Holiday Strategies to Stay Healthy/ Plus New Year's Resolutions

beachbriel

Hi everyone,

I am a 31 year old mom/ step-mom of 5 (2yr - 15 yrs) boys with a full-time professional job. I have fibro, and have been getting symptoms steadily since 21 until it hit me with a slap in the face at 30. My mom was disabled from fibro, so I knew early what was up.

What are you doing to avoid flares, stay fit, not gain weight [enter you goal here] during this holiday season? There are a few huge easily identifiable triggers for my flares: right before my cycle every darn time, major weather changes and extra stress. I can only control how I respond to these events and attempt to address the stress, so I gave it a go.

My strategies for this holiday season:
-Shopping earlier than the usual mad rush and steady. I started on black Friday and am almost done... which is good because time is about out.
- I made my life easier. Instead of baking homemade cookies from scratch, I bought a gingerbread kit. I gave up the ribbon on the presents; I shopped deals online; I have actually asked for help; and I let a little pressure on myself go.
-I said no. I asked to be taken off the church volunteer list. I missed parties that were causing me stress or stayed home if I have been in pain.
-I came out of the fibro closet. Both of my brothers have this illness, and one swears that telling people will cause you to lose your job and so on. This could be true, but it didn't apply to me. I came out to coworkers, to friends, and family. I post PA stuff on facebook. It feels good to be honest with people, and I think people now understand me a lot more.

My new year's resolution: The fancy one: To continue to lose weight, gain strength, and take care of myself mentally, physically, and spiritually. Layman's terms: I want to be comfortable in a bathing suit by summer; I want to hurt less; I want to stop excuses. I declared my commitment to fitness as my resolution via social media and started it in early December. Boy, that pissed off a lot of people for some reason. I have lost 4 pound since Thanksgiving. I work out when I can, rest when I need to, and continue to log every bite and eat healthy.

Cheers, Beachbriel

canadjineh

Good for you! We don't celebrate the holidays as such, but of course that's when everyone has time off so it's a busy time. I never bake (hubby shouldn't have sugar much and I am gluten free which makes the HUGEST difference in my fibro fatigue and aches).
I find if you tell people you have been diagnosed with FM instead of just saying you have it - you are in a different category from others who may feel they have it but haven't gone through all the testing for other stuff yet and been diagnosed by the medical community. You get a little more respect and consideration. It also helps if you aren't constantly whining to others about it. By medical community I mean whoever your health provider is... whether Naturopathic doc or traditional MD/Rheumatologist, etc.
I limit my volunteer hours and only work part-time now in a job where I don't have to deal with underlings' drama (lol). I used to be a supervisor for 7 recreational facilities and you better believe there was drama. Much less money now, but much less stress which to me is more important.
I'm up a few pounds (at the edge of my maintenance limit right now, but things will be calmer and quieter in a couple weeks. I also try to schedule a hot destination vacation for sometime during the winter as that gives my FM a bit of a break. I try to do as much as possible exercisewise but am nowhere near my level before FM as I was a Physio Rehab specialist and an exercise instructor. I try to be content with whatever I can do on any given day even if it's just stretches in a hot pool. Other days I snowshoe, hike, do Aquafit or Deepwater running, x-c ski, canoe, etc. But of course that's the 'better days.' I log quite often but also take e-free breaks at least once a month and totally disconnect from my electronic world.
Hugs to all the FM'ers!

beachbriel

Thanks for sharing :-)

Yes, I think having a medical diagnosis does make a big difference! I still find those who don't believe that FM exists, but forget them. It is 81 degrees where I live today, so I took a long way on the beach. I like having a bit of cold weather for a change, but it hurts. I should probably go a day without e-devices now and then.

canadjineh

Ooooohhh, 81 degrees, NICE! Right now it is 34 degrees here but gorgeous sunshine , blue sky and fresh snow from last night. Going for a 40 minute walk with the hubby right now.