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Mentor

SMART Goals and Chronic Pain: What are your goals?

Posted by Rachel, Volunteer Mentor @rwinney, Nov 19, 2021

How often do you think you can't do something because of pain?

I struggled with this because I set unrealistic expectations. I based my expectations on what I used to be prior to living in chronic pain. That was my A life; overachiever, perfectionist, multitasker. During the onset of chronic pain, and time of instability, denial and confusion, I lived my B life. Presently, I'm doing my best and living my C life which is stable, moderate and flexible. Learning how to use SMART goals helped me attain direction in my C life and gave organization to guide me towards succeeding and appreciating my small wins.

How have you helped to manage chronic pain using SMART goals? What have your small but satisfying wins been?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Dec 3, 2021
In reply to @lisa12 "I was feeling that my osteoarthritis was getting the better of me, so I decided to..." + (show)
@lisa12

I was feeling that my osteoarthritis was getting the better of me, so I decided to be proactive and lose weight. I am feeling really good about it, just upping my vegetable intake, very little sugar and processed foods. I have been making my own salad dressings which are really good and make me want to eat a salad more. I have lost 6 pounds so far. This process makes me feel like I an more in control of my life. I am having a hard time walking because of my knees but try to do a little each day

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@lisa12 Way to go Lisa! Small healthy steps with steady solid rewards. And this is why we call them SMART goals. Keep up the good work. Will you continue to update us on your weight loss goals?

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1 reply
budo7 | @budo7 | Dec 4, 2021
In reply to @kenc "Your actions are commendable and obviously work for you, but with me the pain get so..." + (show)
@kenc

Your actions are commendable and obviously work for you, but with me the pain get so severe that I have to lay still.

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Have you tried meditation? I know for me there are days when I feel like you do. Pain is banging at a 10 and I can't get ahead of it.
A lot of dealing with pain comes from our minds. If a person can't control what they are feeling (works to a degree) then the battle can't be one.
For me I take each day as a blessing and do the best I can. Sometimes that means staying in bed meditating till I can get up.
Best wishes for you

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2 replies
lisa12 | @lisa12 | Dec 4, 2021
In reply to @rwinney "@lisa12 Way to go Lisa! Small healthy steps with steady solid rewards. And this is why..." + (show)
@rwinney

@lisa12 Way to go Lisa! Small healthy steps with steady solid rewards. And this is why we call them SMART goals. Keep up the good work. Will you continue to update us on your weight loss goals?

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Yes Ill keep you updated! This morning I stir fried some mushrooms and onions, scrambled some eggs, had with turkey sausage and fresh tomato, and an orange. Breakfast is my favourite meal and I like a big one! No bread -I do allow myself bread though, I like the sprouted grain bread.

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lisa12 | @lisa12 | Dec 4, 2021
In reply to @budo7 "Have you tried meditation? I know for me there are days when I feel like you..." + (show)
@budo7

Have you tried meditation? I know for me there are days when I feel like you do. Pain is banging at a 10 and I can't get ahead of it.
A lot of dealing with pain comes from our minds. If a person can't control what they are feeling (works to a degree) then the battle can't be one.
For me I take each day as a blessing and do the best I can. Sometimes that means staying in bed meditating till I can get up.
Best wishes for you

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I totally agree with this- I have hardly ever meditated but need to try it. Sometimes I find that if I change my mind set and think about something positive that helps take the focus away and the pain seems to fade. Like one of my friends said, if we did not have a brain we would not have pain!

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1 reply
Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Dec 4, 2021
In reply to @lisa12 "Hi Sue! Since I have a sweet tooth I take fat free greek yogurt and combine..." + (show)
@lisa12

Hi Sue! Since I have a sweet tooth I take fat free greek yogurt and combine it with fresh fruit, my favorite is pineapple and grapes, or berries and apples. Or I eat raw veggies, like baby carrots and radishes. I am goinmg to try to make a dip for those too out of greek yogurt. My knee is swollen right now, I guess I would be able to do the pool walking but not sure about the stationary bike yet
I do have some frozen fruit Ill try that!

Lisa

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@lisa12 Hi Lisa. I'm sorry about your knee. Have you tried an elliptical bike instead of stationary? Elliptical is more gentle on the joints. @johnbishop and myself both use a Teeter Freestep Recumbent bike and find it effective.

https://teeter.com/freestep/

Your dip sounds wonderful 😋. What time should I be over?! Haha!

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greenacres | @greenacres | Dec 4, 2021
In reply to @lisa12 "I totally agree with this- I have hardly ever meditated but need to try it. Sometimes..." + (show)
@lisa12

I totally agree with this- I have hardly ever meditated but need to try it. Sometimes I find that if I change my mind set and think about something positive that helps take the focus away and the pain seems to fade. Like one of my friends said, if we did not have a brain we would not have pain!

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I've recently been exploring something referred to as neuroplastic pain. There is some research being done by neuroscientists about how our brain reacts to pain. There are a couple of podcasts, Tell Me About Your pain, and Like Mind Like Body. Very interesting.

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1 reply
phreds | @phreds | Dec 4, 2021

I bought an Uprite Walker which lets me walk in a normal position not bent over. It has made all the difference in the world for me. With a curving spin with pain I couldn’t walk a straight line. Now look out I’m speed walking, well as fast as I can, in a straight line praise God. Look on Amazon I got the one with all terrain wheels. It is worth a look.

REPLY
kenc | @kenc | Dec 4, 2021
In reply to @budo7 "Have you tried meditation? I know for me there are days when I feel like you..." + (show)
@budo7

Have you tried meditation? I know for me there are days when I feel like you do. Pain is banging at a 10 and I can't get ahead of it.
A lot of dealing with pain comes from our minds. If a person can't control what they are feeling (works to a degree) then the battle can't be one.
For me I take each day as a blessing and do the best I can. Sometimes that means staying in bed meditating till I can get up.
Best wishes for you

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If staying in bed until some of the pain passes is meditating. I spend long hours doing that. Anyway, thank you for your advice.

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1 reply
budo7 | @budo7 | Dec 5, 2021
In reply to @kenc "If staying in bed until some of the pain passes is meditating. I spend long hours..." + (show)
@kenc

If staying in bed until some of the pain passes is meditating. I spend long hours doing that. Anyway, thank you for your advice.

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Try getting a book or research it online. I swear by it! Works for other things as well

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Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Dec 5, 2021

Hello everyone. Goals aren't always easy, whether big or small. Stay persistent, and persevere because YOU are WORTH it.

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