Oh yes. I am one of the preachers of "exercise gently, eat healthy", but OMG, there's days when it's like, "Pizza, delivery, now, dear heaven, just don't make me move again!"....

To shortcut the "quick-easy-possibly-junky" food thing, I spend post-grocery shopping time (Hubby shops, I do the cooking).... I pre-make rice, lentils, and while they're cooking, I chop up the week's onions, carrots, etc., and have them in Tupperware. Then, as the week goes, it's just mix-match-heat, done. Not as easy as microwave, but keeps me eating from-scratch. I also make quarts of broth and store those ( freezer) in one-quart containers. It's a *lot* of work to write out, but honestly, if you're chopping while things are boiling? It's about an hour total. Then it's short-and-sweet the rest of the week.

And I am not ashamed to admit, my being vegetarian does simplify all that. No thawing or fussing with meat/poultry.

And exercise, well, if it's that bad a day, ice and heat are better long-term. Taking a day off once a week or so is not that bad an idea.

But yeah, here I am, doing my forty-five-sixty minute a day (in fifteen minute chunks to avoid over-stressing things)..... Eating healthy scratch meals of healthy this and that....

And I still get people handing me th elatest "fibro miracle diet" or "jut do this" or "lose a few pounds".... OK, sure, just numb me from the scalp down, no problem. *eyeroll*

Sorry, not hijacking your rant, just... Yeah. Argh. Argh. And argh some more.

Years ago I found this at a bookstore (before they closed all but one of them on my island), anyway, it's a fibromyalgia cookbook! It helps you experiment with your diet to find what helps and doesn't help you feel better. Because many who have FM also have food sensitivities, but besides that can also have FM sensitivities to foods. For example when I drink something with caffeine (coffee, soda), I feel sick. Alcohol also makes me feel yucky even in small doses. But there are foods that can cause extra inflammation in FM patients but it may not effect others. I have found yummy recipes in it. Check out the book and see if it helps you.... Good luck! http://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-fibromyalgia-cookbook-more-than-140-easy-and-delicious-recipes-to-fight-chronic-fatigue_shelley-ann-smith/595472/?gclid=CjwKEAjwh8exBRDyyqqH9pvf1ncSJAAu4OE3z_YUxknHnWEhv2B07kp0Gbhvw5MtWqYyB6grcEr6jBoCf0Tw_wcB#isbn=1402239122&pcrid=70112892312&pkw=&pmt=&plc=&w.directCart

Yes, I get tired of it. That kind of advice just makes you beat yourself up.

Unless you have food sensitivities or are grossly overweight, what you eat isn't going to make a damn difference in Fibro symptoms, especially if a neurological condition.

Skinnybinny, I have friends who have FM and arthritis who claim they get affected by the nightshade vegetables, but it doesn't seem to do any harm to me. I've tried not eating any for a week and then trying it and no difference for me, but I have friends who say it makes a difference for them.

Btw, Kimber, I do something like Leo. About once or 2x a week I'll cook a big pot of food and portion it out for several days, sometimes lasting the whole week. My husband will ration it out in tupperware and freeze a stack for the week for his lunches (for work).

Exercise DOES NOT energize me when I'm down due to fibromyalgia. It only drains me more.

My sister, who is always my staunchest supporter, used to tell me that I had to keep active and keep moving, and then bombard me with all these activities I could do. She finally understood that this condition is not something that will go away, and that anything physical had to be done gently and carefully. Frankly, if other people don't get it, that's not my problem.

From my own perspective, it was a matter of adjusting expectations and being realistic about my limitations. My days always start out with mild stretching, moist heat, and rest.

I used to be very active and loved playing tennis. Those days are gone. I walk on the treadmill for 20 to 40 minutes, and ensure that whatever I decide to do, to do it in segments and rest for at least 30 minutes. The key with my own situation was being realistic about what was feasible for me to,do. Yes, I'm not the go-getter I used to be, so my routine was a realistic concession to my capabilities. But I had to work through the anger of not being the former me, and stop being so hard on myself. I also work full time, and it's close to home, it's a small five, and it allows me to focus on my routine. Of course, I still have times I overdo it, but don't we all?

As far as meals, I do enjoy cooking, but look for easy, quick meals. And sometime we opt for pizza or Japanese food. My husband and daughter like to cook, so it's not always on me.

YES- It makes me want to cry. I feel exhausted even without doing anything! I do feel that stretching at least once a day helps though.

I exercise every morning for worry of ending up in a wheelchair. I just feel so weak so I must make my body move. But I too feel worse when I exercise and it drains me more. I never have a good day b/c I'm so busy exercising and preparing healthy meals all day for every meal and snack...which by the way has not helped me at all in how I feel. I feel it only keeps my body from actually getting weaker. It sucks to live this way everyday. I hate when people are told to exercise to be healthy. I've done that my whole life and my life sucks!

I do yoga 4 days a week and yes it does hurt, but it helps me sleep better at night. I guess because it does tire me out my sleep is more of a deep sleep. I do take muscle relaxers at night but before I was able to get back to yoga those didn't help much with me sleeping. I have less flares and I'm able to push through them when I do have them. I think it's because I do try to stay active, but believe me it is a struggle. As far as meals go I try to cook a big meal that will at least last 2 days. Or I have found that using my crock pot helps me out a lot to. Also if I prep my meal the night before when I get in from work all I have to do is put it on when I get in from work. I use my oven a lot! Plus I bought an electric smoker so I can smoke chicken or pork chops when I get home. It helps breakup always having baked foods.

I have been exercising and finding my pain gets worse, however, it does help me emotionally. I have a couple of friends with Fibro and they too find that exercising makes their symptoms worse. I think we are all different. I use to love to jog which I can't do any longer. Mild exercising and eating right is what we are told and most of us do just that, however, I agree with Leo about the Pizza! We do the best we can and and we all need to be respected for that. Hugs GB
P.S. Maybe we can all get together for a pizza party one day!!! LOL

Yes, feel the same that it is an endless circle. Yoga does help and keeping away from too many sweets. Moderation is the key as others have said. Do something for 30 minutes; rest for 15; repeat, etc. etc.

I am going to check out the book Bluesun; thank you for suggesting!

I am also getting tired of those kind of comments. I mean I'm not stuffing my face with absolute crap, my boyfriend cooks dinner most nights. And my body gets worn out stupidly fast. After being at my friends' wedding for like 8 hours, all I did was stand and I was in agony the next day. I can try to go on walks, but get so unmotivated after the pains. So I kinda getcha