Exercise

Hi all, does anyone else feel better when they have done some sort off exercise. I do a lot of the time, sometimes I do have to push my self to go and get lazy for a week and only go once a week instead off 3 times a week or more, and I can really tell the difference with my pain and tiredness.

[stumpedok]

Exercise is such a double edged sword but then so is inactivity!

The general medical consensus seems to be to exercise regularly whether we feel like it or not! Muscles need to be worked to stay toned and we need that for good physical health.... weak muscles can't support joints which leads to all sorts of problems..

Inactivity can increase Fatigue and pain just as too much exercise can, so somehow it's finding a balance between the two in order to help ourselves. At the very least I guess we should all be doing some basic stretching movements daily if not several times daily....something is better than nothing. And the advice has always been to stretch before exercising. Joints and muscles get stiff and weak if unused, only compounding the original issues that caused the inactivity.

Plus exercise gives us additional benefits like endorphins, maybe fresh air, change of scenery etc. It also helps me sleep better!

[Hidden in reply to stumpedok]

Yes your absolutely right it helps you to sleep. I go swimming once a week no matter how bad I feel, body balance and Pilate's depending how I feel.

[stumpedok]

How I wish! Living on my own, without regular family support, I'm finding that I daren't do that much exercise in a week as I then risk not having enough health to cover the essentials of living. ...backlogs then build up, making life more difficult generally. How I smile wryly at those who can delegate jobs to OH and family!

If only my energy levels would increase, even, a bit, I might have more chance, but for now it's got to be more limited than I'd like. As for stretching I am a big fan of Pilates for toning muscles. ....been to classes in the past. Keep the good work up & sweet dreams!

[RayB]

Double edged sword indeed.

I seem totally unable to push myself, at all and even have the greatest difficulty finding the energy to cope at home.

I really do not do well with exercise,, it beats me hard,, I used to cycle 7 miles to the gym and then another 5 to work, cycle back home at the end of the day. Thought little of covering 100 miles a day on the bike. My other hobbies were Sailing, Running, Swimming I just never stopped!

The exercise for me is a BIG no no and in that I am definite and resolved,, Just because some seem to be better for exercise dose not mean that everyone will be.

I'm sure everyone means well but dogmatic attitudes in recomending exercise risks making some members of our community feel awkward and they are probably the most isolated and vulnerable among us.

Best Wishes, Ray

[Telynores]

I definitely did not feel better when I 'exercised' ie walked dogs, rode horses, looked after my smallholding. Even as I cut down on the animals/work I couldn't sleep due to pain. I 'do' very little now but I sleep and with less medication than previously I am fairly comfortable a lot of the time.

No 'one rule fits all' for fibro.

[Hidden]

Thanks all for your reply.

[rosewine]

I find stretching and gentle exercises good but anything more energetic than that and I am scuppered for days.x

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

I have been training in a local gym, under the careful supervision of the trainers ... and have been able to slowly and gradually increase the amount of exercise I can do. So much so, that I am going to be attempting to walk (or hobble) a 5K next month at Loch Ness to raise funds for FMA UK.

I definitely feel better now for keeping up my regular exercise - although there are some days that I need to do less than I planned.

Don't get me wrong - I am still in agony, I'm exhausted and I tend to come home and collapse in a heap afterwards ... but I do feel better for it overall.

I should mention - it has taken me 2 years (and this is my 3rd gym) to get to this point ... when I first started out I struggled to do 2 mins exercise each session - then would go sit in the sauna/steam room/jacuzzi to recover.

now i can do 2 sessions a week; and I am looking at increasing this to 3 .

[RayB in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Hazel just as a mater of interest.

When you first started you exercise program two years ago and you were struggling to complete two minutes exercise:

1, How long did it take you to recover your energy levels to the point that you were able to function after your exercise ?

2, How did you feel 24 hours after this exercise with both Pain and Energy ?

3, How did you feel 48 hours after this exercise with both Pain and Energy ?

4, How would you describe your level of physically fitness before you developed fibromyalgia?

Thanks Ray

[stumpedok in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Wow...inspiring stuff Hazel Angel star!!

Your patience and perseverance is just what I am trying to find in myself......what you describe is exactly what a physio is encouraging me to do....she keeps reminding me to 'walk before I run'!

I think one bad habit Fibros have is of looking backwards, endlessly comparing now capability with then. It really is pointless. For me the constructive approach is to say this is where I am and ask myself where can I go from here?

One key point that you made is how long it has taken you to get to this point ie 2 years. Any improvement says my physio will be small and very slow but....key point. ...keep plugging at it and gradually over a long time scale consistent significant change will be apparent. I think you've just illustrated this to all of us perfectly!

The improvement in muscle tone and aerobic capacity you will have achieved over the 2 years will have done your body a power of good. All best for your Loch Ness walk.

[TheAuthor]

I do a daily physiotherapy plan and it helps me quite a lot. I want to genuinely wish you all the best of luck with your exercises.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Poppy-poppy]

I'm sure that if I could find the energy, willpower and strength to go swimming I would not be able to get out of the water or dress myself, most days it's all I can do to dress and wash myself, so I just wish I could do more but unfortunately I cannt and this is from someone that did badminton three days a week and about five excercise classes I used to mountain bike and hike with my dogs and that was in my middle fifties but now I must be grateful that I did them and most people haven't. We always used to love to climb the next mountain or hill to see what was there but it was always the same another flipping mountain. So I live on memories of excercise and just walk around the garden. Best wishes

[stumpedok]

Hi Laura Kim.....you might like to also take a look at a similar post by Magnetta 4 months ago titled 'exercise'.....Some informative replies to add to this one. All best.

[Keeleybee]

I like swimming that seems to help me a bit? I do walk every day, anything aerobic just hurts alot after and my muscle spasm and. me crazy. I try to balance moving with equal rest.

My mind wants me to go gym and I love to road run heck I'd love to give that insanity work out a go LMAO but I can't.

x