If I change my perspective, starting over isn’t a bad thing

A couple of years ago, I took on boxing as a form of exercise. I’d never step into the ring, but I loved working on proper form, building strength, and seeing how much conditioning I could handle.

I was proud of the progress I made. Then, as often happens with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), my health shifted. A flare, a new round of treatments, and unrelenting fatigue meant hitting pause. I felt the gains slipping through my fingers.

Fast-forward to today, and I’m back to learning proper boxing form again. This time, though, I’m doing it with the help of PlayStation and a virtual reality headset. I’m punching virtual targets as they scroll toward me, completely engrossed in the game while getting a full-body workout. I’m frustrated that my body isn’t moving as it did before, so I’m trying to tune out that negative voice that suggests it’s OK to quit.

With NMOSD, every part of life requires adjustments. Sometimes they’re small; other times they’re massive. Exercise has been one of the trickier balancing acts for me. I know how important it is for my overall health, yet staying motivated when my body doesn’t always cooperate has been a long-term challenge.

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The hardest part of exercise for me is trying not to lose momentum, which is crucial when I’m training with a goal in mind. Momentum is what carries me forward on the days when motivation is low, and it can help to transform small habits into lasting change. Breaking that rhythm feels like starting over. But what I’ve learned is that momentum doesn’t disappear forever; it just waits for me to pick it up again.

So I’ve had to remind myself that a repeat gain is still a gain. Just because I’ve reached a fitness milestone before doesn’t mean it has less value when I reach it again. In fact, the resilience it takes to return to that point makes it even more meaningful. I think of it like my personal finances. If I dip into my savings and have to start rebuilding, the next deposit is still money in the bank. It doesn’t matter that I’ve saved that amount before; it’s still progress.

Shifting my mindset in this way has made exercise feel less like a series of losses and more like a cycle of wins, no matter how small. Every time I rebuild, I prove to myself that I can.

Another strategy that’s helped is accountability. Just as I might set up automatic transfers to keep my savings on track, having an accountability partner can do the same for fitness. Whether it’s a friend, a family member, or even a trainer who understands my health limitations, knowing that someone’s in my corner keeps me consistent. On the days when motivation is hard to find and I’ve lost my momentum, it helps to hear, “Let’s just do a little bit together.” Sometimes that “little bit” is all I need to find momentum again.

For those of us living with chronic conditions like NMOSD, our exercise may never look the way it does for someone else, and that’s OK. Our wins are measured differently, but they’re just as valuable. Progress doesn’t always have to be linear; sometimes it’s about circling back and choosing to keep moving forward, again and again.

So if you find yourself restarting your routine for what feels like the hundredth time, try not to view it as a setback, but rather as a deposit into your health savings account. With each contribution, big or small, you’re investing in yourself — and that’s something worth celebrating.

Note: Neuromyelitis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Neuromyelitis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).