Fibromyalgia

TrishB
TrishB Posts: 33
edited September 19 in Motivation and Support
Is there anyone out there that suffers from this and has been successful at losing weight? If so, I would love to hear some helpful tips!

Replies

  • TrishB
    TrishB Posts: 33
    Is there anyone out there that suffers from this and has been successful at losing weight? If so, I would love to hear some helpful tips!
  • rbsand26
    rbsand26 Posts: 3
    Hi,
    I've had FM for over 6 years and it has been extremely difficult. I feel like this is my 100th time to try and loose weight again, so any one who has any types or suggestions, I would love to hear them.
  • TrishB
    TrishB Posts: 33
    May I ask what your symptoms are? I have an appointment with a specialist in March but I have been through countless tests that show nothing wrong with other doctors. This has really become a severe depression related condition for me. I appreciate your comments and any information you care to share with me.
  • rbsand26
    rbsand26 Posts: 3
    Mostly joint pain, especially in shoulders, hips and knees. That is what prompted me to go to the Dr. years ago and he tested my pressure points. Then the tiredness came and that has been my biggest battle since then
  • songbyrdsweet
    songbyrdsweet Posts: 5,691 Member
    I'm really sorry to hear about your FM. I don't have it personally, but I have had to write exercise prescriptions for people with it and I know it can be really difficult to stay active. Since it's not well-understood it's hard to diagnose.

    What I would suggest is to take it very, very slowly. Don't try to work through pain. If you can get a physical therapist or a personal training *with knowledge/experience* about FM, that will help you a lot. Depending on how advanced it is, you may only be able to walk for less than 5 minutes and do all of your exercises without weight, and that is totally okay. You shouldn't be aiming for 30 minute sessions--aim for 10, or 15 at the most. If you are comfortable with 1-2 lb handweights, by all means use them, or if you can, find a local swimming pool and walk in the water. Just getting moving will benefit you greatly. It may even alleviate some of your symptoms. The exercise can also help lessen your depression.

    It's important to remember that fat loss is about your caloric deficit, not your exercise. Exercise can help burn more calories so you can eat more while maintaining the deficit, but there is no correlation between exercise and fat loss. If you exercise 3 hours a day, but eat 12,000 calories, you'll still gain fat. So while exercise is still beneficial, it's not necessary. This is still very doable for you. :flowerforyou:
  • lotusfromthemud
    lotusfromthemud Posts: 5,335 Member
    Here are a few things, from my personal experience. (I have fibromyalgia, chronic myofascial pain syndrome and osteoarthritis).

    First of all, after about four years of weight loss and exercise, all three of those conditions are in remission about 95% of the time.

    I started very, very slowly. . .five minutes on the treadmill a day, but I worked through discomfort and actual pain. A very helpful quote from my rhuematologist was "your muscles will hurt, but they wont BE hurt." In other words, for me, pain does not equal injury.

    I continued to add on to my exercise slowly and changed my diet. Along the way, I discovered trigger foods. My biggest trigger food (and I've heard this from lots of other people with fibro) is refined flour/wheat products. I've come to think that eating refined flours is eating fibromyalgia.

    The cycle of pain/self-pity/depression is real and can feel like it makes this impossible, but you do have the power to change the way you feel significantly.

    Here's the rest of my story:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/viviakay?month=200811
    :flowerforyou:
  • moidyn
    moidyn Posts: 112
    One of my co-workers has fibromyalgia and she controls it with diet. She cut out gluten, soy and dairy. It is difficult for her to find things to eat, but she has gotten really creative with her meals (haven't we all!!). Anyway, she says that she has never been thinner!
    Apparently, it is hard for the body to digest gluten. I haven't cut it out because I love bread, etc, but for those with fibromyalgia, cutting gluten outs helps with the pain, fatigue, etc...
  • healthier4me
    healthier4me Posts: 357 Member
    Hi there

    I have had this condition for more years than I would like to remember. What works for me is watching what I eat/drink, eliminating stress, keeping active, massage and an understanding and supportive health care professional.

    This site has inspired me and I am finding energy that I have not seen in myself for a very long time. I am proof that you can work through Fibromyalgia and be successful.

    Good luck to you:flowerforyou:
  • TrishB
    TrishB Posts: 33
    Wow! What a response! THANKS to all of you, the information has been very informative. I will t ake your advice and start slowly. Today has been a self pity day, I have imploded on food (woke up depressed) and after reading the posts here I am totally ashamed. I know I can do this, i've done it before just really dont know how I got back to this point but with your help and support I will give it my all beginning tomorrow morning!. Those of you that would like to continue this post and work together, I would be all for it. Just let me know!

    You have given me a sense of hope and I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate it! :heart: But know that you will be in my thoughts when I get on the treadmill tomorrow morning!

    Have a Wonderful Evening and try to stay warm! hahahaha :flowerforyou:
  • jessmomof3
    jessmomof3 Posts: 4,590 Member
    I don't personally have it, but my Mom does. :cry: She finally got a diagnosis about 2 years ago after dealing w/ constant pain in her shoulders and hips especially. She is also a migraine sufferer.

    I have gotten her on an exercise program and she is doing a lot better. She hasn't lost a lot of weight, but about 10# in the last year or so. She's feeling better, but she has her good days and her bad days. A program that she just LOVES is the Total Body Solution by Debbie Siebers (she's the one that does Slim in 6 workouts also). It helps your body ease pain and muscle soreness, it's not really a workout, but it shows you how to stretch and ease pain in different parts of your body. She does it at least 3 days a week (there are different body parts you can do, most of them just 15 min). I also gave one to my cousin that has fibro also and she has been using it as well. Let me know if you are interested in the workout, it is from Team Beachbody.

    I hate seeing when she has her bad days. :sad: She really struggles w/ her shoulders, even just putting on her seatbelt can be painful for her.

    Take care of yourself!!

    Jess
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