Stay Active Motivation
We received the following comments relating to fatigue and motivation from a former international sportswoman:
“I first noticed the effects of MS - loss of vision, falling over, cramps and fatigue - in the early 1980s. I was diagnosed officially in the late 1980’s. I competed in a sport internationally both in my teens and at a senior international level after diagnosis. I was also active in sports administration for over 25 years at both junior and international levels.
"There is no doubt in my mind that the more movement I undertake, the more mobile I am and also the more active I am, the more positive I feel."
I do not undertake sport competitively any more due to muscle weakness and the increased chance of injury through falling. Currently I swim, walk, use an exercise bike, a bouncer and go horse riding.
There is no doubt in my mind that the more movement I undertake, the more mobile I am and also the more active I am, the more positive I feel. I do not undertake strenuous exercise unless I am fit enough but I find it essential to move constantly. I never push myself if I am fatigued but I don’t stop exercising if I can’t go flat out, I just do things more gently. It should never be a question of all out training or nothing. I believe that it is essential to keep as mobile as possible by doing whatever exercise I can (perhaps movement is a better word). In the same way it is essential to keep as mentally alert as possible.
"My suggestion would be never to worry, always listen to your body and only push yourself when it does not make you exhausted."
I try and reach maximum fitness but I don’t give myself a hard time if I have to build up slowly. If there are times when I just don’t feel like exercising, I don’t let myself feel I have failed. I tell myself I am having a treat and do even less than I feel like. In fact instead of training past maximum levels I always work below them so that I remain confident and don’t get disappointed. It might be a slower level of building up fitness but it works. A day off doesn’t mean no movement. I believe that even gentle movement is important at all times even if it just means twiddling your thumbs!
If I do feel fatigued, I have a catnap and manage not to feel guilty about that either as I know how horrible I am if I soldier on without a rest. If something which I know will be tiring is coming up, I make sure I go easy beforehand (don’t miss the catnaps and go to bed early) in the hope that I will cope better on the day.
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