Pain Vs Exercise

I started on Gabapentin last year to help with my Fibromyalgia, it has helped to mask some of the pain, however it has made me put on over a stone in about 8 months. Holidaying in France eating cheese and drinking wine everyday probably didn't help, however the Gabapentin is known for slowing down metabolism and as I haven't really changed my diet I am assuming this is the problem.

Now, the problem with my Fibromyalgia is that it is a vicious cycle, of needing to exercise to work the muscles and help ease the pain, to not being able to do those things because the condition causes your whole body to ache for days on end. A never ending cycle of wanting to be active but being in so much pain you can't be.

However, my jeans are a little snug, so it is time to lose some weight. I had been swimming regularly since the new year to try and lose weight, but with half term and a dodgy knee, I haven't been for a few weeks. Life simply seems to get in the way.

I need to get a grip though, this isn't about me 'not needing to lose weight because I'm not fat' as I hear from friends and family so often, maybe not to the naked eye, but my body has changed shape and I am so conscious of it myself that I need to do it for me.

I try to be fibro-warrior, I try to get through the days and so if I can do that, then I can get rid of the weight I am carrying. I also think that it is probably adding to my weariness and I need to do it to feel better about me.

So, I have applied for a day pass to my local Nuffield Gym to see what it's like, I will be doing that and I will be getting back into my swimming, as well as going out for walks on my days off. You'd think that the amount of house work and running around I do I'd be fine but obviously something has changed in my body and I need to get better, for me and for my family.

Damned mirrors!

So whilst we were away and I was sat on the beach looking round at all of the gorgeous french women I noticed I felt so concious of my body.

Now if I moan and say I need to lose a few pounds anyone who knows me and cares to read this blog will tell me I don't, but honestly I am the heaviest I have ever been.

Worst of all I am so unfit and untoned it's silly, I felt like a frumpy fatso sat on that beach and to make matters worse the bloody mirrors in the hotel room were slightly magnifying so I looked huge.

I have always felt confident about my body but after my daughter my boobaloobs are huge and I just don't feel connected to my body in the same way.

Everything has a slight jiggle and I just want to go the gym, why do all the good ones cost so bloody much?!?  I would love to start swimming again but my poor neck would suffer and we really don't have room for running machine in the house ;)

So if anyone has any tips on cheap and easy ways to tone up or know of any offers on at mum friendly gym's in Nottingham I would be most grateful.

PS I really hate running, especially in public!