Hope is Real!

The Truth Is a Powerful Medicine: Living with Fibromyalgia and CFS, Part III

This article was written exclusively for MyFibro.com by K.C. Jones. In honor of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Day coming up on May 12, K.C. dispels some myths about these conditions by sharing her personal experience with them. Click here to read Part I.

The last part of my series on fibro and CFS myths. It’s my favorite one. It’s about being happy with my body the way it is now.

2 weeks ago -

Really, there is no reason a nonmedical person should tell another about the benefits of exercising regularly or eating right. The person being told to act better has probably heard it all before. The truth of the matter is that, while exercise helps to manage the pain, it is very hard to stay motivated to move when one is incredibly tired and in a lot of pain. In the same vein, people like to tell fat people that they would feel less pain if they were at a lower weight, but the types of exercise that one is able to do when one has chronic illness are not those that generally result in losing weight. Depending on how severe the fibromyalgia is, one may be able to walk or do hatha yoga or water aerobics. These exercises will keep one healthy, but they probably won’t lead to tons of lost weight.

The Truth Is a Powerful Medicine: Living with Fibromyalgia and CFS, Part III

2 weeks ago -

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Today’s Recovery Positive Accomplishments

1. I went to my doctor’s appointment. My meds were increased a little bit, but all in all I’m doing pretty well.

2. I met with a friend to discuss the church service we’re co-leading this Sunday. I’m really excited about it! The service was my idea and it’s about being thankful for our bodies and realizing that God accepts and uses us just as we are now. We don’t need to wait until we are ”good” “thin”, or “healthy enough,” for we are fine just as we are now in the present moment and in our present bodies.

3. I made a yummy dinner - pulled pork BBQ on top of a salad.

4. I wrote an article for a website about common myths/stereotypes regarding fibromyalgia and how I deal with them. I hope they run it, even though it’s longer than they requested. I think it’s pretty good. I’ll post the link if it’s published.

I was pretty productive today!

2 weeks ago -

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Finally, I agreed to go back on the old medication regime, because I finally realized that good mental health is more important the size of clothes I wear.

1 month ago -

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Regardless of whether all bodies are beautiful, all bodies deserve respect.

All Bodies Are Beautiful? | Anytime Yoga

2 months ago -

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Regardless of whether I am beautiful, I expect that I should be able to walk or run down the street or in a store without someone insinuating or flat out stating that my appearance is embarrassing, offensive, or that I need to cover up. I mean, this might be a valid course of action were I to go around wearing nothing but “I kick puppies, and I like it!” spread over my naked torso in body paint — but I assure you, that is not the case.

All Bodies Are Beautiful? | Anytime Yoga

2 months ago -

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Sometimes I think of my body as beautiful; a lot of times I do not. And I am okay with both of those. Moreover, whether or not people perceive me as beautiful does not matter in terms of how I fundamentally expect they should treat me.

All Bodies Are Beautiful? | Anytime Yoga

2 months ago -

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(shoes: Bob’s; Leggings and Cami: Target; Skirt: Torrid; Shirt: Outlet Ann Taylor; Necklace: a gift) (via Hope Is Real!: Adventures in Recovery)

2 months ago -

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I just LOVE the top! Isn’t it fun and flirty? I got the shirt from Hot Topic and the pants from Torrid. I must say that Hot Topic’s sizing is frustrating, as this XL fits me perfectly, but other shirts in the same size sometimes run way too small. I have learned the hard way to always try on their clothing before buying. (via Hope Is Real!: I Vow To Be Kinder To My Body and Mind)

2 months ago -

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Surprise, surprise-it’s leggings and a big shirt! Oh well, I like it. (shirt: Cato; leggings: no idea; shoes: Rack Room; cami: either Torrid or Target; necklace: JCPenney) I think it’s proof that leggings can be dressy. (via Hope Is Real!: Remarkable Creatures, Remarkable Recovery)

3 months ago -

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