Exercise and Fibromyalgia....just do it SLOWLY!

I have a friend, a dear friend who does NOT have fibro, however had been in need of losing weight. She went to a gym near work and said she was determined (as of her 49th birthday) to lose 50 by 50....in other words, 50lbs, by the time she was 50 years old. So, over 12 months...that doesn't seem TOO daunting of a task for a "healthy" person. Now, truth be told, she didn't really know if she was healthy, because she hadn't been to a doctor in a "few" years, per her own admission. 


She began a program about 1 month ago at a gym that offers "crossfit" training. Crossfit, is something that, I believe was developed based on Navy Seal training. 


SO, without having been to a doctor, this friend started her training program...in earnest....


About a week or two into the program, she could barely walk. Now, we all have been sore from over-exerting in our lives. However, one night, when I went over her house, she had ice packs on both of her knees and was moving the packs from her upper legs/thighs to her knees....as we sat out by her pool.
Since that time, two weeks later, she has been to an orthopedic surgeon and has had an MRI. This morning she texted me to tell me that she has to have surgery on Monday morning for a torn meniscus and ligaments in her knee and that she has arthritis in both knees. 


What does this have to do with you? 


Well, if this woman should have taken it slowly, all the more reason for us to take it slowly. I have not been smart myself in the past and have had shinsplints and knee pain but have never injured myself to this extent. 


You see, I found that walking alone was the way to start. Then I slowly added in some strength training. It doesn't have to be CROSSFIT or some crazy tough program that will make you feel more pain than you are in now! 

Slow and steady wins the race....and today, after I spoke to my friend, I could still go out to the track at my local high school and do my walk, with some slow jogging in between. I didn't do too much because it's pretty hot in this part of the country....I don't try to compete with others on the track. But what I do is simply go at my own pace. If I get too winded, I stop or slow down, if I get too thirsty (NOT GOOD!), I stop and take a drink. 


I will talk more about exercise in the future but the point of exercise for Fibro sufferers is not to ADD to your pain, but to give you less pain and make you stronger. ALSO, exercise can alleviate stress and depression...but you MUST take it slowly. 


So, if you venture out to walk today...take it slowly. Go at YOUR OWN pace....


Blessings.......


Mo M.