Hi

[Chocuk22]

Hi I'm Jax and have been trying to be more active but due to fibro it is very challenging sometimes everyday

[LeighBlyth]

Hi Jax!

More active is a great thing to do for fibro - gentle exercise, stretching, regaining movement makes a big difference over time. Little and often. The stiffness and pain get worse when we don't move.

If you are increasing your activity the trick is to learn to listen to your body and allow yourself to rest when you need to.

I started with some very gentle Pilates exercises and spending time in a pool (a little swimming but mostly bobbing around, gently stretching and moving about in water).

What kind of activities are you doing? Dog walking? (That's a lovely Staffie)

[Chocuk22 in reply to LeighBlyth]

Hi Leigh

Thank you for the reply and all I am doing is walking my dog just gradually increasing how far and how long we are going. I use the brisk walk app and at the moment just doing at least 10 mins a day. I love taking her out on walks but with fibro I can't always go as far as I would like and with the weather as well, if I can feel the sun through my t-shirt then the floor must be burning her feet so we have like a quick out and then go for a stroll later once it's cooled down. Thank you for saying my staffy is beautiful her name is Roxy and she's a staffy cross (no idea what she's crossed with lol) she is my baby and companion, if it weren't for her I wouldn't be active no matter how bad of a day I'm having I always make sure we get out and have our stroll xxx

[LeighBlyth in reply to Chocuk22]

Doing something - anything, to keep you moving is the important thing, taking the good days and not so good days as they come - whatever you can manage.

Walking to somewhere you can rest then walking back again is a good way of going a bit further - having that opportunity for a break (and a sit down maybe!) gives your body the time to recover a little. And several short walks are as good as, if not better, than one longer one - but that's between you and Roxy!

Movement is good for fibro, even if it's just circling your feet or bending your knees, shrugging your shoulders and turning your head, rolling your eyes or wiggling your fingers..... anything that feels good to do (whether lying in bed, or on the sofa, on the floor, or out for a walk and using a tree as support....), trying to breathe deeply and letting some of the tension and pain go by extending your midline and relaxing the rest of your body. It's worth watching some Pilates videos if you've not done it before (the slow exercise ones, not the aerobic bouncing around type ones) to get ideas of movements. Try anything that appeals, just once or twice to start... If you can't do an exercise, don't force it, just keep it in mind as a possibility for when you are ready.

[Chocuk22 in reply to LeighBlyth]

Hi Leigh thank you for the advice will look up the pilates, I'm lucky that Roxy doesn't pull me about and will walk at my pace and will stop for a rest if I need it. She also is happy to be out for a walk even if it's just to the end of the building and back, she's very good and can pick up on stuff. I try to do the light exercises and movement the physio had me doing when I was under that treatment but sadly due to the pandemic I was discharged but I will see if I can start it again. Hope you have a great day ❤❤❤ xxx