Lipedema Fitness: How Exercise Saved My Life | Juzo USA
August 2018

Lipedema Fitness: How Exercise Saved My Life

Patricia Cornute, Blogger and Founder, Lipedema Fitness

Pattie was diagnosed with Lipedema in 2007. She decided to take her life back and stopped listening to "nothing she could do," and started training with her husband Bob in CrossFit. As a way to reach others like her, Pattie started a Lipedema Fitness website, blog and Facebook support group to help spread awareness and facilitate support to help others keep living with Lipedema. Read how exercise saved her life below and follow her online to stay motivated.

Can you imagine being told to NOT exercise? When I was first diagnosed with Lipedema in 2007, that is exactly the advice I was given.

At the time medical professionals thought exercising would make our condition worse, and I was going to do everything in my power to NOT get worse. So I listened, and I stopped exercising.

Do you know what happens to your body when you stop exercising? In as little as just two weeks your muscle mass, flexibility, aerobic capacity and bone density all decline. Your muscles literally begin to atrophy, or waste away. This also means your strength and endurance decline as well. Not to mention your ability to pump blood and oxygen throughout your body, which affects your sleep and your mood.

For me personally, during the five years of inactivity after my diagnosis, I lost almost all my mobility (I could barely stand for a few seconds, let alone walk), my legs felt heavy and painful all the time, and I was depressed and scared about where my health, my life, was going.

The good news is that you can start to reverse those effects just as quickly when you begin exercising, and it doesn't have to be running a 5K, any movement is better than no movement.

Taking back my fitness was the only solution I could see. Not only did it help me physically, but it gave me something to focus on, something to feel in control of, and within a short period of time I began to see real improvements. Not just in my body, but also in my emotional wellbeing. I felt less like a victim.

I think that is one of the hardest things about living with a chronic illness, the way the illness tries to make you feel like a victim.

Training literally saved my life, and I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. I didn’t want anyone else to go through what I had gone through, so I started a blog and a Facebook support group called Lipedema Fitness. If you need support or motivation, follow my group on Facebook or check out my blog to see my workout of the day (here’s an example). We’d love to have you!

BELINDA commented on Aug 17, 2021
Reply

I want to believe this, but at 62 with stage 4 and very limited mobility, this all feels impossible.

Pattie replied to BELINDA on Mar 24, 2023

Belinda it sure is not easy, especially after menopause. It’s been ten years since I began training post diagnosis, I was 43 then, now 53 and post menopause - the walking took a hit after menopause, but the strength in my body and my emotional health has kept me moving in different ways. The moving is still what helps me emotionally. Finding what movements we are drawn to for the long haul is so key to keep moving, keep the lymph moving, and for me to stay sane. We are an #allorsomething group, all movement counts and is good for body, even if only five minutes.

Ruth commented on Nov 13, 2018
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Such a great inspiring woman!

Pattie replied to Ruth on Jun 12, 2019

Thank you so much Ruth! It means a lot to me.

Amy Webb commented on Sep 18, 2018
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So happy when I see positive stories. Can’t wait to join her group!

Pattie replied to Amy Webb on Jun 12, 2019

Thank you Amy, was so glad to see you found our group, hope it is giving you support on your journey with Lipedema!

Linda Staroba commented on Aug 15, 2018
Reply

Good for you Pattie! You are such a beautiful woman. You are such an inspiration!

Pattie replied to Linda Staroba on Jun 12, 2019

Thank you Linda, you are so kind.

Uriel home commented on Aug 15, 2018
Reply

Im touched by this article. You are such an inspiration to me and so many who fight this battle. You are amazing!!! Thank you for sharing your story. Everyone needs to know they are not alone!

Pattie replied to Uriel home on Jun 12, 2019

Thank you Uriel Home! We are not alone, all fighting together; we are stronger together!

 
 

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