3 simple strategies on how to better master your lipedema diagnosis

"Everything will be different this year!"

Does this phrase or a variation of it sound familiar to you? The turn of the year in particular tempts us to want to change everything according to the motto "New year, new me". Sometimes a special birthday triggers these thoughts. The implementation of goals and intentions is not always so easy. Only about 12 percent of people actually stick to their New Year's resolutions. [1]

Especially in relation to that Lipedema diagnosis / lymphedema diagnosis / thrombosis diagnosis the list of possible resolutions is long: wear arm and leg compressions every day, get lymphatic drainage weekly, read more books on the subject, practice better skin care, etc.

Do you see yourself in it? Then this blog article is for you. You will learn what role your "why" plays and how the SMART method can help you achieve your goals. I'll also tell you how you can gradually integrate habits into your everyday life. I have put together some helpful thoughts and strategies that can help you when you are Changes want in your life. It's never too late to start and change course. One day or day one? You decide.

Take a deep breath first

The first thing you can do now is go really deep a few times inhale into the abdomen – is good for the lymphatic system and at least as good for the nerves.

Breathe in. And exhale again. Breathe in. And exhale again.

And then you can forgive yourself and leave all failed resolutions in the past. Because we are now concentrating on what you can change: your present and consequently your future. And before you read any further, close your eyes and take a minute to reflect on yourself the bedankthat you one Lipedema / lymphedema / thrombosis fighter are and give your best every day. Even if you don't believe it right now. you rock!

Wearing compression hand stockings due to her lipoedema diagnosis, Caroline smells flowers and enjoys the moment

know your why

When it comes to New Year's resolutions, the author Domonique Bertolucci distinguishes between the following three groups in her book "This year will be different":

group one has no new years resolutions and after a few months the feeling of having missed the opportunity to change something. So she gives up before she even starts.

The next group sits down huge goals that they achieve almost overnight want - these unrealistic expectations then lead to disappointment.

The last group is so focused on their resolutions that they completely neglect everything around them and sometimes they too neglect important things in life leaves. This is a good idea at first, but not fulfilling in the long term. After all, we all strive for a healthy balance.

So instead of making a long list of resolutions, the author advises thinking bigger and formulating a statement of intent. To do this, she recommends asking yourself the following question: What do I want to say in a year's time about who I am and how I live my life?

Because people often fail because of resolutions that are not really theirs inner vision correspond and therefore encounter resistance. An example that should be familiar to most of society (and our community in particular) is the resolution to lose weight. It is often followed by a from external circumstances influenced beauty ideal - the diet is therefore a compulsion. A completely different motivation, on the other hand, can be the desire to be fitter in order to lead a long, healthy life and to maintain a high quality of life despite a lipoedema diagnosis / lymphoedema diagnosis or a thrombosis diagnosis.

So take your time your heart's desire to explore - whether today is January 20th or June 20th. As they say "one day or day one?" If you are not satisfied with your life today, then take a close look at what YOU can and will change about it. If you haven't dealt with it yet, it will be very helpful if you do yours most important values know

That's exactly why you'll find it in the Power Sprotte online shop A Good Plan (undated). In addition to the calendar function, there is a large part for self-reflection. In it you can find out what your Values and thus Guidelines for future decisions - also in relation to your lipoedema diagnosis. But there is also room for goals and desires, as well as practice "The Web of Life"to determine how satisfied you are in the twelve areas of life. Since it's undated, you can start at any time. So your new, better year can start right now.

Implement smart goals and habits? No problem with the attention planner "A Good Plan".

Set SMART goals

If you know your "why", then it will also be easier for you to think about "what" you want to achieve now. A proven method to achieve goals is the SMART method, which states that goals
Specific,
Medible,
Aattractive,
Rrealistic and
Tmust be appointed – SMART just.

With an example, the whole thing is as follows: Instead of taking on yourself "I want to get fitter" could be your SMART target agreement: "In six months (terminated) I want 6 km in 30 minutes (specific and measurable) jogging and together with my friends (attractive) take part in the city run.”

It is important that the goal is both realistic and challenging. If you are currently running six kilometers in 35 minutes, the challenge may be too small - but if you are interested in jogging in principle and are looking for a small and manageable challenge, this can be just the right thing. In this way you can set goals in every area of life that correspond to your values and desires. You can track your progress with the relevant deadlines. based on your self reflection you can check whether a formulated goal corresponds to your values and can have a positive effect with regard to the changes you are striving for. [2]

Establish beneficial habits

But what do habits have to do with goals and your lipedema diagnosis?

Many goals can be achieved by establishing good habits. So in relation to lipedema diagnosis / lymphedema diagnosis it could look like this:

You want one year from today be fitter and yours daily compression carry. Also, you want an absolute Self Management Queen in dealing with your lipoedema diagnosis. If you're doing your first compression and are still struggling, you can start slowly.

In week one you wear your leg brace every day as long as possible. If that works out well, the arm care will be added in week two - initially only one arm per day and only as long as you can stand it. So you can slowly get used to it and wearing it will quickly become a habit. To get fitter, you can also start with mini-habits such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, doing five squats a day, etc. Do what you want and catch KLEIN

Habit Stacking - How to stack habits

Incidentally, habits can also be stacked. What do you mean with that? If, based on your lipedema diagnosis, in the future invest more time in your self-management If you want, the whole thing could look like this. Your existing daily habit is getting up. Now you set your alarm five to ten minutes earlier and combine the existing habit of getting up with simple exercises that get your lymphatic system going at the beginning of the day. When it comes to skin care, our suggestion is: when you take your compression off, apply the skin care immediately afterwards. [1]

What else is important to us

Dear flat knitting hero, at the end we want to get rid of something important.

How much or how little you implement smart goals and habits from now on is your decision and is in your hands. Yes, it's good to establish beneficial habits in life BUT only as long as it feels right for you. There is a lot of talk out there about self-improvement. Many things are helpful, but some things can leave you believing that you are not good enough. Yes you are.

It's great that you're there.