SO, Fibro friends, let me continue with the "E" discussion....

and the thing that I added today was the fact that resistance training (weight training) can reduce depression and improve your feeling of well-being. You probably don't have much of a feeling of well-being at all. So this is HUGE! : )

Now, I am not a Certified Personal Trainer. I am NOT qualified to give you advice on HOW to do exercises, how many to do and what amount of weight to use.
What I CAN DO, is point you in the right direction to do some resistance training - 

- First of all, talk to you doctor before you do anything at all. Make sure he/she agrees that you are able to start such a program. 
- Next, the basic premise that worked for me when I started this "strength" training program was using my own body weight, to begin. In other words, instead of putting weights in my hands and lifting them, I use MY own arm weight to start. Some of us...MOST of us(?), are so tight and sore that we are not in any shape to use weights YET. That will come with time and an increase in reps/sets.
- Repetitions (reps) are the number of times you perform a given exercise within a set. In other words, I may lift my arm 5 reps and do 3 sets of that. Between sets I take a short break. So, reps are the number of lifts within a given set. 
- I would recommend that you do one of two things. First you could "hire" a personal trainer who can show you how to do this type of training. Secondly, you could locate a video (DVD or online) that shows how strength training can be done. Hiring a personal trainer can be expensive. If you're going that route, you might  consider going "buddy" with a friend to reduce the cost on yourself. That also makes you more accountable, knowing that your "partner" is counting on you to be there. I actually would prefer you take the "in person" route. But if money is an issue (and it sure is with me!!! So I completely understand!), then locate something via DVD (in your library) or online. Even if you had to purchase a DVD, it would probably be less expensive than hiring a personal trainer. 

But please consider this type of exercise as part of an overall Fibro exercise program. I know it sounds crazy and years ago, "they" thought you'd do more damage doing this type of workout than you'd do good. But now, it appears that this will, indeed, help a Fibro patient get stronger and experience less pain overall. 

I'm here to tell you that it worked for me. The stronger I became, the "less" pain I felt. The pain doesn't disappear, but it certainly was more tolerable and I didn't feel as "weak" and "worn" as I had before. 

Just DO NOT try anything creative if you don't know what you're doing and DO NOT over do this type of exercise. It CAN leave you in pain (and injured) if done improperly. 

SO, I'll leave you alone about exercise again, my dear hurting Fibro friends. I know it's not a pleasant subject when you haven't gone there yet. I understand that! But I'm here to tell you that once you start trying something in the form of exercise, you will be glad that you tried! Trust me on that!

Until tomorrow........

Blessings...............

Mo M.