cleaning the house can count as exercise. Don't give up. I usually try to push through the pain but there are times when I just can't. It's a fine balance knowing when to push and when to rest. I agree with the previous poster that you should try to at the very least get a walk in everyday. moving causes pain but not moving is even worse. At least that's been my experience. Best of luck to you...

I'm sorry you are in the chronic pain club with the rest of us. How wonderful that you do things like housework - which is exercise - even when the pain is high!

I agree that balance can be a tricky thing but it's what I strive for each day. It's a continual learning process for me.

My biggest motivation comes from my relationship with God. Meditation and prayer help me tremendously every day. This is one of my favorite prayers:

"O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being. O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.

O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

I also get motivation from anything beautiful - beautiful scenery, music, poetry, films, etc. These things lift my spirits and that eases the pain so moving becomes a lighter effort. Fortunately, the internet is full of free beauty and inspiration if you look for it. For example, check out this You Tube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=gXDMoiEkyuQ&vq=medium. I never get tired of watching it and feel like I can peacefully move the world afterwards! Treat yourself to it and other things like it.

I also motivate myself with mini goals on the way to my big goals. I'll choose something I want to accomplish - sometimes something as small as getting out of bed or something as large as losing a certain number of pounds - and then break it down into small steps to get it done. It's like the riddle, "How do you eat an elephant?" Answer: "One bite at a time!" For instance, when getting out of bed is hard, I break it down to a breath, then stretching my feet, then another breath and stretching my calves, then another breath, etc. Before long, I'm out of bed, breathing and stretching some more and then, before too long, I'm walking... And so it goes. My big goals for this month are to lose five pounds and do it while having as much raw food in my diet as possible. I'm choosing raw food because it helps reduce inflammation in the body and that helps reduce chronic pain and promotes healing.

I'm also motivated by my friends. My MFP pals have been terrific and I know their support has helped me get this far.

Hang in there! There really is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. You just have to learn to enjoy the rain because you can't have rainbows without it.

:flowerforyou:

I have a motivational playlist that gets me going. I used to be obsessed with my dance mat, but jumping isn't really an option anymore. I just have to remind myself that something is better than nothing, and have a bit of a dance. And I agree with all the people who are walking. I slap on my factor 50+ and try to find reasons to go for walks. The building I work in is really dark, so going out is always appreciated.

I've had a constant migraine and fibro flare for the last couple of days and have to force myself up to clean the house - the last thing on my mind is exercise. Do you try to work through pain, or do you give yourself time to rest?

I feel pretty demotivated right now but know it's only a phase and that things will look up soon enough, but am wondering if any of you have any tips for staying motivated even through your worst days.

Gosh, I know nothing about fibro pain except that it is intense. The last six month arthirtis has plagued my knees and today, for the first time, my neck! Could hardly move. I know, however, from dealing with my knees that for arthritis anyway movement is one of the best things to get rid of and keep the pain away. Movement, and eliminating all refined sugar and any foods to which one is allergic. We had company this week and although I cooked all the meals, we had ice cream every night. That "little" indulgence cost me today with my neck. In three more days, it should be flushed from my system. Meantime, I'm moving moving moving the best I can.

Glad this group is here. Hope to meet some fellow endurers and provide support.

-Debra

It depends on the pain.

The fibro pain is one thing, and I know if I move and go through the yoga pose sequence I'll feel better. And since I have had days where I didn't wanna and it worked, that's proof that it will again.

I don't try to work out through the pain of arthritis or the damaged ankle ligaments. Those get something done about the pain and inflammation, and then I'll exercise when I don't hurt so much.

Often I think about what doing the exercise gives me. That gives me the purpose to get through.

I also break my exercise up throughout the day. Five minutes here and there counts too, and it really makes a difference in how my body feels.

Stagemom what is T-Tap??

I looked it up (love google) and it looks interesting and it has some free online workouts you can try...but I am not impressed with the price...but I suppose if worse came to worse...I don't know maybe not. hahaha

I have EDS and Osteo Arthritis so sometimes i find it hard to do anything at all where pains concerned. But i just try and remember that anything is better than nothing. So I'll try walks, even if it means stopping along the way. My partner is a huge support for me and always keeps me going. We got a puppy a few months ago too so he's been acting a physio when we take him for his walks. He deffinately keeps me on my toes. Proper rest and relaxation between helps a lot. I like to listen to music.

I had back surgery in February--so I still have a lot of pain in my lower back. When my back hurts...exercise isn't really the best option. I tend to not be hungry though, when I'm in pain. Food is DEF not on my mind...getting the pain under control is. I normally just say a little prayer, lay down for a while until it subsides...and then know that the following day will be better. For me--Zumba, and anything Jumping around-ish...is NOT an option. Nothing that is too bendy back and forth trying to "tone abs"-ish either...some of those videos...they are just doing too much. I mean...I can do crunches and stuff.. I actually did those in Physical Therapy--but in alot of Aerobics DVDS---I find that they get messy and it actually causes back pain--so just watch out--it may cause the same problems for you. I avoid those kinds of things at all costs now...from past experience.

Just know though... You will get there... this won't hold you back if you don't let it.
In March, I couldn't even walk--- and now...I'm back to working fulltime!
I have pain from time to time, sure. But I try my best not to let it get in my way if I can help it. Losing this weight has helped me...more than you can even know! With every pound...it seems like there is less pain. So if you have back pain...let THAT be your motivation! It was mine! My doctor told me I HAD to get down to 120 lbs or I would have to have even another surgery. He told me that in May...after just having surgery in February... talk about someone who was already trying to lose weight...KICKING IT IN HIGH GEAR!!!! That was THIS GIRL!!!!
Y'all have a blessed day!!

I have chronic back pain and fibro. I have to do what I can on the good days....and sometimes it is moment by moment. I have been trying to walk around the block twice a day. I started Monday and walked around the block once. Tuesday I did it twice. This morning I started out of here and didn't make it far cause my back was hurting. Laid down for a bit and then took my walk and managed to go around the whole block. I know if I go for a walk wihen I first get up in the morning...I can usually manage. But lesson learned today...just cause I can't do this moment...try again later.

I have absolutely no motivation today. I have joined the FlyLady group and this one to get my life in order. I am 59 years old with fibro and arthritis. I have had a knee replacement and need one in the other leg. Some days, like today, I can hardly move, but I know I have to. Those of you who rely on Jesus for your strength, please pray for me today. I need it desperately! God bless!

What is a dance mat? Sounds intriguing!

Stay motivated... even on my worst days? Well, for this gal who has learned to live sucessfully with pain, I can only say that i give myself a GREAT BIG PAT ON THE BACK if I can stay to my food plan on my worst days. I don't beat myself up for not exercising and I am careful to give myself lots of positive self talk for doing what I can do. Like today, my pain is way up. So, I congratulate myself for washing up, getting dressed and making my bed. That is a GIGANTIC accomplishment because it took a tremendous amount of effort just to do that. Next, I made myself a nutritious lunch. I hurt too much to walk in the kitchen for breakfast so i was careful to make a good lunch and clean up my mess. AGAIN... I give myself kudos for taking the time to make a MFP nutritious lunch.

If I can walk to the mailbox I count that as a WIN and ONLY if it doesn't hurt me to do it. If I can't walk there without great difficulty, then I don't do it. Admitting something is too much for me is as important as admitting when it isn't. I am careful not to do anything that will exasserbate the pain. I'm not sure what that is for sure until I attempt it which is my guide to back off that activity.

My biggest challenege when I have a flare (like right now), is to follow my food plan and keep my thinking positive. If I can love myself enough to allow myself NOT :flowerforyou: to exercise because it can flare me up worse :sad: then I can feel good about me because I'm taking good care of me :smooched: .

If I can accept that just for today, my pain is limiting me more than usual :ohwell: , then I won't FEEL SORRY for myself :grumble: and then turn to food to feel better :drinker: . I will simply accept that this is how it is - just for today - and I can follow my food plan and turn to other sources (wheter its MFP forums, spriitual resources, call a friend, journal, watch a good movie with a heat pad, drink green tea to detoxify or whatever)... THEN.... I can have a fantastic day emotionally and a good weigh in at the end of the week. Even tho I'm in pain.... like right now.

Living with pain is hard enough. Packing on the pounds while feeling sorry for myself just made it worse. Acceptance of my pain has been the key.... one day or one moment at a time. Hugs to you all living with with pain!

Janice in FL

Hi Group

I have been on MFP for a while now, but am new to this group. I suffer from Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy in my hands and feet, in addition to some back pain. For me some days are better than others, cold rainy days are the worse for me. In the past year I have gone from completely bedridden to active on most days (up and about for most of the day with 30min or more of exercise).

It is hard to walk on feet that often feel like they are tingly asleep or just feel like stumps, but I have learned to move in spite of it. I do still lose my balance from time to time so no running or jumping for me. Even doing dishes or typing is a workout for my hands. But if what I am doing is sustained, gets my heart rate up and I'm breathing hard then I consider it exercise.

My pain doctor has me on Gabapentin every day and Oxycodone to take when the pain is bad. My doctor said if I want to be active again I had better move it or lose it, so I have been doing my best to comply. There are 10+ pain days where I can't, but most days I do manage to do something.

Be Well
Panda_1999

I am new here. I was born with Spina bifida which is a neurotube defect. It limits my mobility drasticly. I also have fibromyalgia and several other conditions. Yes I am a medical mess. The thing for me is that I don't let any of it define me. EVER. Being disabled is all I have ever known so I choose to only look at it as a part of who I am and not allow it to be who I am. Attitude is the main thing. You may not always be able to control what happens with your body, but you do get choose how you feel about it. When I am in pain, I rate it .....is the kind of pain that says rest or is it the kind of pain that says do something.

I try to move as much as possible so the pain does not get worse. I also have a new exercise program that lets me get a workout while sitting in a chair. It's fun and it has low impact and high impact so I can choose based on how I feel on any given day. I do try to work through the pain but sometimes it is alright to take a break. Admitting you are not up to it is not failure. There is always going to be a day when you really feel good and can kick some butt. I also keep a journal which helps me sort things out and helps me plan. I find if I have a plan I feel more motivated and have something to look forward to. Hope this helps.