Anyone else struggle to exercise due to chronic health conditions?

[YouCannotPossiblyBeHungry]

I am really unfit but struggle to exercise due to chronic dizziness and imbalance. It's hard to exercise when moving makes me feel so I'll. Is anyone else in this situation? I really do need to do something but others find it hard to understand why it's so hard. I thought finding others who understand may help with motivation.

I can't totally relate but wanted to offer some words of support and encouragement!!!

I don't have a diagnosed chronic health condition but I have had all sorts of long-term aches and pains for the past year. I also wasn't very active but now do Pilates twice a week and a bit of cycling. My motivation is knowing that getting fitter should help with my aches and help protect me in future. It's a long haul though! I don't know if this applies to you but my health issues made me feel like I was fragile and getting the mindset that exercise is more likely to help than hurt helped me a lot. Being new to exercise, I've got a few muscle aches/injuries etc along the way as I'm using muscles I don't usually or taking some time to get the correct form. This can be discouraging but I need to focus on long-term gain.

My partner has a medical condition which really affects his balance, and also gets recurring vertigo. he has found Pilates really helps with balance (although it will always be an issue for him) and having a good teacher that can show you adjustments. Some moves are too tricky balancewise but he can do alternatives. May be helpful for you?

Just wanted to encourage you really, I know it's really tricky to motivate yourself to exercise if you feel like there are negative consequences. I am fairly new to this but I do believe that it is so worthwhile when you find what works for you!

I’ve got Fibromyalgia and have built up to being able to run 5 miles. It’s taking a lot to keep me fit and able to do it, but it’s forcing me to learn more about my condition, to manage it well.
Stupid question maybe have you worked with a specific dizziness specialist? I only ask as there’s one round the corner from me!

Thank you DRC2004. I hadn't considered Pilates as I can't lie flat but maybe it's ok to use a cushion...I'll have a look! Yes I think my mindset is probably the biggest issue I need to overcome. I too get regular vertigo and a lot is positional which is why I am fearful of doing any exercise just in case it triggers an episode. But I don' think I can go on like this.

Thanks JontyDoggle37...that's an amazing achievement! And it's not a stupid question at all, I know it can be really hard to get the right diagnosis and specialist with dizziness. I have a great doctor in a balance centre and have been given physio exercises which I need to dig out again.

Yes, me! Due to health issues I can't run or walk for too long, and have balance issues too.

Are there any pilates videos that anyone would recommend?

I'm also looking for YouTube videos for walking to, I think if I break it down into half hours through the day I'll be ok. I do walk outside too, but don't dare go out when it's icy or snowy.

DrDolittlesParrot, I struggle with walking too, especially on uneven surfaces and totally avoid going out when it's icy or dark. I've become a bit of a hermit as a result and very unfit. It's going to be tough doing something about it but I really need to.

I struggle too due to chronic pain from joint hypermobility. I do yoga about 4-5 times a week (gentle YouTube videos with Adriene) and I know she has one sitting down - could this be an option?

I totally sympathise, I have severe heart failure after contracting vital myocarditis two years ago. I was pretty fit and active, loved long walks etc but now I can just about manage a mile on the flat on a good day.
It’s frustrating and unfortunately the medication side effects include weight gain and hypotension. I am trying to up my exercise tolerance but it’s a struggle because if I do ‘too much’ it flattens me for several days.

I have fibromyalgia. When I started I couldn't stand for the whole lesson and did much of it seated. Now I'm so much stronger!

My teacher does online lessons, and I've been doing it daily through lock down. Well worth looking at it- I can pm the details if you like. She has lots of experience of underlying chronic health issues and does chair based sessions as well.

I found it so hard- every time I exercised I ended up injured, dance, whatever, injuries moving about from place to place. Tai Chi is slow and focussed, builds up strength but can't injure you!

I've hurt my foot and am finding it so hard at the moment. These kind of "exercise while sitting down" videos have helped me over the last few days in case they help anyone else:

I have an under active thyroid and, like many others on NHS medication, I’m not just magically cured by taking a tablet each day. I feel better when I can get alternative meds from Thailand but the pandemic has put a stop to that, so I’ve been feeling like shit for months. If I push myself too hard it takes me days to recover (I had a big push with work the 3 days before Xmas and have only really recovered this week). I did go walking with friends for an hour a day in the summer and that really helped - planning to start again this week - and I’m also doing yoga-like stretches for a slipped disc, but I’m massively overweight and unhealthy. Worries me that if I catch CV19 it will take a toll.

Hi, I have endometriosis/adenomyosis and maybe also pots/autonomic dysfunction.
I find running hard - haven’t been able to do it for ages as it causes me pain. Gentle exercise is far better. Pilates (especially with the reformer but this is probably not an option at the moment), swimming, walking especially fast and up hills as your stamina builds. Can you get a static exercise bike, found this really good for getting back into exercise again. Being healthy helps me reduce the chronic health conditions but not eliminate them. Good luck!

@YouCannotPossiblyBeHungry

DrDolittlesParrot, I struggle with walking too, especially on uneven surfaces and totally avoid going out when it's icy or dark. I've become a bit of a hermit as a result and very unfit. It's going to be tough doing something about it but I really need to.

Yes me too. In the summer I walked more, but in winter it's difficult when the days are short and it's often icy or rainy. I'm watching the suggestions with interest. Hope you find something that suits you.

OP I had sudden attacks of dizziness and didn’t know why. I cut dairy out of my diet, along with anything oily or gloopy, and no more dizzy turns.

Apparently there is a link between dairy and production of mucus. That then gets on your passageways and can cause dizziness.

If that could be a contributory factor to your dizziness perhaps you could try if for two or three weeks and see if it helps.

I found two dining chairs, one at each side of me with the backs to me so I could hold them, helped me to do some stretches etc. I just kept my head still and did leg exercises mostly. But I’m better now and can get out walking, although my ME/CFS does limit that too!

I think somebody has already mentioned Yoga With Adriene, which is a good free YouTube solution. She also has a couple of seated yoga videos. I really like the variation she gives, some are very gentle and relaxing which I find great as it gets me to stretch but feels soothing rather than a work out. Which is good if I’m feeling worn down. It’s so tricky staying resilient with pain and then pushing yourself to work out, these videos feel like you are being kind to yourself.

There are also videos that focus on one move rather than a sequence, this could be good if there are some moves that will be too tricky. You will know what you are trying to achieve from the start, so you could pick one suitable to you and try to master it at a slower pace?

Another (pricier) option could be to find a Pilates class that is taught by a physio or somebody who has experience with managing chronic conditions. I’ve heard 1:1 is even better as they can completely tailor to you, maybe even a couple of sessions so that you have a routine? I’ve not done this as but too pricey for me but I found an online Pilates class where the instructor really watches you, only 8 people in a class and the instructor is mindful of everyone’s issues.

Sorry these are all Pilates based as that is what I’m working with but I bet other people will have alternatives if you’re unsure Pilates is for you.

Good luck OP, we’re here to cheer you on!

@DunravenBadger I have systemic hypermobility and was specifically warned against yoga, by both a yoga teacher I trust and several physiotherapists. One of these days I'm going to find the time to try Pilates but for the moment my choice of exercise is walking, and not just because we're in tier 4!

@Magpiecomplex I've had mixed advice re Yoga. Some physios have said not to but then my GP said to and there is evidence to suggest stretching to our full range is good, when we try to limit our range of movement is when we get more pain if that makes sense? Personally I've found Yoga has been immensely helpful in managing my pain levels.

@DunravenBadger that's fair enough, and I'm glad it works for you. I do remember the shocked looks I got when younger and a gym member, that the rather tubby woman could get her feet above waist level to stretch, with no apparent difficulty!

I’m going to watch this thread for suggestions. Chronic muscle and joint pain, I no longer know what is normal.

Always good to feel less alone but I'm sorry to hear of other people's struggles. So, I've bought an exercise bike and trying to build up time on that. My legs really ache after only a minute but will see how it goes. It doesn't seem to trigger my dizziness too much which is great. One thing I find hard is celebrating a 5 min go on the bike when friends are running for miles etc. I wouldn't be able to walk miles these days to be honest and so adjusting expectations and achievements is hard but necessary.

I'm going to look at tai chi and pilates this week today plus the 'sit in chair' exercises. Have got to take things slowly to start with though.

Me. I get hives when I exercise and have just started a new treatment for them as wasn't even able to go for a walk
Early days but it seems to be helping so I've started a tiny bit of exercise again
Yesterday I did a 15 min walk workout from YouTube, today my legs are screaming so I did a 10 min walk stretch one (if you search walk at home on YouTube loads come up)
I figure even 15 mins a day is better than nothing and I can build it up. Just frustrated when I used to do pole/aerial hoop/deadlift

I have fibromyalgia and currently looking for a way to exercise other than walking (swimming pools closed). I tried a personal trainer at the beginning of January who said she understood about fibromyalgia. I did a 30 minute session, and spent the next 3 days in bed in agony.
I need to do something but have limited movement of arms and can’t really bear any weight on them