasing demand on the hamstring, working on other musculature

• Keep positive thoughts and intentions

And guess what?

She's better. No, it's not gone. But has she done herself some favors? Absolutely. Is she in a much better place than if she'd just rested and waited it out? Yes.

Consider this the next time you hit a setback. So often we get on the pity train and ride it hard — until the wheels fall off and even walking feels hard.

Let this be your inspiration.