Mardi Gras Enthusiast With MS Determined to Live With Joy Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Multiple Sclerosis News
Mardi Gras Enthusiast With MS Determined to Live With Joy
‘I love bartending and need to be mobile to do what I love.’ By David LyonsFor MS Fitness ChallengeDecember 30, 2019Everyday Health BlogsFact-CheckedJax Hammond is committed to staying fit, physically and mentally.Photo Courtesy of Jacqueline HammondJacquelyn Hammond, Jax for short, is a member of our MS Fitness Challenge GYM Facebook group. She is determined to conquer multiple sclerosis (MS) through fitness and not let the disease dictate her joy. She has the right attitude, in my opinion. I believe mindset is the greatest tool in fighting MS, and what I call mental fitness is one of the three keys to fitness. In Hammond’s own words: “I live in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, and at age 46, I’m enjoying my life as a small business owner and part-time bartender. I’m extremely active in my community and serve as a board member for the Asheville Mardi Gras. I love dressing up in fun costumes all year long and spreading fun and frivolity to our city. To advocate for MS, I decided to live my life in joy, let my community know I have MS, and let everyone know that folks with MS do not need pity, just patience and understanding.” David Lyons: When were you diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and what were your symptoms? Jax Hammond: I was diagnosed in April 2019. My lesions are in my spine only at this time. The main symptom was an extremely weak, heavy left leg with foot drop. I also experienced numbness, tingling, and fatigue. DL: What motivated you to start working out to help battle MS? JH: The first two MS groups I joined were focused on diet and exercise to heal. Hearing the positive outcomes of hundreds of members was all the evidence I needed to get up and move my body! DL: What are your symptoms currently, and have they improved since starting a workout routine? JH: Currently I get mild numbness from time to time, but my leg strength is almost back to normal. In addition, my energy is through the roof, and my mental-emotional state is better than it's ever been! DL: What is the biggest challenge in your workouts? JH: Consistency. I'm not a natural at time management. My job puts me at the mercy of my clients. I have learned how to multitask. Also, I had to push through some limiting beliefs I had about what I’m still capable of. DL: How did you get started on an exercise program? JH: I started by immersing myself in yoga every day for two weeks. This gave me a gentle, calm way to process my diagnosis and honor my body, mind, and spirit. From there, I started in on the 8-Week MS Challenge online exercise program, which incorporates strength training and exercises aimed at improving balance and mobility. DL: How do you stay motivated to continue an exercise routine? JH: I love bartending and need to be mobile to do what I love. And to stay mobile, I need to move. DL: Are there times when you want to quit or give up? JH: There are still times where I want to slide back into being sedentary, because I get lazy. So each day, I make a choice to give in to my dream of living a vibrant, mobile life. Then I get up and do something — anything. DL: What is your current exercise routine? JH: I use the MS Workouts program two to three times per week, do strength-training two to three times per week, and once a week I'll do yoga, walk, or dance. Whenever I need a change, I do some swimming. DL: Have you altered your diet since being diagnosed with MS? JH: Oh yes! I follow the diet endorsed by Matt Embry on his website MS Hope and have happily eliminated gluten, dairy, added sugar, and legumes, and reduced saturated fat. DL: How has working out changed your life and helped with your MS? JH: While it has given me back parts of my physical life I thought I lost, the major impact has been on my mindset. I thought MS was going to overtake me and strip me of my identity as a woman. Working out proved that I can be stronger then MS. My body wants to be in optimal health. DL: What is your MS mission? JH: My MS mission is to live a vibrant life with little medical intervention. It’s important that I portray myself as someone rising above the fear centered around a diagnosis like MS, because I believe our outlook controls our outcome. Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday Health.See More NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Multiple Sclerosis Newsletter
SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Multiple Sclerosis
Dysarthria When MS Makes It Hard to Speak
By Mona SenOctober 20, 2022 Is That Really How I Walk
By Trevis GleasonOctober 18, 2022 How Do You Know When to Throw in the Towel
By Trevis GleasonOctober 14, 2022 Living With MS What to Know About Neuropathic Pain and How to Manage It
Neuropathic pain is not your average pain. Here’s what to know about this unique type of MS pain and how to find relief.By Kerry WeissOctober 12, 2022 UTIs and MS The Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment
If you have multiple sclerosis, you may be prone to frequent urinary tract infections. Besides being painful, UTIs can make MS worse, so it’s important...By Kerry WeissOctober 12, 2022 Why Is Orange the Color of MS
By Trevis GleasonOctober 11, 2022 13 Celebrities Who Have Multiple Sclerosis
Look among the millions of people with multiple sclerosis and you'll find famous faces, too. Learn how some of these celebrities are dealing with MS and...By Regina Boyle WheelerOctober 11, 2022 We All Have Something to Teach Our MS Doctors
By Trevis GleasonOctober 7, 2022 EBV An MS Box I Can Finally Tick
By Trevis GleasonOctober 4, 2022 Every Good Day Counts for More Than One
By Trevis GleasonSeptember 29, 2022 More In MS Fitness Challenge 5 Tips for Dealing With MS Fatigue During Exercise
How One Man With MS Trained for and Completed an Ironman Triathlon
Doing the Right Exercises Allows Mother of 3 With PPMS to Rebuild Her Strength