Marion loves strength training at Back in Motion Physical Therapy and Sports Performance with her friend Mandi. They have both received so much benefit from training with a personal trainer in combination with oversight by a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Their trainer recently asked if they wanted to take body measurements to measure success – which got us thinking. How DO WE measure success? And what might be a takeaway for our patients who are also recovering from various injuries and working on building back their strength?
Do we like it that we can fit into smaller size jeans after working out with the trainer for the last year? Of course!
Do we like that we were able to complete a 13.1 mile half marathon a few months ago? Absolutely!
Do we like that we can lift more weight than a year ago? Yes, resounding, yes!
But success is so much more than these things!
We feel strong – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This allows us to face life’s challenges better, be better leaders, be better spouses, be better friends.
We feel more joyful than prior to working out with a trainer, even though already working out for many years.
We have a better capacity to love like Jesus did and to see the world outside of ourselves because we are content with who we are and can better accept people where THEY ARE, helping them along THEIR journeys. This begins with accepting and loving ourselves so we can then love others.
Four years ago, this month Marion crashed her bicycle going 22 miles per hour leaving her with a broken pelvis and having to learn to walk all over again. The process of recovery and rebuilding her body continues to this day.
The journey has not been an easy one. But she has grown tremendously through the whole process with the help of faith, friends, and family, along with Prolotherapy, Physical Therapy, and personal training.
We truly understand our patients better and can empathize with their struggles, feelings of self-doubt, and the journey back to where they want to be.
We have gained much through it all – new friends, new colleagues, new ways to get stronger, new and improved faith.
This is our measure of success. Be better today than you were yesterday.
Enjoy the journey. Be grateful for each step forward.
Blessings from the Dr. and Dietitian,
Dr. Hauser and Marion
