Exercise

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When you Google Multiple Sclerosis and Exercise, not too many options appear in the search results. What does come up in the results are usually one page of information about taking it easy, not exerting yourself and watching out for overheating. The recommendations are usually aqua-aerobics, yoga or tai-chi. I’m not saying that swimming or yoga are bad forms of exercise, but they are not the ONLY forms of exercise that are good or beneficial for us MSers. In fact, I find it somewhat frustrating that this is the picture painted of what is allowed and expected of individuals who have MS. In fact, I believe this is what is perpetuating the stereotype of rampant disability in MS.
Benefits of Exercise
Exercise and movement is imperative for cellular and bodily function. Many processes in our bodies need us to move in order to function properly. How you define exercise is up to you, but there’s no doubt that it is a positive thing. Multiple studies have proven that exercise can be helpful for depression, various medical conditions, improving energy and sleep, among many other benefits. The benefits of exercise for us MSers are vary similar. Including the benefits listed above, other benefits include improvements with fatigue, pain, muscle tone, stability, balance, coordination, quality of life, social interaction, strength, gait issues and many others. All studies that I reviewed stated that participants saw improvements while participating in exercise than compared to when they were not exercising. However, some forms of exercise were superior to others in terms of participants retaining their gains over time.
Exercise for MS
Exercise is clearly beneficial for MSers, but what type? if not only yoga or swimming, what else is there? In my opinion, as an individual with MS and a Certified Personal Trainer, I believe that everyone should be doing what they can and want to be doing. That’s not a cop out answer, but as MS is an individual disease, so should your exercise program be and individualized exercise program. Just like there are no ‘one size fits all’ diets, there are no ‘one size fits all’ workout plans when talking about working out with MS (or working out in general).
Many exercises are positive for MSers. From walking to strength training, if your symptoms and body allow it, go for it. If you’re new to working out, and want to eventually workout for 30 minutes at a time, I recommend starting with 10 minutes at a time, then gradually increasing and seeing how your body responds and try this 3 days a week. I also recommend talking to your doc, physical therapist or a personal trainer to get a program to work with. Yes, there are many programs available online. Many are great, but many are not so great. Speaking with a professional that can speak to you about symptoms, goals and create a plan based on those can be very helpful.  The bottom line is don’t let a diagnosis stop you from starting or continuing physical activity. 
Exercise Considerations for MSers
There are many things to take into consideration when thinking about working out with MS. Some key symptoms to be aware of are balance, stability and gait, basically anything that will interfere with preforming exercises in a safe way and with proper form. If symptoms interfere with those two things, then a new exercise should be found. Something else that I hear often is that fatigue gets in the way of working out. Let me start out by saying, I get you. I’ve been there too. This is where we have options:
1. Not working out at all. That’s perfectly ok. When I feel like getting up to get water is the hardest thing in the world, there’s no way that you could get me to do anything, no matter how much I wanted to.
2. Trying to move in ANY way. This is usually the option I like, and try to get to. Whether it’s a walk to the end of the street, 5-10 minutes of yoga in your living room, just getting some movement in for your cells is great.
Obviously it will be your choice about what you choose. But no matter what you choose, don’t let the opinion of others cloud your thought process, and please don’t judge yourself. Something to remember is that working out helps to relieve fatigue. I know that seems counter intuitive, but it is one of the symptoms that improves for everyone when they exercise.
Also, overheating is a concern for many. When our body temperature rises, often times we experience and increase in symptoms. These aren’t new symptoms, but something called a pseudo-exacerbation, where old symptoms become unmasked. Depending on your disease course, this could bring an end to your workout real quick. Due to this issue, staying cool during a workout is very important. Drinking ice cold water is one of the fastest ways to bring down your body temperature, so having that on hand for your workout is a great idea. Also, having a cool towel to use to cool off every so often is also helpful. Being mindful about time of day and environment is helpful as well. Mid day isn’t the best time, and a hot gym might not be the best sometimes either. If that can’t be avoided, either ask for a fan or bring your own if one can’t be provided. Something I have learned since having MS is that we need to be our own best advocate. Please don’t be nervous to ask for what you need, or to supply it yourself. You’d be surprised at what people and places allow you to do on your own, especially if they can’t do it for you.
Having MS doesn’t mean we have to quit working out, quite the contrary. We just need to be aware of our bodies, symptoms and make sure that whatever exercise we are participating in is helpful and not harmful. If you are interested in learning more about a specific workout plan, feel free to contact me here, we can work together to figure out a plan that is best for you!
As always, leave me a comment and tell me your thoughts! I’d love to hear what you think about exercise, or what society thinks about MSers and exercise.
Join the LissMS Community and get my newest tips and info!

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,

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Get in MS girlie, we have stress to manage 💅

But seriously… stress management is the KEY to symptom management when you live with MS or any autoimmune disease or chronic illness.

You see- STRESS is where our autoimmune diseases alllll started.

Either due to emotional stress, physical stress, environmental stress… you get the picture, stress is the problem.

And unfortunately- it’s never going away, we can only learn how to manage it better for ourselves and our bodies.

Totally lost on how to do that? I got you!

I’m hosting a free masterclass all about how to manage stress in your daily lives- and in a way that doesn’t add a ton to your already packed to-do list.

Wanna sign up? Duh..
Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #stressmanagement #seasonaldepression #healingmultiplesclerosis

3 0
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Get in MS girlie, we have stress to manage 💅 But seriously… stress management is the KEY to symptom management when you live with MS or any autoimmune disease or chronic illness. You see- STRESS is where our autoimmune diseases alllll started. Either due to emotional stress, physical stress, environmental stress… you get the picture, stress is the problem. And unfortunately- it’s never going away, we can only learn how to manage it better for ourselves and our bodies. Totally lost on how to do that? I got you! I’m hosting a free masterclass all about how to manage stress in your daily lives- and in a way that doesn’t add a ton to your already packed to-do list. Wanna sign up? Duh.. Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!! #lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #stressmanagement #seasonaldepression #healingmultiplesclerosis

Get in MS girlie, we have stress to manage 💅

But seriously… stress management is the KEY to symptom management when you live with MS or any autoimmune disease or chronic illness.

You see- STRESS is where our autoimmune diseases alllll started.

Either due to emotional stress, physical stress, environmental stress… you get the picture, stress is the problem.

And unfortunately- it’s never going away, we can only learn how to manage it better for ourselves and our bodies.

Totally lost on how to do that? I got you!

I’m hosting a free masterclass all about how to manage stress in your daily lives- and in a way that doesn’t add a ton to your already packed to-do list.

Wanna sign up? Duh..
Comment STRESS below and I’ll send you the link to save your seat!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #thisisms #becausems #stressmanagement #seasonaldepression #healingmultiplesclerosis ...

3 0

It’s amazing what taking a few minutes to breathe and reassure yourself can do, ya know??

If you have MS and this gives you an immediate uncomfy feeling in your gut because you never advocate for yourself and your needs,

You need to come to my next Masterclass:
Managing Stress to Manage MS

We’ll be talking about:
* How Stress Works: Discover how your body’s stress response system operates and why it plays such a big role in your overall health.
* Stress and MS: Understand how stress impacts MS symptoms and why it can sometimes make symptom flares worse.
* Building Your Resilience: Get simple, effective strategies to boost your stress resilience and help ease MS symptoms for a healthier, more balanced life.

Happening February 10th at 6pm EST!
Comment NEEDS below and I’ll send you the link to register!

#multiplesclerosis #lissms #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms

9 1
Open
It’s amazing what taking a few minutes to breathe and reassure yourself can do, ya know?? If you have MS and this gives you an immediate uncomfy feeling in your gut because you never advocate for yourself and your needs, You need to come to my next Masterclass: Managing Stress to Manage MS We’ll be talking about: * How Stress Works: Discover how your body’s stress response system operates and why it plays such a big role in your overall health. * Stress and MS: Understand how stress impacts MS symptoms and why it can sometimes make symptom flares worse. * Building Your Resilience: Get simple, effective strategies to boost your stress resilience and help ease MS symptoms for a healthier, more balanced life. Happening February 10th at 6pm EST! Comment NEEDS below and I’ll send you the link to register! #multiplesclerosis #lissms #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms

It’s amazing what taking a few minutes to breathe and reassure yourself can do, ya know??

If you have MS and this gives you an immediate uncomfy feeling in your gut because you never advocate for yourself and your needs,

You need to come to my next Masterclass:
Managing Stress to Manage MS

We’ll be talking about:
* How Stress Works: Discover how your body’s stress response system operates and why it plays such a big role in your overall health.
* Stress and MS: Understand how stress impacts MS symptoms and why it can sometimes make symptom flares worse.
* Building Your Resilience: Get simple, effective strategies to boost your stress resilience and help ease MS symptoms for a healthier, more balanced life.

Happening February 10th at 6pm EST!
Comment NEEDS below and I’ll send you the link to register!

#multiplesclerosis #lissms #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms ...

9 1

This is hard!!

We feel like “we should be able to” still do the cleaning, chores, putting things away etc etc etc..

But in reality- our bodies need and crave rest and recovery first.

If we don’t give our bodies what they need voluntarily, they’ll find a way to make us.

Really struggle with this idea of listening to and caring for your body?
(I get it- it’s not a skill we’re taught)

I’m hosting a (free) masterclass on this and “managing stress” in January, comment CLASS and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!

#multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #stressmanagement #lissms #thisisms #becausems #seasonaldepression #anxiety

15 5
Open
This is hard!! We feel like “we should be able to” still do the cleaning, chores, putting things away etc etc etc.. But in reality- our bodies need and crave rest and recovery first. If we don’t give our bodies what they need voluntarily, they’ll find a way to make us. Really struggle with this idea of listening to and caring for your body? (I get it- it’s not a skill we’re taught) I’m hosting a (free) masterclass on this and “managing stress” in January, comment CLASS and I’ll send you the link to sign up!! #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #stressmanagement #lissms #thisisms #becausems #seasonaldepression #anxiety

This is hard!!

We feel like “we should be able to” still do the cleaning, chores, putting things away etc etc etc..

But in reality- our bodies need and crave rest and recovery first.

If we don’t give our bodies what they need voluntarily, they’ll find a way to make us.

Really struggle with this idea of listening to and caring for your body?
(I get it- it’s not a skill we’re taught)

I’m hosting a (free) masterclass on this and “managing stress” in January, comment CLASS and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!

#multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemregulation #nervoussystemhealing #stressmanagement #lissms #thisisms #becausems #seasonaldepression #anxiety ...

15 5

I get it..

It seems like it would be good.

Because others around you are taken care of..
Because others around you feel good..
Because others around you are happy..

But what about you??

In reality, that’s just making it harder for you to help yourself heal and probs making your MS symptoms worse.

I’ve worked with so many people with MS and autoimmune disease… 1 thing (among many) that they all have in common is a habit of putting others before themselves, saying yes way too much and forgetting about what they want themselves.

Feel a little called out?
Then my course Embodied Resilience is for you.

This is a course all about managing + improving your stress tolerance- since stress is the number 1 trigger of symptom flares and relapses

And- it’s on sale for Black Friday!!
Comment SALE below and I’ll send you the link!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems

25 7
Open
I get it.. It seems like it would be good. Because others around you are taken care of.. Because others around you feel good.. Because others around you are happy.. But what about you?? In reality, that’s just making it harder for you to help yourself heal and probs making your MS symptoms worse. I’ve worked with so many people with MS and autoimmune disease… 1 thing (among many) that they all have in common is a habit of putting others before themselves, saying yes way too much and forgetting about what they want themselves. Feel a little called out? Then my course Embodied Resilience is for you. This is a course all about managing + improving your stress tolerance- since stress is the number 1 trigger of symptom flares and relapses And- it’s on sale for Black Friday!! Comment SALE below and I’ll send you the link!! #lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems

I get it..

It seems like it would be good.

Because others around you are taken care of..
Because others around you feel good..
Because others around you are happy..

But what about you??

In reality, that’s just making it harder for you to help yourself heal and probs making your MS symptoms worse.

I’ve worked with so many people with MS and autoimmune disease… 1 thing (among many) that they all have in common is a habit of putting others before themselves, saying yes way too much and forgetting about what they want themselves.

Feel a little called out?
Then my course Embodied Resilience is for you.

This is a course all about managing + improving your stress tolerance- since stress is the number 1 trigger of symptom flares and relapses

And- it’s on sale for Black Friday!!
Comment SALE below and I’ll send you the link!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #healingmultiplesclerosis #thisisms #becausems ...

25 7

✨Moving your body✨

Notice I didn’t say exercise, although yes that also helps.

Stress hormones can get stuck in our bodies, our cells, our muscle tissue for various reasons.

Making it super easy for us to carry stress around with us- which shows up often as:

Pain
Tension
Trouble breathing
Difficulty with balance

It’s no coincidence that these are often prominent MS symptoms too. Sometimes it’s hard to tell where effects of MS end and effects of stress begin.

Being able to offload accumulated stress is key to being able to improve MS symptoms.

My course Embodied Resilience shows you exactly how to do this, and it’s gonna be on sale for Black Friday.

Comment ME below and I’ll send you the sale link when it’s ready!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemhealing #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #thisisms #becausems

9 2
Open
✨Moving your body✨ Notice I didn’t say exercise, although yes that also helps. Stress hormones can get stuck in our bodies, our cells, our muscle tissue for various reasons. Making it super easy for us to carry stress around with us- which shows up often as: Pain Tension Trouble breathing Difficulty with balance It’s no coincidence that these are often prominent MS symptoms too. Sometimes it’s hard to tell where effects of MS end and effects of stress begin. Being able to offload accumulated stress is key to being able to improve MS symptoms. My course Embodied Resilience shows you exactly how to do this, and it’s gonna be on sale for Black Friday. Comment ME below and I’ll send you the sale link when it’s ready!! #lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemhealing #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #thisisms #becausems

✨Moving your body✨

Notice I didn’t say exercise, although yes that also helps.

Stress hormones can get stuck in our bodies, our cells, our muscle tissue for various reasons.

Making it super easy for us to carry stress around with us- which shows up often as:

Pain
Tension
Trouble breathing
Difficulty with balance

It’s no coincidence that these are often prominent MS symptoms too. Sometimes it’s hard to tell where effects of MS end and effects of stress begin.

Being able to offload accumulated stress is key to being able to improve MS symptoms.

My course Embodied Resilience shows you exactly how to do this, and it’s gonna be on sale for Black Friday.

Comment ME below and I’ll send you the sale link when it’s ready!!

#lissms #multiplesclerosis #nervoussystemhealing #nervoussystemregulation #stressmanagement #thisisms #becausems ...

9 2

I’ve seen myself and tons of clients through behavior change to help improve their MS + autoimmune disease symptoms.

There are SO MANY things that can help us.

But the one I’ve seen move the needle the most?

Working on your mindset and stress management tools.

We can change our diet
Change how we move
Change the products we’re using
Change the supplements we take..

But if we’re still in the high stress state that most of us are in.. all those will only go so far.

Stress is my biggest symptom trigger, and 99% of my clients feel the same.

My biggest course sale is coming Black Friday, included is my course Embodied Resilience, all about learning how to actually manage stress- so you’re not constantly battling MS flares too.

My email list is gonna get first dibs..
Comment LIST below and I’ll add you so you’re notified first!!

18 8
Open
I’ve seen myself and tons of clients through behavior change to help improve their MS + autoimmune disease symptoms. There are SO MANY things that can help us. But the one I’ve seen move the needle the most? Working on your mindset and stress management tools. We can change our diet Change how we move Change the products we’re using Change the supplements we take.. But if we’re still in the high stress state that most of us are in.. all those will only go so far. Stress is my biggest symptom trigger, and 99% of my clients feel the same. My biggest course sale is coming Black Friday, included is my course Embodied Resilience, all about learning how to actually manage stress- so you’re not constantly battling MS flares too. My email list is gonna get first dibs.. Comment LIST below and I’ll add you so you’re notified first!!

I’ve seen myself and tons of clients through behavior change to help improve their MS + autoimmune disease symptoms.

There are SO MANY things that can help us.

But the one I’ve seen move the needle the most?

Working on your mindset and stress management tools.

We can change our diet
Change how we move
Change the products we’re using
Change the supplements we take..

But if we’re still in the high stress state that most of us are in.. all those will only go so far.

Stress is my biggest symptom trigger, and 99% of my clients feel the same.

My biggest course sale is coming Black Friday, included is my course Embodied Resilience, all about learning how to actually manage stress- so you’re not constantly battling MS flares too.

My email list is gonna get first dibs..
Comment LIST below and I’ll add you so you’re notified first!! ...

18 8

And my period started to add to the joy 🙃🙃

We can do hard things y’all,
breathe in, breathe out,
all will be well.

#Electionstress #seasonaldepression #anxiety #multiplesclerosis

19 4
Open
And my period started to add to the joy 🙃🙃 We can do hard things y’all, breathe in, breathe out, all will be well. #Electionstress #seasonaldepression #anxiety #multiplesclerosis

And my period started to add to the joy 🙃🙃

We can do hard things y’all,
breathe in, breathe out,
all will be well.

#Electionstress #seasonaldepression #anxiety #multiplesclerosis ...

19 4

Home stretch!!

Do what you need to do today to take care of yourself friends.

#Electionday #Govote #Vote

10 1
Open
Home stretch!! Do what you need to do today to take care of yourself friends. #Electionday #Govote #Vote

Home stretch!!

Do what you need to do today to take care of yourself friends.

#Electionday #Govote #Vote ...

10 1

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