New Rules of Lifting for Women

silken555
silken555 Posts: 478 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I keep hearing about this book and I'm wondering if it could indeed help me start lifting.

Here is my issue. I have fibromyalgia. My pain source centers from shoulder blades to neck and down the arms. Basically I am in pain 24/7 in those areas...if I have a flare-up the pain goes down to the knees depending on how severe the flare-up is. When that happens I can forget about simple tasks like getting dressed seeing as I can't lift my arms or move with any efficiency.

I started using the machines at my gym and after 2 weeks of light machine activity I had a 5 day flare-up that caused me to lose two days of work. Needless to say I stopped using the machines. I should have listened to my body seeing as my regular pain levels were increasing after each machine session beyond normal after the exercise activities I do. I've been able to do the 30DS so far. I do it 3x a week in between gym days and have one rest day per week.

This is a fact of life for me. I'd like to know if lifting is even a possibility for me and if so, would that book help me to go about it the right way.

I appreciate your opinions and suggestions.

Replies

  • KateK8LoseW8
    KateK8LoseW8 Posts: 824 Member
    You should absolutely speak to a doctor about this. Random Internet people can't give a good recommendation on what is appropriate for you.
  • silken555
    silken555 Posts: 478 Member
    I've emailed my rheumatologist and we'll see what she says...I was basically trying to see if anyone else with fibro is successfully lifting.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    My sister has fibro and arthritis. Lifting regularly actually helps her pain. But I'm not sure it's that way for everyone.
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    i'm in absolutely no way an expert on this, infact i have no clue however, i would imagine that free weights might not have the same effects on you that the machines do. using the machines is a totally unnatural movement whereas routines using free weights are more natural to what your body does in everyday life.

    i would give it a bash and stop if you have any pain. good luck :)
  • juliemouse83
    juliemouse83 Posts: 6,663 Member
    One of my beasties has fibro, as well. She lifts at her own pace with the approval of her doctors. Contacting yours was the right thing to do. :flowerforyou:
  • rileamoyer
    rileamoyer Posts: 2,412 Member
    No fibro here but OA and RA. Lifting (not heavy) helps me greatly. Check with your dr. for sure.
    actually, mine has me avoid most machines, unnatural movement. Oh BTW I have the book. I can't do all the routines, but I pick and choose those that work for me, it an educational read, and great reference.

    :smile:
  • pepperpat64
    pepperpat64 Posts: 423 Member
    Check the book out from your local library - if they don't have a copy, request it via interlibrary loan. Then take the book to your doctor and ask his/her opinion about the different exercises. This way you should be able to get a professional analysis of the book and it won't cost you anything. If you like it, then buy it. I recommend a site like www.abebooks.com, which is a network of independent booksellers. I look there for used copies of books I want and almost always find what I need in great condition and at lower prices than just about anywhere else. But go by what your doctor says.
  • pepperpat64
    pepperpat64 Posts: 423 Member
    There are also several MFP groups for people with fibro. Check this link:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/search?utf8=✓&phrase=fibromyalgia
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    I imagine that free weight would be better, I always manage to hurt myself on those machines. You should read the book since it is really informative and I highly recommend it.
  • fatfudgery
    fatfudgery Posts: 449 Member
    The National Fibromyalgia Association has a good article on this:

    http://www.fmaware.org/News245ac.html?page=NewsArticle&id=5279

    TL;DR: Do it!
  • silken555
    silken555 Posts: 478 Member
    The National Fibromyalgia Association has a good article on this:

    http://www.fmaware.org/News245ac.html?page=NewsArticle&id=5279

    TL;DR: Do it!

    TL;DR but a very good one. Thanks for that...:) I'm still awaiting her response.
  • mjkanaan
    mjkanaan Posts: 78 Member
    I just recently started doing light weights (free weights, not machines) and I have fibromyalgia, and I've been doing ok with it. Some days when I have that pulling in my neck and shoulders I have to be especially careful with the shoulder exercises and not overdo it and just be really careful to use lighter weights on those exercises. I may look like I'm not pushing myself to other people, but I know my limitations and I'd rather err on the side of caution and be able to move the next day than cause serious issues with myself and not be able to move for the next week just because I wanted to prove something to someone else.

    I haven't checked out the book yet, because my library hasn't had it available, but I've been doing exercises that they have on P90X, and those have been ok for me. Just make sure you listen to your body, as you know it best. And definitely check with your doctor to see what they say. But again, you know your body best, so if something doesn't feel right, stop! But for me, I've found that exercise is the best thing for my fibromyalgia, to a certain extent. Obviously, overdoing it won't help anything.

    Good luck!

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