After I made some changes in my diet, I noticed I was having more energy. I was thrilled! Anxious and excited to do more, I started going back to the regular yoga class once a week. Immediately after class I would have more energy and then would rest for the remainder of the day. I would feel sore the next day from working my muscles, but I wouldn't crash. I would just plan to take it easy the day after my class. There were even a few weeks where I took 2 yoga classes in a week. 2!!!!!
However the past week or two, I feel like I am back feeling worse. I know it's bad when showering is an exhausting activity. Even typing this post is exhausting! Was I being too overly optimistic? Did I push myself too far? I hate that I can not predict anything with this illness. I used to love setting fitness goals for myself. I can't do that with CFS. I'd love to plan a trip out to visit friends in Pennsylvania. I really can't plan anything because I really just never know.
I'm a plan ahead kind of girl who loves to be in control. I can maybe plan my meals but I can't plan what I'll be able to accomplish in a given day. I hate thinking about all the things that I want to check off of my to do list and wondering if they will ever get done. Will I have energy again? Will I ever be myself again? So looks like I may have to miss yoga this week and ride this crash out. Now if only I could accept that I don't have control..... I'll save those ramblings for another blog post.
Amanda -
ReplyDeleteI could have written these exact words myself!!! The unpredictability and loss of control is so hard to deal with. And what you've experienced is very common - an activity you tolerate OK one day causes a crash another day. It may not have even been the activity, you know. Perhaps you were exposed to a virus last week that triggered your immune system to rev up even more. I feel as if I spend half my life playing "Why did this crash happen??" and it's usually not a very productive game!
So, hang in there. We've all been there ourselves - nothing to do but rest as much as possible and ride out the crash. Enjoy a good book or watch a favorite movie - treat yourself and before you know it, you'll be back to yoga.
I'm very impressed by the way. I can manage small bits of yoga at home, but it's been years since I could manage a full hour's class outside my home. When you do go back, you might try a couple of adjustments to help avoid a crash (which is almost always due to OI) - drink a big glass of V-8 before and/or after class (I know they say not to eat or drink before yoga, but the people who recommend that don't have OI!). You can also make minor adjustments during class - avoid standing for too long. If the class is doing a standing pose, just modify your own routine and do something similar sitting or kneeling. I used to do that.
Rest up now - you'll be back out there before you know it!
Sue
Sue,
ReplyDeleteI totally spend too much time wondering why I am crashing! I guess it doesn't matter too much. The important thing is to just stop and rest!
I'm lucky to have an amazing yoga studio and yoga teacher. There are 3 different classes I can take at my studio, restorative for my bad days, gentle for okay days, and basic for my good days. I also take Iyengar yoga which uses a lot of props, such as chairs, blocks, bolsters. We often use the wall for support too. Even in my gentle and basic yoga classes, we still do a lot of restorative poses. So it's not super intense. Also, my teacher knows my health situation and makes adjustments. She knows that I can't stay in poses as long as others and she's fine with that.
Well no yoga classes for me this week :( After my afternoon rest, I just did Viparita Karani(legs up the wall), that's all I could manage! Hopefully, next week I'll be back!
Have you read any good books lately? I'm reading, What is the What. My brother gave it to me for Christmas.
:) Amanda