The Secret to Getting My Energy Back
Thursday, March 02, 2023
Julie's Coaching Blog / The Secret to Getting My Energy Back
Do You Want to Get Your Energy Back?
his article was originally published on This Journey Through Life.
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I noticed, as I gained weight and got older, that my energy (seemingly suddenly, but probably happened over time) was almost gone. I’d have to do whatever I had planned as soon as I got up, or early in the day, because by late afternoon, I could barely walk.
Does this happen to you?
There’s hope!
Here’s how things unfolded for me:
I went to the Dr, needed a routine sort of surgery, but due to age, they made me get an EKG. It came out abnormal, so I was sent to a cardiologist. He ran some tests, told me I could get the surgery, but also said, “have you considered wearing compression stockings?”
WHAAAAAT? I’M NOT OLD! AREN’T THOSE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD BLOOD CLOTS, OR FOR OLD PEOPLE??? (And he was older than me. His silver hair proved it. ;) )
He told me, “there’s no shame - I wear them! They will help you.”
Mmmhmm.
I looked at him. He was very thin. He didn’t tell me any of the benefits, except he said my legs would get bigger if I just let the fluid drain to them all day while I worked. I felt put off, angry, covering up the shame and felt judgment.
Fast-forward, several years later, and my energy and ability to walk getting worse. I even would send my son into the store for me with my debit card to get a few groceries, or use one of those handicap motorized carts (and feel ashamed - I wasn’t handicapped, why did I feel like I needed this? But I could barely walk.) I decided to ask my regular doc about the compression stockings again - just to try them. She had no idea what compression or how to order them, but she wrote me a prescription. I took it to Hangar, who fitted me and ordered them.
I tried them out - it was hard to get used to putting them on and getting it right, at first. I had to go back and, thinking I was returning them for a new size, the girl showed me how to do it right.
I wanted another pair, since you’re supposed to wash them nightly. (Who has that kind of time?) I had no refills. Annoyed, I googled them to see if I could get them online - SUCCESS!!!
BUT - the first online company I ordered from had a bad return policy, and I wasted my $, as their compression was almost nothing for the exact same compression strength (there are different levels). So, I ordered the next compression up, from a different company.
Since neither doc told me how to wear them, I wear them 2 days on, 1 day stocking-free.
After I started wearing them, do you know what happened? (THIS IS IT, DON’T MISS IT - my secret!)
By the end of the day, I could still walk around the store, and almost had a huge spring in my step! It was unbelievable. At first, my legs tingled as I wore them. They somehow magically promote fluid to go back up, and not settle by gravity down to your calves. It helps my legs not feel achy and tired. And extended my energy to last throughout the day!
Takeaways:
1. I am not a doctor. Check with YOUR provider, as always, first, before doing anything medically new for your body. And ask them how many days a week to wear them.
2. Your insurance MAY pay partially or fully for them - get a prescription with REFILLS and/or multiple pairs at once.
3. They come in some cute patterns and colors sometimes.
4. They come in regular sock/stocking-like, and ones with the toes cut off.
5. Nurses and other medical personnel who stand a lot for their shifts wear them. Even some people use them to do their gym workouts.
6. If you just want to order them from Amazon (ad) or other retailers (who also have wide-calf!) my experience has shown me that the lowest compression does not match the similar compression level ordered from Hangar - I have had to order one compression strength up using online retailers.
7. Some online retailers have compression charts for what you need/want to use them for.
8. Make sure you read or are taught how to put them on. You don’t want them to stay wrinkled anywhere on your calf. You want them smoothed and to be giving even pressure all around your calf.
9. You will have to replace them every so often. They seem to get stretched out or stop working as well as in the beginning.
Have you tried or do you use compression stockings?
Let's hear your story in the comments.
Hi, I Am Julie
Certified Life Coach
Pharmacist
Julie is a Certified Life Coach and Pharmacist who makes her home in the Southwest with her sons and pets.
Julie's heart is that women are walking with the Lord and walking in their God-given purpose. While doing her own personal development, Julie found she'd had a gift and passion since childhood of helping guide people to where they were supposed to be. Now she uses this gift, with her training, to help women find their purpose and live the life they were meant to.
