I know I need regular exercise, but even before I had fibromyalgia I wasn't good about it. The only times in my life I've been consistent have been when the exercise was mandatory, like when it was a high school or college class, or when I had to walk or ride a bike because I didn't have a car.
Now, with symptoms that fluctuate from day to day, I find it very hard to be consistent. I know there's a ton of clinical and anecdotal evidence showing that with fibromyalgia, consistent, moderate exercise can really help, and I know when I've been better about exercising it has helped; still, it can be hard to find the motivation. On bad days, I don't want to do anything, and on good days I have too many other things to do. If I'm cleaning or grocery shopping, that counts as that day's exercise (and then some!), but too often I find myself at the computer all day. I end up with a numb brain and tight, achy, twitchy muscles.
Lately, though, I've been getting consistent exercise -- I no longer have a choice! We got a puppy, and he demands it.
I know, you're probably wondering what in the world I was thinking. A year ago, I wouldn't have done it, but I felt that I was improved enough to deal with it (especially since I have 2 kids and 1/3 of an acre.)
Still, the amount of exercise I got in the first week we had him put me into a minor flare. It also activated some myofascial trigger points that had been latent (I also have myofascial pain syndrome), so I've stepped up my acupuncture treatments.
We've had him for about a month now, my symptoms have quieted down, and I've gotten into some better habits -- when I feel good, I'll go out and run a little bit so he can chase me, or I'll take him for a walk. When I don't feel good, I'll stand or sit in one place and get him to fetch. On my worst days, I lay on the couch holding one end of his rope while he tugs.
He's made exercise mandatory for me again, so I'm actually doing it consistently. The result is that I'm feeling better, my muscles aren't as sore, and I've got less fibro fog. I'm already seeing some improvements in stamina and muscle tone. The flare derailed my diet, but now I'm getting back to it and I'm hoping the diet plus increased exercise will help me lose some weight.
Certainly, not everyone is ready for the "puppy exercise program," but if you're like me and have trouble being consistent, maybe you can find something that will make you get up and move for a few minutes a day. (Remember that we need to start small and go slowly! Over doing it, like I did, will make you worse.)
Have you found something that helps you be consistent about exercise? Are you still struggling to find out how much exercise is OK for you? Has exercise helped you improve you fibro symptoms? Leave a comment below!
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I adore beagles, and what a cutey this one is. Beagles demand exercise! Mine forces me out of bed in the morning. Fortunately, we have a dog park within a few blocks. I can remember when I had a beagle pup, I had to invent all sorts of ways for him to get exercise–catching the ball on the first bounce, throwing the ball downstairs, and of course, tug of war.
I have 4 dogs! A Pit Bull, Min Pin, and 2 Chihuahua’s! Yes, they make me get up and go outside for fresh air several times a day, on the days where getting up isn’t an issue its great. On those days when everything hurts, I go out anyway and moan outside
Without my dogs I’d probably be a lot worse off, I agree with Adrienne that a motivating factor can help us move when it hurts, we have to keep moving, however it hurts. JUST DO IT!
Just the thought of a dog pulling me or jerking me or jumping on me causes alarms to go off!
I am motivated to take good care of my cats and my fish.I do that first thing in the morning when my energy levels are best.I try to take care of my girls and my husband to the best of my abilitites. ‘Take Care of the Living’, that’s my motto.
I have a tai chi tape that I like to do in the a.m. It stretches every muscle,surprisingly. To ease my social conscience, we sometimes foster kittens from the ARL! That’s a great way to volunteer! They always need dog walkers, so if you don’t want to own a dog, but want to exercise that way, Volunteer!
We also got a new pup in August, after our ‘old mellow’ lab passed away. The puppy is still alot of work, of course, and as wonderful as he is, it’s hard to pace properly. I have both FM and CFS, and it seems like the littlest bit of activity puts me in post-exertional malaise.
My puppy is definitely my exercise right now, and then some.
I am a dog person, and my house is not a home unless there’s a dog part of the family. Therefore, the joy he brings is worth the work and energy.
Just a reminder to people to not just get a pet to force you to exercise. They are a huge commitment, and deserve the best.
The other positive of having a dog is that when you’re in a flare they are there for you. I call it “velcro dog”. My Tibetan Terrier who normally will sleep a few feet away from me is insistent upon touching me when we are both resting. When your puppy grows older, you will probably find this as well.
Training the puppy will half kill you. You probably should have gotten an adult rescue dog, but now you’re in love with the little canine so get through it and you will have a friend, companion and fur to cry in for the rest of the dog’s life, whch I hope is long and healthy. Yeah dogs!!!
lol @ Father Daniel…. you’re right – training a puppy DOES half kill you. But it’s soooooo worth it in the end!
Adult rescues aren’t a bad idea… if you don’t have to half kill yourself working through any behavioural issues they have.
But I agree: Yay dogs!
I’m trying to make watching a TV show a “trigger” for exercise. Even if it’s just a little exercise. I have this peddle thing that goes on the floor, and I can lean back in a chair and work my legs.
Physical therapy has also been awesome. My therapist tells me to do what I feel up to doing. She lets me come in early or stay late to work out independently, and it’s a great feeling. I do the bike and the hand-bike for my arms. I want to try doing a little more. I have fibro, and I don’t think I have CFS (tho my mother does!) Sometimes I have “fatigue attacks” but we don’t know what they are… Partial seizure, narcolepsy or hypoglycemia were possibilities from my PCP (who sadly doesn’t seem to “believe” in CFS but does believe in FM).
Around here, that’s par for the course. Some doctors seem to think they’re the same illness and they’ll give a fibro diagnosis.
I think the fatigue attacks aren’t CFS because they happen every so many months. I do pace myself all the time now, tho. Confusing situation.
Anyhow, I have heard it suggested that you should make an appointment with yourself in your datebook. First, I gotta get used to checking my datebook!
There aren’t any easy answers but step #1 is figuring out what your capacity is for exercise.
I know there are “Sit and Be Fit” tapes and tapes for Sr. Citizens (I’m 30, but I don’t mind). There are probably stretches you can do in bed just to avoid losing some muscle tone. I have a higher capacity for exercise but on my bad days, a little t’ai chi is gentle and restorative. I never mean to imply that exercise is easy, or that someone who is really sick should be riding an exercise bike. We’ve all got different limitations.