Let's Figure This out Together

Thank you for your comments regarding my exercise post yesterday. Sir Norm, I actually have been doing some searching on Pilates and Arthro-Pilates, something that was actually born in Canada by a young lady with arthritis. She has found much success with her own symptom management, and teaches the method to those suffering with arthritis and fibromyalgia, and other ailments also with success. I have not tried it myself, but the website is www.arthro-pilates.com. Her name is Lori Weisbrod, of Toronto, Canada. Unfortunately, she's a bit far to do a home session with any of us here in the U.S! Since she designed the plan, I wanted to give credit to her. She has DVD's, of course. I have arthritis in my spine and knees, but it's not bugging me too much. I'm keeping her in the back of my mind for later if it ever does cause a problem.

I have also been thinking of the barriers to exercise when you're dealing with feeling crummy all the time. It's not that we want to focus on the obstacle so we can say to ourselves, "There! See? That's why I can't do it!" We need to see what our obstacles are so we can put it in the column marked, "Things to overcome!" The truth is, there are some things that might be here to stay. Well, so be it. Move to the next one on the list and keep crossing them off! Here are a few things I put on the list:

1. Fatigue: This is the biggie. Medication causes it. The illness causes it. Not much fixes it, even rest. Sometimes we just have to push through it. Sometimes we have to work around it. The way to deal with it is to make sure you're eating as healthy as you can. Drink lots of water. Get to bed on time. Work in some physical activity during the day. (we'll get to that). Talk to your doc about it. Maybe you can adjust the meds at some point or find a new one. Don't just accept it. I know it's frustrating. It's my biggest hurdle right now and I hate it.

2. Pain: This is a tough one, because every condition is different. I can't claim to know how my friends feel. I only know how I feel. Make sure you are communicating your pain to your doctor the best you can. If you are moving in a way that does not feel right, it probably isn't! Putting strain on a weak body could cause injury. Always ask for medical advice before you start exercising. Maybe physical therapy is a better option, or swimming. Just don't give up at the slightest discomfort. Know that it's not going to be easy. Your body isn't what it used to be and it is legitimately tired out.

3. Unpredictable Days: Most people say, "we all have the same amount of hours in a day". No, we don't. Not when most of your 24 hours could be spent trying to sleep or rest up because your symptoms flared up again or you spent a day in the ER or the hospital again. For every day you spend sick, you spend a few more trying to regain your strength. On a good day, you might have 6 hours. Don't let people plan your days. If someone is telling you, "oh, you could probably come to the party for a few hours, right?" they really have no idea how you feel. Your response should be, "I will do the best I can." And then do just that. Don't worry about letting others down. Your job is to take care of yourself and get well. Let them deal with their own healthy selves. You have bigger things to worry about.

4. Motivation/Accountability: It's hard to get motivated when #1 is kicking you in the tushy daily. Think of it this way. If you knew you had 10 loads of laundry and you had to pound them all against rocks in a stream 5 miles away, how motivated would you be to start that laundry every day? That's how daunting a workout can feel any given day! And if no one is there to hold you to it, hey, who cares, right? Wrong. You must hold yourself to a higher standard. You have to make your health a priority. It is hard to get motivated when all you want to do is sit or sleep or wallow in pain, but sometimes all it takes is a simple stretch to get you going. Then another stretch, then another, and before you know it, you've moved! And you're motivated. As far as being held accountable for your exercise, I've found this to be a very difficult area. I've tried accountability partners in different areas before. It has not worked. I wish I could tell you the secret, but I don't have it. If you can find someone who you trust that will commit themselves to checking in on you at the same time each week or day to make sure you've done your exercise, then you've found yourself a great tool. Better yet, if that person will drive to your house, knock on your door, knock DOWN your door, drag your butt out, and do it WITH you, then you have a best friend who loves you for sure. I hope you find this.

There are other obstacles, some of which I think we put in front of ourselves.We need to check ourselves and make sure the illness isn't running our lives or becoming a crutch. It can be life changing, but it can't be all there is about you! If it has become all you think about, maybe it has become something more.  Interestingly enough I googled the symptoms of depression and wanted to share just a couple of those with you too:

1. Fatigue and decreased energy
2 Persistent aches, pains, headaches, cramps, digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment

There were at least 8 other symptoms of depression that mimic chronic illness. Imagine having to deal with an illness and depression on top of that, and yet many people do. I know it hit me pretty hard, and it was a hard climb back out. Some people have depression in the midst of chronic illness and do not realize it. It can really hinder the progress that could be made physically because mentally you're just not in sync, mind and body. Nearly every site I visit for every disease I've ever researched says the same thing: Exercise is essential for managing depression, anxiety, stress, and healing. HOWEVER, what sick and frustrated people do not need to hear from perfectly healthy people is this: "you'd feel better if you'd just get out and exercise". Not that simple. Hence, the reason I am taking this on like a bull. No, YOU would feel better if I would make YOU feel better about ME feeling lousy. As if we aren't doing enough to help ourselves or they have the magic answer. TIP: Don't tell people WHAT to do. Show them HOW. Use your weakness to help someone else become strong. Use it to find your own strength. Everything can be used for a good purpose if we dig deep and look beyond what it seems. Why would you want to exercise when you're sick? Because it seems impossible. And you can do it because you're still here. Isn't that a good enough reason?

Some chronic illnesses I studied, such as multiple sclerosis, have special circumstances with exercise for different reasons, depending on the symptoms presenting. One thing I think would be frustrating is the fact that the symptoms can flare up as your body temperature increases. Well, what is supposed to happen when you exercise? Years ago they used to warn against exercise with MS, but it has now been disproven, and exercise is highly recommended for people with MS, particularly women. My friend Angela can correct me, as only she knows this firsthand, but what is recommended is swimming, light walking, light stretching, and easy weights. All done in air conditioning with frequent stops for cold drinks. Also recommended is lots of rest, relaxation, massages, music, deep breathing, hobbies, friends, and support. That is the opinion of the Mayo Clinic and certain blogs. What do you think, Angela?

Angela thinks this blog post is too long. :) I agree. But I have enjoyed this subject and believe it or not I have more to say! More to learn and more to share. I hope you will share too.