The Dog Days of Exercise
Thursday, July 5, 2007
By: Carolyn Ross

Patient Story

 
The best thing I ever did was to buy myself a puppy.

On good days I go rollerblading with her. The days I feel okay but lack a lot of energy, I just take her for a walk. On my bad days, that sometimes turn into weeks and months, I spend a lot time cuddling with her in bed.
 
My puppy is such a comfort when it feels like no one really understands what coping with fibromyalgia is really like. I don't have to explain to her why something new is always hurting. She gives me a reason to get out bed and can always cheer me up with her adorable personality.
 
I find that I don't get bored while skating or walking when she is with me. Of course I get a lot of weird looks when I am rollerblading, holding my dog and having a conversation with her, all at the same time. I know we both reap the benefits of our fitness routines so it encourages me to just get out and do it!
 
The real benefit of leading an active lifestyle is having more good days to enjoy with my husband, my three teenage daughters, and of course my little dog, Nina. Fibromyalgia definitely makes you aware of how bad “bad” can be—and how really great the good days are.
 
I try not to waste the good days. Getting out with my family and boating or riding ATVs is so much fun when I am feeling well. I don't want to waste one good day that I can spend having fun with my family. Unfortunately we never know how long the bad days are going to last or how long the good ones will be around. So I have to try to spend lots of quality fun times with my family and friends when I feel up to it—and when I don’t feel up to it, my puppy helps me make it through to the next good day.