We all know that things are a bit crazy now. But that is all the fun of living and that is that each year things go a little more bonkers. The year is now 2021 and no it's not the distant future where the world is being taken over by robots. Instead, we are still being told to stay at our home and live by the rules of social distancing and told to fear being outside and enjoying life like normal. This does not mean that you should not be going outside and staying active. Instead, it is suggested that since most people are being forced to work from home if they still have jobs that they should be getting outside. The fact is that even if you have a medical condition you still need to do what you can to live your best life.
When the weather allows it is paramount for your health to get in the sun and get moving. Being active with a stoma can indeed be a little bit more work than the average person has to deal with. It really is not all that bad though. Some people go all the way sedentary for no good reason in 2021 just because they have a stoma. It should in no way hinder what you are doing and how you are able to be active outside. It simply means you need to plan a little more or have a few extra ostomy supplies with you. This is a normal thing to me because I am an active person and a gear guy. I almost always have a backpack with me or an extra set of gear in my car for the worst-case scenario.
What do I enjoy doing in teh outdoors and what am I capable of doing with a stoma? Well, I like to jog. So if you really enjoy jogging then go out and jog. Now a caveat to that is that if you just had an ostomy surgery then you do indeed need to be a little more careful. Your abdomen is weaker than normal most likely due to the surgery. It also means you may be more apt to hernias in general. I am sure you heard all about this from your ostomy nurse or surgeon, but it is always good to keep that in the back of your mind. So if you just had surgery then you do need to start slow. Don’t jump back into jogging right away. Instead, use this as your learning time to get the right ostomy supplies that work for your outdoor or active lifestyle. Test out the right bags and make sure the adhesives work for you.
Don't give up on what you live. Instead, make sure you are getting the right tools that will help with your active life. So try and get bags and bands that are more comfortable and sweat resistant. You want them to breathe just like your clothing does. Under Armour took the world by storm due to its breathable materials and now most places have learned a thing or two about it and invested in using them for their products. Know also that some bags have loops for belts. Get a good elastic belt or protector for your stoma and enjoy the great outdoors.
