2006-01-29

how do you build your strength when you are exercise intolerant?

Hmmm. I can remember a time when I could tidy my room in a day and still have the energy to go and do other things.

Where did all my strength go?

And how do you build up your strength when you are exercise intolerant? The main factor that separates ME/CFS from other conditions is exercise intolerance. So I ask you, how do you build up your strength if exercising makes your symptoms and overall condition worse?

It's a catch 22. A viscious circle.

I'd like to try yoga, but even the most gentle of yoga videos have been too strenuous for me. And that's only doing the first 10 to 20 minutes or so.

Still, once my 'zen-filled' room is tidied (a feat in itself) maybe I will try to do just a few minutes of really gentle yoga stretches. It's worth a try I guess.

The thing is, when you have this condition, you're always so wary of making yourself worse. It becomes your worst nightmare - so much so that everything you do, think, say, react to - all pivots around that one question:

Will this make me worse?>

The coping mechanism that helps to keep that balance and to aid in your recovery can be seen from the other side of the glass. Is the act of being too cautious keeping me from getting better now?

It goes against everything I have learned - from trial and error and from sheer experience. Do that - this happens. Do this - that happens. 1 + 1 makes 2, and if 2 is bad, you don't do it again - or at least try to keep it to the minimum.

Am I making sense or am I just waffling?

Anyway that's my thought for the day...

7 || 8