I work out

Dear Meagan,

Woo-hoo things are on the MOVE this week!  FINALLY got your surgery scheduled and your spring semester finalized.  You said you have class Mon/Wed/Fri and physical therapy Tues/Thurs.

I am SO proud of you and pumped that you are committing to physical therapy.  You have moved forward so much since all of your surgeries, and one of the last couple things to tackle is your physical rehabilitation.  As you know, because your tumor was on the right side of your brain, you have a slower/weaker left side.  I doubt you remember this but for the first 2-3 weeks after your first surgery, you had NO mobility on your left side whatsoever... you couldn't even wiggle your toes or fingers! And then you finally started wiggling them, and eventually you could slowly start to walk again.  That brought on the days of the pimp cane!  I'll never forget decorating that cane! So much fun-- I still like to call you Phyllis from time to time :) haha

Now, with help of your brace (if you still wear it?), you can walk very well... but your left side is definitely less coordinated than your right.  Soooo committing to physical therapy twice per week is an awesome thing to get your body strong again.

I would say the number one benefit of you doing physical therapy is strengthening/coordinating your left side.  However,  as you know there are SO many benefits to exercise outside of your specific needs.

Here is a list of seven benefits of exercise from the Mayo Clinic:

1.  Exercise controls weight. 
1. Duh :)
2. Exercise combats health conditions and disease.
1. It's true! It helps prevent various health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. But on top of that it also reduces your risk of cancer, depression, anxiety, and arthritis.
3.  Exercise improves mood.
1. El Woods said it best (in Legally Blonde), "Exercise releases endorphins. Endorphins make people happy."  Exercise also improves confidence and self-esteem!
4. Exercise boosts energy.
1. Exercise helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues so your entire body can work better- giving you more energy to accomplish everything you need too!
5. Exercise promotes better sleep.
1. Girl! You know this one is a bonus!  You and dad have those sleep issues but MAYBE when you start exercising regularly with physical therapy they will go away (or at the least they will improve).
6. Exercise puts the spark back in your sex life.
1. No comment lol.
7. Exercise can be fun.
1. So right now your going to be doing physical therapy, which is fun due to all the benefits.  But eventually you will be feeling strong enough to add something fun to your exercise routine.  Find what you love to do in the exercise world and stick to that. Maybe you'll find you love walking out doors or lifting weights with the meatheads or playing tennis with mom.  With our dance/cheer background, I personally love doing group exercise classes like zumba or yoga!

Enjoy your new adventure! Your making great forward progress! Keep it up :) Love you, and see you Sunday for Mom and Amanda's bday celebration!

XOXO,

Brooke