Monday, September 19, 2011

Curves

I'm looking forward to the beginnings of Fall, not that I wouldn't liked to have summer much longer.  Our Falls in SW Washington State are beautiful with different colors.  Hope you are looking ahead, too.

Speaking of looking ahead....  Have you ever jumped into something not looking ahead as to what can happen?  I did a few months ago and joined Curves.  Oh yes.... pretended I didn't have fibro and arthritis and the 3rd time I went, I did it all (very foolishly) and paid very dearly from it...  I went into one of my worst fibro flares along with major arthritis aches and pains. My body was so mad, it decided to have a war, with fibro and arthritis hoping to be the winners as they fought within my body.

I didn't get back to Curves for about 3 weeks.  I planned ahead and thought about what I could do to not have this happen again.   I am going at my own pace doing 1 round of the machines instead of two.  The next week, I added 1 machine of the second round, then 2 and now I'm at 1 full round plus 3 machines.  No major problems and I'm enjoying what I am doing.  I do some of the stretches afterwards but not all of them.

Why oh why do we go through denial and try to be "normal" when we know we are not.  Accepting our conditions, our pain and planning ahead can make such a difference in our lives.   I have learned a valuable lesson. 

Stand back and look at your own life.  What can you do differently to make it a better one, as you cope with your pain.  Write down what you have been doing that might be attributed to overdoing, and next to it write your solution.  Then do it. 

May you have more pain free days as you plan ahead for them.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Those With Fibromyalgia Need a Hobby



Everyone with Fibromyalgia needs to have a hobby (or hobbies) for those rough times.  Whether it be knitting, crocheting, creating cards, reading or whatever. 

Why? 

One of the things I have found over the years is that if my mind is busy at something it takes my mind away from the pain and allows my body to relax.  Relaxed muscles don't hurt as badly as tense ones.  Whenever we start having pain we scrunch our whole body up trying to get away from it.

I can't crochet anymore due to the arthritis in my hands, the fingers go numb.  But, I love to knit.  I can get lost in knitting especially if there is a pattern I need to keep track of as I'm doing it.  I like to read (Kindle online has free books), I watch movies from Netflix on my computer.  I don't bake anymore but getting into making cookies works,  too.


If I'm not feeling too  bad I go for a leisurely walk,  but no further than my body wants to go and get back.  That remembering to time the walk so you aren't wracked with more pain when you get back is sometimes hard to do.


I'd love to hear what you do to distract yourself from the pain of Fibromyalgia?  I'll be watching for responses.


Have a super day.....

Friday, September 2, 2011



Oh goodness, I've done another disappearing act for the past six months again.  I'm going to make a real effort to show up several times a month once again.  

Is it because I'm fibro-free and too busy.... Wish it was but the years of having Fibromyalgia keep adding up.  They don't end.

I learned long ago that my attitude is what will make each day worth getting up to....  In spite of pain, I try to be a positive, friendly, useful person.  I thank God each day for waking up and being in His earthly world.  The day will be what I make it....

Choices, that's the key word.  I can choose to feel sorry for myself and make everyone who comes in contact sorry they did or I can do the things I know can help me feel better, whether it be a hot shower or a pain pill to make my day the best it can be.  

I look around each day and see so many others so worse off than I am and they have a smile on their face.  If they can smile, so can I.

Counting my blessings each day instead of dwelling on my infirmities gives me a much better life.

I love living....  and hope you do, too.  If depression has taken over and you can't create good in the days, please see your doctor.  He/She can help you.

In the meantime, I'm celebrating life....thank you, God.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Six Months, how could it be?


It's been over six months since I've posted.  Where does time go?  My wonderful Mom became ill in September and passed away in January.  I was busy with her most days which caused fatigue and stress and didn't leave many creative juices left.  I miss her a lot but life does go on.

That's the way with Fibro, it goes on and on and on.  We can become passive and let it take us over or we can become reactive and research all the things we can do to help lessen the pain and do them. 

The other day I picked up and carried 3 bags of potting soil....  I knew better but I did it.  My back has been hurting ever since.... whose fault was this?  Mine.  We have to listen to our bodies, we have to remember the things that caused us to flare and not do them again. 

We only have one trip on this earth, we need to help ourselves make it a good trip in spite of Fibromyalgia.   What can I do to make my days more productive in a pain free way.  What can you do for your self?   If it is to be, it's up to me.  We all know that phrase....  we need to listen to it and act upon it.