Does exercise energize you?

Hi. Most of us here have been told or have read that exercise is good for people with fibro. Most of us have also probably heard of "runner's high" where a person gets a feeling of energy or excitement from exercising. I believe that is due to endorphins, etc being released. So to those of you that exercise my question is do you get that feeling of being energized after your work-out? My exercise of choice is walking usually on a treadmill plus specific stretching and strengthening exercises for my orthopedic issues. I don't get that "up" feeling from the exercises. I just get that "tired" feeling. Sometimes I get a good feeling of accomplishment but never that "runner's high". How about you?

Lisa

Yes, exercise does give me energy. Even just working out with light weights. I always feel better afterwards, unless I am in a flare, then nothing helps.

I think if you continue you will feel better, you might be going too far with it, as we as fibromites have to be careful not to over do it.

Keep trying. I am sure you will feel better.

Hugs, Karen

Walking does give me more energy and, when the fibro is under control, a brisk walk is energizing to me.  But, I do my walking outside so I also have a lot of visual things, too, that lift my spirits.  I know I would hate using a treadmill.  I would be bored to tears and that would be work for me.  But walking around the neighborhood and seeing the sights and the critters does me a world of good for not only my fibro but also my attitude.

 

Sherrine

I have a walking in place video I do when I can't get outside.  I also have a Dancing with the Oldies with Richard Simmons.  He makes me laugh and it's fun and I only do that until I'm tired.  I do get bored very easily.  That's why I never joined a gym when I had better health. 

 

Spring is heading your way in a couple more months!

 

Sherrine

Excercising does make me feel better. Somedays I have to push myself to walk, but once
I'm out there moving I know it's a good thing. My muscles are stiffer on the days I don't
do much. My fatigue level has been high lately but the weather here has been really gloomy.
If I didn't exercise on a regular basis I would certainly feel worse.

Hugs,Robin

Dancing is good too. And exercise helps unless it hurts! Donna, where are your endorphins?

It really doesn't make me feel better. I have other problems in addition to the fibro that compound the pain, so I really don't do a lot of "exercise."

I do, however, try to stay active in my daily activities. I clean my own house, do my own laundry, run errands, walk at the grocery, etc. I pretty much use up all my energy doing those things.

Hugs - Austen

I have never been nor will I ever be one for structured exercise routines, BORING. Like others I would much rather go for a walk outside where there is nature so I have something to look at. There is a fine line for me between exercising enough to feel good and over doing it to the point of fatigue.

 

I know I'm weird but accomplishing things in my house that takes energy releases the feel good endorphines for me.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

My dog is my motivation.  She loves to go for walks and she is such a sweetie and the walking is not only great for me but also great for her.  She is extremely healthy now that I started walking her every day and SHE had more energy and more stamina, too, since I started walking her every day.

 

Sherrine

I'm glad you brought this up! There is a researcher/professor at Stanford named Sean Mackey. I listened to him give a lecture on Fibromyalgia and Chronic pain on the Research Channel on TV. Actually I've seen it twice. I found a link to this show online so you can watch it if you'd like. I listen to it now and then and always gain some information from it.

But the reason I'm bringing this up is that he talks about the 'runners high'...or lack of in people with fibromyalgia. Where "normal" people will get that high, people with fibro never feel it. We get tired and miserable. Being outside and walking, modest exercise can help us physically and mentally but we lack something in the brain that prevents that high.

If you'd like to watch this lecture here's the link. I do think it's well worth your time. I think I'll start a thread for this video...

Chutz

the video:
www.researchchannel.org/prog/displayevent.aspx?fid=345&rid=28078

this page has links to many of his lectures on chronic pain and the research they are doing at the Stanford Pain Clinic:

video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rlz=1R1GGIC_en___US356&hs=hER&resnum=0&q=sean+mackey&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=blFyS4zKJoXgtgPFyNXOAQ&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CBoQqwQwAw#

I have never heard of the research channel Chutzie. I know you live in the country so I take it you have a dish and not cable???

 

luv and hugs

Marlee