I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This makes life hard in so many ways, especially maintaining an excercise program and weight loss. I have suffered from this illness approx. 11 yrs. Things got really bad after the birth of my 3rd child. Now I have begun to experience fibromyalgia and arthritis symptoms. Want to guess my age? 33!!! I have gotten little sympathy and support throughout the years until lately with the CDC campaign for awareness and CFS. Though people just think I'm a little tired...There is sooo much more to it than that. I am looking for others who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle while coping with this illness. I would be so grateful to hear from anyone suffering from this debilitating syndrome. Peace and Grace everyone!

It is hard enough to lose weight without having such enormous hurdles in your life such as CFS and fibromyalgia. I don't have either of these myself, but I wanted to pass on an article I remembered that was written by a woman with CFS about her quest to stay fit. http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/displa...le.php?aid=151

Thank you so much for that link, I've gotten so much good info off of it, thank you for responding to my post. I wish you the best, and hope you have a great holiday...

For me, I have a liver disease the number one symptom is severe fatigue. I have noticed that since losing weight, I do feel better on most days but not all. I sleep more than the average person. I exercise when I'm able and often still exercise but just do less on days that I'm very tired. I was 42 when I was diagnosed but had many of the symptoms for yrs. prior to this. Here's wishing the best for you. I can totally relate to how fatigue can affect your hard earned effforts.

Thank you to everyone who even viewed my post and especially responded. Lilybelle is an inspiration!! Look at that weight loss! I had a good energy day today, but alas, I spent it doing Christmas stuff. We have friends coming over in a few to play games and just hang out. We started a Bible study with them, but so far we just get together and have fun, sounds good to me. Thanks for the support!!

I have Lupus, and the main symptoms are pain and fatigue.

My motto has been: don't focus on what you CAN'T do, but rather on what you CAN do.

I NEVER compare myself to others. I can be proud of my accomplishments, knowing in my heart that I did my best. What I am able to do one day, I may NOT be able to do another. So, I don't compare, nor allow others to pressure me to do what "they" think I should be doing. Honesty with myself will keep me doing MY personal best...and that will give you dignity and a sense of accomplishment.

When one has an "invisible" illness, they don't get alot of understand and support from the average person. But I decided that "I" was not an illness. I LIVE with one, but it is not ME. It is not my identity. I am not a victim, I am learning to live boldly, and joyfully, IN SPITE of an illness. Besides, I am not "unique". Everyone has a story...everyone has things that make their life hard. We just don't know all the facts.

I can't control the symptoms, other than to live the healthiest way I know. But I CAN control my attitude. And so I must choose not to be a "professional patient", that wears out family and friends, with the topic of conversation always revolving around me and my physical trials...that gets old fast. ;-)

Those of us that live with fatigue understand what you are saying. I encourage you to just do your personal best, and be proud of yourself. Sometimes, when you don't get it from others, you must be your own best friend and supporter. Others mean well; they just don't always understand.

Life is about choices. Sometimes I don't always choose to do what I really could have done...excuses, excuses. I used to be the Queen of Excuses! But I believe that old saying: life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you choose to respond to it! Attitude is everything.

You are a mother of 3! The most important job in the world: Mom. And trying to run a house, cook, chauffeur, errands, cleaning, etc etc etc, PLUS maintain an exercise program. If you stood back and looked at your life through the eyes of a kindly stranger, I think you would be encouraged. They might be impressed at all the balls you juggle in the air! So, give yourself a little pat and hug.

One last note...our emotional/mental/spiritual state profoundly affects our physical state. I am sure you know this. "As a man thinks, so is he". "A merry heart does good like a medicine." "The joy of the Lord is my strength." Attitude isn't a magic wand to make things go away...but it sure can cause things to FEEL better!! And, true enough, that will release chemical hormones in the body that WILL cause us to feel better sometimes.

May the joy in your life grow, and give you strength.

I have fibromyalgia and CFS also. I was diagnosed 22 years ago. Although I do think the fatigue and medications contributed some to my weight gain in the first place, it was more my attitude that kept me there. Once I finally decided 6 years ago to change my life, I did it. I've always exercised. One of the things that my doc always emphasized is that I'd feel worse if I stopped moving.

Changing my eating really helped me feel better. I cut processed foods, white flour, added sugars, and all the empty calories. Most of my food while I was losing and in my five plus years of maintenance consists of fresh vegetables, some fruits, lean protein, and low or non-fat dairy. And more vegetables I used to eat some whole wheat products, but was recently diagnosed with gluten sensitivity and have dropped all gluten grains from my diet lately. I'm not sure I feel any different.

I can't tell you for sure whether it was the change in food or the actual weightloss that made the difference, but I feel 100% better. I still exercise A LOT. In fact, I'm now a personal trainer. Some days, I'm exhausted, like today. But I suspect any normal person who does what I do would be exhausted too.

My approach has been that I'm going to exercise even if I ache and feel tired. Usually, I feel worlds better after a good hard workout, either cardio or weights. And if I'm tired and achey afterwards, oh well...I would have been anyway and at least I got my workout.

Mel

I turned 40 the month after I had my third son. That was over 11 years ago. I have had problems with fatigue every since. I have hip and knee pain so bad that it makes walking a REAL challange. It's hard for me to sleep at night. I wake up as tired as I went to bed. On top of this and more, I have high blood pressure and am deep in the heart of menopause! LOL Well, God never said this was going to be easy! Sometimes I don't know where to start! I need to find a good doctor first that will work with me to find out what is wrong with me! I'm determined to lose this weight tho! I know it is agrivating the hip and knee pain! If you ever need someone to talk to, just give me a holler!! Hey, I'm a fellow Missourian, too!

I have psoriatic arthritis which is very similar to rheumatoid. I am 35 years old. I take Humira weekly, prednisone 10 mg daily and Naproxen 500mg in the am and pm. I also have severe psoriasis (over 50% of my body which besides being overweight makes it really hard to go in public and show any skin). I was wondering what the puffy face was called...I now know it is moon faced. I am so tired of being fat...and I don't get alot of sympathy from much of anyone since I am auto-immune and the doctors just guess at what to do next. I am at around 230# now on a 5 foot frame. And i am looking for friends to help me get started on something that will work!!

This is an interesting thread for me as I too have CFS and have had for 11 years. being unable to excercise as I used to - swimming and walking- has definately contributed to my weight gain. I am able to walk , but only very short distances. Standing is a problem for me too. When we go out I use a wheelchair. This isn't due to my weight as I was like this at a much lighter weight and haven't improved since starting to lose either. It's just part of the illness I have.

As has been said, it is good to focus on what you can do. So, I can't go for a walk , but I can eat very healthily. I am losing slowly that way , so that's OK in my book

I hope it helps you to know you are not alone and good luck with your efforts.



Penny

I'm 40, and I've always been very heavy, but my symptoms began around 15 years ago, shortly after a car accident (me against a semi) and a serious staph infection caused by my knee being cut by the dash or my car keys and becoming infected. I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 4 or 5 years ago. I would also suppose that I fit the criteria for CFIDS, since fatigue and immunity symptoms are as much a part of my illness as pain (although I tend to think the two illnesses are related, if not actually a part of the same disease process). It was the fatigue more than the pain that made it impossible for me to work. I've been on disability for the fibro and related health problems for two years now. I also have an undiagnosed autoimmune illness (that might underly the fibro and CFIDS, but basically the doctors admit I am ill, but are stumped as to why or how to do more than treat each new symptom as it crops up).

On Good days it's hard to keep from overdoing, and on bad days it's hard to keep from hibernating. But balance is so important in controlling symptoms. Getting enough sleep, exercising without overdoing, eating a balanced diet, controlling stress... Learning to live a balanced life is very difficult, probably for anyone, but when your health and comfort is dependent upon doing so, it changes your perspective in so many ways. I'm optimistic that my symptoms will continue to improve as I follow the diet and exercise program that I'm following, and yet there are no guarantees, and with the autoimmune issues cropping up more and more, I'm still often pretty frightened, not knowing what is going to happen next.

Invisible illnesses are so stressful, because it's often difficult to get the support you need from friends, family, and sometimes even the medical community. I have great doctors now, who know I am not a drug-seeking hypochondriac, but mostly that has been due to accident. I moved with my husband to Wisconsin two years ago, and the doctors here have all been very respectul, understanding, and best of all helpful. I've had more useful advice, meds, and treatments in the last two years, than in the 10 years or more prior. Still, it's frustrating when friends and family often suspect (and don't hide it) that you are not nearly as sick as you say, or that they have the cure (for my MIL, for example, is pushing weight loss surgery as the answer to all my woes).

I was recently told by an aquaintance to read a book that is popular right now, about bringing good things to you by "positive thinking," and she is convinced I can "think myself" well, and generally be well if I choose to. Now she also believes after reading this book, that she can "bring any good thing" into her life by wanting it. In general, I wouldn't have taken such wacky beliefs personally, but it just brought back all of the accusations from family and doctors, before and just after being diagnosed, that I was somehow imagining or choosing to be ill.

It's great to talk and listen to people who share similar experiences. Knowing we are not alone (yet not wishing this on anyone) really helps.

Hi Colleen,
Boy, I can relate to your feelings about having an "invisible illness". So true! I am glad your are being optimistic about it...I feel the same way, that as my nutrition improves and I lose weight, my symptoms will get better.

Regarding the now popular book and dvd, The Secret: ever hear the old phrase "eat the meat an' spit out the bones"??

I have watched it twice (for free online, the link is at the end of this post), and have to say I agree with about 90% of it. Yes, some people choose to apply it in a way that says "it's all in your head" when it comes to illness, due to the way it's presented. That is THEIR problem, as far as I am concerned. I have decided to receive benefit from the information, in spite of how some people interpret it.

At home I have what I dubbed my "Gripe Sheet". On it, for the doctors, I jot down my symptoms and pains, etc. Then, I try NOT to focus on them, til I need to drag out the list for the doctor. Before I ever watched this dvd, I knew that what I focused on tended to grow, and I felt worse, and was more aware of the pain. But when I choose to focus on the things in my life for which to be thankful, and on joyful, fun, uplifting things...well, I just feel better. And I already knew that science has shown that when we feel better by different methods, the body creates endorphins that help up cope with pain.

I know people are "just trying to help" when they watch something like this, and get all excited and think it's "THE answer" to an instant cure or something. They mean well, and I can appreciate their love and concern. But....it's just not that simple, as we all here know.

But having said that, I still have found wonderful inspiration from watching the dvd. It is just a simplistic, entertaining way to explain the Law of Attraction, which is true, sort of like the law of gravity. People who choose to focus on the negative, and complain and whine and wrap their identity in pain and illness will tend to experience a less happy, more painful life......people who choose to focus on the positive, and are thankful, joyful, and make the best of their life, and give and receive love freely, tend to be happier and feel their life has joy and meaning and purpose, in spite of their circumstances.

I wonder...maybe nothing really changed....but because of WHAT they focused on...and perceived to be the dominant things in their life...THAT is what colors their life. I want to look at my life through "joy and love" colored glassess...it sure makes it feel better!! in spite of what the doctors say! ;-)

I recently saw a quote I loved: "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain."

Colleen, I am not disagreeing with you...I just don't want you to miss out on a benefit because some well meaning person spoiled it for you by the way they interpreted it! I think you would enjoy the truths in the The Secret. And I suspect you would apply it the same way as I do...as a way to feel better and be more joyful by taking care on what we focus on...not as some magical cure-all. It's not "all or nothing"...we can "take the best, and leave the rest" from it.

I hope you feel the hugs I am sending you!!!

http://www.thescienceofgettingrich.biz/ (don't let the name of the link fool you...it's not just about "getting rich" LOL!)

Loretta
=^..^=

teresah, I totally can relate to your post. With my liver disease, I have an underlying auto-immune hepatitis. I have been on prednisone for 4 yrs. now and have had to deal with the moon-face. It took forever for my doctors and specialists to figure out what was wrong with me. I don't have psoriasis, but I have a horrible skin rash that develops due to my bile salts rising to the skin. I try to always keep as much skin covered as possible and I itch like crazy. My Dr.'s advice was to start slow walking 20 min's 4 x a week. I couldn't barely make it 50 feet at that time, but I eventually was able to walk a lot more. My Dr. also advised me to eat Low Carb because of my PCOS and Insulin Resistance. This did work to take my wt. off, but due to tummy troubles and boredom with LC eating, I switched to calorie counting. If there is anything I can help you with, just PM me and I'd be happy to try to offer my assistance. Like many others have mentioned here, people can't tell by looking at me that I am sick. A lot of my family and friends think I'm well now that I've lost weight. I am definitely healthier than I was, but my liver disease didn't go away and I'm still waiting on a transplant. I try to stay positive and think of this like the poster that said yes "I have an Illness, but I am not the disease".