Fibro exhaustion and stubborness

I am having problems with energy at the moment, fibromyalgis exhaustion. Does anyone have any tips on how to push through. My usual tricks are not working. I would like to enjoy my last couple of days holiday before going back to work without tv, couch and grumpiness.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

If you don't have the energy to push through a C25K workout then set yourself another lower target that you think is attainable. Exercise is definitely the way to help your body discover more of its own reserves and is recommended by medics to anyone who is lacking energy. Obviously your condition may militate against this but over the years many fibromyalgia sufferers have stated here that running has improved their pain control and energy levels.

Have you read the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... which has basic advice on nutrition and hydration which can make a huge difference to energy levels.

[Hidden in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks for that but as I am just at the start of c5k I am sure I will not be looking at overtraining for a 25k run. I was really asking in general to anyone who has to deal with a illness such as mine for exhaustion, especially at this time of year. Thanks though for taking the time to post.

[Taniajo Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Couch to 5 km is written as c 2 5km. Dont think the suggestion was 25km

[Hidden in reply to Taniajo]

Ah right thank you. Very confusing. As I said a bit of a newbie. But if anyone has tips in regard to Fibromyalgia that would be great

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

You might find more specific advice if you try one of the HealthUnlocked communities devoted to your condition, which you can find by clicking on the 9 white dots at the top of the page then clicking on Find a community and entering fibromyalgia.

[helenac77]

Hello!

While I don't have fibromyalgia, I do have autoimmune disease with chronic fatigue and joint 'issues' (and I am stubborn) so can tell you about my experiences which may be useful (or not!) I completed the programme a little while ago, and while it was hard sometimes, it was manageable. Some suggestions that helped me:

- I found starting out hardest because any running was tiring at that point. If you can push yourself through the first few weeks you will increase your fitness enough that you can find your slow 'conversational' pace (see 'japanese slow running' which is often referred to here). For me this gave me much more control over my level of exertion and resulting fatigue. Having said that, I did need extra rest days sometimes, even more sleep than usual, and sometimes I modified runs by cutting the number or duration of intervals. Just keep going, don't give up and don't see this as failing.

- this programme is focussed on getting you running continuously, which is great but there are other ways! Once you have got to a point where you can run for a reasonable time, I have found deliberately aiming to do walk run intervals sometimes (not always) very helpful - look for Jeff Galloway whose theory is that this can work even for experienced runners and over all distances (and he competed in the Olympics apparently so should know what he's talking about 😂). It is less tiring and lessens impact on your joints, and for me is doable on many days when fatigue is higher and I would struggle to just run. Don't see it as a failure, but as a strategy!

- having said that, you will probably still want to build up your ability to run continuously, which you can do on the days your energy levels are higher. Don't worry too much about doing a little extra when you feel good either if you haven't run much for a few days (but not too much! And not if it hurts! Make sure it is just a few minutes at a time and balances out over a week or two).

- one of my favourite things is finding new off-road routes to explore (sometimes I drive a short way to get there) and walking / running as I choose and depending on the terrain. I feel free, no rules for me! No intervals, no timings, just being in the moment. Maybe you could try this with last bit of your holiday?

- the whole thing about running increasing your energy levels hasn't been true for me yet (sorry) but I do find that if I am careful about the above it doesn't reduce them further i.e. it is self sustaining. And it has other benefits in feeling fitter and healthier overall so on balance feels very much worthwhile.

I know that's not quite what you asked, but i do think that for me, building a sustainable running habit has only been possible by taking a long view (difficult I know), not pushing too hard and not being too fixated on doing the programme exactly as written*. About 5 months after I started week 1, on a good day, I now think of 5km as a standard run, not long, and manage it in 35-40 mins (not fast but respectable I think!)

Hope you find something that works for you, even if it isn't a magic wand (I so wish I had one of those, I would share it with you if I did!)

* This is probably not a popular view here. But most people don't have chronic fatigue so I will just have to disagree on that.