When you have fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS), it can be hard to reach even simple goals. However, goals become even more important when your health is at stake. While you'll likely have to go slowly and carefully, setting goals and working to achieve them can get your treatment and self-management on track, help raise your self-esteem, and even change your brain chemistry - achieving goals (even small ones!) raises your norepinephrine level, which can alleviate some symptoms.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by your goals, try breaking them down in to smaller parts. Instead of thinking, "I need to lose 60 pounds," think "I'd like to lose 5 pounds this month." Write down what you'd like to accomplish, come up with a plan for how you can realistically do it, and give yourself a deadline (a generous one, though - build in extra time to accommodate your illness.)
To show you that I practice what I preach, and to help me renew my commitment, I'm going to give you an update on my New Year's resolutions. They are:
- To follow a low-cal diet and lose weight: I'm happy with my progress so far. Using About.com's free Calorie Count program, I've changed my eating habits and lost 8 pounds! I've got a long way to go, but it's a start.
- To be more consistent about exercise: I've been better, but not as good as I'd like. I'm doing Sit & Be Fit or yoga 2-3 days a week. I'd like to work up to 5-6, especially since I feel distinctly better when I exercise.
- To be better about housework: I still need to work on doing small jobs frequently instead of letting them become big jobs that are overwhelming. My husband and I have tacked several organization and deep-cleaning projects, though, and overall our house is in better shape.
What are your goals? Share them, your strategy for achieving them, and how you've done so far! Just click on "Leave a Comment" below.
Suggested Reading:
- Exercising With Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Managing Symptoms With Your Diet
- Find & Eliminate Food Sensitivities
Photo © David Madison/Getty Images
My goals are the exact same. I’ve lost 6 1/2 pounds. I’ve taken the last 4 days off from exercise because I over-did-it earlier this week but can’t wait to jump back on the wagon, hopefully next week.
My house chores are lagging behind. I managed to clean one section of the kitchen yesterday and I am getting better at delegating to the kids & hubby.
I am 64 and unfortunately a widow and live alone. until a year ago I had a live in maid, but have moved countries and this is now not possible. so after becoming completely overwhelmed by housework, I am now trying a cleaning firm who will come this week for the first time and I will see how that goes. my apartment is not dirty but not as clean as I would like.
Late week a left a comment that I was setting a goal of finding a notebook and writing a goal for the day. And I did it and organised the bedding for the quest room in the closet. and I actually did it! But then forgot to set goals the rest of the week! I have a lot of goals that I need to delegate and that is the hardest part, I don’t want to be a nag. Guess I better set a goal to get over that!