Migraine

I finally ventured into the gym yesterday, and it went pretty well. My lower back has really been complaining lately about the lack of exercise and I've watched my muscles turn to flab over the past year since my head "went chronic." My sister was in town visiting me this weekend and wanted to work out, so I went with her, since I've been doing so well lately, and have been able to take walks.

Overall, I'd say it was successful. I stuck to weight training, no cardio. My head did hurt at about level 3-4 through much of the workout, but I went as slowly as I could to keep my heart rate down, kept the weights light, since I have *no* strength left And I got through the exercises that I need to do to keep my back in good condition. The good part was that my head recovered in about 30 mins after the workout, and I've been fine since. So I think I may be able to gradually ease myself back into my weight training routine.

Let's just hope the good days keep up If I can get back into a regular exercise routine again, I really will have my normal life back.

Robin

Robin,

I am SO SO SO Happy for you!

That sounds like a MAJOR victory- and after the major battles and skirmishes you've had with your headpain- a victory that should be celebrated!

I also find that weights are easier on my head than heavy cardio activities- makes sense, really, I guess.

Yay for this big step! Hope things keep getting better and better for you!

Hey Robin,

That is great news! ;-))) I'll add my congrats and keep up the good work. Just thinking you can do it is half the battle.

Bob

That's awesome!! It's hard to go back to the gym after a long hiatus. I have a gym in my building now, and I hate to think about going back to a big crowded public gym, especially when I don't feel well. When you make it a habit, though, you look forward to it, and the advantage to the crowds is that you can find nice people there. Lots of people in gyms have been sick or injured; that's why they started going.

For me, a new kind of exercise will often increase my headache activity for a bit, so I work new stuff in slowly - it always gets better as my body gets used to it. Hopefully it will be that way for you, too.

I have a yoga mat, dumbbells, resistance bands, and leg weights in my condo, too - I like to do different kinds of workouts, and also sometimes I want my TV shows or music on. My cat motivates me, too!

Best of luck,
Stephanie

Stephanie.. your cat motivates you? My cat hates it when I do yoga..... I have to stop, explain, scratch his ears a little but he still looks at me weird...

Robin.. Good for you... I think that's one of the hardest things (for me) ..exercise routines and migraines.. hard to break the circle.. the migraine usually wins in my case...

The hardest part about going back was taking it so slow and being patient with how weak I am. I was an avid exerciser before I developed the chronic head pain, and I was in decent shape. In fact, I didn't realize how much muscle tone and strength I had til I lost it all. I did weights and cardio, and I love to hike. But the CDH made it impossible to exercise. Even on rare good days, any rise in my heart rate made my head hurt, and my attempts to work out led to setbacks that could last days.

So this is a major victory. I'm at very high risk for diabetes, and exercise was my main preventative measure. I'm hoping I'm on the road to regular exercise again, even if it's a long, slow one.

Robin

I'm so very proud of you, Robin! Good for you!

Thanks, droolie Now I just have to work it back into my schedule. Kind of a challenge, since it's been such a long time.