When learning how to evaluate a patient in physical therapy school, the first thing they teach you is that you have to establish rapport.  This is probably one of my greatest strengths.  In home health I will often get a warning from someone who has seen the patient before. “She’s a handful.” “He won’t do a thing for you.” I usually end up, if nothing else, getting the patient to express that they don’t want to participate, rather than playing games with me for three weeks.  I think I do this by being compassionate, understanding that their body, as well as the building where they reside, is their home  and yes, my philosophy background helps me to see the big picture – treat holistically if you will.  I also do it by being honest about my own limitations. 

When I evaluate a patient and get the sense that they want to get better, they know they should comply with the homework I give them, they just don’t seem to be able to get motivated, I tell them my dirty little secret: I hold the title of being The World’s Laziest Physical Therapist.  It’s true.  I have gained 30 pounds since the day I was married.  I can blame it on having three children.  I can blame it on the fact that my husband apparently likes me Rueben-esque because he just can’t help bringing in a pie or a cake or ice cream despite my best attempts to keep them out of the house.  He’s got some serious hunter-gatherer things going on that I’ve learned I can’t fight. 

Anyway, the truth is that I am lazy.  I hate to exercise.  I’m always happy when I’ve done it, and I know the theory that once you get started you will crave it and miss it when you don’t and God knows I know why it’s important.  I’m a physical therapist for heaven’s sake! But – nope.  Every day is a struggle for me.  I try getting up to walk the reservoir trail when it opens in the morning. The sunrise is gorgeous, there are few dogs so I can take Ed the Dog (aka crazy dog) without much ado, I feel great when I’m done – I’M DONE FOR THE DAY!!! – and yet, the next morning is torture.  I can do it five days in a row, but all it takes is one rainy morning, one morning of smacking the snooze and it’s all over. 

Going to the gym – I love my gym.  It’s first and foremost an indoor climbing gym.  I walk the treadmill, row the machine, dance Zumba, practice Yoga, all in a funky environment of hot rock climbers of all ages, hip music and no pretensions.  What’s not to like?  Going there at all.  I literally have to speak out loud to myself at the end of my work day, “Mary don’t even think about turning that car towards home.  You are going to the gym.”

I love to hike.  Ok, maybe down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up was a bit of overkill, but Jan wanted to do it and like any annoying little sister I follow her wherever she goes.  Here in the San Francisco Bay Area we are lousy with hiking trails, flat, uphill/downhill, inland, oceanside.  I have a great pair of hiking boots, thank you Grand Canyon trip, and trekking poles.  I have no excuses for not taking advantage of this, except that I’m TWLPT. 

It’s disgusting.  If everything really does happen for a reason, I suppose the reason for this flaw is that I can establish rapport with my patients.  It’s true that when I confess this to them, I see their shoulders settle, a chuckle escapes their lips, their jaws relax.  It’s then that I know I have half a chance of helping these people meet their goals.  They learn that I’m human and suddenly they trust me and – instant rapport.

None of us are perfect in this exercise/eat right game.  I used to agree with Don, because a little sister should always agree with her big brother, that a day without ice cream is not worth living.  That is still true, but I try to think of it more in terms of creation “days” and have backed it down.  I watch my portions.  I watch my fat.  It’s not so difficult.

The exercise thing, though, I don’t know.  After my retreat when I got up every morning to hike the hills (maybe that’s the secret – no other life responsibilities!) I am determined to exercise, do something, anything, every day.  So far so good.  It’s been a week.  That’s pretty much been my record for daily exercise.  So we’ll see how it goes from here on out.  If I continue on this track and God forbid start to crave it and miss it, and I have to give my crown away to another lazy physical therapist, I’m just going to lie about it to my patients.  It’s just too helpful in establishing that rapport.  Anyway, I will always have the trophy in my case, and you never know when I’ll be back in the competition.