#LifeWithRA: Getting Motivated to Help Yourself

You know what it feels like to be sucker punched? You didn’t even see it coming. And because your defenses were down, it hurts even worse. Out of the blue, you’re betrayed. When you first get diagnosed with RA, that’s how it feels. But it’s your body that’s the betrayer, the unexpected foe. Suddenly you find yourself fighting with someone you thought was your friend. I’ve heard it so many times, from so many people, since my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. My body betrayed me. And when you think like that, it’s easy to feel like a victim. Or at least, that’s how I felt.

Victim No More: I Have Choices!

Somewhere along the line, though, if we are going to get better, we have to move beyond What happened? Facing the facts of our disease can be scary, and physically painful, but just because we can’t cure it doesn’t mean we have to lay down and allow ourselves to be pummeled by it.

For me, the beginning of my motivation to win the fight with RA was becoming a member of Pack Health. Starting with the kit they sent me, I saw that every day, I had choices to make that could impact my recovery.

I didn’t know that there were factors that I could control that could make me feel better. How I ate, how much I moved, how much rest I got, and even taking my medicine on time made a difference. Who knew? Pack Health helped me understand that my disease was not in charge of my body: I was.

Motivation May be Internal, External or Both

Knowing that I could take some steps to combat the symptoms of my disease wasn’t enough, though. I needed a little push and some accountability. That’s where my Pack Health coach came in. She helped me set realistic goals, both long-term and weekly in the form of tiny steps. Slowly, but surely, I began to develop healthier habits that left me feeling happier and healthier.

My coach has also been there for me any time I needed extra encouragement or support. Having RA is a bit like riding a roller coaster, in that you don’t always know what to expect around the next turn. Having someone there to answer questions, allay concerns, and remind you to keep doing the right thing for you is a big, big help!

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Want to become a member of Pack Health?

Click here to get your own personal Health Advisor, whose number one priority is to see you improve your quality of life. They’ll be your coach, assistant, and accountability system on the journey fight flares and feel better overall.