Fibromyalgia Support Group

I was just wondering what you all do for working out.Since I have had fibromyalgia, it is very hard to work out. I know we can't do the same work outs as everyone else. I use to be very active. I would work out every day. I use to play sports too. Sadly these are things I can't really do anymore. So what do you all do to stay in shape?? I would appreciate any feedback! I want to start working out again, but I don't want to push myself to far so that I am more pain. I do want to be in shape again, but as we all know working out is not easy.

Thanks!

I'd recommend you start by walking, go out one day and walk as much as you can. then you can either take a ride home or rest on a bench or something fore half an hour and make you way back. Then keep for a week walking the same distance. Next week add a block or two, rest 15 minutes and head back home. Same thing the next week and so forth. My doc said to me that I should walk at least 40 minutes 3 times a week. I find it easier to take smaller walks every day, maybe even twice a day

Also you can walk on the supermarket, not sure who suggested taht to me here, but it is a great idea, because super markets are not to hot or too cold and you can lean on the carts for support

Hope it helps

Paula

Tai Chi is wonderful for us! I actually have a dvd around here somewhere that is Tai Chi for Fibromyalgia. LOL

Lately, I have been limited to stretching as the pain is too great. Make sure you stretch before and after you work out! Cannot stress this enough for us!!

{Hugs}

Before my fibro days I loved to work out. I did kick boxing, running, aerobics and loved it. Now I am lucky if i can walk three days a week. I try to stick to walking on my treadmill every other day but don't always get that done because of the pain. Some days I can walk longer than others. I also try and do gentle yoga. The stretching in yoga seems to help. But then of course there are times that the yoga and the walking are just not going to happen.

It's hard having to accept that I can't workout like I used too. But I have an illness just like everyone else here and there are limitations that go along with that.

I hope you find something that works for you without overdoing it.

I use to exercise every day until I got sick. I use to lift weights go to the gym and play basketball. Now if I go walking even just a little i suffer greatly. I recomend yoga and walking. If you have a gym pass try using the elliptical machines they have less stress on the body. One day I am going to buy one. I do not get as much pain as I do when I go walking.

My brother in law got me a pair of Nike shox I wanted for Christmas and now I am depressed because the pain has been so bad I have not been able to use them.

I hope you can start exercising soon and with no pain. Good luck my dear!

Amber

see that was me to I love to weight lift..I would do that before anything else..

I would suggest good music just put it in and soon you'll be moving around and not even relise it..

i know the music motivates me now I just place the music on and I am motivated to sing and lay in my bed. O this fibro i wish i could kick box it in the butt.

THANKS EVERYONE!I have been stretching for a long time, but I usually don't walk as much because of the pain. I am a full time caollege student though.So I do walk from class to class 4 days a week.

my one opportunity that I have learned so much from with this journey down Fibro road is DONT STOP MOVING!!!!! I know its hard but trust me the old adage if you dont use it you lose it is true! Stretch stretch and stretch you dont have to be fancy and use scripted moves from a yoga class.. I was in a wheel chair and unable to make it places with out it being an event. Having been active in skydiving, riverrafting and anything else I could get busy with it was a big blow to be in that position.. I decided to goal myself with baby steps walking I started with up the street and then to the little park around the corner and so on... I eventually did a marathon and have not stopped walking since. Im now up to what I call a jaunt because i cant justify it as running but its not really walking either. Im not saying its easy..its not but you have to move! I dont know if others feel this way but now if I miss my exercise I feel it.. I am stiffer and more sore. Hugs for everyone!~

You have gotten some great answers, and the most important is to not stop.

I stretch, ballet stretches, like before a class? Half an hour three times a day and then I walk in between, if I cannot walk because of the weather I have started a belly dancing dvd....this is quite hysterical, an old woman like me, but it gets all the muscles you see....also yoga is excellent.

It is so so very important to force ourselves to stretch these muscles especially in the times when we hurt the very most.

While fibro doesn't destroy our muscles it does hurt so badly that we do not want to move, and the more we do not move the more the muscles will not want to move or stretch.

I have seen patients in nursing homes who have contracted legs and arms so badly that they no longer can be pulled out, the bone tissue has set in so that the bones can not be pulled straight and the poor poor soul is stuck in such a terrible position and unable to stretch or walk or sit for the rest of their lives.

Try holding a position like that for 2 hours. Before someone comes to turn you and all they can do is turn you back and forth, never stretching, or never seeing your toes again.

It is what can happen if we do not diligently keep moving and stretching even on the days when stretching those muscles brings tears to your eyes...

In the long run it will benefit you and the tears will have been worth it, the effort will have been worth it and you will be grateful that you put in the effort.

I wish everyone the very best, and urge you to continue to fight like the FibroWarriors you are!!

natalia