Home from exercise....

I am trying to keep up a good exercise regimen, as well as lose weight. Those medications can sure help pack it on!!

I wasn't a big exerciser pre-diagnosis. I did it rarely. A walk here and there, and I did like to bike. But now, it is one of my best pain-reducing tools.

I started small. Walking on the treadmill, and using a stationary bike. 10-15 minutes on each.

Things took off five years ago when I started a water aerobics class, where I was by far the youngest in the pool. Most in the class were retired.

After three months of this, I noted that my strength and endurance were both much improved. I added in using the elliptical for half an hour, plus an hour in the pool. I would do this 3-4 times a week.

I could never do an elliptical before water aerobics. Honestly. I would fall off. I would manage a few minutes, and then stumble and lose my balance. Water aerobics strengthened my core enough so that I could manage the elliptical.

After six months, I took a deep water aerobics class, using a float belt. I went at my own pace. I loved it, because my feet weren't touching the bottom of the pool. Sometimes my ankles and legs and thighs would ache from impact, before. It did deep water class three times a week, and did the exercises on my own once more. I continued the elliptical.

And, sure, I would ache afterwards, when I got home. BUT, the next morning my muscles would recover and my body seemed ready to go again, and I had more energy!

I have been doing this routine now since 2008, fairly steadily. I vary things periodically, so I don't get bored. I don't push hard, ever. When I do that, my body refuses, and I have to stop and then I have problems. But, slow and steady, get the heart rate up. Stretch out the muscles in the pool. It is not about intensity for me, and never has been.

My current regimen is an hour on the elliptical, and then 40 minutes or so in the pool.

If I go more than three days or so without some form of exercise, I feel sluggish and tired (er).

Many people say that fibro and exercise do not mix. I totally disagree. I was diagnosed at 36. I wanted to be able to move into my old age, and not be couch-bound. In order to keep my mobility, I had to exercise. Now, at 45, I have finally learned that exercise is necessary to keeping muscles from getting locked up.

I say great job to both of you!!! I quit exercising in March when I lost my job and the stress made the fibro pain CRAZY BAD. I am however like the both of you realizing that this has to be done. I ordered The Rack which is a piece of exercise equipment to do dips and pushups on. It's suppose to be here tomorrow so I will gradually ease back into this along with you two.

It's tough working 50+ hours and then exercising but I've done it before with fibro and felt better. So it's time to make myself get back into the habit. I wish you both continued success and as little pain as possible.

I feel the need to add....

I am about 40 pounds overweight. When I was diagnosed, I was doing Weight Watchers, and int he process of losing weight. I got to my goal of 135 at Christmas of 2004. By June of this year, I was over 200.

I am now down at 188, or so, hopefully to get to 150 sometime by the next holiday season. So, clearly, the weight loss of exercise doesn't really work for me very well. Luckily, I look far thinner than I actually am!

It's really easy to say "I can't" or "I'm tired" or "It's too much work." And I get that it is daunting, to have to start with so very little, so slowly, and having to stop so soon. And, I am sure some are looking at this post, and deciding I am nuts.

Nobody in my family is/was active. We love to eat. Everyone is overweight.

I wish, sometimes, I could do more intensity, more often. But, my body refuses. Sometimes, I will purposely choose to do more, for a special occasion. Like, a canoeing and biking trip this summer, which was beautiful and painful.

what about when your skinny to start with?? Im the opposite and need to build up my muscles for strength...I am definitely going to try the water aerobics, i havent yet tried the water at all and feel this will be beneficial to me.
Myself - you always give me such inspiration...although im skinny, im not fit and I really want to be...also pre fibro I was fit and it bugs me that I can't get back to that :o(

That is amazing!!! Good for you! I was really doing well with exercise and then May came, and wham! I haven't been able to do anything since. Took a 6-mth break from the gym, and am starting back this week. You are an inspiration! :)

Jen