This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Ok, so yes I'm new here. -waves to everyone- So usually I'm perfectly fine with my MS, being that I was diagnosed at 21, retired air force and now just trying to figure out what I want to do with my life, but its been hard with the physical aspect of it. When being in the air force pushing yourself to the limits and then had to back off when being tested for MS. I had lost all feeling to my feet, and then lost vision in my one eye. So trying to do 2-3 mile runs 2-3x a week was rough. So they put me on a waiver and I couldnt deploy, so all I could do was walk. At least I could do that.

Now...last summer i walked 8 miles a day. 4 in the morning 4 in the evening. I met a great guy, he walks with me helps me with my shots even, asks questions when needed, his family loves me and understands me and understands the MS.

The Problem: His sister just had a baby, she wants to do this fitness challenge within the family, a couples deal. A three month challenge, to push yourself and partner, to see how much you can change within the three months. One minute push ups, sit ups, waist measurements and a mile run. Now I have been out of the service for over 3yrs now. I havent ran in 4yrs. So when my boyfriend asked me tonight why I couldnt run, I told him I'm just now starting to get feeling back in my feet, its hard to keep looking down and up. I mean its like riding a bike again to learn to run again. I'm not in that great of shape to just pick up and run again. I mean yeah i can walk like no other but just run? no that takes training like i did before. I know he wants to do this challenge and all but I cant over do it and push myself to extreme. I dont want to use the "disablity" card either because his ex did that and she wasnt even sick. As bad as that sounds. But i mean what am I supposed to say? I cant run? I dont want to run? how am i supposed to approach this situation? I mean I can work out, i can walk, i can do push up and sit ups, but running is a different story. what hurts is the fact its part of the reason why the let me go out of the military because i couldnt deploy and i couldnt do my pt test. it still stings. I just i'm at a lost for words. Any advice?

hi there sorry to hear about your situation, and welcome to TIMS!
i know there are a few military folks here who are likely to spot your post and chime in.

now as for the problem, i don't see why you can't do this challenge 'your way'. as in, do whatever you can handle in each section, take care not to overheat yourself, and just look for personal improvement by the end.

personally i have found swimming lengths an excellent way to exercise that helps keep your core temp down somewhat, and balance is not as important (until you get out of the pool at the end - careful!). i know it doesn't apply to your scenario, but thought i'd throw that out there.

with all that said, nutrition status is out of whack in ms patients and working out is a drain on nutrients also. so make sure you are topped up in all your nutrients and don't have any of the common low levels seen in ms. if you have any questions about nutrition you can ask me and i have included my signature links below in case you have not read much on that subject and would like to
HTH!
jimmylegs