Exercising when you are chronically ill
By Andrea Wool, Creator of the Autoimmune Strong Program
If you are affected by chronic illness and chronic pain, you may have a hard time exercising, even if you really enjoy it or used to enjoy it in the past. Nobody understands chronic illness and chronic pain unless they have lived through it. Sadly, it is rarely taken seriously because it can’t be seen, it can’t be touched, and it can’t be cured. I didn’t understand that until my own health came crashing down on me 7 years ago.
My Story
After the birth of my second son, I started to feel different in a terrible way. My hair was falling out in clumps, I was gaining weight instead of losing it after pregnancy, and I was in constant physical pain all day long. I was so weak; my arms and legs felt like weights, and my whole body felt like I was on fire or like ants were crawling all over it. And I was so tired. Exhausted. All the time.
Eventually, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, fibromyalgia, and celiac disease. However, it was a long road to get to that diagnosis, and during that time, I knew I had to do whatever I could to feel better because I had two young kids at home, and I needed to be able to take good care of them.
So I started with my food. I learned about the value of real food and started switching out my processed food for organic meats and veggies. I eliminated grains and gluten, and alcohol, as well as coffee and sugar. And I felt so much better.
Exercise and my healing journey
But as an athlete and a personal trainer, I knew that movement had to be a part of my healing journey. So, I started playing around with exercise. During this process, I made some important discoveries:
- My physical pain, as well as my anxiety and my mood, improved when I moved my body.
- However, if I overdid my exercise (particularly through cardio), my symptoms would get worse rather than better.
This was a groundbreaking discovery!
I had never heard of anyone talking about exercise’s ability to improve autoimmune symptoms, nor had I heard anyone talk about exercise’s ability to increase the symptoms. I discovered that exercise is essential but requires proper execution.
I spent a year developing an exercise program that would walk this fine tightrope balance. This involved increasing strength and energy without tipping the scales and causing a symptom overload. I was my own first customer. I was determined to find a way to feel better. And it worked! Over time, I grew stronger, more capable, and had more energy throughout the day. And this program that worked so well for me is now available to you! It’s called Autoimmune Strong.
Autoimmune Strong: A one-of-a-kind exercise program
Autoimmune Strong is the first of its kind, an exercise program designed specifically for people living with chronic pain. It’s self-paced, so you can take all the rest breaks you need. The videos are short, as there is no need for anyone with chronic pain to be exercising for longer than 15 minutes a day. The exercises are simple to do but super effective. And with a mix of strengthening, flexibility and mobility movements, your body begins the important process of realignment, so in just a few weeks, you will see improvement in posture, strength, and energy levels. And it’s all taught by me, an expert in chronic pain exercise.
What Others are Saying
And the best part is that it works for others too! Hundreds of people from around the globe have now joined the Autoimmune Strong community, and I am astounded at the transformations!!! Check out how this program has impacted a few individual Autoimmune Strong members:
“Fatigue and weakness from my autoimmune issues (Hashimoto’s and a recent diagnosis of celiac disease) prevented me from exercising for over two years before I found Autoimmune Strong. I was so excited to discover an exercise routine that I could actually get through and that didn’t put me in bed for two days afterward! Through these workouts, I was able to gently build a foundation of strength that helped me to finally make progress in my fitness. This, in combination with dietary changes following my celiac diagnosis, has resulted in my being able to resume my regular, pre-illness exercise routine.”
– Debra
“The Autoimmune Strong program is both simple and hard! And maybe the first self-care I’ve done since my daughter was born. I feel amazing for doing it and love the way you seemed to know what I was thinking and answered my questions as we went along. Small habits = big change!”
– Julie
“Yesterday, I played a game of whiffle ball with my grandkids. Needing to brag a little for Autoimmune Strong – it’s been years since I held a bat or ran the bases- but I feel good, and I had NO flare-ups or sore muscles! My hard work is paying off!”
– Susan
Come check it out, and learn all about what it means to be Autoimmune Strong!!! Join the 7-day FREE trial of Autoimmune Strong, and see if it’s right for you! www.getautoimmunestrong.com
About Andrea
Andrea Wool is a personal trainer, a nutritional therapy practitioner and the founder & CEO of Autoimmune Strong, an online fitness program designed specifically for individuals living with autoimmune disease, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain.
As a mom of two boys who struggled with her own health for years, Andrea knew she had to make some changes in order to get control over her multiple autoimmune disorders. She used fitness and food to improve her life, and it worked so well that she felt compelled to share this knowledge with others. Through Autoimmune Strong, she has been helping women all over the globe learn how to exercise properly while living with an autoimmune disorder, a topic not often covered in the mainstream fitness community.
Many thanks to Erin Long Photography for the lovely photos of Andrea included in this post!