31 Days of CF: The Importance of Exercise and a Strong Mindset

Photo courtesy of Keena Bauer

Day 2 of 31

This is Keena Bauer’s story:

My name is Keena Bauer. I am 44 and live in Nebraska. I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at 6 months old, so exercise and the importance of it have always been present in my life. Up until about 13 years ago, my exercise included mostly cardio, such as running or exercising on elliptical machines.  

After the birth of my second daughter in my early 30s, I started weight training, and it changed my life! I began attending a group weightlifting class called Bodypump at my gym. It changed my body, which was fascinating to me, but the most surprising and welcome development was how it changed my mindset.

There is such an amazing thing that happens to your mind when you pick up those weights and realize you are strong, you are powerful, and you can do hard things. Perhaps this is a metaphor for living my life with CF. There are so many hard things about CF but I take it one day at a time and I can do the hard things.  

The pandemic has presented some challenges as I had to quit going to my gym. I have continued to weight train at home but I miss the atmosphere that you find in a group fitness class. Now that I have been fully vaccinated, I look forward to the day I can return to class. I can certainly add getting through a pandemic to the list of hard things I can do while living a full life with CF.  

You, too, are strong. You are powerful. You can do hard things!

Cystic Fibrosis News Today’s 31 Days of CF campaign will publish one story per day for Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in May. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more stories like this, using the hashtag #31DaysofCF, or go here to see the full series.