Swimming, cycling and running with medical compression stockings - why sport is so good for lipoedema
“Giving up is not an option! We can always get back on track - in sport and in self-management of our lipoedema,” says Vanessa Reins. The 35-year-old has suffered from lipoedema (fat distribution disorder) since her youth, which can make certain sports such as running difficult due to pain in her legs. During the corona pandemic, she decided to get back on her bike after years and became a sports freak through continuous training. In this interview, she explains how she managed to lose 32 kilos and why sport is particularly recommended for lipoedema sufferers.
Dear Ms. Reins, your second triathlon is coming up in July 2024 - sport is your great passion. Has it always been like that?
“I used to be the classic ‘couch potato’ and hardly did any exercise. I got into triathlon through my neighbor and his girlfriend. They are both enthusiastic triathletes and he regularly takes part in Ironman competitions. They motivated my husband and me to start cycling again. On 1 May 2020, we cycled 20 kilometers - a real challenge for me at the time. But my ambition was awakened and I've been cycling at least three times a week ever since.”
How did you come up with the idea of taking part in a triathlon?
“It would never have occurred to me, but my former neighbor asked me at the end of 2022 if I would like to try it, and I just thought ‘Why not, I'm in’. So we signed up for the Churfranken Triathlon in Niedernberg near Aschaffenburg. I had already built up a good level of fitness and routine through regular training - sport was no longer a means to an end, but had become an integral part of my life. In addition to cycling, I had also discovered other sports such as swimming, Pilates, hula hoop and trampolining. Since then, I've needed my regular dose of exercise for a balanced mental life. I enjoy working out - and I've lost 32 kilos so far, also thanks to a balanced diet.”
What distance does the triathlon cover?
“This is the classic beginner's distance: 500 meters swimming, 20 kilometers cycling and 5 kilometers running - exactly in this order. After registering, I must admit I was a little panicky and very excited. But I wanted to give it my all. At the start of training, I went walking as well as cycling. I slowly increased the distance and my speed until I could jog a kilometer without needing an oxygen tent. I was incredibly motivated and didn't let myself get discouraged. Running was already my worst sport at school: due to my lipoedema, which appeared during puberty, I had constant pain in my legs. I couldn't take part in a study trip to Greece because I wouldn't have been able to manage the excursions and all the running. My classmates thought I was lazy back then!”
Medical compression stockings after diagnosis of “lipoedema on arms and legs”
Has the pain improved in the meantime?
“Yes, the training has helped me build up muscle mass, which has improved my circulation. In addition, unlike before, I wear medical compression garments - this has reduced my pain. I was diagnosed with lipoedema on my arms and legs in 2014. A friend drew my attention to the typical signs and recommended that I consult a specialist.
After the appointment, I was happy that the child finally had a name, but the way the doctor told me the diagnosis was very insensitive. I also weighed 32 kilograms more at the time and he said that losing weight wouldn't help. Complete nonsense! Although the fat distribution disorder can make the weight loss process more difficult, people with lipoedema can also lose weight with the right diet and exercise. Only the lipoedema fat cells do not disappear - only liposuction can help here.”
Have you ever thought about it?
“I made a conscious decision against it. Although an operation can relieve the pain, it cannot cure the disease. As long as I manage to reduce my symptoms with exercise, a healthy diet and medical compression, I see no reason for liposuction. I am much more self-confident today than I used to be and have learned to accept my body and love it as it is. This is exactly what I would like to pass on to other sufferers. I want to support, inspire and encourage them to be true to themselves and actively shape their own lives - everyone should find their own way. With discipline and consistent self-management, we sufferers can achieve a lot and regain a bit of quality of life.”
Compression stockings for sports: flat-knit medical care
Were you always this optimistic?
“To be honest, no. In the three years after my diagnosis, I buried my head in the sand and felt sorry for myself because I thought I couldn't do anything about the condition. I didn't get on well with my first medical compression garment either, so I quickly put it back in the cupboard. But the pain remained and my suffering increased. In 2017, I went to another doctor who recommended rehab. I met a patient there who raved about her two-piece flat knit medical treatment and said I just had to find the right one for me. And it was true! During rehab, I got a new flat-knit fitting and from then on I got on better with it.”
Which medical compression garments do you use today?
“I currently wear mediven 550* with an elbow function zone on my arms - perfect for working on the PC. And on my legs I wear mediven cosy* with a lateral seam and optimized heel. For women like me with sensitive feet that easily get pressure sores, both innovations are ideal - and they look good too. After all, the look is also relevant, especially in summer with open shoes. I've also incorporated a functional knee zone - this is particularly comfortable when cycling and gives me more freedom of movement.”
“I was so incredibly proud of the fact that I kept at it and didn't get discouraged.”
How did you experience the day of the competition in summer 2023?
“It was hot, around 38 degrees, and I was really worried about being able to complete the triathlon. As I had been ill for a long time beforehand and hadn't been able to train as much as planned, I had reduced my original goal of completing the race in under one and a half hours to two hours. I was totally nervous and felt slightly out of place: all the other participants were slim, wiry and had a very low body fat percentage. I stood out despite my weight loss. My family and friends were there to cheer me on, as were the spectators. In the end, I was one of the last runners to finish, but I was so happy to have completed the course in a time of 1:39:00, which was decent for me. Many people didn't even make it to the finish because they fell over due to the weather. I was in tears shortly after crossing the finish line - it was an overwhelming feeling!”
You are active on social media and have a lot of followers - how did they react to your first triathlon?
“They celebrated it just as much as I did - the solidarity and support in the community is great. I didn't do the competition just for myself, I wanted to show what is possible with lipoedema. Giving up is not an option, we can always get back on track - in sport and in self-management of our lipoedema. Of course there are bad days, but we have to keep going for our physical and mental well-being. When I started my Instagram account 'Rundundsportlich' in 2020, I didn't have any ambitions. I just wanted to report on my everyday life with lipoedema, to keep an online diary, so to speak, and get in touch with other people affected. I would never have dreamed of having 17,800 followers, let alone a cooperation with the medical device manufacturer medi. Today, I try to use my reach wisely to help those affected and raise public awareness of the disease. Nobody should feel as socially isolated and discriminated against as I did as a teenager. I fight for that every day! That's why I'm currently planning a lipoedema awareness campaign.”
Raising awareness: making lipoedema known throughout Germany
What's behind it?
“It's still a bit too early to go into detail, but I'm part of a working group that has set itself the goal of raising awareness of lipoedema throughout Germany. We really want to reach everyone: Those affected, doctors, therapists, service providers, but also people who have had no previous contact with the condition. Here, too, I am working closely with medi and other organizations to set up the project professionally. A large-scale media campaign is needed to raise awareness of lipoedema, its symptoms and treatment options. In this way, prejudices can also be broken down, which helps to reduce the stigmatization of those affected. I try to bring the topic to the world, such as recently in April at FIBO (= the world's largest trade fair for fitness, wellness and health in Cologne) or at my second triathlon now in July 2024. This year I'm even on the cover of the flyer because the organizer was so impressed by my story and how much I inspire others with it.”
How are you preparing for the triathlon?
“I go swimming and jogging once a week for an hour each. And I cycle three times. In May, I also spent ten days in a hotel on Lanzarote that specializes in professional and amateur triathletes. I intensified my training there on my own once again.”
What goal have you set yourself for this year's triathlon?
“Last year I swam breaststroke, but this year I've been working on my technique, my movements and my breathing and will probably be swimming crawl at the competition in July. I hope to be faster in the water as a result and complete the entire distance in under an hour and a half. But I'm not stressing about it - the important thing is to finish and enjoy the experience again and hopefully with less excitement.”
Ms. Reins, thank you very much for the interview and good luck at the competition!
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Remarks:
*Intended purpose:
mediven® 550 arm:
Flat-knitted medical compression garment used for compression of the upper extremities, mainly for the treatment of disorders of the venous and lymphatic systems.
mediven® cosy:
Flat-knitted medical compression garment used for compression of the lower extremities, mainly for the treatment of disorders of the lymphatic system.
