I have CFS and Fibro, so totally relate to crashing after exercise. In fact, post-exertional malaise is the hallmark of these illnesses - i.e. uniquely different from any other illness. So, like DEVLe, I too have to work regular breaks into anything I do, not just exercise.

One technical way of handling exercise is to learn to use a heart rate monitor. The idea is that you find your anaerobic threshold, and make sure you stay under that at all times.

A less techie way is to keep a log of your activity versus your symptoms. Over time you should be able to correlate what level of activity triggers more symptoms, versus what you can handle. Being ill, it will be much less than what you want it to be. But pacing is the key. Some do one minute of 'work' and 5 minutes of rest. Just don't overdo it - anything! - it will only make the Fibro worse.

As for the weight loss issue, calories is the bigger factor than exercise, in my opinion. I can only manage a 15 minute slow walk a day - a whopping 43 extra calories (ugh). i long for the day when I ran a marathon. It's just not in the cards right now.

Peace. :ohwell:

I have learnt the hard way - it is a game of balance like everything else with this condition :grumble: - start out slow and steady and dont underestimate the power of the rest day/days - stick to simple exercise like walking or swimming rather than hitting the gym and trying to compete with the weightlifters.

Also 'budget' for it and I you are tired after your walk etc then have a kip - make sure you drink enough water and listen to your body and dont push yourself :flowerforyou:

I rarely am able to exercise officially either. I have CFS and RA so my body hurts all the time and im sooooooo exhausted 24/7 that i can rarely get up the energy to run a load of laundry or change out of my pj's let alone exercise for 20 mins. But i try to on ok days.