Movement and The Autoimmune Protocol, Part 3


Movement and the Autoimmune Protocol

This post contains affiliate links, to learn what that means, click here!

The Autoimmune Protocol goes way beyond just food. In these next few posts we’ll dive into the other aspects of the protocol and discuss how it all comes together to create an entire healing lifestyle. If you’re just addressing the food you’re eating, that’s a great first step, but your healing will eventually stall out. Next up? Movement.

Most people use the words movement and exercise interchangeably. I however think those two things are very different, mainly because of the desired result. Exercise is for improvement in physical fitness. It is actually defined as “activity requiring physical effort, carried out especially to sustain or improve health and fitness“. Movement on the other hand, is anyway you are moving your body. It doesn’t have to be performance-based, like exercise. It can be taking a walk, playing with your kids or weeding the garden. Personally, I like the idea of movement, I feel it is much more inclusive.
So how exactly does movement fit into the autoimmune protocol? Is there one specific way of moving that is best? Should it be avoided altogether? All these questions exist on a broad spectrum. I find that the answers exist on an even broader spectrum.

Movement benefits and drawbacks

Movement has many benefits, from increased muscle mass, release of endorphins, better bone health, improved stress management and sleep quality, it’s no wonder that movement is a recommendation for most everyone, including those with an autoimmune condition. However, if you’re in that camp of “having an autoimmune disease”, then you’ll need to pay close attention to the INTENSITY of your chosen movement.
High intensity movement has gotten a lot of attention in the past few years, and with good reason. Short duration, high intensity movement has been shown to be great for energy, body composition and conditioning. However, this type of activity can also lead to over-training quite quickly. Over-training can create a chronic stress response situation in the body and lead to negative hormonal responses. These negative hormonal responses can be exaggerated in an autoimmune body. While one person without an autoimmune disease might be able to recover quite quickly from intense exercise or a bout of over-training, a person with an autoimmune disease might spend several days or weeks recovering. Or in the worst case scenario, it might induce a flare.

So.. is movement still a possibility for individuals with an autoimmune disease?

Absolutely!

There are many options to choose from when looking at movement. Obviously there is high intensity, which we just discussed, low intensity, moderate intensity, strength training, cardio, the list could go on for days. Finding what is right for you can sometimes be a bit of trial and error. But if navigated correctly, it doesn’t have to be and doesn’t have to set you back on your healing journey.
The majority of the literature points to either low to moderate intensity movement as being a sweet spot for the autoimmune population. This provides the most positive health benefits for all areas of our bodies. You still receive the benefits of movement that we discussed earlier, but without the negative hormonal effects that high intensity movement can cause. To get a little more specific, it has been shown that low intensity strength training has a profound effect on all bodies, autoimmune included.

How does movement exist for YOU on the Autoimmune Protocol?

This is where that “trial and error” I mentioned before comes in. First, you need to recognize where you’re starting from. Movement will look very different for someone who has never done regular exercise or incorporated movement into their lives versus someone who regularly moved. And that’s ok! There isn’t a “one size fit’s all” approach to any of this!
If you’re just starting out: I recommend starting slow, listening to your body and going from there.
(But what does that actually mean??)
That means starting out with walking, yoga, stretching, Tai Chi for 15-20 minutes (or less),  and then taking the rest of the day to see how you feel. If the next day you feel the same or better, proceed with the chosen movement. However, even if you’re feeling like a rock star the next day, I’d still take it easy the day after your “test movement”, just in case. Our bodies have a funny way of reacting, and it can be delayed at times. But, if you feel good after a day or two, try the same movement again. Your body will let you know when you have done too much, just like it lets you know when you’ve eaten something you shouldn’t have. You’ll feel tired, sluggish and you might have an increase in pain. That doesn’t mean that all movement is bad for you! That just means you hit your limit for now. So take some time off, then try, try again. Eventually you’ll be able to add more time, and more activities to your list of “approved” things you can do!
If you’re not new to the movement game: I recommend starting slow, listening to your body and going from there.
(Um…. is this a typo?)
Nope. #sorrynotsorry.
Even if you’ve been at this movement thing for ages.. adding in a diagnosis of an autoimmune condition can change your bodies equilibrium quite a bit. I still recommend starting out slow, listening to your body, then increasing activity from there. That might look like starting with walking, or maybe a bike ride, or a small weight circuit. Whichever activity you choose, I’d still recommend trying it out for a short duration of time, then seeing how your body responds for a few days. If no noticeable reaction, then try it again. If you feel unusually sore, tired or achy, then you might need to back the activity down a bit.

Need some ideas of Movement to get you started? 

I’ve mentioned a few already, but here’s a bigger list.

  • Include movement breaks into your day: Set a timer (there’s a few apps for that) to go off every 45 minutes or hour and get up and move around. Throw some stretching or yoga poses in there too!
  • Incorporate movement into your work environment: Use a stand up desk or get a desk cycle. Both of these can encourage more movement than sitting alone.
  • Make housework/chores part of your movement regimen: Cleaning your house totally counts as movement! Maybe instead of doing it all in one day, you split it up so you do a little each day.
  • Yoga/Tai Chi/Stretching: Incorporating gentle forms of yoga, Tai Chi and stretching are fantastic ways to start healing your body and include movement into your day.
  • Swimming!: This is a great way to move and keep it low impact. Often times swimming can be very helpful in rehabbing injuries as well, as it maintains conditioning, but doesn’t stress your joints. This can be sneaky though, and can be a lot harder than you think! So go slowly here.
  • Trampoline/Rebounder: Trampolines are NOT just for kids anymore! Small, household trampolines, often called rebounders, are great for healing. They improve circulation and lymphatic fluid flow.
  • Invest in resistance bands: These are FANTASTIC tools to start resistance training with. They are wallet friendly, space friendly and user friendly. Try out a few moves for a few minutes and see how you feel!

This is obviously not an all inclusive list, but a few things to get you started, and more importantly, most of these things you can do without making a purchase!

Having an autoimmune disease doesn’t have to keep you out the movement (or exercise) world. You’ll just have to go about it a little bit differently. Jumping right into something new might not be the best idea! Taking it slow, testing out new activities and giving yourself plenty of time to recover are great strategies for managing movement and autoimmunity. After all, movement is an important piece of the AIP puzzle!

Enjoy what you’re reading? Come join the LissMS Community!

 

I’M ALISSA!

I help women who have also been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis make specific and personalized diet, lifestyle & subconscious changes so that they can begin to heal their body, reduce disease symptoms, and return to a life they love.hey there,

follow along on Instagram:

If you’ve been a client, I’m sure you’ve heard me rant about how society’s expectations for women have set us up for autoimmunity and illness. 

We were praised for being quiet, not rocking the boat, keeping the peace, helping others before ourselves, not talking back, etc etc. 

But where did this get US? The women behind the behaviors? 
Sick, anxious and depressed- that’s where. 

Healing MS or any autoimmune disease can’t happen until you put yourself first. 

That doesn’t mean all of a sudden become a b*tch and ignore the world.

It means considering yourself as much as you consider others. 

One of my clients this week was talking about the boundaries she set in her life and how proud she was of herself. 

She was able to manage the uneasiness (aka: terror) of:
potentially letting others down,
being abandoned and 
discarded for voicing her needs. 

No wonder we’re all sick when even saying our needs outloud is scary!
What allowed her to do that after all these years of staying silent? 

Well many things, but one of them is “nervous system regulation” aka: utilizing small exercises that allow your body to “respond appropriately” aka: not entering an anxiety freak out spiral- to daily stressors. 

This is the “stress management” you’ve been looking for and what will change your life. 

My program Embodied Resilience is your road map to how. 

Drop a 🌀🌀 in the comments and I’ll send you details

If you’ve been a client, I’m sure you’ve heard me rant about how society’s expectations for women have set us up for autoimmunity and illness.

We were praised for being quiet, not rocking the boat, keeping the peace, helping others before ourselves, not talking back, etc etc.

But where did this get US? The women behind the behaviors?
Sick, anxious and depressed- that’s where.

Healing MS or any autoimmune disease can’t happen until you put yourself first.

That doesn’t mean all of a sudden become a b*tch and ignore the world.

It means considering yourself as much as you consider others.

One of my clients this week was talking about the boundaries she set in her life and how proud she was of herself.

She was able to manage the uneasiness (aka: terror) of:
potentially letting others down,
being abandoned and
discarded for voicing her needs.

No wonder we’re all sick when even saying our needs outloud is scary!
What allowed her to do that after all these years of staying silent?

Well many things, but one of them is “nervous system regulation” aka: utilizing small exercises that allow your body to “respond appropriately” aka: not entering an anxiety freak out spiral- to daily stressors.

This is the “stress management” you’ve been looking for and what will change your life.

My program Embodied Resilience is your road map to how.

Drop a 🌀🌀 in the comments and I’ll send you details
...

48 10
It’s ok if it takes time from learning about something to implementing it into your lifestyle.

There is a lot that needs to happen in our mind and body for us to be ready to change something about our day to day life. 

And it’s ok if that process takes longer than you “think it should” or want it too. 

You know what *won’t* help you when this happens? 
Being mean and judgemental to yourself. 

You’re not lazy and nothing is wrong with you, so stop saying that to yourself. 

You know what *will* help you when this happens?
Taking action. 
Action is the antidote to the fear and overwhelm you’re feeling. 

But- in a whole different way than you have been trying.

The key is slow and steady, not sexy or flashy- but this means it’s something better- sustainable. 

Sustainable means “able to be maintained or held”- which is the goal for habits right? 

Being “perfect” for 2 weeks then “messing up” (missing a day) then feeling like a “failure” for that one day, then being “off the wagon” for 3 months isn’t doing you any good (said with muchhhh ♥️♥️♥️)

We want a Supportive Sustainable Lifestyle aka being able to keep up with your habits and progress overtime (ideally for the rest of your life right? It’s about the journey not the destination)

If you want to create a lifestyle that is supportive to reducing your MS symptoms, so you don’t need to be thinking about being on or off “the wagon” again, my signature program Holistically Healing MS is for you.

And good news, it’s on flash sale this week- and the lowest price it will be ever again. 
Comment MSSUCKS below and I’ll send you details
🧡🧡🧡

It’s ok if it takes time from learning about something to implementing it into your lifestyle.

There is a lot that needs to happen in our mind and body for us to be ready to change something about our day to day life.

And it’s ok if that process takes longer than you “think it should” or want it too.

You know what *won’t* help you when this happens?
Being mean and judgemental to yourself.

You’re not lazy and nothing is wrong with you, so stop saying that to yourself.

You know what *will* help you when this happens?
Taking action.
Action is the antidote to the fear and overwhelm you’re feeling.

But- in a whole different way than you have been trying.

The key is slow and steady, not sexy or flashy- but this means it’s something better- sustainable.

Sustainable means “able to be maintained or held”- which is the goal for habits right?

Being “perfect” for 2 weeks then “messing up” (missing a day) then feeling like a “failure” for that one day, then being “off the wagon” for 3 months isn’t doing you any good (said with muchhhh ♥️♥️♥️)

We want a Supportive Sustainable Lifestyle aka being able to keep up with your habits and progress overtime (ideally for the rest of your life right? It’s about the journey not the destination)

If you want to create a lifestyle that is supportive to reducing your MS symptoms, so you don’t need to be thinking about being on or off “the wagon” again, my signature program Holistically Healing MS is for you.

And good news, it’s on flash sale this week- and the lowest price it will be ever again.
Comment MSSUCKS below and I’ll send you details
🧡🧡🧡
...

11 0
One of the criticisms I see about using lifestyle medicine to help improve MS symptoms is that it means “I think my disease is in my control, totally up to me and therefore my fault”.

The things in our control, are only a piece of the puzzle in how we feel, our MS symptoms and disease progression. 

Many more things also go into our health equation:
- Genetics
- Age
- Socioeconomic Status 
- Education 
- Health care access
- Your community 
- Economic stability 

I’m not saying that lifestyle medicine doesn’t matter, it does a lot. I’m just saying it’s not the *only* thing that matters. 

What are your thoughts on this? I know it’s a highly charged topic for some!

One of the criticisms I see about using lifestyle medicine to help improve MS symptoms is that it means “I think my disease is in my control, totally up to me and therefore my fault”.

The things in our control, are only a piece of the puzzle in how we feel, our MS symptoms and disease progression.

Many more things also go into our health equation:
- Genetics
- Age
- Socioeconomic Status
- Education
- Health care access
- Your community
- Economic stability

I’m not saying that lifestyle medicine doesn’t matter, it does a lot. I’m just saying it’s not the *only* thing that matters.

What are your thoughts on this? I know it’s a highly charged topic for some!
...

33 5
Living with MS is hard.
Some days are harder, some easier.

If you’re in a season where it feels hard, I see you.

I believe in you.
🧡🧡🧡

Living with MS is hard.
Some days are harder, some easier.

If you’re in a season where it feels hard, I see you.

I believe in you.
🧡🧡🧡
...

20 2
The food we eat can have a powerful impact on our MS symptoms and how we feel.

It’s not a magic bullet- because nothing is.

But, there is incredible potential for healing and improvement.

If you’re not quite ready to follow a “diet template”, like The Wahls Protocol or Autoimmune Protocol, that’s ok. 

Focus on getting some of these foods on your next trip to the store:

🥗Brightly Colored Fruits & Veggies 
🥬Deep Leafy Greens 
🍤Seafood & Shellfish 
🥜Healthy Fats
🥩Organ Meat

Each of these different types of foods contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that help support cellular functions, immune health and even help with myelin formation.

Not eating any of it? That’s ok!
Start with adding a serving or two here and there.
Ideas: 
✨Have a salad with dinner
✨Toss some veggies in your breakfast egg scramble
✨Have some olives or nuts as a snack instead of chips

It doesn’t have to be hard or complicated.

There is SO MUCH we can be doing to help improve our MS symptoms & progression with diet & lifestyle interventions.

Each thing you’re doing matters.

It may seem like it’s not worth it sometimes, but I’m here to tell you it is.

Keep going!
🧡🧡

The food we eat can have a powerful impact on our MS symptoms and how we feel.

It’s not a magic bullet- because nothing is.

But, there is incredible potential for healing and improvement.

If you’re not quite ready to follow a “diet template”, like The Wahls Protocol or Autoimmune Protocol, that’s ok.

Focus on getting some of these foods on your next trip to the store:

🥗Brightly Colored Fruits & Veggies
🥬Deep Leafy Greens
🍤Seafood & Shellfish
🥜Healthy Fats
🥩Organ Meat

Each of these different types of foods contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that help support cellular functions, immune health and even help with myelin formation.

Not eating any of it? That’s ok!
Start with adding a serving or two here and there.
Ideas:
✨Have a salad with dinner
✨Toss some veggies in your breakfast egg scramble
✨Have some olives or nuts as a snack instead of chips

It doesn’t have to be hard or complicated.

There is SO MUCH we can be doing to help improve our MS symptoms & progression with diet & lifestyle interventions.

Each thing you’re doing matters.

It may seem like it’s not worth it sometimes, but I’m here to tell you it is.

Keep going!
🧡🧡
...

18 6
In case you needed to hear that today.

You’re not a failure.
You didn’t “fail” at healing.
Having MS is hard- do what’s best for you.

In case you needed to hear that today.

You’re not a failure.
You didn’t “fail” at healing.
Having MS is hard- do what’s best for you.
...

61 9
This is my challenge to you over the next week.

Take some time and think about this past year.

All you’re proud of, all you’ve accomplished. And if you have some things that don’t bring you joy, be proud of yourself for making it through in one piece and still being here.

Reflection is a great way to cultivate motivation to keep going..

You’re doing amazing.
You’ve done amazing.
Let’s keep going.
🧡❤️🧡

This is my challenge to you over the next week.

Take some time and think about this past year.

All you’re proud of, all you’ve accomplished. And if you have some things that don’t bring you joy, be proud of yourself for making it through in one piece and still being here.

Reflection is a great way to cultivate motivation to keep going..

You’re doing amazing.
You’ve done amazing.
Let’s keep going.
🧡❤️🧡
...

22 4
Comparison is the thief of joy.

Regardless of what you see others doing,
you’re right where you should be.

❤️🧡❤️

Comparison is the thief of joy.

Regardless of what you see others doing,
you’re right where you should be.

❤️🧡❤️
...

25 10
This took me completely by surprise, cause I usually roast myself after a simple mistake 🙈

But, I just didn’t? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Working on self improvement is weird.
Like I’m not even consciously working on how I talk to myself at the moment. 

Have I in the past? Sure. And it’s something I try to stay conscious of, but def have my moments where I fall into old patterns.

But this moment gave me hope.

What moments in your journey have given you hope lately?

This took me completely by surprise, cause I usually roast myself after a simple mistake 🙈

But, I just didn’t? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Working on self improvement is weird.
Like I’m not even consciously working on how I talk to myself at the moment.

Have I in the past? Sure. And it’s something I try to stay conscious of, but def have my moments where I fall into old patterns.

But this moment gave me hope.

What moments in your journey have given you hope lately?
...

55 2
Thank you for supporting my business this past year. 

Because in reality, you’re supporting me.

So thank you.
Scott thanks you too!

Thank you for supporting my business this past year.

Because in reality, you’re supporting me.

So thank you.
Scott thanks you too!
...

38 7
👉🏼Feeling stuck with your MS symptoms?
👉🏼Feeling like your body betrayed you and is working against you?
👉🏼Are you worried you’re stuck like this and will never get better?

I get it. At one point I did too.

Years ago I was experiencing “Aggressive MS” and I thought I’d never function the same.

I thought my days of moving how I wanted, or doing anything on a whim were over.

I couldn’t walk well, couldn’t feel my body correctly and I was SCARED.

But now?
I’m confident in the ways I’m helping myself.
I no longer have aggressive MS.
I can move how I want, when I want.

Because of the changes I’ve made over the years.

No, it’s not easy, but that’s where I come in!!

I’ve dedicated my life to helping those with MS realize that feeling better is possible and helping them get there.

My 2 courses and my membership are on sale this weekend for Black Friday,

want to start your own success story??

Comment SUCCESS below and I’ll send you the link!!

👉🏼Feeling stuck with your MS symptoms?
👉🏼Feeling like your body betrayed you and is working against you?
👉🏼Are you worried you’re stuck like this and will never get better?

I get it. At one point I did too.

Years ago I was experiencing “Aggressive MS” and I thought I’d never function the same.

I thought my days of moving how I wanted, or doing anything on a whim were over.

I couldn’t walk well, couldn’t feel my body correctly and I was SCARED.

But now?
I’m confident in the ways I’m helping myself.
I no longer have aggressive MS.
I can move how I want, when I want.

Because of the changes I’ve made over the years.

No, it’s not easy, but that’s where I come in!!

I’ve dedicated my life to helping those with MS realize that feeling better is possible and helping them get there.

My 2 courses and my membership are on sale this weekend for Black Friday,

want to start your own success story??

Comment SUCCESS below and I’ll send you the link!!
...

16 0
Grab your path to healing!!

These are the lowest prices for my courses like ever, and they won’t be back. (And they’ll prob be going up in the new year- planning some updates!!)

Comment HEALING below and I’ll send you a link, or check out my stories!!

Grab your path to healing!!

These are the lowest prices for my courses like ever, and they won’t be back. (And they’ll prob be going up in the new year- planning some updates!!)

Comment HEALING below and I’ll send you a link, or check out my stories!!
...

3 2

As Featured In:

© LISSMS 2024 | Powered By TheDevQ

0
Your Cart
Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
Calculate Shipping
Apply Coupon