Finding the Culprit
“I’ve been at the IC for well over 16 months now and needless to say it gets addictive. If I don’t go, I definitely have less energy and miss that special IC morning ‘glow.’
About 5 months ago I got into trouble again with a bout of arthritis and it was very hard for me to come to class in the morning. I’ve had Rheumatoid Arthritis for about 5 years now and for most of the time a potent cocktail of western meds keeps my inflammation in check (though I always fear what else it’s doing to me :O ). When they work as they should, I can do most anything. The reality though is that about 1x/year I’ll have an episode where it seems no matter what I do I cannot keep the inflammation away. When I get hit with these flare ups, I usually lay low: lots of sleep, no exercise, loads of self-pity and generally wait it out.
That first month I missed quite a few classes and it was killing me. I was determined to get back the IC rhythm the next month.
Unfortunately for some reason, this time around my arthritis was deeper and more persistent than usual. Even worse, it (the inflammation) spread into my lungs and I came down with something called Pleurisy.
I remember one frustrated morning talking casually about it with Steven when he asked out of the blue: “What’s your vice? Come on, it must be something.”
A wave of panic overcame me as I thought back to that joint I smoked with my best friend Kent Olson in the 9th grade–how did he know about that? But then I realized what he was asking: What in my routine might be contributing or aggravating my RA? I’ve tried all kinds of diets to address it, relaxation techniques, eastern meds–but never really stuck with any of them long enough. But never before did I have a comparable level of fitness built up that I didn’t want to lose. Ah, the power of IC momentum!
Fast forward to today and I’m back to my old self enjoying my bootcamp sessions hanging with the other 7AMers. What changed? I wish I could say that I found a silver bullet, miracle panacea for my ailment. More realistically though it’s probably the discipline and consistency in lifestyle that the IC reinforces and encourages in my life.
For example, I changed my diet. Searching my lifestyle for the vices Steven asked about I realized I was ingesting quite a bit of refined sugar in my diet. Since college I’ve always eaten fairly well (meat 1-2x/ per week, few desserts if any, decent balance of fruits and veggies) but the one thing that stood out was my refined sugar intake. Sure I wasn’t having cake and cookies but in my coffee, tea, oatmeal and several other places, I was giving myself 1-2 heaping tablespoons of sugar each time many times each day.
I dropped those out almost immediately, started getting an extra hour of sleep and most importantly, have stuck with it. Slowly but surely my body came back in alignment and as I said before, I don’t know if there is any causal connection but I wouldn’t be surprised. In the end it really doesn’t matter because I feel better, like the fact I’m not filling myself up with unnecessary glucose, and assume that it will be a permanent part of my diet. Plus I’ve always wanted to say ‘I take my coffee black.’”
- Brian M. (0700 Pull-up Club)
wow Brian! After recently having a bout w/ paravirus B19 that leaves adults with RA in their joints- you are a hero warrior. I’m better now, but I can’t imagine living with RA. I think you’re on to something with the sugar and inflammation -right Steve? Thanks for sharing your story, hope to meet you at one of the party’s since you won’t see me at 7am! But maybe I’ll have to just to meet some of these great 7amer’s!
Goes to show we all have our battles and we gather at the IC to work through it and continue to life live fully.
Brian, I loved reading your post. Great writing. There are some IC’ers who feel very strongly about the link between sugar and inflammation. I hope they’re courageous enough to comment about it here (public comments are scary for some of our lurkers). Please check in with us again Brian! We want to hear how this continues to go for you.
Yay Brian! What always strikes me about you is how grounded you are–even while dealing with what must be a frustrating condition, it never shows in your attitude. You’re so encouraging and such a hard worker. Plus, you’re the one who gave me the final push to join the IC! So thanks, and I’m super happy you’re feeling well. I’ll see you soon at 7am!
Brian,
Thanks for taking the time to profile your story. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with this one. Like you said, regardless of the connection between sugar and your condition, the fact that you’ve made a positive change in your lifestyle is the key message. By the way, you’re on fire buddy!
Brian, I had no idea – sorry I gave you such a hard time about not showing up! You’re a strong man, inside and out! I’m so glad you’re feeling good – and lookin’ good – seriously, come on now…..
your fellow 0700 A.S.P.U.C. member (the slacker one)
brian, after watching you every morning there is no way i would have ever guessed that you could be struggling with something like arthritis. you are an incredible motivating force at 7am, and i just wanted to thank you for sharing your story.
Brian, thanks for sharing your story about RA. Like Samin, I would never have known you had RA, becaus I see you easily pumping out those pull-ups between the 6am and 7am class. I admire your fortitude.
Brian, excellent post. You are one of my favorite people at 7am. You always work hard and you always have a great attitude. Plus, you are our 0700 A.S.P.U.C. guru. I’m glad that you are feeling so much better!
Brian, how I’ve missed you. Great to hear more about your story. Glad you are keeping 0700 pull up club in-line!
Dear Brian,
My wife Lisa are lazy 9 o’clockers, can’t quite do the 7 am thing. Yet!
This is not meant as an advertisement for what we do but we work in the field of infrared. Far InfraRed to be exact. A long wave form of radiant heat.
There is a huge amount of research that indicates that among all the many things the FIR can do, one of them is that it is a very powerful anti-inflammatory and alkalizer.
It is the oldest form of heat in the universe and it is the same as your own body heat.
Anyway, if it doesn’t sound too out there I’d be happy to show you some the studies that I’ve accumulated in my work with the NIH and the CDC.
In the meantime, it sounds like you have done incredibly well using IC to support your own efforts to face your challenges. Much continued success and strength to you.
Blessings,
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