Personal Trainer sessions

[GeorgiaG95]

Hey everybody,

My DR advised me that loosing weight and exercise will ''help'' with my fibro but due to my weight I struggle with self-esteem (Size 14/16). I lost a lot of weight previously going from a size 22 to a small size 10, but I've quickly chucked the weight back on which I feel is putting strain on my body.

I started going to the gym, but I felt horrendously intimidated, so I looked for a PT which I've found. I've done 2 sessions with her, but after each session my pains and tiredness are 20x worse. I'm fully aware that at the beginning I will struggle until I become stronger and my body gets in to a rhythm, but is there anything I could do to help with my pains after my weekly sessions?

I've rubbed voltaren on my knees and back this morning, but as I work full time I struggle to take co-codamol because this knocks me out completely and has previously meant taking time off work - I'm waiting for the weekend to take them :-).

Georgia X

[Gail1960]

Hi Georgia, just want to say a massive "well done" to you for braving the exercise thing! I, like you, struggle with low self esteem due to weight, if I'm honest with myself, I'm nearer a 16/18! I could no more go to a gym than scale Everest & as for swimming......well, let's just say I do a good line in looking like I'm drowning! My go to exercise was horse riding but my fam have banned me from getting on a horse as they think it's dangerous lol, it's more likely that the poor thing would buckle under my weight rather than me fall off! I was wondering whether some relaxation techniques might help when things get really bad, I've had acupuncture to help with anxiety & depression but it's not possible or practical to have this every time - unless I raid the pin box for a bit of self-help - & I know people swear by it for pain relief. I'm struggling badly today, but I'm my own worse enemy & caved in under pressure from my mum & cut her grass yesterday. I'd be interested to hear if you come up with anything to help. Much love, Gail xx

[GeorgiaG95 in reply to Gail1960]

Hi Gail,

Oh gosh I'm sure the horse wont buckle!!!!

I've had acupuncture too, which I didn't enjoy due to the fact I'm a baby and didn't like the feeling of the needles but I have honestly forgotten to techniques she taught me to strengthen up my core and joints....

I'm sorry today is a bad day for you, if it makes you feel any better I can't physically walk or lift anything today so I'm trying to work (upstairs) by waddling about.

I hope today passes well for you, much love x

[phlebo123]

Hi Georgia,

A size 14/16 sounds perfectly respectable to me (same size as me!!) You should be so proud that you have lost so much weight.

I think gym work is probably too strong for fibromyalgia sufferers, at least only very gentle exercise only. Does your personal trainer have any knowledge or expertise in fibromyalgia?

I find more gentle, low impact exercise, yoga swimming walking and hydrotherapy and gentle stretching work best for me. X

[GeorgiaG95 in reply to phlebo123]

Hey, thank you - I was very proud when I was a smaller size, but I mentally saw myself as bigger so I didn't appreciate it as much. Now looking back I realised how toned and slim I was. As I'm very curvy I just don't see myself as being a 'nice size' - but that's my own personal struggle I need to get past :-).

My PT is very understanding and has done ''the journey'' herself, so is possibly the most understanding PT you could possibly find which reassures me so much.

XX

[Hidden]

Hi hun- I did something similar last year- I go to hydrotherapy weekly, my local pool closed for repairs and I took to a private pool, OMG he worked the socks off me! I soon found fatigue hitting me hard, I got pains were I have never had them, and it affected my bladder control! So At £45 session I sacked that very quickly.. I am size 16/18 in clothes but i am past caring, as long as I keep my weight down ( I use Wiltshire Farm Foods deliveries) all portions are controlled, not too expensive and I do my level best not to snack-thats hard at first! They even make meals for coeliac people, my son in law is using them for a meal to take to work. I too use voltarol cream on some joints, for knee pain pumping up leg muscles gently each day will help to stop knee pain, I have a TENS machine that is portable and can go wherever I go..As long as you are not a couch potatoe any from of excercise even a walk, I have started to walk my neighbours dog which forces me to speed up a bit too.

[GeorgiaG95 in reply to Hidden]

Oh wow, some useful tips there thanks Caz I'm going to keep working with her for the time being, because I'm sure after a while it'll be beneficial to me. I lost all my previous weight by dieting only, so I was then left with rolls and loose skin - so then to exercise after was difficult. So doing both at the same time this time round will hopefully help

I do have a private pool near me, but it's always fully booked and I can't plan too far ahead because it's expensive for a 1 hour session!!

I might look in to a TENS machine and Farm Foods.

Thank you for your reply, it was very useful x

[JANNH]

Hi all - I don't always have severe pain but when it hits after a few hours painting or just doing normal things I get into a warm magnesium bath for about 20 minutes (twice a day sometimes) and it really helps. Also Tramadol but like to keep those for bedtime pains. Voltarol is ok for the knee or back or elbow type pains but cant smear it all over! Also started to use CBD ( cannabis) cream which I am still not sure about - but worth a go ( the type that is legal of course).Ann x