'I chose to work at it'

Jo-Ann Bullock, 53, St. Petersburg

GOAL: My goal was to enjoy my favorite activities again: gardening, working out, cycling and even playing with my dogs.

WHY I DID IT: It wasn't too long ago that I worked at a prestigious career and lived every moment of every day to the fullest. I was an energetic mom who enjoyed a variety of activities. I loved gardening and working in the backyard; I loved kayaking and taking walks outdoors; I took pump (or weightlifting) classes, a spin class and even participated in 5Ks! All that changed when I got into a car accident. All of the things I loved doing seemed to be impossible.

What really motivated me to get going again was the simple fact that I was bored. It wasn't what I was used to. I wanted to be outside! I wanted to be healthy and active. I love traveling and taking road trips, but driving long distances wasn't sitting well with my new life of physical pain. It was difficult, and as I watched my garden wither, I knew it was time to get out there again and do the things I love. The pain was a blockade, and I needed a solution to knock that blockade down.

I wanted my life back! I would sit there and pet my dogs, but I wasn't able to run, throw a ball or chase them in the yard. It's depressing seeing your pets staring at you wondering, "Why aren't you playing with me?" That was a strong motivation!

HOW I DID IT: I was recommended to Dr. Charles Friedman, a pain management specialist. He and my physicians at Pain Relief Centers showed me various neck, arm and back stretches. He also did a procedure called radiofrequency neurotomy (also called radiofrequency rhizotomy) to reduce pain in the spinal joints.

The pain from my car accident was sometimes unbearable. It was a sharp, shooting pain from my neck down my arm. I couldn't turn my head or move upper extremities. Stretching and pain medicine just hadn't been cutting it.

Once I started receiving the radiofrequency procedures, the pain that debilitated me and stopped me in my tracks was finally soothed. I started the stretches and my routines again. I also started taking my neighborhood walks again - slowly.

As my physical activity began to improve, I got my own spin bike for the house! I started spinning again regularly at home. I even bought my own weight set and started weight training at home. I went back to taking over some yard work, gardening, pulling weeds and enjoying the outdoors again. The main idea was I didn't just sit and wait around for my health to dwindle. I started a routine and stuck with it. I started slowly to do what I was comfortable with, and I did a lot of it at home so there was no pressure from outside factors or people at the gym (maybe waiting for the equipment or trying to keep up with a workout class).

HURDLES: My problems were with any physical pain that would resurface. The treatment was so effective that, fortunately for me, the pain didn't come back as I started to train and become active again.

It can be frustrating moving slowly at an activity (like weight training) that used to be easier. It also can be frustrating to even have to think about long drives or things that may cause pain. But becoming active again - even in the smallest way, like gardening or playing with the dogs - helped a lot in coming back.

GOING THE DISTANCE: I began stretching regularly after the procedure, and I got the necessary equipment and created a schedule of activities I could do at a realistic pace. Before I knew it, I was almost completely back to where I was before my car accident. Every day I push it a little further. I might stay out in the yard a little longer. I might throw the ball to the dogs a little farther and add five minutes to the cycle. With weights it would be the same - just a couple more reps or a couple more pounds to add to the routine and continue progressing.

BEST ADVICE: I want to encourage women out there who may have experienced something traumatic or have pain to not be disheartened. Get up, get out there - find the solution and be the strong woman you were before being knocked down. If I could do it, any woman can. I learned that life isn't over. In my case, we were all alive and well after the accident; it was the quality of my life that I wanted back, and I found the solution. It takes proper treatment or procedures and the motivation to couple any medical treatment with lifestyle choices. I chose to work at it. I chose to take it slow but to persevere. I am not sure if I can get back to a 5K again, but I sure would like to try!