Will my life always be this way?

In the first week of January I started a chronic pain program. In my program, 4 of them have fibromyalgia. This program consists of physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, pool exercises, kinesiology, nutrition, ergo therapy, stress management, social management.
A day is devided in 3 classes. From 8:45 to 2:30, four days a week. We started slowly with little exercise, but we are now at 4-5 classes a week that touches physical moves. We all started at the bottom, and we are all doing better. I started with 5 minutes of walk, I'm now doing 30 minutes without rest.

I can definitively see the improvement and I understand how moving is necessary for us fibro people!

Last week was integration week. A whole week, no class, where we had to apply what we learned so far. We all crashed and went back to our old habits. More couch than physical activity. Lots of resting.

Today at lunch, I was talking about integration week with 4 of my fellow fibro friends and we realized how hard it was. How pushing ourselves in order to live a somewhat normal life would be needed. Kicking ourselves in the butt in order to get things done. How waking up and just bouncing out of bed like a normal people is not us.

So my question is, is this what it's going to be like to be fibro?
We are learning about pacing and it's something I've been doing for a while now. But the getting up from the couch part is hard.
Once you're out and start doing what you wanna do, you're kind of good to go, but it's hard! With the fatigue and pain and everything.

To people living with FM and working, is this what your life is? Constantly kicking yourself in the butt to live?

Sometimes, the smallest rewards can help jump-start things. Maybe something like the eye shadow you've been thinking of getting for yourself, or really, any little thing (but watch those little pieces of chocolates, LOL!) just for working towards your goals.

  It's not something you do all the time, but after you've found that you've kicked yourself in the butt and then accomplished something, thank yourself! Then, plan for the next step, no matter how small.

  Self-talk is helpful, too, such as "I CAN do this!" or "It was hard and a lot of work, but I made it." Even baby steps are steps in the right direction.

I think we have to be careful not to put ourselves down when we're trying, even it it seems we only make a little progress. After all, we do have tricky health conditions! 

 I've been hitting all kinds of 'snags' lately for various reasons, and have been a little irritated with myself because of it.  But I've decided the best thing to do about it is to take little steps to get where I want to be.  I think we have to start right where we are.  What's your next step and when will you take it?  Then, plan for the step beyond that.

And, BTW, it sounds like you DID make good progress. Don't beat yourself up for falling off for a bit; just get back in there.  I do think this is something we'll have to work at the rest of our lives, but on the other hand, if we're determined, think of what we can accomplish!
Good for you for making those efforts! It was inspirational to me.

I try to stay in the day and not future trip. Yes, I have had thoughts too about living with fibro. We are only human and sometimes it's ok to have poor me days. My stump is watching others go and go and still have fun in the late hours. I just envey them!

That class sounds great. Let us know how things are going when our done.

Yes, my 'get up and go' got up and left when fibro enter my life. I had to adopt a new life style. The most important thing was figuring out how to sleep again and with a combination of low, low dose ambien, gabapentin and Prozac, mild exercise, and ear plugs that has been usually accomplished. I say usually because I still have a few sleepless nights which make the next day miserable.

I also figured out life was better if I followed the FODMAP eating plan. This also helps enormously if I follow it daily. I had been doing great so of course I thought I can eat just a little cookie dough and maybe some almonds and add some onion to my fried potatoes. No way--I started having a flare and had to go back to
the FODMAP way of life.

I still don't have the energy to do what I used to do and have to make myself get up and move, but if I don't I get stiff and sore and even more lethargic.

You are not alone on this journey, but a new life style is better than no life at all.

Sharon

I'm with <3 and Joy, most of the time when I am working I am thinking 'three more hours, ouch, oh holy hell, I can make it, I can make it' and so when I am at home all I want to do is nurture my body with rest, sweet rest.

And my husband will try to entice me into doing something - going to dinner, going on a walk, cleaning the litter box and I will sit on the couch yelling at him that I can't handle it, and work myself into a lather - because it's true: I am in pain all the time during the day and don't want the burden of additional pain. I am worried that I will either flare or reach a breaking point and cry myself into a puddle of pain and self hatred.

Ugh. I hate fibro. (sorry for being neg, just coming off of a flare. Feel free to totally ignore me today!!)