I refuse to let an old person move into my body!

I'm no spring chicken, I'm 58 and I refuse to let fibro turn me into an old lady.

Fibro has been an obstacle for me but I'm trying like crazy to work around it,

I don't want to feel jealous of all the active healthy people. I want to try and remain active too.  Pushing myself daily to keep moving comes with benefits.

This week, I have been more active and have felt better than I have in a long

time. I don't know how long this feeling of wellness will last but I don't want to

set myself up for dissapointment if a major flare sets in either.

How do you find a balance? In the past, it has always been trial and error.

Keeping a positive mindset is something I work on all the time. I know inorder

to change something you have to be part of it. Starting with positive thoughts

usually gets me going. Meditation and relaxation have been a big part of helping

me adjust. I try to focus on what I'm able to do and stop thinking about what

I can't do, it is much more uplifting. Still taking one day at a time.

Hugs, Robin

Robin, I know what you mean. I'm 64 but that is just a number. Some days I feel older but a lot of days I feel younger. A positive attitude works wonders I think. I do as much as I can everyday. Some days that means a long bike ride and even a workout at the gym. Other days it means I can only do some house cleaning. Right now I am looking into country western dance lessons for my husband and I. (He doesn't know yet )
As I said before, I'm not dead yet, so I keep moving!

I'm 38 and know where you are coming from. Some days are great with few problems, those are the days I go............hmmm, maybe I'm over being ill or it's in my head, lol.

Then there are days I'm stiff, it's an effort to walk my hands are not working and I feel like I'm old. Those are the days when I  pray, pop some tylenol and keep on moving. I refused to give into it.

Post Edited (KellieJo) : 7/24/2010 6:23:58 PM (GMT-6)

Hi Robin,
This is something I struggle with on a daily basis. I'm 50 and have been dealing with this for over 20 years. In May my doctor told me I can't work any longer and I mean nothing. it's hard for me to get my arms around what that means after working my entire life. So, positive thinking, breathing, focusing on the good days and sometimes hours and having this network is what keeps me going. Exercise for me is very difficult at this time and I have to Make my mind engage my body or I would sit in a chair and do nothing. We are not old, but we do have to remind ourselves, at least I do, to do whats best for our bodies and know that the balance is in there somewhere. When I want to do something, I do it, I may pay for it later but I'm not going to completely miss out on the joys of living and family and friends. I am surrounded by a network of family and friends that know and understand my limitations and sometimes kick me in the tush. All of YOU keep me aligned daily as well. Sometimes the little posts really speak volumes, so keep posting and praying. We will have good days, bad days but we ARE strong and support one another.
Good Luck to you.
Hugs
Steph

It took me a long time to figure this (fibromyalgia) out and accept it and sometimes, I still don't. For those of us who have not had fibro all of our lives, getting fibro is kinda like having a really serious accident. You have to rehabilitate. I mourned for a long time and pouted too: "but I used to be able to walk for hours! It's not fair!!!" I had to start back at zero - start exercising a little and work up very very slowly (like the doctor said that chickenprincess quoted). I cannot do what I did before fibro, but I can do a lot more than when I was diagnosed. By that I mean I can walk for an hour if I have a walking stick or a cane, pull weeds for a little while, and things like that. I don't feel old at all. In fact, I am sitting here (imperfect body and all) in my bikini, sarong, and floppy pink hat. Enjoyed the day out by the pool.

Hope you can come to terms with this. It is hard to do.

Hugs,
Sue

You must have been reading my mind Robin, as yours were the exact words I used yesterday when I was speaking with my younger sister, who thought to ask how I was doing. She's in MD and me, AK, and we don't talk all that often as I was cast as the black sleep of the family a very long time ago...it's good to be different, don't you think. Anyway I'll be 52 in September, and while I'm told I don't look my age, my body feels as though its aged by leaps and bounds.

I wanted to say thank you for your words; I needed to hear them, (its been a tough week) so thank you again, and while your having a moment of wellness, know that I am smiling in your direction.

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}
AKMamaBear

Reading the replies to this thread are so encouraging. I could use a little of that. I have had so much pain for SO long, and I was finally diagnosed last year with fibro. I am finally coming to the realization that I really do have it. I was in denial, with so much anger for a long time, and in the past few weeks have come to accept that it's true. Half of the battle for me is letting myself rest when I need to. Hopefully, in time, I will learn that it's OK to not have things they way I want them to be, or think they need to be. When I read the compassion in the replies to concerns here, I feel like someone understands, and I love that. Thanks..

Last week must of been the calm before the storm because I woke up flaring.
I'm not letting it get me down, my fibro is flaring, I have a lupus rash, my face
feels like it was washed with Elmer's glue and my joints are all swollen. But I'm
still kicking! I went for a short walk and did grocery shopping and three loads of
laundry. I'm done for the day with the exception of making dinner.

I still love life!!! What is the alternative? As long as I'm still here I'm going to live:)...and I choose to TRY to live happy !!!

Hugs to you all

Robin

Ok Robin.
I was going to forgo my walk this evening even though I really need to go and after reading that you made me want to go now.
I'm going to go in a little bit after I get the dinner dishes done.

You go girl! :D