How can I safely start exercising with fibromyalgia?

• Always listen to your body and only exercise when you have the energy to do so. Don’t go beyond what you feel you can handle.

• Take several breaks in-between exercises so you can recover. Another method is to split up longer workouts into 5 or 10 minute sections throughout the day.

• Stretches are great for increasing mobility and improving posture, which will lessen pain when you’re doing other activities.

• Low-impact movements are the best ones to start with.

• Keep your maximum heart rate below 60 percent when exercising, so no high-intensity workouts. Doing this will really help minimize fatigue.

• Try limiting the range of motion if certain exercises seem to cause pain.

• Keep track of how you feel for up to 2 to 3 days after doing a particular exercise routine or activity.

• Consistency is important so find exercises that you enjoy and don’t stress you out, so you’ll keep doing them regularly, and even look forward to it!