If there’s anything certain about MS, it’s the uncertainty of the disease. Energy, strength and mobility can fluctuate over the years – especially if you’re living with Relapsing Remitting MS.
So it’s important, when considering an exercise plan, to have options that you can scale and honor your body.
Personally, I’ve always loved exercising. So my ability to maintain a consistent schedule is something I treasure. I start my mornings either at CrossFit or going for a run.
This is what works for me now.
Shortly before I was diagnosed my “workouts” looked drastically different.
The fatigue was so extreme, the most movement I could do was a child’s pose on the floor next to be bed. Slowly I worked my way to walking around the neighborhood and eventually as I went into remission I developed the stamina to strength train.
The most important thing to know when developing an MS-friendly exercise plan is to always honor what your body can do in the given moment.
Sometimes that means giving yourself a pep-talk to take a stroll around the block even though you’re feeling a little down. Other times, you may need to scale back your efforts as anyone with MS knows, the fatigue is not something you “push through.”
Only you can be the true judge in striking that right balance – and it will likely be a fluid process. But keep in mind, even small efforts with diet and lifestyle can add up to create a healing environment in your body.
Need some ideas on where to start? Check out these New Exercises and Activities to Try if You Have MS.
This post originally appeared on www.alenebrennan.com. Reprinted with permission.
Alene Brennan has been featured in USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Huffington Post and Mind Body Green. Alene overcame debilitating migraine headaches through diet and lifestyle and is now once again using a “Less Pharm, More Table” approach is managing her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Alene holds four certifications: Nutrition Coach, Yoga Instructor, Personal Trainer and Natural Food Chef. She also completed specialized training in nutrition for autoimmune disease specifically the Wahls Protocol and the Autoimmune Protocol. Since receiving her MS diagnosis and seeing first-hand the power of using diet and lifestyle to create a healing environment in the body, she dedicated her virtual nutrition coaching practice to helping people with MS and autoimmune dieseases take back control of their health. Visit her website, alenebrennan.com.
