Fibromyalgia and the couch to 5k

[Jaxxf]

Hi, I've struggled with muscle & joint pain for 10yrs now but know if I can lose weight it'll help. I have to be careful but an so keen to achieve a 5k run-I was wondering if anyone else here has fibromyalgia or other joint or muscle pain issues but still manages to go for it?

I'm onto week 4 now and doing ok but the problem is I get random flare ups that set me back. If anyone has some good pacing tips I'd be grateful-I tend to run mostly on treadmill but would also love to aim for a park run too

[Lorna9339]

Hi. I have had a lot of pain from fibromyalgia for 18 years. I completed couch to 5k last December. I found that i felt a lot better from it, physically and psychologically. I think being physically fitter makes you more able to cope with flare ups so go for it but take it easy! You may have to take longer for each week but that's fine. I run outside and have done parkruns so it's definitely do-able! I also go very slowly! Make sure you always have 1 or 2 rest days in between runs even once you graduate. I tried to do a bit too much a while back and ended up with injuries so i have learned from that! Good luck and happy running x 😊

[Jaxxf in reply to Lorna9339]

HI Lorna & thank you for the positive comments, yes i agree about injury, i have had knee & foot issues since trying to run which set me back-now I'm resting 2 days between each run. i also do yoga, pilates and zumba so mix it up well. just need to learn to stop eating large portions now and maybe some weight will come off!

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Jaxxf]

I had undiagnosed joint pain, a horribly painful,arthritic big toe 😩 And pain in my fingers. I stopped drinking alcohol and fruit juice which helped right off 🙂 Losing nearly five stones and taking up exercise (walking to start with) really helped too and made me happier.

I lost three and a half stones before hearing about C25k from a lady at WW class. From my first session I never looked back. I am running regularly now and my life has completely changed. I am fit! 🙂I take a daily fish oil capsule for my big toe but nothing else 🙂

I eat a very healthy diet and I think that's key. flare ups can be related to what you ate or drank. If drank, say a J20, I would have an immediate flare up of pain in my fingers. So now I don't do juice at all. I eat whole fruit with no problems 🙂

So, get some exercise and watch what you eat and drink, start the programme and see how it goes. good luck 🙂

[Jaxxf in reply to misswobble]

hi miss wobble, thank you for your support, i too have a horrible big right toe-cannot wear heels at all and have to be careful with certain fitness moves. interesting that you mentioned fruit juices, my friend has said this for a while (she has scleroderma). well done for losing so much weight, i have about 2stone to get to my ideal of 9st 7 so i think you are correct in saying diet is key. I'm feeling good about trying to run, i think taking charge helps you control any issues. i also have urgent flare of of IBS -im gunna keep a diet sheet as no matter what i think of i can't find the cause of flare-be interesting to see if i can nail this! thanks once again

[misswobble Graduate]

Once you make the decision to change things for the better it does make you feel more positive and in charge of things, which of course you are 😃

It's not always easy but it's worth the effort so always stick with it 🙂