Have you ever gone to the gym and seen a person with an ostomy bag? Have you ever been disturbed by someone who may be holding excrement on their side and been working out on all the equipment like you? I am guessing not and that is because no one even knows you have an ostomy most of the time. The question of athleticism and being able to be active comes up a good amount from people who are just told they need an ostomy. It is a moment that they are filled with fear and it sure is nice to be able to spread the word that they are going to be OK. Not only are they going to be OK, but most likely they are going to go about their lives just like normal. That is because there are people with ostomies working out at gyms and being athletic all the time and every second of the day. It really is true and for the most part, as long as your medical practitioner says it's ok to be active then you can be.

This really is amazing news and most people love hearing that they can still stay fit and be active with their friends and family. I like to talk about Mr. Morten and how he took athleticism to a whole new level. He had his colon removed and needed to have a stoma. After his ileostomy surgery he was worried about competing at a high level of athleticism again. He was a Danish professional bicyclist. So instead of backing down from a challenge, he went straight at it. His goal was to live a normal life and to not give up on his personal and professional wishes. He obviously had to change some daily routines, but he went straight back into the athletic realm.

Mr. Morten has his own blog now and talks all about his experience with his ostomy and the gear he uses to be athletic. He got so good and confident with the ostomy gear that he finished an Iron Man competition in 10 hours. That is incredible. The Iron Man competition is one of the hardest and most physically demanding contests in the world and he crushed it. He took the challenge as simply that a challenge and he overcame great obstacles. Now we are able to go along the journey with him and learn how to be athletic and live with an ostomy as well. He is a great example of many people who have done incredible things with an ostomy bag attached to them.

Do not fear for a moment that your life is over now that you have a stoma. Instead, dream big and think of all the things you would like to accomplish this year. Then make a 5-year plan and even make some crazy physical goals that you would like to accomplish. For me it is backpacking. I love to hike and do long trips, but I also want to backpack in the Grand Tetons. I know this will be very hard and I will need to get my physical condition in much better shape. I need to be able to hike with 40lbs of weight and go up thousands of feet of elevation every single day with that weight on me.