Getting My Body Back on Track After Fibromyalgia

Two years ago, after having ballooned up to 170 pounds, I went on a diet and exercise plan, and lost 25 of those pounds. I wanted to lose at least 10 more pounds, but that was not to happen because I became ill. Practically overnight, I lost all interest in dieting, and exercising became too painful a task. My joints and muscles screamed with pain at the slightest movement. Each day I kept thinking, it was just the flu or a virus, or that I was run down and in a few days would feel better. However, those days turned into weeks and those weeks turned into months. After three months I went to the doctor and between the X-rays and blood tests, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. He sent me to a Rheumatologist, who put me on an antidepressant (the standard treatment).

I really did not want to take an antidepressant, but I was in too much pain to argue. As happened with me once before when taking an antidepressant, I started gaining weight. The 25 pounds I lost soon reappeared along with five extra pounds. The weight gain aside, the antidepressant did not even help the Fibromyalgia pain, so I decided to see a different Rheumatologist.

The new doctor told me he believed more in diet and exercise to control symptoms of Fibromyalgia, and as I sat there listening to him, I thought, "Great, another quack." I asked him how I was supposed to exercise when I was in so much pain. He said it would not be easy, but to start slow and build up to it. Swimming in a heated pool was best, but if that was not available, I should start walking. I was willing to give it and try. I also wanted off the antidepressant, so I weaned myself off it, with the doctor's consent.

Not having a heated pool to swim in, I started exercising by walking short distances and increasing the distance a little each day. As the Fibromyaligia pain receded, I gradually got back into my regular routine of exercising 45 minutes a day, four to five days a week. It was not easy, and I had some bad days, where I did not even want to get out of bed, but the key was not to quit, just get up and do it. The only real problem I had was that I was not losing any weight. I was not on any strict diet, just watching my sugar intake, staying away from fast food, and eating more fresh vegetables and fruit as the doctor had recommended. However, no weight was coming off and I was starting to get discouraged.

Being in my 50's I knew dieting was going to be much harder, so I decided to tackle my weight the way I did the Fibromyalgia, with determination. I started a serious weight loss program two weeks ago, incorporated weight lifting with more cardio workouts, and have already lost eight pounds. My Fibromyalgia has not bothered me for several months now, but I know it is there. I know when cold weather arrives or stress gets the better of me, I will feel the pain again. However, this time I will be better prepared to deal with it, without the help of antidepressants.