5 Reasons to Not Overdo Exercise with CFS/Fibro

I have been hurting.  My back, especially.  Also joints and muscles.  Could it be that I have been overdoing my exercise?  Well, I have been swimming a lot in the past month.  On the days it was too hot or the timing wasn't right for a walk, I did dancing to The Groove on XM radio.  I haven't taken many days off to rest. Feeling poochy in the stomach, so I have that "got to burn some more calories" mentality on.   And now I am paying for it.

I have been to the chiropractor and massage therapist more than usual, because I hurt.  Costing me $$.  I need to rest and heal.  So here are my top 5 reasons not to overdo exercise with CFS/Fibro (or any other chronic health condition):

1.   Over-exercising doesn't pay.  You are only hurting yourself.

2.   Over-exercising costs time and money in various treatment visits.

3.  It sucks to hurt all the time.

4.  It decreases enjoyment of time spent with family and friends.

5.  You know better.  Listen to your body.

Pacing Yourself with CFS

Well, I am on my way to New York City on Thursday and am really excited.  The only thing I am wondering is how I am going to get a daily mid-afternoon nap in when I have a conference that lasts all day.  When you have fatigue, it is smart to have a daily rest time built into your day.  I take a nap most days between 2 and 4 p.m.  I do a little reading, then take a 30-40 minute nap and then am able to have energy the rest of the evening.  My friends and family know not to call me during this time.  I usually turn off the phone.  I did this even when I worked full-time - I either put my head down on my desk at lunchtime or a took a short nap when I got home from work.  My daughter would watch TV while I did this.

Pacing yourself is extremely important when you have CFS, fibromyalgia, Lyme disease or any other chronic illness.  When you have energy, don't do too much even if you are having a good day.  Have a nap if you need it.  Go to bed earlier if you are tired.  Listen to your body and don't overdue it or you will pay for it with several days of being totally exhausted.

So my plan is to leave the conference early on Saturday afternoon and catch a nap, so I can go to a Broadway show Saturday night.  We will plan our days while in NYC based on my energy levels.  My husband is used to this when we are on a trip and he uses my nap time to explore on his own, do work, or rest also. New York (and shopping), here we come!!!!