How to deal with a "Fibro body"

I don't know how else to put it except that I have a "fibro body." With my pain more or less under control, I decided it was time to get healthy. I quit smoking (as did my wife) and started eating healthier. Combined with exercise, I've lost almost 30 lbs in nine weeks.

My legs are a huge problem, though. I do listen to my body as far as exercising. I do 1-3 medium- to high-intensity Zumba classes each week and hit the gym for upper-body and cardio 3-5 times/week. Since starting to exercise, I've been told I have arthritis I my right knee and am currently down with a strained Achilles' tendon and muscle in my left calf. I also started a new job at a video store, so I'm on my feet for 4-6 hours at a time. It takes days for my feet to stop hurting after a shift, even if I lay low.

An I doomed to have a body that just constantly holds me back? I look at my Zumba instructor, who has rheumatoid arthritis and two autoimmune diseases, and she does great. I know it's kind of apples to oranges, but if she can thrive then why can't I? I know it may get better as mire weight comes off, but will I always have these issues?

I applaud you for your efforts! Doing what you can to help yourself is very comendable :) The weight loss is incredible.

We are all so differant, that comparing ourselves is really like "comparing apples to oranges." The important thing is that you are proactive, doing what you can.

Having chronic conditions, our ability to exercise can change easily depending on how we are feeling that day. Listening to your body does help pace your efforts. Doing what you can, when you can does make a differance.

My ability to exercise the way I would like to is often compromised...accepting what we can do on any certain day is not always easy but necessary.

You are an inspiration! Thank you for this thread :)

Hugs, Robin

Even,

Great job of pushing yourself and realizing what changes you need to make..

Maybe you need to slow down just a little bit before you go full throttle tho..

Ak,
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to lose weight is not eating enough. I know that sounds like an oxy-moron.. but if you aren't eating enough, your body will go into survival mode and won't shed any weight because it is afraid it is being starved. I would check with your doctor, but I wouldn't go lower than 1200 calories a day..And that is HARD for me, as I don't have any appetite. But, it is just how our bodies work.
Also, I NEVER go by what those stupid charts say about how much I should weigh for my height!! Good grief, It says I should only weigh max. 135 lbs...
hahahahahahaahahaha, sorry, I have weighed 185 FOREVER! Even my doc said, NO, no going below 160 for you or you will look like the walking dead. (I have BIG bone structure)
So don't go by stupid charts.. and talking to a nutritionist can help a lot too :)

Set your goals for weight loss short, and remember muscle weighs more than fat! So don't get discouraged about numbers on a scale..

As far as flexibility, I was happy when I went to therapy last week, and the therapist told me I am extremely flexible for my age/shape.. :)

Myself and Mrs. Bugzy, I have that body, too.  I'm short but large framed.  In college, I got down to 118 pounds, my face was sunken in, but I had to squeeze myself into a size 12...the smallest size I have been since I became an adult.  Those charts are goofy.

 

Evenkeel, you have done magnificently well!  Don't beat yourself up over the fact you can't do some things that others can do.  You know, if I did what you are doing in the gym and such, they would be carrying me out on a stretcher!  I do keep active and am doing well with the fibro pain under control and that's the bottom line for me.  So just do what you can do comfortably.  It will keep you healthy and save some pain for you.  Congrats on your accomplishments so far.  That's wonderful!

 

Sherrine

Wow, you do Zumba? I'm impressed!