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Exercise and Fibromyalgia – Part Two

By murray | May 21, 2009

Motivation and Reinforcement

We as Hamilton Personal Trainers believe clients should be encouraged gently, and encourage themselves as they andrewwould encourage others.  Short – term goal setting is an integral strategy in motivating and reinforcing client progress.  Increments of progress will be small and slow for many clients, however, they should be pointed out and highlighted when they occur.

One of the most predominate barriers to exercise is that clients fear they will experience increased pain, fatigue, or precipitate a relapse with exercise.  Exercise can be a double-edged sword.  Some exercise appears to be largely beneficial, but there is a limit beyond which, if crossed, clients will relapse, often severely.  Over exercise exacerbates symptoms, increasing pain and fatigue.  If client are able to recognize their own threshold and engage in physical activity in an appropriate manner, they do much better than those clients who avoid activity altogether.  Just as with lifestyle limit-setting, exercise limits may need to be incorporated and assessed daily.

Common themes that may signal problems are “But I  used to be able to do…” or “This can’t be enough…”  Hamilton Personal Trainers reinforce  their clients that they are  where they are  today and help them  to feel good about where that point is.

Working with clients with FMS can be a very rewarding experience.  At times, however, it can also be very frustrating for both the Hamilton Personal Trainer and the client.  Patience is important.  Progress in an exercise program will depend on many factors and both the client and the Hamilton Personal Trainer should be prepared for ups and downs.  Take advantaqge of the ups, be patient through the downs, and exercise can be a very rewarding and enriching part of living with FMS.

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