i have chronic pain (due to a car accident about 5 years ago), but this is my first time on the weight loss journey. My mom, who has done this before, also has chronic pain (a bladder auto immune thing with a long name, and also fibromyalgia (sp?)

she told me that the weight loss gave her something to focus on besides the pain, and that she found small ways to be more active. She used housecleaning as her excercise (look that phrase up on google and you should get some hits)

GL!

hi :)

although I have just started the Slim Fast 321 plan today I don't have any concrete advice to give you yet but I feel like we can help eachother along. :)  I myself havet been diganosed with a chronic illness (june 2008) that keeps me bedwridden for the majority of the day.  The only 'exercise' I get is whatever walking around my house I can get myself to do that day. I have gained a hefty amount of weight because of this. I know just how frustrating it can be.

 See if your town's highschool allows public swimming in afterschool hours. Many highschools open their pools up to 'town members' during the evenings.  Aqua therapy I have found is the best* kind of exercise you can do without feeling fatigued or pained so quickly. And it works so many muscle groups at once! Even if you just stand in one spot and do leg lifts for 5 minutes then some arm lifts, your muscles will appriciate it, and the weightlessness of the water causes minimal pressure and straining on your body.  I can't walk a treadmill for 10 minutes without my body letting me know I shouldn't be doing this, but I can lightly swim for 30 minutes!

Good Luck!

Hi Melinda,

I can truly relate to your pain.  I've been in many car accidents during my life and the one I had in June 2008 caused a great deal of pain.  I also had chronic pain in my lower back and for me, left side of my body.  I've been through physical therapy and still receive chiropractic care every 3 weeks which will continue for the rest of my life.

Have your doctors told you to not exercise??  Are you in any physical therapy?? 

If you are not supposed to exercise than I would recommend meditating to help ease your pain.  Just start by finding a quiet place and lay in a relaxing/comfortable position and concentrated on the flow of your breath in and out in and out.....it takes practice to block out the world and the pain but I did feel that it helped me during the time I was unable to exercise due to pain.

I'll try and write more later, I need to get to work now....

B

I feel your pain, Melinda...literally!  I have dealt with chronic foot pain and back pain and muscle tenderness for nearly 4 yrs. now...ever since I had my 2nd C-Section.  I think I have nerve damage in my back from the spinal they gave me before the procedure.  Anyway, there was a time when every single step I took put me in excruciating pain...to the point of tears.  After my 3rd C-Section, the pain was even worse.  I can remember hearing my youngest cry when she was a tiny baby and actually having to get out of my chair and crawl to her b/c my feet hurt so bad.  Because it hurt to walk or stand very long, I became very inactive...It was all I could do to take care of my children's needs everyday.  I was already overweight at 210...but over the span of about 3 years, I gained another 30 pounds.  Because I was so sensitive to the touch and suffered from a lot of fatigue, my doctor diagnosed me with fibromyalgia.  But, I just wasn't willing to accept that as my sentence.  I knew that God had too many plans for me...He didn't want me sitting around, feeling sorry for myself, and just barely surviving.  So, after a lot of  prayer and a day of fasting, I started SlimFast at 240 pounds.  Since I have been doing the plan, I have lost 24 pounds (since Sept. 1....most people do NOT lose that fast, so don't get your hopes up too high).  My pain has improved dramatically.  I can now go on walks without feeling like I'm going to die.  I have a ton more energy.  I'm not promising that your pain will go away...I still hurt.  But, I think that if you can get off some of your excess weight, you will start to feel better.  As your energy improves, and your pain decreases some, you might be able to start doing some low impact exercises.  The more you are able to strengthen your back, the less pain you will have.  Just try slimfast for a few weeks.  See if it helps you.  I never thought it would work for me, but here I am a month and a half and 24 pounds later.  Just keep the faith.  We're here for you.  God Bless -- Hilary

I would love to have another sister in Christ.  I'll add you to my friends list.  It truly is only through God that I have the strength to face and conquer each day, no matter what it brings.  I love that I am meeting people on here who hare not afraid to say they are Christians...it is such a blessing to me, especially in a world where people seemed ashamed or afraid to say so.  I'm telling you without God's help - I would be insane from the stress, pain and worry of my life.  With God's help, I no longer stress or worry...I turn it over to Him.  With his help I will be be set free from the pain that tries to rule me.  God is my everything. 

I can't imagine the pain you are in, back troubles and nerve stuff is so scary.  I know that God can heal you and I will be praying for His will for you.  Regardless of our pain we can support and lift each other up in prayer and we can succeed.  "Where two or more are gathered...there he shall also be..."  We are two and we are gathered and we believe.  Let's do this!

Blessings, Bridget

Hello I have nerve damage in the lower back which leads to pain on the right side of my body.  So since I can't really control how much exercise I do, am trying to watch what I eat.  Thanks for responding.

Blessings, Melinda

Amen to that Sister! Through Christ alone we are whole.  Am sorry to hear that you have migraines I get them onces a month before my cycle and there ugly.  Went to the doctor and found out that the nerve L5 on both sides of my lower back are damaged which leads to pain on the right side of my body. Thank you for responding and thank you for your prayer. I will also keep you in my prayers.  Lets keep in touch.

Blessings, Melinda

It's hard. Can you tell me what kind of chronic pain you are dealing with??

For me it's all about prayer and faith.  I wouldn't get through a single day without God on my side.  My migraines are so out of control and the pain is so bad that God is the only answer for me.  He allows me to keep pushing through the pain and doing what needs to be done to get healthy.  Meditation and prayer are especially helpful.  I find when I am centered and balanced I am able to endure much more.  I will be praying for you and I hope that you find your answer and are healed of your chronic pain. 

Blessings, Bridget

It's hard to lose weight when you have chronic pain, does anyone have any ideas.