Once I got to the convention center, it was all about getting to as many sessions and absorbing as much information as possible. The one thing about this conference - which hosts more than 16,000 participants - is that the conference centers are usually HUGE! The convention center is two buildings and you end up running back and forth all day to make it to various sessions.
My first session focused on the idea that people with rheumatic diseases NEED to exercise. While it's easy to dismiss, because moving usually hurts, exercise is associated with decreased fatigue and pain levels, as well as improved mood. It's one of the big reasons why I was so excited to bring the Walk with Ease program to my job. It went into more detail than I can cover here, but the point is to find one goal/thing you like to do and just stick with it. Studies have found that when you are starting off, trying to do 18 different exercise programs doesn't work. For me, I started with walking, and then progressed to yoga. And really, that's all I do because it's what I like and what I can handle. I do softball when I can, but that isn't too often. I love my two main activities, and I know I'm more likely to stick to it than if I was trying to learn multiple sports/activities.
After that session, I checked out what I can only call Jeopardy for Rheumatologists. I knew a few answers, but for the most part it was so scientific, it was over my head.
Then a colleague and I walked around the exhibit hall and poster hall for a good hour. I don't remember the last time I just walked around talking to someone for an hour. It was a leisurely walk, but I was moving and I was walking with weights (my briefcase). It felt good.
After a light lunch of a mixed green salad with chicken and dressing on the side, I walked to the other end of the convention center to sit on a session on depression in rheumatic diseases. The presentation showed that people with depression have recorded higher levels of pain, fatigue and anxiety. It seems like in addition to treating the symptoms with medication, exercise is one great way to take control and help manage these symptoms.
From there I went to a meeting and then decided to walk to dinner. In addition to amazing shrimp and crab, we had the most delicious spinach and asparagus. I was thrilled to get my greens in and have eaten relatively healthy for the better part of the day. After dinner, we walked down to Pennsylvania Ave and walked a bit until it got too dark and isolated to go further. Now I'm back in my hotel, full, relaxed and happy.
Thinking back to previous trips to DC, I would always get back to my room and be in pain because walking was too harsh on my joints. I would also have eaten a ton of crap and would be considering ordering room service dessert. I'm really liking this healthier life.
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