Woman overcoming Lymphedema by training as bodybuilder
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- čas přidán 2. 10. 2021
- “I don’t say 'Why me?' I say 'Why not me?' The answer is very clear, I can handle it," Amy Rivera said.
STORY: www.ksdk.com/article/sports/w...
We have all seen female bodybuilders in our life. These are women who must show a great deal of sacrifice and dedication to get as cut as they possibly can be.
When you watch 40-year-old Amy Rivera walk onto the stage, you know that she has really worked at her craft. However, unless you know her story you have no idea what this athlete has gone through to walk on that stage and compete in the North American Natural Bodybuilding Federation Midwest Naturals.
Rivera was born with Lymphedema. About 10 million Americans have to deal with it. The disease is regarded as incurable and progressive. It causes the soft tissue part of the body to swell, sometimes to enormous proportions. And because of it, Rivera has had to deal with some awfully unkind things directed at her over the years.
“I’ve heard people tell me elephant leg, my mom had sex with an elephant, don’t get close to me, can I catch it from you? There were times that I just wanted to cry and I wanted to give up," Rivera said.
She kept fighting because she felt the Lymphedema community needed her. She was the first to reverse it in the United States. She was the first to have the surgery. She was one of the first to wear shorts with the disease.
Rivera fought it head-on. The surgery removed 4 two liters of solid and 16 inches of skin. Her right leg went from 200% larger than her left left leg to 1% larger.
Bodybuilding was going to be her statement.
“All my life I wanted to be an athlete," she said. "My heart and soul told me health and wellness was the way. I wanted to play every sport but I couldn’t. I went for the most extreme sport you can go for, bodybuilding. I used to watch these competitions and thought how cool it would be to transform my body and make it look great. People kept telling me I couldn’t do it.”
Rivera uses compression bandages to keep the swelling down. She does yoga and works out like an NFL player.
Her diet is monitored closely especially during competitions.
“I don’t say 'Why me?' I say 'Why not me?' The answer is very clear, I can handle it. I can be an inspiration in the Lymphedema community.”
I have had Lymphedema for years. I am alot older than you, 64 and people are very cruel. I never had surgery but I am takung care of myself now. Not hiding anymore Eating better, execising more and wearing my compression daily I am a winner not a loser. Yoyr story is defintely an inspuration to all woman.Thank you❤😊
❤️
U are not alone...best wishes to u on your health journey...❤
Why would someone say her mom slept with a elephant wtf is wrong with people
Oh my God this is awesome. I’ve had this since I was 12 started when I was taking ballet tap and jazz every day and it never got as bad as hers, but I always had the swelling mainly around the ankles and feet. Now I see a lot of people are getting full suction for this. I think I’m going to do it and the funny thing is the reason why I started watching this is because I decided at 54 that I wanna be 12% body fat again and look like I did when I was dancing and I started seeing these women doing these IFBB pro and Wellness and bikini competitions and I think I can build that type of body. this is very inspirational.
I was diagnosed 6 months ago. This is so uplifting💙
❤❤ Be Strong sister ❤️🙏
❤❤❤
Ive been suffering for 5 years know
wow we're struggling with lymphedema in my mom. this is amazing and i can't wait to pass this on to my mom and sister
She looked amazing on that stage!
❤ inspiring strong women 😊
I’m happy for her and the ppl she touches
God bless them all 🤍
I have this and now i can't live in misery she never gave up and i haven't I'm searching for ways to help me and working out seems the best way to go and eating healthy
Inspirational woman ❤
I have lipedema. The "because I can handle it" made me tear up ..
Awesome!
My sister has been diagnosed with Lymphedema. I wish there is a cure soon.
From India.
There is a Stanford University trial on lymphedema going on right now!
🙏
@@MauiTheBengalCat Glad to hear that. Please keep me informed
Wow this is amazing 👏
I always wondered what would happen if a person with lipedema trained like a body builder.
I have lipedema. It's hard, but they're just fat cells. They're just very stubborn and behave a little differently.
I have lost 70lbs and my lipedema is not nearly as prominent. I'm still disproportionate, but I've found that overloading the muscle with weights and running helping the lymphatic draining I'm managing well!
@@thegrumpyhorticulturist Congrats, that’s excellent result’s considering the struggle, what sort of meals do you eat to help with weight loss ?
How inspirational you Rock sister 🙌❤️🤗🌺🌺🌺
I have stage 1 lipedema. Carnivore has really helped me the last three months. I'm going to start adding some fruit back in soon, and I really want to get back to weightlifting for this reason. I want this lumpy fat to get used up and clear out. I can't stand it. 😕
So inspired!!!!!!!!
Good for her. She looks beautiful.
The only thing bad in this story was not told or shown is her routine to get her in the present position today... where is the description please instead of sensationalization of her progress.
What an inspiration. Too many take a diagnosis as a curse and it is self fulfillin, yet others use it as a motivation to get well. Praise God
Thank you for sharing. How long after surgery can you start training?
People with lipedema have already been put on a lot of burden, going thro heavy bodybuilding training must make their life even harder, I wish the cure for lymphedema soon to be invented and let every patient be free from all the pain
This is an amazing story what Lymphedema clinic did you use?
WOW I’d love to meet her!❤
Amazing!
Does diet help lipedema or lymphedema, if so which diet has helped
A whole food ketogenic diet that limits dairy has shown the most promise so far.
@@ashleykennedy2824 so no cream , cheese as well?
@@kzp5249 correct. 😭 Mostly just meat and non starchy veg.
Anymore? wow
Nice
literally doing the exact same thing LOL. Thought I'd be the first. Guess not!
Same
Doesn’t matter that you aren’t first. I think the more people that are role models for people with this disease, by their success, are further evidence that there is hope for a brighter future for all people with lymphedema. Plus, it educates the ignorant and helps bring attention for more research that could one day bring a cure. God bless all of you who are so courageous and may you succeed in all you do!
Disgusting
Whyll,p?
What’s disgusting?
@@beverleymt8288he is
The only thing disgusting is how the medical system played hoy potato with her since she was a child. That took away half her life. That is beyond disgusting. And your comment comes in as a close second❤