Confidence is key.

When you are injured, it can sometimes be difficult to keep your confidence up. It takes a lot out of you when you have the type of injury I do, and I'm learning that firsthand through experience. It blew my mind that after surgery I couldn't lift my leg. Even worse, I discovered I couldn't point my foot... Every dancer's worst nightmare. Main point being that I could no longer complete tasks mandatory for not only an athlete, but a person in general. It was time to start from scratch with this knee. Now that can seem intimidating and kill some confidence for sure!! 

9 days out of surgery I am back at school... For me this was huge because it meant normal routine life, finally!!! It was encouraging to know that I am making progress, and soon enough I'll be back in the gym, dance, etc. I definitely took for granted the strength it takes in my legs to treck through a campus as big as my high school! My hamstring was definitely feeling it. ( My ACL was replaced with a portion of a tendon in my hamstring, so it's feeling pretty tight.) This tightness in my hamstring is new to me, seeing as I am a dancer. I'm used to being able to touch my toes and do all kinda of crazy dancer things with hammys as elastic as rubber bands! Another important note, be in tune with your body. It's important and it can make all the difference in your workout, your health goals, or an injury recovery.

It's safe to say I was feeling a little out of my element now that my functionality was less than that of a "normal" person. (Us dancers sometimes tend to think of ourselves as superhumans, but that's a whole different story!) All of that can shoot your confidence and lead you to question yourself, ladies and gentlemen, this is doom. 

Yesterday I had a doctors appointment post surgery to see how I was doing. Great news! I had my stitches removed, and I am now allowed to bend my knee (with my brace on of course.) These may sound like two minor victories but I felt as if I was a puppy in training receiving an award! My confidence rose instantly, I was walking at school without crutches and my entire spirit was just brighter. In this recovery process, I promise you there will be bad days, but there will also be super awesome days that make you want to jump for joy! Of course that jumping will have to be imaginary, unless the doctor cleared jumping too! Hehe. 

Where is your health mentally? Are you confident in your body? Yes? Okay awesome keep it up! No? What can you do to improve upon this? What are you confident about? Is it your self discipline, determination, strong will power, or the fact that you will look the absolute best in your swimsuit this summer or else! ;) It doesn't matter! What does matter is that you sit yourself down and ask yourself "where am I mentally in the game of health?" Because if you aren't confident that you can achieve your said goal, how are you going to get anyone else to believe you can?!

My knee post stitches removal!!! It's all about the process:) 

xoxo,

Heather