Taking The Positive Approach
By 
Pam Archer, Archer Fitness Consultants, Inc.


Dealing with a chronic illness is difficult at best. Many of you suffer from lupus,
arthritis, fibromyaliga syndrome and other debilitating conditions. I have written these helpful tips, for coping with these conditions, from my own personal experience dealing with FMS, but they apply to everyone.

Life is full of changes. Our survival depends upon how well we adapt to those changes. Wellness is a choice! To achieve wellness, a change in our
lifestyle is often required. Change occurs by making one, simple choice at at time. Make your choices healthy choices.

Avoid having "Pity Parties", and particularly avoid inviting guests to attend. We all have bad days, but we don't have to let the whole world know about them. You will find that the less you talk about how bad you feel, the easier it will be to cope with the bad days.

Establish an "I CAN" attitude. My motto is "Can't Never Did Anything." The word impossible is not in my personal vocabulary. In fact, my favorite, childhood story was The Little Engine That Could. If you continually say you can't, then you won't!

Don't cry because it's over, but smile because it happened. Chronic illness often alters one's lifestyle. Things that we once did, we can no longer do. I can no longer do the all-day, six hour, choreography workshops that I once did, because
the pain is too severe afterwards. I have to be thankful that I was able to do them for several years and learn to move on with what I CAN do... the shorter programs, certifications and much less traveling than before. But, hey, I now have time to pursue some hobbies that had long been set aside, due to my busy travel schedule. I'm now doing flowers for weddings. This is a creative outlet for me that doesn't require pounding my body into the ground. My passion will always be
fitness, but I have to find new and different ways to express it. 

Another author unknown quote is, "Happiness comes through doors you didn't even know you left open."

Plan your day ahead of time. Give yourself a reason to get out of bed each morning, something to look forward to...a purpose. This may sound like a small thing to those of you who are pain free, but to others of us, it is a mental struggle each day to move our bodies. I have to talk to myself each morning to overcome the pain of  getting out of bed. I can't give into it, or I will become immobile. I have found that I NEED that time on the group fitness schedule that I am to teach a class so that I will have to work out. This keeps me mobile and gives me something to look forward to. I also plan the rest of my day, so I don't find myself wallowing in self pity.

Do something every day that you enjoy. This is stress management at it's best. The activity doesn't have to consume a huge amount of time. It can be something as simple as eating lunch at a park, sitting in the rocking chair on the porch,
(guess this is a country girl luxury, huh?), getting a massage, or working on a hobby. Scrapbooking is another great mental break and creative outlet 
for me. Find a hobby that you will enjoy, too.

Exercise your body, mind and spirit. You've heard me say it before, but it bears repeating. If we neglect any of these parts of our being, it results in a malfunction of the body.

Quiet time each day should be a priority. The symptoms of most chronic conditions are exacerbated by stress. Taking a break from life's daily demands renews your spirit, mind and body.

I love the new calming fountains. They are inexpensive and I have always loved the sound of running water. My husband hates the sound of running water INSIDE the house, because it usually means plumbing problems, which he also hates. He calls the calming fountains "what -nots from Hell"! I love to turn on my fountain, which is on the night stand, put on my Depends..JUST TEASING, light some candles, put on my Giovanni CD, and stretch out on the bed. This is very calming to me.  This procedure helps to relax my muscles and renew my body, but I need to spend time reading my Bible and praying to renew my spirit. Doing this brings calmness to my life, particularly when I take time to let God speak to my heart. This is how I find peace in the midst of my life's storms.

Do something for someone else. This will get your mind off of yourself and your own problems and will make you and the recipient feel good.

When you are experiencing a flare-up of your illness, remember that it is temporary and you WILL get through it.